Abstract: A computer-aided training and management system that uses a computer or other processor in wireless communication with an instrumented dog collar and/or optionally, one or more dog interaction devices, such as, for example, video monitors, loudspeakers, video cameras, training toys (e.g., ball, bone, moving toy, etc.), an animatronics “trainer,” a treat dispenser, a food dispensing and monitoring device, a water dispensing and monitoring device, tracking devices, a dog door, dog-monitoring doghouse, a dog-monitoring dog toilet, is described. In one embodiment, the instrumented dog collar is in two-way communication with a central computer system.

Abstract: A housing structure assembly includes a hull and a front wall removably coupled to the hull and configured to simulate a front cover of an air conditioner upon inserting the housing structure assembly into a wall or window opening that is shaped and dimensioned to receive the air conditioner.

Abstract: A particulate, free flowing but clumpable animal litter composition is composed of discrete, non-swelling, non-absorptive, calcium carbonate particles, and a fluid retention and clumping agent of at least one water-soluble polysaccharide. A non-toxic, biodegradable mineral oil can be used to partially coat the calcium carbonate particles.

Abstract: An animal tote includes a container having a bottom wall and opposed side and end walls connected together to form an interior cavity having an open top covered by a lid. A plurality of spaced openings constituting air holes is formed in the walls and a divider system is positioned in the cavity to form a plurality of separate inner compartments, with each compartment being closed by a separate cover. The container lid is positioned over the individual covers when the compartment is closed.

Abstract: An animal tote includes a container of thermoplastic material having a bottom wall and opposed side and end walls connected together to form an interior cavity having an open top covered by a lid. A plurality of arrays of spaced openings constituting air holes is formed in the walls and top. A layer of filter material and a protective layer of screen or mesh material, both constructed of a thermoplastic material, are positioned over the air holes and both layers are attached to the container by sonic welding. A divider system may be positioned in the cavity to form a plurality of separate inner compartments, with each compartment being closed by a separate cover. The container lid is positioned over the individual covers when the container is closed.

Abstract: A bird cage has a top grill, a front grill, at least two side grills, and a base. The top, bottom, and side grills and the base define an interior space. A playpen for the cage has a drawer located between the base and the interior space. The drawer is slidable between the interior space and the exterior of the bird cage. There is also a bottom grill that is slidable in and out within in the drawer, to give access to the playpen drawer for cleaning. The playpen preferably includes a perch, a toy hook, and water and food dishes.

Abstract: A collapsible pet enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a pliable cover supported by a rigid, but foldable, frame. The cover includes an opening in a top panel such that the enclosure is top loading. The cover is completely removable from the frame so that it can be machine washed. The frame is of one-piece jointed construction so that it is collapsible for easy transportation or storage. Because all frame components are jointedly attached to one another, the frame does not include any loose components that are easily lost. The enclosure is quick and easy to set up and collapse.

Abstract: An interlocking flooring structure comprising first flooring sections having a series of tabs which are received by corresponding openings on adjacent flooring sections. In use, the tabs on the first flooring sections are received by the openings in the adjacent flooring sections to create a flooring structure.

Abstract: A horse arena comprises an additive incorporated into its footing. The additive may be employed in indoor or outdoor horse arenas. In one embodiment, the additive may include an internal porosity in which at least some of the pores are interconnected via an open network of pore spaces. In other embodiments, the additive is capable of maintaining its internal porosity after undergoing thermal modification via superheating. In addition, the additive of the present invention may display a large surface area.

Abstract: A toy for a horse formed from a hay-holding bag having a plurality of apertures passing therethrough, wherein the apertures are dimensioned such that small amounts of the hay protrude therethrough, but such that the horse can not remove all of the hay from the bag in less than 1 or 2 or 4 hours.

Abstract: A lightweight, highly resilient floatable animal chew toy having a body made of elastomeric material, a density of less than 0.95 g/cm3 and a tensile strength of at least 2.0 MPa.

Abstract: A method and system for retrieving a lost animal and rewarding a location such as an animal shelter for successful retrieval of the lost animal is provided. An animal owner subscribes to the system, providing subscriber information and identifying data of his animal. The subscriber reports to a central database system that his animal is lost and is provided with a compiled database of locations where a lost animal may be located. Using the database, the subscriber transmits or delivers the subscriber information and the identifying data of the animal to the locations. Alternatively, the central database system transmits the identifying data and the subscriber information to the locations. A reward is provided to the location where the lost animal is retrieved.

Abstract: A height adjustable veterinary wet table can be lowered in elevation to assist in locating animals to the wet table surface and can be raised to an elevation desirable for veterinary treatment of the animal with material received by the wet sink transferred to a drainage system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-pet no-tangle retractable leash device including an axle having a rod opening perpendicular to its axis and a first spool including a first leash and a second spool including a second leash rotatably mounted on the axle. Each leash having a proximal end attached to the spool and a distal end extending through one of two leash openings. Additionally, each spool has a spool brake and a return spring, where a proximal end of the return spring is connected to the spool and a distal end of the return spring is connected to the axle. When a force is applied to pull on the leashes, the spools rotate thereby unwinding the return springs. When the force is removed, the return springs rewind forcing the spool to rewind the leash to its original position.

Abstract: A new use of a conventional retractable dog leash apparatus (10) for performing self-stretching and range-of-motion physical therapy exercises wherein, the apparatus (10) includes a retraction mechanism (30) contained within a housing member (20) and controlled by a push button (40) wherein, the retraction mechanism (30) is connected to one end (51) of a leash strap (50) the terminal end of which (52) is provided with a snap clip (60) and a stop element (70) that cooperate to form an appendage surrounding loop (80).

Abstract: A pipe in a fire tube boiler, designed to convey the combustion gases and to be struck at its outer surface by the water to be heated, comprising a wall which has a constant thickness along its entire length and a plurality of fins which protrude monolithically from at least one arc-like support, which is associated in contact with the internal surface of the wall.

Abstract: A pivoted piston for an internal combustion engine. The piston has a pivot pin and an arcuate first sealing surface (12) which describes a circumferential path about the pivot pin which forms a removable and replaceable skirt to the piston. The piston also includes a second arcuate sealing surface which also describes a circumferential path about the pivot pin and which is connected to the first arcuate sealing surface (12) by a piston floor (21). The second arcuate sealing surface is composed of at least two arcuate sealing components (24) which are located on a bed (20) with the components (24) being located on the bed (20) so they will have limited transverse movement on the bed (20). The components (24) have mating faces which restrict the path of combustion gases between the mating faces. The piston further includes side seals which are located in grooves (63) in the side of the piston.

Abstract: A pivoted piston for an internal combustion engine. The piston has a pivot pin and an arcuate first sealing surface (12) which describes a circumferential path about the pivot pin which forms a removable and replaceable skirt to the piston. The piston also includes a second arcuate sealing surface which also describes a circumferential path about the pivot pin and which is connected to the first arcuate sealing surface (12) by a piston floor (21). The second arcuate sealing surface is composed of at least two arcuate sealing components (24) which are located on a bed (20) with the components (24) being located on the bed (20) so they will have limited transverse movement on the bed (20). The components (24) have mating faces which restrict the path of combustion gases between the mating faces. The piston further includes side seals which are located in grooves (63) in the side of the piston.

Abstract: A heat storage tank 10 includes a heat a body valve 4 having an inflow side passage 41 and an outflow side passage 42 and fitted into an open portion 11 of the heat storage tank, a center pipe 5 communicating with the outflow side passage and extending substantially vertically inside the tank and a mixing prevention plate 6, 60 for preventing mixing of cold water flowing in and hot water stored, wherein a through-hole 63 penetrating through the center pipe and a large number of flow holes 64 are formed in the mixing prevention plate, and the prevention mixing plate has a diameter D2 smaller than a diameter D1 of the open portion 11 of the tank.

Abstract: A control valve that forms part of a cooling circuit comprising a first branch which contains a radiator and a second branch that constitutes a bypass of a radiator, and its method of use, are described. When used in a motor vehicle combustion engine cooling circuit, the control valve has a third branch and has at least one unit heater for heating the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an opposed piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) internal combustion engine. The OPOC engine comprises two cylinders opposed at 180 degrees. A linking element connects two outer pistons so that they move in tandem. A central piston is disposed between and moves in opposition to the outer pistons. The linking element is adapted to drive secondary mechanisms in accordance with embodiments of a drive shaft, electric generator, hydraulic pump, pneumatic pump, and gear-driven mechanisms, among others.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal-combustion engine having at least two cylinder bank rows, which are preferably oriented in a V-shape. An air intake system is arranged between two cylinder bank rows, and a fuel supply system is at least partially arranged below the air intake system. A central supply line is provided for the fuel supply, from whose two longitudinal sides individual fuel lines are branched off and connected to fuel injectors fastened in the cylinder head.

Abstract: A method for operating at least an intake and exhaust valve in a cylinder with a piston of an engine in a vehicle, comprising during conditions of an engine shut-down, maintaining at least one of the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position, and during conditions where said at least one valve is in said closed position operating with the other of the intake and exhaust valve open, then closing the other of the intake and exhaust valve, and then opening the other of the intake and exhaust valve to generate braking torque to slow the engine.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the valve lift (1) of the valves of a combustion engine comprising a lever (3) being driven by a camshaft (4), pushed against the camshaft (4) by a spring, which cooperates with at least one valve engagement means and is positioned by a positioning means (6).

Abstract: A variable valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder set comprising a plurality of cylinders. The variable valve apparatus includes: a control shaft adapted for rotation; a valve actuating mechanism provided for each cylinder of the cylinder set and adapted to vary a valve lift characteristic of an engine valve of the each cylinder of the cylinder set in accordance with a rotational position of the control shaft; and a valve lift adjusting mechanism provided for each cylinder of a first subset of the cylinder set and adapted to adjust the valve lift characteristic of the engine valve of the each cylinder of the first subset in accordance with a standard valve lift characteristic determined in accordance with the valve lift characteristic of the engine valve of each cylinder of a second subset of the cylinder set.

Abstract: A WA apparatus includes a control shaft arranged rotatable in accordance with the engine operating conditions, an alteration mechanism for changing a lift amount and an operating angle of an engine valve in accordance with rotation of the control shaft, and a drive mechanism for rotating the control shaft and including an electric motor and a reduction mechanism. The reduction mechanism has a reduction ratio set to be larger when the valve is under small lift-amount and operating-angle control than when the valve is under large lift-amount and operating-angle control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a camshaft adjuster (1) for adjusting and fixing the relative position of the angle of rotation of a camshaft (8) in relation to a crankshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. The adjusting device comprises a high transmission and friction-reduced adjusting gear mechanism (2), comprising a drive shaft which is rotationally fixed to the crankshaft, a driven shaft which is rotationally fixed to the camshaft (8) and an adjusting shaft (9) which is connected to an adjusting motor shaft (10) of an adjusting motor. A camshaft adjuster (1), which is economical to run, can be produced such that the adjusting gear mechanism (2) and the adjusting motor (3) are embodied as separate units and are connected together by a rotational backlash-free, disengaging coupling (4).

Abstract: Camshaft adjusters according to the swivel motor principle may be provided with a bar which arrests the rotor in a position relative to the stator. A bar according to the invention is provided with two portions, between which a change of power transmission takes place during the arresting process.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving side rotational member, a driven side rotational member formed with a plurality of recessed portions into which a supporting jig is insertable at a second side thereof in the axial direction, a fluid pressure chamber, a vane, a lock member, and a cover plate formed with a plurality of through holes, through which the supporting jig is insertable, at a position in which each of the plurality of through holes is overlapped with each of the plurality of recessed portions of the driven side rotational member in a condition where the relative rotational phase is restrained at the lock phase.

Abstract: The invention is an improved power transmission drive, for an internal combustion engine. The drive is of the type having a flexible link medium for transmitting power between a crankshaft of said internal combustion engine and drive components not associated with a primary purpose of the internal combustion engine. The drive is improved by the inclusion of a drive frame, a camshaft sprocket releasably mounted upon the drive frame, a crankshaft drive-wheel releasably mounted upon the drive frame, an engine accessory mounted upon the drive frame, an accessory drive-wheel mounted upon a shaft of the engine accessory, and the camshaft sprocket, the crankshaft drive-wheel, and the accessory drive-wheel each entrained by the flexible link medium.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve play compensation element for an internal combustion engine is provided as a reverse-spring/free-ball element, with a cylindrical housing, a cylindrical piston (21) guided therein with sealing play and a control valve (20), which is arranged between a low-pressure chamber (22) of the piston (21) and a high-pressure chamber (24) of the housing, on a piston head (25) of the piston and which has a closing body (27), which can contact a valve seat (26) surrounding an axial bore hole (23) of the piston head (25) when carrying out a stroke (28) in the closing direction against the force of a control-valve spring (34) and which can contact a contact surface (29) of a valve cap (30) surrounding the closing body (27) when carrying out a stroke in the opening direction.

Abstract: An engine cranking system includes an engine, a cranking motor coupled to the engine, a battery, a capacitor and an ignition switch. A first relay is connected between the cranking motor and system ground. A second relay is moveable between at least an open-circuit condition and a closed-circuit position to complete an electrical path connecting the capacitor with the cranking motor. The first relay is connected between the capacitor and the second relay. In one embodiment, a running engine sensory component is coupled between the first relay and system ground. In another embodiment, the engine cranking system includes a running engine sensory component connected to a relay and a control module connected to the relay and the capacitor. In one embodiment, a momentary switch is coupled between the capacitor and the relay.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine's start-up torsional disturbances are reduced by drawing down intake manifold pressure prior to engine cranking. In a preferred arrangement, a secondary air injection reaction pump is adapted for evacuating the intake manifold to effect the desired draw down of the intake manifold pressure.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one triggerable intake valve and at least one triggerable discharge valve, in which the internal combustion engine is directly started in a start-up operating mode and, following the start, is operated in at least one other operating mode. A starting discharge instant of a discharge valve of the internal combustion engine that is used during the start-up operating mode is retarded in time with respect to a standard discharge instant so as to improve the direct start-up characteristics of the internal combustion engine. In addition, to further improve the direct start-up characteristics, it is possible to retard a closing instant of an intake valve that is used during the start-up operating mode with respect to a standard closing instant.

Abstract: A component of a reciprocating internal combustion engine system includes first, second, and third layers. The third layer has a honeycomb structure and is disposed between the first and second layers.

Abstract: In an intake manifold in which air introduced from an introduction port is fed to each cylinder of an engine by use of multiple ducts which are disposed parallel, a communication space section which provides communication between the introduction port which introduces air and inlets of the ducts is provided, this communication space section is formed so as to extend in a direction in which the inlets of the ducts are arrayed, a funnel section which causes the inlets of the ducts to be arrayed on a same surface is formed in this communication space section, and this funnel section is formed from a single member only in the main body section by providing mating surfaces of the main body section and the duct component member off the funnel section.

Abstract: A method for a vehicle traveling on the road having an engine with adjustable valve operation is described. The method includes performing a valve cleaning operation for reducing deposits on a valve of the engine; and at least during said operation, adjusting valve timing of at least a valve of the engine and a fuel injection amount to increase an amount of fuel pushed back from a cylinder past the valve with deposits and then re-inducted through the valve with deposits.

Abstract: This rotary engine is made up of three parallel encased rotors: a central male rotor, flanked by a female compression/combustion rotor and a female separation rotor, all three coupled for synchronous rotation. The male rotor has lobes projecting from it, which mesh with complementary cavities in the female rotors during rotation. These cavities have hollows, so that as the lobes mesh with them combustion chambers are formed in the compression/combustion rotor cavities and compression zones are formed the separation rotor cavities. A passage connecting the lobe and combustion chamber provides more opportunity to convert combustion energy into rotational mechanical energy. The separation rotor serves as a pump and separates intake from exhaust gases. Passages connecting the compression zone to the combustion chamber, and that to the exhaust port, help purge residual combusted gases from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes a cylinder within a housing accommodating a pair of reciprocating pistons. A drive shaft extends from the cylinder to provide output power when rotated with the cylinder. A linkage attached to the top of each piston is connected to the driveshaft to translate the reciprocal motion of the piston to the rotational movement of the cylinder. An extension of the linkage fits within a cam surface in the end wall of the housing. The linkage can take one of several embodiments. The linkages have channels for distributing oil throughout the housing. Each piston face may have a central depression with a spiral channel leading from the edge of the piston to the depression.

Abstract: An engine generating two or more ignition sparks by the same spark plug, which can avoid a torque reduction caused by misfire of main ignition, can start firing and burning at proper timing depending on operating conditions, and can reduce misfires. A novel controller and a novel ignition coil adapted for realizing that engine are also provided. One spark plug and at least one ignition coil are provided per cylinder. When performing a plurality of ignitions during the compression stroke in the cylinder, before main ignition to start firing and burning at proper timing depending on operating conditions of the engine, preliminary pre-ignition is performed to form a fire seed around the spark plug. The main ignition is then performed to cause main burning. Misfire is avoided, appropriate torque can be generated, and combustion stability can be improved.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine in which the fuel is injected into a combustion chamber of a pre-injection and a main injection quantity, the quantity of fuel for the pre-injection, which is selected depending on the combustion location, is injected before the top dead center of the gas exchange, and the fuel for the main injection is injected synchronously with the induction of the air. The method is used in connection with internal combustion engines, in particular for passenger and commercial motor vehicles.

Abstract: In a method for operating a self ignition internal combustion engine in which fuel is injected directly into a combustion chamber by means of an injection nozzle, such that a portion of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber as a pre-injection amount forming a homogenous pre-mixture providing for a combustion phase comprising a low temperature phase and a high temperature phase and the main fuel amount is injected into the combustion chamber during the high temperature phase of the pre-injection fuel combustion such that the ignition of the main injection amount takes place after the start and before the end of the high temperature phase.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine having an engine housing with at least one cylinder that has diameter less than about 3 inches. A fuel injector is provided and disposed at least partially within the at least one cylinder, and includes a plurality of outlet orifices having a diameter between about 50 microns and about 110 microns. The disclosure further provides a method of operating an internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of rotating an engine crank shaft of the engine at a speed greater than about 5000 revolutions per minute, injecting a quantity of fuel into each of the cylinders, and burning at least every fourth piston stroke a sufficient quantity of the injected fuel to yield a brake mean effective pressure of at least about 200 lbs. per square inch.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine in which the angular locations where the fuel/air mix combustions takes place can be controlled by an adjustment of the inlet and outlet valve timing, the timing of at least one of the intake and exhaust valve opening phases is shifted depending on the engine speed so as to reduce engine emissions.

Abstract: A spark plug system includes a center spark plug and a plurality of peripheral spark plugs, the spark plugs extending into a ridge-roof type combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine from the inner surface of a cylinder head and being disposed approximately on the ridgeline of the ridge-roof. The amount by which the center plug projects into the combustion chamber from the inner surface of the cylinder head is different from the amount by which each of the peripheral plugs projects into the combustion chamber from the inner surface of the cylinder head, whereby the time in which the flame propagation of the center plug reaches the flame propagation of the peripheral plugs is delayed.

Abstract: A combustion chamber valve, such as an intake valve or an exhaust valve, is briefly opened during the compression and/or power strokes of a 4-strokes combustion cycle in an internal combustion engine (in particular, a diesel or CI engine). The brief opening may (1) enhance mixing withing the combustion chamber, allowing more complete oxidation of particulates to decrease engine emissions; and/or may (2) delay ignition until a more desirable time, potentially allowing a means of timing ignition in otherwise difficult-to-control conditions, e.g., in HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) conditions.

Abstract: A switchable air intake system for a multicylinder internal combustion engine has at least one short and one long intake manifold whose cross sections are controllable by at least one regulating unit as a function of operating parameters (in particular the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine). The short intake manifold for a first cylinder bank row and the long intake manifold for a second cylinder bank row of the internal combustion engine, are controllable via a joint regulating unit (56, 58).

Abstract: A throttle control device for transmitting signals to an electronic fuel control system for a vehicle engine is provided that includes an electromagnetic field generator and first and second electromagnetic field sensors positioned proximal to electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field and the first and second sensors being manipulatable relative to each other, and the sensors being responsive to the relative manipulation. The sensors configured to independently transmit signals representative of said relative manipulation.

Abstract: Mixing of lubrication fluid and pumped fluid within a pump can undermine lubricity of the lubrication fluid and/or contaminate the pumped fluid (e.g. fuel) with lubrication fluid. In order to reduce mixing of fluids within a high pressure pump of the present disclosure, a lubrication fluid is supplied to the high pressure pump. A low pressure pump supplies a second fluid to the high pressure pump. The pressure of the second fluid is increased within at least one piston bore of the high pressure pump. Mixing of the lubrication fluid and the second fluid is reduced by fluidly connecting a weep annulus which is opened to the at least one piston bore to a low pressure pump inlet of the low pressure pump.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to dampen operating sounds of an electromagnetic drive mechanism used for a variable displacement control mechanism in a high-pressure fuel supply pump to reduce an individual difference depending on apparatus due to the change over time or installation tolerance. To achieve the above objective, the present invention is configured such that before the electromagnetic drive mechanism supplies a drive force to a plunger which is electromagnetically driven by the electromagnetic drive mechanism, another displacement force situates the plunger in a specific position. When compared to an occasion where the plunger is displaced all strokes by a magnetic biasing force, the above configuration is able to reduce the force of impact on a member (for example, valve body) mounted to the plunger and a restricting member, thereby damping the collision noise.