Abstract: A flow control valve used in a cooling system of a water cooling type includes a first valve body and a first valve seat for controlling a quantity of radiator flow which returns from an engine to a pump through a radiator, a second valve body and a second valve seat for controlling a quantity of bypass flow which returns from the engine to the pump without passing through the radiator, and a step motor for displacing the valve bodies integrally as a valve unit. The first valve body, the first valve seat, the second valve body, and the second valve seat are so arranged that, in a range where the radiator flow quantity becomes practically zero, the bypass flow is permitted to flow at a slightly larger quantity than the radiator flow and, in other ranges, the bypass flow quantity is equal to or lower than the radiator flow quantity.

Abstract: A piston (11) incorporates spring means acting, in use, between the piston and an associated connecting rod so as to bias the connecting rod away from the crown (112) of the piston. The spring means (117) is integrally formed with the piston (111) and is configured as a bellows spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axial piston engine (1) with a housing (2), inside the housing interior (4) of which a drive shaft (7) and a cylinder drum (16), arranged axially adjacent to said shaft, are rotatably mounted. The longitudinal mid-axes (9a, 9b) of the driveshaft (7) and the cylinder drum (17) run inclined to each other at an angle (W). Several piston bores (18) are arranged in he cylinder drum (16), running roughly parallel to the mid-axis thereof and in which pistons (21) may run axially up and down. The ends of said pistons, facing the driveshaft (7), are universally pivoted.

Abstract: A two-cycle engine in a portable, manually-guided implement, such as a power chain saw, a cut-off machine, a brush cutter, or the like, is provided. The cylinder has a combustion chamber that is delimited by a reciprocating piston that via a connecting rod drives a crankshaft that is mounted in a crankcase so as to be rotatable about a crankshaft axis. The cylinder has an outlet for conveying exhaust gases out of the combustion chamber, with the outlet having an axis of the channel thereof. The cylinder also has an inlet for supplying a fuel/air mixture to the crankcase. By means of at least two transfer channels, the fuel/air mixture is conveyed out of the crankcase and into the combustion chamber, with the transfer channels being disposed symmetrically relative to the axis of the channel of the outlet.

Abstract: A electromagnetic valve controller for an internal combustion engine selectively implements a normal operation mode for controlling all of the electromagnetic valves according to normal principles for implementing a four-cycle operation of the internal combustion engine, and a valve-stopped operation mode for controlling the electromagnetic valves according to rules for stopping at least one of the electromagnetic valves. In other words, execution of the valve-stopped operation mode is inhibited for a predetermined period after the internal combustion engine is started. Therefore, a failure of any one of the electromagnetic valves caused by the valve-stopped operation can be appropriately prevented from occurring, without degrading starting response characteristics of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A control unit controls an electromagnetically driven valve including a valve body, an electromagnetic drive portion and a spring so as to be opened and closed by an electromagnetic force of the electromagnetic drive portion and a spring force of the spring that is formed of a pair of gas pressure springs each urging the valve body towards a valve opening end position and a valve closing end position, respectively. The control unit includes a controller, when an operation of the valve body is stopped and held in a holding position that is one of the valve opening end position and the valve closing end position, decreases a gas pressure of one of the pair of gas pressure springs that urges the valve body towards a non-holding position opposite to the holding position so as to become lower than a gas pressure of the one of the pair of gas pressure springs that urges the valve body towards the non-holding position when the valve body is operated.

Abstract: When an inlet valve is opened or closed via a first mover, by the operation of a first linear actuator, energy accumulated by a first spring or a second spring is discharged by the operation of a second linear actuator, to transmit the energy to the inlet valve via a second mover and the first mover. As a result, the inlet valve can be opened or closed at a high speed, with higher energy efficiency and has an improved durability.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes at least one inlet valve whose operation can be described at least by the parameters: opening angle, closing angle, valve stroke curve (H1, H2) and phase position (pn) of the valve stroke curves (H1, H2). At least one of the parameters (pn) can be continuously shifted and at least one other parameter (H1, H2) can be switched stepwise. In order to avoid jumps of the torque generated by the engine when switching over, it is suggested that, in advance of a switchover (74) of the step-wise switchable parameter (H1, H2), the continuously shiftable parameter (pn) is so adjusted (72) that, with the switchover (74) of the stepwise switchable parameter (H1, H2), at least one condition variable (rl) of the combustion of a combustion chamber assigned to the inlet valve is not changed or not significantly changed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust pipe used for discharging a gas from a reaction vacuum chamber, which effectively prevents a substance contained in the discharged gas from being deposited and accumulated on an inner surface of the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder, in which the combustion of a homogeneous air/fuel mixture compressed in the cylinder by a piston is initiated by a time-controlled external ignition, the air/fuel ratio of the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber (25) being greater than 1.9 and, for the time-controlled external ignition, at least one laser light source (10), at least one optical transmission apparatus (11) and at least one coupling optic (12) for the focussing of laser light into a combustion chamber (25) being provided.

Abstract: Compression ignition of a homogeneous air fuel charge in a piston engine is controlled over a substantial range of lean to stoichiometric air fuel ratios by supplying additional heat as required to an open sided hot spot recess in a combustion chamber. A surface electric heater element is controlled in response to sensed engine operating conditions to provide additional heat as required to ignite the charge compressed in the hot spot to initiate combustion that progresses through the open side of the hot spot recess and completes combustion of the cylinder charge in the time interval required for efficient combustion. Matching of the hot spot energy requirements to the cylinder operating conditions of each engine embodiment and the manner of controlling energy transfer must be developed for each engine application to obtain the full benefit of unthrottled combustion of homogenious mixtures over a major portion of an engine operating range.

Abstract: An intake manifold for an internal combustion engine provided with exhaust gas recycling; the intake manifold comprises a tubular member having an inner chamber and has a plurality of intake ducts which extend parallel to and equally spaced from one another from the lateral surface of the tubular member in order to bring the inner chamber into communication with respective cylinders; a support body physically independent from the tubular member houses a recycling duct and is mechanically connected to the tubular member so as to be disposed in the space bounded at the bottom by the intake ducts and laterally by the tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lubrication system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. An inter-cylinder lubricant communications system is provided to circulate lubricant from an upper-most cylinder to each successive cylinder downstream. This system includes an inlet that extends through an opening in the wall of a downstream cylinder. An outlet situated upstream relative to the inlet is also provided and includes an accumulation region to collect lubricant as it flows with the charging air from the crankcase chamber to the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder. A fluid passage is configured to fluidly interconnect the inlet to the outlet to pass lubricant from the upstream cylinder to the downstream cylinder. A passage is provided from the most downstream cylinder to the most upstream cylinder thereby allowing for re-circulation of the lubricant.

Abstract: A device for and method of decarboning a combustion chamber and compression rings in an internal combustion engine. The device is a squid shaped container with a cylindrical body, a screw cap, and conduits depending from the body for transmitting cleaner to the combustion chambers on the engine. Once cleaner is transmitted to the combustion chambers, the engine is bumped to work the fluid into the compression rings. When the engine is bumped, the device allows the cleaner to be vented to the device to avoid hydrolocking the engine. The device also contains the cleaner so that it is not splashed outside the engine.

Abstract: A fluid pumping system for an engine or other system which reduces the high speed driving power consumption by hydraulic unloading of the mechanically-driven pump element through the use of recirculation through a jet pump when a system fluid pressure target value is achieved. A pressure-activated flow control valve is utilized to efficiently recycle excessive flow volume from the pump through the jet pump and back to the pump's intake with minimized pressure loss, thereby hydraulically unloading the pump in comparison with conventional systems. Energy conservation by the jet pump and recirculation conduit acts to also prevent cavitation of the hydraulically unloaded pump element at high speeds. The fluid system is useful in conjunction with an engine balance shaft system to control gear rattle at low speeds without adding undue gear loads at high speeds.

Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly for use in a diesel engine includes a combustion chamber defined in a crown of a piston, the combustion chamber having a center portion, the center portion being defined at least in part by a portion of a convex sphere, the sphere having a radius and an origin, the origin of the radius lying on a piston central axis and the combustion chamber further having an outwardly radially disposed bottom margin, the bottom margin being defined in part by a portion of an annulus, the annulus having a radius and an origin. The combustion chamber further has a plurality of curved surfaces having smooth transitions between adjacent smooth surfaces, the smooth surfaces including the spherical center portion and the annular bottom margin. A piston incorporating the aforementioned combustion chamber and a method of forming the combustion chamber are further included.

Abstract: A method of operating a spark ignition direct injection engine having two groups of cylinders supplied with air by separate manifolds controlled by separate throttles includes: (1) in a lower range of engine output, operating both groups of cylinders in a stratified charge mode with essentially unthrottled intake air; (2) in a higher range of engine output, operating both groups of cylinders in a homogeneous charge mode with partially throttled to unthrottled air flow; and (3) in an intermediate range of engine output, operating one cylinder group in a homogeneous charge mode near maximum output with lightly to essentially unthrottled intake air while operating the other cylinder group in a stratified charge mode with essentially unthrottled air intake, whereby the engine is operated over a major portion of the engine output range in unthrottled condition and with substantial throttling only in a portion of the higher range of engine output.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel injection valve and its apparatus, and an internal combustion engine, a method for manufacturing the fuel injection valve and its nozzle body, and a method for manufacturing the same capable of securing highly accurate and stabilized fuel spraying characteristics. The fuel injection valve comprises a nozzle body, an injection hole provided in the nozzle body, a valve body for opening and closing a fuel passage from the injection hole relative to the nozzle body, and a drive means for driving the valve body, wherein formed is a protrusion having an opening in communication with the downstream side of the injection hole of the nozzle body and which part of the side and an extreme end are opened. The invention resides in a nozzle body and manufacturing it by plastic processing, and an internal combustion engine using the same.

Abstract: A combustion chamber valve, such as an intake valve or an exhaust valve, is briefly opened during the compression and/or power strokes of a 4-stroke combustion cycle in an internal combustion engine (in particular, a diesel or CI engine). The brief opening may (1) enhance mixing withing the combustion chamber, allowing more complete oxidation of particulates to decrease engine emissions; and/or may (2) delay ignition until a more desirable time, potentially allowing a means of timing ignition in otherwise difficult-to-control conditions, e.g., in HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) conditions.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve is disclosed. The control system includes a valve operating characteristic varying mechanism and a hydraulic control valve for controlling a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the valve operating characteristic varying mechanism. The valve operating characteristic varying mechanism continuously varies an operating phase of the at least one intake valve and/or the at least one exhaust valve of the engine. A cleaning operation of the hydraulic control valve is performed in a predetermined operating condition of the engine. An intake air amount of the engine is controlled according to an operating condition of the valve operating characteristic varying mechanism when the cleaning operation of the hydraulic control valve is performed.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled throttle valve apparatus includes a motor, a speed reducing mechanism for reducing rotation speed transmitted from the motor, a throttle valve connected to the speed reducing mechanism, and a force applying device applying force to the throttle valve in the direction of returning the valve to its initial position and adjusting the opening of the throttle valve by driving the motor. Parameters of the motor, the speed reducing mechanism, and the force applying device have values such that the operation time t from the minimum to the maximum throttle valve opening, which is determined by an evaluation equation obtained from equations of throttle valve motion, is less than a prescribed target throttle valve operation time t*. Furthermore, resistance and an induction voltage constant of the motor are determined to satisfy a constraint equation obtained based on Ohm's law.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine and a corresponding device are described in which a combustion of a fuel in a fuel-air mixture introduced into a cylinder occurs in at least one cylinder. At least one adjusting device is used to influence at least one physical process, which modifies the distribution of the constituents and/or the overall composition of the fuel-air mixture in the at least one cylinder. If knock occurs, a knock control is used to gradually retard an ignition angle in the at least one cylinder from a fundamental ignition angle by an adjustment angle. When the adjustment of the at least one adjusting device exceeds a specifiable first threshold and/or the change in the at least one physical process exceeds a specifiable second threshold, the adjustment angle is rapidly reduced by increments, the more rapid reduction occurring with a larger increment and/or with a higher frequency of increments.

Abstract: An improved method and system for the control of an engine system such as the spark timing. The control senses the speed variations either during a portion of a complete cycle and a complete cycle and/or from cycle to cycle in order to determine the load on the engine from preprogrammed maps based upon the engine characteristics. From this load and the speed reading, it is possible to obtain the desired engine control. In addition the timing is set in this method only under certain specified conditions and only in response to certain specific parameters. This not only reduces the costs of the system by reducing the number of sensors, but also permits adjustments to be made more rapidly.

Abstract: A fuel injector (1) for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines includes a valve needle (3) and a valve closing body (4), which is operationally linked to it and cooperates with a valve seat face (6) situated in a valve seat body (5) to form a sealing seat. Upstream from the sealing seat there is at least one swirl channel (32), which has a tangential component relative to the longitudinal axis (33) of the fuel injector (1). An axial channel (35), which is formed between the valve closing body (4) and the guide recess (34) of the valve seat body (5), has an axial component relative to the longitudinal axis (33) of the fuel injector (1), the axial channel (35) being formed between the guide recess (34) and at least one flattened area (37) on the valve needle (3).

Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines includes a valve-seat member (5), in which a valve-seat surface (6) is introduced, which cooperates with a valve-closure member (4), mechanically linked to a valve needle (3), to form a sealing seat, and at least one spray-discharge orifice (7); in the idle state of the fuel injector (1) a gap (31), whose length (1) is smaller than the opening lift of the fuel injector (1), is situated between a downstream part of valve needle (3) and a recess (33) introduced in valve-seat member (5) on its upstream side.

Abstract: A fuel injection system with a fuel injection valve (15) and a control valve (50), which control valve (50) has a control valve member (54) that can move longitudinally in a control valve bore (52). The control valve member (54) is provided with a control valve sealing surface (55), which cooperates with a control valve seat (56) and thereby controls the connection between a first pressure chamber (57) and a second pressure chamber (58), where the first pressure chamber (57) is connected to a high-pressure accumulation chamber (10). A bore (30) is embodied in a valve body (25) and contains a piston-shaped valve needle (32) whose end oriented toward the combustion chamber controls the opening of at least one injection opening (38) by virtue of the fact that it executes a longitudinal movement due to the impingement of the pressure in a pressure chamber (31); the pressure chamber (31) is connected to the second pressure chamber (58) by means of a supply conduit (28).

Abstract: A redundant mechanism includes two pressure regulating valves for covering one of the pressure regulating valves when the other one is in a defective condition. First and second pressure regulating valves are provided as pressure regulating members of the fuel injection circuit. The valves are connected to the reflux passage and the by-pass passage that communicates with the fuel injection passage via the first and the second orifices, respectively. First and second sensors are provided for detecting the fuel pressure applied on the respective pressure regulating valves separately. A controller of the failure diagnostic member compares the fuel pressures P1, P2 detected by the first and second sensors and the predetermined fuel pressure P in the fuel injection passage. If P1=P2, both of the first and the second pressure regulating valves are determined to be normal. When a defective operating condition occurs in one of the pressure regulating valves, P1 and P2 vary.

Abstract: A fuel injection system has a feed pump by which fuel is supplied to a high-pressure pump which pumps fuel into a reservoir as a function of engine operating parameters. The system has a fuel metering device for adjusting the fuel quantity pumped by the high-pressure pump, the metering device having an actuator controlling a regulating valve having a slide-shaped valve member guided in a cylindrical bore of a valve housing and displaceable by the actuator counter to a restoring force. An outer jacket of the valve member in cooperation with an outlet from the cylindrical bore controls a flow cross section from the feed pump to the high-pressure pump. The valve member controlls an inlet opening, originating at the feed pump and discharging into the cylindrical bore, and in one position closes the inlet opening completely.

Abstract: A lift-controlled valve as a fuel metering device of an injection system for internal combustion engines has a valve needle (11) which may be actuated axially against the resistance of a spring (24), the valve needle being situated in a graduated coaxial recess (13) in a valve body (10) and interacting with a valve seat (17) formed in the recess (13) of the valve body (10)—in this case controlling the fuel injection process; the valve has in addition a high-pressure area (18) which is connected to an assigned injection nozzle and which is located upstream from the valve seat (17), a low-pressure area (28) which is located downstream from the valve seat and which opens out into a fuel return flow(30), and a low-pressure equalizing piston (22) which coaxially adjoins the valve (16, 17) and which is fixedly connected to the valve needle (11).

Abstract: A shut valve is provided in an intake line farther upstream than a throttle valve of the intake line and farther downstream than an air cleaner. This shut valve is opened by a signal or the like from an ECU when an engine is operating. Further, the shut valve closes when the engine is stopped so as to suppress evaporative fuel inside the intake line from flowing outside through the air cleaner. The evaporative fuel trapped inside the intake line passes through a bypass passage that provides communication between the intake line and the canister, and is then adsorbed with an adsorbent in the canister. A blow-by line is also connected to the intake line that is closed off by the shut valve. Because the blow-by line is closed off by a blow-by valve, which is closed during normal operation, when the engine is stopped, sticking of the shut valve and the throttle valve and the like due to the inflow of blow-by gas into the intake line is inhibited.

Abstract: Multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder row (10) with an intake side (10a) and an exhaust side (10b). The intake side includes an intake manifold (16), and the exhaust side includes at least one exhaust manifold (17) common to a group of cylinders (11-13). A charging unit (18) is connected by its pressure side to an intake air line opening into the intake manifold. The engine also has an arrangement for exhaust gas recirculation from the exhaust side of the engine to its intake side. The arrangement has a recirculation passage (15b, 20) which is arranged in the cylinder head(s) of the engine, for the respective group of cylinders and forms a connection between the exhaust manifold (17) and the intake side (10a). The passage can be opened and closed by a valve means (19).

Abstract: An integrated intake manifold assembly including a first poppet valve assembly disposed at the air inlet to the manifold to regulate air flow into the manifold; a second poppet valve assembly disposed on the manifold to regulate exhaust gas flow into the air intake system; and a bidirectional camshaft with cams for operating simultaneously the manifold vacuum regulating the poppet valves. The valve bodies are integrally formed in the wall of the intake manifold. The cams are arranged on the shaft to provide optimum synchronized opening and closing of the related valves. When used on a diesel engine, the manifold assembly may further include a swirl valve plate disposed between the manifold and the engine head and having a plurality of ganged swirl valves actuated by levers, connected to the camshaft internally of the manifold and swirl plate, for coordinated motion with the MVR and EGR valves.

Abstract: An integrated intake manifold assembly including a poppet valve disposed at the air inlet to the manifold to regulate air flow into the manifold; a poppet valve disposed on the manifold to regulate exhaust gas flow into the air intake system; and a bi-directional camshaft with cams for operating simultaneously the manifold vacuum regulating (MVR) valve and the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The valve bodies are integrally formed in the wall of the intake manifold. The camshaft is driven by a DC motor and gear train. The cams are arranged on the shaft to provide optimum synchronized opening and closing of the related valves. When used on a diesel engine, the assembly may further include a swirl valve plate disposed between the manifold and the engine head and having a plurality of ganged swirl valves actuated by levers connected to the camshaft for coordinated motion with the MVR and EGR valves.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for a compression ignition engine is provided wherein the exhaust gas recirculation is shut off depending upon the sensed or calculated humidity in the intake manifold relative to the dew point of the exhaust/intake air mixture. The humidity of the exhaust/intake air mixture may be measured in the intake manifold, charge air mixer or the ambient humidity may be sensed. If humidity is measured in the air charge mixer or in the ambient air, other factors such as engine speed and load, intake manifold pressure, EGR flow and air/fuel ratio may be used to calculate the humidity in the intake manifold. When the temperature of the mixture in the intake manifold is less than the dew point of the mixture, the engine control strategy may be shut off the EGR to prevent condensation in the exhaust gas recirculation system or engine.

Abstract: An ignition coil includes a center core, a primary coil a secondary coil, a coil housing, a tower housing disposed under the coil housing, and a high tension terminal disposed inside the tower housing. The high tension terminal has an upper flange disposed at a first circumferential gap opposite the inside surface of the tower housing and a middle barrel disposed at a second circumnferential gap opposite the inside surface of the coil housing. The first circumferential gap is made smaller than the second circumferential gap. The tower housing or the upper flange has a void-purging passage for purging air from the insulation resinous members when filled in the coil housing.

Abstract: A bowstring vibration and noise suppressor, the vibration and noise suppressor being carried by a support having an attachment device at an end of the support for attachment to a limb of an archery bow. The support carries the vibration and noise suppressor which is configured and arranged to suppress vibration and noise created by the bowstring when launching an arrow.

Abstract: The present invention is an fall-away arrow rest for an archery bow. It is comprised of a housing having a cavity. A shaft extends into the housing and is rotatable between a set position and a release position. A shaft pin is coupled with the shaft that extends away from the shaft and into the cavity. A first spring is provided to urge the shaft towards the release position. A weight is coupled with the housing and positioned in the cavity so that it can pivot between a locking position and an unlocking position with the weight being biased with a second spring towards the locking position. A pin stop is provided in the weight to receive the shaft pin when the shaft is in the set position and the weight is in the locking position. An arrow support is coupled with the shaft portion that extends outside of the housing. A cover is supplied across the cavity to prevent the entry of deleterious materials.

Abstract: An improved dicing wheel configuration is described herein. In one embodiment, the dicing wheel comprises: a hub, a blade, and an annular support. The hub is mounted on a shaft, and it clasps the blade. The annular support is compressed against the blade by the hub, and it has an outer diameter intermediate the outer diameters of the hub and the blade. A second annular support may also be compressed against the blade on the opposite side from the first annular support, and the annular support(s) may be separable from or bonded to the blade. The improved configuration preferably provides sufficient clearance for the hub to pass over solder bumps, stacked dies, or other protrusions on the wafer. The invention further contemplates methods for forming and using such a dicing wheel, as well as chips cut using such a dicing wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas valve of the type commonly used to connect a circular or non-planar gas manifold to the burner of a household cooktop. An adapter is provided for converting the gas valve for use with a non-planar profile gas manifold to a planar profile gas manifold.

Abstract: A miniature patio heater is provided which has a total height of approximately 3 ft. and which has a shroud with a diameter less than 2 ft. The patio heater includes a base having a vertically extending chamber, which is approximately 1.5 ft. high, for receiving a small gas bottle. A hollow post extends upwardly from the upper end of the chamber. A heater assembly and shroud are supported at the upper end of the post. A gas line extends along the inside of the hollow post between the heater assembly and the chamber. A connector assembly provides a pivotal connection between the end of the gas line and a regulator connected to a gas bottle within the chamber. The chamber is provided with an access opening for inserting and removing the gas bottle. Thus, the gas bottle, with attached regulator, can be swung from a vertical upright position within the chamber outwardly through the access opening to an angular position to facilitate removal of an empty gas bottle and replacement with a full gas bottle.

Abstract: A solar radiation reflector comprising a plurality of arms arranged in parallel, a plurality of driver mechanisms driven, respectively, by the arms, a plurality of reflectors turned, respectively, by the driven mechanisms, a plurality of reflection direction designating members connected, respectively, with the driven mechanisms to designate a predetermined direction of reflection of reflectors, respectively, a common link for turning the arms simultaneously, and a drive mechanism for driving the common link to direct the arms in parallel with the incident direction of solar radiation, and a solar energy system comprising the solar radiation reflector and a solar energy converter. The driven mechanisms driven simultaneously by the driving mechanism through the common link and the arms so that the reflectors may reflect solar radiation, respectively, toward specified directions turn the reflectors, respectively.

Abstract: A combustion system for a hybrid solar receiver comprises a pre-mixer which combines air and fuel to form an air-fuel mixture. The mixture is introduced tangentially into a cooling jacket. A burner plenum is fluidically connected to the cooling jacket such that the burner plenum and the cooling jacket are arranged in thermal contact with one another. The air-fuel mixture flows through the cooling jacket cooling the burner plenum to reduce pre-ignition of the air-fuel mixture in the burner plenum. A combustion chamber is operatively associated with and open to the burner plenum to receive the air-fuel mixture from the burner plenum. An igniter is operatively positioned in the combustion chamber to combust the air-fuel mixture, releasing heat. A recuperator is operatively associated with the burner plenum and the combustion chamber and pre-heats the air-fuel mixture in the burner plenum with heat from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A nebulizer for efficiently and reliably delivering aerosolized fluid to an inhaling patient is disclosed. The nebulizer includes a fluid channel air inlet and fluid channel air inlet valve responsive to either a manual force external of the nebulizer, or a patient's breathing, to begin the nebulization process. Also provided is a method of providing nebulization including the steps of moving a fluid channel air inlet valve against a fluid channel air inlet so that a negative pressure may build up over the fluid in the fluid channel to draw fluid from the fluid reservoir and begin nebulization during inhalation.

Abstract: An aerosolization device comprises a housing having a mouthpiece, an aerosol generator, a flow sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to begin operation of the aerosol generator upon receipt of a signal from the flow sensor indicating that a threshold flow rate has been achieved by a user when inhaling a tidal breath through the mouthpiece, and to stop operation after the passage of an operation time period that is selected such that continuation of the tidal breath delivers substantially all of the aerosol to the lungs.

Abstract: A breath-actuated inhaler for delivery of a medicament by inhalation from a canister (2) which is compressible to deliver a dose of medicament. The inhaler comprises a housing (1) for holding a canister (2) and including a mouthpiece (5) for delivery of a dose of medicament from a canister (2) held in the housing; and an actuation mechanism (6) for compressing a canister (2) held in the housing (1) in response to inhalation at the mouthpiece (5). The housing includes two separable portions (19, 20). The first housing portion (19) mounts the actuation mechanism (6). The second housing portion (20) houses the mouthpiece (5) and a duct (24) shaped to direct an inhalation flow from the mouthpeice (5) to the first housing portion (19) for triggering the actuation mechanism (6). The duct (24) and the mouthpiece (5) are integrally formed and separable from the second housing portion (20).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for changing the body temperature of a patient by having them breathe a mist created by nebulizer. The temperature of the mist is adjusted using a heat exchanger. The methods may be used to either cool or warm patients for a variety of clinical reasons. In addition, the invention includes a device (Thermomist) that can be used for generating a mist that can be administered to patients.

Abstract: A portable liquid oxygen (LOX) storage/delivery apparatus is provided, including an insulated (LOX) container having an interior, a bottom portion and a sidewall, the sidewall including a first side portion and a second side portion, both extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a port system in communication with the interior of the container for charging the container and for withdrawing LOX and gaseous oxygen from the container. The gaseous oxygen is withdrawn from the container through a first outlet and LOX is withdrawn from the container through a second outlet.

Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a housing, a heater and a mouthpiece wherein the heater volatilizes liquid material within a flow passage and forms an aerosol in the mouthpiece. Mixing ambient air with the vaporized liquid material controls a droplet size of the aerosol. The ambient air can be directed into the mouthpiece by at least one air passageway in an airflow entrainment control member. The at least one air passageway provides a desired volume and/or velocity of ambient air entering into the mouthpiece thereby achieving a desired droplet size distribution of an aerosol. In an alternative arrangement, a funnel shaped airflow entrainment control member includes a narrow end proximate the outlet end of the flow passage. A cone angle of the funnel-shaped member can be selected to provide a desired volume of ambient air which mixes with the vaporized liquid material and achieves a desired aerosol droplet size distribution.

Abstract: To improve administration of powdered pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical powder cartridge (1) for powder inhalers for holding a pharmaceutical depot for a large number of pharmaceutical powder doses is proposed, having at least one storage space (6) and an integrated metering device, said integrated metering device comprising at least one metering slide (9, 13, 14) which can be moved approximately transversely in a metering slide channel (12) at least from a filling position to an emptying position, approximately transversely with respect to the direction of flow of the pharmaceutical powder out from the at least one storage space (6), said metering slide channel (12) with the at least one metering slide (9, 13, 14) being sealed off from the environment at least in the filling position of the metering slide (9, 13, 14), and also further measures and a corresponding inhaler.

Abstract: A powder inhaler comprises a medicament container (1), a rotatable metering disc (7) extending into the interior of the medicament container (1) and an air channel through which air is drawn via a mouthpiece (2). The metering disc (7) has one or more peripherally located dosing grooves (9) extending axially through the metering disc (7). The dosing grooves (9) are filled with a metered dose of the medicament while being inside the medicament container (1) and are transferred to the air channel wherein the stream of inhaled air discharges the dose of the medicament directly from the dosing groove (9).