Abstract: Diecasting tool for the production of a cylinder crankcase (2), comprising a salt core (4) and at least one cylinder sleeve (6), wherein the cylinder sleeve (6) comprises an upper end (8) on the cylinder head side, and a lower end (10) on the crankshaft side, and the cylinder sleeve (6) is supported on at least one center sleeve that is disposed on the diecasting tool, and the salt core (4) at least partially surrounds the cylinder sleeve (6) in the manner of a cladding, wherein the salt core (4) comprises a crown (12) that at least partially bears on one of the ends (8, 10) of the cylinder sleeve (6), and the core (4) comprising openings (14) that extend vertically beneath the end (8) of the cylinder sleeve (6) on the cylinder head side.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable valve gear comprising a camshaft phase change mechanism, which variably controls a phase of an intake cam with respect to a crankshaft, and a variable valve lift mechanism, which changes an opening timing of an intake valve more than a closing timing and basically continuously varies a lift and an open period of the intake valve. The lift and the open period are set lest the intake valve interfere with a piston of an engine, with the phase controlled to be most advanced by the camshaft phase change mechanism and the lift controlled to be maximal by the variable valve lift mechanism.

Abstract: In a variable valve gear for an internal combustion engine provided with a camshaft phase change mechanism for variably controlling opening and closing timings of an intake valve, the camshaft phase change mechanism and a variable valve lift mechanism are controlled so that the closing timing of the intake valve is advanced beyond a predetermined range T1 including a bottom dead center when a load L of the internal combustion engine is less than a first predetermined value L1 and that the closing timing of the intake valve is delayed beyond the predetermined range T1 when the load L of the internal combustion engine is not less than the first predetermined value L1.

Abstract: A rotary piston adjuster for an internal combustion engine that includes an outer rotor which can be drive-connected to a crankshaft, an inner rotor which can be connected to a camshaft, and a torsion spring which is connected to the outer and inner rotors. The rotors can be adjusted rotationally about a common rotational axis, and a rotary angle position of the inner rotor with respect to the outer rotor can be adjusted by means of a hydraulic actuating mechanism. The torsion spring is connected by way of a hook-shaped first end section to a first connecting element which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the inner rotor. A pair of first supporting elements are connected to the inner rotor for supporting the torsion spring, which first supporting elements are arranged at an angular spacing in a range from 90° to 270° from the first connecting element.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: An engine start-up control device for a vehicle is provided with a structure which prevents the occurrence of an uncomfortable shock arising from amplified engine load torque fluctuation caused by resonance, when an output of a first motor generator starting up an engine by driving the same is limited. With a second motor generator having reactive torque restricting the rotation of a transfer member, the first motor generator rotatably drives a sun gear to crank the engine for start-up thereof.

Abstract: An engine start control device includes a starter energizing circuit that has two transistors connected in series and energizes a starter relay, and an idling stop ECU that performs energization control to turn on a transistor and energizes the starter relay when automatic start requirements are satisfied. Prior to the energization control, the idling stop ECU sequentially performs OFF failure detection and ON failure detection in one of the transistors, and OFF failure detection and ON failure detection in the other one of the transistors. The failure detection is aborted when failure is found. With this structure, ON failure in the two transistors can be detected with accuracy, and inadvertent driving of the starter can be prevented.

Abstract: An intake manifold M for a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine has a collective part 10 forming an intake gas distribution chamber 11, and a branch part 20 forming branch intake passages 22. The collective part 10 is built by joining together a first section A defining a first space 11a, and a second section B defining a second space 11a. The first space 11a and the second space 11b form the intake gas distribution chamber 11. The first section A and the second section B have corner parts 31a and 31b, respectively. The second section B is provided with a guide wall 40 extending in the first section A and the second section B so as to cover the respective inside surfaces 31a1 and 31b1 of the corner parts 31a and 21b. The guide wall 40 has a guide surface 44 capable of smoothly guiding an intake gas as compared with the inside surfaces 31a1 and 31b1 of the corner parts 31a and 31b.

Abstract: An air intake plenum (100) disposed in an air induction channel (112) in a hood (116) defined by a bottom channel wall (120), a rear hood reinforcement wall (122), a cab wall (124), and an exterior skin (126), where the air induction channel extends between an air inlet (114) laying in a plane generally parallel with the direction of travel “T” of the vehicle to an air outlet (118), includes a plenum inlet (128). The plenum inlet (128) is generally co-planar with the air inlet (114) of the air induction channel (112). At least one side wall (136, 138) extends from the plenum inlet (128) to a plenum outlet (144) and is angled downwards towards the bottom channel wall (120). Air through the plenum inlet (128) impinges against the side wall (136, 138), exits the plenum outlet (144), and is directed to impinge against the bottom channel wall (120) of the air induction channel (112) where contaminants drop out of the air.

Abstract: A sliding valve assembly includes a valve body having a fluid conducting port adjacent to a fluid impervious surface. The actuator allows fluid to travel through the valve assembly and into a fluid blocking position where the fluid impervious surface obstructs the fluid from traveling through the valve assembly. First and second sealing assemblies include a primary seal ring, a secondary seal ring around the primary seal ring, and a spring forcing the primary seal ring against a sealing surface. As pressure in the system increases, this pressure is delivered to the sealing assemblies to force them against the sealing surfaces to enhance the sealing relationship. Cams and cam followers affixed to the valve body overcome the frictional forces of the sealing system and the valve body and valve housing to increase the efficiency of the valve assembly and the system in which the valve assembly is used.

Abstract: A powder metal cylinder liner with a ratio of the length to the wall thickness greater than 12 made of at least two end to end cylinder liner pieces with each piece having a ratio of the length to the wall thickness of less than 20. The powder metal composition includes approximately between 85% and 99% sponge iron powder, approximately between 0.1% and 2.0% graphite, and approximately between 0.1% and 2.0% ethylene bis-stearamide wax. The cylinder liner pieces can be made using conventional powder metal compaction and sintering processes.

Abstract: A split-cycle variable capacity rotary spark ignition engine system having at least a first rotary configuration (C1) including repetitively volume variable working chambers [60, 61, 62] for carrying out the combustion-expansion and exhaust phases and at least a second rotary configuration (C2) including repetitively volume variable working chambers (70, 71, 72) for carrying out the intake and compression phases of a four phase engine cycle. Dividing seal means (73, 74 of C1, 75, 76 of C2) for periodically dividing each of successive working chambers into a volume enlarging leading portion and a volume contracting trailing portion. Discharge valve means for varying compression chamber capacity through discharging fraction of trapped intake gas from compression chambers. A first phase altering arrangement is provided for varying the phase relation between the first rotary configuration (C1) and the second rotary configuration (C2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of initiating combustion in an internal combustion engine that comprises a main chamber (5) of variable volume into which an ignitable mixture is introduced, an auxiliary chamber (10) opening out into the main chamber and a controlled means (11, 14, 15) for putting the auxiliary chamber into communication with the main chamber, or for isolating it therefrom. The method includes the step of controlling the controlled means to put the auxiliary chamber into communication with the main chamber during a period that includes the top dead center between the compression stage and the expansion stage. The invention also provides an engine specially adapted to implement the method of the invention.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve coupled to a common rail is provided. When fuel injection is carried out, the fuel pressure in the fuel injection valve pulsates. An interval between a pilot injection and a main injection is set so that the main injection is carried out at a zero gradient timing as a timing when the gradient of the fuel pressure in the fuel injection valve after the pilot injection is approximately equal to zero. Owing to a fuel injection control apparatus and a fuel injection control method for an internal combustion engine that perform the above-mentioned control, the fuel injection amount for the subsequent fuel injection following the preceding fuel injection can be reliably held equal to a normal amount.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine having a first injector for injecting a first fuel into a cylinder of the engine and a second injector for injection a second fuel into said cylinder of the engine, the engine further having at least an exhaust gas oxygen sensor, the method comprising of varying an amount of said first fuel injection in response to said sensor under a first operating condition, and varying an amount of said second fuel injection in response to said sensor under a second operating condition.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle and method of operation are provided. As one example, the system comprises an engine including at least one combustion chamber, a motor configured to selectively propel the vehicle via the drive wheel, a fuel system configured to deliver a first substance and a second substance to the combustion chamber in varying relative amounts, wherein the first substance includes a fuel and the second substance includes a greater concentration of a knock suppressing substance than the first substance; and a control system configured to operate the fuel system to vary the relative amounts of the first substance and the second substance delivered to the combustion chamber in response to an operating condition while operating the motor to propel the vehicle.

Abstract: An throttle body for rotating a valve shaft of an air-intake throttle valve through a decelerating mechanism by a motor and change the opening area of an air-intake passage by rotating the valve shaft is equipped with a lever portion that is disposed so as to be interlocked with the decelerating mechanism and regulates the opening degree of the air-intake throttle valve under the full-open state, and an adjusting screw that is threadably inserted from the outside of the body portion and abuts against the lever portion in the body portion to change the opening degree of the air-intake throttle valve under the full-open state.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine for driving a vehicle, which controls an output torque of the engine, is provided. In this control system, a rapid change in a demand torque of the engine is detected, and a feedforward correction amount is generated during a correction period which is substantially equal to a resonance period of a powertrain of the vehicle, from a time when the rapid change in the demand torque is detected. An output torque control amount of the engine is corrected with the feedforward correction amount. A torque change amount integrated value is calculated by integrating an amount of change in the demand torque, and the feedforward correction amount is generated according to the torque change amount integrated value.

Abstract: An ECU controls an adjusting mechanism adjusting an output of an engine, such as a throttle valve, a swirl control valve, an ignition plug, an intake valve, and an ACIS (Acoustic Control Induction System) changing the length of an intake manifold, in accordance with a ratio between a maximum value KL(MAX) of load factor and the load factor required of the engine by the driver and by the system mounted on the vehicle at current engine speed NE.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine system, the method comprising: receiving data relating to engine operation; calculating in an engine model a combustion parameter and an injection parameter required to operate the engine system in accordance with the received engine data; controlling the engine system based on the calculated injection parameter wherein the method further comprises adjusting the engine model over time based on a comparison between the calculated engine combustion parameter and a corresponding measured engine combustion parameter

Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, and a reserves module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on an adjusted predicted torque request. The spark control module controls spark timing of the engine based on an adjusted immediate torque request. The reserves module determines an arbitrated reserve based on a maximum one of a minimum reserve and an additive reserve sum. The reserves module also generates the adjusted predicted torque request based on a sum of an arbitrated predicted torque request and a requested reserve, wherein the requested reserve is based on the arbitrated reserve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an area of intersection between a high-pressure chamber and a high-pressure duct. To increase the strength in the area of intersection, it is possible to round the area of intersection. The area of intersection includes at least one planar area or an area that is curved markedly less than the remaining area of intersection. The planar area may also be embodied as only nearly planar. The high-pressure chamber and the high-pressure duct are also called functional chambers. By means of the planar or nearly planar area, an intersection geometry is created, in which tensile stresses of the functional chambers that occur upon subjection to pressure are not superimposed directly and add up as they do in conventional intersection geometries.

Abstract: In a method for operating an injection valve, in particular a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, one component of the injection valve, particularly a valve needle, is disposed in a manner allowing movement relative to other components of the injection valve, and preferably is able to be driven at least partially by an actuator. A structure-borne-noise signal is detected by a structure-borne-noise sensor, and the structure-borne-noise signal is evaluated in order to infer an operating state of the movably disposed component.

Abstract: An integrated value of discharge quantity of a fuel pump is used as a parameter evaluating a pressure loss of a fuel filter. A target discharge quantity is obtained by correcting a fuel quantity required by an engine with a filter pressure loss correction amount corresponding to an integrated value of the discharged quantity. A target rotational speed of the fuel pump is computed based on the target discharge quantity, so that the target rotational speed is corrected in accordance with the pressure loss of the fuel filter. Alternatively, the target rotational speed may be corrected in accordance with a deterioration degree of the fuel pump.

Abstract: A gear compressor or supercharger for compressing compressible fluids such as air, having a pair of intermeshing helical lobed rotors. An aperture is provided on the bottom of the compressor, at a rear end thereof, which permits air from the rear interior of the compressor to be in communication with high pressure supply air which is discharged from such compressor proximate the front of such compressor, on the bottom underside portion thereof. The above modification improves the efficiency of the compressor, particularly at high revolutions.

Abstract: A four-stroke engine (1) structured to introduce fresh air and EGR gas into a cylinder (1a) includes a blowdown supercharging system (40) using a combustion chamber internal pressure when exhaust valves open in an expansion stroke of a first cylinder (hereinafter denoted as an exhaust blowdown pressure) for introducing EGR gas into a second cylinder from near a bottom dead center of an intake stroke to near a bottom dead center of a compression stroke of the second cylinder which is different from the first cylinder in combustion timing, and a secondary air supply system (20) supplying secondary air to an exhaust port (1e) of the second cylinder prior to arrival of the exhaust blowdown pressure at the second cylinder. The secondary air in the exhaust port and the EGR gas are supercharged into the second cylinder by the exhaust blowdown pressure from the first cylinder.

Abstract: The combination valve comprises a tubular center part, a gas inlet which is arranged on the outer shell of the tubular center part, a gas outlet A which is arranged adjacent to the gas inlet on the outer shell of the tubular center part, a first branch which is arranged opposite the gas outlet on the outer shell of the tubular center part, and a second branch which is arranged opposite the gas inlet on the outer shell of the tubular center part. The first branch is connected to the second branch via a cooler. A rotary slide is mounted centrally in the tubular center part such that it can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the tubular centre part. Depending on the operating state, the rotary slide shuts off at least partially the gas inlet, the gas outlet, the first branch and the second branch.

Abstract: A supply device for a radio frequency ignition system, including a supply circuit to provide a supply voltage to an output connected to a plasma generation resonator at a frequency defined by a control signal provided by a control device for the supply circuit. The control device includes a receiver interface for a determination request for the optimum control frequency, a receiver interface for receiving signals measuring the voltage at the pins of a capacitor in the supply circuit, a determination module for the optimum control frequency, to provide successive different control frequencies for the supply circuit for successive ignition commands on reception of a request and to determine an optimum control frequency based on received measured signals.

Abstract: An ignition coil device mounted on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The ignition coil includes: a cylindrical pipe inserted into a plug hole while a first clearance is formed between the cylindrical pipe and the plug hole; a coil tower arranged over the cylindrical pipe; a seal member arranged below the coil tower for sealing the plug hole; and a cover arranged between the seal member and the coil tower. The seal member is formed with an air bleeding hole extending from the first clearance to a side of the coil tower. The air bleeding hole includes a protruding opening. A circumferential wall portion is positioned on the outer circumference side of the protruding opening while a second clearance is formed between the cover and a periphery of the protruding opening.

Abstract: The invention relates sports and hunting throwing weapon. Reverse crossbow contains limbs riser 1 in combination with limbs 2, cams 9, bowstrings and cables 11, 12, 13, a barrel where said limbs riser is placed, a trigger mechanism 4 and a foregrip. The limbs riser 1 of limbs 2 is located on the edge of the barrel behind the trigger mechanism 4 and is centered about the barrel using a cone. The initial angle of installation of limbs 2 on their riser and the distance between the points of their fastening is chosen in such a manner that when rising the crossbow the axis of rotation of each cam 9 crosses the line parallel to the central axis of the crossbow. The cam 9 is placed with a possibility of rotation, where during such a rotation the said mechanical center does not cross the straight line parallel to the straight line connecting the mechanical center of said cam and the exit point of the said bowstring.

Abstract: A coupling system for limbs (3) of archery devices (1) such as bows and crossbows, includes a pair of limbs (3) joined at their ends by a bowstring (4) which is used for loading the energy to be released onto the arrow and to the center onto a support (2) of the device. In this system, the limbs (3) are hinged to the support (2) in such a manner as to be movable about an axis (A1) of a pin (5) for fastening together the support (2) and the limbs (3); the axis (A1) being perpendicular to the plane that passes through the limbs (3) and the bowstring (4).

Abstract: A chop saw, grinding wheel, or like apparatus is disclosed herein also incorporated to an easily portable dust collection system. In a preferred embodiment, a worktable is provided with a center slot for receiving a circular saw blade. A negative pressure and resulting air flow is provided at the center slot to capture particulate matter as a byproduct of cutting the workpiece. Side slots are also disclosed to assist in particulate collection. A unique filter chamber having a cylindrical filter is additionally provided to remove dust from air and discharge the filtered air at a lateral side of the apparatus. A filter cleaning knob is additionally disclosed to assist in cleaning the filter. Of the beneficial aspects of the chop saw with dust collection system is its portability being one integral unit and the dust filter being easily cleaned and maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a barbeque cooker assembly which includes a base, a kettle assembly supported on the base, a fuel receptacle support and associated fuel receptacles, the support including a substantially upright shaft having a lower end which is rotatably supported on the base below the drum or kettle assembly and an upper end which is located in the drum or kettle assembly. The open-topped fuel receptacles are releasably mounted to the fuel receptacle support for receiving fuel for cooking food, and an electric motor supported on the base below the drum or kettle assembly for rotatingly driving the fuel receptacle support and, accordingly, each fuel receptacle mounted thereon. The food to be grilled remains stationary on an elevated grid mounted above the fuel buckets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removing cooking vapors in a direction vertically below a hob plane (1) and comprises a cooking vapor entry device (2) that can be reversibly opened and closed and an exhaust air duct (3) that is connected at a right angle and horizontally or from the side from below at an angle to the lower side and/or to a lateral flank of the cooking vapor entry device (2). A connecting section (10) of the exhaust air duct (3) is provided downstream on the cooking vapor entry device (2), either indirectly, with a preliminary section (9) of the exhaust air duct (3) interposed, or directly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to A roof-covering element (10), with an upper surface (11) and a lower surface (12), whereby for roof covering a plurality of elements (10) is juxtaposed in a particular way such that neighbouring elements (10) are interconnected by means of an interlocking arrangement (13, 14, 15), and whereby the roof-covering element (10) comprises means for exchanging heat with the environment, where at least one of the surfaces (11, 12) of the element (10) is at least partially made of a metal alloy. The particular roof-covering element (10) can in particular be made of an alloy comprising any combination of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe), i.e. the alloy CuZn40Mn2Fe1. The roof-covering element (10) according to the present invention can also comprise a cavity (16), provided inside the element (10), in which a fluid is circulable for heat exchange with the environment.

Abstract: A heat pipe comprises an evaporator section 5 having a radiation absorbing plate 6 a portion of an elongate tube 7, and a condenser section 10 at a distal end of the elongate tube 7 remote from the evaporator section 5. A flow control valve 20 is provided between the evaporator section 5 and the condenser section 10 to selectively interrupt communication between said sections when the temperature within the condenser section 10 exceeds a predetermined maximum. A temperature sensitive member, (coil of memory metal 34?, or discs 34?) acts between a support plate 26 and a seat 36 located on a valve pintle 30 to urge the valve head 22 towards the valve seat 24 when the temperature of the temperature sensitive member 34 exceeds a predetermined limit. A return spring 38 is provided to bias the valve head 22 away from the valve seat 24.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting structure includes a focusing element that is axially aligned with and fixed in spaced relationship to an associated concave collector. Each concave collector is fixed at a distance equal to the focal length of the associated focusing element, for enabling focused solar energy to be received and collected over an entire temporal interval—without any need for tracking mechanisms. A solar energy collecting apparatus may be structured by employing a plurality of the solar energy collecting structures, in a tightly packed, juxtaposed (adjacent) relationship, with the focusing elements forming, at least in significant part, a curved surface of the apparatus for enabling solar energy to be collected over an expanded temporal interval. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring abstracts, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A biomass cooking device including: a treatment vessel having an biomass inlet adapted to receive biomass material to a processing chamber of the vessel, a biomass outlet adapted to discharge from the processing chamber the biomass material processed in the vessel, an extraction region of the vessel and a liquids outlet to the extraction region to discharge dissolved hemi-cellulosic material extracted from the biomass material in the processing chamber; a piston press in the cooking vessel defining a moveable wall of the processing chamber, wherein the piston press moves to reduce the processing chamber and thereby compress the biomass material; and a screen plate in the vessel forming a barrier between the processing chamber and an extraction region of the vessel, the screen plate having apertures to pass the dissolved hemi-cellulosic material through the screen plate from the processing chamber to the extraction region.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous aerosol preparations for inhalation, containing therapeutically active micro-organisms or parts of micro-organisms as the active ingredient.

Abstract: A liquid discharging device includes a device body configured to house a liquid discharging cartridge body having a liquid discharging portion for discharge liquid, and a device body cap removably attached to the device body. When the device body cap is detached from the device body, a discharging portion cap attached to the liquid discharging cartridge body so as to protect a discharging port of the liquid discharging portion is detached from the liquid discharging portion in combination with the device body cap.

Abstract: A medical ventilator system that allows the use of pulse flow of oxygen to gain higher FIO2 values and/or conserve oxygen is described. In one embodiment, the ventilator system includes an oxygen concentrator, a medical ventilator and a breathing circuit between the ventilator and a patient. In one embodiment, the oxygen concentrator includes a controller module that is configured to generate a trigger signal to initiate the distribution of one or more pulses of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator to the patient circuit at the onset of a ventilator supplied breath. A small flow of oxygen can be added in between pulses to aid in gaining higher FIO2.

Abstract: An adapter for quickly connecting a secondary delivery device to a primary delivery mask is provided. In various embodiments, the adapter includes a hollow body and at least one connection pin. The hollow body includes an open distal end, an open proximal end sized to frictionally mate with an outlet of the secondary delivery device, and an interior chamber extending a length of the body. The at least one connection pin extends from the distal end of the body, substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the body. Additionally, the at least one connection pin is structured and sized to frictionally fit within a respective one of a plurality of mask ports formed in the primary delivery mask such that the distal end of the body covers the remaining mask ports.

Abstract: A cuff for an air delivery conduit includes a first end portion provided to a tube and a second end portion adapted to engage a tubular connector. The second end portion includes an entry surface that is curved or chamfered along its length to provide a lead in for inserting the second end portion onto the tubular connector in use. The entry surface provides an internal diameter that is larger than an external diameter of the tubular connector.

Abstract: A device for supplying a respirator with breathing gas is designed in a modular design. To accomplish the object, a cover plate (9), a distributor plate (20) and a half shell body (11) are provided in a sandwich-like design, wherein said distributor plate (20) has walls (3, 5) projecting on both sides, which are connected to the cover plate (9) and to the half shell body (11) and define gas ducts (7) as well as a buffer volume (12).

Abstract: A method of obtaining an indication of the position of an esophageal catheter inserted into a patient includes the steps of obtaining an electrical signal from the esophageal catheter, determining an ECG component of the electrical signal, determining the widths and/or rate of a number of periods in which the ECG component exceeds a threshold value, using the rate or widths of the periods to determine the presence of a P-wave in the ECG component, and concluding that the catheter is in a good position for obtaining a correct EMG signal if a P-wave is determined to be present. If not, the position may be corrected. The method may be performed by a control unit in a ventilator or a monitoring device.

Abstract: The breathing bag has an upper region; a lower region; a conduit for delivering exhaled air to the lower region and a conduit for withdrawing breathable air from the upper region. The device also has a baffle mounted therein for entrapping exhaled air in the lower region and for causing the exhaled air to remain in a low turbulence mode, for promoting a separation of oxygen and carbon dioxide from the exhaust air by stratification and for causing carbon dioxide to accumulate in the lower region of the bag. Consequently, the breathable air rising from the lower region of the bag has a higher oxygen content. In another aspect of the invention, a method for separating carbon dioxide and oxygen by stratification from exhaled air is also described.

Abstract: A ventilation mask is provided. The ventilation mask comprises a body having a seal on a peripheral edge. The ventilation mask includes an access aperture having a valve associated therewith. The valve is selectively moveable between an open position, allowing objects to be place through the body and a closed position. In the closed position, the valve minimizes or prevents air leakage through the access aperture. The access aperture allows procedures to be performed on a wearer of the mask, without interrupting air flow to the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a switchable joint constraint system comprising at least one motion sensor, a joint constraint which is switchable between a mobile and an immobile state, a signal processing unit and a database. Motion sensor signals are compared to predefined situations. The joint constraint is switched according to whether predefined situations are met. The present invention furthermore concerns a process for handling sensor signals in such a system. The system may be used to support a constraint induced therapy (CIT) for the treatment of e. g. hemiplegy.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a clamping device for locking two elements, e.g. rotatable shafts, having a substantially circular cross-section. The clamping device comprises a central holding part having two partly curved sections being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold the elements, which curved sections are inversely curved. Further, the clamping device comprises an upper holding part having a partly curved section arranged being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold a first element and a lower holding part having a partly curved section being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold a second element. The central, upper and lower holding parts are adapted to co-operate to lock the elements when pressed together by means of a tightening element. The curved sections are inversely curved in relation to each other and form together with the substantially rectangular section a substantially S-shaped central part.

Abstract: Devices and methods for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The methods and devices create channels in lung tissue and maintain the patency of these surgically created channels in tissue. Maintaining the patency of the channels allows air to pass directly out of the lung tissue which facilitates the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or decompresses hyper-inflated lungs.