Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having a compression ratio varying mechanism, in response to detection of the occurrence of any failure or trouble in the compression ratio varying mechanism, the control technique of the invention restricts execution of a specific control, which has adverse effects on stable combustion of the air-fuel mixture. The specific control having adverse effects on the stable combustion of the air-fuel mixture includes warm-up ignition delay control, lean barn control, and EGR control. This arrangement ensures table combustion of the air-fuel mixture, even when the compression ratio varying mechanism is locked in at a low compression ratio. The technique of the invention thus enables the internal combustion engine to be driven stably, even in the case of the occurrence of any failure or trouble in the compression ratio varying mechanism.

Abstract: An exhaust valve for a two-cycle engine. The exhaust valve includes a valve body and an actuator. The valve body, in turn, includes a valve insert and a shaft extending from the valve insert. A substantially axial slot may be defined on an upper surface of the valve insert. The actuator may include an actuator housing, the piston, an actuator spring, and an actuator cover. In the embodiment shown, the actuator housing defines a plurality of orifices and feelingly accommodates the piston. The piston may be mechanically connected to the valve body shaft and is biased toward a front surface of the actuator housing by a spring. The actuator cover may accommodate one end of the spring and cooperates with the actuator housing to define a generally cylindrical cavity therein. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: An anti-rotation guide for preventing rotation of a roller follower valve lifter in an internal combustion engine. The guide has an outer surface for engaging an engine bore and an inner surface for slidably receiving the lifter. One end of the guide includes an anti-rotation feature for cooperating with a mating feature on the lifter, preferably flats although other configurations are contemplated within the scope of the invention. The anti-rotation feature may take any of a plurality of shapes, including but not limited to an arm and tang, a flap, and an orifice flat. The guide is installed from an opening in the engine bore proximate a camshaft disposed in the engine block. The cooperating features prevent axial rotation of a lifter within the sleeve but do not inhibit axial or reciprocal motion of the lifter.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve, a movable spool valve, and a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly further includes a mechanical feedback interconnecting the engine valve and the spool valve to control the position of the spool valve.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve and a movable spool valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve and a feedback channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes an on/off valve in fluid communication with the feedback channel to enable and disable the feedback channel to control motion of the spool valve.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve, a movable first spool valve, and a movable second spool valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a driving channel interconnecting the second spool valve and the engine valve, an intermediate channel interconnecting the first spool valve and the second spool valve, and a feedback channel interconnecting the second spool valve and the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the first spool valve to position the first spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the second spool valve and the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes an on/off valve in fluid communication with the feedback channel to enable and disable the feedback channel to control motion of the second spool valve.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve and a movable spool valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve and a first feedback channel and a second feedback channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes a first on/off valve and a second on/off valve in fluid communication with the first feedback channel and the second feedback channel to enable and disable the first feedback channel and the second feedback channel, whereby the first on/off valve and the second on/off valve control motion of the spool valve.

Abstract: A valve actuator for controlling a valve between an open and a closed disposition includes couplings to a source of fluid under pressure and a reservoir at substantially ambient pressure. A control fluidly coupled to the source of fluid under pressure and to the reservoir for controlling presenting fluid at selected pressure to affect a reciprocatable component, the reciprocatable component being operably coupled to the valve for shifting the valve between the open and the closed disposition. And, positively, hydraulically shifting the valve between the open and the closed disposition. A method of valve actuation is also included.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, which has a first inlet valve (P) and a second inlet valve (S) per cylinder, which can be operated independently of one another between maximum operation (P1, S1) and minimum operation. The change of the inlet valves takes place preferably by engine oil pressure, in a basic state (P1+S2) the first inlet valve (P) is in maximum operation (P1) and the second inlet valve (S) is in minimum operation (S2). From the basic state, the valve control device switches the first inlet valve (P) into a minimum operation (P3) at low engine rotational speeds/engine torques and sufficient engine oil pressure and switches the second inlet valve (S) into maximum operation (S1) at high engine rotational speeds/engine torques.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a compression ignition internal combustion engine capable of making compatible an increase in compression self-ignition operating area with an optimum output torque control in the operating area and also smoothly switching between a self-ignition combustion and a spark ignition combustion. The compression ignition internal combustion engine operates by switching between the spark ignition combustion using an ignition device and the compression ignition combustion which self-ignites a mixture by piston compression. Variable valve mechanisms vary at least one of the valve timings and valve lifts of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. Intake air is regulated to vary the amount of air intake into a combustion chamber on the upstream side of a combustion chamber inlet of the compression ignition internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a movable roller finger follower operatively engaged with the engine valve, a rotatable cam, and an intermediate finger follower operatively engaged with the roller finger follower and the cam. The valve actuator assembly also includes at least one actuator operatively cooperating with the intermediate finger follower to position the intermediate finger follower in two directions relative to the cam to move the roller finger follower to position the engine valve at a desired lift and phasing.

Abstract: The invention provides a control method of intending to improve a heat efficiency by an Atkinson cycle, improve a charging efficiency, improve an efficiency of a supercharger and increase a freedom of cam design. In particular, the invention relates to a control method of opening and closing a valve in an internal combustion engine with supercharger. An effective compression ratio is decreased by temporarily re-opening an exhaust valve in a compression stroke first stage, whereby a heat efficiency is improved without excessively increasing a cylinder internal pressure. Preferably, an exhaust valve re-opening time is set such that the effective compression ratio/expansion ratio is within a range from 0.5 to 0.9. Further, an exhaust valve is not temporarily opened in a compression stroke first stage, at a time of starting or driving under a low load, and the Atkinson cycle in accordance with the re-opening of the exhaust valve is achieved at a time of driving under a high load.

Abstract: A start control apparatus includes a starter, a number-of-revolutions detection unit of an internal combustion engine, a crank angle sensor, a cam sensor, and a control unit for controlling cylinder ignition based on a crank angle signal and a cam signal. The control unit has a start determination unit for determining whether starting the engine is to be continued or stopped based on the crank angle and fluctuation in the number of revolutions when the starter being switched from on to off is detected, and controls continuing or stopping ignition control in accordance with the determination of the start determination unit.

Abstract: A resin intake manifold is provided with an integrally formed base member. The base member has a U-shaped curved distribution passage lower surface wall portion, an engine mounting flange portion formed in one end of the distribution passage lower surface wall portion, and a surge tank peripheral wall portion formed in another end and a lower surface side of the distribution passage lower surface wall portion. A resonator peripheral wall portion is integrally formed in a dead space in a lower surface side of the distribution passage lower surface wall portion and between the surge tank peripheral wall portion and the engine mounting flange portion. In accordance with the structure in which the wall itself constituting the resonator is formed by the structure member, it is possible to structure the resonator without enlarging a size of the intake manifold and without lowering the strength.

Abstract: In a intake system of a combustion engine, surface irregularities in the form of raised parts (8) or depressions (7) are created, at predetermined points, in the wall surfaces of a suction pipe or the surfaces of a flap arranged in such a suction pipe, in order to avoid burbling and eddying in these areas.

Abstract: AN engine with two crank shafts one stationary, or secured to the block by conventional main bearings. The other crank referred to as the floating crank moves in a radius back and forth along one side of the stationary crank. The cranks drive each other by being geared together. A conventional piston and con rod is attached to the floating crank and drives the floating crank in rotating and down motions. Both of the motions rotate the stationary crank. Each piston has it's own floating crank seperate from the other pistons. The cranks rotate in opposite directions. The floating crank operates in position by two radius rods connected between the two crank shafts, two rods from the floating crank to the stabilizer rod and control rod, all of the four rods pined together where they meet. The other end of the control rod is connected to the stationary crank journal. The other end of the stabilizer rod is anchored in the engine block by a pivot pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, and air/gas mixture being introduced into the working chamber thereof and ignited by means of an ignition system. The above is carried out whereby the air/gas mixture is at least temporarily enriched. A channel (14a, 14b) is let into the cylinder head (1) from a cylinder head external wall into the working chamber (5) or a pre-combustion chamber and a gas or a gas/air mixture may be introduced in a controlled manner into the working chamber (5) or the pre-combustion chamber, by means of said channel (14a, 14b). According to the invention, the above embodiment or method permits the cycle variations in the combustion pressure to be avoided.

Abstract: In a multi-cylinder engine having a compression ignition combustion mode, a vibration detecting sensor that is preferably mounted in a cylinder block or a cylinder head is used to detect a frequency and the detected frequency is appropriately analyzed to detect or estimate a cylinder pressure peak value and peak timing for each cylinder. An amount of internal EGR, a fuel injection condition, an engine speed and the like are then controlled so as to bring each of these parameters into an appropriate range thereof. The control apparatus suppresses variations in combustion states among different cylinders and different cycles arising from unit-to-unit variations or deterioration in the engine or part-to-part variations or deterioration in a component thereof.

Abstract: A gasoline engine is provided which is capable of introducing a large amount of EGR gas for performing homogeneous combustion and thus offering a good fuel economy. An external EGR mechanism or an internal EGR mechanism is used to introduce an EGR gas into a combustion chamber (a cylinder). A mixture of fresh air and fuel is thereafter directly injected from a mixture injection valve into the combustion chamber, thereby forming a region of said mixture in an area near an ignition plug. In addition, engine operating parameters are controlled in accordance with the amount of fresh air supplied into the combustion chamber (cylinder) after an intake valve has been closed. This makes possible homogeneous combustion using a large amount of EGR, which eventually increases fuel economy.

Abstract: To obtain a fuel injection method in a fuel injector capable of realizing excellent combustible and exhaustive characteristics, and carrying out fuel injection with an arbitrary fuel injection pattern thus allowing a degree of freedom of a fuel injection pattern to further expand. In an fuel injector comprising an accumulator and an intensifier, fuel is injected such that an injection control valve and a piston control valve are individually controlled, an operational phase difference therebetween is regulated, and at least one of a maximum injection pressure, a rate of increase of an injection pressure at the start of an increase of pressure, a rate of decrease of the injection pressure at the completion of injection, a pilot injection pressure, and an after injection pressure of fuel injected from a fuel injection nozzle is arbitrarily changed.

Abstract: An throttle valve is controlled by using an electric actuator. A cover for covering one end side of the throttle valve shaft is attached to a side wall of a throttle body. a throttle position sensor unit and an electronic control module for controlling the throttle valve is attached to an inner face of the cover. The throttle position sensor and the electronic control module are contiguous to each other and connected at a position contiguous thereto. The cover is provided with a connector portion for external connection of the electronic control module. A group of lead frames constituting terminals of the connector portion are embedded in the cover. Power source is supplied to a motor via the connector portion for external connection, the electronic control module and intermediary connectors provided at the cover. Thereby, by simplifying the cover for protecting the throttle valve.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement as well as a computer program for controlling an internal combustion engine are suggested. A torque model is utilized in the context of the computation of actual quantities and/or actuating quantities. In the context-of the torque model computation, the combustion center is considered which describes the angle at which a specific portion of the combustion energy is converted.

Abstract: In a multi-cylinder engine having a compression ignition combustion mode, a vibration detecting sensor that is preferably mounted in a cylinder block or a cylinder head is used to detect a frequency and the detected frequency is appropriately analyzed to detect or estimate a cylinder pressure peak value and peak timing for each cylinder. An amount of internal EGR, a fuel injection condition, an engine speed and the like are then controlled so as to bring each of these parameters into an appropriate range thereof. The control apparatus suppresses variations in combustion states among different cylinders and different cycles arising from unit-to-unit variations or deterioration in the engine or part-to-part variations or deterioration in a component thereof.

Abstract: A fuel rail assembly configured for coupling to an engine, the fuel rail including a body having therein a fuel passageway, and a fuel injector coupled to the body and in fluid communication with the fuel passageway. A portion of the body is configured to interconnect with the engine assembly to secure the fuel rail assembly to the engine without using conventional threaded fasteners.

Abstract: Cylinder heads 100a to 100f are respectively provided with fuel injectors 101a to 101f. Each of the fuel injectors 101a to 101f is connected to each of joints 105a to 105f in a common rail 105 extending linearly through fuel injection pipes 103a to 103f. In this example, it can be achieved to allow all the fuel injection pipes 103a to 103f to have the same length by crossing the injection pipes 103b, 103c, 103d and 103e to connect. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the irregularities in the amount of fuel injection and to enhance the engine performance.

Abstract: In a fuel injection apparatus (1) configured so that high-pressure fuel from a common rail (2) is supplied to an injector (8) through a pressure booster (4), it is discriminated whether reduction of the fuel pressure in the common rail (2) is necessary, the spill amount of the high-pressure fuel necessary for pressure reduction is computed when pressure reduction is discriminated to be necessary, and a control solenoid valve (48) is open/close controlled to spill said spill amount of the high-pressure fuel to the low-pressure side at a time point when fuel injection from the injector (8) is not being conducted.

Abstract: This invention is an armature and an armature driving device in which the armature is rotated around its axis so as to inhibit uneven wear from occurring between the armature and a housing. That is, an armature which is slidably provided within a housing filled with fluid and which divides the inside of the housing into two fluid chambers is further provided with a communicating hole that enables the fluid to pass between the two fluid chambers. This communicating hole is formed such that the fluid passing through the communicating hole and out from the armature when the armature slides flows out at an angle to, and to the side of, a center axis of the armature.

Abstract: A fuel transfer pipe and a cylinder head of an engine in which a fuel injection device is restricted from being separated from each other by a restricting member. A pressing member is interposed between the fuel transfer pipe and the cylinder head to receive a restricting force of the restricting member presses the fuel transfer pipe to a side opposing the cylinder head and presses the fuel injection device to a side of the cylinder head by a reaction force against the restricting force.

Abstract: To provide a method of processing intake air pressure signals for accurately detecting the engine load including the accelerating state and the intake air flow rate from the intake air pressure.

Abstract: A supercharger includes multiple back flow ports which are controlled by valves. The valves regulate the timing and area for back flow of pressurized outlet air into the rotor chambers. The back flow air tends to equalize air pressure in the chambers prior to their exhausting into the outlet and thereby reduces flow back noise. The multiple ports are opened selectively or sequentially to provide noise control with improved efficiency at varying speeds.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine in accordance with the invention includes a supercharger, a bypass passage, a flow amount adjustment device, an operational state detection portion, and a driving time determination portion. The supercharger is connected to an intake passage of an internal combustion engine and is driven by a motor. The bypass passage is provided for the intake passage in such a manner as to bypass the supercharger. By being driven electrically, the flow amount adjustment device can arbitrarily adjust a flow amount of air flowing through the bypass passage. The operational state detection portion detects an operational state of the internal combustion engine. The driving time determination portion determines a time at which the flow rate adjustment device is driven based on a result of detection performed by the operational state detection portion.

Abstract: An ignition spark enhancing device and spark plug wire disposed in or establishing the electrical path between a spark source and a spark plug of an internal combustion engine. The device includes one or more coils of conductive hollow tubing formed from a length of conductive tubing configured for connection to the spark plug wire of the device or to a spark plug. The tubing is preferably copper and may also be aluminum or other conductive material and is also preferably used to form each spark plug wire as well for durability. At least five complete loops or turns wound concentrically or in helix fashion are preferred. The device is also preferably coated with a non-conductive material to reduce any risk of electrical shock or short circuit.

Abstract: There is provided an ignition coil alleviating an insulating load between output terminals and at inside of the ignition coil and stabilizing insulating performance by constituting two outputs from the ignition coil by the same output electrode. Specifically, the invention is characterized in arranging two ignition plugs at a single cylinder, providing a center tap terminal at a secondary coil, regularly winding the secondary coil until reaching the center tap terminal and inversely winding the secondary coil from a regular winding direction to an inverse winding direction after reaching the center tap.

Abstract: This invention is a inexpensive light weight portable compound bow press that is safer and easier to use. A bow press with a greater mechanical advantage, to be used in the complete maintenance of high powered compound bows having either two piece limbs or one piece limbs. This invention consists of a first and second extending member. Each extending member engages and cooperates with the outer most portion of one of the bow's limbs. Each extending member extends over and away from the outer ends of the bow's limbs. The first end of a liner adjusting device is adjustably connected to the first extending member at a central position near the outer edge of the first extending member. The second end of the adjusting apparatus is adjustably connected to the second extending member at a central position near the outer edge of the second extending member. This arrangement positions the adjusting apparatus outside of and away from, the compound bow, allowing for safer and easier use.

Abstract: A crossbow (1) includes a frame (2) having at least a flexing element (3) and a bowstring (4) strung between opposite ends of the flexing element (3) positioned substantially perpendicular, under rest conditions, to the shooting axis of the crossbow. On the frame (2) is mounted a trigger block (8) provided with means for catching and releasing the bowstring. The trigger block (8) can be translated on a rectilinear path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow, in which in a first phase the trigger block advances towards the flexing element (3) until it automatically catches the bowstring (4), and in a second phase the trigger block (8) moves back until reaching a positioning of correct tensioning of the bowstring. The trigger block is actuated by electromechanical means shaped in such a way as to produce on the trigger block (8) a force that is substantially parallel to the shooting axis of the crossbow to carry out said first and second phase.

Abstract: A loader stores and loads round objects is presented. The loader includes a screw and a drive tube. The screw has a helical groove. The helical groove winds in a first direction. The drive tube has multiple helical grooves on an inner surface of the drive tube. The multiple helical grooves wind in a second direction. The second direction is counter to the first direction. The screw is located within a center of the drive tube along a length of the drive tube so that round objects loaded within the drive tube are each within the helical groove of the screw and within one of the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube. When the drive tube rotates with respect to the screw, round objects within the drive tube are constrained to travel along the helical groove of the screw and along one of the multiple helical grooves on the inner surface of the drive tube.

Abstract: In the sawing process and device according to the invention, the pieces to be sawed are mounted on at least one support table and caused to bear against a layer of wires. Inclination structure in the form of wedges or pieces for angular adjustment by pivoting and blocking, are provided to mount the pieces obliquely with angles of inclination between one of their prismatic surfaces and a horizontal working plane. There is thus obtained a precise beginning of sawing with sawed slices of equal thickness and a careful end of cutting without chipping.

Abstract: A collapsible barbecue apparatus includes a base housing a fuel supply. First and second wings are pivotally attached to the base and movable between a closed position wherein the wings face one another, and an open position wherein the wings are generally co-planar with one another. Each wing includes a grill cooking surface and an underlying gas burner. First and second supports are movable from a retracted position adjacent to the base to extended positions for supporting the first and second wings, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a liquid comprising a housing having an internal chamber and a rotor disposed in said chamber. A drive shaft rotatably supported in the housing and extending into said chamber for imparting mechanical energy to the rotor. The rotor being provided with a series of openings generally arranged to be parallel to the rotational axis of the drive shaft. The rotor in the form of a disc and the housing formed with radial surfaces on either side of said rotor disc. The rotor may comprise a single disc or alternatively, a series of dics in a liminated formation. A fluid intake passage in said housing preferably arranged adjacent the center of the disc and a fluid exit passage, generally arranged to be circumeferntially outwards of said disc.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing noise of a cooking hood having a body containing a motor and a muffler mounted on an upper section of the body so as to be in fluid connection therewith. A motor active noise reduction unit produces motor reduction noise for reducing motor noise. Likewise, a muffler active noise reduction unit produces a muffler noise reduction signal for reducing muffler noise.

Abstract: A broiler exhaust unit includes a hood structure with a heat shield pivotally connected thereto. The heat shield is movable between a shielding position and a non-shielding position and one or more supporting hinges provide the pivotal connection and also provide support for the heat shield sufficient to prevent gravity from causing the heat shield to pivot out of at least the non-shielding position.

Abstract: A range hood motor housing and fan assembly for exhausting gases generated above a cooking surface. The motor housing has top, bottom and side surfaces defining a substantially cylindrical chamber within which a motor and fan are housed. An air outlet is present in the top surface. Space between the top surface and the fan increases in the direction of rotation of the fan from one side of the air outlet to the other side of the air outlet. The fan has a plurality of arcuate fan blades having at least one trough declining to the outer radial edge of the fan blade to direct any grease draining on the blade in this direction. The motor housing may be equipped with an air exhaust chamber projecting from the motor housing and connected to the range hood body for recycling air from above the cooking surface back into the cooking environment.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Abstract: A breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits is disclosed, wherein at least one of the conduits is a non-conventional conduit. A multilumen unilimb breathing circuit is also disclosed having first and second conduits, wherein when the proximal ends of said first and second conduits are each connected to an inlet and outlet fitting, respectively, movement of the distal end of the first conduit causes a corresponding movement of the distal end of the second conduit. In an embodiment, inner and outer flexible conduits are formed of pleated tubing that is axially extendable and compressible to form a unilimb multilumen respiratory circuit. The pleating provides for axial extension and contraction. The multilumen respiratory circuit can provide a variable rebreathing volume. In an embodiment, at least one tube in a multilumen respiratory conduit is radially collapsible and radially expandable to a maximum radius for carrying respiratory gases to and from a patient.

Abstract: A microphone adaptor for a respirator is provided which has a sound tube that extends between a speech projector of the respirator and a microphone enabling clear speech to be received by the microphone. The adaptor may include a microphone box for receiving the microphone, preferably a headset boom microphone of a standard issue headset.

Abstract: A flow diverter valve is used in controlling the pressure and/or flow rate of a breathable gas supplied to the airways of a patient by a breathable gas flow generator supply apparatus during, for example, ventilatory assistance treatments such as non-invasive positive pressure ventilation and nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The flow diverter valve includes a vane and a housing. The housing has an inlet port, an outlet port, and an exhaust port. The exhaust port opens to atmosphere, and the inlet port is in fluid communication with the flow generator. The outlet port is in fluid communication with a patient mask via a conduit. The vane is configured with respect to the housing such that a blower associated with the CPAP apparatus remains substantially unchoked, regardless of whether the vane is in the open or closed position.

Abstract: A particulate filter including a centrally disposed synthetic meshed filter region surrounded by an adhesive region. The adhesive region, preferably formed of porous fabric with a hypoallergenic adhesive coating on one side, includes a proximal tab, left and right medial tabs, and a distal tab which adhere to the base, lateral, and tip aspects of the nose. The filter includes pharmaceutical agents used to inhibit allergic reactions, aid in the removal of particulates in the air during inspiration, or to create desired physiological effects in the user of the filter. Several techniques are disclosed to accomplish this task, including coating or impregnating the filter material can be with a pharmaceutical compound, adding a pharmaceutical compound to the adhesive use to removably attach the filter to the nose of a user of the filter, or applied to the adhesive section or attachment region.

Abstract: An enhanced breathing device for use in a mouth of a user is provided that includes a flexible hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer perimeter. The tube also includes an extraoral segment, and intraoral segment and an intermediate segment extending therebetween. The extraoral segment extends to the proximal end of the tube and includes at least one opening. The extraoral segment extends externally from the mouth of the user. The intraoral segment extends to the distal end of the tube and includes at least one opening. The intraoral segment extends into the mouth of the user and has a length sufficient for extending beyond a retromolar space, into the oropharynx and terminating between the posterior tongue and the soft palate. The intermediate segment has a length sufficient for extending along the buccopharyngeal pathway of the mouth of the user.

Abstract: An improved condom accessory that maybe used with or without a condom that absorbs and eliminate sperm, comprising a mixture of prepolymer, spermicide, water and/or medication, with said condom accessory having means of strengthening mesh material embedded into the body. Various methods of attachment are used to securely hold the condom accessory in place, to prevent dislodging. In case dislodging occurs the condom accessory has a safety string as a method of retrieval from the women's vagina.