Abstract: In a method for controlling an actuating device of a valve element of an intake system and/or an exhaust gas system of the internal combustion using an actuating variable, a periodic compensation signal is applied, at least intermittently, to the actuating device. The compensation signal generates a periodic counterforce at the valve element which is directed in the opposite direction from the periodic force exerted by the undesired disturbing vibrations of the valve element.

Abstract: In a valve operating system for an internal combustion engine provided with valve operating characteristics changing member capable of changing operating characteristics of an engine valve, the valve operating characteristics changing member includes a connection operating member which is provided in common at a drive rocker arm and both free rocker arms to be capable of switching an alternative connecting state of the drive rocker arm to both the free rocker arms and a release state of connection of the drive rocker arms to both the free rocker arms. Thus, the operating characteristics of the engine valve can be reliably switched with favorable responsiveness.

Abstract: A driving-side rotatable body includes a driving-side inner gear, which has an axial extent that does not overlap with an axial extent of a driven-side inner gear of a driven-side rotatable body. A driven-side outer gear and a driving-side outer gear of a planet gear are meshed with and are driven together with the driven-side inner gear and the driving-side inner gear, so that the planet gear changes a relative rotational phase between the driven-side rotatable body and the driving-side rotatable body. The driven-side rotatable body supports the driving-side rotatable body from a radially inner side of the driving-side rotatable body at a location, which is radially outward of the driven-side inner gear.

Abstract: In an adjusting mechanism which is connected to first and second camshafts of a camshaft drive arrangement including a control device for adjusting the phase position of at least one of the camshafts relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, and having a drive device for driving the camshaft arrangement, a first partial mechanism for driving the first camshaft and a second partial mechanism for driving the second camshaft are provided so as to be driven in parallel by means of a common drive device for adjusting the angular position of the first and second camshafts relative to the crankshaft of the engine.

Abstract: In a camshaft adjuster for an internal combustion engine including a gear mechanism, an input drive element, a camshaft as an output element, and a brake mechanism for braking an adjustment input for the adjustment of a phase position of the camshaft, a coupling mechanism is provided for locking the adjustment mechanism at a particular phase position while the brake mechanism is inactivated.

Abstract: A valve timing controller includes an electric motor generating a cogging torque on the motor shaft, an current control means for controlling an electricity supplied to the electric motor, and a phase-changing mechanism varying a relative rotational phase between the crankshaft and the camshaft according to a rotation of the motor shaft. The cogging torque has a peak value which is greater than an absolute value of a cam torque applied to the motor shaft from the camshaft through the phase-changing mechanism.

Abstract: An improved cam shaft configuration for internal combustion engines is provided wherein the oil is efficiently diverted from the camshaft cap to adjacent camshaft lobes. A reorientation of the camshaft oil diverter improves the distribution and increases the quantity of oil flow without building in additional oil passages to supply oil to cams, that would introduce additional expense without substantially alleviating existing prior art lubrication deficiency problems. The invention obviates the known prior art configurations that suffer from the drawback of insufficient distribution of lubricating oil to adjacent camshaft lobes that is effected by oil diverter configurations.

Abstract: An adjustable valve rocker lever (1) of a valve timing gear of an internal combustion engine comprising an inner lever (3) and an outer lever (4) enclosing the former with its arms (2), the levers (3, 4) being connectable to one another by longitudinally displaceable coupling links (6) in such a way that a large valve lift is generated when coupled and a small valve lift is generated when decoupled, the levers (3, 4) run on a common axis (5), which viewed in the longitudinal direction is arranged between a complementary face (11) for a support element on the inner lever (3) and lifting faces (12, 13) for the lifting cams on upper sides of the levers (3, 4), wherein by virtue of its axis (5), situated close to the pivot point, such a valve rocker lever (1) has only a small mass moment of inertia about this pivot point.

Abstract: In an engine starting control system of an internal combustion engine in which an eco-run control is performed, a combustion stroke that each cylinder reaches when the internal combustion engine comes to an engine stopped state by the eco-run control is predicted, and in an expansion stroke cylinder that the predicted combustion stroke is an expansion stroke, fuel of a predetermined amount is injected from an intake passage injection valve into an intake passage just before the internal combustion engine comes to an engine stopped state, and in the expansion stroke cylinder, an engine start of the internal combustion engine in an engine stopped state is performed by injecting fuel from the cylinder injection valve into the cylinder and igniting the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder by an ignition plug.

Abstract: An outwardly-opening gas-exchange valve assembly for an internal combustion engine. The valve assembly includes a port in a firing chamber in an engine head, the port having a valve seat on a side opposite from the firing chamber. A piston-shaped poppet valve head slides in a bore in the engine head for mating with the valve seat to occlude passage of gas across the valve seat. Withdrawal of the poppet valve head from the seat opens the firing chamber to communication with an intake or exhaust manifold runner in the engine head. The poppet valve head may be actuated by an overcenter lever arrangement actuated selectively by hydraulic pressure or mechanical actuation. In a preferred embodiment, OO intake and exhaust valves are radially arranged in a hemispherical fire deck and may include an adjustable pitch helical channel to induce swirl to the incoming gas.

Abstract: The method includes reducing output of one or more cylinders of an engine system without reducing output of the remaining cylinders of the engine system. The method also includes reducing imbalance of the engine system by supplementing the engine system with power in response to the output reduction of the one or more cylinders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a V-engine (1) having at least one turbocharger (2) and at least two cylinders (4), which is constructed as a diesel engine and as an outboard motor for aquatic vehicles and wherein an exhaust gas system (6) leading from the minimum of two cylinders (4) to the minimum of one turbocharger (2) is arranged in the interior (8) of a V formed by the cylinders (4). A vertically arranged crankshaft (11), cylinder heads (19) which are designed to fold over, and coolant circuits supplied with sea water may also be provided in the V-engine (1).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with an oil filter 10 through which lubricant oil having pulsating pressure passes. The oil filter 10 has an oil filter body 11 attached to a filter base 20, and a cover 30 formed integrally with the filter base 20 and circumferentially surrounding the oil filter body 11. The cover 30 is provided with a window part 36 through which a space 35 formed between the oil filter body 11 and the cover 30 opens outward. The cover 30 has a circumferentially endless annular end wall 33 provided between the window part 36 and an end wall 33a. The cover 30 has a reinforcing member 41 provided with an opening part 46 and attached to the outside surface of the cover 30 so that the opening part 46 coincides with the window part 36 of the cover 30. The oil filter 10 can be properly cooled and sounds radiated by the oil filter 10 and the cover 30 can be reduced.

Abstract: An integrated fuel management system and method for controlling the fuel storage and delivery in a vehicle. The fuel management system includes a fuel storage tank for storing fuel in a vehicle, a vapor collection canister located within the fuel storage tank, a vent actuator coupled to the vapor collection canister for venting gas from the canister during a vent operation, and a purge actuator is coupled to the vapor collection canister for purging fuel vapor from the vapor collection canister during a purge operation. A variable speed fuel pump is disposed within the fuel storage tank for delivering fuel to a fuel delivery line for an engine. The fuel management system has a controller provided in a module disposed in communication with the fuel for controlling the amount of fuel pumped with the variable speed fuel pump to deliver fuel to the fuel delivery line and further controlling the purge and vent actuators.

Abstract: An HCCI engine has the ability to operate over a large load range by utilizing a lower cetane distillate diesel fuel to increase ignition delay. This permits more stable operation at high loads by avoidance of premature combustion before top dead center. During low load conditions, a portion of the engines cylinders are deactivated so that the remaining cylinders can operate at a pseudo higher load while the overall engine exhibits behavior typical of a relatively low load.

Abstract: A dual injection type internal combustion engine including an injector for in-cylinder injection and an injector for intake manifold injection includes a learning device for learning a background noise level based on an output signal of a knock sensor, and a knocking suppression control device for performing, while learning the background noise level, knocking suppression control by controlling fuel injection of the injector for in-cylinder injection or the injector for intake manifold injection. Alternatively, the engine includes a fixing device for fixing, while learning the background noise level, a start timing or end timing of fuel injection by the injector for in-cylinder injection at a basic timing determined by an operating state of the engine.

Abstract: A method for operating a drive unit, in which, given the use of a vehicle-speed controller, the actual speed is prevented from exceeding the setpoint speed too significantly. In the method, a setpoint value for an output variable of the drive unit is predetermined. An overrun fuel cutoff of the drive unit is enabled as soon as the setpoint value for the output variable falls below a characteristic value for the overrun fuel cutoff.

Abstract: In an adjusting device with a transmission, high gear ratios are frequently required. In the transmission, powerful lateral forces are frequently generated, which must be absorbed by correspondingly dimensioned bearings. The present invention proposes an adjusting device having a transmission in which at least one gear is supported on an axle with a diameter that varies in the longitudinal direction. This achieves a uniform material loading of the axle supporting the gear and permits the diameter of the axle as a whole to be significantly reduced. The adjusting device is particularly intended for motor vehicles with an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An ignition timing value of the internal-combustion engine is calculated by using correction terms including a first correction term that is calculated based on a controlled variable without reflecting a desired value and a second correction term that is calculated based on a difference between the controlled variable and the desired value. The first correction term can be calculated based on the controlled variable with no influence of the desired value. Thus, a sudden change does not occur in the feedback controlled variable even in a situation where the difference between the controlled variable and the desired value changes step-wise. Besides, the first correction term is a proportional term (51) and the second correction term is an integral term (55). The controlled variable is a rotational speed of the internal-combustion engine (NE) that is detected by a detector for detecting the engine rotational speed.

Abstract: To optimize an accelerator pump while maintaining serviceability of a carburetor. A drive lever includes an operating portion that slides in abutment along a cam projection formed on a cam and a transmitting portion for transmitting a swinging force in an increased magnitude by being provided in the vicinity of a spindle as a lever swing axis in comparison with the operating portion. A driven lever includes a receiving portion being capable of a swinging motion together with the drive lever about the spindle and receiving the swinging force by being in abutment with the transmitting portion and a connecting portion connected to an accelerator pump as a control unit thereof for controlling the flow amount of fuel are provided and the transmitting portion includes a screw mechanism for adjusting the angle formed between the drive lever and the driven lever and a cylindrical cover for covering the screw mechanism.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders having combustion chambers and each being associated with a spark plug designed for igniting a mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber, and at least two adjusting devices for adjusting the air supply to the combustion chambers of the different cylinders. To control the internal combustion engine, an individual ignition angle is detected for each group of cylinders to which the same air mass per working cycle is respectively supplied and during the respective working cycles of which the same loss torque is decisive. The decisive loss torque is the one associated with the cylinder that is in its intake cycle during the respective working cycle of the respective cylinder of the respective group. The individual ignition angle for each group is detected as a function of the decisive loss torque for the respective group.

Abstract: In warming up operation when the temperature of an engine is low, heat release in a combustion chamber is delayed by making ignition timing immediately before the top dead center of compression stroke or later. Hereby, exhaust gas including a large quantity of unburned HC, oxygen and carbon monoxide is exhausted into an exhaust passage. Then, the mixture of the HC, oxygen and carbon monoxide is accelerated by a turbulence generating means for generating turbulence in an exhaust flow mounted in the exhaust passage. Hereby, the HC is combusted in the exhaust passage, exhaust temperature is raised, resulting in that effective reduction of the HC. As the exhaust temperature is raised, it can activate earlier a catalytic converter for purifying exhaust.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio controlling apparatus includes an internal pressure detector for detecting an internal pressure of a combustion chamber of the engine. The apparatus estimates a motoring pressure of the engine and determines a start-of-combustion time, a time point when a difference between the internal pressure and the motoring pressure exceeds a predetermined value in a compression stroke and a combustion stroke of the engine. Firing delay for each cylinder is calculated from as a duration from sparking to the start-of-combustion time. Air-fuel ratio of each cylinder is estimated based on the firing delay and fuel injection amount for each cylinder is calculated to make the air-fuel ratio of plural cylinders uniform.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an injection system that is configured as a high-pressure accumulator system in which the number of parts is small and the injection system can be easily assembled. The connecting fittings for the connection of the high-pressure lines are laterally offset with respect to the appertaining injection valves and in that the absolute magnitude of said offset is identical for all injection valves of a row of cylinders of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A seal for sealing the fuel injector from a valve mount opening of a cylinder head, the seal radially surrounding the region of the discharge-side end of a fuel injector, sealingly rests on the valve mount opening opening via a first section. By way of at least an axial partial section, which extends only across a portion of the axial height of the seal, the seal is fitted in the region of the discharge-side end of the fuel injector in integral fashion, by form-fit and/or force-locking.

Abstract: An injector driver and a drive method therefor wherein a reference current signal is generated that is synchronized to an injector valve signal for causing the injector to inject and that has a current increasing tendency substantially equivalent to an injector current waveform for the case in which a low voltage is applied to the injector, a current that flows in the injector is detected as a detected current signal, and the electrical powering of the injector is controlled by comparing the reference current signal with the detected current signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to the engine technical field, more particularly, an integrated fuel feed apparatus. The integrated fuel feed apparatus including a driving member 20, a plunger pump 30 driven by said driving member, a fuel injector 90, a fuel intake member 13 and a fuel return member 14, with a return passage 15 always communicating the fuel intake member 13 with the fuel return member 14, with some of the fuel in the return passage 15 being ejected via the fuel injector 90 under the action of the plunger pump 30, featuring that the driving member consists of a solenoid 25, a sleeve 27 and a motion part 10 which can reciprocate in the sleeve 27 driven by the magnetic force of the solenoid 25, the aforesaid motion part 10 generating a flow difference while reciprocating in the aforesaid return passage 15, thus achieving the fuel flow from the fuel intake member 13 to the fuel return member 14.

Abstract: A method is provided for an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel, the engine also including a combustion chamber, a fuel supply system with at least one fuel tank, at least one intake valve, and at least one exhaust valve, an injector to directly inject gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method comprises directly injecting fuel from the injector into the chamber at a variable supply pressure which decreases as fuel tank pressure decreases; and adjusting at least one of an injection time and duration based at least on said variable pressure and information from the exhaust oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A compact, inline magnetic fuel conditioner is disclosed for improving fuel efficiency of a fuel combustion engine. The fuel conditioner has a magnetic manifold having a built-in magnetic field for interacting thus conditioning the fuel as it flows by. The magnetic field is produced by several pairs of magnets arranged along the fuel path. The magnetic manifold is sealed within a steel hull. The magnetic manifold increases the fuel surface area and its dwell time for magnetization thus improving the fuel combustion efficiency and reducing undesirable emissions to the environment. The resulting fuel saving lies generally in the range of 5% to 15%. Due to its robust operating principle and construction, the compact magnetic fuel conditioner can be deployed under a wide range of weather conditions. Furthermore, the compact magnetic fuel conditioner can be broadly deployed in gasoline engines, diesel engines and industry fuel kilns.

Abstract: An automobile fuel saver is composed of a container, a magnetic block, a plurality of nano far-infrared pellets and a cover, wherein the container is configured with an opening that enables a magnetic block and a plurality of the nano far-infrared pellets to be disposed into the container therethrough, and the cover is used to cover and seal the opening. Such a configuration enables a user to use connecting rods to respectively screw into screw holes defined in the cover to juxtapose and assemble a plurality of the fuel savers. The assembled composite structure of the fuel savers is disposed into a fuel tank to effectively improve automobile performance, decrease fuel consumption, and reduce exhaust discharge while simultaneously increasing horsepower and torsion.

Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine operates by injecting liquid fuel directly in a combustion chamber, and mixing the fuel with recirculated exhaust and fresh air through an auto ignition condition of the fuel. The engine includes at least one turbocharger for extracting energy from the engine exhaust and using that energy to boost intake pressure of recirculated exhaust gas and fresh air. Elevated proportions of exhaust gas recirculated to the engine are attained by throttling the fresh air inlet supply. These elevated exhaust gas recirculation rates allow the HCCI engine to be operated at higher speeds and loads rendering the HCCI engine a more viable alternative to a conventional diesel engine.

Abstract: In a centrifugal oil separator for blow-by gases of an internal combustion engine comprising a rotating component which has at least one inflow port for the introduction of blow-by gases from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, at least a first outflow port for the discharge of air and at least a second outflow port for the discharge of oil, and also a driveshaft (12) driving the rotating component for driving the rotating component, the driveshaft of the rotating component is connected via a mechanical coupling to a transmission driven by a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the emissions and improving the performance of an internal combustion engine (40). An input air stream is separated into an oxygen-enriched air stream and a nitrogen-enriched air stream. The nitrogen-enriched air stream is received by a holding chamber (35). The oxygen-enriched air and a combustible fuel are provided to a combustion chamber (45) of the internal combustion engine (40) and a combustion process is initiated. After a predefined time delay, a volume of nitrogen-enriched air is provided from the holding chamber (35) to the combustion chamber (45) to be used during the rest of the combustion process.

Abstract: A common fuel injection amount is calculated for the cylinders of a first cylinder group, which performs a rich burn process, and the cylinders of a second cylinder group, which performs a lean burn process. The calculated fuel injection amount is corrected with an air-fuel ratio learning value that is acquired beforehand during a stoichiometric operation. Intake valve lift amounts for the cylinders of the first and second cylinder groups are calculated in accordance with an engine speed and engine load. In compliance with the calculated values, a variable valve mechanism is driven, and fuel is ignited. When performing sulfur poisoning recovery of the Ox catalyst, the exhaust air fuel ratio control means change the intake air amount for each cylinder while providing substantially the same fuel injection amount for all cylinders.

Abstract: An automatic, rapid-firing toy gun is powered by a fast moving air stream. The toy gun is simple in design and does not require a lot of effort and time to fire the projectiles or to load the projectiles between firing. The toy gun includes a barrel, a fan, a loading chamber, and a trigger. The barrel has a forward end, a rear end, and an inner passage between the two ends. The fan is arranged with respect to the barrel to direct an air stream through the inner passage from the rear end to the forward end. The loading chamber is mounted on the barrel and has an opening directed into the inner passage. The loading chamber is sized and shaped to hold a plurality of projectiles and the opening is sized and shaped to sequentially release the plurality of projectiles into the inner passage of the barrel one at a time. The trigger is electrically connected to the fan.

Abstract: A device for precise cutting of imitation stone. An upper blade is mounted to an upper blade mount assembly for vertical sliding movement over a stationary lower blade. Downward movement of a handle rotates a cam surface that engages a convex upper surface of the upper blade mount assembly. This action moves the upper blade into contact with a piece of imitation stone disposed between the upper and lower blades, and further lowering of the upper blade then cuts the stone. The cutting edge of each of the blades is beveled on one side only such that each of the blade edges is asymmetrical in vertical cross-section.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes but is not limited to: conditioning an inhalent environment; exposing a first organism to the inhalent environment for a first-organism duration of time; and exposing a second organism to the inhalent environment for a second-organism duration of time. In one embodiment, a method includes but is not limited to: conditioning an inhalent environment; exposing a first organism to the inhalent environment until a calculated first-organism delivered dosage meets or exceeds a predefined first-organism target dosage; and exposing a second organism to the inhalent environment until a calculated second-organism delivered dosage meets or exceeds a predefined second-organism target dosage. In one embodiment, a method includes but is not limited to: detecting a first organism via a first-organism biochip device implanted in the first organism; and controlling a first-organism dosage in response to the first-organism biochip device.

Abstract: Dry powder blister packages include sealed blisters with a piezoelectric active layer that flexes to vibrate the dry powder in a blister to facilitate active dispersion.

Abstract: A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating another aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve and an air carrying conduit. In various embodiments, the system may be intrathoracic, extrathoracic or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A patient support platform contains medical supplies which are anatomically arranged about the supported patient. The supply compartments and envelopes have see-through closures with pull tabs to make easy identification and access of the items possible. Resilient backing members push the items in the compartments to the front where they are readily accessible. A collapsible IV support pole is stored within the platform and a plurality of apertures provide support locations for the pole. The platform can be rolled up like a bedroll and stored in a satchel for storage and transport.

Abstract: A facility and method steps for air curing tobacco in an enclosure include hanging the tobacco in the enclosure-having at least one vertically arranged air duct positioned in a central portion of the enclosure, at least one in-line fan positioned in a vertical portion of the at least one vertically arranged air duct, at least one ventilating fan located in an upper portion of the enclosure and at least one openable and closeable opening in at least one side wall of the enclosure. The humidity within the enclosure is lowered by opening the openable and closeable openings in at least one side wall of the enclosure and forcing warm air from the top of the enclosure down through the tobacco within the enclosure by operating the ventilation fans located in a top portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product and method of making thereof for the consumption of smokable substances such as tobacco or herbs. The product is comprised of tobacco, homogenized tobacco and/or natural leaf materials and has a hollow conical shape that allows for the easy insertion of smokable substances and further provides for larger amounts of smokable substances in the end of the product the consumer lights, resulting in an initial slower prolonged burn and more even distribution of nicotine. Additionally, the placement of a structure into one end of the hollow cone permits the consumer to consume the majority, if not all, of the smokable substance. This structure also prevents debris and other unwanted materials from being sucked through the end of the product and into the mouth and respiratory system of the consumer.

Abstract: A hand held nail polish removal tool includes a housing having a main body connected by an elongated neck to a head. An abrasive member is removably attached to the head and the tool contains a motor or transducer for causing the abrasive member to move so that when the abrasive member is positioned against a finger or toe nail, the abrasive member will abrade away any polish on the nail. The polish removal process may be accelerated by applying a solvent to the abrasive member. This may be done by dipping that member in a solvent or by including a solvent in the member or by incorporating a solvent dispensing system in the housing which allows a solvent to be delivered via the head to the member's abrasive surface. Preferably, the tool is powered by a rechargeable battery in the housing. Various different abrasive cover members for attachment to the head are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole is described variously including running a coiled tubing assembly into the wellbore, creating a fluid vortex by circulating cleaning fluid through the coiled tubing, and pulling the coiled tubing and coiled tubing assembly out of the hole at a speed sufficient to substantially clean the particulate solids from the wellbore. An apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a hole, including vertical, horizontal, or deviated wells also is provided.

Abstract: An improved spinner bar for rotary surface cleaning machines includes an array of spray nozzles at each end of the bar. The nozzles in each array are adjustable. The outermost nozzle in each array is oriented at a different angle of inclination to the plane of rotation than the angle of the inner nozzles. The improved spinner bar results in a more uniform appearance in the cleaned surface, has a low noise level and reduces man-hours.

Abstract: A walker is disclosed having two sets of handles positioned for rising from and lowering to a seated position in addition to serving as a walking aid. The walker comprises a frame having a front section comprising a pair of front vertical supports and a rigid cross-piece, and two side sections each comprising a rear vertical support having a load-bearing axis formed through a ground-engaging point, rigid connectors connecting the side sections to the front section, a first pair of handles positioned to support a user in a standing or walking position, and a second pair of handles positioned below and to the rear of the first set of handles to support a user in rising from or lowering to a seated position, in which the geometric centers of each of the second pair of handles is positioned to the rear of the load-bearing axis of each of the rear vertical supports.

Abstract: A drain valve having a temperature responsive member that holds the drain valve in a water conserving mode when water is above freezing yet allows the drain valve to drain when the water is near freezing to prevent freeze damage to the irrigation system.

Abstract: An intermittent pressure module for controlling the position of a valve between two positions comprising diaphragm means; a plurality of ports associated with said diaphragm means for exposing said diaphragm means to a selected pressure in said first position, and ambient pressure in said second position; swing means associated with said diaphragm means and said valve means for intermittently displacing said valve means when said diaphragm means is exposed to said selected pressure in said first position and ambient pressure in said second position.

Abstract: The device comprises a first valve (35a) and a second valve (35b) each comprising a chamber (13a, 13b) communicating via an admission orifice (19a, 19b) with a circuit or a receptacle containing a first or a second fluid, and via an exhaust orifice (18a, 18b) with exhaust means for the first or the second fluid, at least one valve member (20a, 20b) mounted to move within the valve chamber (13a, 13b) between a position for closing and a position for opening the exhaust orifice (18a, 18b), a piston (22a, 24a, 22b, 24b) connected to the valve member (20a, 20b) and resilient return means (32a, 32b) for returning the valve member (20a, 20b) to a closed position. Each of the first and second pistons (22a, 24a, 22b, 24b) has a first face exposed to one of the first and second fluids, and an opposite second face subjected to a force exerted respectively by the second fluid or by the first fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a hose reel assembly structured for ease of use and maintenance. The hose reel assembly includes a folding crank handle, having an easily accessible and identifiable release, an easily released water system, and an autotrack device that is easily engaged/disengaged. By improving the ease of use of such components, the amount of wear and tear on the hose reel is reduced and the life of the hose reel is extended.