Abstract: A method and system for reclaiming and beneficiating fly ash particles includes recovering at least a portion of fly ash particles from reclaimed feed and supplying at least a portion of the recovered fly ash particles to at least one mixing reactor with a chamber where at least a portion of the supplied fly ash particles are thermally beneficiated.

Abstract: A subject loading system is provided for moving a subject disposed in an isolation zone into and out of a diagnostic system disposed outside the isolation zone. A tube extends away from the isolation zone. The tube has an inner volume open to the isolation zone and operatively coupled with the diagnostic system. An elongated subject support pallet is disposed in the isolation zone and dimensioned to fit into the tube. A base including a mechanical drive is disposed in the isolation zone and is configured to align the elongated subject support pallet with the tube and to move the elongated subject support pallet into and out of the tube.

Abstract: A shelf is connected to risers that are screwthreaded together to achieve a clamping effect between the shelves and the risers. Each shelf may comprise a plastic shelf portion and at least one reinforcement portion secured to the plastic shelf portion to reinforce the plastic shelf portion along its length. In one embodiment a plurality of metal bars are used as the reinforcement portion. The reinforcement portions may be inserted into channels formed in the plastic shelve portions and may be attached to the shelve portions using a separate attachment mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for splitting, mulching, and leveling soil beds for planting. The apparatus adapts to changes in contour and elevation of a soil bed to insure that seeds are planted at equivalent depths along the length of the bed. The apparatus includes a tracking wheel that rises and falls with concomitant changes in the elevation of the top of the soil bed and that causes associated bed preparation apparatus to rise and fall simultaneously with the tracking wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double chain stitch sewing machine comprising an upper machine section (10) and a lower machine section (12), which sections together define a sewing product plane (14) and can be displaced in a synchronous manner parallel to said plane. According to the invention, the upper machine section (10) comprises a needle rod (18), which can be displaced perpendicularly to the sewing product plane (14) by means of a drive (28) and which holds a needle (20), and the lower machine section (12) comprises a hook (40), which cooperates with the needle (20) to form the stitch and which can be displaced back and forth on a plane that runs parallel to the displacement direction of the needle rod (18). At least one needle stabilizer (42, 44) is located in the lower machine section (12).

Abstract: An embroidered emblem for securing to a first fabric by the application of at least one of heat and pressure is comprised of a fabric base having a front surface and a rear surface. The fabric base is made of the same or substantially the same material as the first fabric and has the same or substantially the same weave pattern and color as the first fabric. A design is embroidered into the fabric base, the design including a stitched border extending around the outer periphery of the front surface of the fabric base. The border is made utilizing a relatively small sized needle and a relatively thin, dull yarn which is the same or substantially the same color as the color of fabric base. In this manner, when the embroidered emblem is secured to the first fabric the border as well as the fabric base fades into the first fabric so as to be nearly invisible. A layer of thermoplastic adhesive material is bonded to the rear surface of the fabric base for securing the emblem to the first fabric.

Abstract: An embroidery process allowing for a three-dimensional shape to be embroidered in two dimensions, allowing for the cost effective and repeatable manufacturing required for use in surgically implanted medical devices.

Abstract: A wide, flat-bottom, buoyant, amphibious hull with a powered articulating member mounted on the deck. The hull is propelled by at least one engine-driven propeller rotating above the hull. The hull has a shallow draft and distributes its weight over a large area. These features cooperatively provide a vehicle capable of installing or servicing power transmission poles, towers, or other structures located in environmentally sensitive wetlands, swamps, marshes, shallow water, or terrain which is not efficiently accessible by other means.

Abstract: Watercraft structure, in particular an aquabike, comprising a first elongated floating body (5) and a second elongated floating body (6) connected to the first floating body and arranged parallel to it spaced at a determined distance. Between two floating bodies (5, 6), furthermore, a seat (16) is provided, which can be associated to a footrest and is connected by a rod (26) to the floating bodies (5, 6), on which one or more users can sit. For increasing the lifting forces pushing against the floating bodies (5, 6), a hydrodynamic lifting transversal element (30) is provided arranged at the barycentre of the watercraft (101). The hydrodynamic lifting transversal element (30) in use has an upper surface (31) that faces the floating bodies (5, 6) and a lower surface (32) opposite to the upper surface (31).

Abstract: The present invention is a rub rail assembly for mounting on a surface of a vessel, the assembly having a rigid portion having a mounting side facing the surface of the vessel, a wear side facing away from the surface of the vessel, a female recess on said wear side for accepting a complimentary male connector of a mounting clip.

Abstract: A trim tab control system determines current tab position based upon a feedback signal that represents incremental motion of the actuator drive motor. Prior to power down, the current tab position is stored in non-volatile memory, and is retrieved on power up. The control system characterizes the actuator during a learning function by driving the actuator between the upper and lower limit positions and counting the number of increments. The display of tab position is based upon the current tab position count and the number of increments in a full range of motion. Automatic up and down commands cause the actuator to be driven up or down until a stop command is received or a limit position is reached.

Abstract: A boat construction is provided. The boat includes a boat hull and top. The top is provided with a selectively stowable enclosure device that includes a curtain member that may be unfolded after release from a storage chamber for suspension from the top to form a tubular enclosure area for a person to use as a privacy area for activity such as changing clothes. After use, the enclosure device may be restowed in its storage chamber attached to or integral with the top. The top may be a fixed top or a collapsible top.

Abstract: A hardtop for a boat including a windshield with an movable portion and a roof with a movable cover. The windshield includes an opening when the movable portion is in an open position and the roof includes a opening extending rearward from a front edge when the cover is in an open position. The opening in the windshield and the roof are generally aligned to define a pass-through. The forward edge of the opening portion of the roof is displaced rearward from the front edge of the roof when open and may be generally aligned with the front edge of the roof when closed. A boat including a hardtop with an opening windshield and roof.

Abstract: A cabin enclosure of a boat which is substantially water proof is provided. The cabin enclosure comprises a top, frame with joists attached to joist covers, plurality of windows, flashing and track which are layered upon each other to cascade water down the top, onto the windows and onto the track and into the river, bay or ocean. The plurality of windows may surround the passenger area of the boat and also prevents water from entering the boat. In particular, the plurality of windows are zippered onto adjacent joist covers so as to form a substantially water proof barrier between the interior and exterior of the boat. The flashing may be attached to the interior of the window with hooks and loops which run horizontally across the window and prevent water that splashes under the window from entering into the passenger area.

Abstract: A bell mounted in one of at least one brake lever of a bicycle is disclosed. The brake lever includes two brake levers each including an opening section. In one embodiment, the bell includes a sounding section in the opening section and including a hollow cylinder, an annular flange having one open end in communication with inside of the cylinder, a first spring biased between an inner wall of the brake lever and the cylinder with the flange disposed therein, a second spring in the cylinder and having one end engaged with the end of the cylinder, and a bolt driven through the second spring, the flange, and the first spring to have one end threadedly secured in the brake lever and a head urging against the second spring; and a spring biased striking section pivotably secured onto the brake lever and including a lever and a clapper.

Abstract: A tool for assisting a reader in grasping the thought expressed in a group of words on a page is disclosed. The tool is a flexible film card which has a window adjacent contrastingly colored film segments of the card. A group of words may be viewed through the window, and the window may then be moved by the user from one group of words to the next. The groups all around the window may be viewed through the colored segments of the card, thus allowing the reader's eyes to review and anticipate the passages of words which he has read or those which he is about to read while still focusing his attention on the group of words in the window.

Abstract: A vehicle may utilize a faceplate, such as a non-circular faceplate, as part of an indicating instrument, such as a speedometer, in a dashboard. The speedometer utilizes a laser to direct laser light onto or through indicia, adjacent a numerical scale, of the faceplate. A first motor mounted to a printed circuit board is used to rotate the laser in a first plane, and a second motor is used to rotate the laser in a second plane. The laser may reside in a housing having a slit or slot for the laser light to pass through to illuminate the faceplate indicia. The first motor is mounted between the printed circuit board and the second motor while a connecting post may be utilized between the first and second motors to position the laser closer to the faceplate indicia, depending upon spatial packaging requirements and the laser light of the laser.

Abstract: Provided are a crucible which prevents polycrystal formation to easily allow growth of optical part material single crystals, and a single crystal growth method employing the crucible. The crucible has a smooth surface of about Rmax 3.2 s as the surface roughness of the wall surface 1H, concave curved plane 1J, cone surface 1F and convex curved plane 1L of the starting material carrying section 1D and the wall surface 1K of the seed carrying section 1E, which constitute the inner surface of the crucible of a crucible body 1A.

Abstract: An adhesive take-up, metering and spreading unit, for bonding machines is truck-mounted so that it can be replaced without having to interrupt the operation of the plant, comprises a plurality of rollers arranged in series, wherein a first rubber-clad roller takes up adhesive from a reservoir and transfers it to an anilox roller, from which the adhesive is taken up by a second rubber-clad roller, which transfers it to a film to be bonded. Each roller rotates at a higher speed than the preceding one, and the unit is fitted with means that regulate the distance between the rollers, and consequently the pressure that each rubber-clad roller exerts on the anilox roller, in order to meter the precise quantity of adhesive taken up and spread on the film. This characteristic allows even special adhesives, whose application is particularly difficult due to their viscosity characteristics, to be precisely spread and metered.

Abstract: A shuttle push system (10) is provided with a displacing object (36) for insertion into a supply tube (26) and removal from the supply at spaced locations. A return tube moves (34) the displacing object between the position at which it is removed (32) from the supply tube and the position (30) at which it is inserted into the supply tube.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally provide a toroidal plasma source, a plasma channeling device, a showerhead, and a substrate support assembly for use in a plasma chamber. The toroidal plasma source, plasma channeling device, showerhead, and substrate support assembly are adapted to improve the usable lifetime of the plasma chamber, as well as reduce assembly cost, increase the plasma chamber reliability, and improve device yield on the processed substrates.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus that affords improved uniformity to in-plane wafer and interwafer film thickness of a large number of wafers on which a film is simultaneously formed, having: a reaction tube having in an interior thereof a processing chamber in which a plurality of substrates disposed in a direction perpendicular to a substrate processing surface can be processed; and a heating device provided to surround an outer circumference of the reaction tube, a gas inlet tube being provided on a side face of the reaction tube in a region for processing a substrate inside the reaction tube, so as to reach at least an outside of the heating device; and a gas spouting port being disposed in this gas inlet tube in a slit form so as to straddle at least a plurality of the substrates in a direction perpendicular to the substrate processing surface, for spouting gas from the gas inlet tube into the processing chamber.

Abstract: An approach for the growth of high-quality epitaxial silicon carbide (SiC) films and boules, using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technique is described here. The method comprises modifications in the design of the typical cold-wall CVD reactors, providing a better temperature uniformity in the reactor bulk and a low temperature gradient in the vicinity of the substrate, and an approach to increase the silicon carbide growth rate and to improve the quality of the growing layers, using halogenated carbon-containing precursors (carbon tetrachloride CCl4 or halogenated hydrocarbons, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH3Cl, etc.), or introducing other chlorine-containing species in the gas phase in the growth chamber. The etching effect, proper ranges, and high temperature growth are also examined.

Abstract: A liquid material vaporization apparatus for a semiconductor processing apparatus includes: a vaporization tank; an inner partition wall disposed in the tank for dividing the interior of the tank into a charging compartment and a vaporization compartment which are liquid-communicatable with each other over an upper edge of the inner partition wall. A liquid material charged in the charging compartment overflows over the upper edge of the inner partition wall toward the vaporization compartment to store and vaporize the liquid material in the vaporization compartment.

Abstract: Vapor depositions sources, systems, and related deposition methods. Vapor deposition sources for use with materials that evaporate or sublime in a difficult to control or otherwise unstable manner are provided. The present invention is particularly applicable to deposition of organic material such as those for forming one or more layer in organic light emitting devices.

Abstract: An approach for the growth of high-quality epitaxial silicon carbide (SiC) films and boules, using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technique is described here. The method comprises modifications in the design of the typical cold-wall CVD reactors, providing a better temperature uniformity in the reactor bulk and a low temperature gradient in the vicinity of the substrate, and an approach to increase the silicon carbide growth rate and to improve the quality of the growing layers, using halogenated carbon-containing precursors (carbon tetrachloride CCl4 or halogenated hydrocarbons, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH3Cl, etc.), or introducing other chlorine-containing species in the gas phase in the growth chamber. The etching effect, proper ranges, and high temperature growth are also examined.

Abstract: In order to carry out at least one procedure on an animal, in particular for milking an animal, a method and an apparatus, in which animals are successively led to a facility, are proposed. The animals are transferred to an exit region of the facility and stay there until a subsequent animal enters the vicinity of the exit region. The exit region is then opened and the subsequent animal can enter the exit region.

Abstract: An animal feeder apparatus is provided that includes a stand, an animal feeder assembly, an animal feeder suspension assembly, and a vehicle-mounted winch assembly. The animal feeder apparatus has a configuration enabling the animal feeder assembly to be raised and lowered by the vehicle-mounted winch assembly.

Abstract: A fluid heating system includes a fluid receptacle having a fluid reservoir, and a heating control system configured to heat fluid retained within the fluid reservoir. The heating control system includes a processing unit, at least one fluid temperature sensor positioned on or within the fluid receptacle, a heating element configured to heat fluid within the fluid reservoir, and a power switch disposed within an electrical path between the heating element and the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the heating element through the power switch based on the fluid temperature detected by the fluid temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pet watering apparatus for use with a wash basin having a spigot. The pet watering apparatus includes a platform configured for spanning the wash basin, and a watering bowl. The platform has an opening extending through a central portion thereof The watering bowl is configured for being received in the opening, and is removeably secured in the opening and aligned with the spigot for collecting water therein so that a pet may drink therefrom. A method of watering a pet using the disclosed apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection, treatment or collection of a quantity of solid animal excrement from a surface, particularly a grassy surface. The method includes the steps of autonomously or semi-autonomously detecting the presence of the excrement on the surface, moving a collection/treatment device into position over the detected excrement, and, thereupon, subjecting the detected excrement to one or more of deodorization, disinfection, enhancement of deterioration, dispersal and/or collection of the detected excrement. The apparatus of the present invention operates without the immediate or continued intervention of a human. Preferably, the device us robotic in nature, is readily portable, and preferably includes a rechargeable power source.

Abstract: Methods of treating animal litter and/or bedding material for control of volatile ammonia and soluble phosphorous include applying granular partially hydrated ferric sulfate to the litter. The partially hydrated ferric sulfate ranges from gray to tan in color and is spread onto the litter at a rate effective to reduce ammonia volatilization and reduce soluble phosphorous. Relative to reagent grade ferric sulfate, the partially hydrated ferric sulfate exhibits lower hygroscopicity and higher deliquescence. The ferric sulfate is prepared by a process comprising oxidizing ferrous sulfate with sulfuric acid using a molecular oxygen oxidizing agent at an elevated pressure relative to atmospheric and at a temperature of 60° C. to 140° C. to produce a gray to tan colored granular product.

Abstract: Waste removal from raceways for raising aquatic animals is improved by providing a waste removal section at the downstream end of the raceways whereby the waste removal section is separated from the rest of the raceway by a vertical or near vertical screen. The mesh size of the screen is sufficient for the waste to pass through but not allow the aquatic animals to pass through. The natural flow of water through the raceway carries the waste material downstream within the raceway. A perforated pipe in the bottom of the waste removal section provides the outlet for the waste removal. A waste control valve connected to the perforated pipe controls the flow of the waste out of the waste removal section. Optional freeze protection for the waste control valve is provided.

Abstract: A cage free nest has nest bottoms that have raised/rounded portions proximate to the entranceways into the cage free nest. A ramp extends from a surface to connect to the nest bottoms proximate to the entranceway. Both the nest bottoms and the ramp are formed of a non-slip, woven galvanized steel wire. The cage free nest also has upper and lower top panels that make up a roof assembly of the cage free nest. The lower top panels can be moved relative to the upper top panels to an opened/raised position by a cable assembly to allow for visual inspection into the cage free nest through the entranceways. The upper top panels can be moved relative to the lower top panels to an opened/raised position to allow for visual inspection into the cage free nest through the roof assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for a weave trainer for demonstrating animal agility. In one embodiment, the weave trainer includes a rail with a set of adjustable poles. Attached to the rail are telescoping legs extending away from the centerline of the rail. The legs are grooved for engaging by a slider. Each slider engages one of the legs and includes a vertical projection that engages a pole. With the slider fully engaging the leg, the projection and pole are directly above the rail centerline. In one such embodiment, the legs are removable. In another embodiment, the angle of the projection is adjustable such that the engaged poles are movable to selected angles from vertical. In another embodiment, two rails are connected by a hinge that allows the two rails to fold.

Abstract: Described is a pet confinement cleaning device for automatically removing pet waste from a pet's structural confinement. The pet confinement cleaning device includes a confining structure, a conveyor belt device, and a receptacle. The confining structure is coupled to the frame of the conveyor belt device to create a pet confinement, whereby the confining structure serves as the walls and the ceiling of the pet confinement and a conveyor belt of the conveyor belt device serves as the flooring of the pet confinement. The receptacle is disposed proximately below the conveyor belt device such that when a pet deposits waste on the floor of the pet confinement, namely the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt device automatically moves the pet waste, in accordance with the operation of a conventional conveyor belt, to the receptacle.

Abstract: A pet enclosure includes a pet carrier and a base securable to a car seat. The pet carrier includes a housing, a handle, a door plate and a plurality of ventilating windows distributed on the top of the housing and the door plate, and provides an interior space for accommodating a pet therein. The base is formed with a receiving space for accommodating the housing and a securing slot for securing by a safety seat belt. The latch mechanism has an actuator, a first hooker, an associating member and a second hooker, wherein the actuator is used to drive the first and second hooker through the associating member for either locking the housing on the base or releasing the housing from the base.

Abstract: An animal exercising and training mechanism designed to lunge or guide an equine in a circular path without the trainer having to hold the lunge line to do so. The trainer is able to lunge the equine without being exposed to the constant tension on the lunge line and enjoy hands free training. The Equine Exerciser/Trainer would consist of a vertical pole approximately 10 feet long extending approximately 7 feet above ground elevation and mounted approximately 3 feet into the ground with a concrete base or other securing methods, and a bearing mounted, free rotating horizontal bar (Swivel Arm) attached to the top of the vertical pole approximately 3 feet long. A lunge line would be attached from the end of the Equine Exerciser/Trainer's Swivel Arm to a head restraint device of the animal being exercised or trained.

Abstract: An electronic animal training apparatus with feedback communication, or animal training communicator. The animal training communicator provides feedback to the trainer and the animal using the associated electronics. The animal training communicator includes a base unit accessible to a trainer and a remote unit carried by an animal. The base unit has at least a receiver and the remote unit has at least a transmitter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a pet leash that permits a pet handler to bring his/her pet under control urgently in a steady and reliable manner. Embodiments include a handle, a lead mechanism, an elongate portion extending therebetween, and multiple grip points on the elongate portion. A pet handler can grip the handle or one of the grip points with one hand and grip another of the grip points with the other hand.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for animal control and restraint. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a retractable tether (e.g., leash) having a single-handed grip handle which include a built-in chemical repellent. The handle further includes a mechanism for quickly dispensing chemical repellent directionally by initiating a safety and actuating a trigger mechanism. The repellant can be used to rapidly spray one or more animals (such as during a dogfight) so as to minimize physical trauma to the dogs, and emotional trauma to the owner(s). Also, the handle is optionally equipped with a built in light for effective use of the handle (and repellant) in the dark, as well as a retractable mechanism to manage the dispensing and storage of a leash that can be attached to an animal collar.

Abstract: The Protective Foot and Leg Cover Guard is a sock-like, one-piece garment that the animal's front or rear leg can slide into. There are no wraps or clasps. The leg simply slides into it. It has an adjustable clasp that joins in back of the neck far from the animal's potential reach. Therefore, it is impossible for the animal to remove it or break the clasp. It is for dogs and cats and other four legged animals. Mainly to be used to cover a bandaged leg and/or foot and prevents the animal from licking, biting, scratching or removing bandages. It allows a cut or injury to heal undisturbed. The fabric is the same fabric used on muzzles—durable nylon. No need to put the animal in a brace or apparatus of any kind. It is bendable, but not easily ripped and washable.

Abstract: A high efficiency water heater comprising a generally cone shaped tank; an surrounding and spaced from the tank defining a passageway for flue gases between an inner surface of the enclosure and the outer surface of the tank, said enclosure having an outlet for flue gases; a burner communicating with the interior of said enclosure, and means for providing combustion air to said burner. The preferred embodiment includes baffle means attached to the outer surface of the tank for increasing heat transfer. One embodiment has a conduit passing vertically through the tank, and wherein the burner is disposed in an upper region and communicating with the conduit, and includes a fan for directing flue gases downward through the conduit and subsequently into and through said passageway between the inner surface of the enclosure and the outer surface of the tank.

Abstract: Oil in a storage tank is heated by providing one or more elongate conduits within the storage tank in the form of a loop extending from an inlet manifold across the tank and returning to an outlet manifold. The inlet manifold is connected to an evaporator section at a heat source and the outlet manifold acts as a return of the condensate. The conduit forms a loop and back flow in the loop is prevented by providing a head in the liquid in the conduit at a position adjacent to or at the evaporation section caused by a standing column of the liquid with optionally a pump. The flow around the loop at high speed sufficient to carry all condensate forwardly is caused solely by application of energy to the system by the heat source. Inert gases are collected immediately upstream of the trap and can be purged therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design of direct fired heaters which consist of vertically oriented refractory lined enclosures containing tubular heat transfer elements, the elements partially surrounding a cluster of burners. The burners fire gaseous fuel and generate high temperature combustion products which allow for the transfer of heat , by radiation and convection, from the combustion products to the heat transfer elements and the continuous flow of process fluid contained therein. The transferred heat raises the temperature of the fluid from the design temperature at the inlet to the design temperature at the outlet, at a heat transfer rate commensurate with the temperature differential existing at any given location.

Abstract: An two-stroke internal combustion engine includes a cooling circuit having at least one passageway on the exhaust side of the engine for cooling the exhaust side of the engine and at least one passageway on the intake side of the engine for cooling at least a portion of the intake side of the cylinder. The engine also includes at least one cooling channel traversing the engine located in the vicinity of one of the bearings supporting the crankshaft for cooling the bearings.

Abstract: A valve train includes a primary rocker arm 50 oscillating about a primary oscillating center line L4 in response to the rotation of an inlet cam 21, a secondary rocker arm 60 oscillating about a secondary oscillating center line L5 so as to transmit a valve drive force via the primary rocker arm 50 to the inlet valve 14 and a holder 30 which supports the primary and secondary rocker arms 50, 60 in an oscillatory fashion in such a manner that the primary and secondary oscillating center lines L4, L5 oscillate together. A cam profile 55 has a lost motion profile 55a a drive profile 55b are formed on an abutment portion 54 of the primary rocker arm 50. A sectional shape of the lost motion profile 55a is an arc-like shape which is formed about the primary oscillating center line L4.

Abstract: A drive piston assembly is provided that is operable to selectively open a poppet valve. The drive piston assembly includes a cartridge defining a generally stepped bore. A drive piston is movable within the generally stepped bore and a boost sleeve is coaxially disposed with respect to the drive piston. A main fluid chamber is at least partially defined by the generally stepped bore, drive piston, and boost sleeve. First and second feedback chambers are at least partially defined by the drive piston and each are disposed at opposite ends of the drive piston. At least one of the drive piston and the boost sleeve is sufficiently configured to move within the generally stepped bore in response to fluid pressure within the main fluid chamber to selectively open the poppet valve. A valve actuator assembly and engine are also provided incorporating the disclosed drive piston assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles. The engine can be operated in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and in conventional spark ignited (SI) combustion mode. For increasing volumetric efficiency and charge temperature during homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion operation timing, duration and lift of the intake valve and the exhaust valve respectively, being controlled such that an amount of residual exhaust gases is trapped in the cylinder of the engine. An intake valve is opened at a timed moment after top dead center during an induction stroke of the piston such that a pressure wave is generated from an intake manifold into the cylinder. The intake valve is closed at a timed moment before the pressure wave is reflected within the cylinder such that a charge mass of said pressure wave is retained within the cylinder.

Abstract: A valve drive device for an engine include a valve for opening or closing an opening of a port to a combustion chamber, a valve drive member for opening or closing the valve and a drive shaft for driving the valve drive member. The device also includes a variable valve timing mechanism for continuously changing a working angle of the valve corresponding to an operation state of the engine by changing a state of drive force transmission from the drive shaft to the valve drive member. A variable valve clearance mechanism is configured such that a valve clearance that is defined as a gap between the valve and the valve drive member can be set at a first value during a first condition in which the working angle of the valve is large to a second different value during a second condition in which the working angle of the valve is small.