Abstract: A modular missile assembly includes a pair of modules which are separately transported and handled until just prior to firing, when they are coupled together. A forward payload-carrying module includes a forward canister which encloses a missile payload section, for example, consisting of a penetrator rod, fins, and ancillary subassemblies. An aft booster module includes a missile propulsion section, encased in an aft canister. Prior to firing, suitable forward and aft modules are selected, are individually loaded into a launch tube, and are coupled together. In this coupling the missile payload section and the missile propulsion section are coupled together to form a missile, and the forward and aft canisters are likewise coupled together to form a combined canister assembly. Division of the missile into separate payload and booster modules facilitates handling as compared to unitary missiles. The modular design also allows increased flexibility.

Abstract: A self-contained round of ammunition has a cartridge casing including a tubular body defining a cylindrical rifled bore and a base threadably attached to the casing body and forming a closure for a breech end of the rifled bore. A sabot which carries a ring airfoil projectile is constrained for limited axial movement within and relative to the bore from a loaded position adjacent the base to a fired position wherein an annular arresting lip integrally formed at the muzzle end of the cartridge body engages an annular abutment surface on the sabot. The lip defines a cylindrical muzzle opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bore and larger than the major diameter of the projectile which may pass freely there through. The sabot in its loaded position cooperates with the base to form a pressure chamber therebetween for receiving gasses of explosion generated by a powder charge contained within the base and in communication with a primer mounted in the base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas generating composition being stable and having a heating starting temperature of 170 to 220° C., which is of a low-temperature ignition type. The gas generating composition comprises ammonium perchlorate, a chlorine scavenger, and microcrystalline carbon powder. The chlorine scavenger is sodium nitrate or aluminum/magnesium mixed powder, and the microcrystalline carbon powder is activated carbon or charcoal. The gas generating composition preferably comprises 40 to 58% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, 30 to 41% by weight of the chlorine scavenger, and 1 to 30% by weight of the microcrystalline carbon powder.

Abstract: An all-weather guided vehicle system comprises a guideway including a single tube or a pair of parallel tubes capable of storing pressurized air. Vehicles are suspended below, above, or beside the tube(s) by way of carriages to which the vehicles are connected. Arcuate roller tracks between the vehicle and the carriage provide a banking mechanism for cornering. The tube(s) support continuous high-speed rails to receive suspension members extending from the carriage for air or wheeled suspension. Impulse vanes are provided on a vertical rod extending through a slotted opening in a propulsion channel for cooperation with air jet nozzles located within the channel to propel and brake the carriage. Embodiments having a fair-weather vehicle riding atop the deck and tire tracks for suspension and prevention of side sway are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shear pad assembly for use between a rail car side frame pedestal and the rail car roller bearing adapter includes an upper plate formed and adapted to seat the side frame pedestal and a lower plate, spaced from the upper plate, and formed and adapted to seat on the roller bearing adapter. There is an elastomer positioned in the space between the upper plate and the lower plate, with the elastomer having a generally uniform thickness throughout a substantial portion of the space between the plates. There are a pair of spaced metal shims, each extending parallel to a side frame, being adjacent an edge of the elastomer, and being located generally intermediate the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by rail car trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. A container support cross member is mounted between the side sills in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. The container support cross member may be a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connectable to a side sill at a moment connection. The remaining end of the cross member is similarly configured and connected to the second side sill. Each end of the cross member has load bearing surface portions which may be used for supporting a corner of a shipping container. The moment connections permit a bending moment to be carried by the cross member between the first and second side sills.

Abstract: Metal pigment particles are treated with a product resulting from the reaction between an organic phosphonic acid with an amine having at least one organic group containing at least six carbon atoms to inhibit their reactivity to water. The treated metal particles can be used in coating and ink compositions. Additionally, the treated metal particles can be used to formulate pastes and dispersions that are provided to a coatings manufacturer.

Abstract: The present invention describes a dispersion comprising a vehicle and a modified pigment. The modified pigment has, when measured in an aqueous medium, a zeta potential of 0.0 mV at a pH of between 5.0 and 11.0. Inkjet ink compositions and an inkjet consumable set are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ink composition for inkjet recording comprising: an azo dye having an aromatic nitrogen-containing 6-membered heterocycle as a coupling component; a compound represented by the following formula (I); and an aqueous medium wherein the azo dye is dissolved or dispersed in the aqueous medium: 1

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink compositions which, when used with an ink jet recording apparatus, can realize excellent ink ejection stability while maintaining safety and satisfactory penetration of ink. The ink composition according to the present invention comprises at least a colorant, a humectant, a glycol monoether as a penetrating agent, a 1,2-alkanediol, and water, the weight ratio of the glycol monoether to the 1,2-alkanediol being in the range of 1:5 to 5:1. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink composition comprising at least a pigment, a dispersant for dispersing the pigment, a 1,2-alkanediol, and water as a main solvent, the content of the 1,2-alkanediol being 0.5 to 10% by weight based on the total amount of the ink composition.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink set for ink jet recording which gives high color density with respect to plain paper and exclusive paper and satisfactory color reproducibility and which has excellent ejection stability and storage stability.

Abstract: A hydrocolloid composition comprising at least one sulpoalkyl-substituted polysacharide ether, is described. More particularly, the hydrocolloid composition includes: a) at least one sulphoalkyl-substituted polysaccharide ether, which is soluble in each of cold water and hot water, e.g., carboxymethylsulphoethylcellulose (CMSEC); b) optionally at least one nonionic polysaccharide ether having a thermoreversible gel point (or cloud point) of greater than 35° C. and less than 100° C.; and c) optionally at least one additive, e.g., an antioxidant. Also described are dispersion-bound architectural formulations and emulsion paints which comprise the hydrocolloid compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Polymer film, coating, and molded article elements for use in a display device are described which comprise a polymer phase having molecularly dispersed therein an acid scavenger compound, a hindered amine light stabilizer compound and a hindered phenol antioxidant compound, wherein the hindered amine light stabilizer compound and the hindered phenol antioxidant compound are present at a weight ratio of from 20:1 to 1:20, and the weight ratio of the acid scavenger compound to the total concentration of hindered amine light stabilizer compound and hindered phenol antioxidant compound is from 10:1 to 1:10. Use of a combination of an acid scavenger and a combination of two radical scavenger antioxidants dispersed in a polymer phase in accordance with the invention enables enhanced stabilization of the polymer when exposed to high heat and/or humidity condition, which has been found to be especially desirable when applied to polymer layers laminated into displays (e.g., polarizers in liquid crystal displays).

Abstract: The present invention refers to an essentially water-free sizing composition and an aqueous sizing dispersion comprising a sizing agent, a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant and a monohydric alcohol. The invention also relates to a method for producing an aqueous dispersion comprising the above components and the use of the dispersion for surface and stock sizing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coloured interference pigments based on multicoated, platelet-shaped substrates, which are distinguished in that they comprise

Abstract: Disclosed are amorphous precipitated silicas, silica gels, and amorphous carbons derived from biomass and methods of producing them with and without adhered or deposited amorphous carbons produced by acidifying a caustic silicate solution produced by caustic digestion of biomass ash containing silica with and without activated carbon, the ash being obtained from thermal pyrolysis of the biomass, the acidifying effective to produce a slurry of the precipitated silica and silica gels with and without adhered or deposited amorphous carbon, and separated from the slurry the precipitated silicas and silica gels with and without the adhered or deposited amorphous carbons. The properties of the precipitated silica with adhered or deposited carbon being within the range as utilized in rubber compositions thereby avoiding the blending of silica and carbon components for such use.

Abstract: A pallet and an associated method are provided for supporting an item mounted upon casters. The pallet includes a pallet deck having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion moves between a first position in which the movable portion is displaced, such as by being rotated downwardly, from the fixed portion and a second position in which the movable and fixed portions cooperate to define a support surface. The movable portion is in the second position while the item is loaded, but is moved to the first position during shipment. The pallet also includes a support for supporting the item once the movable portion is in the first position. Prior thereto, however, the item is typically spaced from the support. Each support can include a stationary portion and a movable portion that moves between a retracted position to facilitate loading and an extended position during shipment.

Abstract: The furnace body uses a crucible as the innermost layer thereof to reduce wearing of furnace materials and achieve downsizing of the furnace body; the crucible is made into the form of cartridge so as to fully facilitate replacement thereof; a mixture of a petroleum gas such as propane and butane and an oxygen gas or air is used mainly as a fuel, which is subjected to complete combustion to ensure complete combustion of the fuel, as well as, sufficient temperature control; and means is employed for contriving arrangement of the burner, the ash charge port, etc. so as to improve heat efficiency, thus facilitating temperature control in the furnace, reducing wearing of the furnace body and facilitating repair of the furnace.

Abstract: An incinerator includes a furnace, a heat-insulating shield, an air conduit, an air blower, and a dryer. The heat-insulating shield has a top wall, a vertically extending peripheral wall that extends downwardly from the top wall and that surrounds and that is spaced apart from the furnace by a gap, and an open bottom end. The peripheral wall of the heat-insulating shield has an air outlet that is disposed adjacent to the top wall and that is in fluid communication with the gap. Atmospheric air is introduced via the open bottom end through the gap and the air conduit and into the dryer. A feed motor is used to deliver solid waste into the furnace. A control unit controls rotating speed of the feed motor based on temperature in the dryer so as to adjust the temperature in the dryer.

Abstract: A process for recovering the byproducts of a process that burns coal and for reusing the byproducts is disclosed. The process includes the steps of identifying a disposal site that contains the byproducts (typically fly ash and bottom ash), removing at least a portion of the byproducts from the disposal site, analyzing a sample of the portion of the byproducts to determine the loss on ignition of the portion of the byproducts, introducing the portion of the byproducts along with pulverized coal into a pulverized coal furnace if the portion of byproducts have a loss on ignition greater than or equal to a predetermined loss on ignition value (typically greater than or equal to 1 to 5%), and burning the portion of the byproducts in the furnace with the pulverized coal to render the byproducts into a commercially valuable fly ash and bottom ash having very low loss on ignition, typically lower than 3%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the frictional drag of a ship and to a ship with reduced frictional drag, and its objects include effectively reducing the driving force used during the travel of a ship by decreasing the power required for delivering gas into water as well as to decrease the construction cost for a ship. A negative pressure portion 21 whose pressure becomes lower than the pressure in a gas space during the travel is formed in the water, and bubbles 22 are discharged into the water by introducing gas from the gas space to the negative pressure portion 21 in water.

Abstract: A boat having chairs which are swingably mounted in transversely spaced relation at opposite sidewalls of the boat. The boat includes a lower deck and a vertically spaced upper deck, the latter extending generally in a single plane and generally substantially continuously across the boat's interior at the level of the upper surface of the sidewalls of the boat, to effectively shed substantially all high wave water. Each of the chairs has a supporting pedestal mounted at or above the top deck along the upper surface of both boat sidewalls, so the swinging seat of the chair can be swung outside the boat sidewalls. Each chair is pivotally mounted upon the upper surface of a swinging frame which encircles the chair's pedestal, and its axis of pivot relative to the frame is disposed at the front of the chair, which provides a force opposing the force vectors presented by high waves, and facilitates movement of the chair for greater comfort and safety.

Abstract: A burrowing animal repellant apparatus transmits a physical vibration to the ground, by means of a percussive device and preferably responsive to ambient wind. The percussive device is responsive to low-velocity ambient wind and is enabled irrespective of wind direction. The apparatus can be produced in decorative shapes.

Abstract: The present invention provides machine readable media embedded with the three-dimensional atomic structure coordinates of Synagis Fab, and subsets thereof, and methods of using them.

Abstract: A method of growing a crystalline ingot having a <110> orientation, such as a dislocation-free (“DF”) crystalline ingot, is provided. The method of manufacture includes providing a liquidous melt. Next, a seed crystal having a <110> crystal direction is contacted with the surface of the melt. The seed crystal is then withdrawn from the melt to thereby grow a neck. According to one embodiment, the seed elevation rate is automatically modified during the withdrawing step to reduce the diameter of the neck to greater than about 2.5 mm. Thereafter, the seed elevation rate is manually modified to alternate the diameter of the neck between about 2 mm and about 2.5 mm to thereby shape the neck into a recurring hourglass configuration. The neck is then withdrawn from the melt to grow a crystalline ingot having a <110> crystal direction and a diameter of at least about 200 mm.

Abstract: A method is described for the manufacture of semiconductor nanoparticles. Improved yields are obtained by use of a reducing agent or oxygen reaction promoter.

Abstract: A process for forming an epitaxial layer on a semiconductor wafer substrate is provided. The process comprises providing a semiconductor wafer substrate and an area for forming an epitaxial layer on said semiconductor wafer substrate. The formation area consists essentially of an epitaxial layer process chamber. The semiconductor wafer substrate is introduced into the epitaxial layer process chamber and an epitaxial layer is formed on at least one surface of the semiconductor wafer substrate. Then, a chemical reagent is introduced into the epitaxial layer process chamber. The chemical reagent reacts with the epitaxial layer surface in situ to form an outer protective oxide layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate such as web crystals. The apparatus includes a chamber and a growth hardware assembly housed within the chamber. A magnetic field system produces a vertical magnetic field within the chamber.

Abstract: An adhesive applying apparatus is used in joining together a hull and a deck with an adhesive. The apparatus includes an adhesive applying gun for ejecting an adhesive, and a guide means attached to the gun. The guide means guides the gun in such a manner that the gun moves along an upper edge portion of the hull.

Abstract: A catch pan apparatus for starting and stopping coating is disclosed for coating a downwardly moving receiving surface by curtain coating. The catch pan device includes an intercepting pan that intercepts the curtain when coating is stopped and a substantially horizontal intercepting surface that intercepts the curtain only when the catch pan moves to start or stop coating. The intercepting pan and horizontal intercepting surface intersect to create a volume that retains in the catch pan excess liquids that would otherwise spill onto the coating receiving surface as the catch pan is retracted to a non-intercepting position. The catch pan is controllably retracted at high speed through the curtain using linear servomotors such that the releasing edge of the horizontal intercepting surface passes close to the coating receiving surface at the point of curtain release. Flushed edge guides maintaining curtain width are positioned outside the lateral edges of the catch pan.

Abstract: A system for laying down stripes of solution on substrate is described. The substrate preferably comprises a web of material set on a backing roller passed by a specially configured die. The die includes at least a mouth with lips extending beyond a face or body of the die. The die is adapted to avoid fluid leakage therefrom. Upper and lower portions of the die defining the mouth are preferably substantially flat and mirror images of each other. The lips are preferably placed in close proximity to the material on which the solution is to be deposited. Solution passing through the mouth of the die is directed to the webbing and deposited in a substantially constant thickness stripe or band. Often, the solution comprises a reagent-type solution. The solution coating is typically dried onto the substrate. Dried product may then be used in reagent test strop production.

Abstract: An installation for treating, in particular coating, articles (4), especially vehicle bodies, comprises at least one bath (2, 3), in which a treatment liquid, in particular a paint, is located. The articles (4) are intended to be immersed therein. The conveying means with which the articles (4) are conveyed through the installation in a continuous or intermittent translational movement comprises a plurality of transport carriages (5), which run in guided manner on running surfaces (13, 14). Each transport carriage (5) comprises a separate drive (28, 29) for translational movement and a drive (19, 20, 24, 25) operating independently thereof for the immersion movement. The installation thus constructed is extraordinarily flexible, since the immersion movement does not have to correlate with the translational movement.

Abstract: A substrate is horizontally held by a substrate holding portion freely movable in the Y-direction, and a nozzle portion is provided above and opposing the substrate, and movable in X-direction corresponding to the coating liquid feeding region of the substrate. A discharge opening is formed at a lower end of the nozzle portion, and a channel connecting the discharge opening with a coating liquid feed tube coupled to an upper end of the nozzle portion is formed within the discharge opening. At the midstream of the channel, a liquid pool portion larger in diameter than the discharge opening is formed, the inside of which is provided with a filtering member formed by porous bodies blocking the channel. The filtering member forms a pressure loss portion, which absorbs pulsation occurring at the coating liquid feed tube before it reaches the discharge opening.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a radio frequency generator, a plasma processing chamber, a matching circuit for impedance matching between the radio frequency generator and the plasma processing chamber, and matching circuit adjusting means for matching the output impedance of the matching circuit to the impedance of the plasma processing chamber in a nondischarge state. The matching circuit is a product matching circuit that is produced based on a circuit constant of an adjusting matching circuit. The adjusting matching circuit is disposed between the radio frequency generator and the plasma processing chamber for a required plasma treatment and the circuit constant is determined by impedance matching between the radio frequency generator and the plasma processing chamber so that the adjusting matching circuit matches the load impedance of the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: There is provided a vacuum processing apparatus and an exhausting apparatus of the vacuum processing apparatus according to which the auxiliary vacuum pump can be made smaller or eliminated, and hence energy-saving and space-saving can be achieved, and moreover the floor space occupied by the exhausting apparatus can be reduced, and hence the vacuum processing apparatus as a whole can be made smaller in size. A main vacuum pump has an intake port connected to a processing chamber in which an article to be processed is processed in a vacuum atmosphere, to exhaust the processing chamber to a vacuum state. An auxiliary vacuum pump is connected to a discharge port of the main vacuum pump to exhaust the main vacuum pump to a vacuum state. The main vacuum pump is a high back pressure type pump that exhausts the processing chamber to a vacuum state with a predetermined high back pressure value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for coupling microwave energy into a plasma CVD coating chamber (3) located in a cavity resonator (1). Said arrangement has a microwave supply part (11) and a microwave guide (9, 1). The invention provides that in order to coat the insides of plastic containers of shapes and sizes that differ to a certain extent, the arrangement has an essentially cylindrical construction as follows: a first coaxial waveguide (in area a) is provided with an inner guide at the rear end, said inner guide being configured as an antenna (12). An approximately cylindrical waveguide (in area b) is connected in the middle and a second coaxial waveguide (1) is provided with an inner guide (13) at the front end (in area c). Gas can be introduced into the second coaxial waveguide (in area c) through a gas supply tube (13). Said gas is excited into a plasma state by the microwave energy that is coupled in and a TM mode is generated in the plasma range (1, c) by the antenna (12).

Abstract: A plasma CVD apparatus conducting self-cleaning comprises a reaction chamber, a susceptor, a showerhead, a temperature controlling mechanism for directly controlling the temperature of the showerhead at a temperature of 200° C. to 400° C., a remote plasma discharge device provided outside the reaction chamber, and a radio-frequency power source electrically connected to either of the susceptor or the showerhead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a uniform coating on a large area, non-planar surface using an array of multiple plasma sources. The apparatus comprises at least one array of a plurality of plasma sources for generating a plurality of plasmas, wherein each of the plurality of plasma sources has a cathode, anode, and an inlet for a non-reactive plasma source gas disposed in a plasma chamber, and at least one reactant gas injector for differentially injecting at least one reactant gas into the plurality of plasmas. The reactant gas injector and substrate are located in a deposition chamber in fluid communication with each plasma chamber. Individual adjustment of the flow of deposition precursor into each of the plasmas generated by the multiple plasma array compensates for changes in substrate processing conditions due to local variations in the working distance between the plasma source and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A vapor deposition crucible includes a crucible main body which is open to upper and lower sides and has a cavity in which a sintered pellet as a vapor deposition material is stored. The cavity of the crucible main body has two cavity portions. A first cavity portion connected to an opening open to the lower side is formed to make the sintered pellet to be stored fit in the first cavity portion. A second cavity portion connected to an opening open to the upper side is formed to form a gap between the second cavity portion and the sintered pellet to be stored. A step like portion is at least partially formed at a connection portion between the first cavity portion and the second cavity portion.

Abstract: A method for milking and after-treating an animal by using an automatic milking system comprising means for locating the teats of the animal, means for milking the animal and means for performing an after-treatment of the animal. The method comprises an additional step of locating at least one teat of the animal a second time, the additional step being performed prior to the step of performing an after-treatment operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (3) for taking a milk sample, which device (3) is provided with a first milk sampling unit (4) and at least one further milk sampling unit (5), the device (3) comprising switch means (6) with the aid of which the supply of a sample liquid to the first milk sampling unit (4) can be switched over automatically or manually to a further milk sampling unit (5) or vice versa.

Abstract: Improved extrusion-processed daily ration animal feeds are provided which include minor amounts of actives to ensure that an animal consuming the feed receives quantities of the actives sufficient to establish and maintain substantially constant concentrations of the actives in the animal's bloodstream. The feeds may be produced by extrusion with addition of minor quantities of one or more actives so as to uniformly distribute the actives throughout the extruded product.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing prey organisms such as Artermia and rotifers, for feeding aquacultural organisms in particular at the larval stage. The method comprises cultivating the prey organisms during at least part of their life cycle in an aqueous medium comprising at least one lipid component having a DHA content of at least 30 wt %. The enriched prey organisms preferably have a DHA content of at least 12 wt % of their total lipid content. The prey organisms are suitable feed for larvae of fish including halibut, turbot, bass, and flounder, and crustaceans and molluscs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a removable cap and bottle assembly having a cap having a curved side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface where the inner surface has at least two threads disposed thereon. A bottle is provided having a mouth portion having an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface has at least two threads disposed thereon corresponding to the threads disposed on the inner surface of the side wall of the cap, so that when the cap is screwed on to the mouth of the bottle, a compression seal is formed along an entire circumference of the cap and the bottle with less than a full turn of the cap.

Abstract: An extended hummingbird feeder tube is provided which has a tubular shaft length of at least about six times the length of the internal diameter of the tubular shaft, and which extends to substantially a bottom portion of an upright reservoir to facilitate efficient and effective feeding for hummingbirds. Preferably, the hanging, upright tube has an annular lip which can take the form of various flower blossoms in order to replicate the external and internal characteristics of a typical flower.

Abstract: A pet areas mat for cleanliness where small animals eat, drink, are housed, such as in a cage, or perform other functions, such as use of a litter box or litter pan. The mat is generally rectangular or oblong in shape and is constructed of a material that is absorbent on one side and laminated and non-absorbent on the reverse side, forming a moisture barrier. Stays are constructed on the mat by sewing, at various intervals, a binding to folds of the aforementioned material in a horizontal, vertical or concentrical pattern. The same binding is sewn on the perimeter of the mat. The stays and perimeter binding function to contain debris on the mat, and the mat also absorbs liquids, such as water, and the animal's bodily fluids. The pet areas mat is very convenient for pet owners, as it is machine washable in cold water or disposable.

Abstract: A kit and method for converting a compression ignition diesel engine into a spark ignition natural gas engine is disclosed. The kit includes a throttle body, a fuel management system, a timing module, a means for reducing a compression ratio of a piston in the diesel engine, and a means for providing a spark in a cylinder of the natural gas engine. The method includes the steps of providing a diesel engine, machining one or more cylinder heads on the diesel engine to accept one or more spark plugs, machining a top surface of one or more pistons of the diesel engine to increase the volume of the one or more combustion chambers when the one or more pistons are located at top dead center in the diesel engine, providing a fuel management system to deliver the air/fuel mixture to the one or more combustion chambers, and providing a timing module to monitor the position of one or more camshafts on the diesel engine and provide piston position information to the fuel management system.

Abstract: An engine has a plurality of combustion cylinders with a first piston reciprocably mounted in each of the combustion cylinders in the conventional manner. The engine head has, in communication with each of the combustion cylinders, a cylindrical recess containing a reciprocably mounted second piston. On the side of the second piston opposite the combustion chamber is a control chamber with inlets and outlets for controlling movement of the second piston. The second piston is used to increase the compression ratio without appreciably reducing the expansion ratio. Alternatively, the second piston may be used as a pump to pump fluid from the control chamber. In yet another alternative method of operation, the second piston can be driven outward within the cylindrical recess to an extent which varies in accordance with power demand, thereby varying the compression ratio in accordance with the power demand.

Abstract: Camshaft configurations are increasingly more closely assembled in motor vehicle engines such that access to the cylinder head bolts is obstructed. Indentations 2 along built-up camshafts, which comprise a camshaft tube 1 with slid-on camshaft structural components, such as the cams 3, permit through corresponding rotation free access to the cylinder head bolts even after they are in the installed state. In order to be able to employ for the camshaft structure tubular camshafts 1, according to the invention a pressing tool 10 with bottom dies 12, 13 is provided such that during the pressing operation of the indentations, the camshaft tube 1 advantageously is not deformed beyond the original outer diameter d and the camshaft 1 can be assembled advantageously form-fittingly through subsequent sliding-on of the cams 3.

Abstract: A lost motion engine valve actuation system and method of actuating an engine valve are disclosed. The system may comprise a valve train element, a pivoting lever, a control piston, and a hydraulic circuit. The pivoting lever may include a first end for contacting the control piston, a second end for transmitting motion to a valve stem and a means for contacting a valve train element. The amount of lost motion provided by the system may be selected by varying the position of the control piston relative to the pivoting lever. Variation of the control piston position may be carried out by placing the control piston in hydraulic communication with a control trigger valve and one or more accumulators. Actuation of the trigger valve releases hydraulic fluid allowing for adjustment of the control piston position. Means for limiting valve seating velocity, filling the hydraulic circuit upon engine start up, and mechanically locking the control piston/lever for a fixed level of valve actuation are also disclosed.