Abstract: An animal feeder has a hopper for storing pieces of food. The bottom of the hopper has an opening accessible by an animal. The opening is smaller than a piece of food, but large enough for the animal to gnaw the food through the opening. The hopper has a surface adjacent the opening, to receive fallen gnawed food and hold the fallen gnawed food in a position accessible by the animal for eating. The hopper engages a mounting bracket. The bracket has a lip which partially covers the receiving surface of the hopper to physically limit the animal from leaning on the hopper and to prevent the hopper from tipping back so far that it falls off the conical mount. A conical mount transmits a downward force from the conical bottom surface to a sensor, but does not transmit an upward force or moment to the sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a stem for a watering nipple for use in supplying water to poultry. The stem is hollow and formed of coiled material in a manner similar to that of a coiled spring such that the stem has a number of turns and minuscule gaps provided between adjacent turns. Upon actuation of the nipple, a water-tight seal is broken such that a majority of the water is directed to flow within the stem and directly into the mouth of the poultry. Some water, though, will flow along the outer surface of the stem. This water will either be drawn into the stem through the minuscule gaps, such that it will flow directly into the poultry's mouth, or this water will adhere to the outer surfaces of the stem to attract poultry and allow poultry to drink the water thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of imprinting fish in freshwater with at least one odorant for the fish and causing the imprinted fish to react to the odorant in seawater, wherein the fish are maintained in freshwater prior to transfer to seawater.

Abstract: An animal in a pen is fed by a drop tube from a raised supply system to a position at or adjacent the floor or a trough at the floor. A spout at the bottom of the drop tube extends at an angle to the tube for discharging the feed in a direction to one side of the drop tube depending upon an angular orientation of the drop tube about a vertical axis of the drop tube. A clamp for attaching the drop tube to the wall of the pen includes co-operating indexing adjustment components including a stud mounted on the tube and grooves in the top surface of the clamping band which can be adjusted to provide a plurality of indexed angular orientations of the tube about the axis for locating the direction of discharge of the spout at specific indexed locations relative to the trough.

Abstract: An animal training device for administering audio and physical encouragement to an animal. An animal worn device comprising sod and shock producing elements is attached to a leash or lead. A transducer or similar strength measuring means is connected to the shock and sound producers of the animal worn device. The leash or lead is connected to the transducer. As the animal pulls of the lead, the transducer measures the strength of the pull. When the pull strength of the naimal reaches a first level, an audio tone is sounded. If the strength of pull exceeds a second level a shock is administered to the animal. In this fashion the animal learns not to pull to hard on a lead. In an alternate embodiment, the trainer has a transmitter with variable signal strength. The animal worn device had a receiver that senses the signal strength. IF the signal strength drops to a preset limit indicative of distance from the transmitter, a tone is sounded. Further signal drop results in the a shock being delivered.

Abstract: Animal collars, and a method for their manufacture, wherein a strong decorative and substantially filamented structure that supports a sequence of adorning items is incorporated as a functioning part of the collar structure. The present invention collar has a filamented center portion and non-filamented end members configured for adjustable fastening of the collar around the neck of a pet. A looped connection on each end of the filamented portion is formed through the use of a decorative fastener and contemplated for attachment of the filamented portion to the end members. Also, the sturdy construction of the filamented portion provides the needed strength for use under stress during pet ambulation without the risk of loss for highly valued adorning items, such as but not limited to antique glass beads, crystals, pearls, faceted objects, metallic objects, and precious and semi-precious stones.

Abstract: A steam producing device capable of performing dual heating processes includes an outer shell, and a heating member inserted in, and secured to the outer shell; the heating member has a steam room, and forms a first, a second, and a third chamber together with an inner side of the outer shell; the second chamber communicates with the first chamber owing to a gap, and communicates with the third chamber owing to a narrow curved passage between the heating member and the outer shell; a hole is formed on the heating member for the steam room to communicate with the third chamber; thus, water, after flowing into the first chamber, can travel through the chambers to go through one heating process, and then travel through the steam room to go through another heating process to be transformed into steam and discharged outside the shell for use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing engine wear in the operation of an internal combustion engine, comprising: (A) recirculating at least part of the exhaust gas from the engine to the intake air supply of the engine; and (B) operating the engine using a water-blended fuel composition made by combining: (i) a normally liquid hydrocarbon fuel; (ii) water; and (iii) at least one surfactant.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a marine internal combustion engine is disposed between first and sides of a V-shaped engine configuration. A plurality of tubes and related structure are disposed within a cavity formed as an integral part of an air intake manifold of the engine. A first cooling fluid, such as ethylene glycol, is circulated in thermal communication with outer surfaces of the plurality of tubes within the heat exchanger and a second cooling fluid, such as lake or sea water, is circulated through the internal passages of the plurality of tubes. A conduit is provided within an end portion of the heat exchanger to remove heat from a lubricant, such as oil, of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A device that includes a combustion engine with a piston that is mechanically freely movable in a housing. The device permits combustion of a fuel mixture to produce a pushing force to the piston. The device includes an electromagnetic energy transducer and an external current circuit, which is connected to the energy transducer for exchange of effect in a direction to or from the energy transducer. A control unit controls the direction of the effect, which is exchanged between the energy transducer and the external current circuit, during operation of the device. Such a device can be used to generate electrical energy, and can be employed in a vehicle.

Abstract: An exhaust throttling system for engines having individual cylinders with at least one exhaust port to exhaust combustion gases from the cylinder chamber, the system including at least one sleeve configured to be slidably attached to the cylinder and selectively cover and uncover the exhaust port, the at least one sleeve formed of a metal having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the cylinder to expand and contract in response to changes in temperature and change dimension of a gap between the at least one sleeve and the cylinder to change the rate of blowby of exhaust gases.

Abstract: A two-stroke or four-stroke internal combustion engine operates by admitting a carburated mixture or by admitting fresh air with the direct or indirect injection of fuel. The engine has at least one cylinder, which defines a variable-volume combustion chamber in which an engine piston, coupled by a connecting rod to the wrist pin of a crankshaft, executes a reciprocating movement. A compressor associated with each cylinder to supercharge the cylinder with carbureted mixture or with fresh air has at least one stage and, in the compression chamber, a compressor piston moves and is coupled to the crankshaft by a link rod articulated to an eccentric mounted on the shaft of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A cam phase control method for an internal combustion engine schedules cam phase to optimize emissions and fuel economy, but bounds the scheduled cam phase for continuous achievement of the desired inlet airflow. The volumetric efficiency required to achieve the desired inlet airflow at a specified intake manifold vacuum is compared to the maximum achievable volumetric efficiency at the specified vacuum. When the required volumetric efficiency is less than the maximum value, the cam phase is controlled according to the lesser of the scheduled cam phase and the highest cam phase for achieving the required volumetric efficiency; when the required volumetric efficiency is equal to or greater than the maximum value, the cam phase is controlled to a setting that maximizes the volumetric efficiency.

Abstract: An engine for a marine drive has a combustion chamber. An engine body of the engine defines an air intake port communicating with the combustion chamber. An air induction system communicates with the air intake port to introduce air to the combustion chamber through the air intake port. An exhaust system communicates with the combustion chamber through an exhaust port. Intake and exhaust valves move between an opening position and a closing position of the intake port and the exhaust port, respectively. Intake and exhaust camshafts actuate the intake valve and the exhaust valve, respectively. A VVT mechanism is associated with at least one of the camshafts and changes an actuating timing of the camshaft. The VVT mechanism includes a solenoid actuator that varies a hydraulic flow in the VVT mechanisms to change the actuating timing of the camshaft. The solenoid actuator can be operated to receive electric power from a power source. An ECU controls the solenoid actuator based upon a control characteristic.

Abstract: A variable camshaft phase adjustment device (phaser) for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft. The phaser has a housing having an outer circumference for accepting a drive force, and a rotor connected to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing. The housing and the rotor are capable of rotation to shift the relative angular position of the camshaft and the crankshaft. The spool valve comprising a spool slidably mounted within a bore in the rotor. In the spool a chamber is present that has an input communicating with the bore the spool is mounted in, an output communicating with the outside, and an air flow restriction. Hydraulic fluid from the input communicating with the bore is prevented from communicating with the outside by the air flow restriction. The air flow restriction is either in the input communicating with the bore or the output communicating with the outside.

Abstract: An engine includes an engine body. A camshaft shaft is journaled for rotation within the engine body. A rocker arm shaft also is disposed within the engine body. Intake and exhaust rocker arms are pivotally mounted on the rocker arm shaft. The intake rocker arm is associated with an intake valve. The exhaust rocker arm is associated with an exhaust valve. The camshaft actuates the intake and exhaust valves through the intake and exhaust rocker arms, respectively. The rocker arms are axially moveable along an axis of the rocker arm shaft. A stopper is disposed on the rocker arm shaft to stop the axial movement of the rocker arms in one direction. A spring member is mounted on the rocker arm shaft opposite to the stopper to urge the rocker arms toward the stopper. A block member blocks the axial movement of the rocker arms toward the biasing member.

Abstract: Oil metering valve means in a hydraulic valve lifter configured such that a metering plate cooperates with a pushrod seat to meter the flow of oil in a forward direction. The metering means is also conducive to the flow of oil in the reverse direction, permitting an oil reservoir in the lifter to be filled by reverse oil flow, either after assembly of the lifter or upon engine shutdown. Embodiments of such oil metering valve means may include: a metering plate having one or more notches around its periphery to permit oil to flow past the plate and a feature supporting the plate; a metering plate having one or more apertures to permit oil to flow through the plate; a metering plate having one or more nonplanar areas along the edges of the plate to prevent sealing of the plate against the supportive feature; and a metering-plate supportive feature having one or more irregularities, such as grooves, bumps, or undulations to permit flow around the edge of the plate past the irregularities.

Abstract: A cuff is clamped to a boss on an air resonator. The cuff has an inner leg with an o-ring seal sized to provide a seal against an inner periphery of the air resonator boss. A throttle body has a boss to be received within the inner leg of the cuff, and will also deform the o-ring seal. The inner leg preferably includes a second forward seal which also contacts the throttle body boss. Preferably, this second seal includes a spring for biasing the second seal against the throttle body boss. The cuff is initially placed on the air resonator which may then be mounted within the engine compartment. The throttle body may be then simply snapped into the cuff. In this way, no space around the connection is necessary, while a dust-free connection is still provided.

Abstract: A method for changing between full engine operation and partial engine operation of a multi-cylinder combustion engine includes the step of activating at least the intake valve or the escape valve of a cylinder or a group of cylinders in full engine operation and deactivating the intake valve or escape valve or a cylinder or group of cylinders in partial engine operation. In a first step, a throttling of power of the cylinder to be deactivated takes place, and simultaneously, an increase of power of the other cylinders takes place, such that the entire moment produced by the engine follows a predetermined ideal engine moment. In a second step, a switching-off of the throttle cylinder takes place by means of the actuatable intake or escape valve. This method avoids undesired changes of the total moment of rotational produced by the engine. The invention is also directed at a device for performing the method.

Abstract: In internal combustion engines having direct injection, an injector injects fuel into the combustion chamber to form an ignitable fuel/air mixture with combustion air supplied separately, the mixture being ignitable by a spark plug. The fuel is injected in a conical pattern, and the electrodes are protected from wetting by fuel and from coking if they are located outside the lateral surface of the fuel cone produced by the injection nozzle. To introduce an ignitable mixture between the electrodes and to ensure optimum operating performance of the internal combustion engine by improving the combustion process, a combustion chamber is configured so that the fuel cone is injected in a free jet which is substantially completely unaffected by the combustion chamber perimeter, and the electrodes of the spark plug project into a fuel vortex emerging from the lateral surface during injection.

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

Abstract: In the fuel cylinder injection engine with the supercharging machine, the ignitability deteriorates because the density of the fuel at the spray center becomes excessive due to the shrinkage of the fuel spray under the supercharging. As a result, the density of the smoke and the hydrocarbon exhaust rate increase. The mixture of the fuel and the air under the supercharging is promoted by the control by TCV installed in the suction port which is a divided spray and air flow generation mechanism and the valve timing control of the suction and exhaust valve, etc.

Abstract: An injection ratio control system for an internal combustion engine performs a multi-injection, in which multiple pilot injections and a main injection are performed. The system prohibits a first injection among the pilot injections if a main injection quantity command value for the main injection is less than an N time(s) minimum guarantee determination value. An injection quantity for the first injection is added to the injection quantity for the main injection. Thus, the system controls an injection frequency per combustion in the multi-injection to prevent the use of a minute main injection quantity command value equal to or less than the N time(s) minimum guarantee determination value. As a result, the main injection is prevented from vanishing.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for redirecting a reversion pulse between a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and a fuel and air mixing device. The apparatus comprises a helical pathway through which a charge traveling from the fuel and air mixing device to the combustion chamber flows. The apparatus further comprises a chamber disposed at a periphery of the helical pathway. A reversion pulse traveling from the combustion chamber to the fuel and air mixing device flows into the chamber.

Abstract: A knock control apparatus normalizes a knock frequency magnitude and a background noise level to substantially the same levels in all the engine operating conditions in consideration of a variation in an ionic current level due to an environment, the number of revolutions per minute of the engine, an engine load, etc.

Abstract: An injection system for an internal combustion engine comprises a valve arrangement (26), connected to an inlet (24) to a high pressure pump (8), which regulates the flow of fuel for lubricating and cooling the high pressure pump (8) and bleeds the injection system. The valve arrangement 926) comprises at least one displaceable actuator and a first and second throttle device (30, 32). The actuator (36) is regulated according to a pressure of the fuel flow between a feed supply pump (6) and the high pressure pump (8), such that a first connection to, the high pressure pump (8) is opened, by means of the first throttle device (30), or the feed (24) to the high pressure pump (8) is interrupted, or a second connection to the high pressure pump (8) is opened, by means of the second throttle device (32). The invention further relates to a method of bleeding and/or regulating said injection system.

Abstract: A fuel injection control method using a system comprising a high-pressure pump for pumping fuel, a fuel-pressure control valve disposed in a fuel bypass line communicating an output port and an input port of said high-pressure pump, and a controller for regulating fuel pressure, is provided. The method comprises: monitoring engine operating conditions; determining an optimal fuel injection pressure on the basis of said monitored engine operating conditions; determining on/off timing and on/off duration of said fuel-pressure control valve such that fuel pressure inside a fuel rail approaches said optimal fuel injection pressure; and opening and closing said fuel-pressure control valve according to said determined on/off timing and on/off duration of said fuel-pressure control valve.

Abstract: A fuel assembly is provided. The fuel assembly includes a fuel supply conduit, an air intake manifold, a fuel injector, and a spacer. The air intake manifold is disposed a predetermined distance from the fuel supply conduit. The fuel injector has a first end disposed in the fuel supply conduit and a second end disposed in the air intake manifold. The fuel injector has a length greater than the predetermined distance. The spacer is disposed about a portion of the fuel injector such that the spacer retains the first end of the fuel injector in the fuel supply conduit and the second end of the fuel injector in the air intake manifold. Methods of installing and removing the fuel injector into and from the fuel supply conduit and the air intake manifold are also provided.

Abstract: Steel fuel rails are provided with the mechanical components of a plurality of fuel injector valve bodies. The electronics for operating those valves are molded into an injector pack. The valve bodies are inserted into the passages associated with the injector pack such that the electronics are part of a single molded plastic portion. A corrugated seal is sealed to an outer portion of the passage on the injector pack. Thus, the present invention eliminates the number of connections for supplying fuel that needed to be sealed in the prior art. Further, the number of required assembly steps is reduced over the prior art.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, e.g., of a motor vehicle, where fuel is supplied under pressure via at least one injection valve. The injected fuel quantity is influenced by the injection time of injection valve. In order to be able to provide optimum operating comfort and good component reliability even in the event of an incorrect fuel pressure, a maximum allowable torque of the internal combustion engine that is dependent on the instantaneous fuel pressure is determined.

Abstract: It is known that the performance of actual fuel injectors tends to deviate from performance of nominal fuel injectors in both quantity and timing of each fuel injection event. These deviations in timing and/or quantity can be a function of such variables as the on-time itself, rail pressure in the case of hydraulically actuated fuel injectors, and engine temperature. In addition, these variations in performance can change over the life of the fuel injector. Therefore, in order to accurately correct for performance deviations in each individual fuel injector, the invention can include an up-to-date diagnostic of that deviation in performance. The present invention includes in-chassis strategies for evaluating fuel injector performance deviations in both quantity and timing, and further includes software strategies for applying control signal adjustments to make all of the fuel injectors in a given engine behave more uniformly and more like a nominal fuel injector.

Abstract: Electronic circuit arrangement for controlling at least one actuator, in particular for controlling the valves and/or the injectors of an injection system of an internal combustion engine, having at least one driver circuit (1, 2) with a control input (control line 1, control line 2) and a resetting input (RESET) for electrically controlling the actuator as a function of the data which is incoming at the control input (control line 1, control line 2), a control unit (3, 4) which is connected at the output end to the resetting input (RESET) via a resetting line and to the control input (control line 1, control line 2) of the driver circuit (1, 2) via a control line, and having a signal input (Kl15) which is connected internally to the control unit (3, 4) for the external connection of a switching element, the control unit (3, 4) placing the driver circuit (1, 2) in a predefined state when the switching element is activated via the resetting line, the signal input for the switching element being connected to th

Abstract: A high-pressure pump for supplying internal combustion engines with fuel includes a housing, on which a timing unit for displacing the point of injection is accommodated. The timing unit includes an injection timing piston having inlet bores, and a regulating slide, whose face facing a cold-start accelerator piston has a prestress force applied to it, is movably accommodated in the injection timing piston. A spring element, which is applied directly to the injection timing piston, as well as a spring assembly, which is independent of the spring element and accommodated on a carrier and act on the regulating slide, are positioned between the cold-start accelerator piston and the opposing face of the injection timing piston.

Abstract: A LPG fuel system for an internal combustion engine, including a LPG fuel tank and a pump immersed in the fuel tank and driven by an electric motor, the pump being kept constantly running when the temperature is below 0° C. or above 80° C., whilst the supply voltage of the electric motor driving the pump is chopper-controlled when the temperature is between the two said values.

Abstract: A natural gas fuel regulator for a natural gas fueled internal combustion engine for driving a co-generation plant, which allows exhaust recycled gas combustion while maintaining lower head temperatures to reduce thermal NOx emissions. The gas regulator has a modulation chamber, which modulates incremental pressure changes from the carburetion system to allow the engine to respond to load changes without the necessity for dynamic control feed back valve. In one aspect, a non-diaphragm venturi fuel/air-mixing unit with post turbo charger throttle adjustment is downstream of the natural gas fuel regulator to provide lean burn, low thermal NOx operation of the co-generation unit from no load to full load electrical generation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning fluid flowing through a conduit in which two coils (50,60) are coiled around the conduit at different locations and connected to a circuit (40) which generates square wave signals which are alternately fed to the two coils (50, 60). The frequency of the square wave is ramped repeatedly from 1.5 Khz to 60 Khz.

Abstract: An automotive engine has a charge air conditioning system, including a charge booster, and a first intercooler for transferring heat from charge air flowing from the booster. The first intercooler transfers heat from the charge air to ambient air, and a second intercooler downstream from the first intercooler further reduces the heat content of the charge air by transferring heat from the charge air to a refrigerated fluid. An engine control module controls the engine's spark timing and fuel charge as a function of at least the amount of air charge cooling provided by the second intercooler. The present engine is particularly well adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel.

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 internal combustion engine is provided with a VVT mechanism capable of adjusting overlap period in which both intake and exhaust valves are open. The internal combustion engine is also provided with a recirculation mechanism that recirculates exhaust gas to the intake side. An EGR map from which internal EGR amount based on the VVT mechanism and external EGR amount based on the recirculation mechanism are derived in accordance with engine speed and engine torque is prepared. The EGR map is realized as a four-dimensional map that also takes engine intake air temperature and engine coolant temperature into account. By performing EGR control in consideration of these parameters, the occurrence of knocking during EGR control can be suppressed, and an improvement in fuel consumption and the like can be achieved with certainty.

Abstract: A solid-state Hall effect ignition system which requires connection to only a single ignition coil lead wire. The lead wire connects to both an output transistor and to power supply circuitry arranged to provide an internal bias or supply voltage for the solid-state ignition circuitry. Current limiting and automatic shut-off features dwell control, and polarity protection are also provided.

Abstract: An electronically controlled pneumatic paintball gun. The paintball gun includes an apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling one or more paramaters of the gun's operation. The gun also includes a system for providing information to a user related to the monitoring or control, including but note limited to firing mode, valve dwell time, ambient temperature, whether the gun is in live or safe mode, whether or not a fault has been detected, maximum rate of fire, battery status, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A support frame with legs is provided for supporting a chamber member with walls that taper inward from its upper end to an ash removal opening and a middle member forming a heating cavity. The upper end of the middle is adapted to support an upper member with walls that taper inward from its lower end to an upper vent. A lower grate is supported at the lower opening of the middle member for holding material to be burned. An upper grate is supported at the upper end of the middle member for supporting food to be cooked. In a further aspect, a side opening is formed through the wall of the middle member for use for adding burnable material on the lower grate. The four members can be broken down and stacked together in a small volume.

Abstract: A cooking assembly for preparing food products having multiple cooking modalities is disclosed. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the cooking assembly can comprise a main body portion defining a cooking area and an adjustable burner assembly configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the cooking area. The adjustable burner assembly being positionable between a first cooking modality and a second cooking modality. The first cooking modality can provide a source of indirect heating to at least a portion of the cooking area. Conversely, the second cooking modality can provide a source of direct heating to at least a portion of the cooking area.

Abstract: A fireplace system, constructed of modules including a firebox, a chimney housing, and a base, each module substantially a block of foam. The firebox has a fire cavity which is lined with fire resistant board to protect the foam from direct exposure to heat. The chimney housing has a central bore and a flue extending concentrically therethrough which has an inner tube in communication with the fire cavity and a concentric and spaced outer tube which is attached to the central bore to impede the flow of heat from the inner tube to the foam chimney housing. The chimney housing, base, and firebox are selectively attached together using connector sets which each include a pair of connection devices, one of which is partially submerged and anchored within the foam of each of the modules to be joined. The modules are joined by mating the connection devices of each connection set.

Abstract: A fireplace including a burner disposed to combust a combustible gas and air mixture within a combustion chamber. An exposed panel defining an exposed surface. A touch portion of the exposed surface isolated from heat generated within the combustion chamber to reduce a temperature of the touch portion. A control circuit coupled to the touch portion. The control circuit monitoring the touch portion and driving a component of the fireplace in response to a change at the touch portion.

Abstract: A firebox cover for thermally sealing off a firebox while not in use comprising a flexible barrier member, a sealing member and a magnet member. The flexible insulating barrier member covers a firebox opening within a room preventing thermal energy within the room from exiting through the firebox opening and preventing thermal energy within the firebox from entering the room. The barrier member has a cellular structure with a thermally reflective front face and thermally reflective back face. The sealing member about the periphery of the barrier member provides a substantially air tight seal about edges of the barrier member when the sealing member is magnetically affixed to a metallic surface surrounding the firebox opening during use of the cover.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dosage device having an enclosure for providing a medication in the form of a nebulized mist, including an energy source positioned within the enclosure and a vibration device with a switch for applying electrical energy from the energy source to the vibration device. An assembly is attached to the enclosure and has a membrane disposed between the vibration device and the medication for containing the medication and maintaining the medication in contact with the vibration device only by way of the membrane, whereby the membrane is vibrated and the medication is thereby converted into the mist by vibrations transmitted to the medication by way of the membrane when power is applied to the vibration device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient. In one aspect, a nebulizer is pressure sensitive so that nebulization is coordinated with a breathing cycle of the patient. The nebulizer includes a movable gas diverter that diverts pressurized gas across a liquid outlet. The diverter is moved in response to the patient's breathing cycle. In one aspect, a biasing member moves the diverter. According to another aspect of the nebulizer, an annular liquid orifice disperses an aerosol in a radial direction in response to a pressurized gas flow from an orifice located concentrically thereto. Multiple liquid orifices may be provided. In a further aspect of the nebulizer, a reservoir includes an upper, wide portion and a lower narrow portion to apply relatively uniform pressure at a liquid orifice.

Abstract: There is provided an inhalation device suitable for dispensing medicament, particularly medicament for use in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The device comprises a body; a medicament carrier, locatable within said body; a mouthpiece, reversibly movable from a storage position wherein said mouthpiece is within the body to an in-use position wherein a portion of the mouthpiece protrudes from the body and wherein the mouthpiece is in communication with the medicament carrier to allow passage of medicament therebetween; and a mouthpiece actuator, movable relative to the body, and coupled to the mouthpiece such that movement of the mouthpiece actuator in a first direction moves the mouthpiece towards said storage position and movement of the mouthpiece actuator in an opposing direction moves the mouthpiece towards the in-use position. The device comprises no biassing means acting on the mouthpiece actuator.

Abstract: A de-agglomerator is provided for use with a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler for breaking up aggregates and micronizing particles of dry powder prior to inhalation of the powder by a patient using the inhaler. The de-agglomerator includes an inner wall defining a swirl chamber extending along an axis from a first end to a second end, a dry powder supply port, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The supply port is in the first end of the swirl chamber for providing fluid communication between a dry powder delivery passageway of an inhaler and the first end of the swirl chamber. The inlet port is in the inner wall of the swirl chamber adjacent to the first end of the swirl chamber and provides fluid communication between a region exterior to the de-agglomerator and the swirl chamber.