Abstract: A semiconductor single crystal manufacturing apparatus which can manufacture a single crystal of high oxygen concentration to that of low oxygen concentration within a prescribed standard range of oxygen concentration, as a wafer material for semiconductor integrated circuits, with a high yield, is provided. Heat shields 20, 21 are provided in the entire annular area between respective adjacent heaters of the heaters 4a, 4b, 4c for heating the crucible 3 from the outside periphery side. By using the heat shields 20, 21 for localizing the respective heating regions for the heaters to actively control the temperature distribution for the crucible 3 and melt 8 in the crucible, a single crystal of high oxygen concentration to that of low oxygen concentration can be manufactured within a prescribed standard range of oxygen concentration with a high yield.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for manufacturing electrical and optical materials by ink-jet printing of electronic ink(s) onto a flexible substrate are provided. The apparatus includes a flexible substrate, a first roll and a second roll, a printing head for depositing a electronic ink onto the substrate according to a predetermined pattern, and a drying station for drying an amount of deposited electronic ink. Each roll is reversibly configured for feed or takeup of the substrate. When dry, the deposited electronic ink forms one of an electronic material, an optical material, a display, and a fuel cell electrode. The apparatus may also include a second printing head configured for depositing a second electronic ink onto the substrate after the first ink has dried. The apparatus may be configured to rewind the substrate prior to deposition of the second ink, or to reverse the feed/takeup direction of the rolls.

Abstract: To avoid the yield of wafers that undergo immersion lithography influencing by delay of post exposure baking (PEB), an operation system adjusts a speed of inputting the wafers to undergo immersion lithography according to a status of wafers that have finished exposure and are waiting for baking. Therefore, the wafers that have finished exposure are transmitted to be baked efficiently and on time.

Abstract: The present invention aims at making it possible to easily fill liquid into a droplet spraying and applying head module, while saving work. The droplet spraying and applying head module includes a droplet spraying and applying head and a tank. The droplet spraying and applying head includes a liquid chamber for containing liquid and a plurality of nozzles communicating with the liquid chamber, and sprays droplets through the nozzles The tank contains liquid to be supplied to the liquid chamber, and communicates with the liquid chamber. The droplet spraying and applying head and the tank are coupled to each other with a coupling member. A revolute joint is interposed between the coupling member and the droplet spraying and applying head.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying powder coating material onto large objects such as automotive, truck or other vehicle bodies includes a powder spray booth defining a controlled area within which to apply powder coating material onto the vehicle bodies, a powder kitchen located at a remote position from the powder spray booth, and, a number of feed hoppers located proximate the booth which receive powder coating material from the powder kitchen and supply it to automatically or manually manipulated powder spray guns associated with the booth. Oversprayed powder coating material is removed from the booth interior by a powder collection and recovery system which transmits the oversprayed powder back to the powder kitchen for recirculation to the powder spray guns.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus capable of improving the degree of freedom for installation of a deposit monitoring apparatus component used for direct deposit analysis. A deposit monitoring apparatus of the substrate processing apparatus for monitoring deposit in a processing chamber in which a substrate is processed includes an optical fiber having a portion thereof exposed in the processing chamber. Incident light is emitted to the optical fiber from a light-emitting device connected to one end of the optical fiber, and light having passed through the optical fiber is received by a light-receiving device connected to another end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus enable fouling due to deposit to be monitored in real time. To monitor deposit attached to an inner wall surface of a processing chamber in which processing is carried out on a substrate, a deposit monitoring apparatus of the substrate processing apparatus includes a sensor for measuring a capacitance between two conductors spaced apart from each other and both connected to the sensor. The capacitance between the conductors increases with increase in an mount of deposit and reflects the state of fouling due to deposit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating film forming apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 includes a coating unit 11, a coating material supply unit 10, and a control unit 12. The coating unit 11 contains a holding unit 18 for holding a substrate 4, a coating nozzle 19, and a movable unit 20. The coating nozzle 19 is provided with a slit for discharge coating material to an inner circumferential surface, formed in annular shape. The movable unit 20 moves the coating nozzle 19 along a shaft center P of the substrate 4. The control unit 12 controls to apply coating material 7 to an outer circumferential surface 4c of the substrate 4 from a lower end 4a upward in order.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the gas permeability of barrier coatings (1) in the region of container walls (2). A quantity of gas to be analysed emerging from the region of the wall of the container into an analysis chamber that is at least partially defined by the barrier coating is measured in said analysis chamber (8). Before entering the analysis chamber, the gas to be analysed is located in the region of the wall. The measuring element can be integrated into a coating device for the container. To this end, a testing device provided with the measuring element is arranged in the transport direction of the container behind the coating device.

Abstract: An improvement has been made in contact states between a rotating electrode arranged inside a vacuum chamber and a power supply mechanism which touches the rotating electrode to supply electric power thereto. A vacuum device is provided with a vacuum chamber, a rotating electrode arranged inside and electrically insulated from the vacuum chamber, and a power supply mechanism which touches the rotating electrode to supply electric power thereto, wherein the rotating electrode has an annular shape and horizontally rotates with respect to the center axis of the annular shape, and the power supply mechanism is composed of electrode members, and the electrode member and the rotating electrode come into contact with each other at least one contact surface.

Abstract: A method and system is described for reducing particle contamination of a substrate in a deposition system. The deposition system comprises one or more particle diffusers disposed therein and configured to prevent or partially prevent the passage of film precursor particles, or break-up or partially break-up film precursor particles. The particle diffuser may be installed in the film precursor evaporation system, or the vapor delivery system, or the vapor distribution system, or two or more thereof.

Abstract: Three wafer support fixtures transfer a wafer for thermal processing in an inverted orientation within a heating chamber. Two co-planar support fixtures grab the wafer edge inside the chamber from a blade within a 1.5 mm wafer exclusion zone and hold it above the edge ring during heat-up and then withdraw thermal processing. A third support fixture chucks the wafer backside and transfers it to sloping support areas of the edge ring. The three support fixtures inside the chamber are individually controlled from outside.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sets of eggs with improved sanitation treatment are provided. A method includes obtaining information about a set of eggs to be processed in ovo, and/or determining the number of non-live eggs in the set, selecting a sanitizing treatment for in ovo processing equipment to be used in processing the set of eggs, wherein the selected sanitizing treatment is based on the obtained information and/or number of non-live eggs in the set, processing the set of eggs via the in ovo processing equipment (e.g., injecting a substance into the eggs, and/or removing material from the eggs), and sanitizing the in ovo processing equipment according to the selected sanitizing treatment. A selected sanitizing treatment may include increased frequency and/or duration, increased concentration of sanitizing fluid, applying sanitizing fluid to the shell of the eggs, and/or adding/increasing an antibiotic to a substance injected into the eggs.

Abstract: A method for milking animals in a milking station (9) including a milking machine (14) for milking said animals, and a first feeding device (21) for feeding said animals intermittently or continuously with feed, is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of allowing a milking animal to enter the milking station (9); feeding the milking animal in the milking station intermittently or continuously with feed by means of the first feeding device (21); and milking the milking animal in the milking station (9) by means of the milking machine (14). According to the present invention, the feeding of the milking animal is terminated at a non-final stage of the milking in order to secure that the milking animal has terminated to consume the feed when the milking is finished.

Abstract: A teat location system for automated milking systems comprises a light projection source and a camera having a two dimensional array of pixels, each of which is capable of returning time of flight information as well as intensity. Depth of field limitations and the problem of overlapping teat images are thereby overcome or minimized.

Abstract: In a milking cluster of teat cups, each teat cup has a port in the form of a nozzle disposed in the head portion of the flexible liner (3) of the teat cup. The milking cluster includes a distributor having a fluid inlet aid outlets connected to the nozzles of the cups. The distributor inlet is connected to a supply of filtered air under atmospheric pressure by a first valve which is operable to admit air to the distributor in order to regulate the level of vacuum present in the teat cup liners during a milking cycle. It is connected to a delivery line for supplying sanitising fluid, which is utilised to treat the teats and teat cups in a cleansing cycle following the milking cycle, by a second valve operable to maintain the delivery line primed with sanitising fluid preparatory to initiation of the cleansing cycle.

Abstract: A pet platform assembly configured to securely mount to a window sill may include a base configured to support the weight of a pet, at least one clamp secured to the base, and a support bracket secured to an underside of the base. The clamp is configured to securely mount the base to an edge of the window sill. The support bracket is configured to brace the base with respect to a wall that supports the window sill. The support bracket may include a cord passage that routes the electrical cord therethrough.

Abstract: The invention refers to appetence measurement for animals. In particular, the invention proposes an automated system for measuring the appetence of animals, including a feeding area (2) and an accommodation area (1), wherein the feeding area includes a room (3) whose dimensions are chosen so that the animal is able to move therein, and the system also includes access control resources (6, 10-12) that are designed so that the animals can gain access in turn to the room (3) from the accommodation area.

Abstract: A watering system for turkeys includes a channel assembly and a pipe assembly covered and supported by the channel assembly. A hangar is wrapped around the channel assembly and the pipe assembly and is secured to itself above the channel assembly. The hangar is secured to an assembly for raising of lowering the watering system. The hangar is also wrapped and secured around a previously installed anti-roost wire. Nipple assemblies are connected to the pipe assembly and provide the turkeys with access to the water within the pipe assembly when the birds trigger the nipple assemblies. Catch cup assemblies are secured to the channel assembly and have first and second catch basins. The first catch basin is provided below one of the nipple assemblies and the second catch basin is provided below an adjacent nipple assembly. The catch basins are thus positioned to catch water from the nipple assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unit for eliminating offensive odors. An electrostatic filter assembly embodiment of the present invention includes a casing, a substantially sheer electrostatic filter sheet, and a substantially silent blower. A filtered animal litter box embodiment of the present invention includes an enclosure, a filter assembly, a conduit, a filter cartridge, and a substantially silent blower. A kit of parts having components of the filtered animal box is also contemplated.

Abstract: A cat litter box cleaning system designed to sieve waste clumps from cat litter. The cat litter box cleaning system has multiple layers thereby providing multiple cleaning operations. The layers consist of a sieving layer and a liner. The liner shields the sieving layer from the cat's claws and the sieving layer is used to remove the waste from the litter. Each sieving layer and liner releasably cooperates with the layer securing fixtures. The layer securing fixtures releasably attach the layers to a base and prevent the cat from dislodging the sieves or liners. The cat litter box cleaning system contemplates the use of disposable or reusable liners. The reusable liners may be stored in a storage compartment. In addition, the cat litter box cleaning system may include a rim releasably attached to the posts to help contain any litter that becomes airborne while the cat covers its waste.

Abstract: The present invention is a cat litter net that is a thin and soft sheet to remove waste material from scoopable cat litter. By arranging this net on the bottom of cat litter box, then the scoopable litter on the top of the net, when just pulling the net to above, only waste material is separated from the clean litter quickly without making dusts.

Abstract: A fish aquarium has a connecting slice, a first side-slice and a second side-slice. The connecting slice has a joint and two thermal-pressed sections. The first side-slice is attached to one of the thermal-pressed sections and has a printed pattern and a buckled chain mounted on the first side-slice near the distal edge. The second side-slice is attached to the other thermal-pressed section and has a buckled chain near the distal edge to engage with the buckled chain of the first side slice. The first side-slice and the second side-slice are combined together with a thermal compression process to form a thermal-sealed segment, a thermal-seal line, an interior space and an opening between the side-slices.

Abstract: An edible bird's nests production facility comprising of: a wholly man made artificial caves system and/or converted natural relief such as caves, valleys, cliffs forming the nesting habitat and associated supporting facilities configured to breed swiftlets for their nests by means of a captive breeding program for swiftlets; commercialized-scientific farming methods; specialized apparatus, mechanisms and techniques; managed sustainable harvesting of nests; provision of a safe and secure nesting habitat and a conducive environment to maximize avian population by minimizing mortality rates; safe collection of nests by means of mechanized lifting systems and specialist mountaineering equipment.

Abstract: A cat-pouch bed includes a top layer which may be at least partially elevated relative to a bottom layer to form an internal cavity for a pet. One or more supports may be disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer to maintain at least a portion of the top layer above the bottom layer in a variety of configurations. The top layer and bottom layer may be formed of foam and enclosed within fabric material.

Abstract: A pet toy and exercise device comprising a first length non-elastic of cord extending from a ball in one direction, an elastic cord coupled to the first length of non-elastic cord, and a shorter length of non-elastic cord providing a chewing or grasping aid extending from the ball in another direction. A method of using a pet toy and exercise device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting an animal's movement includes a housing having a throughbore for accepting a shaft of a stake where the housing contains a retractable tether. A substantially conical support disposes about the shaft and attaches thereto and wherein the substantially conical support retains the housing at a selected elevation on the shaft and wherein a retaining mechanism retains the housing on the shaft.

Abstract: An animal restraint device includes a rigid hub and a rigid handle rotatably connected to the hub. The hub includes at least one slot that each extends through the hub. Each slot is configured to receive a conventional leash for restraining an associated animal.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container, a combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a burner associated with the combustion chamber, a flue gas collector located to receive flue gases generated in the combustion chamber, a CO sensor having at least an operative portion proximate the flue gas collector, a flammable vapor sensor having at least an operative portion positioned proximate a location where combustion air enters the combustion chamber, and a controller operatively connected to the CO and flammable vapor sensors and adapted to receive signals generated by the CO and flammable vapor sensors and responsively shut off combustion in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container, a combustion chamber adjacent the water container, a burner associated with the combustion chamber, a blower located to receive combustion products generated by the burner, an intake air conduit connected to the combustion chamber and having a combustion air intake opening, a dilution air conduit connected to the blower and having a dilution air intake opening; and a flammable vapor sensor having at least an operative portion positioned in the blower or the dilution air conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steam cutting device (1), comprising at least one container (5), for a fluid (8), a current source (2), a controller (3) and a burner (6), connected to the container (5), by means of a supply line (7), for generation of a steam jet exiting through a nozzle. According to the invention, such a steam cutting device (1), in which no, or almost no fluid is found in the burner in stand-by mode or after switch-off of the steam cutting device such that post-evaporation can be avoided, may be achieved, whereby a relief line (22) is connected to the supply line (7), for relieving the supply line (7) and/or the burner (6), on or after the ending of the steam cutting process. A regulation valve (24) can be provided in the relief line, which can be connected to the controller (3) itself coupled to a sensor (25), for determining the pressure in the burner (6).

Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine, a delivery system configured to deliver fuel and a fluid to at least an engine cylinder while the vehicle is traveling, said fluid comprising alcohol and/or water, and a control system for varying an amount of said fuel and fluid delivered to the cylinder in different ratios as a condition varies, said controller further varying a spark timing of a spark in said cylinder as an amount of alcohol and/or water in said fluid varies.

Abstract: An apparatus, including an internal combustion engine; for powering the engine the apparatus produces hydrogen fuel from water, and comprises water supply means; fuel storage means; controlling means; a collector, receiving combustion products output from engine's operation; a transformer, utilizing thermo-impact of the combustion products and converting supplied water into ionized hydrogen and oxygen; an ion divider electrically separating hydrogen and oxygen ions into gaseous hydrogen, further directed into the fuel storage means and controllably fed substantially into engine's cylinders, and gaseous oxygen; exhaust means outputting exhaust products from the collector into the atmosphere, on their way out heating water in the water supply means. The fuel storage means contain initial hydrogen or another predetermined fuel. Electrolyzer means are provided to supplement hydrogen and oxygen ions production. Recommended temperature and parts size ranges for six- and eight-cylinder engines are disclosed.

Abstract: In an apparatus comprising a fuel tank, an internal combustion engine, and a separator positioned fluidically between the fuel tank and the internal combustion engine, a method of operating the apparatus is disclosed, wherein the method comprises inputting a mixed fuel containing a hydrocarbon component and an oxygenated component into the separator, separating the fuel in the separator into a hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction and an oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction, and controlling an amount of the hydrocarbon-enriched fuel fraction and an amount of the oxygenated fuel component-enriched fuel fraction provided to the engine based upon an engine operating condition.

Abstract: In an apparatus having an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank, and an extractor disposed fluidically between the fuel tank and the engine, a method of operating the apparatus is disclosed, wherein the method comprises adding a volume of a mixed fuel into the extractor from the fuel tank, wherein the mixed fuel contains at least one substantially nonpolar fuel component and at least one polar fuel component, adding a volume of a polar solvent to the extractor, extracting at least a portion of the polar fuel from the mixed fuel into the polar solvent, thereby forming a first fuel mixture with an enriched concentration of the polar fuel and a second fuel mixture with an enriched concentration of the substantially nonpolar fuel, and providing the first fuel mixture and the second fuel mixture to the engine in a ratio selected based upon engine operating condition.

Abstract: A surge tank comprises a liquid inlet portion designed to dissipate the energy of coolant flowing into the surge tank. Desirably, fluid is delivered into a pool of liquid in an initial chamber rather than into an air gap above a pool of liquid such that the pool of liquid assists in dissipating energy of the entering coolant. Coolant from the last of a series of initial chambers desirably exits in a manner that reduces the distance air bubbles must rise to separate from the coolant. Also, when coolant flows from one initial chamber to at least one other initial chamber, desirably the direction of flow of at least a major volume of the coolant is changed, such as by locating an outlet passage from one chamber at a lower portion thereof and the passage from a subsequent chamber at an upper portion thereof. Passageways between the various chambers may be of a progressively increasing total cross-sectional area to assist in reducing the velocity of fluid flow from one chamber to the next.

Abstract: Provided is a cylinder head including a head casting defining a plurality of exhaust ports. A tuned exhaust manifold is internally defined by the head casting. The tuned exhaust manifold includes a plurality of exhaust runners in communication with the plurality of exhaust ports and a collector volume in communication with the plurality of exhaust runners. Each of the plurality of exhaust ports and each of the plurality of exhaust runners are substantially oriented or directed toward the collector volume. Additionally, the head casting defines a main cooling jacket operable to cool the head casting. The head casting also defines an upper and lower cooling jacket disposed in heat exchange relation to the tuned exhaust manifold. The cylinder head casting may include integral spark plug tubes and cam drive case. Additionally, the cooling jackets may have a series coolant flow pattern or a parallel coolant flow pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder head (1) of an internal combustion engine with a camshaft bearing mechanism (2) situated thereon in which a hollow camshaft (3) is rotatably mounted, forming an outlet for discharging blow-by gases laden with oil droplets out of the crankcase and is designed as an oil droplet separator for separating the oil content out of these gases. The camshaft (3) passes through a valve space (11). A rocker cover (13) or a multichannel device (27) is connected axially to at least one end of the camshaft (3), forming an axial gap (9), each having a channel (10) connected coaxially to the hollow space (5) of the camshaft (3) so that blow-by gases from which the oil has been removed can be discharged from the camshaft (3), and each being designed so that they either form an oil collecting space (12) that is sealed with respect to the valve space (11) or they introduce oil that has been separated into such an oil collecting space (12).

Abstract: A V-engine (10) having two banks of cylinders (30) each comprising at least one cylinder (20) and a cylinder head (40) is envisaged, wherein the banks of cylinders (30) each comprise at least one inlet valve (12) and also at least one outlet valve (14) for each cylinder (20), while the at least one inlet valve (12) and the at least one outlet valve (14) are arranged in pairs opposite one another on opposite sides of the cylinder head (10), and each cylinder head (10) and its connections to the other engine components are constructed such that it can be mounted in a first position relative to the respective bank of cylinders (30) and in a position rotated through 180° relative to the first position on the same bank of cylinders (30).

Abstract: An electromechanical valve actuator having a beginning of stroke damper to damp the impact between the armature stem and the valve stem as the valve is opened. The beginning of stroke damper includes an armature stem defining a stem passage and a valve stem including a lash compensator defining a cavity communicating with the stem passage. An oil pocket may be provided within the cavity to absorb the impact of the armature stem before the armature stem contacts the valve stem as the valve is opened. The lash compensator is configured so that the cavity has a discharge rate sufficient to ensure that the cavity completely drains at approximately the time the engine valve reaches the full open position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to selectively use engine valves as both intake and exhaust valves and to selectively operate the engine as a 2 cycle or as a 4 cycle engine. In a disclosed embodiment, the intake valves and the exhaust valves, are manifolded together through a small manifold, with the manifold being connectable to the intake manifold or the exhaust manifold through two-way valves. In preferably a camless engine, the engine valves may be controlled to operate the intake valves as intake valves only or to operate as both intake valves and exhaust valves, and to operate the exhaust valves as exhaust valves only or to operate the exhaust valves as both intake valves and exhaust valves. Exemplary embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A position sensing system uses two sensing elements to sense the rotary position of target wheels mounted on two camshafts. The two sensing elements are mounted in a common sensor housing and preferably the two sensor elements share power and ground wires, and each sensor element has its own signal wire. The wires preferably are contained within a common conduit that extends from the housing to a location outside of the rocker cover. The end of the conduit may support one-half of an electrical connector that terminates the wires from the sensors. Mounting the two sensing elements in a common housing simplifies mounting the sensors on the engine, and reduces the number of wires required to power and derive signals from the two sensors. The target wheels are mounted directly on the camshafts and are positioned along the axis of the camshaft, spaced from the camshaft ends.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation mechanism actuates a valve of an internal combustion engine. The mechanism includes an actuator with a housing and a piston each moveable along a longitudinal axis in the engine. A cavity is defined between the piston and the housing. A body of fluid is disposed in the cavity and in the reservoir. A fluid passage has an open position wherein the cavity and reservoir are in fluid communication and a closed position wherein the cavity is sealed. When the passage is closed, the housing and piston move generally together. When the passage is open, fluid may pass from the cavity to the reservoir and movement of the housing relative to the piston changes the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: A variable displacement internal combustion engine having a cylinder block and a cylinder head attached thereto. The variable displacement internal combustion engine includes at least one switching hydraulic lash adjuster. A lash adjuster oil feed passage is at least partially defined by one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The lash adjuster oil feed passage is operable to communicate pressurized oil to the at least one switching hydraulic lash adjuster. A distributed accumulator is disposed within the lash adjuster oil feed passage and operates to attenuate oil pressure spikes within the lash adjuster oil feed passage.

Abstract: A variable valve device includes a camshaft which is rotatably provided in an internal combustion engine while having a cam, a rocker shaft which is arranged next to the camshaft, a valve which is driven by the cam, a cam follower rocker which is rotatably provided in the rocker shaft, and is rocked by following the cam, a valve drive rocker which is rotatably provided in the rocker shaft next to the cam follower rocker, and drives the valve, and a switching portion which be able to switch the valve drive rocker between a drive state and a non-drive state. Either a body of the cam follower rocker or a body of the valve drive rocker is made of an iron-based metal material, and the other body is made of a material different from the iron-based metal material, heat treatment being not required in the different material.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for regulating the lift characteristic of a charge cycle valve of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a controllable drive unit having an actuator element for actuating the charge cycle valve, two energy storage means acting on the charge cycle valve in opposite drive directions and a regulating means for controlling the drive unit. The regulating unit controls the drive unit according to a stored setpoint path, on the basis of which the charge cycle valve is transferred from a first end position into a second end position and vice versa. The setpoint path is designed so that it maps the ideal transient characteristic of the energy storage-drive element-energy storage system of the device without taking any additional ambient influences into account.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser including a housing, a rotor coaxially located within the housing, a phase control valve, a switching valve, and a passage connecting the first advance and retard chambers. The housing and the rotor define at least two chambers, a first chamber separated by a first vane into the first advance and retard chambers, and a second chamber separated by a second vane into the second advance and retard chambers. The switching valve has a first position in which fluid may flow freely between the passage connecting the first advance and retard chambers and fluid flow from the phase control valve to the first advance and first retard chambers is blocked. In the second position, the passage connecting the first advance and retard chambers is blocked and fluid may flow freely between the phase control valve and the first advance and first retard chambers.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driven shaft for actuating an intake valve and/or an exhaust valve of an engine. A housing member rotates together with a driving shaft of the engine. A rotor member is accommodated coaxially in the housing member for rotating together with the driven shaft. The rotor member is rotatable with respect to the housing member. The rotor member includes a rotor vane that circumferentially has a thick portion and a thin portion. The thick portion is greater than the thin portion in radial thickness. The rotor member further includes a bushing vane, in a substantially cylindrical shape, having one end. The one end is connectable to the rotor vane through a press-insertion hole with a compression margin relative to the thin portion. The one end is connectable to the rotor vane through a press-insertion hole without a compression margin relative to the thick portion.

Abstract: A connection element (9, 10) is provided for the captive mounting of a lever-type cam follower (1), which is used to actuate a gas-exchange valve (5) of an internal combustion engine, on a support element (2). The support element (2) has a spherical end (7) on which the cam follower (1) is pivotably mounted by a concave molding (6). The connection element (9, 10) is made from a flat material and is arranged, with a central section (11), on a bottom side (12) of a base (13) facing the support element (2). The base surrounds the concave molding (6) and connects to the side walls (27) of the cam follower (1). The central section forms, with two limbs (14) that are spaced apart from each other and a web (15) connected with the limbs, a U-shaped recess (16), which extends in a longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1) and which surrounds, in an essentially play-free manner, an annular groove (8) below the spherical end (7) in a fork-like manner and orthogonal to a pivoting direction of the cam follower (1).

Abstract: A device (1) for the hydraulic lash adjustment for several identically acting gas-exchange valves per cylinder of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, the device (1) including a common housing (2) with directly adjacent pressure pistons (3) provided corresponding to the number of identically acting gas-exchange valves. Each pressure piston (3) moves relative to the housing in an axial direction in a separate guide (4) in the housing (2), and also has a support (6) for an at least indirect contact with the corresponding gas-exchange valve on a distal end (5) away from the housing, and a non-return valve (8) in the region of a housing bottom (7) wherein a separate high-pressure chamber (9) is associated with each pressure piston (3) in which the non-return valve (8) opens.