Abstract: An automatic strap chute opening system for use in a strapping machine of the type having an openable, pivotable work surface for supporting a load to be strapped, and a strap chute defining a strap path through which the strapping material is passed. The chute is disposed in part below the surface and is openable to release the strapping material from the chute during the strapping operation. The chute opening system includes a torsional element operably connected to the strap chute for opening and closing the chute and an actuator operably connected to the torsional element. The coordinated movement of the actuator and torsional element corresponds with the opening or closing of the work surface.

Abstract: An initiator includes a pair of electrode pins, a conductive header, an insulator, a bridge wire, an explosive, and capsules. A bottom wall of the inner capsule has a protrusion projecting from the bottom wall. The thickness of an end wall portion of the protrusion is determined in such a manner that the end wall portion is the thinnest among a plurality of wall portions of the inner capsule. The thicknesses of the wall portions are set so as to increase gradually from the end wall portion of the protrusion toward the side wall of the inner capsule. Therefore, when the explosive is ignited for detonation, breakage of the inner capsule occurs in the vicinity of the end wall portion of the protrusion, and flame propagation energy generated by detonation of the explosive propagates in an intended direction.

Abstract: A tuned spring group with load springs, control springs, and a frictional damping arrangement for a railcar truck assembly provides better ride quality, increased resistance to suspension bottoming, and increased hunting threshold speed of a railroad car. Specifically, this tuned damping and suspension arrangement provides a spring group reserve capacity of less than 1.50. Spring assemblies for different car types are tuned such that a reserve ratio less than 1.50 may be achieved. By reducing the spring assembly reserve capacity for a railcar and truck of a standard weight and configuration to less than 1.50, an unexpected result of a decrease in maximum vertical acceleration as the railcar truck assembly approaches a speed of 55 miles per hour is achieved. The decrease in vertical acceleration allows for improved ride quality, increased resistance to suspension bottoming and increased hunting threshold speed of the railcar.

Abstract: A rail road car truck has side frames mounted to rock on the wheelsets. A bolster is mounted cross-wise on the sideframes, each end of the bolster being seated on a spring group, each spring group being seated in one of the sideframe windows. The bolster has damper groups mounted at each end to work between the end of the bolster and the columns of the sideframe windows. The truck has a dynamic response to lateral perturbations that includes a first component due to the swinging of the sideframes on the sideframe pedestal rockers, and a second component that is due to lateral shear in the main spring groups. The pendulum action may tend to be softer than the lateral shear in the springs, and so therefore may tend to dominate the lateral response. This swing-dominant lateral response may be combined with a multiple damper arrangement.

Abstract: A personal table is provided having a table top supported by a support assembly. The table top is preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic and the support assembly preferably includes a first leg and a second leg that are pivotally connected. The legs desirably have a generally X-shaped configuration when the legs are placed in an upright position and the legs can be collapsed into a storage position. Each of the legs may include a lower portion, a body portion and an upper portion that is preferably selectively connected to the table top. The legs, for example, can be connected to the table top by inserting the upper portions of the legs into leg receiving recess formed in the table top. The leg receiving recesses are preferably integrally formed in the bottom surface of the table top as part of a one-piece construction.

Abstract: A method for processing waste material into fuel or other useful substances without polluting the air comprising the steps of: a. Introducing waste material into a storage chamber which allows the liquid to drain into a tank, b. Moving the waste to a storage chamber where it is burned, c. Moving the emissions and dust to a cleaning and burning chamber where they are further condensed, Or a. Pasteurizing sludge and raw sewage and using the gases produced for heat energy, b. Forming a solid of the liquid substances by adding ground corn and/or millet to them and using the solid for fuel.

Abstract: A process comprising, providing an agricultural biofuel to a fluidized bed reactor and combusting the agricultural biofuel to produce heat and/or steam is disclosed. In one embodiment, the agricultural biofuel is selected from the group consisting of agricultural crops, crop residues, grain processing facility waste, value-added agricultural facility byproducts, livestock production facility waste, livestock processing facility waste and food processing facility waste. In one embodiment, the heat and/or steam is used to generate electricity. In other embodiments, the heat and/or steam is used to power the grain processing facility, livestock production facility, livestock processing facility or food processing facility. In another embodiment, one or more environmental controls are used. In a particular embodiment, ethanol byproducts are used as the agricultural biofuel.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing grass sprigs from sod and incorporating the grass sprigs into the ground, including a chassis, a sod conveying system mounted on the chassis and configured such that sod may be placed thereon and transported thereby, and a rotary tilling mechanism mounted on the chassis and oriented such that, during operation of the apparatus, the rotary tilling mechanism engages both the sod transported by the sod conveying system and the ground.

Abstract: Seedlings are typically grown in trays of soil plugs. Once the seedlings have attained a predetermined size, they may be transplanted to the ground for continued seedling growth and development. Several machines are known in the art, which allow automated seedling transplantation. The present invention provides a device that significantly improves the accuracy of automated transplantation of seedlings. The device encompasses, at least in preferred aspects, a ski-like apparatus including a defined planting slot for receiving the seedlings to be planted. Furthermore, a blade extending in front of the device cuts open the ground in preparation for plantation. The configuration of the device enables seedlings to be planted accurately to a desired planting depth. The device is particularly suited for use in connection with coniferous tree seedlings, and enables automated transplantation of such seedlings at high speed.

Abstract: A mutually-engageable or interlocking connection between a seed tube guard and a frame member mounted to a seed planting machine. The mutually-engageable connection includes a yoke having a front journal and a rear journal with a gap, the yoke, carried on the frame member, and a pin connected to a neck, carried by the guard. The pin is sized to fit between and into the front and rear journals, wherein the neck has a thickness less than a width of the gap in order to slide though the gap during installation, and a length to fit between and through the front and rear journals.

Abstract: A generally conically-shaped collapsible grain chute removably affixed to the bulk seed distributor of an agricultural planter to provide an effective and efficient apparatus for emptying the bulk seed bin. The chute may include a cinch cord to selectively open and close the chute to control the flow of seed therethrough.

Abstract: An elevated sailing apparatus that extracts traction power from the wind. It operates without the heeling moment (typical of conventional sailboats), which constrains the design and limits the power that can be used. A wing or sail is attached beneath a streamlined blimp with aerodynamic stabilizers that keep both the blimp and the wing (or sail) directed into the wind. The blimp is directed into the wind for minimum drag. The wing (or sail) is directed into the wind for a desired angle of attack. The apparatus is tilted so that a combination of dynamic lift and lateral propulsive force is generated in addition to the static lift generated by the blimp. A single tether transfers these aerodynamic forces to a boat or other vehicle. Conventional electronically operated automatic and remote control systems can be used to adjust the tilt and to tack the apparatus.

Abstract: A float structure having a mainframe and pontoons is described. The mainframe includes floor support beams transversely attached to pontoon connector beams. The pontoon connector beams are operatively connected to the pontoons such that there are no weak points in the mainframe. A motor mount is removably mounted to the connector beams and is adjustable to accommodate various lengths of motor shafts.

Abstract: A sail furling/unfurling device comprises at least an outer foil wound about and made rigid with an inner foil or stay designed for transmitting the furling torque required for furling a sail being wound on a sheath profiled element, thereby the device allows to furl and unfurl large downwind foresails, i.e. asymmetrical spinnakers or the like, such as gennakers or MPS and can be easily used to hoist and lower the sails, in a simplified manner for a cruiser sailing with a short-hand crew.

Abstract: An object is to suppress the rocking motion of a vessel body with a high level of accuracy by obtaining a required lifting force. A torque calculation section 27 calculates a torque of a fin 11 based on the pressure of a hydraulic cylinder 12. This torque is inputted to an angle of attack computing unit 24 via a torque adjusting unit 28, and based on this torque, a fin angle with respect to a flow of sea water, that is, an angle of attack of the fin is estimated. Then a command generation section 23 generates a fin angle command value ?3 for matching the estimated angle of attack ?2? with a target fin angle ?1. Based on this fin angle command value ?3, a flow rate adjusting mechanism 14 controls a flow rate Q of hydraulic fluid applied to the hydraulic cylinder 12, to thereby adjust the angle of the fin 11. Thus, the fin angle is controlled based on the angle of attack, which directly relates to lifting force.

Abstract: In a boat having a seat, a steering wheel, and an outboard motor, an outboard motor steering system is provided, where the steering wheel is installed near the seat a steering angle sensor installed near the steering wheel for outputting a signal indicative of a steering angle of the steering wheel. The steering system also includes a swivel shaft connected to a propeller to turn the propeller relative to the boat, and an electric motor connected to the swivel shaft for rotating the swivel shaft in response to the detected steering angle. The steering system also includes a manipulation load regulation mechanism, such as a hydraulic damper, to produce an added load for increasing a manipulation load of the steering wheel, thereby enabling reduced operator load by using the electric motor to steer the outboard motor, while improving the operator's feel of steering wheel manipulation.

Abstract: A temporarily mounted towing device for towing a water sporter as part of a water sporting activity. An elongate towing member is stowed within a storage housing temporarily secured to the bottom of a watercraft. The storage housing extends upwardly from the bottom of the boat in a nominally vertical direction. The towing member remains in a vertical orientation to operate as a pylon towing device. To stabilize the pylon, front and rear nylon tie downs or similar removable bracing devices are used on both sides of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a motorized watercraft. The watercraft includes a pontoon section, a strut section, a deck section, and an optional a canopy section. The pontoon section includes a pontoon to which a housing capable of storing an object is coupled. The pontoon includes a receptacle that mates with the housing. The receptacle may include a recess formed in the surface of the pontoon that receives the housing. Alternatively, the receptacle may include an opening that enables the housing to be partially inserted into the pontoon. In another embodiment, the housing may be secured to the exterior surface of the pontoon. The housing extends from pontoon and either terminates such that it is generally flush with the surface of the deck, or may extend through the deck surface. The housing permits a user to selectively access the object from the deck.

Abstract: A system for deploying a cable, such as a ship's anchor chain, wherein the chain is measured as it is deployed and the deployed length displayed on a visual display. The chain consists of links of a first composition, with indicator links of a second composition disbursed at regular intervals along the length of the chain. A sensor, such as a magnetometer or densimeter senses the difference between the links of the first composition and the indicator links of the second composition. A computer then multiplies the number of indicator links deployed by the regular interval to determine the length of deployed chain, which is then displayed on a display board which is located proximate the sensor or remotely. The linkage between the sensor and the display board may be either by wire or wireless connection. The system may be applied to a rope or continuous cable with equal effectiveness.

Abstract: An extended use reminder device (100) operable on the exterior flat or curved surface of an article includes a selectable member (102) including a plurality of individually selectable positions. The selectable member comprises a deformable plastic structure (110) or plurality of plastic structures attached to a deformable sheet member (112). A movable pointer or selector (106) securely interlocks with the plastic structure at one of the selected positions to form a reminder. A single device fits a great variety of containers and allows for a high degree of customization. The device is suitable for manual or automated assembly and application to a container.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a cleaning method in a milking system (9) comprising a plurality of teat cups (19), each of which is connected to a respective milk line, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups (19) are attached to the teats of the animal, and vacuum is supplied to the respective milk lines in order to draw milk from the teats of the milking animal. The cleaning comprises the steps of removing milk or other residues present at each of said plurality of teat cups by means of flushing (37) each of said plurality of teat cups with a cleaning fluid supplied via a supply line (36, 34c); evacuating cleaning fluid from each of said plurality of teat cups or from the supply line; and disinfecting at least one of said plurality of teat cups by means of exposing (60) said at lest one of said plurality of teat cups to steam.

Abstract: An animal food and water container assembly includes a first housing and a second housing each including a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. Each of the peripheral walls has an upper edge defining an opening into the first and second housings. A hinge is attached to an outer surface of each of the peripheral walls and hingedly couples together the first and second housings. The top edges of the first and second housings are positionable in a first position abutting each other or in a second position spaced from each other. A locking member is attached to the first and second housings and is configured to selectively secure the first and second housing in the first position. A first cover is removably positionable over the opening in the first housing and a second cover is removably positionable over the opening in the second housing.

Abstract: A bird feeder wherein a housing includes a plurality of modular hopper elements with a floor underlying and supporting the hopper elements and a roof overlying the hopper elements, the hopper elements including impermeable side walls juxtaposed to form a hopper assembly of maximum capacity and minimum footprint and a front wall with feed apertures to enable birds to access bird food within the hopper element. Each hopper may be selectively removed and replaced without disturbing the other elements. In one embodiment, the hopper elements form segments of an inverted frustoconical hopper assembly which may be selectively and individually removed from the bird feeder without disassembling the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for a self-cleaning litter box having a control system for a mechanical self-cleaning mechanism. The litter box has a turret carrying a rake. Limit switches indicate the location of the rake and the turret. The box includes an animal sensor that detects the presence of an animal in the box. A specified time after the animal leaves the box, the turret sweeps the rake through the litter, picks up the collected waste, and carries it to a waste bin, where the waste is dumped. The litter box is controlled by a processor executing a software program that monitors the instruments and sensors and controls the turret and rake motors.

Abstract: A chew toy comprises a generally spherical body having a plurality of circumferential channels for receiving and housing a plurality of rings therein. The plurality of channels are formed in an exterior circumferential surface of the body. The plurality of channels are formed parallel, perpendicular or diagonally to a central axis of the body. Each of the plurality of rings is defined by a toroidal form, each of the plurality of rings snap-fit into a corresponding one of the plurality of channels. Each one of the plurality of rings comprises a tasteful flavor appealing and attractive to a canine. Each one of the plurality of rings comprises a pleasant and appealing scent attractive to a canine.

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated automatic device for training and feeding a pet, which also functions as a play mate while the owner is absent or otherwise engaged. A toy holder, when actuated by an ejector, throws a toy placed therein to a predetermined distance. This toy holder is actuated by a spring connected to a spring tensioner and a rotating shaft activated by a motor programmed by microprocessors. Voice command issuer and proximity switches are provided to regulate the functioning of the device. The device is connectable to a pet feeder including a feeder capable of supplying feed for a predetermined period. The entire system is controllable by a remote control.

Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine 1 is disclosed in which an electronically controlled flow control valve 9 is used to control the flow of coolant exiting the engine 1. The electronically controlled flow control valve 9 is able to control the cooling of the engine 1 irrespective of the speed at which a pump 2 used to urge coolant to flow into the engine 1 is rotated by a drive belt 3 connected to an output 4 from the engine 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides robotic vehicles having wheeled and hopping mobilities that are capable of traversing (e.g. by hopping over) obstacles that are large in size relative to the robot and, are capable of operation in unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides combustion powered linear actuators, which can include latching mechanisms to facilitate pressurized fueling of the actuators, as can be used to provide wheeled vehicles with a hopping mobility.

Abstract: A valve lifter assembly for deactivating a cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter assembly is provided with a plunger movably disposed within a bore of a main body member to controllably isolate the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve of the engine. The plunger is normally locked in an extended position to transmit cam lift to reciprocatingly operate the valve. At least one locking pin is moveably disposed within the plunger to engage an inner annular groove of the main body member. Pressurized oil is provided to dislodge the locking pins from the annular groove and allow the plunger to move within the main body member, thereby isolating the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve. The deactivating lifter is preferably disposed within the recess conventionally provided for hydraulic valve lifters.

Abstract: Evaluation method of evaluating a diagnosing function for a variable valve mechanism of an engine valve in which a desired value used for feedback-control of the variable valve mechanism is subjected to a low-pass filter processing so as to produce a state such that a response delay of the variable valve mechanism is generated, and a transient response of the variable valve mechanism is diagnosed in this state. As a result, if it is not determined that a response delay is generated, it is determined that the diagnosing function is abnormal. An evaluation apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve drive mechanism is configured for an internal combustion engine that includes an outer body formed, at least in part, from a crankcase and a cylinder that protrudes from the crankcase. The valve drive mechanism comprises a drive gear that is mounted to a crankshaft supported on the crankcase. A shaft is supported for rotation by a bearing. A driven gear is mounted to the shaft. The driven gear is configured to mesh with the drive gear. A drive pulley is mounted to the shaft. A driven pulley is mounted to a camshaft supported on the cylinder. A transmitter member extends between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. A bracket, which is a separate component from the engine outer body, is configured to be mounted to the engine outer body. The bracket is configured to support the bearing and the rotating shaft. The bracket, the bearing, the rotating shaft, the driven gear, the drive pulley and the bracket are assembled together as a unit that can be mounted to the outer body.

Abstract: At a time of stopping an internal combustion engine, inertia energy of the engine is kept constant, for example, by controlling a number of engine revolution constant, while controlling combustion of the engine. By utilizing the controlled inertia energy, the engine is stopped at a predetermined crank angle position. Since the engine is stopped at the predetermined crank angle position by utilizing the controlled inertia energy, a large amount of energy for controlling the stop position of the energy is not needed, and the energy needed for the stop control can be reduced. Since the inertia energy utilized for the stop control is always controlled in a predetermined state, the engine can be stopped at a proper position reliably each time.

Abstract: An engine decompression system that can secure a projecting height of a decompression cam from a base face of a valve operating cam to be relatively large in an engine starting rotational region, and maintain a state in which the projection height is decreased in a complete combustion rotational region of the engine. The decompression system includes a decompression cam shaft provided on a valve operating cam shaft or a rotating member integrally coupled thereto, the decompression cam shaft being capable of rotating between an operating position in which a decompression cam projects above a base face of a valve operating cam to slightly open engine valves during a compression stroke and a release position in which the decompression cam is withdrawn to allow the engine valves to close.

Abstract: An gas directing/exhaust system and method are provided. The gas directing system has an gas directing mechanism. The gas directing mechanism has different embodiments. In some embodiments, the gas directing mechanism has a first pathway and a second pathway. In other embodiments, the gas directing mechanism has a second pathway and one or more first pathways located inside of the second pathway. In other embodiments, the gas directing mechanism has the first and second pathways and a third pathway inside of the second pathway.

Abstract: The purpose of the intake system, which is disposed in a limited space above the engine, is to improve engine performance by preventing increase in both temperature and resistance of intake air, and also to reduce noise of the intake air. In the intake system, a rear wall extending downwardly is formed in a lower half body that is joined to a rear end of an engine cover, and a mounting frame section for attaching an element is formed in a rear wall section. An upstream-side casing is formed forward of the rear wall section. An intake duct has a downstream end connected to a front surface of the upstream-side casing adjacent to a transmission. Further, the intake duct extends widthwise of the vehicle and has an upstream end opened to the side edge of the engine cover adjacent to the transmission. A resonance chamber casing is joined to the side departing from the transmission through a communication pipe forward of the upstream-side casing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cylinder head and a valve member. The cylinder head is configured to be coupled to a cylinder and a gas manifold and has an interior surface defining a valve pocket. The valve member is configured to be disposable within the valve pocket such that the valve member is movable within the valve pocket along a longitudinal axis of the valve member. The valve member has a tapered portion defining multiple valve flow passages. The apparatus has a first configuration and a second configuration. When the apparatus is in the first configuration, each valve flow passage is in fluid communication with the cylinder and the gas manifold. When the apparatus is in the second configuration, each valve flow passage from the plurality of valve flow passages is fluidically isolated from the cylinder.

Abstract: Of a sensing part and a mounting part of an oil level sensor mounted to a sensor mounting opening at a bottom portion of an oil pan of an engine, an undersurface of the mounting part exposed to the outside of the oil pan is located above the lowest part of the oil pan by a distance, and the mounting part is disposed in a recessed part formed on an undersurface of the oil pan and is covered with a cover plate. Therefore, the weight of the engine does not directly act on the mounting part of the oil level sensor when the engine is directly placed on a floor surface. Further, even in a state in which the engine is mounted on a vehicle body, the mounting part of the oil level sensor can be also effectively protected at the time of colliding with a flying stone, riding on a curbstone, jacking up or the like.

Abstract: An engine with two crank shafts. One crank shaft stationary or secured to the block by conventional main bearings. The other crank shaft is 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 are attached to the floating crank and drive the floating crank in both rotating and downward motions. Both of the motions rotate the stationary crank shaft. Each piston has its own floating crank shaft separate from the other pistons. The crank shafts rotate in opposite directions. The floating crank shaft operated in position by two radius rods connected between the two crank shafts, two rods from the floating crank shaft to the stabilizer rod and control rod. All of the four rods are pinned 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: A device for translating linear reciprocal motion to rotational motion includes a reciprocating linearly moving piston with a central slot. The aperture has a set of recessed annular gears opposite each other which engage corresponding gear teeth on a cog located on a crankshaft that rotates inside the piston. Connecting braces on the crankshaft imparts an offset on the crankshaft and a corresponding lateral force on the cog, keeping the cog engaged with the recessed annular gear which imparts a rotational force upon the crankshaft.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a main combustion chamber, an auxiliary combustion chamber, a fuel reforming unit, and a control unit. The auxiliary combustion chamber is configured and arranged to communicate with the main combustion chamber. The fuel reforming unit is configured and arranged to reform a fuel to produce a reformed gaseous fuel and a reformed liquid fuel. The control unit is configured to execute control such that the reformed gaseous fuel is supplied to the auxiliary combustion chamber when a first operating condition exists and the reformed liquid fuel is supplied to the main combustion chamber when a second operating condition exists.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising, an engine management unit, a combustion chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, a fuel supply mechanism to supply gasoline to the engine, a valve train mechanism to permit introduction of air to the inlet port of the combustion chamber and release exhaust gases from the outlet port of the combustion chamber, and an external recirculating system whereby exhaust gases from the outlet port may be passed to the inlet port, wherein, the engine management unit is operable to, control the valve train mechanism to retain and/or rebreathe exhaust gases within the combustion chamber to cause the engine to operate in a controlled auto ignition combustion mode, and control the external recycling system to supply exhaust gases to the inlet port in the controlled auto ignition combustion mode, such that self-ignition occurs in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: To make easier designing of an idle control apparatus for a multiple throttle body inexpensively, first and second air control holes (5, 6) are open to an upper side wall (2a) of a valve body slidable hole (2) of a control apparatus main body (1) in an idle air control apparatus (S) between one side wall (17) of a first throttle body (T1) and another side wall surface (26) of a second throttle body (T2), first and second air holes (9, 10) are open to a lower side wall (2b), first and second bypass air passages (18, 27) communicate with the first and second air control hole (5, 6) via the one and other side wall surfaces (17, 26) respectively, and first and second air introduction path (19, 28) communicate with the first and second air holes (9, 10) via the one and other sidewall surfaces (17, 26) respectively.

Abstract: An intake flow control apparatus for an internal combustion engine eases operation of an air flow regulator and permits use of a short intake passage, thus providing a high output. The intake flow control apparatus includes an air routing member having an intake passage formed therein, and an air flow regulator opposed to an upstream-side opening of the intake passage. The air flow regulator moves in an intake axis direction while being guided by a light-weight guide structure to control the amount of intake air supplied. The air flow regulator may include plural valve elements different in operation timing, in which a valve actuator successively actuates the plural valve elements in accordance with a throttle operation to control the amount of intake air. The apparatus also includes a vacuum moderating structure for reducing the effective strength of a vacuum applied to the air flow regulator.

Abstract: A knocking control device for a watercraft engine includes a knocking learning value renewing section for changing a knocking learning value toward a low octane number ignition timing map when the knock sensor detects a knocking condition. The device changes the knocking learning value toward a high octane number ignition timing map when the knock sensor does not detect a knocking condition. An ignition timing determining section retards or advances an ignition timing based upon the knocking learning value given from the knocking learning value renewing section. The knocking learning value renewing section is constructed not to change the knocking learning value toward the high octane number ignition timing map, when an engine speed is in the vicinity of a full throttle condition.

Abstract: A low-pressure delivery pipe provided with intake manifold injectors, a fuel pressure regulator, a high-pressure fuel pump, a high-pressure delivery pipe provided with in-cylinder injectors, and an electromagnetic relief valve are connected in series at the downstream of a low-pressure fuel pump that discharges a fuel within a fuel tank at a prescribed pressure. Since the low-pressure delivery pipe is arranged downstream of the low-pressure fuel pump, the fuel pressure within the low-pressure delivery pipe is lowered upon stop of vehicle operation, in response to stop of the low-pressure fuel pump. The fuel pressure within the high-pressure delivery pipe is also lowered in response to stop of the low-pressure fuel pump, by opening the electromagnetic relief valve upon stop of vehicle operation. Thus, oil tightness of the injectors during the stop of vehicle operation is ensured.

Abstract: The engine ECU executes a program including the step of detecting an engine coolant temperature, the step of detecting an engine speed and an engine load, the step of estimating a temperature at a tip end of an in-cylinder injector based on the engine coolant temperature, the engine speed and the engine load, and, when the temperature at the tip end is greater than a guaranteed temperature, the step of calculating a drive duty of a high-pressure fuel pump that ensures a decrease of the temperature at the tip end of the in-cylinder injector to the guaranteed temperature, and the step of controlling the high-pressure fuel pump using the drive duty.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for supplying pressurised fuel to a fuel injector (200) comprises an accumulator volume (606) for supplying fuel at rail pressure (P1) to the fuel injector (200) through a rail fuel supply passage (608) and a fuel pressurising arrangement (604) for supplying fuel at a selected pressure greater than rail pressure (P2) to the fuel injector (200) through a pressurised fuel supply passage (614). A fuel shut-off valve (618) is provided in the system which is operable between a closed position in which fuel is retained within the pressurising arrangement (604) and an open position in which pressurised fuel is supplied to the injector (200) from the pressurising arrangement (604) during an injection of fuel from the rail fuel supply passage (608). Operating the shut-off valve in this way provides a boost in the fuel pressure delivered during an injection event.

Abstract: An improved fuel rail for delivering fuel to a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided that reduces the weight of the fuel injection system, greatly reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating expensive manufacturing methods, such as brazing, high heat welding, post plating, blow molding, and extrusion, and enhances low-cost, low-energy methods for attachment of fuel system components to the fuel rail. The improved fuel rail includes an tubular body defining a fluid chamber and having an inlet through which fuel enters the fluid chamber and a fuel injector port in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The port is configured to receive the fuel injector. The tubular body is formed as a laminate having an inner metallic layer and an outer polymeric layer. The inner metallic layer may comprise aluminum and the outer polymeric layer may comprise nylon. Plastic or metal components can be attached to the laminated tubular body while providing a fluid tight, pressurized joint.

Abstract: A method is proposed for controlling an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, in which from the angular pulses of a sensor a pulse time is formed that is a measure for the rotation of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine per time unit. At a predetermined target angle of the crankshaft, an ignition of a spark plug and an injection of fuel are to take place. A charging of an ignition coil before the ignition and the injection each require a predetermined time duration. The charging of the ignition coil and the injection are each started before the target angle at a start time dependent on the crankshaft, the start times being calculated by taking into account the time duration of the charging and of the portion of the injection before the target angle, and the pulse time, and the pulse counter. The same pulse time is used for the calculation of the start times of the charging of the ignition coil and of the injection.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an internal combustion engine 10 in overrun condition, which method includes the steps of: release of a monitoring of a control signal for a power actuator of the internal combustion engine when predetermined release conditions have been satisfied, which include the exceeding of a release rotary speed of the internal combustion engine; after the release, comparing a control signal for the power actuator of the internal combustion engine to a threshold value, and triggering an error response if the control signal exceeds the threshold value. The method provides that the release speed is varied as a function of the intervention of an idling speed control in the formation of the control signal. Also provided is a control unit which controls such a method.