Abstract: An animal housing is disclosed. In an embodiment, the animal housing includes a top side, wherein the top side comprises open and closed positions The animal housing also includes a plurality of sides. The plurality of sides provide support to he top side. In addition, the plurality of sides comprise a front side comprising a front side opening. Moreover, the animal housing includes a front side grate. The front side grate is vertically moveable with the top side in the closed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-level optimization of emission levels and efficiency for a boiler system that includes creating both boiler-level models and burner-level models and receiving a plurality of boiler-level system variables. The received system variables are used along with boiler system constraints to optimize boiler-level setpoints. Once the boiler-level setpoints have been optimized they are sent to the burner level of a hierarchical control system, where they are used to optimize burner-level setpoints. Once the burner-level setpoints have been optimized they are sent to the burner control loops of the plant control system to be implemented.

Abstract: A liquid injection and ratio control system is provided for blending an additive into a main flow line at a controlled ratio. The system automatically detects variances in temperature, pressure, and additive concentration and provides compensation thereto. The system also provides for automatic flow detection, calibration responsive to a level gauge, automated data collection, and wireless bi-directional communication.

Abstract: In an engine having at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston and a connecting rod for driving rotation of a crank disk and a crankshaft, a cam sleeve is moved along the crankshaft in response to a change in engine speed. The cam sleeve is coupled to a cam ring that moves with the cam sleeve and in a spiraling motion about the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft. A follower engages an outer face of the cam ring and is movable against a push rod that opens an injector valve. The follower is structured and disposed to move in response to contact with a lobe on the outer face of the cam ring to urge the push rod against the injector valve.

Abstract: A combustion-type power tool includes a housing, a cylinder, a cylinder head, a combustion chamber frame, and a rotatable fan. The combustion chamber frame including a base section, a head section abuttable on the cylinder head to provide a combustion chamber when the combustion chamber frame is at a first position, and a connection portion for connecting the head section with the base section. The fan includes fan blades which define a widthwise center line and having widthwise edge portions which define a widthwise edge line at a side of the cylinder head. The widthwise center line is offset from the connection portion toward another end of the housing, and the widthwise edge line is offset from the connection portion toward the cylinder head when the combustion chamber frame is at a second position.

Abstract: A cylinder liner for insert casting and a method for manufacturing the cylinder liner are provided. The cylinder liner and the method are applied to cylinder blocks and improve the adherence and the bonding strength with a cylinder block material in a favorable manner. The cylinder liner satisfies the following requirements: (i) the height of projections 1P is in a range between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm, inclusive; (ii) the number of the projections 1P is in a range between 5 and 60, inclusive, per cm2 on the outer circumferential surface; (iii) the area ratio of regions each encircled by a contour line of a height of 0.4 mm is in a range between 10% and 50%, inclusive; (iv) the area ratio of regions each encircled by a contour line of a height of 0.2 mm is in a range between 20% and 55%, inclusive; (v) the region each encircled by a contour line of the height of 0.4 are independent from each other; and (vi) the area of the regions each encircled by a contour line of the height of 0.4 mm is in a range between 0.

Abstract: A method of controlling cylinder valve switching between a first valve condition and a second valve condition for transitioning between combustion modes of an engine comprises adjusting timing of a signal to switch between said valve conditions in response to information from a combustion sensor, wherein said combustion modes include spark ignition and homogeneous compression ignition.

Abstract: A lift-variable valve-operating system for an internal combustion engine, comprising: subsidiary cams which are swingably supported on a movable support shaft capable of being displaced within a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis of a valve-operating cam, and which are swung following the valve-operating cam; and rocker arms each operatively connected to an engine valve and operated following the subsidiary cams, operating characteristics including a lift amount of the engine valve being changed by displacing the movable support shaft, wherein the system further includes a control arm carried in an engine body to be capable of turning about a turning axis parallel to a rotational axis of the valve-operating cam, wherein the movable support shaft having an axis parallel to the turning axis of the control arm is retained on the control arm at a location offset from the turning axis, wherein a hydraulic tappet is mounted in the control arm to support one end of each of the rocker arms, and wherein a valve

Abstract: A lift-variable valve-operating system for an internal combustion engine, comprising: subsidiary cams which are swingably supported on a movable support shaft capable of being displaced within a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis of a valve-operating cam, and which are swung following the valve-operating cam; and rocker arms each operatively connected to an engine valve and operated following the subsidiary cams, operating characteristics including a lift amount of the engine valve being changed by displacing the movable support shaft, wherein the system further includes a control arm carried in an engine body to be capable of turning about a turning axis parallel to a rotational axis of the valve-operating cam, wherein the movable support shaft having an axis parallel to the turning axis of the control arm is retained on the control arm at a location offset from the turning axis, wherein a hydraulic tappet is mounted in the control arm to support one end of each of the rocker arms, and wherein a valve

Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a housing which is biasedly assembled in such a manner that the housing is previously moved in a direction where a rotor knocks the housing. A camshaft rotatably extends through a through-hole provided in a sprocket and is engaged with a camshaft-inserting hole provided in the rotor. An inner diameter of the camshaft-inserting hole is lager than an inner diameter of the through-hole provided in the sprocket in order to prevent the camshaft-inserting hole from overlapping the through-hole.

Abstract: An adjustable camshaft, in particular for an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, wherein two shafts, namely one inner shaft and one outer shaft (2, 1), each fixedly connected to the cams, are rotatable in relation to one another, to create this relative movement, a hydraulic adjusting device (5) is provided at one of its ends, in the adjusting device (5), oppositely rotatable adjusting elements (6, 7) are each fixedly connected to one of the two shafts (1, 2), and the outer shaft (1) adjacent to the adjusting device (5) is at least fixedly connected to a bearing ring (3) that is supporting the shafts (1, 2) in a stationary abutment (4), is to be designed with respect to the hydraulic fluid supply devices so as to yield a small design space.

Abstract: Toothed belt for use in contact with oil and comprising a body and a number of teeth extending from at least one surface of the body; the teeth are coated by a fabric; a resistant layer comprising a plastomer based on fluorine with the addition of elastomeric material, in which the plastomer is present in a larger quantity than the elastomeric material, is applied by adhesion onto the coating fabric. The elastomeric material forming the body of the belt is a copolymer obtained from a dienic monomer and a monomer containing nitrile groups, in which the nitrile groups are between 33% and 49%, preferably 39%, in weight with respect to the copolymer.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a cylinder block defining a plurality of cylinders at least half of which are selectively deactivatable by a plurality of switching hydraulic lifters. A source of pressurized oil is provided. Additionally, at least one solenoid-actuated hydraulic control valve operates to selectively communicate pressurized oil from the source of pressurized oil to actuate the plurality of switching hydraulic lifters thereby deactivating the selectively deactivatable cylinders. The number of the solenoid-actuated hydraulic control valves is fewer than the number of selectively deactivatable cylinders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method which is used to ignite the combustion of fuel in a combustion chamber (5) of a engine (2), by introducing microwave radiation into the combustion chamber (5), said microwave radiation being produced in a microwave source (7) on the outside of the combustion chamber (5). The introduced microwave radiation is absorbed by the fuel distributed in the combustion chamber (5). The supply of energy, in the fuel, arising from absorption, distributed combustion in a large-volume in the combustion chamber (5), preferably in the entire combustion chamber (5) and in a homogeneous manner, and is essentially simultaneously ignited. The invention also relates to an associated ignition device (1) and an associated engine (2).

Abstract: A device for detecting the pressure in a combustion chamber of an engine is designed in such a way that the combustion-chamber pressure can be detected reliably and reproducibly. For this purpose, a glow element in a glow plug, exposed to the combustion-chamber pressure, is fixedly mounted in a housing of the glow plug via a fastening element. A sensor is fixedly mounted in the housing of the glow plug using this fastener located at a distance from the fastening element. This sensor detects the elastic deformation of the glow element caused by the combustion-chamber pressure. This device is preferably used in the automobile industry.

Abstract: The control apparatus-integrated generator-motor has: a generator-motor; and a control apparatus that is constituted by an inverter, a control circuit, a temperature sensor, etc. The control circuit determines whether or not switching element temperature will exceed the maximum permissible temperature when a command for an automatic engine stopping operation is issued. Then, if it is determined that the maximum permissible temperature will be exceeded, generated output of the generator-motor is reduced immediately before the automatic engine stopping operation in such a way that the switching element temperature will not exceed the maximum permissible temperature. The engine is subsequently stopped automatically.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling to supply of electric power to both a glow plug and a starter from a power source, the starter assisting start of the engine by using the glow plug, is provided. The control apparatus comprises a starter switch, starter, a detecting device detecting a state of the engine, a calculating circuit calculating a pre-glow time, an after-glow time, and a delay time. These times depend on both the detected state of the engine detected by the detecting device and a timing when the starter switch is turned on to a power-on position thereof. The control circuit controls the supply of the electric power to both the glow plug and the starter based on the delay time, the pre-glow time, and the after-glow time.

Abstract: A device for starting a model airplane engine from a starter motor, electric drill or other drive means. The device for starting a model airplane engine comprises a cylindrical hub having an open end and a closed end, the hub having tubular sidewalls attached to periphery edges of the base and extending towards the open end of the hub. The tubular sidewall is provided with two slots. The slots are positioned diametrically opposed across the axis of revolution of the hub. A substantially flat bumper bracket extends outwards from the hub through the slots. The bumper bracket is equipped with elongated side bumpers attached at opposing ends of the bracket, the side bumpers extending forward from the hub and adapted to interface with and torsionally drive a model airplane propeller. The starting device transferring rotary torque from the drive means to the airplane propeller and engine to crank the engine and thereby facilitate starting of the engine.

Abstract: An outboard motor is mounted on a hull and has an engine disposed in an upright position in a cowling so that a crankshaft thereof extends generally vertically during cruising. An embodiment of the motor includes a first surge tank disposed on the opposite side of a cylinder head of the engine with respect to the crankshaft of the engine; long intake pipes that communicate with the first surge tank and an intake port of the engine; second surge tanks disposed between the long intake pipes and the engine for communicating with the first surge tank; short intake pipes provided in the midway of the long intake pipes on the engine side for communicating with the second surge tanks; and on-off valves for opening and closing the short intake pipes.

Abstract: An outboard motor mounted to a hull of a watercraft includes a V-type engine having right and left cylinder banks positioned in a cowling and having a crankshaft generally vertically disposed when the watercraft is under a running condition. A surge tank is disposed in the cowling. Right and left side long intake conduits and right and left side short intake conduits both connect the surge tank to intake ports of respective right and left banks of cylinders. The associated long intake conduits and short intake conduits can be selectively established depending on information about operational conditions of the hull and/or the outboard motor. The outboard motor includes right and left shut-off valves interchanging the long intake conduits and the short intake conduits. Right and left actuators individually actuate the right and left shut-off valves in accordance with information about operational conditions. A control means individually controls operations of the respective actuators.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes an engine having at least one intake port. An air intake assembly introduces air into the intake port. In one arrangement, the air intake assembly includes a stationary funnel and a movable funnel positioned on the inlet side of the fixed funnel and selectively cooperates with the stationary funnel to deliver air to the intake port of the engine. A seal member creates at least a substantial seal between the fixed funnel and the movable funnel when the funnels are in cooperation with one another. A retention mechanism inhibits the seal member from disengaging with the funnel onto which the seal member is positioned. In one arrangement, the movable funnel is formed with one or more projections and the seal member is formed with one or more recesses that accommodate the projections. The projection may be a flange or a boss, among other possibilities, and the recess is configured to accommodate the specific projection.

Abstract: An inlet valve is partially coated with a protective coating to resist corrosion and gas impingement when used in an internal combustion engine. The inlet valve has a hard cladding that is shaped to function as a valve seat. The hard cladding forms an interface with the valve head body, which is typically made of a softer metallic material than the hard cladding. The protective coating is bonded to the inlet valve and covers the cladding-body interface. The protective coating is resistant to corrosion, wear from gas impingement, and can withstand the high temperatures reached in internal combustion engines. Internal engines incorporating the valves are more durable and less susceptible to catastrophic valve failure. A method for making the inlet valves generally includes masking a portion of the valve stem and the valve seat, applying a protective coating to cladding-body interface, and curing the protective coating or otherwise bonding the protective coating to the inlet valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder crankcase (4) comprising at least one cylinder liner (2) which is integrally cast in the cylinder crankcase (4). The cylinder liner (2) runs in the cylinder crankcase (4) from a cylinder-head side (6) to an oil-chamber side (8) and has an inner side (10) and an outer side (14). The invention is characterized in that the cylinder liner (2), at least at one end, is longer along the inner side (10) in the axial direction (20) than on the outer side (14). The transition from the inner side (10) to the outer side (14) is effected in the form of encircling, concentric steps (22).

Abstract: A cylinder head of an engine is disclosed, the cylinder head including an upper deck, a lower deck, and a sidewall extending between the upper deck and the lower deck. The lower deck defines a block-engaging portion and a combustion chamber flame deck. The combustion chamber flame deck is spaced apart from the block-engaging portion. An engine is also disclosed that includes a cylinder block having a cylinder bore, and a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder bore. The engine also includes a cylinder head having a lower deck connected to the cylinder block, the lower deck defining a block-engaging portion and a combustion chamber flame deck. The combustion chamber flame deck is spaced apart from the block-engaging portion by a recess.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a camshaft holder 20 attached to a cylinder head 1, and two camshafts 11 and 12 are rotatably supported by the camshaft holder 20. A high-pressure pump 60 has a driving shaft 63 rotatively driven by the camshaft. An accessory holder 30 provided with a mounting seat 40 to which the high-pressure fuel pump 60 is attached is formed integrally with a lower camshaft holder 21 included in the camshaft holder 20. The mounting seat 40 is formed integrally with the accessory holder 30 and is provided with a through hole 41 in which the driving shaft 63 is received. Thus the cylinder head 1 is formed in a small size and a light weight. The accessory holder 30 can be formed with a high rigidity in a small size.

Abstract: A crankcase of an engine having a crankshaft therein comprises a skirt part formed in the circumferential direction of the crankshaft and a stiffening rib provided on a wall surface of the skirt part as inclined at a predetermined degree angle to the axis of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly (2000) for transferring energy within a combustion engine (1010) externally of the engine. The power transfer assembly includes a crankshaft (2006) adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion. The power transfer assembly further includes an outdrive (2004, 2020, and/or 2026) adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power. The outdrive is non-rigidly interfaced with the outdrive such that the crankshaft is permitted to freely rotate relative to the outdrive about at least one axis (2014) and freely move linearly in at least one direction (2027) relative to the outdrive during operation.

Abstract: A rotary engine with multiple pivotally mounted lobes desmodromically extendible and retractable from a rotor to trace asymmetric volumes for inlet and compression and expansion and exhaust based on the contour of the engine case which the lobes sealingly engage.

Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus for a diesel engine is provided which works to determine the number of a sequence of injection events to inject fuel into the engine in each operating cycle of the engine and increase it based on the temperature of an injector drive circuit. When the temperature of the injector drive circuit is relatively low, the apparatus increases the number of injection events to decrease the degree of combustion in the engine, thereby reducing the combustion noise of the engine.

Abstract: A throttle control apparatus includes a valve. A motor is provided for generating driving force to rotate the valve. Gears transmit the driving force to the valve. A biasing unit generates biasing force to bias the valve in a close rotative direction. A control unit is provided for supplying electricity to the motor to generate the driving force. When the control unit terminates electricity supply to the motor, the valve is biased to a full close position by the biasing force. When the control unit performs a full close control to manipulate the valve toward the full close position, the control unit continues electricity supply to the motor to stop the valve at a full close control point, which is set in advance of the full close position.

Abstract: A throttle control apparatus includes a housing defining therein a fluid passage. A motor is provided for generating driving force to rotate a valve. The valve blocks the fluid passage when the valve is in a full close position. A throttle position detecting unit detects a throttle position of the valve. A control unit is adapted to performing a full close control to manipulate the valve toward a control target by setting the control target at a throttle position deviating from the full close position in a close rotative direction. The control unit starts a deceleration control to reduce moving speed of the valve gradually toward the control target in the full close control when the throttle position is a specific position in the vicinity of the full close position.

Abstract: A throttle valve unit is disclosed that includes a main body having a cylinder portion defining a fluid passage. The main body also includes a fastening portion projecting from an outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion for fastening to a separate member. The cylinder portion defines an axis. The throttle valve unit also includes a throttle valve that is rotatably supported by the cylinder portion for opening and closing the fluid passage. The throttle valve is supported by the cylinder portion at a support area. The fastening portion is provided at approximately the same axial position relative to the axis as the support area of the throttle valve and includes a plurality of mounting portions for coupling to the separate member and a plurality of connecting portions extending between the mounting portions.

Abstract: For accurately estimating an air quantity flowing into a cylinder at the time of operating an intake control valve, a control apparatus for an engine according to the present invention is provided with an intake control valve which can open/close an intake passage in synchronization with opening/closing of an intake valve, intake control valve controlling means which opens the intake control valve in the midst of the intake stroke and thereafter, closes the intake control valve, and air quantity estimating means which estimates an air quantity flowing into a cylinder after the intake control valve has opened, based upon opening timing of the intake control valve, closing timing or an opening period of the intake control valve, and a pressure at a downstream side of the intake control valve at the opening timing of the intake control valve.

Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine determining a target throttle opening degree based on a target intake air amount which can simply and reliably detect any control abnormality is provided. The control device of an internal combustion engine determining a target throttle opening degree based on a target intake amount compares the target intake air amount and an intake air amount measured by an air flow meter to detect a control abnormality. By this control device, it is possible to simply and reliably detect a control abnormality in the process of determination of the target throttle opening degree or control of the throttle valve.

Abstract: An intake device for outboard motors, which makes it possible to improve intake performance and reduce the size of the device at the same time. Cylinder banks have a plurality of cylinder bores arranged in a vertical direction, and extend rearward to form a V shape. Intake ports of the respective cylinder bores are formed in the cylinder banks to open in the inner sides of the V shape. An intake manifold is connected to the intake ports. A surge tank is connected to the intake manifold. A throttle body is connected to the surge tank. The surge tank comprises a plurality of intake passage members connected to the respective cylinder bores via the intake manifold, wall members provided between respective adjacent ones of the intake passage members, and a lid member configured to hermetically close a space defined by the intake passage members and the wall members.

Abstract: The fuel injector comprises a hollow casing, fixed on which is a nozzle having a nebulizer for the fuel under pressure, a needle axially mobile for opening and closing the nebulizer by means of a first end thereof, and a control rod, substantially coaxial with the needle and in direct engagement therewith. The needle is normally pushed into a closing position of the nozzle by the fuel under pressure acting on the rod, aided by a compression spring, which acts on the needle through a sleeve that is in axial engagement with a portion of the rod. The sleeve further comprises a surface designed to engage at the front and directly one end of the needle. The spring engages another surface of the sleeve so as to transmit its action directly onto the needle.

Abstract: A combustion-engined setting tool for driving fastening elements such as, e.g., nails, bolts, or pins in a workpiece, includes a plate-shaped member (17) axially displaceable in the tool combustion chamber (14), a member (33) for displacing the plate-shaped member (17), a holding device (30) for retaining the plate-shaped member (17) at an axial end (15) of the combustion chamber (14) against action of the displacing member (33), with the holding device (30) having magnetic elements (31) for producing a holding force for retaining the plate-shaped member (17) and a device for overpowering the holding force produced by the magnetic elements (31).

Abstract: An apparatus in a mechanical returnless fuel system is provided that includes a fuel pump motor for providing fuel to a powertrain system. A powertrain control module provides an activation signal for activating the fuel pump motor. A restraint control system includes a restraint control module for providing a disabling signal for disabling the fuel pump motor in response to a vehicle impact. An electronic relay switch is adapted for coupling to the fuel pump motor to selectably energize the fuel pump motor according to a conductive state and a non-conductive state of the electronic relay switch. A relay controller packaged with the electronic relay switch is responsive to the activation signal and the disabling signal for selecting the conductive state according to the activation signal when the disabling signal is not present and selecting the nonconductive state when the disabling signal is present.

Abstract: A valve has a piezo actuator, a valve element, a valve body and a valve seat. At a predeterminable point in time, the valve element is controlled by a discharging process of the piezo actuator from a position in which it rests against the valve seat to a predetermined position located at a distance from the valve seat. The discharging process is divided into a first discharging period during which a predetermined first amount of electrical energy is discharged from the piezo actuator, a subsequent holding time period during which the piezo actuator is not controlled, and a subsequent second discharging period during which a predetermined second amount of electrical energy is discharged. The holding time duration and/or the first discharging period are/is adapted according to the course of a value that is not characteristic of the oscillation behavior of the piezo actuator during the holding time period.

Abstract: A boat has an outboard motor that is mounted to a hull and has a fuel system. The outboard motor has a cowling housing an engine. The fuel system includes a fuel pump disposed within a sealed container. The sealed container provides a physical and thermal barrier to seawater and engine heat that may otherwise degrade fuel pump operation. The sealed container can also include an internal insulator.

Abstract: A fuel control system for controlling the purging of alternate fuel in an internal combustion engine at shutdown includes: at least one valve device configured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine; a first fuel source configured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device; a second fuel source configured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device; and a controller connected to the valve device and adapted to be connected to an ignition system.

Abstract: A fuel conditioning system has a housing defining a chamber and provided with an inlet upstream of the chamber and an outlet downstream of the chamber. A hemispherical seat has a first end in communication with the inlet, and a second end in communication with the chamber. A valve body is moveable between a closed position and an open position where the valve body is spaced from the inlet to allow air to flow into the chamber. A biasing device biases the valve body toward the closed position.

Abstract: A thermally responsive regulator valve assembly and exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust system is provided. The exhaust gas recirculation system includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage selectively interconnecting the exhaust system and the intake manifold. An exhaust gas recirculation valve is disposed in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recirculation passage and operates to selectively and variably communicate recirculated exhaust gas to the intake manifold. A thermally responsive regulator valve assembly is disposed at least partially within the exhaust gas recirculation passage and the intake manifold.

Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a housing defining therein a fluid passage. The fluid control valve further includes a valve member for controlling a fluid flow in the fluid passage by communicating and blocking by the fluid passage. The fluid control valve further includes a protection member being press-inserted into the housing for protecting the housing from heat of the fluid flow in the fluid passage. The housing is formed by die casting of an aluminum material. The protection member and a wall surface, which defines the fluid passage in the housing, define therebetween a thermal insulating layer for restricting thermal transmission of the fluid flow from the protection member toward the housing.

Abstract: An EGR recovery system and method includes calculating a transient volume of EGR sufficient to maintain NOx emitted by an engine below a predetermined level during a period of transient operation of said engine, supplying an actual volume of EGR during said period of transient operation, measuring said actual level of EGR during said period of transient operation, calculating an EGR deficit between said transient volume of EGR and said actual of volume of EGR during said period of transient operation, integrating said EGR deficit over said period of transient operation to calculate a deficit volume of EGR, calculating a following steady-state volume of EGR sufficient to maintain NOx emitted by said engine of said engine below said predetermined level during a following period of substantially steady-state operation of said engine, and supplying said following steady-state volume of EGR plus said deficit volume of EGR during said following period of substantially steady-state operation of said engine.

Abstract: An engine for an outboard motor is provided that can include a crankcase having a crankcase chamber, a cam chamber, and an oil pan disposed below the crankcase. The engine can also include a crank chamber oil-return passage through which lubricating oil can be returned from the crank chamber to the oil pan. Further, the engine can include a cam chamber oil-return passage through which lubricating oil can be returned from the cam chamber to the oil pan. Finally, the engine can also include a gas passage to provide communication between the crank chamber, the cam chamber, and the oil pan in order to allow passage of blow-by gas without substantial interference with the movement of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: A spark plug circuit for, and a method of, reducing or preventing the corrosion of a spark plug electrodes in an internal combustion engine. The circuit and method provide a positive voltage across the center electrode/ground electrode gap, which repels positively charged corrosion mechanisms, such as calcium and phosphorus ions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising several cylinders provided with injection valves associated with the cylinders admeasuring fuel. An exhaust gas probe is arranged in an exhaust gas tract and the measuring signal thereof is characteristic for the air/fuel ratio in the respective cylinder. A sensing crankshaft angle is determined in relation to a reference position of the piston of the respective cylinder in order to detect the measuring signal according to a variable characterizing air/fuel ratio in the respective cylinder, or an ambient pressure or a degree of opinion of a bypass valve of a bypass associated with a turbine in which the exhaust gas tract is arranged. The measuring signal is detected at the sensing crankshaft angle and allocated to the respective cylinder.

Abstract: In a multi-cylinder engine, to compute the air-fuel ratio of each cylinder by an air-fuel ratio sensor disposed in an exhaust pipe, a cylinder is determined by a crank angle detected by a crank angle sensor. A deviation in the air-fuel ratio of each cylinder is detected on the basis of the output signal of the air-fuel ratio sensor disposed in the exhaust pipe and the forcibly changed quantity of the air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a poppet valve offering an increased valve area, comprising an outer valve head having an outer valve port and an inner valve head having an inner valve port. The inner valve head is rotatable relative to the outer valve head to align the inner and outer valve ports, thereby increasing the effective valve area of the poppet valve. The path created by aligning the inner and outer valve ports can be designed to mix air flowing through the poppet valve. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a valve guide containing a poppet valve having a guide pin, wherein the guide pin rests within a groove in the valve guide. As the poppet valve moves through the valve guide, the groove controls movement of the guide pin and causes the poppet valve to rotate relative to the valve guide.