Abstract: A cat tower assembly includes a base and a platform supported above the base. A cat bed is mounted on the platform. The bed includes a peripheral wall held in place by a removable washable woven fabric cover. The bed can be removed from the platform and utilized at a location remote from the cat tower. A removable washable woven fabric cover extends over the base. A corrugated cardboard scratching pad is inset on the base to prevent lateral movement of the pad.

Abstract: A remotely-controllable and Internet-based pet entertainment and training system includes an at-home pet interaction device connected to a smart controller, such as a home PC, which in turn is connected through the Internet to any remote PC at which the pet owner may input commands. The system allows the owner to interact in real-time with his pet to mete out punishments, rewards, and food and drink. The system encourages well behaved pets, increases stimulus and positive interaction, and assures peace of mind to pet owners.

Abstract: A hummingbird feeder includes a cup and a C-shaped clip for mounting on the upper rail of a deck. Various forms of a male and female coupling is provided on the cup and the clip so as to quickly and easily connect the cup and clip, including a snap fit, a friction fit, a threadable coupling, a detent coupling, and a twist lock assembly. The clip may be oriented horizontally or vertically upon the deck rail or other supporting structure.

Abstract: Provided herein are slidable “drawer” animal containment systems that allow for ready access to contained animals. In certain embodiments, the animal containment systems include disposable cages, and the systems are ventilated in some embodiments.

Abstract: A temporary dog-confining device is provided for public use. Structurally, the device includes an enclosure formed from front, rear, and opposed side walls. For use, the rear and side walls are covered with screens to provide shade in the enclosure. Further, the enclosure includes a roof covered with a canopy for shading the enclosure. Also, the front wall defines an opening that is selectively closed by a door. In order to secure a dog within the enclosure, the device includes an assembly for locking the door in a closed configuration. Specifically, the locking assembly is operable by a user after a required payment. Moreover, the device includes a separately-accessible compartment mounted within the enclosure to house a fluid container for providing water to a dog in the enclosure. Importantly, that compartment is secured by a fastener that is operated independently of the locking assembly.

Abstract: A method of washing an object using a pressurized water source includes combining a cleaning fluid and the pressurized water and diffusing pressurized air into the combined cleaning fluid and pressurized water. The combined cleaning fluid and pressurized water diffused with the pressurized air is applied to the object. The cleaning fluid may also be carbonated and combined with the pressurized water prior to diffusing pressurized air into this combined mixture. The object being washed may, for example, be an animal such as a dog.

Abstract: Devices and methods for training a domestic animal to alert a human that the animal needs to urinate or defecate. Embodiments of the training device include a lower component, a rope-like element, and a locking mechanism. The human utilizes an embodiment of the training device, along with treats or rewards, via an operant conditioning training method to teach the animal to notify the human when the animal needs to relieve itself outside.

Abstract: A new animal control device and method of use thereof that generally comprises a main lead device, a movement inhibiting device, and a multitude of attachment clasps and or rings, whereby the lead has first and second attachment ends with the first attachment end being removably attached or connected to a collar device that is worn by an animal, such as a dog or cat, and the second attachment end being removably attached or connected to the movement inhibiting device that may be in the shape of a sphere or other shape, that will act to inhibit the movement or running of an animal, and which will also serve as a training tool for conditioning an animal such as a dog or cat, to obey commands, walk as directed, and not run away, while wearing the invention.

Abstract: In an assembly of a steam generator device (10) and a plastic housing (20), the steam generator device (10) is arranged inside the housing (20), and comprises the following elements: a steam generator shell (11) for containing water and steam; a heating element (14) for heating the steam generator shell (11) and its contents; and a heater plate (12) arranged between the heating element (14) and the steam generator shell (11) for improving heat transfer between the heating element (14) and the steam generator shell (11). In order to prevent the whole of the heater plate (12) and the heating element (14) from falling on a bottom (21) of the housing (20) in case of failure of the connection between the heater plate (12) and the steam generator shell (11), mounting supports (30) for supporting the heater plate (12) are bottom (21) of the housing (20), and which comprise a material that is resistant to high temperatures.

Abstract: A condensing heat exchange economizer wherein upwardly flowing hot flue gas is redirected to flow in a downward direction over a bundle of heat exchange tubes carrying a counter-flowing heat exchange medium to form condensate and cool the flue gas, and the condensate is forced by gravity to flow in the downward direction. The economizer may be in the form of a cylindrical economizer adapted for insertion in an exhaust stack for flue gas. The cooled flue gas may be redirected to flow in an upward direction and merged with a primary flow passage leading to the stack.

Abstract: An economizer arrangement particularly suitable for new or retrofit application to existing steam generators provides a water cooled stringer support tube system which can accommodate firing a wide range of fuels with varying characteristics in the steam generator. The economizer arrangement according to the present invention is particularly suited for retrofit applications to large supercritical steam generators. The use of water cooled stringer tube supports allows for higher flue gas temperatures in comparison to conventional non-cooled mechanical economizer supports. These features are provided in a design which fits within the existing economizer envelope of the steam generator.

Abstract: Provided is an ethanol fuel reforming system for internal combustion engines with which system a reaction of reforming ethanol into diethyl ether can be conducted at a constant temperature, and the reaction can be maintained with stability. The system comprises reforming means 2 for containing a reforming catalyst; a first heat exchanger 7 for heating a heating medium with the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine 5; a second heat exchanger 8 for heating an ethanol fuel with the heating medium; and heating medium circulating means 9 for circulating the heating medium. The heating medium makes distribution of temperature in the reforming means 2 uniform. The heating medium heats the reforming means 2 and the ethanol fuel to an identical temperature. The reforming means comprises an ethanol fuel channel 12 filled with the catalyst, and the ethanol fuel channel 12 is bent in the reforming means 2.

Abstract: A thermal control system for an engine and/or peripheral components is disclosed wherein a fan may be actively coupled and decoupled from an engine's shaft based on a sensed parameter such as engine temperature, alternator temperature and/or supply fuel temperature. In one embodiment, the temperature is sensed at or near the engine thermostat or peripheral component and a controller controls an electromagnetic clutch to cause the fan to engage and disengage a shaft of the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a water circuit for cooling its internal combustion engine, wherein the water circuit comprises an electrically operated engine fan and the engine fan is assigned a linear regulator which is thermally coupled to the water circuit.

Abstract: A water-jacket structure, for a water-cooled internal combustion engine, forms a cylinder block water jacket in a cylinder block so as to surround cylinder bores formed in the cylinder block to make cooling water flow through the cylinder block water jacket into a cylinder head water jacket formed in a cylinder head joined to the cylinder block. An upper connecting opening is formed in an upper part of the cylinder block water jacket so as to open into the cylinder head water jacket. In the cylinder block is formed a lower connecting passage opening into a lower part of the cylinder block water jacket, extending upward, and connecting to the cylinder head water jacket.

Abstract: Multi-cylinder two-stroke radial engine, specially intended for use in models with a cubature in the order of 0.30-1.20 in3 and particularly for model aircraft applications. It comprises (FIG. 1) a cylindrical body (1) on the perimeter of which there are radially positioned cylinders (2) inside which travel pistons (2a) connected by means of connecting rods (6) to a configuration of an equal number of crankshafts (8a) that pass through the cylindrical body (1) and their gear wheels (8b) engage with a gear wheel (3a) of the central axis (3) in the interior of the body (1), which comprises the crankcase of the engine and is structured in such a way that the desired compression is achieved.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower assembly for shifting between high-lift and low-lift valve modes in a valve train of an internal combustion engine includes a body having side members defining coaxially disposed shaft orifices, a pallet end, a socket end, a slider arm aperture, and a latch pin channel. The socket end is mountable to a hydraulic lash adjuster, and the pallet end is matable with a valve stem. A slider arm for engaging a high-lift cam lobe is disposed in the aperture, is pivotably mounted to a rotatable cross-shaft extending through the shaft orifices, and includes a slider tip for selectively engaging a latch pin to latch or unlatch the slider arm from the body. Dual rollers on the cross-shaft follow dual low-lift cam lobes. Preferably, the slider arm has a compound radial surface to provide compound lost motion of the slider arm, thereby minimizing rotational inertia.

Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine with electrically actuated valves, the method comprising during at least a run-up in engine speed of engine starting, adjusting intake valve timing of an electrically actuated valve of a cylinder to provide a desired air amount in said cylinder, based on at least an operating condition of said engine.

Abstract: There is provided a method of starting an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an intake valve which opens during an intake stroke of an engine cycle to allow air to be inducted into the combustion chamber. The method comprises cranking the internal combustion engine with advanced closing timing and a reduced lift of the intake valve without combustion of air and fuel in the combustion chamber from a stroke of the engine cycle prior to a first intake stroke of the combustion chamber since an engine start request, starting combustion of air and fuel in the combustion chamber after the first intake stroke, and retarding closing timing of said intake valve from the advanced closing timing and increasing the valve lift after the combustion is started. Accordingly, air charge in the combustion chamber may increase properly conforming to the engine speed increase caused by the combustion.

Abstract: A method for extending the low-load operation of a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine includes employing a valve actuation device creating a negative valve overlap, thereby trapping and recompressing combusted gases within a combustion chamber, the device effecting increasingly longer negative valve overlap as engine load decreases, injecting during the negative valve overlap a fraction of fuel into the recompressed combusted gases, and igniting the fuel with a heat source during the negative valve overlap.

Abstract: An actuator control apparatus includes: an actuator that changes a state amount of an internal combustion engine; a sensor that detects an actual operation position of the actuator; a controller that controls the actuator to bring the actual operation position of the actuator to a target operation position set based on the operation state of the internal combustion engine; and a diagnosis portion that diagnoses the operation state of the actuator to be normal if the deviation between the target operation position and the actual operation position has been small for a predetermined time period and the amount by which the target operation position has changed in the predetermined time period is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. A method for controlling such an actuator control apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine which varies a compression ratio by changing a top dead center position of a piston, including an engine block, the piston disposed in the engine block, a crank shaft supported by the engine block, and a plurality of links connecting the piston and the crank shaft. A first control shaft and a second control shaft respectively are supported by the engine block, each of which has a main shaft portion rotatably supported by the engine block and an eccentric portion eccentric to the main shaft portion, the eccentric portions of the first control shaft and the second control shaft deviating from axes of the respective main shaft portions in mutually different directions when viewed from an axial direction. A plurality of control links connect any one of the plurality of links connecting the piston and the crank shaft, and the first control shaft and the second control shaft.

Abstract: Impurities of a lubricant in traditional camshaft adjusters can cause a problem, leading to impairment in the function and service life of the camshaft adjuster. In order to address this, flow channel areas are provided in the lubricant circuit, which include a dead chamber (37) where impurities can be deposited as a result of centrifugal force. Alternatively or additionally, a labyrinth is used to deposit impurities.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the phase position of a cam shaft of an internal combustion engine and for supplying an assembly with a partial vacuum, said device comprising: a phase setter for adjusting the phase position of the cam shaft relative to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine; a vacuum pump for the assembly; and an attachment housing for the vacuum pump, wherein the attachment housing is mounted on the internal combustion engine and forms a housing or at least a housing cover for the phase setter.

Abstract: A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having a camshaft-driven valvetrain with a camshaft disposed within an engine block includes at least two intake and/or exhaust valves with multiple valves operated by a common lifter and pushrod that engages a follower having multiple independent lash adjusters coupled to associated rocker arms. The lifter contacts the common camshaft lobe and a corresponding pushrod that engages a reciprocating bucket follower with a compliant coupling to corresponding rocker arms.

Abstract: A starter system for starting internal combustion engines including a plurality of starters connected in parallel, each having a starter motor and an engaging relay. This parallel starting system may be implemented simply and cost-effectively if at least one of the starters includes a power relay which switches the primary current path to the associated starter motor, and the engaging relay, the power relay, and the starter motor are implemented as a structural unit.

Abstract: An air intake duct arrangement for an internal combustion engine in which a cylinder head is fixed on a body shell of a motor vehicle via a damping element. The cylinder head is closed by a set of timing gear cases, and the intake duct includes an intermediate portion connected to an upstream portion connected to a heat exchanger and to a downstream portion supplying air towards an intake manifold. The upstream and downstream portions include a fixing mechanism configured to co-operate with the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is integrated in the timing gear case of the engine.

Abstract: A flow guide element is provided for guiding a flow of a fluid medium which is particularly suitable for use in an intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The flow guide element includes a flow tube having an elbow for diverting the flow. In the region of the elbow there is situated, in this case, at least one flow baffle having at least one deflector. The deflector is penetrated by an opening, going right through the flow baffle, in at least one area.

Abstract: An intake manifold is provided with partitions which divide the lower space formed under opening ends. An intake air is prevented from flowing into the lower space by the partitions. Since the intake air can be efficiently suctioned to each opening ends, pressure loss of the intake air can be reduced.

Abstract: A cross-sectional shape of a first intake passage is formed in a circular shape and a cross-sectional shape of a second intake passage is formed in a rectangular shape. Thus, an opening area of a second intake throttle portion can be made larger than an opening area of a first intake throttle portion even when the opening area of the first intake throttle portion is narrow and an intake air quantity supplied into a combustion chamber of an engine is small as in the case of engine start-up or engine idling operation. Accordingly, an intended strong tumble flow in accordance with a demand for improving a combustion efficiency in the combustion chamber can be generated in the combustion chamber while achieving the intake air quantity necessary during the engine start-up or the engine idling operation.

Abstract: An engine start device having a first start mode in which the engine is started on a spot by executing a start operation of the engine, and a second start mode in which a necessary accumulated force is previously accumulated in to start in one time in an optional place at an optional timing. In the first start mode, an accumulated force, accumulated by a rotation of a rotation drive section allows the engine to be started on the spot. If switched to the second start mode, the rotation of the rotation drive section is exclusively accumulated and released in the optional place at a desired time so as to start the engine in accordance with a one-touch operation.

Abstract: A cam lobe 22 is formed as a single part, not formed together with a shaft body 21. The shaft body 21 penetrates through bearing holes 13F, 13M, and 13R, as well as a mounting hole 24 provided in the cam lobe 22, which is arranged in between the adjacent bearing holes 13F, 13M, and 13R. The bearing holes 13F, 13M, and 13R each in a perfect circular shape can be achieved, since there is no need to divide the bearing holes 13F, 13M, and 13R into two semi-circular arc shaped concave portions. Consequently, a camshaft 20 can be supported so as to rotate smoothly.

Abstract: An anterior chamber receives a mixture fluid, in which a lubricant oil and a fuel are mixed. A semipermeable separation film is permeable to the fuel component in the anterior chamber and is not permeable to the lubricant oil in the anterior chamber due to a molecular size difference between the lubricant oil and the fuel, so that the semipermeable separation film selectively separates the fuel component from the mixture fluid. A posterior chamber is placed on an opposite side of the semipermeable separation film, which is opposite from the anterior chamber. The posterior chamber receives the separated fuel component, which is separated by the semipermeable separation film.

Abstract: An oil pan is provided for an internal combustion engine. The oil pan includes, but is not limited to a base part configured to form an oil sump and a suction channel that opens into the oil sump through an opening. The oil pan also includes, but is not limited to a nose in a region of the opening for at least partly covering a cross section of the suction channel in a horizontal direction of flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connecting rod for a combustion engine, comprising a small connecting-rod eye that is provided with a plain bearing surface and is used for accommodating a piston pin, and a large connecting-rod eye which is provided with a plain bearing surface and embraces a crankshaft journal. In order to very effectively and inexpensively prevent the piston pin and the crankshaft journal of the connecting rod from jamming and wearing off, a self-lubricating coating made of a thermally cured resin which contains embedded solid lubricant particles is applied directly to at least one of the plain bearing surfaces by means of rotary atomization.

Abstract: An internal combustion cylinder assembly includes a cylinder having a cylinder head at an end thereof, a combustion chamber disposed in the cylinder head, a piston disposed slidably within the cylinder, the piston having a bottom dead center position distal from the combustion chamber and a top dead center position proximate to the combustion chamber, a pilot quantity of fuel disposed substantially dispersably within the cylinder, a working fluid disposed compressably within the cylinder, the piston compressing the working fluid and the pilot quantity of fuel as it slides from the bottom dead center position to the top dead center position, and wherein the pilot quantity of fuel is substantially a maximum quantity that will not support auto-ignition when the working fluid and the pilot quantity of fuel have been compressed.

Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle traveling on the road, the system comprising a cylinder of the engine; an emission control device coupled in an exhaust downstream of the cylinder; a first injector configured to directly inject into the cylinder and coupled in a cylinder of the engine; a second injector configured to inject into a port of the cylinder and coupled to a port of the cylinder; and a controller for, in response to a driver pedal tip-in condition, increasing an amount of injection from the first injector.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a haptic device in a vehicle. The system comprises a foot operated pedal of a vehicle. A sensor is coupled to the pedal and is configured to sense a position of the pedal during use. The sensor is configured to output a sensor signal associated with the position of the pedal. A processor is coupled to the sensor and is configured to receive the sensor signal. The processor outputs a control signal upon the pedal moving past a threshold position. An actuator is coupled to the processor, wherein the actuator is configured to output a haptic feedback force to the pedal upon receiving the control signal from the processor.

Abstract: To improve power performance while avoiding or suppressing surging, an engine control device comprises a VVT mechanism for varying the open/close timing of an intake valve, and the occurrence of surging is determined by comparing an engine rotation variation width with a surge determination threshold. When it is determined that surging has occurred, an ignition timing surge correction amount is set at a value that has been corrected in an advancement direction, and the ignition timing is corrected in the advancement direction by the ignition timing surge correction amount. Further, a VVT surge correction amount by which the open/close timing of the intake valve is corrected using the intake VVT mechanism is set at a value that has been corrected in a retardation direction, and a control current value for operating the intake VVT mechanism is corrected in the retardation direction by the VVT surge correction amount.

Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes at least one first fuel pump and a pressure region into which the fuel pump pumps and which communicates with an elastic volume reservoir. The elastic volume reservoir has a characteristic pressure/volume curve, which is defined by at least two points. It is proposed that a first point is defined by a first volume at a first pressure that is somewhat greater than a vapor pressure of the fuel at ambient temperature, and that a second point is defined by a second volume and a second pressure in the pressure region that corresponds to a maximum pressure; the difference between the first and second volumes corresponds at least approximately and at least to a value by which the volume of the fuel in the pressure region decreases upon cooling down from a maximum temperature to ambient temperature.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine including cylinders arranged in a housing, a crankshaft, pistons disposed in the cylinders so as to be movable by the crankshaft, and a device for varying a compression ratio of the internal combustion engine wherein the device, for varying the compression ratio, includes an adjusting structure which varies the effective length of a connecting rod of the piston, the lift of the crankshaft or the position of the cylinder with respect to the center of the crankshaft, an operating structure is provided by rotation of which the position of the adjusting structure can be controlled, and a drive device for controlling the operating structures contains a coupling mechanism with an integrated brake function, whereby h the adjusting structure can either be placed in operative connection with the crankshaft or can be blocked.

Abstract: A 4-stroke cycle engine with EGR system equipped with a particulate filter, an external EGR system, and an exhaust valve sub-lift type internal EGR system is provided. With the engine, reduction of NOx emission by EGR can be achieved without incurring deterioration in engine durability by enabling operation of the engine with proper EGR rate all over the operating ranges of the engine through making it possible to compensate for reduction in EGR amounts due to reduced DPF pressure difference which occurs when recovering operation of the DPF is performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-stroke internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder (2) and a cylinder head (4) releasably secured thereto, the cylinder (2) featuring a main exhaust port (12) and at least one auxiliary exhaust port (13) which can be covered at least in part by means of control slide members actuatable by a slide stem (16) arranged at an angle to a cylinder axis and axially actuated by an actuator (19), and the control slide members are configured integrally with a common control slide (14) coupled to the slide stem (16) and the slide stem (16) penetrating the cylinder head (4).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method to determine the composition of a fuel from the components ethanol and gasoline of an internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel is supplied to the internal combustion engine by means of a fuel supply unit and via two fuel distributor rails; and the exhaust gas is discharged from the internal combustion engine by means of two exhaust gas manifolds of a first and a second exhaust gas system, which are separated from each other, wherein the first and second exhaust gas system have in each case at least one exhaust gas probe and wherein current changes in the ethanol content of the fuel are evaluated from the signal differences of lambda signals from the exhaust gas probes. With this method, a change in the ethanol content of the fuel can be detected, and an explicit condition for a change in fuel can be derived. Moreover, with the method, errors in the fuel-mixture can be distinguished from an altered fuel composition, which takes place after the tank has been filled (fueling).

Abstract: A tripod griddle for cooking food over an open fire at, for example, a campsite and which is suspended from a support extending above the fire includes a primary support ring that is slipped onto the support, a plurality of chains pendent from the primary support ring at the upper ends of the chains and the chains being attached to corresponding attachment rings at their opposite lower ends and the attachment rings connected to the respective distal ends of support straps that are radially mounted to the underside of a griddle thereby supporting the griddle above the open fire.

Abstract: A stove guard for a drop-in cooktop is attached to the front edge of a kitchen countertop by inserting the guard panel into two holding devices which are attached onto the front surface of the countertop. The guard prevents young children from reaching the burners, control knobs and cookware on the cooktop. The guard can be installed or removed in seconds.

Abstract: A forced air furnace comprises an enclosure, an adjusting mechanism, an interface, an electric heating element and a fan. The enclosure has an air inlet and an air outlet. The adjusting mechanism is operative to adjust the air outlet between an open position and a partially closed position. The interface is located proximate to the air outlet and is used to connect the air outlet to a duct. The fan is powered by an electric motor. Both the fan and the electric heating element are located inside the enclosure. There is also described a method of installing a forced air furnace. The method comprises the step of adjusting a size of an exhaust area of an air outlet of the forced air furnace in order to produce a desired exhaust airflow through the exhaust area when the forced air furnace is connected to a ductwork.

Abstract: An oven includes an internal cavity defined by rear, bottom, top, left and right sidewalls. A front opening of the cavity is selectively accessible by moving a door between open and closed positions. A heating device is associated with the cavity for heating the environment within the cavity. The cavity includes multiple rack supports therein for supporting racks at multiple elevations within the cavity. A rack hanger is located on an exterior side wall of the oven housing and includes at least one arm extending outward from the exterior side wall for receiving and holding racks thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improving the conventional high-speed cooking oven based on a combination of hot air impingement and microwave heating by providing a time-dependent spatial variation in the net air impingement and/or net microwave energy applied to the food product in the oven. This is aimed at optimizing heat transfer and microwave efficiencies in a high-speed cooking oven, thereby enabling the oven to deliver an optimal cooking efficiency in comparison to the conventional high-speed cooking oven. In addition, under the present invention, the cooking efficiency may be further optimized by dimensioning the nozzles for hot air impingement to tighten impingement plumes, subject to the space constraint of the oven's cooking chamber, and dimensioning the cooking chamber of the oven in integer multiples of the wavelength of the microwave energy to match the microwave load.

Abstract: There are provided a process for producing an active heat generating mixture capable of causing an oxidation reaction immediately upon contact with air to generate heat and subsequently initiating an abrupt reaction which after arrival at a certain fixed temperature, is then changed to a mild reaction, the heating generating mixture being cheap and being able to be industrially mass-produced; a heat generating mixture; a heat generating composition; a moldable heat generating composition; and a heat generating body. The invention is characterized by bringing a reaction mixture containing, as essential components, an iron powder, a reaction accelerator and water and having a water content of from 0.5 to 20% by weight and a water mobility value showing an amount of surplus water of less than 0.01 with an oxidizing gas under circumstances at 0° C. or higher and regulating a temperature rise of the reaction mixture at 1° C. or higher within 10 minutes.