Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a cooling fan in a vehicle engine compartment, such as a tractor or combine. A fan control receives inputs from sensors and uses the sensor inputs in determining fan speeds which meet cooling needs while limiting fan energy consumption. Sensor data include at least one of PTO and transmission settings, throttle command and engine speed, and fan speed and air conditioner settings. Sensor data is received and processed in the fan control, which sends the greatest determined fan speed to a fan actuator. When the PTO is activated and the transmission is in park, fan speed can be controlled according to an alternate coolant temperature table. When throttle command is zero and engine speed is above a maximum, fan speed is set at maximum. When air conditioning is activated, fan speed is set at least at a predetermined minimum speed.

Abstract: A piston cooling structure for a multicylinder engine having oil jets for ejecting oil toward pistons. The oil jets are mounted in each of a plurality of journal walls except one journal wall. The piston cooling structure is able to supply oil to a cylinder head in a position closer to a central region along the axis of the crankshaft while avoiding a complex oil passage shape. An oil passage for guiding oil to a cylinder head is defined in the one of the journal walls without an oil jet, and this one journal wall is disposed between a pair of adjacent cylinder bores. Oil jets are mounted in each of the other journal walls. A crankshaft of the engine is rotatably supported by the journal walls.

Abstract: A snowmobile is powered by an internal combustion engine. The engine has an exhaust timing control valve, a control unit and a generator. The control unit determines the positioning of the control valve as a function of engine speed. Additionally, the control unit initiates a control valve cleaning cycle when the engine speed first exceeds a first predetermined speed within a predetermined range of engine speeds. The first predetermined speed is desirably an engine speed at which the generator generates sufficient power to render the control unit operable. The control unit retracts the control valve when the engine speed exceeds the upper limit of the predetermined range. Thereafter, the control unit initiates another control valve cleaning cycle when the engine speed decreases below a second predetermined engine speed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a cylinder with a piston movement area; a piston movably mounted in the cylinder; an ignition system connected to the cylinder; and a fuel delivery system connected to the cylinder. The fuel delivery system has a combined fuel and air injection port extending into the cylinder. The injection port has an end at the piston movement area with a top surface and a different shaped bottom. The bottom surface has an inwardly tapering shape to form a bottom portion of the end of the injection port with a generally semi-conical shape.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a cylinder and a fuel delivery system for delivering a fuel and air mixture into the cylinder. The fuel delivery system has a rapid action check valve located between a fuel source and a conduit to a combustion chamber of the cylinder. The rapid action check valve has a valve body with a channel therethrough and a valve plate connected to a front end of the valve body. The valve plate has an outer section and a center cantilevered flap. The cantilevered flap extends inward from the outer section in a generally cantilevered fashion. The cantilevered flap is located at a front end of the valve body at the channel and is deflectably moveable in a forward direction away from the channel.

Abstract: This invention is an effective engine induction valve which provides a decrease in engine blowback while maintaining engine power. This valve uses a moveable member made from a heat-setting material, this member being bent into an elliptical curve when the member is in the closed position. This elliptical curve has an included angle at the edge of the member which opens toward the engine, this orientation being beneficial in reducing blowback. Using springs to limit the force attaching the moveable member to the valve body prevents unwanted buckling of this member when exposed to elevated temperature and fuel. An embodiment is described which provides a valve with a uniform frequency response at various operating conditions, especially different temperatures.

Abstract: In a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which valve train comprises an elongate anti-rotation bridge (6) comprising receptions spaced behind one another for receiving valve tappets configured as roller tappets (4), one of which tappets is arranged in each reception and is directed with a tappet roller (3) toward a cam (2) of a camshaft (1), the roller tappet (4) of the invention comprises on an outer peripheral surface, raised tappet contours (10, 11) that engage into retention grooves of the bridge (6) within the reception.

Abstract: In a valve-operating assembly of a driven rotation member and a cam, including a hub rotatably carried on a support shaft, a cam formed on an outer periphery of one end of the hub, and a driven rotation member coupled to one end of the cam; the cam and the hub are integrally formed of a sintered alloy; the cam has a recess defined in one end face thereof; and the driven rotation member is made of a synthetic resin, and mold-coupled to the cam and the hub so that the recess is filled with the synthetic resin of the driven rotation member and an outer periphery of the hub is wrapped with the synthetic resin. Thus, it is possible to provide the valve-operating assembly of the driven rotation member and the cam, which is lightweight and excellent in lubrication of the cam and the hub.

Abstract: A piston internal combustion engine with at least one gas exhaust valve (2) for each cylinder (1), which is actuated by an actuator (7), in particular an electromagnetic actuator, controlled by a fully variable engine control unit (15). Based on the predetermined operating cycle, the valve can close off the cylinder interior space against a gas exhaust channel (13) that follows the valve seat (3) of the exhaust valve. This channel is connected to an exhaust gas system and is provided with a means for example a constriction (14) for reducing the pressure gradient during the start of the opening of the gas exhaust valve (2). A specific pressure fluctuation is used for a further reduction in the pressure gradient behind the exhaust valves during the opening through a corresponding layout of the pipe geometry and the container volumes in the exhaust gas system or corresponding installed components.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine employing a variable lift and working angle control mechanism and a variable phase control mechanism, a first sensor is provided to detect an actual control state of the variable lift and working angle control mechanism every sampling time intervals. Also provided is a second sensor that detects an actual control state of the variable phase control mechanism every sampling time intervals. At least one of the sampling time interval for the first sensor and the sampling time interval for the second sensor has a characteristic that the one sampling time interval varies relative to the engine speed. A rate of change in the sampling time interval for the first sensor with respect to the engine speed is different from a rate of change in the sampling time interval for the second sensor with respect to the engine speed.

Abstract: A camshaft drive mechanism for a vee-twin engine is described. The mechanism comprises first and second camshafts which are driven by a gear on the crankshaft of an engine incorporating the mechanism. The crankshaft drive gear engages a primary (idler) gear on the first camshaft while a secondary gear on that camshaft imparts counter rotation on the second camshaft via an identical secondary gear on the latter camshaft.

Abstract: A tappet is used in a valve-operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine. The tappet has a top wall and the upper surface of the top wall is engaged with a cam. The lower surface is engaged on a poppet valve which moves up and down. A downward projection which has a recess for storing lubricating oil is formed in the middle of the lower surface of the top wall of the tappet, thereby lubricating interfaces with the cam or valve to improve frictional or wear resistance.

Abstract: An oil-through type push rod for, for instance, internal combustion engines including a metal pipe and a metal end fitting which has an oil hole formed therein and is welded to the end of the metal pipe, the metal pipe being provided with a covering layer of a low-melting-point metal for fixing a welding spatter generated during welding, and such a low-melting-point metal covering layer being disposed on at least an inside wall surface of the metal pipe so as to be near an area where the metal end fitting is welded

Abstract: A valve-operating mechanism includes cam followers carried on an engine body 1 with their tip ends being in sliding contact with the cam, rocker arms integrally connected to the cam followers and carried on the engine body coaxially with said cam followers with their tip ends being connected to valves, and valve springs for biasing the valves in closing directions. In the valve-operating mechanism, auxiliary springs are connected to the cam followers for biasing and turning the cam followers in the same directions as directions in which the valve springs bias and turn the rocker arms through the valves. Thus, a couple of forces generated over the axis of the cam follower and the rocker arm due to biasing force of the valve spring can be offset in a valve-closing process.

Abstract: In a heat storage tank, an elbow pipe member defining a water introduction passage is formed by connecting an inlet-side cylinder portion and an outlet-side cylinder portion to have a corner portion. A step portion is disposed in the water introduction passage around a position where center lines of both the cylinder portions are crossed with each other. The step portion has a collision surface that is set to cross with a line parallel to the center line of the inlet-side cylinder portion, so that water introduced from the inlet-side cylinder portion collides with the collision surface of the step portion.

Abstract: A method of boot strap starting a diesel having a plurality of cylinders comprises the steps of initiating cranking the diesel and responsive to cranking forcing exhaust valves for all cylinders open during compression strokes. Thereafter, responsive to the engine rotational speed signal exceeding a first threshold, an exhaust valve for one cylinder is allowed to open and close in synchronous with movement of a piston in the cylinder. Further responsive to engine rotational speed exceeding a second threshold higher than the first threshold, cranking is discontinued and the remaining exhaust valves are allowed to open and close in synchronous with movements of pistons in their respective cylinders.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method of an internal combustion engine performs a predetermined stop control of the engine that includes a control to stop the supply of fuel to the engine upon establishment of a predetermined stop condition, and a re-start control that includes a control to restart the supply of fuel to the engine in response to the establishment of a predetermined re-start condition. The apparatus has a stop control discontinuing device for discontinuing the stop control if the re-start condition is established within a predetermined period between establishment of the stop condition and a stop of the engine.

Abstract: An automatic stop and start control system for a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle is disclosed. The automatic stop and start control system performs a control for automatically stopping and restarting the engine according to operating conditions of the vehicle and the engine. Fuel is provided to at least one of the cylinders of the engine when an engine stop condition for stopping the engine is satisfied. Subsequently, the fuel supply to all of the cylinders of the engine is stopped. The fuel supply to at least one of the cylinders is immediately carried out at the time an engine restart condition for restarting the engine is satisfied.

Abstract: A suction system for an internal-combustion engine is provided with at least one container, which can be connected by way of feed pipes with the intake ports of a cylinder head. Openings of the intake ports for charge cycle control are monitored by valves. In the container or in the feed pipes, at least one reflection chamber is provided, which is connected with the interior volume of the container by way of a hole structure. The hole structure is formed by a plurality of openings that are formed in a wall section of the container, and are closed off by a cover fastened to the exterior side of the container wall, providing a reflection chamber which reduces noise in the suction system without adversely affecting air flow in the interior of the suction system.

Abstract: An insert for reinforcing a flange component and an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine in which such an insert is used. The insert (14a) is open toward a longitudinal side (17) of the cylinder head flange (13), so that a mounting bolt does not have to be pushed through the passageways (16) formed by the insert, but can be inserted from the side. This offers advantages during mounting, since the intake manifold can be pushed onto pre-mounted bolts, which are subsequently tightened to fix the intake manifold. The intake manifold and the described insert are therefore particularly suitable for cost-effective mounting in tight spaces.

Abstract: A cylinder block of a multicylinder engine, having a cylinder main body in which multiple cylinder bores are provided in parallel in an axial direction of a crankshaft, and a crankcase having plural journal walls. The crankcase is integrally provided with the cylinder main body, in which a communication hole extending in parallel to the axial line of the crankshaft is provided in the cylinder main body and the crankcase while at least a part of which is opened in the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder bore. This permits the cylinder block to be downsized, increases freedom of positional setting of the communication hole, and reduces ventilation resistance of air flow through the communication hole. A cut-processed member is expanded further outward from a piston slide surface and is formed along a radial direction of cylinder bores, in inner surfaces of the cylinder bores in at least portions closer to a piston at an open edge of a communication hole.

Abstract: In a cylinder head of an engine having an intake port communicating with an combustion chamber of the engine, a mount structure for an engine accessory includes an engine accessory, an accessory mount portion provided on the cylinder head and to which the engine accessory is mounted, and a fuel injection device mount portion provided on the cylinder head and to which a fuel injection device for injecting fuel into the intake port is mounted. The accessory mount portion is joined to the fuel injection device mount portion.

Abstract: A multizone combustion chamber and method of combustion in a compression-ignited reciprocating engine. The combustion chamber includes a cylinder, a cylinder head located at one end of the cylinder, a piston that reciprocates in the cylinder, an inlet that supplies a gas into the combustion chamber during an induction stroke of the piston, and an injector that supplies a fuel into the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber defines a primary chamber and at least a secondary chamber when the piston is located in a predetermined position near the cylinder head. Combustion is initiated in the primary chamber while preventing combustion from occurring in the secondary chamber. Combustion in the secondary chamber is delayed until after the piston and the cylinder head have been separated and thermodynamic communication between the fuel/gas mass in the primary chamber and the fuel/gas mass in the secondary chamber is possible.

Abstract: A method of operating a variable compression, direct injection spark ignited internal combustion engine includes the steps of determining a demanded torque output of the engine, determining a current combustion mode and a current compression ratio mode of the engine; transitioning operation of the engine from the current combustion mode to a new combustion mode to produce the demanded torque output, and transitioning operation of the engine from the current compression ratio mode to a new compression ratio mode so as to minimize torque disturbances during the transitioning of engine operation from the current combustion mode to the new combustion mode.

Abstract: A fuel injection device and method includes a main injection valve that injects a high-pressure fuel supplied to a delivery pipe into each combustion chamber of an engine, and an auxiliary fuel injection valve supplied with the high-pressure fuel from the delivery pipe. The auxiliary fuel injection valve is capable of injecting the high-pressure fuel in sucked air flowing in a surge tank when the engine is started under cold conditions. In addition, a fuel pressure can rapidly be increased in a starting phase since vapor in the delivery pipe can be discharged by temporarily opening the auxiliary fuel injection valve.

Abstract: A method for controlling mode transitions, such as from stratified to homogeneous mode, in a direct injection engine adjusts an intake manifold outlet control device, such as a cam timing, to rapidly control cylinder fresh charge despite manifold dynamics. In addition, a coordinated change between an intake manifold inlet control device, for example a throttle, and the outlet control device is used to achieve the rapid cylinder fresh charge control. In this way, engine torque disturbances during the mode transition are eliminated, even when cylinder air/fuel ratio is changed from one cylinder event to the next.

Abstract: A method of controlling detonation in an internal combustion engine is provided with the steps of: combusting a fuel and air mixture within a combustion cylinder; sensing a plurality of pressures at discrete points in time within the combustion cylinder; determining a pressure profile of the plurality of pressures; detecting detonation within the combustion cylinder; and acting upon the detonation, dependent upon where said detonation occurs on the pressure profile.

Abstract: A hydraulically activated fuel injection system uses a common rail that is maintained at relatively high pressure by a pump when the engine is running. During start-up, a volume reducer is used to pressurize the common rail until the pump can take over. A member of the volume reducer protrudes through one end of the common rail and is movable into and out of the common rail. When the ignition is activated, the member advances into the common rail causing the fluid volume to decrease and the pressure within the hydraulic system to increase, thereby allowing activation of the fuel injectors and starting the engine before the system pump is able to supply high pressure fluid to the common rail. Once the pump is able to sustain system pressure to the desired level, the member can retract to its original position.

Abstract: In a fuel-injection system with a pressure regulator disposed in the middle of a fuel supply line and located upstream of a fuel injector for regulating the pressure of fuel flowing through the fuel supply line and for returning surplus fuel via the pressure regulator into a fuel tank, a reflux pipe arrangement is located downstream of the fuel injector and connected at one end to the downstream end of the fuel supply line and connected at the other end to the fuel tank. A reflux control device is disposed in the middle of the reflux pipe arrangement for controlling a flow rate of the fuel flowing through the reflux pipe arrangement. The reflux control device is comprised of a reflux control valve or a fluid-flow restriction orifice member.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting the application of map limits to compensate for injector variability in an electronically controlled fuel injection system is disclosed. Fuel quantity limiting maps are stored in memory within the electronic control module of an electronically controlled fuel injector system. The application of the fuel quantity limiting maps is adjusted for individual injector performance characteristics. If a fuel injector dispenses too much fuel at a particular on time, the quantity limited in the map limit is decreased. Similarly, if a fuel injector dispenses too little fuel at a particular on time, the quantity limited in the map limit is increased. As one result, limiting maps do not unduly limit fuel quantity for an injector dispensing too little fuel at that on time due to injector variability. As another result, limiting maps properly limit fuel quantity for an injector dispensing too much fuel at that on time due to injector variability.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning and/or vaporizing fuel within an internal combustion engine in order to effectuate more complete combustion is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a combustion chamber; a fuel conditioning cavity defined by walls fluidly connected to the combustion chamber; a fuel injector system for ejecting a fuel spray through the fuel conditioning cavity; and an electromagnetic wave source electromagnetically configured for introducing electromagnetic waves into the fuel conditioning cavity and into the fuel spray to effectuate volumetric heating of a droplet of the fuel spray once ejected from the fuel injector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an EGR control unit and EGR control method for controlling an EGR adjusting apparatus, and it is an object of the invention to calculate an EGR rate at a low cost and to control an operation of the EGR apparatus with high accuracy. The EGR control unit is made up of temperature detecting devices detect in-passage temperature at least two of an intake passage, an atmospheric air introduction passage located on the upstream side of the intake passage and communicated with the atmosphere and an EGR passage, an actual EGR rate calculating device for calculating a rate of an exhaust gas to an intake gas in an internal combustion engine on the basis of information on temperatures detected by the temperature detecting devices, and an EGR controller for controlling the EGR adjusting device through the use of the actual EGR rate calculated by the actual EGR rate calculating device.

Abstract: The invention presents a methodology and apparatus of incorporating electrical signal to ignition system of an internal combustion engine. The ignition system is equipped with a signal generator to generate oscillatory signal. The oscillatory signal can be amplitude modulated, frequency modulated, or pulse-width-modulated. The signal generator electrically connects with transformer. The transformer converts received signal into oscillatory high voltage, and further delivers oscillatory high voltage to igniter for ignition operation. The oscillatory voltage can excite fuel and reduce the fuel droplet size prior to ignition. The combustion process charged with oscillatory voltage can improve exhaust emission, and also can increase mechanical power output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for preventing reverse rotation operation of an engine using a system that includes a crank angle sensor (CAS), a cam position sensor (CPS), and an engine control unit for receiving signals from the CAS and the CPS to perform engine control. The method includes determining if a piston in a specific cylinder is at a predetermined location using a level of a CPS signal at a leading edge and a trailing edge of a CAS signal; determining if the engine is rotating in reverse using the CPS signal level at the leading edge and trailing edge of the CAS signal in the case where it is determined that the piston of the specific cylinder is at the predetermined location; and discontinuing operation of the engine if it is determined that the engine is undergoing reverse rotation.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control device for an internal combustion engine is provided with: an air-fuel ratio sensor; an O2 sensor; a device for setting a reference air-fuel ratio target value; a device for setting a target value of an output value of the O2 sensor; a device for obtaining an air-fuel ratio target value correction value; a device for obtaining a forcible air-fuel ratio oscillation width target value; a device for computing an air-fuel ration target value; a device for computing a correction value; a device for obtaining a forcible air-fuel ratio oscillating width injector driving time correction value; and a device for setting injector driving time.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a pneumatic paintball gun includes a barrel body and a barrel insert. The barrel body has a breech end, a muzzle end, and a barrel bore extending longitudinally through the barrel body from the breech end to the muzzle end. The barrel insert has a breech end, a distal end, and an insert bore, and is configured to be removably housed within a breech portion of the bore of the barrel body. The breech end of the barrel body is configured to attach to a breech end of the paintball gun. The barrel insert collaborates with the barrel body to provide a firing bore for the barrel assembly which guides a paintball fired from the breech end of the gun through the barrel and out the muzzle end of the barrel body. The barrel insert can be constructed having a thin, flexible wall so as to permit lateral deformation of the barrel insert.

Abstract: A connector apparatus for removably securing an archery bow accessory to an archery bow. The connector apparatus includes a base that is discrete from the archery bow. The base has a first portion configured for removably securing the archery bow accessory thereon and a second portion spaced from the first portion. The second portion defines a stem that extends axially from the second portion. The stem terminates to define at least one projection extending laterally and generally perpendicularly relative the stem axis. The projection is spaced from the second portion of the base. The invention further includes a discrete body to be removably secured to an archery bow. The discrete body defines an outer surface and bore having a peripheral wall extending from the outer surface to a lowermost elevation spaced from the outer surface. A pair of ledges extend laterally inwardly from opposite sides of the peripheral wall, and the pair of ledges are spaced from the lowermost elevation.

Abstract: The present invention is a conveyor oven that has a base. The base has a first end and a second end. A housing is secured to the second end of the base. A fixed end of a cantilevered top is attached to the housing. The cantilevered top extends generally parallel to the base and towards the first end of the base. The volume between the cantilevered top and the base generally defines an oven chamber.

Abstract: A motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. A motor and cam cause a latch rod extending from side to side to translate, causing a latch plate to move between three different positions. In one position the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch plate is pulled inwardly, orthogonal to the direction of motion of the latch rod, so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may be opened by biasing the latch plate against the bias of a biaser extending between a fixed location on a mounting plate and a fixed location on the latch plate.

Abstract: A self-heating container which comprises a container body having an internal beverage section and a thermic cavity. A liquid reactant is positioned in a first section of the thermic cavity and a solid reactant positioned in a second section of the thermic cavity. The solid reactant includes at least 70% by weight CaO and at least 5% by weight of a carbonate from the group consisting of MgCO3, CaCO3, SrCO3, BaCO3, and RaCO3.

Abstract: A disposable heating device is disclosed that includes a container having a first zone, a second zone and a third zone. A fuel is contained within the first zone and an oxidizing agent contained within the second zone. A first frangible separator disposed between the first zone and the second zone. The first frangible separator is manually operable to provide communication between the first zone and the second zone thereby defining a reaction zone. A second frangible separator is responsive to an exothermic chemical reaction within the reaction chamber. The second frangible separator is operable to provide communication between the reaction chamber and the third zone. Communication between the first zone and the second zone allows mixing of the fuel and the oxidizing agent to initiate an exothermic chemical reaction and an environmental parameter associated with the exothermic chemical reaction operates the second frangible separator.

Abstract: A fireplace fountain having a base, a basin adapted to hold a liquid supported by the base, and a hood supported by the base over the basin. A fire pan is supported by the base over the basin and under the hood, with a burner being supported above the fire pan and adapted to be connected to a fuel source. A perforated tubing is supported in the hood, with a pump and supply tube connected thereto. The pump and supply tube are in fluid communication with the basin so that liquid held in the basin may be circulated by a pump to the perforated tubing. Liquid exits the perforated tubing and falls into the basin, but not into the fire pan so that the liquid does not extinguish any flame generated by the burner.

Abstract: A geodome tower reflector for a beam down optics solar power system has three equidistantly spaced tower assemblies. A geodome reflector assembly is movably mounted to the plurality of tower assemblies for vertical movement along the plurality of tower assemblies. The geodome reflector assembly has a facet support structure. The facet support has a plurality of rigid frames to which facets are mounted. Each facet has a downwardly facing mirror for reflecting light from a heliostat to a receiver of the beam down optics solar power system.

Abstract: This invention provides a thin wall header fabricated from a nickel-base superalloy, UNS N06626, for the solar absorption panels in a molten nitrate salt solar central receiver. The thin wall header is obtained by using multiple flow distribution nozzles to yield the smallest diameter header having uniform flow distribution for the panel tubes while providing enough space to butt weld the tubes to the nozzles with an automatic orbital weld head and avoid overlapment of the nozzle reinforcement regions. This small diameter combined with the high allowable tensile stress of UNS N06626 results in a thin wall header. The thin wall small diameter UNS N06626 header with its low thermal expansion coefficient and small temperature gradients and differentials during cloud cover induced molten salt temperature transients yields low thermal strains in the tube nozzle to header region. The nozzles may be formed by direct extrusion from the header wall or by insert-welding a machined nozzle into the header wall.

Abstract: A device and method for treating equine hernia wherein a manipulator element is held in place to exert pressure on the affected abdomen to thereby push the bowel into the abdominal cavity. Any movements made by the horse, especially as by the act of walking or exercising, cause the manipulator element to shift slightly and thereby automatically manipulate the hernial ring. Such manipulation serves to expedite the healing process often obviating the need for surgical intervention.

Abstract: A child-sized adaptor for a DPI or MDI is provided. Also provided is a patient feedback mechanism for signaling and/or teaching proper inhaler use.

Abstract: A particulate dispenser having a housing with an internal chamber defined by a housing sidewall and endwall. Tobacco snuff, or other particulate such as medication, is contained in the chamber by a closure, which is a circular disk closure rotatably mounted to the housing along its axis. The disk closure has at least one cavity that serves as a measuring cup formed on the substantially planar surface that faces the chamber. By rotating the closure, the cavity filled with particulate is aligned with an air inlet. Thus, when air is inhaled through a nostril near an inhalation port, air is drawn through the air inlet, thereby drawing the particulate through a linear passage and out the inhalation port.

Abstract: An automatically closing ambient air device is disclosed having a generally conical passageway, containing an inlet for the flow of fluid from the ambient environment into the passageway and an outlet for the flow of such fluid from the passageway, and having valve means arranged to close fluid flow through the outlet from the passageway which is actuated by buoyant force and/or gravitational force and/or a combination thereof imposed by a weighted element in response to the spacial orientation of the conical wall of the passageway to level.

Abstract: An airway device is disclosed. The airway device includes a tubular structure including a first end region having a first opening and a second end region having a second opening. A mask is in the tubular structure and the mask defines the first opening. An inflatable balloon is proximate to the first end region of the tubular structure, and a pilot tube can be in communication with the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube assembly includes an endotracheal tube having an air passage therethrough. A first inflatable member is associated with the endotracheal tube and is constructed and arranged to be inflated to maintain a portion of the endotracheal tube in the trachea. A second inflatable member is associated with the endotracheal tube and is constructed and arranged to be inflated separate from the first inflatable member so as to maintain the portion of the endotracheal tube in the trachea in the event the first inflatable member fails.