Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of injecting an avian egg containing an embryo, preferably an early embryo (e.g., a blastoderm). The methods of the invention may be used to deliver a substance to an egg, remove a sample from an egg, and/or to insert a detector device into an egg to collect information therefrom. In preferred embodiments, the invention is used to deliver a substance to the embryo in ovo. In other preferred embodiments, the invention is used to produce chimeric or transgenic avian embryos in ovo.

Abstract: Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which line leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cup, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to a teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line having an end portion with discharge end, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the passage of the milk extraction at or downstream of the discharge end of the line for cleansing medium, preferably at that level, when discharging the cleansing medium, the closing means comprising a reciprocating closing body that can be moved between a position leaving the passage of the milk extractor free and a position closing it off, the closing body being provided with a squirt line forming the end portion with discharge end of the line for supply

Abstract: A gripper device mountable on a robot arm (10) of a milking robot (2) provided for automatically attach teat cups (5) to the teats of a milking animal, the gripper device comprises an electromagnet (6) for gripping teat cups made of a magnetic material, the electromagnet including a coil (31) feedable with a current and a core (33) of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the coil; and a support structure (7) for holding the electromagnet. The core comprises two end portions (33a-b) in a single face of the electromagnet, wherein the two end portions constitute different poles of the electromagnet, and are shaped to be engagable with each of the teat cups in a close fit.

Abstract: A covered pet bed comprising an extended padded bottom covered in a soft reversible fabric with a permanently attached cover member that is fronted by a self-formed tube filled with batting which keeps the cover member lifted and allows access under the cover member by the pet. The padded bottom extends out past the cover member and has a permanently attached pillow. The pillow is shaped to compliment the pet for which the covered pet bed is intended, and the pillow may be embroidered with the pet's name. The covered pet bed is reversible and fully machine washable and dryable.

Abstract: A portable heated or cooled pet bed, and methods and systems for using the same, are disclosed. According to various embodiments, the pet bed may be easily transportable between different locations (e.g., using a handle or by simply gripping one or more portions thereof), and are provided with cushion material to compensate for harsh (e.g., hard) resting or sleeping conditions that would otherwise be faced by a pet. According to various embodiments, the pet bed may include one or more heating and/or cooling elements such as a Peltier device.

Abstract: A bird feeder provides a feed hopper constructed concentrically around a vertical central axis and having a plurality of feeding ports evenly distributed around the central axis, and a cable reel mounted to the feed hopper and adapted to store and provide a cable for supporting the bird feeder along the central axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved spill-resistant container for providing water to pets. The container generally includes a base member, annular sidewall integral with a periphery of the base member, and an annular lip extending partially inward from the sidewall forming an aperture through which the pet access the fluid (e.g., water). The base member, annular sidewall, and lip together form an inner cavity adapted to hold fluid for a pet. A circular anti-splash ring is centrally disposed within the inner cavity and extends slightly upward from the base to resist horizontal sloshing (wave action) of the fluid within the inner cavity. The anti-splash ring further includes a flow aperture, allowing fluid communication throughout the inner cavity.

Abstract: A portable cat litter box comprises a lower portion having a pair of wheels mounted thereon, an upper portion that is attachable to the lower portion in order to collectively define an interior compartment for containing kitty litter, a door pivotally suspended in order to allow ingress and egress of a cat into the interior compartment, and an extension handle pivotally attached to the cat litter box to facilitate transportation thereof and which is lockable to the upper portion during non-use.

Abstract: A non-color transferable animal litter is disclosed that employs painted particles and non-painted water absorbent material. The painted particles are colorfast once dry. Upon wetting the dried painted particles do not bleed. The water absorbent material may be a clumping or non-clumping material.

Abstract: Composite particles suitable for use as a clumping animal litter according to one embodiment include an absorbent material, and a superabsorbent polymer coupled to the absorbent material, where a ratio of rates of absorption of the superabsorbent polymer and absorbent material is at least about 1:1. Composite particles suitable for use as a clumping animal litter according to another embodiment include an absorbent material and a superabsorbent polymer coupled to the absorbent material, where the superabsorbent polymer has a greater Jenkins osmotic potential than the absorbent material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are effective in electrically grounding animals that are kept indoors, such as pets (dogs, cats, hamsters, iguanas, fish, birds, etc.), lab caged animals used for clinical trials (guinea pigs, rats, etc.). The inventive apparatus and concepts are also applicable to fish and other creatures in aquariums and animals that are kept indoors at night or during harsh weather, including livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs, lamb, etc.) and horse stables.

Abstract: A pet shelter divided into a plurality of compartments of different interior temperatures with a temperature control device for controlling the temperature in the pet shelter, such that the interior temperatures change progressively across the compartments to blend into the temperature of the outside environment.

Abstract: A method to massage and groom a four-legged animal includes the steps of providing a paw shaped glove, of selecting a vibrator that produces vibrations that are like by the animal and have a selected frequency and magnitude and that produces a sound liked by the animal and having a selected magnitude and frequency, of mounting the vibrator on the glove, and of massaging and grooming the animal with the glove.

Abstract: An electric shock device (80) in use attached to an animal such as a horse or other equine animal to discourage an undesirable behaviour such as wind-sucking. The device (80) includes: an attachment (81) for locating the device (80) on the neck of the animal; an electric charge source (90) operatively connected to the attachment (81); electrode means (95) for applying an electric pulse to the animal, the electrode means (95) electrically connected to the charge source (90); and activation means such as a hinged lever or tongue (84) activated in response to the performance by the animal of the undesirable behaviour alone, the activation of the activation means (84) leading to the discharge of said electric pulse from said electric charge source (90).

Abstract: A bandage system for an animal that has at least two legs. The system comprises a first tubular member adapted to fit over one of the animal's legs, a second tubular member adapted to fit over another of the animal's legs. A support member is connected to the first tubular member and to the second tubular member. The support member is adapted to fit over the animal's back.

Abstract: A water heater constituting a combined hot water supply system opens, in starting operation in response to an instruction from a connection controller in STEP 1, a water-supply servo valve to an operation start opening As corresponding to a water quantity slightly larger than an ignition water quantity Fi in STEP 2. In STEP 5, the water heater maintains an opening of the water-supply servo valve at the operation start opening As until a detected temperature Th of a hot-water-supply temperature sensor reaches temperature near a target temperature Ta (Ta???Th?Ta+?) and limits a water supply quantity from a water supply pipe to be equal to or smaller than a flow rate corresponding to the operation start opening As.

Abstract: A boiler that enhances the efficiency of the use of heated gas streams to generate steam is provided. The boiler includes a lower drum, an upper drum, a plurality of conduits adapted to transfer heated fluid from the lower drum to the upper drum, a combustion chamber, and a series of heat transfer chambers adapted to receive combustion gases from the combustion chamber. The first of the heat transfer chambers is positioned above the second heat transfer chamber and receives the heated gas from the combustion chamber prior to the second heat transfer chamber. A method of operating the boiler is also provided. Though aspects of the invention are applicable to package boilers, other aspects of the invention are applicable for use in residential, commercial, or industrial settings.

Abstract: A system for delivering tooling around the annulus of a steam generator without damaging any part of the steam generator is provided where the tooling delivery device travels between the tube bundle and the vessel shell and delivers tooling for cleaning, inspection, retrieval and repair. The device has various types of locomotion system including treads, rollers, magnets and vacuum. The cleaning device has multiple high pressure nozzles that rotate 180 degrees about a horizontal axis and 360 degrees about a vertical axis enabling the device to sweep multiple lanes of tubes simultaneously and also clean the front and back of the annulus floor and tube sheet.

Abstract: A structural framework for supporting the heat exchanger of a steam generator, the former being comprised of serpentine tubes having sloped segments to facilitate the drainage of water from the heat exchanger when the steam generator is shutdown. The structural framework includes paired groups of vertically and diagonally extending first support members contiguously straddling the sloped-tube segments. The paired first support members are rigidly connected by second support members which extend between adjacent sloped-tube segments. The structural framework preserves the spacing between the sloped-tube segments and prevents direct contact between adjoining tube surfaces, but is not attached to the straddled tube segments and, thus, provides a tube supporting fit that is loose enough to permit the tubes to move freely due to expansion and contraction at different rates from that of the structural framework.

Abstract: A drive system suitable for use in a variable transmission with a plurality of rotatable and adjustable disk members, gear means adapted for contact with the plurality of disk members, carriage means for mounting the gear means and configured for axial movement along the axis of a rotatable drive shaft and a rotatable cone adapted for contact with the plurality of disk members, the cone and the conical gear means connected for relative rotation by the plurality of disk members, the disk members being adjustable transversely relative to the axis of rotation for maintaining positive contact with said rotatable cone.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a variable valve system wherein each cam opens and closes an intake valve and an exhaust valve via each rocker arm. A variable valve system of an internal combustion engine E includes rocker arms rocked by the action of valve driving force of cams with each lift quantity variable mechanism varying a maximum lift quantity of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. The lift quantity variable mechanism includes a lifter that is driven by the cam, and makes the valve driving force act on the rocker arm and a lifter holder that supports the lifter, and is driven by an electric motor and is rocked. The lifter is movably supported by the lifter holder. Maximum lift quantity is varied by varying a position in which the lifter abuts on the rocker arm according to a position in which the lifter holder is turned.

Abstract: In valve control apparatus for an internal combustion engine and its assembling method, a positioning section is interposed between a predetermined position of a housing member at which a shoe is positioned so as to be opposed against a side surface of a vane in which a lock piston is arranged and one of a front cover and a rear plate on which a lock hole is formed, to perform a housing circumferential directional positioning of the lock piston and the lock hole.

Abstract: A variable valve timing control device includes a driving side rotational member (2) synchronously rotating with a crankshaft, a driven side rotational member (1) positioned coaxially with the driving side rotational member, and synchronously rotating with a camshaft, a fluid pressure chamber (40), formed in at least one of the driving side rotational member and the driven side rotational member, for generating a biasing force for changing a relative rotational phase between the driving side rotational member and the driven side rotational member by hydraulic fluid supplied into or discharged from the fluid pressure chamber, a lock mechanism (6) movable between a lock position for preventing a relative rotation between the driving side rotational member and the driven side rotational member and a lock release position for allowing the relative rotation, a lock release pressure chamber (62) for generating a biasing force to move the lock mechanism (6) to the lock release position by supply of the hydraulic flu

Abstract: Proposed is a cam follower (1) for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, having a roller (3), which is rotatably mounted on a journal (2), as a cam thrust face, which journal (2) runs with its outer casing (4) in a respective bore (5, 6) of a first and second guide wall (7, 8) of the cam follower (1), between which guide walls (7, 8) the roller (3) is held, which outer casing (4) is composed of a first and a second section (9, 10), which first section (9) intrinsically has a greater diameter than the second section (10), wherein the journal (2) has an axial travel limitation in one direction by means of its collar (11) which is situated between the sections (9, 10), and in the other direction by means of a radially projecting element such as a securing ring (12), which collar (11) and which securing ring (12) abut against one of the guide walls (7, 8).

Abstract: A hydraulic valve lash adjuster for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, for example for an automotive vehicle, said hydraulic valve lash adjuster comprising a piston (2) that is guided for displacement in a piston housing (4) and elastically supported against said housing, said piston (2) comprising a low pressure chamber (3) that communicates via an axial opening (26) in a piston bottom (19) with a high pressure chamber (5) defined by the piston housing (4) and the piston (2), and further comprising a control valve (6) acting between said pressure chambers (3, 5), said control valve (6) comprising a valve closing body (7) that can be brought to bear sealingly against a valve seat (24) that surrounds the axial opening (26) on a piston body undersurface (28) and is received in a closing body cap (9) whose cap bottom (21) acts as a stroke limitation of the valve closing body (7), and said control valve (6) further comprising a control valve spring (8) that loads the valve closing body (7) in opening

Abstract: An automatic tappet clearance adjusting device, comprising an adjusting unit adjusting the projected amount of a rocker arm by advancing and retreating an adjust screw to and from the tip of the rocker arm, a pressure setting part electrically controlling the pressure of an air supply source part based on the measurement signals of a primary side pressure sensor measuring the pressure of the air supply source part so that the pressure becomes a specified one, a supply pipeline allowing the air supply source part to communicate with a combustion chamber through a variable orifice, and a control mechanism part controlling the adjusting unit based on measurement signals of a secondary side pressure sensor measuring the pressure of the supply pipeline. The pressure is set to 1.5 kPa by the pressure setting part and the variable orifice.

Abstract: A method for improving engine starting for an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to one aspect of the description, valve timing during a start can be set so that combustion stability and emissions may be improved.

Abstract: An engine start control apparatus includes an intake air amount control device for controlling an amount of air supplied to a combustion chamber, a fuel supply device for injecting fuel to be fed into the combustion chamber, and an igniting device for igniting the fuel.

Abstract: In a method for starting an internal combustion engine with direct injection of the fuel, an injection into at least one of the cylinders is omitted in a directed manner during at least one cylinder operating cycle of the internal combustion engine after an event triggering the operation to start the internal combustion engine has occurred and in the presence of at least one predetermined operating condition.

Abstract: An intake structure for internal combustion engine includes an intake passage which is communicated with a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and through which air to be supplied to the combustion chamber flows; and a valve which is provided in the intake passage and which controls the airflow in the intake passage. The intake passage has a recess which is formed in the inner wall face of the intake passage and in which the valve is arranged; and a groove that is connected to the recess, at a substantially center position of the recess in a width direction of the recess, and that extends from the recess toward the downstream side of the intake passage.

Abstract: A piston engine has a crank assembly, a piston assembly, a crank case assembly and a cylinder head assembly. The crank assembly has a central axle, two counterweight blocks and a crank axle. The central axle has two connecting segments and two flanges. The flanges are respectively coaxial and eccentric mounted with the connecting segments and each flange has an eccentricity h relative to a corresponding connecting segment. Accordingly, the eccentricity h can make the crank case assembly and the cylinder head assembly vibrate. The vibration directions of the cylinder head assembly and the crank case assembly opposite to the vibration directions of the piston assembly and the crank assembly. Then, the shaking and the vibration of the piston engine can be effectively reducing.

Abstract: A method for surface treatment capable of easily improving a mechanical strength of an internal combustion piston at a reasonable cost is provided. A modified surface layer is formed by injecting injection powders containing a reinforcing element to be collided with an Al—Si alloy-based piston obtained by casting and forging by injecting under predetermined conditions, the reinforcing element being diffused and penetrated in the piston to improve the strength thereof. When a function, such as fuel modification, is imparted to the modified surface layer, an element exhibiting a photocatalytic function by oxidation, such as Ti, Sn, Zn, Zr, or W, is selected as the reinforcing element.

Abstract: An engine with a hybrid crankcase includes the crankcase being a composite construction having an exoskeleton formed of a non-ferrite material having no defined endurance limit as a material, the non-ferrite exoskeleton encapsulating a load bearing skeleton formed of a ferrite material, the ferrite material having a well defined endurance limit, whereby the skeleton acts to carry the highest engine loadings. A method of forming such an engine is further included.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase in which a crankshaft is rotatably mounted. Mechanisms are provided for scraping off the oil from the rotating crankshaft. An oil pan is arranged below the crankcase for holding the oil scraped off by the scrapers.

Abstract: A compression ignition internal combustion engine which operates using a methane based fuel and an ignition initiator. The fuel and method of operating the engine can be employed in a range of applications such as, for example, road or marine vehicles or in static applications such as electrical generators.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, there is provided a method of providing a first fuel injection schedule having one or more injections per cylinder per compression stroke at a first discrete power level selected from a plurality of discrete power levels of an engine. The method further includes providing a second fuel injection schedule having a plurality of injections per cylinder per compression stroke at a second discrete power level selected from the plurality of discrete power levels of the engine, wherein the first and second fuel injection schedules comprise different injection characteristics from one another.

Abstract: In the top face of a piston (6), there is formed a cavity (30) having a bottom surface (32) which slopes downward toward an exhaust side and which includes a raised part (32a) extending from near the center of the bottom surface to an intake-side wall surface. The cavity guides fuel spray (15) which has been injected by an injector (12) and passed by an electrode part (14a) of a spark plug (14), to arrive near the electrode part of the spark plug again in the form of an air-fuel mixture (15a).

Abstract: An air bypass valve failure detecting device outputs an opening command to an air bypass valve when a throttle valve suddenly closes, thereby prevent surging from occurring in a second intake passage between a turbocharger and a throttle valve. When the opening command is outputted to the air bypass valve, failure detection for the air bypass valve is permitted only if an intake air quantity of an engine immediately before a closing command is changed to the opening command is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. Thus, it is possible to prevent the failure detecting device from erroneously determining that the air bypass valve is normal although valve closing failure of the air bypass valve has occurred. This is because, when the intake air quantity is smaller than the predetermined value, surging does not occur in the second intake passage even if the valve closing failure of the airy bypass valve has occurred.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating a drive unit of a vehicle are provided, which result in reduced fuel consumption in the overrun condition. An output variable of the drive unit is set, in this context, according to a preset driving strategy in the overrun condition of the drive unit. At least two preset driving strategies are specified for the overrun condition of the drive unit. In the overrun condition, one of the specified driving strategies is selected as a function of a driving situation.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide an electronic throttle valve control system which can prevent rapid rotation of a throttle valve reliably when the control system has a failure. [Solution] A throttle valve 10 for controlling the amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine, an electric motor 20 for driving the throttle valve 10, and a rotational speed reduction mechanism 30 for reducing the rotation of the electric motor 20 to control the rotation of the throttle valve 10 are provided. The rotational speed reduction mechanism 30 has an urging mechanism 31 for urging the throttle valve 10 in the closing direction. The rotational speed reduction mechanism 30 is connected to an attenuation mechanism 38(20) for attenuating the speed at which the throttle valve 10 is rotated in the closing direction by the urging force of the urging mechanism 31 when the control system has a failure. The attenuation mechanism 38 is constituted of the electric motor 20 in a regenerative mode or an air damper.

Abstract: An ignition circuit causes a magneto to continue to provide spark to an engine for a delay period after the ignition switch is switched off. After the delay period, the ignition circuit routes energy from the magneto to actuate a magneto disable switch to provide a path to ground for the magneto.

Abstract: An engine exhaust gas purifier includes: an injection controller allowing a fuel injection valve to inject fuel near the top dead center on each compression stroke; an EGR amount controller for controlling the amount of exhaust gas recirculated into a combustion chamber; an excess air ratio controller for controlling the excess air ratio so that the local equivalence ratio in a late combustion stage is lower than the equivalence ratio at which soot is produced; and an intake air temperature controller for controlling the temperature of intake air after being mixed with exhaust gas. The intake air temperature controller controls the temperature of intake air within a temperature range lower than an upper temperature limit below which a predetermined ignition delay time can be secured and higher than a lower temperature limit above which the production of HC and CO can be avoided.

Abstract: In an engine equipped with a common rail fuel injection system, the engine can sometimes experience an overspeed condition, and the pump may respond to this overspeed condition with self-actuation even in the absence of any control signal. In order to prevent an over pressurization condition, a liquid supply into a pumping chamber of the pump is limited during a retraction stroke of a pump plunger by energizing an electrical actuator coupled to a spill valve, to move the spill valve toward a closed position. The electrical actuator is de-energized during a pumping stroke of the pump plunger to allow the spill valve to more toward an open position. Liquid from the pumping chamber is discharged through the spill valve during the pumping stroke, but over pressurization is avoided by limiting the amount of liquid that can enter the pumping chamber during the retraction stroke.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve is provided for a common rail fuel system. The pressure relief valve has a housing with an inlet, an outlet, and a central bore fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet. The pressure relief valve also has a single valve seat and a first valve element movable to selectively block a flow of fluid through the single valve seat. The pressure relief valve further has a second valve element disposed within the central bore of the housing and movable to selectively block a flow of fluid through the central bore.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising: an injection valve provided with a mobile needle to regulate the fuel flow; an actuator adapted to shift the needle; an injection nozzle; a supporting body having a tubular shape and displaying a feeding channel; a sealing body provided with a valve seat of injection valve and comprising a disc-shaped capping element, which lowerly and fluid-tightly closes the feeding channel and is crossed by the injection nozzle, and a guiding element, which rises from the capping element, has a tubular shape, and accommodates the needle therein; an external fuel guiding channel defined between the feeding channel and the guiding element; a number of through feeding holes obtained in the lower part of the guiding element and leading towards valve seat; and a shutter head having an essentially spherical adjustment zone, which is integral with the needle, externally engages the guiding element.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine control apparatus includes a calculation function of calculating an energy generation rate of an energy generated by combustion of fuel injected into a combustion chamber of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, and an ignition detection function of detecting an ignition timing of the fuel in the combustion chamber on the basis of a timing at which the energy generation rate exceeds a first threshold value. When the energy generation rate due to a main injection, which is an object of ignition timing detection by the ignition detection function, exceeds the first threshold value at a plurality of timings, the ignition detection function determines an earliest one of the plurality of the timings as the ignition timing of the main injection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for varying a compression ratio in an internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder (10) provided with a combustion chamber (20), a movable element provided with a piston (14) which is translationally displaceable by means of a connecting rod (16) connectable thereto by an axis (24) and to the crank pin (34) of a crankshaft (36). Said piston moves between a top dead centre and a lower dead centre allowing a dead volume (40, 118) at the top dead centre of the piston. The inventive device also comprises a rotatable towed cam (42) which makes it possible to vary the compression ratio and means (32, 78a, 78b) for controlling the cam displacement. According to said invention, said control means comprises a fluid actuator (76) provided with a sliding block (54) arranged in a receiver (56) which is formed in a support (58) and limits two fluid chambers (75a, 75b) connected to at least one closed circuit (77; 78a, 78b).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes multiple cylinders. A partial set of the cylinders may be temporarily shut off. Fuel is introduced briefly into at least one of the shut off cylinders and combusted in an at least essentially torque-neutral way during the cylinder shut off period.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for vaporization of a liquid fuel in a manner that produces a highly concentrated air-fuel mixture using a combination of gasoline and air while eliminating residual liquid fuel droplets therefrom. The system generally includes at least two tanks including a manifold adjacent the bottom thereof. An outlet on the first tank is connected to an inlet connected in the manifold of the second tank. The tanks contain liquid fuel. Compressed air is introduced into the manifold in the first tank causing some of the liquid gasoline to vaporize. The vaporized gasoline is then introduced to the manifold in the second tank causing additional vaporization. The saturated vapor is then drawn off the top of the second tank in the form of a combustible gas vapor for use in any application wherein such an air-fuel mixture is normally utilized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reciprocating internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder (1a) provided with at least one admission valve (2) and at least one exhaust valve (3). The pulsating stream of first gas is exhausted from the cylinder (1a) via an exhaust duct (5) fitted with an expansion nozzle leading tangentially to a peripheral wall of a circularly symmetrical centrifuge chamber (10) and perpendicularly to the axis of said chamber. The centrifuge chamber (10) communicates with a duct for feeding the turbines of a turbocharger unit (30) via an annular radial diffuser.