Abstract: A seeding machine comprises a main frame segment and left and right wing frame segments. In its working configuration the wing frame segments extend transversely. In its transport configuration the wing frame segments are folded forwardly. The wing frame segments are provided with a rear rank of planting units that are mounted to the wing frame segments by pivot arms that extend downwardly and rearwardly. The pivot arms are pivotally mounted to the wing frame segments by a rock shaft. The rock shaft is provided with an actuator bell crank that is coupled to a linear actuator for rotating the rock shaft relative to the wing frame segments. The pivot arms have a working position, wherein the planting units are in their working position, and a transport position, wherein the planting units have been pivoted on their noses into their substantially vertical transport position to reduce the transverse transport width of the seeding machine.

Abstract: A seeding machine is provided with banks of individual seed hoppers for directing seed to auxiliary seed hoppers located on individual planting units. The individual seed hoppers of each bank are provided with adjoining walls. The adjoining walls have notches so that seed in one individual seed hopper can flow into an adjoining individual seed hopper. A portion of the planting units can be disabled by placing them in a non-working position. The individual seed hoppers supplying seed to the disabled planting units are provided with removable baffles. Each removable baffle is provided with a downwardly extending leg that cooperates with the notches to prevent seed in an active individual hopper from entering an inactive individual hopper.

Abstract: A seeding machine having a main seed hopper is in communication with a planting unit by a flexible tube. The planting unit has a horizontal working position and a vertical transport position. The main hopper supplies seed by gravity to the planting unit through the flexible tube. The planting unit comprises a unit hopper and a seed meter. Seed is metered by the seed meter before being discharged to a seed tube and eventually a planting furrow. Seed from the flexible tube passes through the unit hopper to the seed meter. The unit hopper is provided with a baffle. Seed passing through the unit hopper to the seed meter passes beneath the concave surface of the baffle. As the planting unit is pivoted from its horizontal working position to its vertical transport position seed from the seed meter flows over the top of the baffle and is held in the unit hopper.

Abstract: A seeding machine having a main seed hopper is in communication with a planting unit by a flexible tube. The planting unit has a horizontal working position and a vertical transport position. The main hopper supplies seed by gravity to the planting unit through the flexible tube. The planting unit is provided with a vacuum seed meter. The seed meter has a seed disc with a vacuum side and a working seed puddle side. An isolator brush, arranged in a chordal manner on the seed puddle side of the seed disc, defines the discharge area of the seed meter. A first brush intersecting the isolator brush extends downwardly and radially inward along the seed disc. The first brush, together with the isolator brush, defines boundaries of a transport seed puddle when the planting unit is pivoted into its vertical transport position. A second brush extends downwardly and radially inward along the seed disc.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus (1) for use in seed sowing is attachable to a primary mover for pulling the apparatus (1) in a direction of travel(X). The apparatus (1) comprises a support member (2), a first disc (18) and a second disc (20), the discs (18, 20) each cutting a single groove in the soil. The discs (18, 20) are mountable on the support member (2) about axle (13), the axle (13) having first arm and second arm portions (14), the first and second discs (18, 20) being mountable on the first arm and second arm portions (14) respectively. The first arm portion (14) is angled with respect to the second arm portion (14) such that the first and second discs (18, 20) arm arranged in planes which converge rearwardly in relation to the direction of travel (X). Press wheel (12) for pressing soil into grooves made by the discs (18, 20) alter seeds have been deposited is mountable on the support member (2).

Abstract: A drinking straw incorporates a sugar indicator section. When the straw is inserted into the drink, the indicator section changes color upon detection of sugar in the drink. This enables rapid and accurate detection of sugar in the drink. The sugar indicator straw may instead be formed as a drinking straw insert. The insert incorporates a “sleeve” through which a straw may be inserted. Then, when the straw is inserted into the drink, the insert changes color upon detection of sugar. The insert may then be disposed of. Further, the indicator may be incorporated in a drinking cup, preferably of the disposable kind. A section of the cup's wall is made porous, and the indicator is provided over the porous part. When liquid passes through the porous part, the indicator changes color if the liquid contains sugar.

Abstract: A magnet is attached to a piston which slides in the interior of a casing due to action of fluid pressure, a guide groove is provided on a side face of the casing in a movement direction of the piston, an indicator is received in the guide groove, and at least one portion of the indicator is formed of a magnetic body, so that the indicator can displace following the piston.

Abstract: A wearable dietary-intake counter for counting and tracking dietary intake of foods.

Abstract: Reminders of daily or other periodic tasks are most desirable when they are simple to operate and easily distinguishable. A reusable device that provides tracking of task performance by multiple independently movable arms that lock into position provides a clear visual cue as to use and eliminates potential unintentional movement of the arms. The arms can be pivotally or slidably mounted to a base. The pivotal mounting can include a mechanical hinge or a flexible material providing a living hinge. The lock releasably secures the arms independently in two or more positions indicating to the user the performance of a task such as taking a medication one or more times during a day or other period of time. At the end of the cycle of use, usually one week, the arms may be reset and the device used again. The device may be small enough and include a fastener to mount it to a pill bottle, specific to what is in need of reminding the user.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vaporizing and supplying method for controlling a liquid CVD material in flow rate with liquid flow rate controllers, supplying a vaporizer with the material, vaporizing the same, and supplying a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus with the vaporized material, which comprises installing in parallel, a plurality of liquid flow rate controllers, preferably each having a different controllable range of flow rate, and supplying the vaporizer with the material at a variable flow rate thereof by altering the single use of any of the controllers to the simultaneous use of a plurality thereof or vice versa, and/or switching any of the controllers one after another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the epitaxy of (indium, aluminum, gallium) nitride on foreign substrates.

Abstract: The invention describes a CVD reactor on solid substrates and a related method of deposition of epitaxial layers on the wafers. In the reactor of the invention, the wafer carrier is transported between a loading position and a deposition position. In the deposition position, the wafer carrier is detachably mounted on an upper end of a rotatable spindle without an intermediate susceptor. The reactor of the invention may process a single wafer or a plurality of wafers at the same time.

Abstract: In a varnish coating apparatus, a first varnish film forming cylinder has a first supply surface to which varnish is supplied. A second varnish film forming cylinder has a second supply surface to which varnish is supplied. A first blanket cylinder has a first transfer surface and first opposing surface. A second blanket cylinder has a second transfer surface and second opposing surface. When a sheet passes through a contact point between the first and second blanket cylinders, the first transfer surface of the first blanket cylinder opposes the second opposing surface of the second blanket cylinder to perform varnish coating on a first surface of the sheet, and the second transfer surface of the second blanket cylinder opposes the first opposing surface of the first blanket cylinder so as to perform varnish coating on a second surface of the sheet.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a coating apparatus and method in which most of the relative movement between a dispensing head and the substrate to be coated is provided by the coating head. The moving head configuration reduces the system footprint and diminishes leveling problems. A powered shuttle mechanism carries a dispensing head above a substrate to be coated while riding on a bearing located underneath the chuck holding the substrate thereby providing rigidity and reducing the system footprint. Chuck support is designed to accommodate anticipated vertical sag in the dispensing head by supporting the chuck at points along its periphery thereby permitting the chuck to sag in conjunction with the dispensing head. The shuttle mechanism is equipped with means for automatically adjusting the height of the dispensing head with respect to substrate to compensate for substrate placement error, substrate dimensional variation, and mechanical drift in the mechanical machine parts.

Abstract: A method for forming a thin film comprises the steps of: forming a first thin film using a raw material which comprises an adduct of metal &bgr;-diketonate and adduct-forming material by a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method; associating metal &bgr;-diketonate dissociated from the adduct in the raw material with an adduct-forming material to regenerate the raw material; and forming a second thin film using the regenerated raw material by the MOCVD method.

Abstract: A vertical chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus and methods for the deposition of compound films, such as silicon germanium films, are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a process chamber, wherein the process chamber is elongated in a first generally vertical direction; a boat to support a plurality of wafers, wherein individual wafers comprising the plurality of wafers are oriented substantially horizontally, stacked substantially vertically and spaced apart vertically; and a gas injector inside the process chamber, wherein the gas injector extends in a second generally vertical direction over about the height of the boat and comprises a plurality of gas injection holes, wherein the plurality of gas injection holes extends over about the height of the gas injector, and wherein the gas injector has a feed end connected to a source of a silicon-containing gas and a source of a germanium-containing gas.

Abstract: A vaporizer system for vaporizing solid and/or liquid chemical source materials under uniform heating conditions within the vaporizer system, with reduced condensation of vaporized source materials and minimization of “cold spots” within the vaporizer, to provide a substantially continuous flow of vapor to a downstream implantation or deposition (e.g., MOCVD) system. The vaporizer includes a thermally conductive block having a multiplicity of elongated wells formed therein for holding a vapor source material. Within the thermally conductive block is an interior volume communicating with the elongated wells. The thermally conductive block is sealed to form a closed vessel and heat is applied thereto to evenly heat all the elongated wells simultaneously and vaporize the source material therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction chamber especially for carrying out substrate coating methods, such as CVD methods, characterized in that at least one opening is provided in at least one outer wall in which an HF and especially an RF feedthrough is inserted in a pressure or vacuum tight manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of avian gametes, comprising reducing endogenous primordial germ cells (PGCs) in a recipient bird in ovo and introducing donor primordial germ cells from another bird into the recipient bird in ovo. The present invention further provides a method of increasing the ratio of male offspring from a female bird, comprising reducing endogenous PGCs in the female bird in ovo, introducing donor PGCs from another bird into the female bird in ovo, and incubating the female bird to hatch. The female bird is raised to sexual maturity and bred to produce a plurality of eggs having a higher proportion of male eggs than in the absence of the inventive methods. In some embodiments, the donor PGCs are from a different species than the recipient bird. In preferred embodiments, endogenous PGCs are reduced using busulfan.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a mechanical milking procedure for animals, especially cows. In particular, the present invention is a method for milking animals that includes the step of sequentially stimulating the teats of the animal before milking the stimulated teats. This method results in a quick and uninterrupted milking of the animal.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: A diaphragm operated water pressure regulator switchable between an operating mode and a flushing mode by changing the relative positions of the water inlet port and the valve in the regulator. By moving the port to a position in which the valve cannot close the inlet port, water at full line pressure enters the watering system to flush the system. A mounting bracket is also disclosed which independently suspends the regulator and a support pipe from a cable in the poultry house such that the regulator can be removed from the watering system without affecting the support pipe.

Abstract: Sessile marine organisms are a source of many marine pharmaceuticals. A method of producing such a marine pharmaceutical is provided which involves positioning a plurality of like substrates in sea water, growing the organism on the plurality of substrates, harvesting the grown organism, and extracting the pharmaceutical from the harvested organism.

Abstract: An animal experiment method is proposed, in which a live test animal is prepared, and at least one tube is intubated into a body of the test animal, wherein one end of the tube comes into contact with body fluid of the test animal, and the other end of the tube is exposed to outside of the test animal. And, a monitoring system is connected to the exposed end of the tube, so as to monitor instant physiological conditions of the test animal in a limited space. Since the test animal stay alive and conscious during entire experiment, no anesthetic is necessarily applied to the test animals, and no undesirable interference caused by anesthetics with animal physiological mechanisms is generated. Therefore, experimental results can truly reflect real physiological and pharmaceutical conditions of the test animals, thereby making experimental data more reliable and significant for use as clinical reference.

Abstract: The pouch has an elongated mouth for gaining access to the interior of the pouch and a zipper for opening and closing the mouth. One or more cords have loops which extend outwardly from the top of the pouch. A toggle is attached to each cord for increasing and decreasing the size of the loop. The pouch is attached to a leash by first, passing the leash through the opening in each loop and secondly, by tightening the loops around the leash by means of the toggles in order to affix the pouch tightly to the leash so that the pouch does not move on the leash. A cord may also be attached to the handle of the leash should it be difficult to stop the pouch from sliding on the leash.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combusting a fuel and air mixture within a combustion chamber, particularly a combustion chamber of a gaseous fuel fired water heater. A pressure relief void is intentionally formed so that a combustion chamber forms communication with a surrounding environment through means other than the exhaust flue and/or a fuel and/or air inlet. During ignition, the pressure relief void allows pre-combustion fluid within the combustion chamber to escape through both the pressure relief void and the exhaust flue. The pressure relief void reduces or eliminates undesirable noise associated with start-up and operation of conventional water heater combustion chambers with premixed burner systems. The pressure relief void of this invention is preferably sized large enough to relieve an ignition pressure pulse from the combustion chamber upon ignition and yet is sized small enough to prevent a combustion flame from passing through the pressure relief void during ignition and/or operational combustion.

Abstract: A method and an electronic apparatus for reversing the rotation of a two-stroke internal combustion engine, provided with an ignition system powered by a permanent magnet voltage generator. The electronic apparatus comprises a microprocessor control unit programmed for controlling the sparking both during forward and backward rotations, and for controlling the reversal rotation procedure of the engine. The reversal procedure is controlled on the basis of information obtained from a first binary signal emitted by a bistable magnetic sensor activated by the magnetic flux of the generator, and from a second binary signal correlated to the polarities of output voltage of the voltage generator. The original forward or backward rotation is made to reverse by providing a sparking delay, and subsequently generating an advanced spark while the engine is still rotating in the original direction.

Abstract: An engine is provided having a cylinder head and a cylinder block. The cylinder head has a head water-jacket for circulating coolant, and the cylinder block has a block water-jacket for circulating the coolant. Coolant flow is blocked between the block and head water-jackets except through a primary pathway or an additional one or more secondary pathways. First and second thermostats are equipped to respectively control coolant flow from the head and block water-jackets, such that the coolant flow through the head and block water-jackets are respectively controlled based on respectively preset temperatures of the first and second thermostats.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a combustion chamber is provided in a cylinder head on one side of a partition wall, and a heat-insulating layer is provided in the cylinder head on the other side of the partition wall. Cooling passages are provided in a plurality of regions provided with different heat loads in the partition wall, respectively. The flow rate of a cooling medium is set, so that the flow rate in the cooling passage existing in the region of the larger heat load is larger than that in the cooling passage existing in the region of the smaller heat load. Thus, the temperature of an exhaust gas can be maintained at a high level by maintaining the combustion chamber at a high temperature.

Abstract: A two-cycle engine is provided for a portable, manually-guided implement and has a cylinder in which is formed a combustion chamber delimited by a reciprocating piston. The engine has an inlet for fuel/air mixture, an outlet out of the combustion chamber for exhaust gas, and four transfer channels that are arranged mirror symmetrically relative to a mirror plane, open into the cylinder via inlet windows, and fluidically connect the crankcase with the combustion chamber as a function of the piston position. Two transfer channels are close to the outlet and two are remote from the outlet. The transfer channels have a connecting portion to the crankcase, an ascending portion that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and an opening-out portion into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Method and device for regulating the phase angle between a first and a second crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The engine includes primary cylinders that communicate with secondary cylinders and in every primary cylinder there is movably arranged a primary piston that is connected to the first crankshaft and in every secondary cylinder there is movably arranged a secondary piston that is connected to the second crankshaft. The first and second crankshafts are connected to each other by means of a transmission adapted with the device that includes a crankshaft extension for obtaining the control of the phase angle, the extension being fixed against rotation and displaceably connected to one of the crankshafts and via a grooved portion rotationally connected to the second of the crankshafts. When the crankshaft extension in displaced, rotation is obtained in the grooved portion that results in a corresponding phase angle shift.

Abstract: The gas exchange valve drive for a valve-controlled combustion engine has a hollow cylindrical rotor to be coupled with a valve member and a stator, with the rotor comprising permanent-magnetic rings concentrically arranged one above the other, the stator being at least partially constructed of a soft magnetic material and comprising at least one tooth facing towards the rotor, the stator comprising a radially inner magnetically conductive area and a radially outer magnetically conductive area, with the rings of the rotor being arranged between the inner area and the outer area of the stator, and the outer area of the stator in at least one partial section being designed with a C-shaped cross-section and comprising at least one stator coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actuator assembly for operating a cylinder valve of an internal combustion engine. The actuator assembly achieves fast response times by utilizing a solenoid actuator that contains an armature element formed of a powder metal. A valve system that utilizes two of the actuator assemblies in conjunction with a cylinder valve is also provided.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation assembly for actuation of an engine intake valve between low-lift and high-lift modes. The VVA assembly includes a special rocker assembly having a pivotable central high-lift cam follower and two peripheral low-lift cam followers; a camshaft having low-lift and high-lift lobes engageable with the respective cam followers; a primary latching assembly including a slidable primary latching pin in the rocker assembly for engaging and disengaging the high-lift follower; a solenoid for causing the primary latching pin to be engaged and disengaged; and a secondary latching mechanism between the solenoid and the primary latching pin to automatically limit engagement and disengagement of the primary latching pin to times in the duty cycle of the camshaft (during lift events) when ejections of the primary latching pin are not possible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine operating on spark-ignitible fuel, featuring at least one operating mode with homogeneous charge and self-ignition, and comprising at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve per cylinder, which intake and exhaust valves may be coupled via a transmission device in at least one operating mode of the engine. The combustion process may be controlled in a simple manner by providing that at least one exhaust valve can be actuated during the intake stroke by means of the transmission device, said transmission device having at least one first mechanical transmission member, and that the transmission device can be activated by a mechanical actuating device, said actuating device featuring an eccentric element acting on a transmission member.

Abstract: The line control arrangement includes a valve timing controller generating a predetermined valve timing variable control signal according to an engine speed of a vehicle; and an oil controlling driver generating a rotational force in a predetermined direction according to the valve timing variable control signal received from the valve timing controller to form a corresponding advance line and a corresponding retard line. The line control arrangement for a continuously variable valve timing system reduces noise generated by operation of an oil controlling driver.

Abstract: In a valve train of an internal combustion engine having a switchable support element (1), the lost motion spring (18) of the support element (1) is arranged axially offset next to the support element (1) while being coupled to an inner element (3) of the support element (1) by a crossbar (20). Due to this externally positioned spring (18), the support element (1) requires only a relatively small design space.

Abstract: An intake head device for an internal combustion engine, which is suitable for impulse charging and/or residual exhaust gas purging, including a pressure accumulator (24) which may apply overpressure to the pressure passage via a pressure passage, so that this produces residual exhaust gas purging of the cylinder (16) when the inlet valve (18) is open and the impulse flap (21) is closed. The impulse charging is performed by a partial vacuum which is generated in the accumulator passage (22) by the air intake of the cylinder (16). The pressure accumulator arrangement of the invention has the advantage that the closing time of the flap (21) may be longer.

Abstract: Air intake manifolds (32) for vehicle engines (50) may include a plate-shaped short runner valve (16) that is rotatably disposed within an aperture (19) of a wall partition (42). The valve (16) may be operated to open and close the aperture. A flange (22) may extend from an inner surface of the aperture and the flange may define a sealing face (22b). An elastic sealing member (21) may be disposed along a peripheral edge of the valve. The sealing member may include first and second projections (21a, 21b) extending from the peripheral edge of the valve. The first and second projections may be arranged in a substantially V-shape. Further, the terminal ends of the first and second projections are preferably disposed so as to closely contact the sealing face when the valve is rotated to the closed position.

Abstract: A marine engine incorporates an engine body defining first and second bearing sections. A crankshaft is journaled at the first bearing section for rotation about a first axis extending generally vertically. A balancer shaft unit is journaled at the second bearing section for rotation. The balancer shaft unit includes two balancer shafts rotating about second and third axes both extending generally parallel to the first axis and also parallel to each other. The crankshaft rotates the balancer shafts. The balancer shafts have balancer weights. A lubrication system delivers lubricant to the first and second bearing sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component for an internal combustion engine of an automobile having reduced NVH properties. The component has a shell formed with a plastic composite material. The shell defines an inlet port, an outlet port, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an inner cavity to allow air passage to the internal combustion engine. A damping layer is disposed on the outer surface such that damping layer substantially dampens the noise emitted from the component.

Abstract: Laser welding is used to attach a polyolefin air induction component to an elastomeric hose member. One of the hose or induction component includes a portion that is made from a transparent material. In one example, the hose includes a hose end portion that is formed from a transparent material. The transparent material is then positioned in an overlapping relationship to a tube received within an opening in the induction component, which acts as an absorbing component. Contour through transmission welding is used to generate a laser beam that passes through the transparent material, heats the absorbing component, which in turn heats the transparent material and forms a laser weld.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary piston engine having at least two rotary pistons, both being formed as gearwheels mounted in a rotatable fashion on mutually perpendicular axes in a housing providing a closed seal for the pistons on both faces as well as around their circumferences, and being at one point in a sliding, mutually sealing engagement of gear teeth with each other.

Abstract: In a diesel engine, heavy EGR lowers a combustion temperature, which greatly prolongs an ignition delay period and all fuel is injected within the ignition delay period, thereby performing a low-temperature premixed combustion. A crank angle from a fuel injection completion to an ignition start is made less than 15 degrees by advancing a fuel injection timing and/or prolonging a fuel injection period. As a result, an equivalent ratio distribution in a combustion chamber at an ignition start is controlled such that an equivalent ratio in the vicinity of a cylinder center is richer than in the vicinity of a cylinder wall and the equivalent ratio gradually changes from the cylinder center to the cylinder wall.

Abstract: A fuel injector having an integrated spark plug (1) for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber (72) of an internal combustion engine and for igniting the fuel that is injected into the combustion chamber (72) has a valve body (7), which, together with a valve-closure member (10), forms a sealing seat. Disposed contiguously to the sealing seat is a discharge orifice (12), which discharges at a valve-body (7) end face (73) facing the combustion chamber (72). Provision is also made for a housing body (2) that is insulated from the valve body (7), and for an ignition electrode (70a) that is connected to the housing body (2). In this context, a spark arc-over is produced between the valve body (7) and the ignition electrode (70a). The ignition electrode (70a) and the valve body (7) are formed in such a way that the spark arc-over takes place between the end face (73) of the valve body (7) facing the combustion chamber (72) and the ignition electrode (70a).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming a fuel injector that delivers multiple injections or injection segments per engine cycle is provided. Trimming a fuel injector comprises determining a first fuel quantity to be delivered by the plurality of injectors, partially suspending fuel delivery by one selected injector, determining a second fuel quantity, and determining a fuel characteristic of the selected injector in response to the first and second fuel quantities.

Abstract: An exhaust valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine exhaust valve having a thermally prestressed bender actuator, which moves through a displacement in response to a command signal from a control unit. An actuator drive responsive to motion of the thermally prestressed bender actuator operates an exhaust valve actuator system, which, in turn, operates the exhaust valve. The thermally prestressed electroactive bender actuator and the exhaust valve actuator system operate the exhaust valve to effect engine compression braking.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling an engine having a first maximum power rating based on at least a first predetermined operating condition of the engine. A first sensor transmits a first signal as a function of the engine operating at a predetermined operating condition other than the first predetermined operating condition. A control device receives the first signal and transmits a power signal to the engine as a function of the first signal. The power signal may, by itself, or in conjunction with other signals, cause the engine to produce a quantity of power in excess of the first maximum power rating.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system is provided, which comprises an accelerator pedal position sensor, a control unit, and a biasing mechanism. The accelerator pedal position sensor detects a position of an accelerator pedal. The throttle actuator actuates a throttle valve to rotate. The control unit determines a target throttle position based on the accelerator pedal position, and controls an operation of the throttle actuator in accordance with the determined target throttle position. The biasing mechanism provides rotational force to the throttle valve such that an opening angle of the throttle valve while the throttle actuator is not powered is greater than a predetermined idle opening angle.

Abstract: A multicylinder petrol engine is provided with a hydraulic system for variable actuation of the valves, which enables easy control of operation of the engine according to different strategies. The engine according to the invention is, in particular, able to operate with a variable engine displacement in a modular way via the exclusion of selected cylinders, to control combustion by means of adjustment of the effective compression ratio, and to control recirculation of the exhaust gases at intake, in order to achieve low levels of consumption and reduced harmful exhaust emissions.