Abstract: A barrel engine has an engine housing with a first and second end. An elongated power shaft is longitudinally disposed in the engine housing and defines the longitudinal axis of the engine. A plurality of cylinders surround the longitudinal axis, with each having a closed end and an open end. Each cylinder has a central axis. The open ends of the cylinders are directed toward the first end of the housing. An intake system introduces a combustible mixture of air and fuel into each of the cylinders. A track is disposed between the first end of the housing and the open ends of the cylinders such that a portion of the track is disposed generally in alignment with the central axis of each of the cylinders. The track has a cam surface that longitudinally undulates with respect to the open ends of the cylinders. A portion of the cam surface is disposed generally in alignment with the central axis of each of the cylinders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic actuator for actuating a gas exchange valve (1) of an internal combustion engine, which valve is especially closed by the effect of a spring. Said actuator is configured by a feed pump (6) with intermittent and thus variable delivery. Said feed pump (6) has a high frequency and can be equipped for this purpose with piezoelectric, magnetorestrictive and/or electrochemical actuators as the feed elements. Optionally, the feed pump (6) can be operated with a stop valve (7) that is disposed downstream of the gas exchange valve (1) and that is controlled or regulated depending on the feed pump.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously adjusting camshafts of different cylinder banks of an internal combustion engine to a predetermined nominal angle relative to a crankshaft, where the camshafts actuate associated intake or exhaust valves of the corresponding cylinder banks of the internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of: detecting a difference in adjusting speeds of associated actual angles of the camshafts, and changing over the time nominal angle of at least one of the camshafts with a higher adjusting speed until the actual angles of the camshafts have reached the original nominal angle. The nominal angle for the camshaft with the higher adjusting speed is changed over time so that a divergence between the actual angles of the camshaft with the higher adjusting speed and the actual angles of the camshaft with the lowest adjusting speed is first stopped and a then corresponding difference between these actual angles is reduced.

Abstract: In the variable valve timing system according to the present invention, portions of the intake-side advancing hydraulic line and a retarding hydraulic line respectively constitute annular grooves 104 and 113 for advancing and retarding provided on the intake camshaft 5 bearing surface 5a of the cam cap 4 which supports the camshafts 5 and 6. In addition, portions of the advancing hydraulic line and the retarding hydraulic line for exhaust respectively constitute annular grooves for advancing and retarding 123 and 133 provided on the exhaust camshaft 6 bearing surface 4b of the cam cap 4. Moreover, the annular groove for retarding 113 on the intake camshaft 5 bearing surface 4a and the annular groove for advancing 123 on the exhaust camshaft 6 bearing surface 4b are respectively provided in the center in the width direction of their respective bearing surfaces 4a and 4b.

Abstract: A variable valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine capable of changing at least one of two valve physical quantities, i.e., valve operation angle and valve lift, has a valve lift adjustment mechanism that adjusts the at least one valve physical quantity with a higher precision in a region where the at least one valve physical quantity is relatively small than in a region where the at least one valve physical quantity is relatively large. Therefore, a size increase of the variable valve mechanism can be avoided, and the mechanism can easily be incorporated into the engine.

Abstract: A valve lift mechanism, in particular for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, has a driven cam element, a valve control member which can be driven (translational movement or pivot rotation) by the cam element, and a flexible enveloping element, wherein the cam element is rotationally mounted. The enveloping element may be formed of plates and joint pins, to form a link chain or a roller chain, for instance, and it is movably connected to the valve control member in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cam element.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine provided with a variable valve mechanism that varies an open/close characteristic of an intake valve, a target open/close characteristic of the intake valve is determined and at the same time, a control speed of when the intake valve is controlled to have the target open/close characteristic is determined, so that the variable valve mechanism is controlled according to the target open/close characteristic and the control speed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an automatic decompression device for valve-controlled internal combustion engines, having at least one camshaft for the actuation of gas shuttle valves and a decompression lever, which acts in cooperation with at least one gas shuttle valve and which is attached in a pivoting fashion on the camshaft on an axis of rotation, and which can be moved against a spring force from a first switch position into a second switch position as a result of the centrifugal forces acting on it during the revolution of the camshaft. It is suggested that the decompression lever be designed as a bow element the two ends of which are attached to the camshaft. The decompression arrangement is distinguished by a simple design, and is especially well-suited for small engines due to its lightweight construction.

Abstract: An air intake device for an internal combustion engine comprises a primary inlet duct having an inlet opening, and a secondary inlet duct having a inlet end provided with an inlet opening and a rear end closed with a reflector wall. An outlet end of the primary duct is in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine, while the inlet opening of the secondary inlet duct is adapted to receive intake air. The primary inlet duct extends into the secondary inlet duct so as to form a double-tube chamber within the secondary inlet duct including a resonant cavity defined between the primary inlet duct and the secondary inlet duct. The double-tube chamber is sized so as to generate sound waves enhancing propagation of an intake air flow toward the at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine through the primary inlet duct.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for the targeted sound transmission from an intake tract (1) of an internal combustion engine to the interior (21) of a motor vehicle. Said device comprises at least one hollow transmission conduit (12), which communicates on the input side with the intake tract (1) and to which at least one resonator chamber (13), which emits the sound to the motor vehicle interior (21), is connected. In order to achieve improved modulation of the sound that is emitted to the motor vehicle interior (21), the inventive device (10) has several resonator chambers (13) operating in parallel, at least two of which differ from one another-with respect to the tuning of their frequencies.

Abstract: In a 4-cycle engine in which a side cover defining a first valve-operating chamber is bonded to one side of a crankcase, and a head cover defining a second valve-operating chamber is bonded to a head portion of a cylinder block, oil reservoir chambers are formed in the crankcase and the side cover to surround a crank chamber and the first valve-operating chamber. Oil supply passages are provided in the crankshaft to permit a portion of each of the oil reservoir chambers below an oil surface therein to communicate with the crank chamber so that the oil passed through the oil supply passages can be scattered by the rotation of the crankshaft to produce an oil mist. The crank chamber is put into communication with the first valve-operating chamber through a one-way valve. A recovery bore which opens into a bottom of the second valve-operating chamber for recovering liquefied oil is put into communication with a portion of each of the oil reservoir chambers above the oil surface.

Abstract: An intake system for the combustion air of a motor of a hand held implement is provided. The system includes an air filter and a centrifugal separator. The air filter has a dirt chamber and a clean chamber that is separated therefrom by a filter medium. The clean chamber is fluidically connected with a carburetor of the motor to convey combustion air to the motor. The centrifugal separator splits the air stream into a core flow having low particle density and a peripheral flow having high particle density. The centrifugal separator includes at least two cyclones, wherein the discharged flows from the cyclones are respectively combined in pairs and open out into a common suction tube.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a housing (10) for a battery (16) and a control module (18). The housing has an air inlet (20, 20′) and an air outlet (22). The air outlet (22) is adapted to be connected with the intake system of an engine of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: In a fuel cut-off device for an engine in which one of a plurality of generating coils of a generator is connected to a normally-opened type solenoid valve adapted to block a fuel passage in a carburetor upon energization of the solenoid valve through an engine control switch adapted to be operated to a turned-off position and a turned-on position so that the solenoid valve can be energized from the one generating coil in the turned-off position of the switch, an output from the one generating coil is supplied to an electric load in the turned-on position of the engine control switch, together with outputs from the other generating coils. Thus, during operation of the engine, also the output from the one generating coil conventionally prepared for cutting off fuel is effectively supplied to the electric load, together with the outputs from the other generating coils, whereby the generating performance of the generator can be enhanced.

Abstract: A valve system for an engine is provided. The valve system includes a cylinder head that defines an intake passageway, an exhaust passageway, and an auxiliary passageway. The auxiliary passageway includes a first connection with the intake passageway and a second connection with the exhaust passageway. A control valve is disposed in the auxiliary passageway. The control valve is moveable between a first position where the control valve blocks the first connection between the auxiliary passageway and the intake passageway and a second position where control valve blocks the second connection between the auxiliary passageway and the exhaust passageway.

Abstract: Method and device (1) for supplying fuel to a combustion chamber that includes at least one main injector (3) and at least one pilot injector (2). The device includes a fuel tank (4), a line system (5) coupled from the fuel tank to the injectors (2, 3), a pump (6) for pumping fuel from the tank to the injectors, and a first regulator valve (7) for regulating the flow of fuel in a first line (8) in the system which is connected to the pilot injector (2). The device further includes a second regulator valve (9) for regulating the flow of fuel through a second line (10) in the system, which is connected to the pilot injector (2). The second regulator valve (9) is designed to regulate a substantially smaller flow than the first regulator valve (7).

Abstract: According to this method, a) a series of sparks is emitted into an engine cylinder (1), filled with an air/fuel mixture to be ignited, at predetermined successive instants, b) one of said sparks that initiates the ignition of said mixture is identified, c) the difference separating the instant of emission of said spark from a predetermined ignition instant able to ensure that said engine supplies a predetermined mechanical power is evaluated, and d) the instant of opening of said fuel injector (3) is corrected as a function of said difference, so as to initiate subsequent ignitions of the air/fuel mixture in said cylinder (1) at said predetermined instant.

Abstract: A fuel cut control device that stops supply of fuel to an internal combustion engine during deceleration of the internal combustion engine having a throttle valve for each cylinder, which detects a maximum value of an intake pipe pressure during one combustion cycle of the internal combustion engine, starts fuel cut control when it is detected that the detected maximum value of the intake pipe pressure becomes less than a set fuel cut start determination value, and stop the fuel cut control when it is detected that the detected maximum value of the intake pipe pressure exceeds a fuel supply restart determination value set higher than the fuel cut start determination value to restart the supply of the fuel to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a throttle-valve housing having a continuous throttle opening for a throttle-valve which is arranged on a throttle-valve shaft, and a housing having a housing cover and a housing body. An electric drive and a first electronic mechanism for the drive are arranged in the housing, for displacing the throttle-valve shaft. The throttle-valve housing is especially non-complex in terms of production and assembly, and can be especially easily connected to other electronic mechanisms of the motor vehicle. To this end, the first electronic mechanism for the electric drive and the second electronic mechanism for appliances outside the housing are arranged in the cover of the housing.

Abstract: A throttle control device has a throttle body (TB) in which an intake passage (1a) is formed. A throttle valve (2) is rotatably arranged within the intake passage. A motor (4) rotates the throttle valve. The throttle body is equipped with a gear accommodating chamber (19), within which there is arranged a gear mechanism (35). The gear mechanism is adapted to transmit the rotation of the motor to the throttle valve, and has at least one gear (14). A shaft (34; 134) rotatably supports the gear. The shaft is a unitary member formed integrally on a wall surface (1b, 18b) of the gear accommodating chamber in a cantilever fashion. Alternatively, the shaft may have a first shaft portion (34a) formed integrally on a first wall surface (1b) of the gear accommodating chamber in a cantilever fashion and a second shaft portion (34b) formed integrally on a second wall surface (18a) of the gear accommodating chamber in a cantilever fashion.

Abstract: An engine includes a throttling device configured for both mechanical and electrical control. For example, the throttling device can include a throttle cable connection assembly configured to allow a throttle valve shaft of the throttling device to be controlled by movement of throttle cables and an electronic control section configured to allow the throttle valve to be moved by an electronic actuator. The throttling device can include a connector member configured to selectively engage and disengage the mechanical control section from the throttle valve shaft so as to allow the electrical control section to adjust the throttle valve shaft without resistance from the mechanical control section. The engine can also include a switch for indicating to an electronic controller whether or not the mechanical control section is engaged with a throttle valve shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to detect and control the combustion quality of a lean burn reciprocating engine using ionization signals is presented. The system receives a succession of ionization signals for successive cycles of a running engine and processes a plurality of related ionization signals for signal stability. A start point and peak of the ionization signal is identified, using an initial current level for all of the signals. A geometric parameter is associated with the ionization signal that relates the start point to the peak. The geometric parameter is compared against a reference geometric parameter related to a desired combustion quality relating to a lambda greater than 1.4. A control parameter of the engine is adjusted such that an error difference between the geometric parameter and the reference geometric parameter is minimized. The ionization signals are checked to determine if an abnormal combustion condition such as knock or misfire has occurred.

Abstract: An intake system for an internal combustion engine in which the inflow characteristic of a mixture of gas is varied by a partition wall provided replaceably in an intake port opening, whereby the output characteristic of the internal combustion engine is regulated to a desired condition, and a vehicle having appropriate operating characteristics is provided. A replaceable partition wall A is mounted in an intake port opening 1a of an internal combustion engine. The partition wall A is composed of a plate P that differs in length as compared to other plates. The plate P is inserted into an upper-lower pair of grooves provided in the intake port opening 1a, whereby the plate P is replaceably mounted, and the inflow characteristic of a mixture of gas sucked in through the intake port opening 1a is varied by replacement of the plate P thus mounted, whereby the output characteristic of the internal combustion engine is regulated to a desired condition.

Abstract: An engine fuel delivery system is provided to raise the fuel pressure rapidly in the initial stage of engine starting without increasing the cranking load, thereby making it possible to achieve an atomized fuel spray through high-pressure fuel injection, improve the fuel efficiency, and reduce emissions. The engine fuel delivery system uses a variable transmission mechanism that is configured to change the drive rotational ratio of a power transmission path between a crankshaft of an engine and a high-pressure fuel pump. The variable transmission mechanism controls the rotational speed of the high-pressure fuel pump to a rotational speed that is higher than the normal pump rotational speed in the initial stage of engine starting after the engine has been cranked to complete explosion.

Abstract: A common rail of an accumulation type fuel injection system has a common rail main body, distributing portions and accessory portions. The common rail main body provides an accumulation chamber for accumulating high-pressure fuel discharged from a high-pressure supply pump. The distributing portion can be connected with a pressure introduction pipe for introducing the accumulated high-pressure fuel to an injector mounted to a cylinder. The accessory portion is disposed on a fuel outlet side of the distributing portion and is connected with the distributing portion and the high-pressure pipe in thread connection. The accessory portion has a sealing member between the accessory portion and a connection object on the distributing portion side. The sealing member has a sealing surface formed substantially in the shape of a spherical surface on the connection object side.

Abstract: Fuel injection system of the common rail type provided with a high-pressure pump, which supplies fuel to a common channel that in turn supplies a series of injectors, and with a control unit, which is capable of keeping the pressure of the fuel within the common channel, moment by moment, equal to a desired value that generally varies over time; the control unit is coupled to a device for regulating the flow rate of the high-pressure pump in order to control the flow rate of the high-pressure pump so as to supply the common channel, moment by moment, with the amount of fuel required in order to have the desired value for pressure inside said common channel.

Abstract: A fuel-injection system (1) for an internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injector (2) for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber, which is inserted in a receiving bore (3) of a cylinder head (4) of the internal combustion engine and sealed from the combustion chamber by a seal (13), a flame-proofing screen (18; 20) being situated on the discharge-side of the fuel injector (2) in the receiving bore (3), which shields spray-discharge orifices (21) of the fuel injector (2) from the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. The flame-proofing screen (18; 20) is situated at a discharge-side end (23) of the fuel injector (2) or on a wall (17) of the receiving bore (3) of the cylinder head (4) on the discharge-side of the fuel injector (2).

Abstract: A rotation angle detector for detecting the angular position of a shaft, i.e. a camshaft or a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, includes a rotatable detector wheel coupled to the shaft. Markings of a first type are distributed along a periphery of the detector wheel and are detectable by a sensor for determining a relative rational angle. Markings of a second type are also distributed over the periphery of the detector wheel. The markings of the second type are distinguishable from each other for determining an absolute rotational angle of the shaft or for determining selection of a combustion chamber for injection.

Abstract: A check valve assembly is disclosed for use in a returnless automotive fuel delivery system. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel tank having a fuel pump and a sender flange that provides access into the fuel tank. The check valve assembly includes an upper housing that is integral with an interior wall of the sender flange, a lower housing connected to the upper housing and a check valve body positioned between the upper housing and the lower housing. The assembly may also include a pressure relief valve positioned between the upper and lower housings and arranged parallel to the check valve body.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an evaporative fuel processing apparatus capable of enhancing a purging efficiency by heating a part of activated charcoal which can be heated more effectively and also restraining an increase in temperature of the activated charcoal to prevent a deterioration in adsorbing performance, and restraining electricity consumption. Heating devices (16a) and (16b) are placed at almost the midpoints of the adsorption material layers (7a) and (7b) respectively in a canister (1) to heat an adsorption material (4) for a predetermined time before start of purging. Accordingly, heating the part hard to purge can prompt the purging, thereby enhancing the purging efficiency and increasing the adsorbing capacity. Furthermore, the heating is stopped during the purging, so that the increase in temperature of the adsorption material (4) can be prevented, thereby preventing a deterioration in adsorbing performance at the time of adsorption of evaporative fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for monitoring the operational status of a cyclically operated valve (5, 19), which valve is operated to allow a fluid or gaseous medium to flow from a first conduit (1, 18) to a second conduit (3, 20) due to a pressure difference between said conduits, whereby the valve (5, 19) operated using predetermined duty cycles. The method involves measuring pressure oscillations caused by the valve (5, 19) and generating an output signal, performing a frequency analysis on the signal to determine an amplitude for the signal at an oscillation frequency, comparing the amplitude of the oscillations to an expected amplitude for the oscillation frequency, and generating an error signal is if the difference between the calculated and the expected amplitudes exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns apparatus, kits and methods for converting ICE vehicles to run on hydrogen fuel. Certain embodiments of the invention may comprise HIPAs, hydrogen gas manifolds and/or hydrogen fuel sources. The HIPAs are designed to replace the spark plugs in internal combustion engines and may comprise a hydrogen input tap, hydrogen channel, spark producer and/or one or more feedback sensors. In some embodiments, a computer and/or CPU may electronically control the timing of hydrogen ignition. The computer or CPU may be remotely programmed by modem and telephone connection to provide highly accurate ignition and other engine parameters to optimize vehicle performance and eliminate backfiring and/or pre-ignition. The hydrogen fuel may be packaged into cassettes or other modular storage systems. Cassettes may be inserted into Decom™ units to provide hydrogen fuel to the vehicle.

Abstract: In an engine fuel injection apparatus including an injector having a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel and an air fuel injection valve that is mounted to a cylinder head so as to inject fuel directly into a combustion chamber with compressed air an increase in the size of the engine and the complexity of the structure around the engine are avoided and the pumping efficiency of a compressed air pump is improved. At least part of the compressed air supply route for supplying compressed air to the injector is provided directly in the cylinder head while passing the area in the vicinity of an exhaust port.

Abstract: A method and device for changing the rate of density between fluid hydrocarbon fuels and combustion air prior to ignition and combustion in residential, commercial and industrial combustion mechanisms, by extracting heat from the mechanism's combustion zone or flue area to reduce the density of the fuel prior to delivery to the mechanism burner at a constant, pre-set operating temperature of between 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the fuel's flash point temperature, while at the same time providing means to control combustion air temperature to a level such as to increase air density and significantly changing the mass ratio of fuel mass versus combustion air mass, hence oxygen mass, without increasing combustion air volume or fuel volume, thereby improving combustion efficiency, heat transfer efficiency and reduction in harmful stack emissions.

Abstract: In a device for restoring a rotary member to a defined basic position, having a three-dimensionally fixed fixation cam that predetermines the basic position and having a slaving cam, which is coupled with the rotary member and is movable past the fixation cam, of which cams, each has one stop face each on sides facing away from one another, and having a clamp spring, which embraces the cams with prestressing by way of two bent-away spring legs, in order to achieve a freedom of play in rotation between the spring legs and the cams in the basic position, at least one spring leg is countersunk, with at least one leg segment, in at least one of the cams so far that in the basic position, with a leg segment fitting over the other cam, it rests without play on the stop face of the other cam.

Abstract: There is provided a degradation determining system for an exhaust gas sensor, which, even when unexpected changes occur in the air-fuel ratio during execution of air-fuel ratio control, can determine degradation of the sensor by suppressing adverse influence of noise caused by the changes on the output from the sensor, to thereby enhance the accuracy of the degradation determination. In the degradation determining system, a determining input signal IDSIN for determining the degradation of the sensor is generated, and a modulation output (u(k), DSMSGNS(k), us(k), or ud(k)) is generated by modulating the determining input signal IDSIN by using any one of the &Dgr;&Sgr; modulation algorithm, the &Sgr;&Dgr; modulation algorithm, and the &Dgr; modulation algorithm. Degradation of the sensor is determined based on the output KACT delivered from the sensor when the fuel injection amount is controlled based on the generated modulation output.

Abstract: An archery bow comprising a riser extending between opposing first and second ends, with a limb coupled to each end. Each limb has a first end for connecting to the riser and a second distal end. An axle pivotally connects at least one of the limbs to one end of the riser. An actuator operatively couples between at least one of the limbs and the riser adjacent the axle for supporting the limbs about the riser. The actuator includes a resilient member for storing energy as the bow is drawn, and releasing energy as the bow is released. The resilient member pivotally attaches to the riser and the limb, elongating or compressing to dynamically change the angle between the riser and the limb while the bow is in use. After the shot, the resilient member acts as a shock absorber to damp the vibration of the bow.

Abstract: A barbecue has a body with a combustion area and a cooking surface. A cover is attached hingedly to the body, and a foot pedal is situated beneath the combustion area and is attached mechanically to the cover to enable the cover to be lifted or lowered pivotally upon manipulation of the foot pedal. The barbecue further includes legs extending downwardly from the body and the foot pedal is attached to a pedal lever that is attached pivotally to one of the legs.

Abstract: A barbecue grill cover propping apparatus is disclosed for adjustably maintaining a barbecue grill cover in any of a number of partially open, user selected positions. The apparatus preferably includes first and second arms adapted for engaging the grill firebox and cover. The arms are pivotally connected and include ratchet and pawl structures to permit the arms to be selectively fixed in any one of a plurality of angular configurations.

Abstract: A cooker and smoker apparatus for an outdoor grill is comprised of a plurality of louvers that are pivoted between a first position where the louvers overlap each other and a second position where the louvers are oriented uprightly relative to each other for the respective indirect and direct cooking of food supported on a cooking grate of the outdoor grill. The cooker and smoker apparatus provides for smoking of the cooking food in both modes of operation. Additionally, the cooker and smoker apparatus is provided with a simplified construction that reduces the cost of its manufacturing and enables the apparatus to be a part of an outdoor grill as it is manufactured or to be retrofit to an existing outdoor grill.

Abstract: An oven rack has a notch along its periphery. Flat items placed on the rack traversing the notch can be easily removed from the oven without having to first slide the rack from the oven. The oven rack can be adjustable to fit a variety of oven sizes. A handle can be included on the rack to assist in pulling the rack from the oven, if desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction apparatus for organic and/or other substance(s) employing supercritical fluid(s) and/or subcritical fluid(s) permitting injection of organic substance(s) and/or other reactant substance(s) in homogeneous state(s) to reactor(s) without occurrence of clogging at location(s) of such injection, and also permitting actuation to occur in industrial fashion and at high energy efficiency. Reactor(s) (12) of this reaction apparatus comprise cylinder(s) (12a) and piston(s) (12b) provided at such cylinder(s) (12a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing microspherical crystallites with a uniform spherical shape and an extremely narrow size distribution. Said crystallites consist wholly or partially of a linear water-insoluble polysaccharide, preferably of 1,4-&agr;-D-polyglucane, have a degree of crystallinity of >80% and can contain additional polymers and/or active ingredients, which are in particular biodegradable. They are particularly suitable for the controlled release of active ingredients. They are produced by fusing 1,4-&agr;-D-polyglucane or the polysaccharide in water, introducing the fusion into a precipitant, cooling the mixture and separating the particles that have formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a propellant-gas-free apparatus for the dispensing of liquids, a container cartridge suitable for this for storing the liquid and the ensemble comprising both. The invention comprises a device for the exertion of pressure and for accommodating a container cartridge and a container cartridge in which the dispensing facility is integrated.

Abstract: A locking-stressing-mechanism with spring-actuated output drive and a counter with which an apparatus of this kind is fitted, accommodated in a two part housing the two parts of which are mounted to be rotatable relative to each other, can be blocked by means of a pre-stressed leaf spring. The leaf spring is initially accommodated in a recess in the wall of one housing part. As soon as the permitted number of actuations has been reached a push rod pushes the leaf spring out of its resting position. The leaf spring then jumps into a recess in the wall of the other housing part and the two housing parts can no longer be rotated relative to each other. The push rod may be mounted on the pointer of the counter. This blocking device can only be overcome by the application of a force which is sufficient to destroy the device.

Abstract: A spacer device for an inhaler is made of a non-metallic antistatic material, preferably polyamide. The device may comprise two frustoconical members joined at their wider ends, with an inlet and outlet at, respectively, the two narrower ends. A measured dose of medicament is injected through the inlet, and then inhaled from the chamber through the outlet.

Abstract: A pulmonary function filter includes an adapter, which maybe resilient, allowing the filter to be used on a pulmonary function sensor having a different sized inlet. A pulmonary function sensor and filter combination can be joined by an adapter that may allow such sensor and filter to be joined even though they may have different sized inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A manually-operable resuscitator operable also to inject medication into air being supplied to a patient. The said resuscitator has a resiliently compressible air bag having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet has a one-way valve through which air passes into the bag from the atmosphere and a patient valve through which air flows in passing from the bag to the patient. The patient valve has a one-way valve member through which air flows in passing from the bag to the patient. The patient valve also has a passage extending from the atmosphere to the interior thereof adjacent to the one-way valve member and upstream thereof through which medication can be injected into the air as it passes from the bag to the one-way valve member.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved methods and systems for measuring flowing through an inhaler device. Airflow sensing systems and methods are described that allow for indirect measurement of air flowing through a breath-operated inhaler device. Indirect airflow measurement through a breath-operated device can be accomplished by incorporating an airflow sensor into the inhaler device along a low resistance channel disposed away from the exhaust chamber of the device and having an input port in airflow communication with a low resistance channel and both input port and low resistance channel are formed in the main housing body of the device, and further incorporating an output port formed near the exhaust chamber near the mouthpiece assembly, the output port also in airflow communication with the low resistance channel. A method of measuring airflow in an inhalation device is also described that measures air flowing through the low resistance channel.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a medicament dispenser for use with a medicament carrier having a plurality of pockets for containing medicament wherein said pockets are spaced along the length of and defined between two peelable sheets secured to each other, said dispenser having an internal mechanism for accessing said medicament contained within said medicament carrier. The internal mechanism is operated by an electronic drive system.