Abstract: Apparatus and methods for popping popcorn comprise a heated kettle which is controlled and monitored according to the temperature of the kettle. The kettle is initially heated to a start cook temperature and a buzzer and light alert an operator to add uncooked popcorn and oil to the kettle which lowers the temperature of the kettle below a predetermined start temperature and initiates a cooking cycle. An oil pump system Is enabled at the initiation of the cooking cycle for adding oil to the kettle. As the popcorn and oil cook, the kettle temperature increases and passes through a predetermined dump temperature and the kettle automatically tilts and dumps the cooked popcorn. After the dump, the kettle temperature increases to the start cook temperature again and the buzzer and light are activated to alert the operator to add another batch of ingredients for consecutive batches of popcorn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toaster in which the housing (1) comprises: a toasting chamber (2); a toast rack (5), which can move vertically inside said chamber (2) between an eject position and a toasting position; a driver (6), which is linked to the toast rack (5), is slide mounted on a vertical column (7) and is used to lower the toast rack (5) from the eject position, in which the driver (6) is returned by an elastic means (9), to the toasting position, in which the driver (6) is held in place by an unlockable means (10); and a rising damping device comprising a piston (16) which can slide vertically along a determined path in a housing (17) that is solidly connected to the drive and the upper face of which can come into contact with a stop end (19) located in the top part of the housing (1).

Abstract: A flipping pan having a base, a rim and a handle additionally has a lip upstanding from a limited segment of the top of the rim generally opposite the handle. The lip has an arcuate cross section extending upwardly and inwardly from the segment whereby the food stuff in the pan may be flipped against the lid by appropriate movement of the handle. A flip and drain pan has drainage perforations in the lip and in a blocking member, the blocking member being movable relative to the lip between a draining position and a blocking position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying, altering, constructing, or retrofitting an existing newspaper press having a first cut-off length, to have a second cut-off length which is different from and generally less than the first. These systems and methods generally provide for the machining of new bore holes into the existing press unit frame. The new bore holes will generally completely encompass the old bore holes and allow for linear translation of the axes of rotation of the new cylinders relative to the positions of the axes for the old cylinders.

Abstract: In a compressor comprising at least one traveling drum (4,4a,4b) rotatable about a drum axis (2), and an oscillation exciter supported in the drum (4,4a, 4b), the angular position of the oscillation exciter being adjustable by an adjustable pivoting angle relative to a vertical plane which extends through the drum axis (2), it is provided that the oscillation exciter comprises a pendulum-type vibrator (10) having a pendulum-type housing (8) which pivots about a pivoting axis extending coaxially to the drum axis (2) and includes a single unbalance exciter shaft (12) supported at a radial parallel distance to the drum axis (2) in the pendulum-type housing (8), wherein the pendulum-type vibrator (10) generates an elliptical drum oscillation.

Abstract: A continuous belt press has upper and lower platens defining a horizontal gap. Upper and lower upstream drums and downstream are rotatable on the frame about respective horizontal drum axes at the upstream and downstream ends of the gap. Upper and lower endless steel belts spanned over the respective upper and lower drums each have a working stretch supported by respective upper and lower sets of rollers on the respective platens. Each belt has a pair of edges projecting transversely past the respective rollers and at least one of the drums of each of the belts has a substantially cylindrical central region of a predetermined central diameter bearing through the respective rollers on the working stretch of the respective belt and a pair of edge formations of smaller diameter than the central-region diameter lying outside the central region and in engagement with the edges of the respective belt.

Abstract: A nanoimprinting apparatus for imprinting nanostructure on a workpiece. The apparatus comprises a frame, a platen, an embossing tool, and a separating tool. The platen is connected to the frame for separating the workpiece. The embossing tool is connected to the frame for imprinting nanostructure on the workpiece. The separating tool is connected to the frame for separating the workpiece and embossing tool. The separating tool has a workpiece engagement surface for engaging the workpiece when separating the workpiece and embossing tool. The embossing tool extends through the separating tool.

Abstract: A golf ball marking device is provided comprising a first lever arm having a stamp, a second lever arm operably connected to the first lever arm and having a ball positioning member, and a movable ink pad operably connected to one of the first and second lever arms. The moveable ink pad is arranged to contact the stamp when the device is in an inking position. The stamp contacts a ball placed in the ball positioning member when the device is in a marking position. A method of pad printing a golf ball with a portable marking device that utilizes a permanent ink or a non-water soluble ink is also provided.

Abstract: A stencil assembly for applying a stenciled design or message on a surface includes: (a) a reusable stencil base framing an elongated opening straddled by two opposite, spaced-apart interior long edges; the stencil base further including at least one exterior long edge parallel to the interior long edge, and a number of female stencil base cut-outs along the long edges; and (b) a number of stencil pieces of sufficient size for close insertion in the opening; the stencil pieces being formed of a common material and generally having a common length; the stencil pieces being interchangeably arrangeable in the opening between the interior long edges; a majority of the stencil pieces each including an individual character cut-out for receiving a stenciling material; the stencil pieces further including at least one male stencil piece projection on at least one of its sides, the male stencil piece projection being insertable in at least one of the female stencil base cut-outs. A stencil kit is also included herein.

Abstract: A printing unit of an offset printing press includes a first plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder for selectively contacting the first plate cylinder, a first inker for inking the first plate cylinder, a second plate cylinder, a second blanket cylinder for selectively contacting the second plate cylinder, and a second inker for inking the second plate cylinder. A first inker drive gear connects to the first inker for driving the first inker, and a motor uniquely associated with the printing unit is configured to drive the first inker drive gear. In addition, a gear train engaging the first inker drive gear is driven by the first inker drive gear so as to drive the first plate cylinder, the first blanket cylinder, the second blanket cylinder, the second plate cylinder and the second inker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the width of a paper web at a rotary lithographic press and the object of the present invention is to prevent ink or specks of paper from becoming attached to contact parts of a pressing member so as to contaminate the surface of the paper web, and to enable straightforward fitting and removing of a rotatable pressing member. This configuration is therefore provided with one or more pressing members 1 with a plurality of contact members 11 provided integrally in a rotating manner so as to be capable of being mutually separated along the widthwise direction of a paper web W, a support shaft 20 supporting the pressing member(s) 1 in a rotatable manner, wavy surface adjustment means 2 capable of moving the support shaft 20 towards and away from the surface of the paper web W, and pressing member rotation drive means 4 for simultaneously rotating and driving the pressing member 1.

Abstract: A lock apparatus for securing a hand stamping device to prevent an unauthorized stamping operation includes two locking heads constructed to established a ridged interconnection with the base frame and the upper actuator frame of the hand stamping device. The locking heads are releasably interconnected by parallel spaced apart struts for connecting the locking heads in a space apart relation for receiving the hand stamping device between the struts whereby the locking heads and the struts encircle the outer periphery of the hand stamping device. A lock is used to interlocking the locking heads in a spaced apart relation between the struts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for printing on a substrate for preparing packaging blanks. The substrate is divided into copies, each of these copies having one or more areas for subsequent application of an adhesive, and a printed image produced on the copy by application of an ink film and coated with a lacquer. It is an object of the present invention to develop a method and apparatus for printing on a substrate for preparing packaging blanks, for which specially manufactured lacquer plates are not required. Pursuant to the present invention, this object is accomplished based on the fact that an ink film and a binder customarily used for offset printing inks are used to produce a printed image on a substrate and a lacquer is applied over the surface of the substrate, wherein the binder is applied at areas intended for application of an adhesive and the lacquer is absorbed by the binder.

Abstract: The printing element is in the shape of a propeller. All the printing elements in a printing dot have S-shaped sides of equal length all round. The lands between adjoining printing elements are of constant width all round a printing element. Due to this figuration, it is possible for a printing element to be mirrored about a central axis while preserving the form of the printing element, in such a way that only rounded corners are obtained because otherwise pointed corners would produce an erratic image and moiré patterns. This printing element form is thus particularly important for four-color printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a printing ink containing inhibitors and oligomers in a printing unit of a rotary printing machine in which the drying times of the printing ink on the printing material is shortened and the printing quality improved. In the illustrated embodiments, the printing unit includes two cylinders that form a press nip in which the printing ink is applied to passing printing material, and a catalyst mixture is applied to the printing material either by one of the cylinders or through an applicator device downstream of said press nip. A heating device is located in the conveying direction immediately downstream of the press nip or the applicator device.

Abstract: An improved sabot for small arms is discussed. Incorporating the biomechanical internal skeletal features of vertebrates allows improved sabot support, combined with improved sabot flexibility, to improve projectile launching performance. The present invention is comprised of a nearly full caliber plastic sabot with a tapered aluminum disc base, combined with caliber-reducing aluminum petals that form a forward internal skeleton in a plastic sabot; the aluminum ring of petals is inside the cavity of the sabot's ring of plastic petals and encloses a substantially smaller caliber bullet. Upon firing, both front and rear elements upset the sabot into the bore's rifling. In the muzzle loading application, loading is easier and fouling is reduced. An alternate embodiment's skeleton is comprised of a nearly full caliber tapered metal disc base, attached to two or more nearly full caliber metal longitudinal fins, which enclose a substantially smaller caliber bullet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a releasable skate retarder for railway cars. The retarder includes a plurality of spring packs including springs which bias shoe carrying beams toward running rails, trapping wheels of a railway car entering the retarder between the shoes and the running rails, and applying a frictional force to the railway car wheels for stopping the railway car and retaining the railway car in the retarder. The retarder is operable in a release mode in which an operating mechanism moves the shoe beams to a release position in which the spring force is released, allowing the railway car to move freely through the retarder. The retarder is operable in a service mode in which the operating mechanism moves the shoe beams outwardly, allowing the insertion of shims which cause the shoes to be repositioned closer to the running rails to compensate for shoe wear.

Abstract: A device for towing a train of carriages of a sorting machine includes a pair of wheels driven by respective motors, which wheels engage a blade arranged below the carriages. Each towing wheel is movable toward and away from the blade relative to its respective motor, whereby the inertia of the member that has to be moved in response to a misalignment of the blade is low.

Abstract: Embodiments are shown of a floor opening and/or closing system for pellet stoves and other solid-fuel combustion devices with ash-dumping floors. The system uses a cam system wherein a cam member automatically moves to urge the ash-dumping floor open and/or closed, preferably by means of contact with a following arm extending from or connected to the floor. Preferably, the cam member is a crank arm/lever that contacts surfaces of a cam arm in order to cause the cam arm to pivot between two positions. The cam arm is preferably connected to the ash-dumping floor by a connecting rod, so that movement of the crank arm and resultant movement of the cam arm causes movement of the floor. Adaptations may be made for manual control of the floor, for example, by providing a neutral position for the crank member, wherein the cam arm and its connecting rod may be moved independently from, and unhindered by, the crank arm.

Abstract: A batch type pyrolysis furnace is described for the removal of organic contaminants from various metal parts with superior heating efficiency. The described pyrolysis furnace employs a modified gas burner construction providing combined radiant and convection heating to carry out the pyrolysis cycle in shorter heat-up and cool-down time periods accompanied by fuel savings. A novel furnace apparatus and method for its operation to achieve these benefits is disclosed.

Abstract: A lift for watercraft has raised and lowered positions and is adapted to be mounted in a body of water. The lift has a substantially rectangular base with first and second pairs of vertical corner posts that are connected to and carry longitudinal beams. The base further has two transverse beams connected to the longitudinal beams. A pivoting cradle is attached to the base. Watercraft support bunk are connected to the cradle. A pair of actuators is connected on one end to the pivoting cradle and on the other end to one of the first pair of corner post. The first pair of corner posts is adapted to be long enough that at least a portion of the corner posts is above a water level of a body of water in which the lift is mounted, and the actuators are connected to the first pair of corner posts in the portion of the corner posts above the water level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for attachment to a multihull boat, the apparatus including a beam means substantially transversely associated with at least a first hull and a second hull, the first hull and the second hull being laterally opposed and each hull having a longitundinal axis in the direction of travel of the boat, the beam means being pivotably connected to a first hull or adjacent a first hull to allow for horizontal rotational movement of the first hull, the beam means being pivotalbly connected to a second hull or adjacent a second hull to allow for horizontal rotational movement of the second hull, and wherein the beam means is adapted to allow the first hull and the second hull to pitch independently of the other.

Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition is provided. The flotation device comprises a mounting plate mounted to the watercraft with the mounting plate having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder-retaining slot, and a second bladder-retaining slot. A first collapsible tubing is receivable within the first cover channel. An elongated cover is receivable in the cover channels with the first collapsible tubing positioned between the mounting plate and the first edge. A space is defined between the mounting plate and the cover with a directional bladder and a flotation bladder receivable within the space. At least a portion of the directional bladder is receivable within the first bladder-retaining slot and at least a portion of the flotation bladder is receivable within the second bladder-retaining slot.

Abstract: A boat mounted hunting blind to aid hunters in hunting game, particularly water fowl; wherein, at least two pontoons are connected together, preferably in parallel orientation, by way of a bridging platform. Above the platform there is hingedly attached a collapsible canopy, preferably camouflaged in design, within which the hunter may be concealed in a seated or standing position while scouting and shooting game. Above the canopy there is removably attached a detachable roof, preferably camouflage in design, for providing weather protection for the hunter and further concealment.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) is used for producing particles of a foodstuff with a fat content of at least 50%, a sugar content of not more than 20% and a water content of not more than 10%. The foodstuff which is present in liquid form can be applied by means of a dosing device (2) in the form of a film or in the form of a strip onto the moved surface of a cooling device (5) with which the foodstuff is at least partly hardenable. In order to enable the production of particles under clean room conditions in an economically viable manner it is proposed that the dosing device (2) comprises a permanently opened pass-through cross section and an elastically deformable membrane (15) which is in contact with one surface with the liquid, sterilized or pasteurized foodstuff. The membrane (15) can be reversibly deflected in a direction approximately perpendicular to its plane, as a result of which the volume of a conveying chamber for the foodstuff can be changed.

Abstract: A CVD apparatus includes (i) a reaction chamber; (ii) a reaction gas inlet; (iii) a lower stage on which a semiconductor substrate is placed; (iv) an upper electrode for plasma excitation; (v) an intermediate electrode with plural pores through which the reaction gas passes, wherein a reaction space is formed between the upper electrode and the intermediate electrode; and (vi) a cooling plate disposed between the intermediate electrode and the lower stage, wherein a transition space is formed between the intermediate electrode and the cooling plate, and a plasma-free space is formed between the cooling plate and the lower stage.

Abstract: A more effective method of automatically milking animals in an automatic milking facility is disclosed. The method includes (i) assigning a respective threshold value (t.v.) to each of the udder quarters (1st u.q.; 2nd u.q.; 3rd u.q.; 4th u.q.) of an animal to be milked indicating when the milking of the corresponding udder quarter is to be ended; (ii) measuring the milk flow from each udder quarter of animal during milking; and (iv) ending the milking of an udder quarter of the animal (end1; end2; end3; end4) in dependence on the measured milk flow from that udder quarter reaches the corresponding threshold value. The threshold value of the udder quarter (4th u.q.) of the animal, for which the ending of milking very last remains is raised (t.v.115%; t..V.inf; t.v.(t); t.v.

Abstract: A bird feeder having a rechargeable electrical power source and a solar energy system that collects solar energy, converts it into electrical energy, and uses the electrical energy to recharge the rechargeable electrical power source. The rechargeable electrical power source can be used to power a wide variety of electrical devices, such as microphones, radio receivers or transmitters, cameras, audio recording and playback devices, video recording and playback devices, loud speakers, lighting elements, timing devices, remote controls, motors, etc.

Abstract: A quality assurance program for consistently producing high quality meat products broadly comprises selecting a plurality of calves that meet a set of standards and managing the calves according to a set of protocols. The standards are used to cull out low quality calves that are expected to yield low quality meat products. The protocols ensure the calves are properly nurtured so that they may yield high quality meat products by dictating how the calves are fed and treated. For example, the protocols preferably dictate what and when vaccines are given to the calves. The program may be broken down into three growth phases, such as an initiation phase in which the calves are managed during their first weeks, a growth phase in which the calves are managed during their growth, and a finishing phase in which the calves are managed leading up to slaughter.

Abstract: Hatchlings are raised initially on a strip of sheet material which is laid on the floor of a containment pen with a layer of a feed material for the hatchlings. After the hatchlings have grown to a stage where they can move from the paper, the strip is removed by a hand cart operable by a user walking with the cart, the hand cart having wheels arranged for hand steering movement of the vehicle by the user to follow the strip while avoiding the hatchlings. A support is provided on the vehicle for winding the strip into a roll as the cart is moved across the floor. The support is rotated either by a motor or by a hand crank controlled by the user so that the cart is propelled solely by the winding of the strip onto the roll providing a pulling action on the cart and by pushing by the user. Alternatively the roll is driven by frictional contact with the ground wheels so that it rolls up the strip at a rate dependent on the forward movement of the cart.

Abstract: An animal collar has a band with an inner layer and an outer layer. A pair of screws extend through and protrude from the outer layer for securing to a control unit that supplies an electrical signal upon the occurrence of a selected event. A pair of conductive leads extends from the screws in opposite directions between the inner and outer layers. A threaded receptacle is located at the electrode end of each lead. An electrode extends through a hole in the inner layer and engages the threaded receptacle.

Abstract: An animal control device directs a pressure pulse wave to an animal as a negative stimulus to deter undesired behavior. The animal control device includes a collar worn by an animal with a pressure pulse generator probe in contact with the animal's skin. The pressure pulse wave applied may be adjustable commensurate with the severity of undesired behavior. In one embodiment, the animal control device contains a remote transmitter for a trainer to administer a pressure pulse manually and at a desired intensity. In an alternate embodiment, the animal control device may contain a bark sensor to administer a pressure pulse when the animal produces undesirable barking. Alternatively, the animal control device may contain a sensor for directing a pressure pulse if an animal strays from a desired confined location.

Abstract: An electronic animal collar designed to reduce the load applied to the animal's neck by one or more stimulating electrodes or sensors that extend from or through an inside surface of the collar housing into the skin of the animal during use, and to permit the collar to be securely fastened to the neck of the animal without risk of causing discomfort or damage to the skin of the animal due to pressure from the stimulating electrodes. The inside surface of the collar housing has one or more high point surfaces that are raised to extend the inside surface above the base of the stimulating electrodes or sensors toward the animal during use so as to increase contact between the inside surface and the animal's skin and to thereby relieve and distribute the load caused by collar tension around the animal's neck over a larger contact friction area.

Abstract: A method and an electronic apparatus for reversing the rotation of a two-stroke internal combustion engine, provided with an ignition system powered by a permanent magnet voltage generator. The electronic apparatus comprises a microprocessor control unit programmed for controlling the sparking both during forward and backward rotations, and for controlling the reversal rotation procedure of the engine. The reversal procedure is controlled on the basis of information obtained from a first binary signal emitted by a bistable magnetic sensor activated by the magnetic flux of the generator, and from a second binary signal correlated to the polarities of output voltage of the voltage generator. The original forward or backward rotation is made to reverse by providing a sparking delay, and subsequently generating an advanced spark while the engine is still rotating in the original direction.

Abstract: An engine is provided having a cylinder head and a cylinder block. The cylinder head has a head water-jacket for circulating coolant, and the cylinder block has a block water-jacket for circulating the coolant. Coolant flow is blocked between the block and head water-jackets except through a primary pathway or an additional one or more secondary pathways. First and second thermostats are equipped to respectively control coolant flow from the head and block water-jackets, such that the coolant flow through the head and block water-jackets are respectively controlled based on respectively preset temperatures of the first and second thermostats.

Abstract: An internal combustion-engined setting tool includes a drive piston (15) displaceably supported in the piston guide (17) and displaceable in a setting direction (4) by expandable gases produced in the main combustion chamber (11) of the tool and pre-chamber (20) for generating pressure that is transmitted to the main combustion chamber (11) before the ignition (19) of the air-fuel mixture in the main combustion chamber takes place, with the pre-chamber (20) being formed by space a within the piston guide (17) beneath a bottom of the drive piston (15) remote from the main combustion chamber (11), when the drive piston occupies its initial position, and with the pre-chamber (20) being connected with the main combustion chamber (11) by a transfer guide.

Abstract: An engine valve train having a camshaft supported on a camshaft holder and driving inlet valves to open and close via inlet rocker arms; an electromagnetic actuator mechanism including an armature; a holding rod connected to the armature and pressing against a stem end of the inlet valve so as to hold the inlet valve in an open state; and, a hydraulic damper mechanism absorbing an impact which is generated by the inlet valve when the inlet valve is released from being held by the electromagnetic actuator mechanism so as to be restored to a closed state and is then seated, wherein the hydraulic damper mechanism is supported on the camshaft holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for controlling the valve tappet of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. In this case, the movement of the valve tappet is generated by contraction/expansion or flexion or stretching of at least one artificial muscle. Furthermore, the artificial muscle can form a gas pressure chamber, by the action of pressure upon which a counterforce can be exerted on the valve tappet. Alternative embodiments of the invention relate particularly to the movement of valve flaps by artificial muscles and to the closing of a valve orifice by an artificial muscle of variable form.

Abstract: A cam phaser is mounted on the intake camshaft of a diesel engine and is operable to selectively retard timing of only the intake valves relative to the crankshaft. The purpose of retarding timing of the intake valves is to retard valve closing sufficiently to shorten the effective compression strokes of the pistons and thus reduce the effective compression ratio. This occurs when the intake valves remain open past piston bottom dead center for a desired period into the normal compression stroke phase of engine operation. This reduces compression pressures so that combustion temperatures are reduced and exhaust emissions, primarily NOx, may be thus limited under conditions of warmed-up engine operation.

Abstract: Several embodiments of simplified structures for internal combustion engine timing drives that limit undesirable degrees of movement of a flexible transmitter pivotal arm by providing one or more projections on a removable component of the engine such as the cylinder head gasket that provide contacting edges that cooperate with the tensioner arm.

Abstract: There is provided a valve actuation linkage mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine that reduces friction wear on the valve assembly during engine operation and can be pre-assembled to reduce manufacturing time and costs. The valve actuation linkage mechanism comprises a rocker arm having a pivot rod cup, a pivot rod, a valve bridge having a pivot rod chamber, and a pivot rod retainer. The pivot rod comprises a pivot rod head, a pivot rod neck, a pivot rod body, and a pivot rod bottom. The valve bridge comprises a middle valve bridge section having the pivot rod chamber and a pair of pivot rod retainer securing bore, a bottom valve bridge section, and a lubricant dimple in the pivot rod chamber. The pivot rod retainer is comprised of a pivot rod orifice having pivot rod prongs and at least one securing orifice.

Abstract: An engine starting system that includes a power source, an electromagnetic coil and core, and a choke valve disposed in an air intake of an air/fuel-mixing device of an internal combustion engine. At the time of starting the engine, the power source outputs an electrical signal to an electromagnetic coil and core, inducing a magnetic field from the electromagnetic coil and the core. The magnetic field from the core moves the choke valve toward a substantially closed position that enriches an intake mixture of fuel and air to the engine during starting. In one embodiment, the power source includes a moving magnet that interacts with a stator coil to provide the electrical signal to the electromagnetic coil. In another embodiment, the closing of a starter switch allows a battery to provide the electrical power to the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: A suction system for an internal-combustion engine is provided with at least one container, which can be connected by way of feed pipes with the intake ports of a cylinder head. Openings of the intake ports for charge cycle control are monitored by valves. In the container or in the feed pipes, at least one reflection chamber is provided, which is connected with the interior volume of the container by way of a hole structure. The hole structure is formed by a plurality of openings that are formed in a wall section of the container, and are closed off by a cover fastened to the exterior side of the container wall, providing a reflection chamber which reduces noise in the suction system without adversely affecting air flow in the interior of the suction system.

Abstract: A dual spring valve stem seal module utilizes an inner retention spring to incorporate a valve stem seal assembly, a valve spring and a spring retainer. The dual spring valve stem seal module reduces the inventory and simplifies the assembly required for the valve stem seal assembly, the valve spring and the spring retainer, thereby reducing the costs associated therewith.

Abstract: In a gas-supply system for supplying a generic engine of a vehicle type, comprising electronic control means for controlling delivery devices associated to various engines, said electronic control means are programmed for processing the data regarding the low-pressure part of the system according to a predetermined algorithm, at predefined instants, in order to enable timely detection of incorrect functioning of a solenoid valve set in a position corresponding to a pressure-reducing device set between the gas tank and a manifold for distribution of the gas to the delivery devices. The system is moreover able to detect possible gas leaks from the low-pressure part of the system.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and a switching mechanism for switching between an all-cylinder operation in which all of the cylinders is operated and a partial-cylinder operation in which at least one of the plurality of cylinders is halted. Operating parameters of a vehicle driven by the engine is detected. The all-cylinder operation or the partial-cylinder operation is performed according to the detected operating parameters. An oxygen concentration sensor is provided in an exhaust system corresponding to the at least one cylinder which is halted during the partial-cylinder operation. A failure of the oxygen concentration sensor is diagnosed in a predetermined operating condition including a fuel-cut operation of the engine upon deceleration. The partial-cylinder operation is permitted after completion of the failure diagnosis.

Abstract: A technique is provided for regulating gas entrainment into a fuel spray in a fuel-injected engine. The fuel spray issues from a nozzle positioned in a gas entrainment shrouding recess, such as in the cylinder head. The depth and elevational profile of the recess are selected to provide a desired degree of gas entrainment. By reducing gas entrainment, a desired spray shape may be established or maintained, such as a hollow cone. More gas entrainment may be provided by altering the recess geometry, and that of the combustion chamber surrounding the recess, to modify the spray or the spray distribution, such as to partially or fully fill a spray cone.

Abstract: An integrated direct fuel injector position is incorporated providing better fuel atomization within the combustion chamber. The direct fuel injector position is integrated between within an intake passage body and a cylinder head assembly eliminating the need for additional fuel delivery conduits, thus decreasing the size of the engine and lowering the production costs of the outboard motor. The direct fuel injector position permits immediate air/fuel mixture adjustments allowing for improved acceleration enrichment and lean stratified charge operation. The integrated direct fuel injector position enables the operator to enjoy compact engine design, improved engine performance and increased fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A four-cycle engine wherein a fuel-air-oil mixture is compressed in a crank case chamber and directed therefrom along a pathway to a combustion chamber. The pathway contains actuating mechanism for actuating the fuel intake valve leading to the combustion chamber. The pathway is restricted in volume as permitted by the actuating mechanism, preferable to a range of two to four times the piston displacement.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the engine of a vehicle comprising an accelerator pedal and an engine speed control circuit comprising in particular: a circuit for closed-loop control of the engine speed, a circuit for interpreting the position of the accelerator pedal, which supplies an engine speed setpoint to the circuit for closed-loop control of the engine speed depending on the position of the accelerator pedal, a circuit for estimating loads external to the vehicle, a circuit for estimating maximum speed likely to be reached by the engine as a function of the estimate of external loads and this maximum speed is supplied by the circuit for interpreting the position of the accelerator pedal and makes the engine speed setpoint very independently of the position of the accelerator pedal.