Abstract: Leakage detection of cargo from the hold of a barge involves a mounting plate to the top hatch of the hold. Two pipes secured to the plate extend to locations near the bottom. Each pipe has a guide tube in it coaxial with the pipe. Each pipe has a float in it received around the guide tube. A float follower is in each tube and magnetically coupled to the float so that the float follower rises and falls with the float. One pipe has an open bottom for cargo to freely move up and down in the pipe as the hold is filled and emptied. The other pipe has a valve at the bottom for admitting cargo from the hold to the pipe at the port of origin of the vessel. Following loading of the cargo, the valve is closed. One embodiment tethers the floats to reels atop the plate. Any change of level of the floats, reflecting a loss of cargo during transit from the port of origin to that of destination, is reflected in relative rotation of the reels and triggering an output signal to an annunciator.

Abstract: A tiller is preferably coupled to the outboard motor or other steered element of a watercraft such that movement of the tiller in a first manner imposes manually-generated steering forces on the steered element and that operation of the tiller in a second manner imposes power assist steering forces on the steered element. The first manner preferably involves movement of the tiller as a whole, in which case tiller movement drives the steered element mechanically. The second manner preferably involves movement of an actuator portion of the tiller relative to the remainder of the tiller, in which case movement of the tiller actuator portion causes a steering cylinder assembly, an electric stepper motor, or other drive mechanism to impose power assist steering forces on the steered element. The actuator portion of the tiller may, for example, comprise an articulating end of the tiller's arm or a throttle grip supported on the tiller.

Abstract: Mechanism for the vertical translation of tubular structures for underwater vessels of the type constituted by a rectilinear guide (2) with closed section that is vertically fastened to the sail (3) of the underwater vessel, by a barrel (4) translating vertically inside said guide (2) and bearing at its upper end a sensor and by a device for the vertical actuation of said barrel (4), said guide (2) being constituted by a flattened upright (7) which along its flanks has, integral therewith, two sliding ways opened towards each other and it has its edges secured by a rugged and simple stiffening element (13) constituted by a “U” shaped structure and that said barrel (4) in proximity to the lower end is provided with two supports (14a), (14b) bearing shoes (16) for sliding along said ways, said barrel (4) being secured to said supports (14a), (14b) by the casting of an appropriate hardening plastic material.

Abstract: A collapsible changing room for a pontoon boat having a rear entry stern gate. The collapsible changing room is formed in part by the passenger seat positioned adjacent the rear entry stem gate. An L-shaped bracket is rigidly secured to the rear portion of the seat and is further hingedly secured to a vertical fence member spaced from the seat back. The seat and the L-shaped support can be rotated upwardly away from the boat deck to a position in which the seat bottom is generally perpendicular to the boat deck. When the seat is rotated to this position, a curtain frame hingedly connected to the seat can be rotated from a stored position within the seat base to an extended position substantially parallel to the boat deck. An opaque sheet or curtain depends from the curtain frame in a substantially vertical orientation to form an enclosed changing or privacy room.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for performing Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (PCVD), whereby one or more layers of silica can be deposited on an elongated vitreous substrate. The apparatus includes an elongated microwave guide which emerges into a resonant cavity which is substantially cylindrically symmetric about a cylindrical axis, along which axis the substrate can be positioned. Aspects of the apparatus include the cavity being substantially annular in form, with an inner cylindrical wall and an outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall having a slit which extends in a full circle around the cylindrical axis: Additional aspects include the guide having a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical axis and which does not intercept the slit. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an optical fiber, a preform rod and a jacket tube as well as to the thus obtained optical fiber.

Abstract: A fish feeder having an inner tray sliding within an outer tray. The trays are provided with holes which, when brought into alignment, allow feed to drop from the inner tray through the outer tray and on to a spreader, whereby the food is evenly distributed across the surface of water. The inner tray is driven by pneumatic actuation to reduce noise and precisely control the amount of feed dropped upon each actuation. Means are provided for reducing the ingress of food particulate between the trays, which would otherwise act to increase friction and decrease the efficiency and repeatability associated with food delivery.

Abstract: A feeder device for feeding animals with food product includes a housing divided into a plurality of compartments with individual pivotable bottom walls and an operating system mounted on the housing to control opening of the bottom walls to release the food product contained therein. The operating system includes a locking mechanism located adjacent each bottom wall to releasably secure it in a closed position. An opening mechanism successively activates the locking mechanisms and opens the bottom walls. A timer device including an electronic controller and a limit switch electrically coupled to the opening mechanism controls the operation of the latter at the beginning of a pre-determined time interval. The limit switch is activated by the opening mechanism and stops operation of the opening mechanism during the pre-determined time interval.

Abstract: A method of measuring the number of times of a specific behavior of an animal in a breeding cage comprising a step in which a common pattern of the specific behavior is determined by receiving a signal of vibration of the cage caused by the specific behavior of the animal and extracting the feature of a frequency component of the signal, a step in which a measurement objective pattern is determined in the same way, and a step in which the common patterns in the measurement objective patterns is counted; a device for the measurement including means for detecting the vibration of the breeding cage, means for extracting the feature of the frequency component, and means for counting the common patterns in the measurement objective patterns; and a method for measuring the specific behavior such as a scratching of a small animal, e.g., a mouse in a breeding cage noninvasively, and an automatic measuring instrument.

Abstract: A bird cage having a frame including a base assembly, cover assembly and corner towers that join the base and cover assemblies. The front, back, sides and top of the cage are enclosed by wire grills. The towers are made of light pervious material such as clear or translucent plastic and carry feeding stations. The cage is expandable. The base assembly includes an easily removable tray for collecting droppings in the cage, and the tray carries a wire grill platform within the cage which may be removed by partially withdrawing the tray and without otherwise disturbing the base assembly. A bird cage stand composed of two identical but inverse sub-assemblies provides storage space for feed and cage accessories.

Abstract: A collapsible tent 100 for housing a pet which folds into a storage bag when not in use. The design and structure is as follows of the tent includes a main body 1, front 2 and back 3 panels. The frame of the front 2 and back 3 panels are in the “upside down U” (dome) shape; the top and sides of the front 2 and back 3 panels are connected to the main body 1 with zippers 102, 104; the bottom of the front 2 and back 3 panels are sewn to the main body 1. Mesh windows 11 are on the sides of the main body 1. Shades 12 are also provided on the outside of the windows. The bottom of the two sides of the main body 1 are harnessed with webbing loops 14. A webbing handle 15 is sewn on the upper portion of the main body 1 (i.e., along the peak of the U-shaped dome). There is an opening 21 on the front panel that allows ingress and egress. A shade 22 covers up the opening 21; the shade 22 is in mesh material.

Abstract: A cat scratching post that incorporates a clamping mechanism for secure and stable attachment to a receiving object like a doorjamb. A resilient main superstructure has an adhesive interface securing a surface material that is appropriate for cats to scratch or climb. A user of the scratching post can pry open the superstructure and clamp it onto a receiving object. The device is an improvement over other scratching posts because of its space saving implications, as virtually no floor area is required. No base is required to stabilize the device; stability is derived from the receiving object combined with the clamping force the scratching post provides. A detachable base element may be incorporated for freestanding use. Perch elements and hanging toys can be attached providing climbing, perching, and playing opportunities. (Two units of the invention can be clamped end to end to make a climbing area twice as long.

Abstract: A remotely adjustable equestrian barrier includes motors mounted to the barrier posts and linked to sliding jump cups. The motors are microprocessor controlled. The rail height is adjusted using a remote transmitter which directs the microprocessor to energize the motors and thereby move the rail. Position sensors provide information to the microprocessor to determine when to de-energize the motors. A collapsible barrier may be used with the remotely adjustable equestrian barrier.

Abstract: An adjustable animal collar provides a strap with a housing at one end and a second end connected to an engagement area. The engagement area is formed with a plurality of teeth received into the housing, where a rotating pawl engages the teeth. The pawl, pivotably rotating within the housing and partly covered in one embodiment with a cover plate, has a biasing means, which in one embodiment is a torsion spring, to bias the pawl in favor of engagement with at least one of the teeth. The biasing means can be overcome by manual pressure on a portion of the pawl, causing release of the collar. The collar may have at least one safety device preventing the pawl from being inadvertently disengaged, and a safety indicia area to visually indicate the locked or unlocked status of the collar. The collar is capable of attachment to a variety of accessories.

Abstract: A continuous-flow steam generator includes a combustion chamber with evaporator tubes for fossil fuel. The combustion chamber is followed on the fuel-gas side, via a horizontal gas flue, by a vertical gas flue. When the continuous-flow steam generator is in operation, temperature differences between the exit region of the combustion chamber and the entry region of the horizontal gas flue are to be particularly low. For this purpose, of a plurality of evaporator tubes capable of being acted upon in parallel by a flow medium, a number of the evaporator tubes are led through the combustion chamber before their entry into the containment wall of said combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method of operating a power system including a fuel reformer and an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine is shutdown subsequent to shutdown of the fuel reformer. A fuel reformer system for supplying a reformate gas to the engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine-operating-characteristic changing device operable between a first and a second operating state and including a locking device for locking the changing device in the first operating state in which a compression ratio of an intake air of an internal combustion engine is maintained at a value higher than that in the second operating state, the method including steps of determining whether there is a possibility that the engine-operating-characteristic changing device is locked in the first operating state by the locking device, where the changing device should not be placed in the first operating state, and if it is determined that there is the possibility, implementing a preventive operation to prevent the locking unit from locking the changing device in the first operating state.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a water-cooled V-engine. The engine includes right and left cylinder block portions each having plural cylinders formed therein. The cylinders of each cylinder block portion are vertically juxtaposed. Cylinder heads are disposed behind the cylinder block portions. The outboard motor has horizontal and vertical shafts. The outboard motor can tilt up on the horizontal shaft and pivot sideways on the vertical shaft. The cylinders of each cylinder block portion have a cooling jacket formed therein. The lowermost cylinder has a discharge portion formed at an outermost part thereof. The discharge portion is designed to discharge out cooling water remaining in the cooling jacket.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with at least one control element for variation of the flow cross-section of a charge exchange passage, which control element is automatically adjustable in accordance with the engine mode by means of an actuating member and a connecting element. In order to permit automatic adjustment of the control element in dependence of engine speed and load in a simple manner, the internal combustion engine be flexibly supported in a frame, and that the actuating member of the control element be supported via the connecting element on at least one pivot fixed in the frame, such that the control element can adjust itself with increasing torque, due to the relative movement between engine and frame resulting from the torque of the combustion engine, thereby increasing the flow cross-section of the charge exchange passage while varying the beginning of the charge changing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable valve train for reciprocating engines, in particular internal combustion engines comprising at least one cam of a camshaft that is rotatably mounted in the cylinder head. Said cam actuates a lift valve using a pulley assembly which can be displaceably guided in a sliding-block part along an adjusting inclined plane, together with a valve actuating element which is connected in series. The valve stroke can be adjusted in a variable manner in relation to the cam by the displacement of the sliding-block part and the pulley assembly is elastically pre-tensioned in relation to the cam. To achieve a sturdy valve train which exhibits uniform valve accelerations, a free travel (s) that allows an excitation movement of the pulley assembly is provided between the cam heel and the valve actuating element.

Abstract: A piston assembly for an internal combustion engine comprises a piston body having a head and a pair of pin bosses depending from the head having a pair of pin bores aligned along a pin bore axis. A piston skirt has a pair of opposed skirt portions and a pair of opposed side wall portions joining the skirt portions. At least one skirt retainer is supported on at least one of the side walls. The skirt retainer is biased axially inwardly along the pin bore axis in register with a corresponding one of the pin bores to connect the piston skirt to the pin bosses. The skirt connects with a snap-fit to the piston body.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises an aluminum alloy engine block housing pistons in cylinders and having a lower face including an upper semi-circular bearing surface. A lower bearing support has a lower semi-circular bearing surface to complement the upper semi-circular bearing surface in the engine block to define a crankshaft bore to rotatably support an iron alloy crankshaft. The lower bearing support is formed of a single aluminum-silicon alloy having a coefficient of thermal expansion comparable to the iron alloy crankshaft to promote a consistent clearance between the lower bearing support and the crankshaft. Such an aluminum-silicon alloy is comprised of approximately 33-35% by weight silicon and the balance is aluminum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering oil. The apparatus being an oil pan having an integrated oil filter unit, wherein part of the oil pan forms the bottom of the oil filter unit. The oil filter unit is fastened on the oil pan at least by means of a sealing component and one or more punch rivets. A method of fastening an oil filter unit on an oil pan, the method including introducing a seal and an adhesive between the oil filter means and the oil pan and joining the oil pan and the filter means, including the layer there between, by means of punch rivets.

Abstract: A snowmobile has an internal combustion engine that includes a lubrication system. The lubrication system includes a lubricant pump unit mounted in a crankcase chamber of the engine, a lubricant cooler, and a lubricant filter. The lubricant pump unit is mounted at a location offset from an axis about which the crankshaft rotates. The lubricant pump unit also has a lubricant pump that is rotatable about a lubricant pump axis. At least one of the lubricant cooler and the lubricant filter is positioned on the same side of the engine as the lubricant pump unit.

Abstract: In a system for lubricating a valve-operating mechanism in an engine including a head cover coupled to an upper end of a cylinder head, and a valve-operating chamber defined between the cylinder head and the head cover. An oil mist transfer means for transferring an oil mist in an oil tank, an oil recovery chamber for recovering the oil accumulated in the valve-operating chamber by suction and a breather chamber into which a blow-by gas is introduced from the valve-operating chamber lead to the valve-operating chamber. In the lubricating system, a gas-liquid separating chamber for separating oil drops from the oil mist fed from the transfer means to guide the oil mist containing no oil drops to the valve-operating chamber is disposed between the transfer means 61 and the valve-operating chamber. Thus, the oil mist containing no oil drops can be supplied to the valve-operating chamber to lubricate the valve-operating mechanism without a resistance.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: The in-cylinder fuel injection engine is characterized in that fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in two directions. When the homogeneous charge combustion is performed, a first spray block of fuel is injected inside of the cavity and a second spray block of fuel is injected outside of the cavity. When the stratified charge combustion is performed, both spray blocks are injected inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A fuel injection device operating on the solid-state energy storage principle and configured as a reciprocating plunger pump having a delivery plunger element, the delivery plunger element being moved from its starting position in the direction of a pressure chamber, the delivery plunger element storing kinetic energy during a near zero-resistance acceleration phase, this kinetic energy being abruptly transmitted by a impulse movement to the fuel present in the pressure chamber so that a pressure impulse is generated for ejaculating fuel through an injector means, a second pressure chamber being arranged on the side of the delivery plunger element opposite the first pressure chamber such that kinetic energy absorbed on return movement of the delivery plunger element to its starting position is transmitted to fuel present in the second pressure chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes at least one rotating, oscillating or reciprocating piston (20, 21) in a cylinder (11, 12). Each piston (20, 21) defines with the cylinder (11, 12) a combustion chamber (35). Each combustion chamber (35) has at least one inlet valve (36) and one exhaust valve (37), and a mechanism (40) to periodically open the inlet and exhaust valves. The valves are closed by a gas spring (80, 82) having a closing force proportional to the speed of the engine.

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: An engine braking system includes a pump associated with a source of fluid, the pump supplying pressurized fluid to fuel injectors associated with the engine. An electronic controller is associated with the engine and determines a desired engine braking level as a function of various engine operating conditions and operator inputs. The engine controller produces a pump signal as a function of the desired engine braking level.

Abstract: An excessive volume of fuel discharged by a high-pressure supply pump to a common rail due to an opened state abnormality of an inlet metering valve of the pump may result in an abnormal increase in common rail pressure. In the event of such an abnormal increase, a target idle revolution speed is newly set at an abnormal value greater than a normal value as a measure taken to increase an idle revolution speed. Thus, a pressure limiter, which has been once put in an opened valve state by an actual common rail pressure higher than a limit setting pressure, can be prevented from again entering a closed valve state. As a result, it is possible to eliminate idle performance instability caused by repetition of opened valve and closed valve states of the pressure limiter and, hence, assure reliability of the pressure limiter.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an accumulator fuel injection system comprising a pressure increasing unit 7 and a pressure increasing common rail 6, in which leaked fuel is recirculated from a high pressure side to a low pressure side, and which is capable of reducing the amount of fuel that must be delivered under pressure by a low pressure pump 3. The focus of the present invention is to return high pressure leaked fuel to between the low pressure pump 3 and a high pressure pump 5.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel supply device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of preventing fuel pressure control problems caused by divergence of a feedback control amount in pump control. A target fuel pressure is computed, and a pump discharge quantity is computed as a feed forward quantity in accordance with an amount of change in the target fuel pressure. A determination is made as to whether or not the feed forward quantity is zero, and when the feed forward quantity is zero, a feedback correction quantity is computed based on the target fuel pressure and the actual fuel pressure, and feedback control is performed. In the case where the feed forward quantity is not zero, the computation of the feedback correction quantity is stopped and the feed forward control is continued.

Abstract: An electric fuel pump comprising a pump casing assembly having a fuel inlet port and an outlet port and a rotary member driven by an electric motor disposed within the pump casing assembly for pumping fuel from the outlet port. A fuel discharge port supplies the fuel from the outlet port to an engine, and a pressure regulator is disposed for regulating the pressure of the fuel to be discharged from the fuel discharge port. The pressure regulator regulates the pressure of the fuel from the outlet port by returning the fuel to the vicinity of the inlet port when the pressure of the fuel from the outlet port is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Cold starter for use with a diesel engine having a combustion chamber, an intake air channel, and an air filter, which includes an electrical heating device mounted either in the intake air channel or within the air filter casing.

Abstract: Soot induced kinematic viscosity increase of lubricating oil compositions for heavy duty diesel engines equipped with EGR systems operating in a condensing mode can be ameliorated by selection of viscosity modifier, lubricating oil flow improvers, detergents and dispersants.

Abstract: An engine where first combustion where the amount of the EGR gas in the combustion chamber is larger than the amount of EGR where the amount of production of soot peaks and almost no soot is produced and a second combustion where the amount of EGR gas in the combustion chamber (5) is smaller than the amount of EGR gas where the amount of production of soot peaks are selectively switched between.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation EGR valve is provided. The exhaust gas recirculation valve has a housing, a closure member, and an electrical actuator. The electrical actuator includes a first core, a magnetic member, a second core, and a bobbin assembly supporting a coil aligned along the longitudinal axis. The bobbin assembly is coupled to the closure member. The bobbin assembly, including the coil, is movable within a generally toroidal volume. A force balance closure assembly is coupled to the coil assembly. Methods of actuating an EGR valve and of assembling a bobbin assembly are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having at least one automatically controllable airflow actuator and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system including an EGR valve include determining a desired manifold pressure based at least in part on position of the automatically controllable airflow actuator and controlling the EGR valve such that a measured manifold pressure approaches the desired manifold pressure. In one embodiment, the automatically controllable airflow actuators include a charge motion control valve and a variable cam timing device. In other embodiments, the automatically controllable airflow actuators may include variable valve lift devices, variable valve timing devices, or any other device that affects the residual exhaust gases within the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus that simulates punting and place kicking of a ball includes a prosthetic leg having a mechanism in the foot region to seat a ball. The leg is pivotally-mounted to a frame and mechanically coupled with a foot pedal. Downward force on the foot pedal is translated to the leg causing the leg to whip upward and launching the ball with proportional force and speed. In one embodiment, the frame is collapsible/expandable and includes a roller to facilitate transportation. In another embodiment, the leg is formed of pliable material to eliminate the risk of injury in the event of collision therewith.

Abstract: A ball pitching machine utilizes a leaf spring coupled by linkage to a ball pitching arm. The flexion of the spring can be adjusted by varying the time of operation of a motor driven spring flexion assembly. Upon the selectable spring flexion being achieved, the user then energizes a ball pitching arm for rotation of the arm through a rest position, a ball pick up position and then to a ball release position. During arm rotation, the arm is first coupled to the spring by a linkage assembly such that further rotation of the arm causes the stored energy in the spring to be released to the arm at a position to effect the ball trajectory. The ball trajectory compensates for the various ball speeds so that the ball penetrates the batter's strike zone. This energy transfer accelerates rotation of the arm to a ball release position, the speed of the ball, as perceived by the batter, corresponding in part to the spring flexion and/or ball trajectory as selected by the user.

Abstract: A torqueless buss cable positioner for a compound bow which is fixedly mounted thereto, whereby the buss cables are displaced from the bow plane, yet, optimally, the buss cables do not subject the limbs to any force component perpendicular to the bow plane. A guided path for the buss cables is provided which includes first and second outboard guidance component for guiding the buss cables generally in the bow plane and an inboard guidance components for guiding the buss cables laterally off from the bow plane. The first and second outboard guidance components optimally ensure that the limbs are not subjected by the buss cables to any component of force perpendicular to the bow plane, and the inboard guidance component ensures that the buss cables are laterally displaced in relation to the bow plane sufficiently to be out of the way of the arrow and the sights of the compound bow.

Abstract: A high flow bolt for a paintball marker increases the efficiency of energy transfer from a propellant charge to the paintball projectile by increasing the flow rate of propellant through the bolt. Gradual transitions, increased sectional area flow passages and an equalizing chamber synergistically combine to improve the efficiency of the marker by up to 30% or more. A more efficient marker provides more shots per unit of propellant.

Abstract: A novel handheld compound archery bow (100) includes a riser (102) with a keyhole (410), an arrow rest assembly (150) extending through the keyhole (410), a bowstring (130), and a side grip assembly (180) with a side grip (201) and an arm brace (116). The side grip (201) is attached to a side grip base (112) and extends in a substantially perpendicular direction from the plane of the novel bow (100), formed by the center line of the arrow rest assembly (150) and the bowstring (130). The valley (202) of the side grip (201) is substantially opposite to the bowstring (130) to provide a zero brace height. Since the brace height is substantially zero, the power stroke of the novel bow (100) is the entire full-draw length. As a result, an embodiment of the novel bow (100) with axle to axle length of 37 inches is capable of AMO and IBO arrow speeds of 264 and 333 feet per second, respectively.

Abstract: Gas cooking appliance equipped with a top plate (1) supporting at least one gas burner (4), characterized in that the said gas burner (4) comprises a gas injector (6) which is fastened to the top plate (1) in a part (11) thereof which projects above the rest of the plate, and which especially may be in the form of a plateau or of a boss.

Abstract: A telescopic linkage, in particular, for gas cooking points includes an arresting mechanism between two longitudinal telescopic bodies, one inserted inside the other in a longitudinal direction, optionally opened, by manual rotation at one linkage end, for changing the length of the telescopic linkage or for safeguarding against unauthorized or accidental switching on of a household appliance.

Abstract: A vent hood is provided for a stove having a plurality of burners. The vent hood includes a housing with a plurality of slots extending substantially around the perimeter of the housing through which cooking vapors pass. The hood includes a plurality of chambers to balance the air flow through the hood. An exhaust duct extends from the housing to an exhaust fan such that air is drawn upwardly through the slots, into the housing, and out the exhaust duct. The air is passed through an air filter for removal of odors and grease particles before being discharged back into the ambient kitchen air.

Abstract: A delivery device (20, 22) for and a method of delivering a substance to the nasal airway (1) of a subject, in particular the posterior region of the nasal airway, the delivery device comprising: a closure unit for causing the closure of the oropharyngeal velum of the subject; and a delivery unit for delivering a gas flow entraining a substance to one of the nostrils of the subject at such a driving pressure as to flow around the posterior margin of the nasal septum and out of the other nostril of the subject, wherein the delivery unit comprises a nosepiece (30, 40, 58, 82, 102, 132) which includes an outlet through which the gas flow is in use delivered to the one nostril and a sealing member for sealing the one nostril to the outlet such as in use to prevent the escape of the gas flow through the one nostril.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber containing beads. A dose of dry powder is released into the chamber, or into an inlet tangentially joining into the chamber. As the patient inhales on a nosepiece or mouthpiece, air moves circularly through the dispersion chamber to drive the beads. The beads roll, bounce, and collide repeatedly with the drug particles on the chamber surfaces or on the beads. The smaller active drug particles are separated from the larger carrier particles and from each other, and a powder aerosol is created and inhaled by the patient. The beads are preferably lightweight, so that they can be rapidly accelerated and moved, even with nominal inspiration. The flow resistance of the inhaler is also reduced via the beads, allowing greater air flow and powder dispersion, without any increased effort by the patient.