Abstract: Apparatus for mooring a vessel to the seabed comprising a turret that is connected to the vessel for rotation about a vertical axis defined thereby and axial/radial bearing structure that can absorb axial and radial forces. The turret is connected at its lower end to a chain table or buoy for attaching mooring lines. The turret is disposed inside the hull of the vessel within a fixed tube. An outer ring of the axial/radial bearing is mounted to a rigid ring, which in turn is fastened by a flexible tube to the lower end of the fixed tube at an elevation below the rigid ring. The fixed tube encloses the turret with clearance. Deformation of the hull due to wind and waves is inhibited to the bearing, because hull deformation is absorbed by the flexible tube that couples the rigid ring to the vessel hull.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for degaussing a water vessel. The invention involves the use of a light-weight reduced-size degaussing system that comprises a plurality of degaussing coils arranged in a plurality of axes. An electrical current is passed through the plurality of coils to create a degaussing field. The degaussing coils comprise a high temperature superconductor material, the coils cooled by a single-phase gaseous cryogen.

Abstract: A flagpole assembly comprising a flagpole body having an aperture disposed in the side thereof, one or two internal fastening plates, disposed within the flagpole body, an external fastening plate and door assembly and a set of threaded fasteners securing the flagpole assembly together. A cleat or winch mount may be secured to the internal fastening plate, having a winch secured thereto for securement of a flag halyard inside the flagpole body.

Abstract: A utility location indicator apparatus for indicating the location and general direction of lie of an underground utility includes a marker being configured to extend upwardly from a utility pipe to indicate a location of the utility pipe under a ground surface. The marker is elongated to extend upwardly through the ground over the utility pipe. A plurality of incremental indicia is positioned on the marker and incrementally extending along a length of the marker. The incremental indicia is configured to indicate a depth of the ground positioned over the utility pipe to alert a user to the depth the user can dig before encountering the utility pipe. A saddle is integrally coupled to a first end of the marker. The saddle is configured to extend over a portion of a circumference of the utility pipe to maintain alignment of said marker with the utility pipe.

Abstract: An inexpensive reusable device for measuring the temperature distribution in a substrate, such as meat, poultry, or fish, is disclosed. The device is easy to read, fast and convenient and low in cost without the use of batteries. The device, which utilizes thermochromic materials mounted on one or more metal carriers, can be inserted into or placed in contact with the substrate for determining the temperature gradient across the substrate.

Abstract: A multipurpose rat cage is provided for housing a plurality of different species of rodents therein. The rat cage includes a cage bottom having a plurality of integral side walls, a floor and an open top end. The floor has a length and a width such that the area of the floor is between 80 square inches and a 140 square inches.

Abstract: An animal mask for removable fitment to the appropriate portion of the head of an animal such as the front of the head or over one nostril for the effective delivery of drugs or medicaments, for pulmonary or nasal absorption. The rings of the mask are nestable, forming a succession of monotonically decreasing sized telescopable rings from a largest ring to a smallest ring to form a relatively flexible skirt. An animal interface adapter extends from the largest ring and is adapted to establish a substantial seal between the animal interface adapter and the face of an animal. The animal mask is collapsible to permit use in a full or partially open state, and to permit easy and convenient transport in a collapsed or closed state.

Abstract: A combustion chamber is disposed below the water container of a water heater and formed at least partially by a shell. A burner disposed within the combustion chamber and a fuel supply line is connected to the burner. A valve associated with the fuel supply line. A combustion chamber sensor is disposed within the combustion chamber and adapted to sense a rise in temperature indicative of an abnormality in the combustion chamber. A circuit connected to the sensor and the valve such that the circuit triggers the valve to shut off fuel to the burner in response to a sensed temperature by the sensor.

Abstract: This Rotary engine with pistons, a stator and a power chamber is comprising a Stator, which contains the power chamber for combusting a mixture of fuel and air; an air intake slot, exhaust slots and the power chamber located along an inside periphery of stator; a Rotor containing three of said pistons and three cylinders that create compression of the mixture of fuel and air; and an Eccentric Shaft for attachment to said pistons, said eccentric shaft moving said pistons in a inwardly and outwardly direction; the rotor further containing three pallets, which create a movable wall at an outer circumferential periphery of the rotor, said walls slide into the power chamber cavity of the stator; the rotor block has three equally spaced slots for mounting the three pallets, the Pallets, moves into the power chamber cavity during ignition of the compressed fuel and air mixture to enable the pallets and rotor to be pushed along the power chamber cavity, creating the rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An engine comprises a working cylinder provided with a piston, a preignition chamber provided with a spark plug and a combustion chamber which are connected to a compressor cylinder by channels. The compressor cylinder is provided with fuel and air supplying channels arranged in the top section thereof and with a piston and a shutoff valve. Return valves are mounted at the output of the valve supplying air to the compressor cylinder. The corresponding method for operating the engine consists in adjusting the velocity of a fuel-air mixture injection into the preignition chamber and the combustion chamber by modifying pressure in the compressor cylinder. When the fuel-supply impulse is increased, the pressure is also increased and vice-versa, when the impulse is reduced, the pressure is also lowered, thereby ensuring an air/fuel ratio in the preignition chamber equal to 8:1-20:1.

Abstract: A rotatable media storage disk creates a simulation of the rotational motion of a cam shaft which would typically provide signals to the vehicle's computer for cam shaft position and necessary requirement for valve operation. A sensor controller has been provided to work independently or in combination with an engine computer to achieve direct control of the engine valves by providing multiple data channels capable of information input, storage and output by corresponding multiple read write sensors being timed directly to the crank shaft to control a wide range of automotive engine applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism which includes a rotating cam provided on a camshaft, a swing arm that contacts with the rotating cam to swing, a drive arm that drives a valve in conjunction with the swing arm, a variable arm that turns the drive arm around a swing axis of the swing arm, an actuator that drives the variable arm, and cam device that is provided between the swing arm and the drive arm. The variable arm is provided so as to be able to rotate relatively around the same axis as the swing arm, and the cam device changes the initial position of the drive arm with respect to the swing arm accompanying the turning of the drive arm.

Abstract: In a method for setting the rotary-angle position of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft, in which the crankshaft has a drive connection to the camshaft via an adjusting gear which is embodied as a triple shaft gear with a drive shaft which is fixed to the crankshaft, an output shaft which is fixed to the camshaft and an adjusting shaft, a phase angle signal for the rotary-angle position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft is registered. Travel up to a stop is carried out, during which a stop element which is connected to the drive shaft is moved towards a counterstop element which is connected to the camshaft.

Abstract: In a camshaft adjusting device for adjusting a phase position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine with a gear mechanism including at least three drive connections, a locking element is provided, with which at least two of the at least three drive connections, can be locked to one another in a rotationally fixed manner depending on operating conditions for retaining a particular phase position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An air intake manifold assembly for an internal combustion engine composed of a plurality of molded synthetic resin shells assembled to each other so as to define a plenum chamber, a plurality of inlet channels leading from said plenum chamber to cylinder inlets of the internal combustion engine, and a throttle body passageway leading from a throttle body mount into the plenum chamber; with a groove formed in a surface of at least one of the shells facing an adjacent shell and extending from an inlet opening to the throttle body passageway or the plenum chamber so as to form an elongate passage between the assembled shells leading from the inlet to the throttle body passage or plenum chamber, and a method of forming such an intake manifold assembly.

Abstract: An air duct orifice includes an adapter pipe inserted in and attached to an end portion of an air duct connected to an engine side; an orifice pipe protruding from an outer surface of the adapter pipe; and an orifice cover coupled to an upper opening formed on the orifice pipe. The orifice pipe is disposed in a receiving opening formed on the air duct. The orifice pipe has engaging jaws on two side surfaces, and the orifice cover has combining holes on two side surfaces. The engaging jaws are engaged with the combining holes. The side surfaces of the orifice pipe without engaging jaws and the side surfaces of the orifice cover without combining holes are spaced apart from each other to form a radiation path of noise. The air duct orifice further includes a small resonator mounted to a lower side surface of the air duct.

Abstract: A V-engine (10) having two banks of cylinders (30) each comprising at least one cylinder (20) and a cylinder head (40) is envisaged, wherein the banks of cylinders (30) each comprise at least one inlet valve (12) and also at least one outlet valve (14) for each cylinder (20), while the at least one inlet valve (12) and the at least one outlet valve (14) are arranged in pairs opposite one another on opposite sides of the cylinder head (10), and each cylinder head (10) and its connections to the other engine components are constructed such that it can be mounted in a first position relative to the respective bank of cylinders (30) and in a position rotated through 180° relative to the first position on the same bank of cylinders (30).

Abstract: A flexibly-jointed, fluid-tight cover for enclosing a portion of an internal combustion engine includes generally rigid structural cover panels which are joined by fluid-tight flexible joints formed from elastomeric material which is either inserted into the rigid structural cover panels after the joint has been molded, or molded in place by inserting the cover parts within a mold and injecting material into the mold to form the flexible fluid-tight joints.

Abstract: An oil pan for attachment to the lower wall of the engine block housing of an internal combustion engine by bolts in such a way that lubricating oil is stored in the oil pan and transported from the oil pan to various parts of the engine to be lubricated by a suction line connected to an oil pump, in which excess oil flows back directly into the oil pan. The oil pan has a pan body (1) which is formed of a synthetic material and is closed along its upper portion by a connecting plate (2), also formed of a synthetic material, in which each of the two surfaces of the connecting plate is provided with a circumferential seal (8,9) that is cast onto the plate to ensure a tight seal between the pan body (1) and the engine block. The bottom portion of the connecting plate (2) extends as a tubular connecting piece (5), which is provided at its free end with a filter screen (6), and which forms a segment of the suction line.

Abstract: A powertrain for an internal combustion engine having a connecting rod with a piston supported at one end which is adapted for easy assembly and disassembly without expensive tools. The piston is supported on the connecting rod by a universal joint defined by a spherical surface of an integral connecting rod end and an end plate of the piston having a correspondingly configured spherical recess. The connecting rod end is formed with flat surfaces on opposed sides for engagement by releasable securement members which maintain the piston in proper seated position on the connecting rod during normal usage, but which are releasable to permit removal of the piston upon rotation of the connecting rod 90° about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A Turbocombustion engine for conversation of combustible fuel to rotating energy includes a cylinder, piston, connecting rod and crankshaft system for suction and compression and a rotor for expansion and exhaust. Combustible fuel is compressed within a combustion chamber separate from the cylinder and the combustion force applied directly to the rim of the rotor as in turbines with much larger capacity than the cylinder, converting the entire combustion force at maximum torque to rotating energy. The combustion chamber also includes a variable compression ratio system that constantly adjusts the compression ratio within the combustion chamber for optimum performance of the engine under all variables.

Abstract: An ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of reducing the capacity of a memory that stores data used in controlling ignition timing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. An ignition timing control system that controls ignition timing of an internal combustion engine calculates a maximum torque parameter indicative of a maximum torque that the engine can output when the engine is at the detected rotational speed, according to the detected rotational speed, calculates an output torque parameter indicative of an output torque being output from the engine, calculates a torque ratio as a ratio between the output torque parameter and the maximum torque parameter, and determines the ignition timing according to the engine speed and the torque ratio.

Abstract: In an adaptation method of an internal combustion engine for optimized combustion, the actually supplied cylinder-specific air masses are determined by determining the change in speed of the internal combustion engine within a thrust phase and by assigning these changes in speed to the cylinder-specific compression phases 20. This enables the fuel quantity to be injected to be more precisely adjusted to the cylinder-specific air mass available.

Abstract: The pump described herein provides a potentially lower cost alternative to conventional high-pressure pumps by providing a head, a plunger, and a control valve assembly. The head defines a valve bore having a first diameter, a plunger bore having a second diameter, and an intermediate chamber having a third diameter. The plunger is configured to reciprocate within the plunger bore. The plunger, the plunger bore, and the intermediate chamber at least partially define a pumping chamber. The control valve assembly is coupled to the head and includes an actuator moveable in response to an input signal and a valve element coupled to the actuator. The valve element is received within the valve bore and moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve element includes a body having a fourth diameter and a valve head having a fifth diameter. The first diameter is no larger than the second diameter.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing, a common rail, and a pressurization device for the common rail which includes a plurality of intensifier pistons, and an hydraulically actuated control valve movable between a first position at which it fluidly connects a source of pressurized actuation fluid with one of said intensifier pistons but not a second one of the intensifier pistons, and a second position at which it fluidly connects the at least one fluid inlet with the second one of the intensifier pistons but not the first one of the intensifier pistons.

Abstract: A fuel injection system (10) having an accumulator (24) includes an accumulator fill valve assembly (20) that regulates pressure within the accumulator (24) for operation of injection events other than the main injection. A restriction (128) in an inlet conduit and a stepped surface in a spool valve (112) provide a pressure amplifier across the accumulator valve.

Abstract: A vehicle is capable of preventing the temperature of the fuel injector from becoming high due to engine heat and also facilitating installation and maintenance of the fuel injector. The vehicle includes a head pipe, a body frame coupled with the head pipe and extending downward to the rear, an engine arranged below the body frame, a cylinder axis of the engine being oriented substantially horizontal, an intake passage for supplying air to the engine, and a fuel injector mounted on a midsection of the intake passage for supplying fuel to the engine. At least a portion of the fuel injector is arranged forward relative to a centerline of the intake passage when viewed from the side of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A fuel tank is provided for a motorcycle having a main body part and a downward swelling part that is opened upward and attached to a bottom part of the fuel tank. The inside of the downward swelling part is connected to the inside of the main body part, thereabove. A fuel pump is provided having a suction part disposed in the downward swelling element and a portion above the suction part installed in the main body part of the fuel tank. A fuel retaining member is also provided in the downward swelling part, whereby fuel retained by the fuel retaining member is sucked by the suction part.

Abstract: A canister assembly is mounted between a fuel tank and an internal combustion engine. The canister assembly includes a canister holding a carbon charge for adsorbing fuel vapors emanating from the fuel tank. A trap box defines a plenum and is mounted on the canister and a canister pipe stub permits the plenum to communicate with the carbon charge. The trap box has a load port disposed thereon and the load port is connectable to the fuel tank for passing a flow of fuel vapors from the tank into the plenum with the fuel vapors becoming adsorbed by the carbon charge as the vapors flow from the plenum and through the canister pipe stub and into the carbon charge in response to an overpressure in the fuel tank. The canister pipe stub is arranged in the plenum so as to permit any liquid fuel accompanying the vapor flow to become trapped in the plenum thereby preventing the liquid fuel from reaching the carbon charge and causing the latter to become degraded thereby.

Abstract: A heating system for liquefied gas fuel supply apparatus is applied to a liquefied gas fuel supply apparatus that causes a vaporizer to vaporize liquefied gas fuel and supplies the vaporized fuel to an internal combustion engine, the heating system including a circulation circuit and a heat insulating container. The circulation circuit circulates a heating medium between the vaporizer and an inside of the internal combustion engine. And, the heat insulating container stores the heating medium. In this case, the heat insulating container is disposed in the circulation circuit.

Abstract: An EGR cooler system according to the invention includes an EGR cooler cooling device that is provided in a coolant path which is separate from the path provided with an engine cooling system which cools coolant. The EGR cooler cooling devices cools the coolant to be supplied to a water-cooled EGR cooler. The EGR cooler system also includes a water pump that circulates the coolant within the coolant path; a bypass passage through which the coolant may bypass the EGR cooler cooling device or the water-cooled EGR cooler; and a flow control valve that regulates the amount of coolant flowing into the bypass based on the temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant path.

Abstract: A cooler device in a vehicle comprises a first cooler element in which compressed air is cooled by ambient air and a second cooler element in which recirculating exhaust gases are cooled by ambient air. The cooled recirculating exhaust gases and the cooled compressed air are mixed before they are led to a supercharged combustion engine of the vehicle. The cooler device comprises a common tubular outlet element for the first cooler element and the second cooler element so that said cooler elements constitute a composite unit.

Abstract: A condensation reduction device for use with an engine is disclosed. The condensation reduction device may have a first body member configured to receive a flow of exhaust, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the first body member to collect condensate from the flow of exhaust. The condensation reduction device may further have a passageway in fluid communication with the reservoir to direct the collected condensate from the reservoir back into the flow of exhaust.

Abstract: A nitrous-oxide system for an engine includes a nozzle coupled to a nitrous-oxide bottle by a nitrous oxide line. A nitrous-oxide valve is coupled to the nitrous-oxide line between the nitrous-oxide bottle and the nozzle. A control switch, operatively coupled to the nitrous-oxide valve. A pressure regulator, coupled to the nitrous-oxide line between the nitrous-oxide bottle and the nozzle, and is capable of regulating pressure of the nitrous-oxide. The nozzle can be positioned adjacent a carburetor inlet to force nitrous-oxide into a carburetor throat.

Abstract: The invention relates to an induction regulator (201) for an internal combustion engine which comprises one or more features selected from: at least one perforated element (203) for allowing the passage of fuel/air mixture therethrough, at least one open-topped reservoir (205) for retaining excess unvapourised fuel and means (204) for mounting the regulator in the inlet manifold of an engine, the open-topped reservoir (205) comprising a series of perforations (207) therein; at least one perforated element for allowing the passage of fuel/air mixture therethrough, means for mounting the perforated element in the inlet manifold of an engine and the means (510) for heating the perforated element; and a propeller and means for mounting the propeller (703, 803, 903) in the inlet manifold of an engine.

Abstract: An electric motor thermally associated with a liquid reservoir of an aircraft engine is selectively operated to generate heat for pre-heating a liquid in a reservoir prior to engine start.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of enhancing the accuracy of fuel control and ignition timing control even when there is a possibility that the reliability of a calculated intake air amount lowers, and enables reduction of manufacturing costs. An ECU of the control system calculates a first estimated intake air amount according to a valve lift, a cam phase, and a compression ratio, calculates a second estimated intake air amount according to the flow rate of air detected by an air flow sensor. The ECU determines a fuel injection amount according to the first estimated intake air amount when an estimated flow rate Gin_vt calculated based on an engine speed, the valve lift, the cam phase, and the compression ratio is within the range of Gin_vt?Gin1, and according to the second estimated intake air amount when Gin2?Gin_vt.

Abstract: A paintball marker has an inline cylinder that includes a gas governor that reduces gas flow from a compressed gas source to a valve area when the bolt is in a firing position; this increases efficiency in the marker because only the required air is used to fire the paintball. This bolt operates independent of the valve pin, which increases cycle speed and enables the governor to open and close at an optimum time in the firing cycle. Further, when the bolt/piston is recocking, the gap between the valve pin and governor valve pin enables low pressure gas driving the piston to start pressurizing the cylinder and driving the piston rearwards without resistance from the high pressure gas. The marker also allows a user to remove the inline cylinder without the use of tools, and gives the user a convenient carrying handle for holding the paintball marker, which is commonly called a “snatch grip.

Abstract: A gun having a firing mechanism and a barrel. The barrel has a breech end coupled to the firing mechanism, a muzzle end, and a bore having a length which extends longitudinally between said breech and muzzle ends. The length of the bore between the breech and muzzle ends is curved.

Abstract: An improved concrete cutter has a longitudinally-extending primary boom and one or more saw carriage sub-assemblies that move along the length of the boom. “Wing-like” boom extensions are hingedly secured at each end of the primary boom. The boom extensions can be easily positioned at each end of the primary boom to extend the cutting width of the concrete cutter and without requiring removal of the boom extensions from the concrete cutter. The saw carriage sub-assemblies are independently movable along the boom extensions. Carriage spacing is variably-adjustable along the boom such that each saw carriage can move toward or away from the other saw carriage. Each saw carriage sub-assembly is height-variable and is self-adjusting to contours in the profile of the concrete surface being cut.

Abstract: A cutting machine includes a bottom collecting tray, a cutting blade overhanging on a cutting table and having a cutting area defined at an outer circumferential portion thereof when the cutting blade cuts the work piece, and an environment control arrangement. The environment control arrangement includes an end collecting tray, which is upwardly extended from the bottom collecting tray, having a collecting chamber for collecting residual particles of the work piece while the cutting blade cuts the work piece, wherein the end collecting tray must be upwardly extended to a position above the cutting area of the cutting blade, and a suction source having a sucking inlet provided at a lower portion of the end collecting tray for collecting the residual particles within the collecting chamber by means of sucking effect.

Abstract: A wireless damper control device comprises a damper positioned in a flue, movable between a closed position where the flue is blocked and an open position, a damper controller which sends a damper signal which moves the damper between the open position and the closed position, and a fire side controller which transmits a fireplace signal to open a gas valve to initiate combustion when a fire is desired at a fireplace, and to close the gas valve to terminate combustion when a fire is no longer desired at the fireplace, and which receives a damper status signal from the damper controller indicating whether the damper is in the closed position or the open position.

Abstract: A drug package comprising a plurality of drug vials containing drugs for delivery to a patient in a drug delivery device; and a data carrier including drug treatment information for use by the drug delivery apparatus.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers with a multi-dose dry powder package for dispensing pharmaceutical grade formulations of inhalable dry powder, include: (a) a blister package comprising a plurality of spaced apart sealed blisters thereon, each blister having a projecting ceiling and a floor defining a blister channel therebetween, the blister channel comprising a dry powder therein; (b) a movable blade cartridge holding a blade at a forward portion thereof; and (c) an extendable mouthpiece attached to the movable blade cartridge. In operation, a user pulls the mouthpiece outward and then pushes the mouthpiece inward to cause the blister package to advance to position a blister in a selected dispensing position in the inhaler and to cause the blade cartridge to move the blade across a blister ceiling held in the dispensing position in the inhaler to thereby open the blister held in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device for coupling to a cannula and receiving respiratory breathing information from a patient to be monitored. The pressure sensing device comprising an exterior housing accommodating a snore detection circuit which processes information and outputs a signal indicative; an airflow detection circuit which processes information and outputs a signal indicative thereof; and an internal test circuit for testing an integrity of the airflow and snore detection circuits prior to use of the pressure sensing device to ensure that both circuits are operational. An input port for pressure sensing device extends from the housing of the pressure sensing device so as to space a connector, for the cannula, a sufficient distance away from the bottom surface whereby the bottom surface will always remain flush with and in constant and continuous intimate contact with a support surface for the pressure sensing device.

Abstract: A pneumatic shuttle valve for a ventilator is disclosed. The pneumatic shuttle valve selectively connects one of two inlet openings to an outlet opening. The shuttle valve has a plug that is forced by gas pressure entering the second inlet opening, to move to and seal against a first sealing surface, thereby forming a passageway between the second inlet opening and the outlet opening. The plug is forced by gas entering the first inlet opening, to move to and seal against a second sealing surface, thereby forming a passageway between the first inlet opening and the outlet opening.

Abstract: A nasal mask comprising a pair of main bodies, which respectively form a containing space having an open end and a through-hole end; a connection which connects the edges of the opening ends of the main bodies; and a filtration device disposed inside the containing space of the main bodies. An alar projection is disposed at the upper brim of the opening end of the main bodies, which seals with the superior alar nasi of the nasal cavity. The main bodies forms a structure sealed with the nasal cavity. The main bodies of the nasal mask is made of soft elastic material and seals with the nasal cavity through the arrangement of an alar projection at the upper margin of the opening end of said main bodies that provides the wearer a sense of comfort.

Abstract: An anchored intra-bronchial apparatus for placement and deployment into selected airways and a method for using the same. When deployed, the apparatus creates a restriction of air flow to one or more targeted lung regions and achieves total lung volume reduction through a collapse or partial collapse of the targeted regions. The air flow valve of the apparatus includes a through lumen that permits drug delivery concurrent with lung volume reduction procedure.

Abstract: An enhanced breathing device for use in a mouth of a user is provided that includes a flexible hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer perimeter. The tube also includes an extraoral segment, and intraoral segment and an intermediate segment extending therebetween. The extraoral segment extends to the proximal end of the tube and includes at least one opening. The extraoral segment extends externally from the mouth of the user. The intraoral segment extends to the distal end of the tube and includes at least one opening. The intraoral segment extends into the mouth of the user and has a length sufficient for extending beyond a retromolar space, into the oropharynx and terminating between the posterior tongue and the soft palate. The intermediate segment has a length sufficient for extending along the buccopharyngeal pathway of the mouth of the user.

Abstract: A dental oral appliance for use with patients who suffer with sleep disorders, to reduce or eliminate snoring and to open the airway for a sleeping individual who suffers with obstructive sleep apnea. The appliance covers the inside (lingual) of the upper teeth and has an open palate. Retention for the appliance is provided by either clasps placed over the upper right and left molars and a retainer in the anterior area or by an occlusal coverge of the upper teeth. A raised incisor ramp that extends from the incisal tip (biting edge) of the incisors toward the lingual, or posterior raised ramps, separate the posterior teeth to reduce spasm on the temporalis muscle. A transverse, transpalatal ramp, which extends from the inside (lingual) of the upper right molars to the inside of the upper left molars, covers the tongue and holds it down, opening the airway.