Abstract: The present invention refers to a cleaning method in a milking system (9) comprising a plurality of teat cups (19), each of which is connected to a respective milk line, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups (19) are attached to the teats of the animal, and vacuum is supplied to the respective milk lines in order to draw milk from the teats of the milking animal. The cleaning comprises the steps of removing milk or other residues present at each of the plurality of teat cups by of flushing (37) each of said plurality of teat cups with a cleaning fluid supplied via a supply line (36, 34c); evacuating cleaning fluid from each of the plurality of teat cups or from the supply line; and disinfecting at least one of the plurality of teat cups by of exposing (60) the at lest one of the plurality of teat cups to steam.

Abstract: A cord having two electrodes for generating a shark-repelling electromagnetic field about a user. The cord is connected to a field generator supported by the user, and in use, maintains contact with surrounding water, even if the user is out of the water.

Abstract: A waste heat boiler includes an axial bypass pipe and multiple heat transfer pipes disposed within a cylindrical jacket. A hot exhaust gas stream transported between inlet and outlet ends of the heat transfer pipes is cooled by a coolant. A control system controls gas passage velocity and quantity of the exhaust gas stream through the bypass pipe whereby the exhaust gas stream exhaust temperature is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. The control system includes a stopper disposed at the outlet end of the bypass pipe and has a head plate extending into the outlet end of the bypass pipe. The stopper is axially displaceable from a closed position, where an outer surface of the stopper head plate contacts an inner surface of the bypass pipe outlet end. The gas passage formed between the inner surface of the bypass pipe outlet end and the outer surface of the stopper head plate has a cross-section that increases as the stopper is axially displaced from the closed position.

Abstract: A steam generator for generation of steam in a water tube boiler having first and second upright headers in sealed communication with lower and upper inclining banks of tubes communicating therebetween. An end portion of the tubes in the upper bank, changes to a declining angle toward its communication with the upright header. The declining angle provides for increased separation of steam from hot water in the tubes.

Abstract: A dehydrogenated fuel tank 32 which is replenished with an organic hydride-contained hydrogenated fuel and a gasoline tank 48 which is replenished with normal gasoline are provided. In order to separate the hydrogenated fuel into a hydrogen rich gas and dehydrogenation product, a dehydrogenation reactor 22 and a separator 40 are provided. The hydrogen rich gas flows into a hydrogen pipe 44 and is supplied into the intake pipe 12. A dehydrogenation product pipe 42 is provided with a flow separator 46. The dehydrogenation product is guided into the gasoline tank 48 until the mixed ratio of the dehydrogenation product reaches the maximum allowable ratio in the gasoline tank 48. Only if the ratio reaches the maximum allowable ratio, the dehydrogenation product is collected into a dehydrogenation product tank 50.

Abstract: A fluid valve for use in proportioning/mixing fluid between at least one input and at least one output. The fluid valve including a rotary actuated diverter for controlling fluid flow between the inlet(s) and outlet(s). The fluid valve may be configured to support proportioning any number of fluids, including liquids and gases, for any number of applications, including automotive and industrial applications.

Abstract: A gas or diesel internal combustion engine of either a two or four stroke design uses both ends of each piston to create a combustion chamber. The piston rod rides linearly through a lower cylinder head. The lower cylinder head forms a lower combustion chamber with its own set of valves and fuel/air inlet. A second set of lower cams and camshaft operate the lower set of valves. Crankcase oil is pumped up the middle of the piston rod to an outlet in the center of the piston.

Abstract: A variable valve characteristic mechanism has a valve operation cam pivotally supported on a camshaft and a driving mechanism rocking an interlocking mechanism around the camshaft, the interlocking mechanism rocking the valve operation cam by a driving cam integrated into the camshaft. The engine valve starts to open and close in a damping portion of the valve operation cam, and the driving mechanism rocks the valve operation cam via the interlocking mechanism, thereby controlling an opening timing and a closing timing of the engine valve. A cam swelled portion of the driving cam has a constant velocity portion in which a lift velocity is constant, and the constant velocity portion is provided over an angular width where the opening timing in a most advanced angle position of the opening timing of the engine valve and the opening timing in a most retarded angle position of the opening timing are included.

Abstract: Valve gears for load-change valves of four-stroke internal combustion engines, in which the load-change valves are closed by spring force, engage a pivot lever moved by a cam for opening a load-change channel. The cam engages an intermediate element that it is additionally moved by the lifting curve of the cam during a different work cycle, and adjusts the pivot lever to open the load-change valve slightly during a different work cycle. The intermediate element is prismatically guided on an element that can pivot in the cylinder head and is adjustable in its position, and engages the cam and the pivot lever, so that the stroke movement of the cam for opening the load-change valve via the pivot lever can be adjusted.

Abstract: A poppet valve operating system for an internal combustion engine includes poppet valves which are driven by rocker arms rotationally mounted to a rocker shaft. Each of the rocker arms is maintained in axial alignment upon the rocker shaft by a separate, resiliently biased telescoping pin housed in the rocker arm body. The rocker arm pins extend into indexing reliefs formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the rocker shaft.

Abstract: An engine control device that controls, using a microprocessor, a fuel injection device including an injector and a fuel pump, and a starter motor that starts an engine, including: first fuel pump driving means for driving the fuel pump only during set time at power-on of the microprocessor; and first fuel injection control means for causing the injector to perform first fuel injection before driving of the starter motor when it is confirmed that the driving of the fuel pump by the first fuel pump driving means is completed and that a start command for commanding the start of the engine is given.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (101, 601, 901) alters an effective compression ratio from an effective compression ratio for a start-up operation to a larger effective compression ratio for a normal operation when an engine rotation speed (NE) increases beyond a resonance rotation speed region during cranking. A controller (104, 610, 910) determines whether or not the engine (101, 601, 901) has reached a combustion possible state on the basis of the engine rotation speed (NE) during cranking and an operating parameter (PA, TA, TW, P_Rail, V_Ang) other than the engine rotation speed (NE) (S1102, S1202, S1204). When the determination is negative, the controller (104, 610, 910) inhibits fuel supply to the engine (101, 601, 901) by a fuel supply device (207), even when the engine rotation speed has increased beyond the resonance rotation speed region (S406). In so doing, a combustion defect such as a misfire is prevented.

Abstract: An engine component is composed of an aluminum alloy containing silicon, and includes a plurality of primary-crystal silicon grains located on a slide surface. The plurality of primary-crystal silicon grains have an average crystal grain size of no less than about 12 ?m and no more than about 50 ?m.

Abstract: A cylinder barrel (1) for housing a piston comprises a sheet metal liner (2) and a reinforcing structure (10) located outside the sheet metal liner (2). The reinforcing structure (10) comprises a glass-fiber-reinforcing layer (12) and a carbon-fiber-reinforcing layer (13). The glass-fiber-reinforcing layer (12) comprises a plain cloth (20) made of glass fiber covering the sheet metal liner (2). The carbon-fiber-reinforcing layer (13) comprises a carbon fiber string (31) wound around the outer circumference of the glass-fiber-reinforcing layer (12) along a spiral path. According to the this construction, the reinforcing structure (10) has a high flexibility which is required for preventing cracks in the reinforcing structure (10) while maintaining a high rigidity of the entire cylinder barrel (1).

Abstract: A crankcase of an internal combustion engine with at least one main lubricant channel for supplying the internal combustion engine with lubricant and with at least one oil return flow channel (10) for return guidance of the excess lubricant into a reservoir container (11), wherein the oil return flow channel (10) exhibits a peg-shaped widening (12), which is formed by the attachment a bearing support of an oil channel core (18). An oil channel core as well as a process for producing a crankcase.

Abstract: A piston-crank mechanism links crankpins of a crankshaft with piston pins of pistons by using a plurality of links. The piston-crank mechanism allows an upward inertia force produced near a top dead center of each piston to be smaller than a downward inertia force produced near a bottom dead center of the piston in order to reduce secondary vibration occurring during operation. In a four-cycle inline four-cylinder internal combustion engine, a total force of inertia forces exerted from adjacent cylinders to each of second and fourth crankshaft bearings becomes a downward force, which reinforces a downward force produced in response to combustion pressure. These second and fourth crankshaft bearings have a rigidity higher than the remaining crankshaft bearings.

Abstract: A manually guided implement having a housing that accommodates an internal combustion engine for driving a tool. At least an upper handle extends in a longitudinal direction of the implement on an upper side thereof. A first antivibration element connects the handle to the housing, wherein a longitudinal central axis of the antivibration element is inclined relative to a longitudinal central plane of the implement.

Abstract: An engine can include an air cleaner in communication with intake ports of the engine, and a wind introduction duct for introducing a wind into a primary chamber of the air cleaner. The wind introduction duct can include a resonator for absorbing predetermined frequencies. The resonator can have a predetermined capacity and can have a communication port in communication with the inside of the introduction duct.

Abstract: To improve an intake device (100) for a handheld tool implemented having an air cleaner, particularly for a chainsaw, a cuffing-off grinder, or the like, which comprises an internal combustion engine (25) and a drive unit (20) for the attachment, the air cleaner cleaning combustion air, which is charged with dirt particles, for the engine (25), in that a centrifugal separator (30) separates the combustion air into at least one first air flow (31), which is freed from dirt particles as much as possible, and a second air flow (32), which is loaded with dirt particles, in particular to cause higher efficiency of the intake device, it is suggested that a blower (10) be situated on the drive unit (20), which sucks in the second air flow (32), by which cooling of the drive unit (20) is caused.

Abstract: A highly durable engine grass screen assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a grass screen for covering an air intake port of the engine, a grass screen stiffening mechanism for supporting the grass screen, a washer mechanism for compressing the screen such that the screen is pre-stressed during manufacture and such that the screen remains in compression during engine operation. The assembly can include one or more stud mechanisms which are securable to either an engine flywheel assembly or an engine fan assembly. The washer mechanism, the grass screen and the grass screen stiffening mechanism are engaged in a secured fashion to one or more stud mechanisms. A method of assembling and positioning a grass screen assembly in an engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having cylinders connected by means of controllable brake valves to a common gas pressure container which is in communication, by way of an outflow line with an outflow valve, with the exhaust strand of the internal combustion engine, an inlet gas pressure container is connected to the intake tract of the internal combustion engine and is in communication with the common pressure container by means of a recirculation line having a controllable check valve arranged therein permitting the establishment of various engine operating and control features.

Abstract: To make compact a motor actuator and a tandem valve type throttle body preferably for two-wheeled vehicles, a gear portion (G) and a motor (M) are arranged in an actuator case constituted by a gear case (2) and a motor case (1), the gear portion (G) is formed by a motor gear (G1), an intermediate gear (G2) consisting of a small-diameter gear (G22) and a large-diameter gear (G21) in parallel, and an output gear (G3), the motor (M) protrudes into the gear case (2) and is near the large-diameter gear (G21), an actuator support boss (6a) of a throttle body (6) is inserted into a throttle body insertion hole (id) a protruding end portion (9a) of an auxiliary throttle valve shaft (9) is inserted into a connection hole (G3a), and a mounting boss (5) is screwed to the throttle body (6) via a mounting hole (4).

Abstract: An exhaust control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of actuators wherein each actuator controls a predetermined engine parameter. A plurality of sensors are also associated with the engine and each sensor provides an output representative of an engine operating condition. The control system includes a PID controller associated with each actuator and in which each PID controller has an input, an output and a feedback between the input and the output. A distribution function circuit is operatively connected in series with the inputs of the PID controller. The distribution function circuit receives an error signal representative of the difference between a target value and an actual value of one or more engine operating conditions, previously determined control factor values and the feedback from each PID controller as input signals. The distribution function circuit varies the input to each PID controller as a function of the distribution function input signals.

Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine; a first injector for injecting a first fuel into said cylinder; a second injector for injecting a second fuel into said cylinder; and a controller configured to vary an amount of said first and second fuel injection during engine operation based on operating conditions, where amounts of variation of said first and second fuels are set to maintain desired engine output and provide a substantially stoichiometric mixture.

Abstract: An engine controller controls an actuator for selectively executing spark-ignited combustion and compression-ignited combustion of an internal combustion engine in accordance with an engine operational state. The controller is comprises of a deterioration recognition section for recognizing a deterioration state of the engine or the actuator during the spark-ignited combustion. The engine controller is configured to change at least one of a switching condition between the spark-ignited combustion and compression-ignited combustion and an operational condition for the compression-ignited combustion, during the spark-ignited combustion, in accordance with the deterioration state of the engine or the actuator recognized by the deterioration recognition section.

Abstract: In a fuel supply apparatus for an engine, which is provided with a relief valve for returning fuel in a fuel pipe into a fuel tank when a fuel pressure exceeds a threshold, and also feedback controls a discharge amount of a fuel pump so that the fuel pressure detected by a pressure sensor approaches a target pressure, when the pressure sensor is failed, a duty of a PWM signal for the fuel pump is fixedly maintained at a predetermined value, and fuel injection pulse width is calculated on the assumption that the fuel pressure is held at the threshold.

Abstract: Direct needle control fuel injectors and methods disclosed. The preferred embodiment injectors have a needle within a needle chamber for movement between a closed position preventing injection of fuel and an open position allowing injection of fuel, a source of high pressure fuel coupled to the needle chamber to provide fuel for injection and to hydraulically urge the needle to the open position by pressurizing a first hydraulic area associated with the needle, a needle control hydraulic area having a second hydraulic area disposed to urge the needle to the closed position when the second hydraulic area is exposed to fuel under pressure, and valving coupled to the source of high pressure fuel and a vent to controllably couple the hydraulic area of the needle control member to the high pressure fuel or to the vent.

Abstract: A cylinder head for a direct-injection internal-combustion engine, has injection valves accommodated in openings in the cylinder head and secured in pairs by a respective fastening element formed as a hold-down device on the cylinder head. The hold-down device has two holding or fastening arms for the injection valves and is fastened to the cylinder head by way of a central fastening point. At the two ends of the hold-down device, dome-type receiving devices for a fuel connection piece of the injection valve are provided. The connection piece is at least radially elastically disposed in the receiving device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel injection mechanism for regulating the volume of fuel injected into a cylinder comprising a selectively detachable helix ring configured to be removably affixed to an outside diameter of a plunger. The selectively detachable helix ring includes a ridge that has at least one helix angle. The helix angle is associated with a throttle position of the mechanism.

Abstract: A CNG fuel injector for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The fuel system includes a fuel rail and an engine manifold. The fuel injector includes a fuel inlet for fluid communication with the fuel rail, a fuel outlet having an orifice disposed along a longitudinal axis for fluid communication with the engine manifold, and a member proximate the fuel outlet downstream of the orifice for dispersing the CNG in a direction skewed from the longitudinal axis as the CNG flows from the orifice into the engine manifold.

Abstract: The present invention is a fuel vaporizer that will greatly increase power and economy in fuel powered engines while producing far less pollution. The present invention has a fuel chamber, air inlet, vibrator and heating element that aerate fuel by vibrating and heating the fuel from a liquid to a more combustible gaseous vapor.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine includes a generally conical-shaped member positioned in a gas flow generated by the engine. One or more deformations, such as tabs and notches, are formed in the conical member to alter one or more characteristics, such as pressure and velocity, of the gas flow. The apparatus may be positioned in the air intake system. Alternatively, the apparatus may be positioned in the exhaust system.

Abstract: A handheld gas propelled missile launcher which deploys projectiles of varying payloads through the muzzle, and a ballistic module for changing payloads expeditiously.

Abstract: A solar collector with external reflector. A solar collector includes a glass housing having a heat pipe disposed within the housing and a light reflector disposed external to the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow in one or more lung regions that are supplied fluid through one or more collateral pathways. An identified region of the lung is targeted for volume reduction or collapse. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to inhibit air from flowing into the targeted lung region through bronchial pathways that directly feed air to the targeted lung region. If the targeted lung region does not collapse after bronchially isolating the targeted lung region, then it is possible that a collateral pathway is feeding air to the targeted lung region, thereby preventing the targeted lung region from collapsing. In such a case, the collateral pathway is identified and air flow into the targeted lung region via the collateral pathway is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A method for corrective surgery in a human subject of a vocal cord defect amenable to rectification by the augmentation of tissue subadjacent to the vocal cord defect, the method comprising: placing an effective amount of autologous in vitro cultured cells into a vocal cord tissue of the subject in a position subadjacent to the vocal cord defect, wherein the vocal cord tissue is selected from the group consisting of a scar, Reinke's space, a muscle of the vocal cord, and the lamina propria, wherein the in vitro cultured cells are obtained by culturing a plurality of viable cells retrieved from the subject, and wherein the cultured cells are suspended in a collagen or modified collagen solution prior to injection of the cultured cells. The in vitro cultured cells can be fibroblasts, e.g., fibroblasts derived from dermis, fascia, connective tissue, or lamina propria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing a coating material from a predetermined first portion of a container, while retaining the coating on a second portion of the container, or alternatively applying a coating to a predetermined portion of a container or other apparatus.

Abstract: A washing machine for glass lenses (11) or other similar items of the type including a conveyor (1) has a bearing surface (10) for moving the lenses through a washing chamber (12) made of a succession of washing means (21). The traction force transmitted to the aforementioned bearing surface (10) is carried out by two chains (13) with endless links (14), located on the both sides of the aforementioned bearing surface (10), each chain (13) being joined at the longitudinal side corresponding to the aforementioned bearing surface (10) and is stretched tight between two driving gears, of axis parallel to the plane of the aforementioned bearing surface and perpendicular to the direction of the displacement.

Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus includes containers 26, 27, 26a, 26b surrounding processing chambers 51, 52 for accommodating a plurality of wafers W and nozzles 54, 56 for supplying a processing liquid to the substrates W in order to perform a liquid process. The nozzles 54, 56 are respectively equipped with a plurality of ejecting orifices 53, 55 capable of ejecting the processing liquid in a plane manner, allowing the substrates W to be processed uniformly and effectively.

Abstract: A cleaning probe capable of providing uniform cleaning to an entire wafer while not damaging the edge portion of the wafer, and a megasonic cleaning apparatus having the cleaning probe are provided. The cleaning probe comprises a front portion located near the center of the wafer, a rear portion connected to a piezoelectric transducer, and a protrusion located between the rear portion and the front portion, located on an edge portion of the wafer, and having a larger cross section width than the front portion.

Abstract: The invention saves resources and energy. A cleaning/fluid-feeding head integrates a cleaning head portion and a fluid-feeding head portion. The cleaning head portion includes an organic substance cleaning unit, an inorganic substance cleaning unit, a rinsing unit and a drying unit. The organic substance cleaning unit, inorganic substance cleaning unit and rinsing unit selectively clean pattern forming regions on a substrate by feeding thereto a first cleaning fluid, second cleaning fluid and pure water, respectively. The drying unit dries the rinsed pattern forming regions by blowing hot air thereonto. The fluid-feeding head portion selectively feeds a liquid pattern forming material to the cleaned pattern forming regions.

Abstract: A portable personal shade and cooling device having a handle and a canopy. The handle defines a water reservoir connected to misting nozzles arranged around the periphery of the canopy. The handle incorporates a pressurization source which may be a gas containing cartridge, an external air pump or an integral air pump in the handle.

Abstract: An umbrella is provided that includes a lower pole portion, an upper pole portion, a canopy coupled with the upper pole portion, a crank, and a rotation mechanism. The upper pole portion is rotatably coupled with the lower pole portion. The crank is configured to articulate the canopy. The rotation mechanism is configured to apply a force to the upper pole portion. The rotation mechanism is at least partially located between the crank and the lower pole portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flow verification and validation of mass flow controllers are disclosed. A mass flow controller may be commanded to a specified flow and flow measurement commenced. Gas is accumulated in a first volume and while measurements are taken within this volume. Gas may then flow into a second volume while measurements are taken. The various measurements taken during the two intervals may then be used to calculate the flow rate. The flow rate, in turn, may be used to determine the accuracy of the mass flow controller relative to a setpoint. Additionally, these systems and methods may utilize only one volume to perform flow verification by flowing gas into this volume, taking measurements, and calculating the flow rate based only upon this set of measurements.

Abstract: An expansion tank to be connected to a pipe system filled or with a liquid is disclosed. The expansion tank includes at least one connection opening for a liquid pipe. The tank has a main valve to close off the connection opening at a defined difference in pressure between the interior of the tank and the connection opening and/or at a defined liquid level in the tank. The tank also has an additional valve for closing off a channel extending through the closure member of the main valve from the interior of the tank to the connection opening. The additional valve is closed during normal operation of the expansion tank and is open if the difference in pressure between the interior of the tank and the connection opening is higher than the original pressure in the expansion tank.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic level control for the activation, deactivation or regulation or a downstream device or process by way of pneumatic signal in response to increased liquid volume in an attached vessel or container.

Abstract: In a solenoid valve 10, an annular oil groove 66 is formed at a portion corresponding to a spring chamber 56 on the external surface of a sleeve 19, a drain passage 68 is formed to make an upper part of the annular oil groove 66 communicate with the outside of an insertion bore 61, and a throttle hole 67 is provided at a lower part of the annular oil groove 66 for making the annular oil groove 66 communicate with the spring chamber 56. Since the annular oil groove 66 communicates with the outside of the insertion bore 61 at its upper part through the drain passage 68, it can be realized to store the operating oil to the height of the upper part of the annular oil groove 66, so that the operating oil can be reserved in the spring chamber 56 which communicates with the annular oil groove through the throttle hole 67. Further, the operating oil is supplied from a feedback port 48 next to the spring chamber 56 through a clearance between the spool valve 19 and a valve hole 18.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic control device and method for controlling the microfluid, and a fine amount of fluid is controlled even with natural fluid flow and solution injection, wherein a pressure barrier of a capillary is removed by a surface tension change resulted from the solution injection to thereby obtain transport, interflow, mixing, and time delay of the microfluid, and to detail this, solution is injected to meet the boundary surface of the stopped fluid when the fluid is stopped by the stop valve, so that a function of the stop valve is removed to obtain the transport, interflow, and mixing of the fluid, and the method for controlling the microfluid may be applied to the microfluidic control device for biochemical reaction, and it uses only the capillary force change resulted from solution injection to thereby have its structure simplified.

Abstract: In an industrial two-layer fabric, either one of an upper side binding yarn and a lower surface binding yarn constituting a pair to be woven with an upper surface weft and a lower side weft passes under one lower surface weft and then passes over a plurality of lower surface wefts. A warp on one adjacent side of the one of the upper and lower surface binding yarns has a similar design thereto and passes over and under the same lower surface wefts. The design of a set of the two warps adjacent to each other is shifted and arranged one after another to form a complete design of the lower surface fabric and a lower surface weft has a design in which the weft passes over two successive warps and then passes under a plurality of warps to form a long crimp on the lower surface.

Abstract: A wire strapping or tying device (46) is provided having a rotatable pinion-type knotter assembly (56) for twist-knotting of a pair of adjacent wire sections (50a, 50b), together with a shiftable knotter cover (266) movable between a home position for maintaining the sections (50a, 50b) within the assembly (56) and a remote knotter access position allowing ready access to the knotter assembly (56). The cover (266) is supported by arms (268, 270) which are pivotal about an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the cover (266). The cover (266) may be manually shifted to the remote knotter access position through an arc of at least 45°. Also, the knotter assembly (56) includes a primary body (128) supporting a rotatable, slotted knotter pinion (178). The body (128) is pivotally secured to frame plates (68, 70), allowing the body (128) to be pivoted to a convenient position for servicing of pinion (178).