Abstract: A tow-line-attachment assembly for mounting atop a towing structure on a boat includes a tow-line-attachment portion to which a tow line can be connected for towing a water sports performer, and a light portion, disposed above the tow-line-attachment portion, for emitting light. Preferably, the tow-line-attachment assembly also includes a neck portion for connecting the assembly to the towing structure, and the tow-line-attachment portion is a spool-shaped sleeve that is rotatably mounted about the neck portion. Also disclosed is a boat tower including such a tow-line-attachment assembly, and a boat provided with a tower having such an assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a integrated operation using buses to pick up passengers at outlying locations, transfer the passengers to a monorail system for ferrying the passengers to a floating dock structure where the passengers connect to a riverboat for using river-based transportation for communting.

Abstract: A working ship (1), comprising a hull (2) provided with driving means and a deck (3). The hull (2) is temporarily submersible. The deck (3) is connected to the hull by using connecting means (8) at an adjustable intermediate distance. The working ship (1) is thus adjustable between a floating position in which the deck (3) is located near the hull and a semi-submerged position in which the hull is located substantially below the water surface and the deck (3) is located above the water surface at a distance from the hull.

Abstract: A watercraft comprising an inflatable skin operable to define a hull shape when inflated, and a frame comprising an extendible rigid keel member engageable with the inflatable skin to stretch the inflatable skin to define a rigid keel form in the inflatable skin. The frame may further comprise chine or gunwale stiffeners connectable to the keel member to extend lengthwise along or over port and starboard sides of the inflatable skin. The inflatable skin may further comprise bow and stern connectors for connecting the inflatable skin to the frame at a bow and a stern of the watercraft, respectively. The keel member of the frame when extended defines the rigid keel form, which curves upward at the bow and stern. The chine and gunwale stiffeners of the frame when expanded resist the upward curvature of the bow and stern, leading to a longer waterline and a faster watercraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a film on a substrate includes a gas inlet and an insert attached to the gas inlet, the insert including a deposition source material such as lithium. To form the film on the substrate, the substrate is mounted in a vacuum chamber. After the vacuum chamber is pumped down to a subatmospheric pressure, a first process gas such as argon is provided through the gas inlet and insert and into a plasma region proximate the substrate. Power is then coupled to generate a plasma inside of the insert which heats the insert and causes the deposition source material to vaporize. The deposition source material vapor is mixed with a plasma polymerizable material in the plasma region proximate the substrate causing a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) thin film such as silicon oxide including the deposition source material (e.g. lithium) to be deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A chemical deposition reactor capable of switching rapidly from one process gas to another and method of forming a thin film using the same. The reactor of the present invention comprises: a reactor cover, having an inlet and an outlet, for keeping reactant gases from other part of the reactor where the pressure is lower than inside of the reactor; a gas flow control plate, fixed onto the reactor cover, for controlling the gas flow through inlet and outlet by the spacing between itself and the reactor cover; and a substrate supporting plate for confining a reaction cell with the reactor cover. The method of the present invention can be accomplished using the above reactor. In the method, process gases including a deposition gas, a reactant gas and a purge gas are sequentially and repeatedly supplied in the reactor to form a thin film on a substrate. A RF (Radio Frequency) plasma power is applied to a plasma electrode of the reactor synchronised with the supply of at least one among the process gases.

Abstract: A protective guard for a bird feeder is provided. The protective guard includes a substantially dome-shaped main body with a concave inner side, a convex outer side and an apex region. The main body includes a wire hanger receiving slot through the apex region of the main body. A circular wall downwardly depends from the concave inner side of the main body. The circular wall is located to surround the wire hanger receiving slot and is dimensioned to have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a top cap of a bird feeder. The guard may be readily placed over and installed on a bird feeder by inserting a wire hanger of the bird feeder through the wire hanger receiving slot with the concave inner side of the main body resting on the upper surface of the top cap of the bird feeder thereby retrofitting the protective guard thereto. In addition, the guard may be connected to the bottom of a post mounted bird feeder to provide a squirrel baffle.

Abstract: In a device for providing food to animals, comprising a feed supply and a bowl-like feeding basin serving for providing the supplied feed, the feeding basin comprising in about the center of the basin a cleaning opening that can be opened and closed by means of a closing element. The closing element is a part of the feeding basin that is placed in the cleaning opening in a flush or fitted manner, whereby both the closing element on its periphery and the feeding basin in the area of the edge compromise locking means which can be mutually actively engaged. The closing element can be fixed on or released from the feeding basin by means of said locking means both in the releasing and closing positions.

Abstract: An aquaculture system for cultivation, containment and rearing of various mollusks, particularly abalone, which includes a habitat which supports a plurality of molded panels including openings for communicating between adjacent panels, whereby food is available throughout the habitat. An outer netting or open structure which allows water to flow through the habitat, but protects the mollusks from predators, while still containing the food and permitting the flow of water therethrough, selected ones of said panels being configured to provide buoyancy for the habitat which is tethered from the bottom of the ocean.

Abstract: A portable pet carrier having a top portion, a middle section and a bottom portion made primarily from a molded synthetic material, with the top portion having a handle-like structure for carrying the assembled pet carrier and the middle portion having holes for ventilation and a door or window-like structure for placing a pet in or removing a pet from the carrier. The middle and bottom portions and the top and middle portions having mating connectors wherein the middle and bottom portions and the top and middle portions can be securely fastened to each other when assembled and can be easily separate from each other when disassembled by way of their respective mating connectors.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding of animals, in particular pigs and sows, kept in a free-range herd, comprises a carrousel divided into a number of feeding enclosures so that a large number of animals may be automatically and individually fed. A common inlet with a registration system leads to the feeding enclosures of the carrousel. The animals are identified, weighed and may optionally have the temperature, the thickness of the fat layer and an image recorded. All data are stored in a computer system controlling the operation of the arrangement, including separation of animals from the herd. The computer system optionally being connected to a remote, central computer for surveillance of its operation and of the individual animal.

Abstract: A double lead leash construction (10) including a pair of generally elongated lead members (20), (20′) having looped distal ends (21) engaging a respective pair of snap swivels (22), (22′). The proximal ends of the lead members (20), (20′) are joined together as at (23). A rigid support arm (30) connected on its opposite ends to opposed surfaces of the lead members (20), (20′) proximate to, but spaced from the juncture (23) of the lead member s (20), (20′) and a generally rigid main shaft member (60) having a distal end attached to the juncture (23) of the lead members (20), (20′) and a looped proximal end (61) that captively engages a double swivel element (62) that is adapted to be attached to a conventional control handle unit (14), (14′) to prevent the entanglement of the pair of lead members (20), (20′) while walking a pair of animals.

Abstract: An outer layer of mesh material is used to loosely cover the exterior of an animal blanket to provide a protective buffer against damage caused by impact and abrasion experienced during use. The mesh material utilized in the manufacture of the outer protective layer is made with a high-strength polyester yarn that has been extrusion-coated with a polyvinyl chloride sheath. This fiber material has been found to have physical characteristics that are particularly advantageous for this protective application. Specifically, in addition to the light weight, strength and flexibility provided by the inner core of the fiber, the PVC coating provides temperature stability and resistance to color fade, abrasion, flame, and mildew.

Abstract: A rotary valve provides single point flow control of coolant within the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The valve distributes coolant flow from the engine in predetermined flow modes to either 1) the radiator and heater simultaneously, 2) a bypass circuit only, 3) the heater only, or 4) the radiator and bypass simultaneously. The single-point coolant control results in advantages of shorter warm-up times, a lower pressure drop (reducing power consumption by the pump), reduced engine emissions and fuel consumption, improved cabin heater performance, and improved engine durability due to reduced thermal shocks to the engine components by virtue of more precise control of engine operating temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-stroke internal combustion engine with crankcase scavenging, with an exhaust passage controlled by the piston and at least two first transfer passages and at least one second transfer passage, each with a corresponding transfer window into the cylinder chamber and a window on the crankcase side for communication between the cylinder chamber and the crankcase, the transfer windows of the first transfer passages being controlled by the upper edge of the piston, and the crankcase-side window of the second transfer passage being disposed in a region of the cylinder wall that is swept by the piston skirt of the piston. The cylinder wall comprises at least one recess, which is arranged in close vicinity to the transfer window of the second transfer passage and which is in flow communication with the second transfer passage, wherein a narrow passage is arranged between the recess and the second transfer passage.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method are capable of reducing a power consumption required to open an exhaust-side electromagnetic valve at a predetermined time. This internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve drive mechanism that controls an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine to open and close by using electromagnetic force generated in response to application of a magnetizing current, and a controller that controls the electromagnetic valve drive mechanism. The controller changes, under predetermined conditions, an open timing of the exhaust valve so as to reduce the power consumption of the electromagnetic valve drive mechanism.

Abstract: It is determined whether the current operation condition is in a transitional or steady state. If the operation condition is in a transitional state, then the transition gain is obtained by multiplying the transition base gain that is calculated corresponding to engine speed with a map by a transition degree correction coefficient. If the operation condition is in a steady state, the steady-state gain is set to the steady-state gain that is calculated corresponding to the engine speed. Subsequently, the control magnitude OCVC of the oil pressure control valve is obtained by multiplying the difference between the target advance angle and the actual advance angle by the gain.

Abstract: The invention aims at achieving better filling of the cylinders located in the body of the valve (1) by implanting valves (2) with an elliptical head (3) whose linear opening/closing movement is complemented by a lateral rotation with a 55° amplitude, said rotational movement being accomplished by using a guide (8) having two symmetrical and helicoidal tracks (9) on which two pivots (10) that are provided for said purpose can slide on points diagonally opposite to the stem pertaining to the corresponding valve (2). The overhead with the composite movement elliptical valves can be used in all internal combustion engines such as spark ignition or compression ignition internal combustion engines regardless of the number of cylinders and their utilization.

Abstract: In a valve-operating mechanism in a 4-cycle engine, a timing transmitting device is disposed on one side of an engine body. A cam device includes a cam coupled to a driven pulley of the timing transmitting device on one side of a cylinder head, intake and exhaust rocker shafts rotatably carried in the cylinder head, intake and exhaust cam followers secured to one ends of the rocker shafts with their tip ends in sliding contact with the cam, and intake and exhaust rocker arms secured to the other ends of the intake and exhaust rocker shafts with their tip ends abutting against the intake and exhaust valves. Thus, the cam of the cam device can be disposed on one side of the cylinder head to effectively reduce the entire height of the engine.

Abstract: There is provided a glow plug connection apparatus for installing a plurality of glow plug connectors to corresponding glow plugs mounted in a cylinder head in an internal combustion engine while simultaneously preventing engine oil leakage. The apparatus comprises a rigid buss bar rail, a plurality of glow plug connectors attached to the buss bar rail, a plurality of connector wires routed in the buss bar rail and connected to the glow plug connectors, a wire router, a conduit retaining clip, and an apparatus connector angle. Additionally, the glow plug connectors preferably comprises a buss bar rail interface section, a glow plug connector angle, a sealing section having an O-ring seal, a guide section having guide fins around the periphery of the glow plug connector, and a clip section having a clip fingers around the periphery of the glow plug connector able to engage a glow plug terminal.

Abstract: A four-stroke internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block including a cylinder therein and having a piston reciprocally disposed within the cylinder. A piston is operably engaged with a crankshaft. At least one intake valve is reciprocally driven by a camshaft. At least one exhaust valve is reciprocally driven by the camshaft. A vacuum release mechanism includes an operating member reciprocally supported within the camshaft for translation along an axis. A centrifugally actuated flyweight member is engaged with the operating member, wherein rotation of the camshaft above engine cranking speeds causes the flyweight member to move the operating member from a first position to a second position. A vacuum release member is movably supported within the camshaft and is in engagement with the operating member wherein translational movement of the operating member causes movement of the vacuum release member.

Abstract: A suction device used for an internal combustion engine includes a throttle passage, which is arranged on the upstream side, and also includes an air connector, a surge tank and suction manifolds which are arranged on the downstream side of the throttle passage. An opening section of the air connector arranged in the longitudinal direction on a side wall face of the surge tank is provided on a wall face corresponding to a position which becomes a substantial center of the suction manifold which is open to the surge tank. Due to the foregoing, intake air can be evenly distributed to the suction manifold, and lengths of the passages can be made equal to each other. Accordingly, the generation of a rumbling noise can be suppressed. Further, the suction manifold substantially encircles the outer circumferential wall faces of the surge tank and others.

Abstract: An inlet conduit is provided for a valve-controlled internal combustion engine, and also provided is a method for producing a flow deflection edge in an inlet conduit. In the region where the supply passage portion and the valve end passage portion of the inlet conduit meet, a cylindrical rod is guided through the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. Portions of the peripheral surface of the rod form portions of the passage wall of the inlet conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for selective control of gas flow in a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine through a moveable or retractable seat valve that is independent of piston position. The retractable seat valve has complete freedom of valving events such that gas flow can be selectively controlled at any time during the engine cycle, or throughout the engine cycle. Further, the retractable seat valve is scalable for adaptation to internal combustions engines of various bore sizes. The retractable seat valve includes a retractable seat, a stationary seat, a retractable seat actuator member, a pin connector for translation of retractable seat actuator member movement to the retractable seat, and a valve actuator assembly that allows the retractable seat valve be selectively positioned in the cylinder head in a closed position, open position or anywhere therebetween.

Abstract: A piston for diesel engines includes a piston body having a closed oil gallery and a pair of pin bosses with axially aligned pin bores. The inner faces of the pin bosses are separated from one another by an intervening space between the pin bosses for receiving the upper end of a connecting rod, which has associated outer faces adjacent the inner faces of the pin bosses. Oil passages extend from the gallery and open to the inner faces of the pin bosses for providing direct lubrication to the inner faces.

Abstract: A cam drive is provided for a valve-controlled mixture-lubricated internal combustion engine having a cylinder in which is formed a combustion chamber that is delimited by the cylinder wall, a piston and a cylinder head. Disposed in the cylinder head are poppet valves, the respective valve shafts of which are driven via a pivotable rocker arm from a valve control that includes a control cam on the surface of which rests a contact lever that transfers cam lift to one end of the rocker arm. To ensure good lubrication of the cam drive even at high speeds, the control cam is rotatably mounted in the vicinity of the cylinder wall, in which is formed a through-bore. The first open end of the through-bore is disposed in the cylinder bore at the level of the piston in its lower dead center position, while the second open end opens into the cam chamber in the vicinity of the control cam.

Abstract: A plastic oil pan (1) for engines or transmissions with integrated suction oil filter and integrated pressure oil filter, wherein parts of the oil pan (1) form the base for suction oil filter housing (2) and pressure oil filter housing (7), wherein a one-component or multi-component cover (3, 8) is arranged as oil filter upper tray (3, 8) for the suction oil filter housing (2) and the pressure oil filter housing (7), and wherein at least one pressure oil filter inlet (10) is arranged at the pressure oil filter side and at least one suction oil filter outlet (5) at the suction oil filter side in the oil filter upper tray, wherein a one-component or multi-component oil filter medium (4, 9) is arranged between oil pan (1) and oil filter upper tray (3, 8), wherein a suction oil filter inlet (6) is arranged beneath the suction oil filter medium (4) and a pressure oil filter outlet (11) is arranged beneath the pressure oil filter medium (9), and wherein the pressure oil filter outlet (11) and the suction oil filter

Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine and a method of manufacturing the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine comprises a housing, a first rotor, first and second impellers and a compression cam. In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a first inner surface defining a first cavity therein, the first rotor is journalled for rotation within the first cavity and is situated to define compression and exhaust cavities on opposing sides therein, first and second impellers located in, and slidable with respect to, first and second opposing radial apertures in the first rotor, and the compression cam is fixedly coupled to the housing. The compression cam has a working surface portion that corresponds to a profile of the inner surface to force the first and second impellers to contact the inner surface and a dead surface portion that departs from the profile to allow the first and second impellers to withdraw from the inner surface.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with an injection valve with which fuel can be injected directly into a combustion chamber either during a compression phase in a first operating mode or during an intake phase in a second operating mode. In addition, a control unit is provided for shifting between the two operating modes and for differentiated control and/or regulation of the performance quantities that influence the actual torque of the internal combustion engine as a function of a setpoint torque in both operating modes. A change in the actual torque during a shifting operation is determined by the control unit, and at least one of the performance quantities is influenced by the control unit as a function thereof.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for operating an internal combustion engine (10) which can be operated in several modes of operation, especially an internal combustion engine (10) having direct injection (DE) or intake manifold injection (SRE) and with a control apparatus (11). The control apparatus (11) or its software has a plurality of functions (12) and a scheduler (13) for activating the functions (12). Operating modes are assigned to the functions (12) and the functions (12) are activated by the scheduler (13) in dependence upon the assigned modes of operation.

Abstract: In a direct injection type engine, capable of switching an injection mode between a compression stroke injection mode for injecting fuel mainly during a compression stroke and an intake stroke injection mode for injecting fuel mainly during an intake stroke; a fuel injection starting timing in the intake stroke is corrected to a retard side as the temperature relating to an internal combustion engine, detected as a parameter representing the tendency of fuel to adhere to the inside of the internal combustion engine, becomes lower. If a required fuel injection volume cannot be injected during the intake stroke injection mode in the corrected fuel injection timing, a timing for injecting remaining fuel to satisfy the required fuel injection volume during a compression stroke following the intake stroke in one combustion cycle is determined. The injection of the fuel is controlled according to the corrected fuel injection timing.

Abstract: An arrangement for reducing noise produced by an engine idle air bypass valve and passage includes positioning an acoustic diverter at the end of the air bypass passage to force the noise away from exterior surfaces of a downstream chamber and toward the internal cavities of the engine such as a cylinder head. The diverter of the present invention reduces noise without causing restriction of air flow through the air bypass passage.

Abstract: A method for controlling a positioning device (34) of an internal combustion engine includes providing an electric motor (30) for actuating the positioning device (34). The positioning device (34) is commanded to change to a commanded position. A control effort required to change to the commanded position is then detected. Whether the control effort exceeds a threshold for a predetermined time period is determined. The control effort is reduced when the control effort exceeds the threshold for the predetermined time period. Each full stop position is relearned each time a close stop is commanded.

Abstract: Optimum MBT and BDL ignition timing value are obtained from calibration values stored in stability limited (SL) and optimum power (OP) calibration tables using a power index (PI) value that is indicative of the relative desire of the driver for fuel economy or power to interpolate over the range of values in the SL and OP tables to calculate values of MBT and BDL that are optimal for all altitudes and levels of driver demand. The ignition timing value used at any point in time is preferably the lesser of the MBT value and the BDL value. The calibration values for MBT and BDL ignition timing are associated with cam timing values in cam timing tables so that ignition timing changes in lock step with the cam timing.

Abstract: A clip to couple a crossover tube to a fuel rail includes an annular body that extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end of the clip, the first end capturing the crossover tube. The annular body includes a first arcuate portion coupled to a second arcuate portion and a tab. An arm extends from the other of the first and second arcuate portions, the arm having serrations extending generally towards the longitudinal axis. The annular body includes at least one catch surface located on at least the first and second arcuate portions. The catch surface is coupled to the at least one boss portion of the at least one fuel rail to couple the clip to the fuel rail. A method of coupling the clip to the crossover tube prior to the clip being secured to the fuel rail is also disclosed.

Abstract: The ECU controls at least one component of a fuel injection system by outputting a control signal in accordance with a fuel pressure. The ECU is initially designed based on a basic pattern of an output characteristic of a common rail pressure sensor defined between a fuel pressure and an output signal. The output characteristic may vary in each sensor element. The ECU detects an output signal corresponding to an atmospheric pressure to determine and learn the actual output characteristic of the common rail sensor, and corrects a control characteristic for the component in accordance with the leaned actual output characteristic. For example, the ECU changes the output characteristic to the learned one. Control accuracy in a common rail fuel injection system can considerably be improved while achieving a considerable reduction in cost of fabricating the common rail pressure sensor.

Abstract: The amount of fuel ejected from a high-pressure fuel pump that ejects fuel toward a delivery pipe is adjusted by controlling the valve closure start timing of an electromagnetic spill valve. In this manner, the fuel pressure in the delivery pipe is controlled. The duty ratio DT used for controlling the valve closure start timing of the electromagnetic spill valve is calculated based on a valve closure start timing that provides a maximum amount of fuel ejection. The actual fuel ejection characteristic of a high-pressure fuel pump may deviate from a designed state due to individual differences of the pump. However, the valve closure start timing of the electromagnetic spill valve that provides the maximum amount of fuel ejection in accordance with the actual fuel ejection characteristic is learned as a maximum ejection timing. Based on the maximum ejection timing, the duty ratio DT is calculated.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for mixing air and fuel in an internal combustion engine comprises at least two throttle bodies (2a, 2b) having an inlet and an outlet and at least two air chokes (8), each located at the inlet of one of the throttle bodies (2a, 2b) and coaxial with the throttle body (2a, 2b). Each air choke (8) has a portion (9) that is fixed and a portion (10) that moves coaxially relative to the fixed portion (9) between a first position in which the air choke (8) presents a first height (L1) and a second position in which the air choke (8) presents a second height (L2) that is greater than the first height (L1). The apparatus (1) further comprises at least two independent actuators (13) each moving one of the mobile portions (10) between the first and second positions, and at least two fuel injectors (11) located above the air chokes (8).

Abstract: The injector has a nozzle closed by a rod which is movable by the fuel pressure in a control chamber having a discharge conduit closed by a plug controlled by an electromagnet. The rod is movable, from a closed position closing the nozzle, to effect a maximum travel, so that the amount of fuel injected following the maximum travel is greater than a maximum amount of fuel required by the power curve. To classify the injectors, a series of injectors is prepared with corresponding rods movable from the closed position to effect the maximum travel; and the amount of fuel injected by each injector, after two strokes of the respective rod smaller than the maximum travel, is tested.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for operating a fuel injection system having a piezoelectric element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60) for controlling the amount of fuel injected into a combustion engine, characterized in that the piezoelectric element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60) is controlled based upon the charge it is carrying.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system having a fuel reservoir connected to a suction side of a pump, a fuel delivery line connected to an output side of the pump, a number of fuel injectors connected to the delivery line, and a return line from the injectors to the suction side of the pump. The pump has a housing, a pumping chamber within the housing, a driver rotor and a driven rotor within the pumping chamber, and an input shaft t the housing. The input shaft is arranged such that rotation of the input shaft effects rotation of the driver rotor. The driver rotor is caused to rotate by the input shaft via a magnetic coupling. The magnetic coupling is arranged to slip when a predetermined value of torque is applied across the coupling such that a maximum pressure value of about 12 bar is attained at the output side of the pump.

Abstract: A method of leak detection in a closed vapor handling system of an automotive vehicle, wherein an engine is shut off, implemented by a system, the method including obtaining a start temperature and start pressure, providing an evaluation temperature, calculating a temperature differential between the start temperature and the evaluation temperature, incrementing a time counter if the temperature differential is greater than a temperature control value, computing a pressure differential between the start pressure and an evaluation pressure, and comparing the time counter to a time control value if the pressure differential is not greater than a pressure control value.

Abstract: A circuit for supplying an oscillation suppress current is provided between a collector terminal and gate electrode of a main IGBT. The current supply circuit comprises a resistor and a diode which are connected in series. A bypass MOSFET is connected between the series connection and the emitter terminal. No semiconductor element having different temperature characteristics is provided in the current supply circuit.

Abstract: A one-chip integration circuit including a power part and a control part integrated within an IGBT monolithic silicon substrate is disclosed. The control circuit part comprises a current limiting circuit for limiting a current so that it does not flow over a set-up value, a reference pulse generating circuit for detecting that an ignition control signal is inputted over a predetermined period of time, a digital timer made up by a digital counter, a latch circuit for dropping the gate voltage of the IGBT by latching due to the digital timer output signal and carrying out resetting when the ignition control signal is off, an input circuit having a potential comparison circuit in its input stage, in which the operation voltage for ignition control signal has a threshold value and a hysterisis, and an input protection circuit having a Zener diode and a resistor connected in parallel therewith for protecting the element from disturbance surges.

Abstract: In an ignition apparatus for internal combustion engine, since a current caused to flow by an induced voltage generated at both ends of a secondary winding L2 when starting conduction to a primary winding L1 is checked from the conduction by diode for prevention of a reverse current 31, a spark discharge is not generated between the electrodes 13a-13b of the spark plug 13 when starting the conduction to a primary winding L1. After ending the spark discharge, the ionized current is generated between the electrodes of the spark plug by impressing the induced voltage (the ionized current generating voltage) created at both ends of the air-fuel mixture by a residual energy of the ignition coil 15.

Abstract: A ball-throwing machine includes a camera connected to a computer vision unit and a microphone connected to a speech-processing unit. The computer vision unit processes images from the camera to determine a user's position, and to detect user gestures from a predetermined repertoire of gestures. The speech-processing unit recognizes user vocal commands from a predetermined repertoire of commands. A computer receives information from a control panel, from the computer vision unit, from the speech-processing unit, and from a file describing the ballistic properties of the ball to be thrown. The computer accordingly determines a ball trajectory according to the user's position and parameters indicated by a combination of control-panel settings, user gestures, and user vocal commands. The computer then adjusts the direction, elevation, ball speed, and ball spin to conform to the determined trajectory, and initiates throwing of a ball accordingly.

Abstract: A thin strip-shaped grindstone 12 is held flat under tension and moved backwards and forwards in the longitudinal direction, while the grindstone is moved in a direction perpendicular to a cylindrical ingot 1 and cuts the ingot. A metal-bonded grindstone is used as the strip-shaped grindstone 12, at least one pair of electrodes 23 are disposed adjacent to both surfaces of the metal-bonded grindstone one on each side of the ingot. The metal-bonded grindstone is made the positive electrode and DC voltage pulses are applied between the grindstone and the electrodes, and at the same time, a conducting processing fluid 25 is fed to the gaps between the metal-bonded grindstone and the electrodes, and both surfaces of the metal-bonded grindstone are dressed electrolytically on both sides while the cylindrical ingot is being cut by the metal-bonded grindstone.

Abstract: A tool for shell or slab-splitting rocks or for wedging rocks in tunnels comprising a hydraulic/pneumatic cylinder (2) with an internal first piston (3), said first piston (3) being provided with a hydraulic/pneumatic pressure by supplying a fluid, preferably oil, through a supply conduit (1), and the power from the piston (3) is transferred to a wedging device comprising a wedge (10) which may be displaced between wedge holders (11, 12) being located in a drilled hole (13), the piston (3) being connected to a piston rod (7) which runs to a second internal piston (8) being located in a piston housing (6), the power from the first piston (3) being transferred to the piston (8), for thereby pressing the wedge holders (11,12) towards the surrounding rock, and creating a crack therein at the appropriate pressure wherein the wedge (10) is located parallel to the lengthwise axis and peripherally in relation to the hydraulic/pneumatic cylinder (2) is disclosed.

Abstract: The multiconveyor convection oven comprises a baking chamber, at least two spaced-apart conveyors mounted transversally one over the other in the baking chamber, a heating chamber behind the baking chamber. A convection system is provided for allowing a circulation of the air from the baking chamber to the heating chamber and back to the baking chamber to cook the food. The convection system comprises air return passages providing a fluid communication between the baking chamber and the heating chamber, a blower housing extending vertically outside the heating chamber on a side thereof, at least two centrifugal blower chambers, one for each conveyor, mounted one over the other within the blower housing. Each centrifugal blower chamber has an air inlet in fluid communication with the heating chamber for drawing air from the baking chamber and an air outlet for throwing back heated air at high pressure.

Abstract: A package enables even aged people and children to warm up foods packaged therein by simply inverting a tank and tearing a sealing member sealing the tank. The package (1) includes an outer vessel (2) having a bottom wall (6b) and projections (7) projecting upward from the bottom wall (6b), an inner vessel (3) placed in the outer vessel (2) so as to form a heat generating block containing space (11) and a tank containing space (12) together with the outer vessel (2), a heat generating block (14) contained in the heat generating block containing space (11), and a tank (4) sealed by a sealing member (18), containing a heat generation promoting agent, having recesses (16) in which the projections (7) engage and placed in the tank containing space (12).