Abstract: The combination of a vent assembly with a conduit assembly bounding a flow space into which discharged combustion gases are exhausted. The conduit assembly has a first conduit length in which: a) combustion gases are communicated in a first direction in a first path between the flue outlet and a vent outlet; and b) backflow is communicated in the first path in a direction opposite to the first direction. The conduit assembly has a draft control assembly, with a conduit portion defining a flow passage in which backflow is diverted out of the first path. The draft control assembly further has a flow guide assembly that intercepts and guidingly diverts the backflow into the conduit portion to be exhausted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a needle threading machine of putting a thread through an eye of a needle provided in a sewing machine, the needle treading machine comprising a thread catcher comprising a hook to hook the thread, and a hook supporter extended from the hook and supporting the hook; a thread catcher driver driving the thread catcher to reciprocate allowing the hook to be inserted in and return from the eye of the needle; and a thread transporting unit transporting the thread caught in the hook away from the hook after the hook is returned from the eye of the needle. Thus, the present invention provides a needle threading machine capable of not only reducing damage on a thread but also increasing the durability of a thread catcher.

Abstract: A printable embroidery machine (1), including a machine body (2) capable of sewing a workpiece cloth (W), a cloth holding frame (3) holding the workpiece cloth (W) to be sewn, and a frame drive unit (4) having a mounting part (4a) detachably attached to the machine body (2), and coupled to the cloth holding frame (3) to independently move the cloth holding frame in two horizontal directions perpendicular to each other. An ink-jet type printer (5) is detachably attached to the mounting part (4a) of the frame drive unit (4) separated from the machine body (2). The workpiece cloth (W) on the cloth holding frame (3) moved by the frame drive unit (4) can be printed by the printer (5).

Abstract: A drive arrangement for the drive elements for the threading of the upper thread into the eye of a sewing machine needle is provided. Instead of individual drives for lowering the threading device and rotating it as well as threading the thread regulator to deflect the upper thread around the thread brake, drives not used at that time for the needle rod, the presser foot pressure, and the thread brake are utilized. In this way, two to three additional electric drives can be omitted and thus the controlling expense can be reduced.

Abstract: A presser foot lifting lever for a sewing machine includes a lever body rotatably supported about a horizontal shaft center by a head; a handle operated by the user; and a connecting portion connecting the handle to the lever body. The connecting portion allows the handle to be switched relative to the lever body between a predetermined active position taken to allow user operation and a predetermined retracted position taken when not in use.

Abstract: A thread breakage detection apparatus comprises a light source operable to generate a light beam, an emitter in communication with the light source, the emitter operable to emit the light beam, and a receiver in communication with and disposed in facing opposition to the emitter, the receiver operable to receive the light beam emitted from the emitter and to communicate the light beam to a sensor. The emitter comprises an emitter lens and a first fiber optic cable comprising proximate and distal ends. The proximate end of the first cable in communication with the light source and the distal end of the first cable in communication with the emitter lens. The receiver comprises a receiving lens and a second fiber optic cable comprising proximate and distal ends, the proximate end of the second cable in communication with the receiving lens and the distal end of the second cable in communication with the sensor.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing includes a plurality types of embroidery frames which hold a workpiece cloth; a carriage that has the embroidery frame detachably attached thereto by sliding the embroidery frame in a predetermined direction; a frame moving unit that moves the carriage in two directions intersecting in a horizontal plane; a control unit that controls the frame moving unit; a detection that detects a type of embroidery frame attached to the carriage; an operation instructing portion that allows a user to instruct movement of the embroidery frame to a predetermined position suitable for attachment/detachment of the embroidery frame, the operation instructing portion outputting a movement instructing signal to the control unit when operated; and a validating unit that validates operation of the operation instructing portion provided that an attachment of a specific type of embroidery frame is detected by the detection mechanism.

Abstract: An embroidery data creation apparatus and program acquires closed region data of a target unit pattern with a sewing order specified by a unit pattern counter and position data of a sewing endpoint of a preceding unit pattern to be sewn immediately prior to this target unit pattern. Based on the closed region data and the position data of the sewing endpoint, it is determined whether a sewing endpoint of the preceding unit pattern is present in a sewing region of the target unit pattern. If it is determined that the sewing endpoint is present in the sewing region of the target unit pattern, thread-cutting operation at this sewing endpoint is set not to be performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sewing endpoint is not present in the sewing region of the target unit pattern, thread-cutting operation at this sewing endpoint is set to be performed or withheld.

Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine includes an embroidery frame holding workpiece cloth to be sewn, a carriage transferring the embroidery frame which is attachable to and detachable from the carriage, a driving unit which moves the carriage, a sewing machine motor, a control unit which controls the drive unit and the sewing machine motor, the control unit being capable of executing an embroidery sewing mode in which an embroidery pattern is sewn and a manual feed sewing mode in which a sewing operation is carried out with manual cloth feed while the carriage is moved to and held at a predetermined evacuative position, and a mode switching unit which selectively switches between the embroidery sewing mode and the manual feed sewing mode.

Abstract: An undergarment includes at least one piece of fabric that forms the undergarment. The undergarment has leg openings. The fabric includes edges that surround the leg openings, whereby at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings has a plurality of fibers and at least some of the fibers have free ends terminating at the at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings. A bead of a cured polymer is disposed over the at least one of the edges surrounding the leg openings. The cured polymer bead forms a finished edge that is stretchable for adjusting to movement of the fabric.

Abstract: A method of making raised, embroidered design on a foundation fabric with top and bottom surfaces includes steps of placing a soluble spacer layer on the foundation fabric, embroidering a predetermined pattern over the stack of the foundation fabric and the spacer layer, and dissolving the soluble spacer layer away. Embroidering a predetermined pattern over the stack of the foundation fabric and the spacer layer is performed with a plurality of stitches of threads. Dissolving the soluble spacer layer away is performed with a predetermined solvent. The type of solvent is determined by the type of the soluble spacer layer. Water can be used for the solvent in case of starch spacer layer.

Abstract: A portable deck includes a plurality of legs that have a slot on each side face. An adjustable foot is removably attached to each leg to account for uneven ground surfaces on which the portable deck may be place. At least two braces and at least two rails are generally disposed between the plurality of legs to form a generally rectangular frame. The rails and braces are removably disposed in the slots of the legs. A plurality of planks are removably mounted to and supported by the rails to form a top surface of the portable deck. The portable deck provides a firm, level surface on which to place outdoor accessories.

Abstract: To overcome high construction and deployment/installation costs of spar platforms that are typically employed in deep waters for oil and gas production, Ballast Extension-Submersion Truss Stable Platform (BEST Stable Platform) capitalizes on a minimized wave-zone buoyancy design to control platform water-plane area. With a truss connected ballast that could be positioned at different depths, the Best Stable Platform can be constructed in shallow water near a fabrication yard, and the entire assembly could be towed to a drill site where the extended and submerged ballast would provide operational stability. For horizontal stability, mooring lines are floated by water neutral-density means to remove anchor line curvature. Accordingly, mooring lines could be pulled straight under water to provide optimal horizontal resistance, thereby reducing the need for excessive mooring line pretension that increases platform loads.

Abstract: A fish handling and bait rigging island is adapted to be mounted on a deck in a cockpit of a power boat. The island includes a base, sides extending upwardly from the base, and a top. The sides of the island are spaced away from sides of the cockpit sufficiently to permit access to sides of the island from the cockpit around the perimeter of the island. The top includes one or more of a bait cooler, a live well with aeration system for live bait or fish, a salt water sprayer, a fresh water sprayer, a container for fresh water, and a fillet station for cleaning and filleting fish, with the fillet station having a sink with a drain and a fish cleaning platform. The platform is inclined to provide improved fish access. The sides of the island can include a re-spooling center, a fold down seat, and tackle and other compartments.

Abstract: A view around flow indicator comprising a housing, a turbine wheel, a cylinder, and a visually perceptible pattern on the outside surface of the cylinder is disclosed. The housing has an inside surface defining a flow path. The inside surface of the housing forms a generally circumferentially extending annular recess. The turbine wheel comprises a hub positioned on the longitudinal axis, a ring positioned in the annular recess, a plurality of radially extending turbine blades connecting the hub with the ring, and plurality of magnets carried by the ring. The cylinder is mounted on an outside surface of the housing for rotation around the longitudinal axis of the flow path. The cylinder carries a plurality of magnets which are magnetically coupled to the plurality of magnets carried by the ring. The visually observable pattern on the outside surface of the cylinder permits rotation of the cylinder to be visually ascertained.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a LT substrate from a LT crystal, after growing the crystal, a LT substrate in ingot form is imbedded in carbon power, or is place in a carbon vessel, and heat treated is conducted at a maintained temperature of between 650° C. and 1650° C. for at least 4 hours, whereby in a lithium tantalate (LT) substrate, sparks are prevented from being generated by the charge up of an electric charge on the substrate surface, and thereby destruction of a comb pattern formed on the substrate surface and breaks or the like in the LT substrate are prevented.

Abstract: A method for evaluating crystal defects of a silicon wafer comprising: etching a surface of the silicon wafer by immersing the wafer in an etching solution; and observing etch pits formed on the etched surface of the wafer, wherein the silicon wafer of which crystal defects are evaluated has low electrical resistivity of 1 ?·cm or less, and the etching solution is a mixture of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid and water further including iodine or iodide, in which a volume ratio of nitric acid in the etching solution is the largest among volume ratios of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid and water, and the etching solution is adjusted to have an etching rate of 100 nm/min or less for the silicon wafer. Thereby, there is provided a method for evaluating crystal defects of a silicon wafer with low electrical resistivity by using a chromium-free etching solution without toxic chromium with high capability of detecting defects.

Abstract: New methods for the synthesis of nanocrystals/quantum dots are disclosed. The methods comprise use of reasonably-priced and commercially available heat transfer fluids (such as Dowtherm® A) as solvents to synthesize CdSe nanocrystals. Separation of nucleation and growth is achieved by quenching the reaction solution with relatively cold (room temperature) solvent to lower the solution temperature. Quenching may be followed by raising the solution temperature, to allow controlled growth to take place.

Abstract: A drop tube type granulated crystal manufacturing device (1) for making a nearly spherical crystalline substance by instant solidification as the solidification trigger by impacting the inner wall surface of a drop tube while a granular droplet made of an inorganic material is discharged from a nozzle of a rotary crucible by the centrifugal force and allowed to free fall inside the drop tube, has been disclosed. The crucible (12) is provided at the upper end of the drop tube (4) and which holds melt of inorganic material and is capable of rotating around a vertical centeral axis, and a plurality of nozzles (23) of a small diameter formed in a radial pattern relative to the vertical centeral axis, is formed at the periphery of the crucible (12).

Abstract: As described above, the present invention relates to a vaporizer integral with a diaphragm, the vaporizer comprising: a liquid source supplying part 10; a vaporizing part 30; a recess 16; a O-ring 17; said liquid source supplying part including a source intaking passage 11 for receiving a liquid source, an intaking tube 12 communicated with the source intaking passage 11 and having a fine hole 12a formed thereon, a stopper 13 formed on a place at which the source intaking passage 11 and the intaking tube 12 are joined together, an adjusting pin 14 for controlling supplying of the liquid source from the source intaking passage 11 to the intaking tube 12, and a diaphragm 15 integral with the adjusting pin 14; said vaporizing part 30 including a first heater 31 attached to a body of the vaporizing part 30 to heat the vaporizing part, a vaporizing chamber 35 for vaporizing the liquid source, a gas transporting passage 37 for supplying a transporting gas, and a discharging port 38 for communicating with the vapori

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for applying a fluid (118) containing solid particles. Said system comprises a nozzle arrangement (110) and a transport device (150). The angle formed between the transport direction (130) of the transport device (150) and an outflow channel (124) of the nozzle arrangement (110, 210, 310, 410) is obtuse. The invention also relates to the nozzle arrangement (110) and a filter arrangement (570) for one such system. Said nozzle arrangement (110) comprises an endpiece receiving element (112) and an endpiece (114) which is fixed thereto. A fluid channel is formed in the nozzle arrangement (110), said fluid channel comprising a connection channel (120), an adjacent distribution channel (122), and an adjacent outflow channel (124). The connection channel (120) and the distribution channel (122) are formed in the endpiece receiving element (112) and all directional changes inside the fluid channel are smaller than 90°.

Abstract: The present invention presents an improved baffle plate for a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the baffle plate advantageously provides for a uniform processing plasma in the process space with substantially minimal erosion of the baffle plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a thin-film forming device, a thin-film forming method, a device for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, a device for manufacturing a thin-film structure, a method for a thin-film structure, a liquid crystal display, a thin-film structure, and an electronic apparatus, objects are to achieve easy control of thickness of a thin film without using rotation means, cost reduction, and miniaturization of the devices. The thin-film forming device for forming a thin film by applying a coating solution onto a substrate, there can be provided an ejection mechanism having a droplet ejection head for ejecting the coating solution onto the substrate, a moving mechanism capable of relatively moving the positions of the droplet ejection head and the substrate, and a control unit for controlling at least one of the ejection mechanism and the moving mechanism.

Abstract: A vapor phase deposition apparatus includes a chamber, a support table arranged in the chamber, and having a first support unit which is in contact with a back side surface of a substrate and on which the substrate is placed and a second support unit which is connected to the first support unit to support the first support unit, a heat source arranged at a position having a distance from a back side surface of the substrate, the distance being larger than a distance between back side surface of the support table and the heat source, and which heats the substrate, a first flow path configured to supply a gas to form a film into the chamber, and a second flow path configured to exhaust the gas from the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively pre-coating a plasma processing chamber, including a chamber wall is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first set of RF electrodes, the first set of RF electrodes configured to strike a first pre-coat plasma, the first set of RF electrodes defining a first plasma chamber zone. The apparatus also includes a first set of confinement rings disposed around the first set of RF electrodes; and a second set of confinement rings disposed between the first set of confinement rings and the chamber wall. The apparatus further includes a gas delivery system configured to apply a first pre-coat layer to the first plasma zone when a first pre-coat gas is delivered and the first set of RF electrodes is energized. The apparatus also includes the gas delivery system configured to apply a second pre-coat layer to the second plasma zone when a second pre-coat gas is delivered and the second set of RF electrodes is energized.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaporating vapor-deposition material includes a vapor-deposition vessel with a depth greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The apparatus for evaporating vapor-deposition material further includes a heating means for heating the vapor-deposition material held in the vapor-deposition vessel so that the vapor-deposition material has a temperature gradient decreasing in the depth direction of the vapor-deposition vessel toward the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A method of rearing, cultivating or stocking crustacea, and crustacea reared, cultivated or stocked by the method. The method improves the survival rate and survival period of the crustacea. In the method, the crustacea are reared, cultivated or stocked within a deep sea water drawn from the sea at a depth of above 100 meters. The crustacea may be deep sea crustacea living in the sea at a depth of above 100 meters. The crustacea do not include crustacea living in the Sea of Japan at a depth of above 250 meters. The deep sea water may have a temperature of below 20° C.

Abstract: A system for quantifying or assigning values to habitats and/or species occurring within a geographic site. In one implementation, for example, a baseline habitat value is assigned to a geographic site prior to the performance of a proposed activity impacting the site, such as development or construction. The baseline habitat value is based at least in part on the specific types of habitats found in the site, the number of species found in the site, and the key ecological functions associated with each species. The baseline habitat value can be adjusted to account for the potential presence of invasive plant species within the site. A future habitat value for the site following the performance of the activity also can be determined. A debit value associated with the proposed activity can be determined by subtracting the future habitat value from the baseline habitat value.

Abstract: An approach to monitoring, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment or conditioning of animals such as horses does not require use of restrictive equipment such as treadmills or force plates and that can provide either or both of more or less immediate or continuous processing of data to perform the monitoring or diagnosis. One or more wireless sensors are attached to the animal, for example, to measure motion-related parameter associated with one or more parts of the animal. Sensor data is received from the sensors and processed to identify a characteristic of the motion of the animal, such as a quality of gait. The sensor data can also be used to avoid injury to the animal and/or the rider, and to verify the identity of an animal.

Abstract: An approach to monitoring, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment or conditioning of animals such as horses does not require use of restrictive equipment such as treadmills or force plates and that can provide either or both of more or less immediate or continuous processing of data to perform the monitoring or diagnosis. One or more wireless sensors are attached to the animal, for example, to measure motion-related parameter associated with one or more parts of the animal. Sensor data is received from the sensors and processed to identify a characteristic of the motion of the animal, such as a quality of gait. The sensor data can also be used to avoid injury to the animal and/or the rider, and to verify the identity of an animal.

Abstract: A system for communicating information between a handler at a first location and an animal at a second location includes a local communication unit operated by the handler, and a remote communication unit mounted to the animal. The handler initiates messages, which can be visual or auditory (for example live or pre-recorded voice or tones), or in other forms, and transmits signals corresponding to these messages to the animal, or a person, such as a rescuee, in the vicinity of the animal. In this manner the handler gains communication access to locations the animal has reached, which locations may otherwise be inaccessible to the handler. The remote unit may also be configured to provide information back to the handler, such location information and visual and/or sound information of the environment to which the wearing animal has transported the remote unit. Such information is useful for facilitating a rescue effort, identifying dangerous conditions, and so forth.

Abstract: Described herein is a GPS pet containment system is that generally self contained within a collar. However, the collar includes a battery power source, a microcontroller powered by the battery power source, a global positioning system (GPS) interfaced to the microcontroller and an accelerometer interfaced to the microcontroller. The GPS operates to provide collar location information on a periodic basis while the accelerometer provides collar dead reckoning location information on a substantially continuous basis. The dead reckoning location information is acquired by integrating the acceleration value provided by the accelerometer over sub-second time intervals.

Abstract: An umbrella and leash apparatus comprises an umbrella, a handle attached to the umbrella, and a leash extending from the handle. The handle comprises a retractable leash assembly mounted within the handle. The leash is connected to the retractable leash assembly. An actuator for extending or retracting the leash is in selective engagement with the retractable leash assembly.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective retractable pet leash has an omnidirectionally reflective leash housed within a retractable housing device. The omnidirectionally reflective leash reflects incoming light beams back in the direction from which they emanated. This retractable leash is created by surrounding a central braided rope of nylon or polyethylene fibers with a cylindrically braided reflective sleeve that is coated with an abrasion resistant transparent polymeric coating. The braided reflective sleeve consists of narrow width reflective strips that comprise a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sewn thereon. The flexible retroreflective sheet is formed by thermally bonding corner cube, microsphere retroreflectors, or wide angle exposed retroreflective lenses to a flexible polymeric sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting animals includes a housing having a basket area and a measuring device. An entry gate is mounted to the housing and is moveable between open and closed positions. A sort gate is mounted to the housing and moveable between a first and a second position based on a measurement taken by the measuring device. A trainer gate is mounted to the housing and moveable through an operating position whereby the trainer gate contacts an animal in the basket area and urges the animal toward the sort gate. A programmable controller communicates with the measuring device, the entry gate, the sort gate and the trainer gate and controls actuation of the entry gate, the sort gate and the trainer gate.

Abstract: A pet garment capable of cooling by extracting vaporization heat in a wide range and extracting vaporization heat for a relatively long period of time without using a special chemical. The present invention is a wearable pet garment. It comprises back and a breast piece. The back and breast are continuously formed as a piece. Between the garment back and the garment breast, a neck hole is opened to pass a head and neck of pet, and adhesive parts are constructed on both sides of the garment back and on both sides of the garment breast. The garment back and the garment breast are composed of a water permeable sheet in an untouched surface on the pet. They are composed of the waterproof sheet in a touched surface on pet. A water holding layer, composed of a water-containing material, is disposed between the water permeable sheet and the waterproof sheet.

Abstract: A collar for a pet such as a dog is made of a material such as plastic and has an interior chamber with a fluid or gel inside that can be cooled so that it can be applied to the pet to provide cooling. It can be made in a sealed version or it can be made with an opening for adding and/or removing the fluid. The color can be closed, or it can have terminal ends that come together and can be fastened, so as to facilitate applying it to the pet. One of the terminal ends can be provided with an opening and stopper for filling and emptying.

Abstract: An animal collar assembly including a wireless receiver and a collar. The wireless receiver having a pair of first attachment features. The collar having a pair of ends, each end having a second attachment feature, each second attachment feature coupled with a corresponding first attachment feature and maintaining the corresponding collar end at a fixed orientation relative to the wireless receiver.

Abstract: The therapeutic pet collar is an iron, nickel or alloy chain collar having thin copper electroplating. The iron, nickel or alloy conducts magnetic fields. Resultant currents may have beneficial effects on an animal wearing the collar. Link metal construction is strong enough to help restrain a pet, if necessary. A resilient plug magnet holder may be inserted into a link, twisted and locked in place to hold magnets inside a link of the chain. A plurality of magnets may be attached to the collar and disposed so that their polarities alternate respectively. Alternatively, the collar may be made from nylon, leather or a combination of cloth type materials. A copper line is braided in a crisscross pattern that spans approximately ¾ of the collar length. Magnets are staggered on the copper line on the inside of the collar facing perpendicular to the pet's skin so that their polarities alternate respectively.

Abstract: A device for use when cleaning the heating surface of a tube changer, such as the fire tubes in a boiler, having a scraper member that is fixed to a movement member for moving the scraper member through one fire tube at a time and a guide for positioning the scraper member directly in front of the open end of a fire tube, such that said scraper member can be moved from the guide into the fire tube and conversely from the fire tube into the guide. The guide can be moved on a frame transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fire tubes for automatic cleaning of the fire tubes both when in service and out of service.

Abstract: A heat engine system includes a fuel reforming system for supplying a reformed gas to be combusted in an internal combustion engine or used to generate electricity in a fuel cell. An alcohol-containing fuel and water are mixed in a tank and separated into a hydrocarbon based fuel and the fluid mixture of alcohol and water. A reformer uses an endothermic reaction, such as a water vapor reforming process, to obtain the reformed gas from the fluid mixture.

Abstract: A split-cycle engine with disc valve includes a crankshaft, a power cylinder and a compression cylinder. A gas crossover passage interconnects the compression cylinder and the power cylinder. An air intake port circumscribes a periphery of the compression cylinder and defines an outer valve seat. An annular ring having a generally central opening is disposed between the compression cylinder and the air intake port and forms a washer valve for opening and closing the air intake port. A disc valve member is concentrically mounted over the central opening of the annular ring. The disc valve member includes a piston portion having a sidewall biased into engagement with the outer valve seat for controlling flow between the compression cylinder and the gas crossover passage.

Abstract: A two stroke engine of a particular configuration can have its power output increased by running bigger pistons and using ports in the piston skirt through which to conduct compressed air within the skirt through short passages in the cylinder housing that conduct the air from within the skirt to above the piston. As a result a larger piston can be used for the same spacing and opening size in the block to save the need to redesign the block and the crankshaft. A position adjuster for the piston moves it axially without rotation of the piston ports out of alignment with inlet ports in the housing. The piston rod is held in the crosshead using a flat to prevent rotation while an adjuster nut that is turned creates axial movement in the piston rod with a lock nut securing the final piston position.

Abstract: A method of starting an internal combustion engine for a vehicle having at least a hydraulic pump configured to be powered at least partially by a source other than the engine and an adjustable hydraulic actuator configured to be adjusted by hydraulic fluid of the hydraulic pump is provided. The method comprises during a first start of the engine, operating with the hydraulic actuator in a first position; and during a second start of the engine, operating with the hydraulic actuator in a second position, said second position different from said first position.

Abstract: A system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a hydraulic pump configured to be powered at least partially by a source other than the engine; an adjustable hydraulic engine actuator configured to be adjusted by hydraulic fluid of the pump; a control system configured to adjust said adjustable hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: In a Type 2 engine, a valve deactivation hydraulic lash adjuster (DHLA) in accordance with the invention replaces a conventional hydraulic lash adjuster in the train of a gas-exchange valve in a compression-ignited engine. In a Type 3 engine, a similar DHLA is disposed within an articulated rocker arm which is made selectively competent (valve activating) or incompetent (valve deactivating) thereby. A solenoid valve within the assembly diverts hydraulic fluid between support and non-support of a piston slidably disposed in a housing and terminating in a ball head. The valve is force-balanced. The preferred hydraulic fluid is diesel fuel, allowing for smaller diameter passages and cleaner operation than in prior art systems, eliminating the need for an accumulator chamber and accumulator piston as in the prior art. An alternate version of a type 3 engine having a DHLA, in accordance with the invention, is also shown.

Abstract: A valve drive for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft which has a toothed shaft (2) and at least one cam part (3) with a plurality of different cam paths (13, 14) arranged adjacent to one another for the variable actuation of gas exchange valves (8) by displacement of the cam parts (3) by means of actuators (actuator pins 4 and 5) on the toothed shaft (2), the toothed shaft (2) having a shaft profile (9) and the cam parts (3) having a hub profile (10) which is matched to said shaft profile (9), and the number of wedges, notches or teeth (19) of the shaft profile (9) and of the hub profile (10) being such that the different cam positions for four-stroke internal combustion engines of any type such as in-line engines, V-engines or W-engines, and with any numbers of cylinders, can be provided with the same toothed shafts (2) and cam parts (3).

Abstract: A valve train device for an engine for driving a valve which opens and closes a valve opening of a combustion chamber comprises: a valve drive device comprising a drive member and driving force transmission mechanism. The drive force transmission mechanism is configured to transmit a driving force from the drive member to the valve. The drive force transmission mechanism comprises a transmission portion configured to transmit the driving force from the drive member to the valve and a variable portion configured to continuously change a state of the transmission portion to thereby continuously change an opening duration of the valve or the amount of valve lift. At least part of the variable portion is positioned within in the transmission portion.

Abstract: An engine intake control apparatus for an engine that comprises at least one combustion chamber operatively connected to an intake port and an intake valve associated with each intake port, wherein the intake valve is adapted to open and close the intake port is disclosed herein. The intake control apparatus comprises a variable valve operating mechanism and a controller. The variable valve operating mechanism is configured and arranged to selectively change a valve closing timing and a valve lift amount of the intake valve. The controller is configured and arranged to control the variable valve operating mechanism when the engine is in a low load condition. The valve closing timing is determined such that an actual compression ratio of the engine is reduced relative to the actual compression ratio when the engine is operating in a high load condition. The valve lift amount is smaller when the engine is in the low load condition relative to the valve lift amount when the engine is in the high load condition.

Abstract: A valve timing controller is provided with a first rotary element that rotates in response to the movement of a crankshaft, a second rotary element that rotates in response to the movement of a camshaft. A link mechanism changes a relative rotation phase between the first and second rotary elements. The first and second rotary elements include introduction passages that introduce a lubricating fluid in the first rotary element. In the link mechanism, shafts are fitted in the links. The links relatively rotate with respect to the shaft, and include conveying passages to communicate with the introduction passages and convey the lubricating fluid from the introduction passages to the circumference of the shaft.