Abstract: In a method for starting an internal combustion engine, immediately before a predetermined idling speed is reached for the first time, a rate of injection of fuel into at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine is reduced for at least one cycle of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a radial impulse engine includes first and second movable V-members operably disposed between first and second end wall portions. The first V-member can have a first wall portion with a first distal edge portion and a second wall portion with a first cylindrical surface. The second V-member can have a third wall portion with a second distal edge portion and a fourth wall portion with a second cylindrical surface. In this embodiment, the first distal edge portion of the first wall portion can be configured to slide across the second cylindrical surface of the fourth wall portion, and the second distal edge portion of the third wall portion can be configured to slide across the first cylindrical surface of the second wall portion, when the first V-member pivots about a first pivot axis and the second V-member pivots about a second pivot axis.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recoil starter including: a case; a reel pivot formed on the case; a rope reel rotatably supported on the reel pivot; a recoil spring; a cam; a power storage spring interposed between the rope reel and the cam; and a power storage ratchet mechanism disposed between facing surfaces of the rope reel and the cam and. The power storage ratchet mechanism is configured to disengage the rope reel and the cam when the rope reel rotates in an engine-starting direction, and engage the rope reel and the cam when the rope reel rotates in an opposite direction to the engine-starting direction.

Abstract: A method for preventing or inhibiting exhaust valve seat recession in a natural gas fueled internal combustion engine is disclosed. The method involves lubricating the engine with a lubricating oil composition comprising (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity, and (b) a minor amount of a natural gas engine oil additive package, wherein the lubricating oil composition is substantially free of each of any zinc compounds and alkaline earth metal salts of a condensation product of an alkylene polyamine, an aldehyde and a substituted phenol.

Abstract: A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine and a method of making the same are disclosed. The cylinder liner may generally include a cylindrical body configured to receive a piston assembly. The cylindrical body may further include a main body portion configured for selective engagement with an engine bore, and an upper flange configured to support the cylindrical body within the engine bore. The cylindrical body may also define an undulating cooling gallery adjacent the upper flange. The undulating cooling gallery generally defines a single coolant flow path extending about a perimeter of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: Metal plated organic polymer compositions are useful as vehicular engine covers. Such covers may have lighter weight, and/or superior corrosion resistance, and/or be more easily made than conventional covers.

Abstract: A plurality of convex portions are radially fanned and spaced apart from each other by a constant angle in a planar view on a tapered surface of a land portion formed on a bottom surface of a cavity formed in a top portion of a piston. Each convex portion is positioned such that the extending direction of the convex portion aligns with an axis X of a corresponding fuel spray. Thereby, each fuel spray moves forward through a space (convex portion space) between the corresponding convex portion and an inner wall of a cylinder head portion along the extending direction of the corresponding convex portion. When a fuel injection is performed during the latter half of a compression stroke, a pressure in a convex portion space is increased, compared with a pressure in a space of the other portion by the decrease of a ratio of the volume of the convex portion space relative to the volume of the space of the other portion by the proceeding of the compression by the piston.

Abstract: Throttle valves often have the problem that the throttle must be precisely positioned with and fixed to the throttle shaft. In the throttle valve (2) proposed by the invention, hardening filler material (10) is inserted into the intermediate space (22) between the throttle (6) and the throttle shaft (8). After said filler material (10) has hardened, the throttle (6) is precisely positioned relative to the throttle shaft (8) and fixed in a torque-proof manner. The throttle valve may be used for controlling the output of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Three or more independent passages are coupled to respective cylinders which are different from each other, and a collective portion where the independent passages collect is provided. An exhaust turbocharger is arranged downstream of the collective portion. Rotary throttle valves are arranged respectively in the independent passages upstream of the collective portion. At least two of the throttle valves are supported by a common rotary axis. The independent passages with the throttle valves supported by the common rotary axis are coupled to cylinders which have exhaust strokes which are not adjacent to each other. Accordingly, the exhaust gas can be supplied to the exhaust turbocharger efficiently.

Abstract: When an automobile is traveling on a road surface with a low friction coefficient upon a shift of an engine to idle operation in the process of stopping the automobile from traveling, a target engine speed of the engine is reduced by a value equivalent to a reduction in a drive request value for any auxiliary at a time point corresponding to start of reduction of the drive request value.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least one actuator for controlling charge dilution of at least one cylinder and at least one spark plug per cylinder include attempting to improve combustion quality by modifying ignition energy of the at least one spark plug before modifying charge dilution of the cylinder, and modifying both ignition energy and charge dilution substantially simultaneously to establish combustion if an ionization sense signal associated with the cylinder indicates a misfire.

Abstract: A heating device, which is designed as a heater for liquid fuels, has a housing component and a heating element embedded in the housing component. The heating element is designed as a self-regulating heating element, so that protection against overheating is ensured.

Abstract: A fuel control system for an engine includes a control module that includes a fuel rail pressure module and a comparison module. The fuel rail pressure module determines a first fuel rail pressure of a fuel rail after a first event and a second fuel rail pressure of the fuel rail after a second event. The first event includes N conditions, a first of the N conditions comprises deactivation of a fuel pump of the engine, and N is an integer. The second event includes M conditions, a first of the M conditions comprises activation of a fuel injector, and M is an integer. The comparison module adjusts a fuel injector constant of the fuel injector based on the first fuel rail pressure, the second fuel rail pressure, and an injector activation period corresponding to the second event.

Abstract: The hydraulic supply for a variable compression ratio engine includes a compressed-air oil pressure accumulator (251), connected to a multi-stage pressure amplifier (241) having at least one stage the outlet pressure of which acts upon the pressure jack(s) (170) of the engine, the outlet pressure being controlled by at least one stage selector solenoid (285), and connected to the control jack(s) (8).

Abstract: A spark ignition internal combustion engine includes a variable expansion ratio mechanism which can alter the mechanical expansion ratio, and an exhaust variable valve mechanism which can alter the timing for opening an exhaust valve. The mechanical expansion ratio and the timing for opening the exhaust valve are set depending on the engine load such that the mechanical expansion ratio increases and the timing for opening the exhaust valve is retarded to the exhaust bottom dead center side as the engine load decreases. By setting the mechanical expansion ratio in such a manner depending on the engine load, thermal efficiency can be enhanced as compared with a case where the mechanical expansion ratio is set to make the actual compression rate constant for example. Consequently, a spark ignition internal combustion engine exhibiting high thermal efficiency is provided.

Abstract: A fuel system for a vehicle with an engine includes: a fuel tank for storing fuel: first and second ports disposed on a wall of the fuel tank, between which wall and a fuel fluid level a clearance is created when the fuel is contained in an allowable maximal amount in the fuel tank of the vehicle in a horizontal state, the first and second ports being positioned frontward and rearward, respectively, in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the first port and the second port being out of alignment in a lateral direction; a canister for adsorbing and releasing a fuel vapor; an inflow line for sending the fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank to the canister through the first and second ports; and a discharge line for sending the fuel vapor from the canister to an air-intake path to the engine.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, fresh air is compressed by a pressure-wave supercharger. At least one operating parameter of the pressure-wave supercharger is controlled or regulated as a function of at least one actual operating variable of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A converting mechanism is provided between an EGR control valve driven by an actuator and an intake-air valve for generating negative pressure, so that the intake-air valve is also driven by the actuator. The converting mechanism has a cam plate rotated together with the EGR control valve and an arm rotated together with the intake-air valve. A cam groove formed in the cam plate is engaged with a driving pin of the arm. The intake-air valve is held at its maximum valve opening position, when the EGR control valve is rotated in a first angular range, while the intake-air valve is rotated from the valve opening position to a maximum valve closing position when the EGR control valve is rotated in a second angular range.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system.

Abstract: A radiofrequency ignition device including: a control capable of generating an ignition control signal; a supply circuit controlled by the ignition control signal for applying a supply voltage on an output interface of the supply circuit at a frequency defined by the control signal; at least one plasma generation resonator connected on an output interface of the supply circuit and capable of generating a spark between two ignition electrodes of the resonator upon an ignition control; a mechanism measuring an electric parameter representative of a variation in a supply voltage of the resonator; and a module determining the fouling condition of the electrodes based on the measured electric parameter and on a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: The plasma ignition device includes an ignition plug, a breakdown discharge circuit configured to apply a high voltage to the ignition plug to cause a breakdown discharge in a discharge space in the ignition plug, and a plasma discharge circuit configured to accumulate electric energy supplied from a power supply and applies the accumulated electric energy to the ignition plug as a current to bring a gas in the discharge space into a plasma state so that the gas in the plasma state is injected to a combustion chamber of an combustion engine during the breakdown discharge in order to cause ignition. The plasma discharge circuit includes an energy accumulating section, and an energy supplying section configured to supply the electric energy to the energy accumulating section during a short time period immediately before the breakdown discharge circuit applies the first voltage to the ignition plug.

Abstract: A power cutter including a two stroke internal combustion engine mounted within a housing and a carburetor for providing aerated fuel for the engine. The carburetor is capable of operating in at least two modes of operation, a first mode when the engine is cold and a second mode when the engine is hot. A temperature sensor is mounted on the engine and provides an engine controller with a signal which is a function of the temperature of the engine; the carburetor comprising an electrically controlled cold start mechanism which switches the carburetor between its two modes of operation, wherein, when the electronic controller determines that the engine is cold, it provides an electrical signal to the electrically controlled cold start mechanism to cause it to change the mode of operation of the carburetor to its first mode.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for optimization of operation and supply of two-stroke endothermic engines, particularly to be employed in the industrial sector relevant to micro engines in the hobby-modellistic field, so as to obtain an improvement of known two-stroke endothermic engines with suction by rotating disc valve, thanks to the use of methods permitting obtaining a better general efficiency of engine, thus obtaining lower consumption along with a better volumetric efficiency and a better mechanical efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted engine control apparatus can accurately measure the resistance value of a label resistor arranged in an exhaust gas sensor for correcting characteristic variation thereof by using a reduced number of wires. An electric heater of the exhaust gas sensor, which is powered from a second power supply wire, as well as the label resistor and air fuel ratio measurement elements are connected to the apparatus which is powered from an on-vehicle battery through a first power supply wire. A power feed voltage of the apparatus is input to a multichannel AD converter through voltage dividing resistors, so that a positive end potential of the label resistor is measured alternatively. A negative end potential of the label resistor is input to the converter as a divided voltage thereof with a fixed resistor. The label resistance value is calculated from a fixed resistor current and a label resistor voltage.

Abstract: A trigger assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a trigger having a bearing assembly arranged snugly within a bearing receptacle of the trigger to provide a trigger pivot. The bearing assembly can include a pin receptacle on each side of the bearing assembly to receive a pair of trigger pins in a mating relationship. The trigger assembly can be mounted in a paintball gun by arranging the trigger and bearing assembly in a trigger groove of a grip frame of the paintball gun and aligning the pin receptacles with pin holes formed through the wall of the grip frame on opposite sides of the trigger groove. The pins can then be inserted through the pin holes into firm contact with sidewalls of the pin receptacle(s). Each of the pins can be independently adjusted to arrange the trigger in a desired lateral location within the trigger groove.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and kits for loading paintballs into a feed tube of a paintball gun are disclosed. A loader includes a chamber for holding paintballs, a feed mechanism having a rotational feeder within the chamber that feeds paintballs from the chamber along a feed channel when rotating to fill the feed tube, and a drive mechanism that drives the rotational feeder of the feed mechanism, ceases to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempts to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. Paintballs are loaded from a loader into a feed tube of a paintball gun by driving a rotational feeder within the loader, the rotational feeder configured within the loader to feed paintballs into the feed tube when rotating, ceasing to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempting to rotate the stopped rotational feeder.

Abstract: A firing assembly of a paintball gun includes a piston, a spring, and a valve installed in a chamber in a frame of the paintball gun. The piston is a bar-like member having front member, a connection member, and a rear member. The connection member is smaller than the front member and the rear member to form a space thereunder. The valve is in the space to divide the space into a front room and a rear room. The spring urges the piston forward to have the rear member pressing an actuator of the valve that a high pressure gas will escape out of the valve to spurt out of the apertures via the rear room, the channels, and the front room. The high pressure also pressurizes the rear member to move the piston backward and compress the spring.

Abstract: This invention belongs to projectile throwing instruments that use the energy of the strained hard body and can be used for the design and construction of a missile throwing weapon—namely for a bow and crossbow.

Abstract: A wire saw apparatus having: a wire wound around grooved rollers and axially travels in a reciprocating direction; a nozzle for supplying a slurry; and a work-feeding mechanism feeding a work toward the wire, and slicing into wafers by pressing and feeding the work against the wire traveling in a reciprocating direction while a slurry is supplied to the wire through the nozzle. A work-holding portion holds the work through a pad plate adhered to the work and a work plate, plate-shaped or block-shaped slurry-splash-blocking members are arranged in the direction of a right angle to a row of the wire wound around the grooved rollers below the work-holding portion and on both the wire cut-in side and a wire cut-out side.

Abstract: A cutting chain for cutting concrete and other similar materials having wear and stretch resistant features. In one embodiment, the cutting chain can include chain links having a debris trap for hindering the entry of debris onto bearing surfaces. In one embodiment, side links and a center link can have cooperating members forming a maze-like debris trap and can include a lubricant and/or other barrier material. In a particular arrangement, side links can have annular ribs which can be partially received in annular grooves on a center link to create the maze-like debris trap. In another embodiment, the cutting chain can include chain links having anti-rotation structures to hinder rotation of the fastener relative to the side links. In a particular arrangement, side links can have a protrusion or slot for cooperating with a complementary mating slot or protrusion on the fastener.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus with a cooking container in which is received a fuel component support device. The cooking apparatus having an adjustment mechanism drivingly connected with the fuel component support device. The adjustment mechanism includes a handle section and an interconnected shaft assembly connected with the handle section, the interconnected shaft assembly including a first shaft section and a linkage assembly drivingly connected to the first shaft section and positioned between a base portion of the cooking container and the fuel component support device such that rotation of the first shaft, as by a vertical swinging of the handle section, produces an opposite direction change in vertical height in the linkage assembly and the supported fuel component support device. A handle engagement section is provided as in one that includes a plurality of height position stop engagement locations.

Abstract: A grate plate arrangement for stepped reciprocating grates includes a box-like grate plate with a front plate fastened to a front wall in the direction of conveyance. Means for adjusting a motion gap between the front end of the grate plate and the following grate plate in the direction of conveyance which forms the next grate step includes a separate adjustment plate, which is non-positively clamped between the front plate and the front wall of the grate plate. The adjustment plate is calibrated with the front plate still only loosely assembled, in its vertical position that forms the motion gap, and is held in this position by clamping the front plate. A clamping bolt for clamping the grate plate on a grate carrier can be arranged such that the clamping bolt aligns with a fixing bolt for the front plate so that the clamping bolt can be actuated though access openings for this fixing bolt.

Abstract: A cooking appliance having first and second oven doors that combine to extend across and close off a frontal opening of a cooking chamber includes a latching mechanism for locking the first and second oven doors in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a fixed support plate and a motor having an output shaft to which is rotatably mounted an eccentric drive member. Preferably, the motor is fixedly mounted to the support plate. The latching mechanism further includes first and second latch members each having a first end portion pivotally attached to the eccentric drive member extending to a second end portion defining a hook element. When the motor is activated, a guide mechanism directs the second end portions of the first and second latch members to a locking position leading the hook members into engagement with the first and second doors.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to sputter-deposited transparent conductive coatings (TCCs) that are capable of surviving the harsh environments of ovens so that they can be included, for example, in oven door applications. In certain example embodiments, zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO2 or other suitable stoichiometry) may be used as a protective overcoat to protect an underlying Ag layer from corrosion in the atmosphere. In certain three lite oven door example embodiments, surfaces 2 and 4 each have an Ag-based TCC sputter-deposited thereon. The Ag-based TCC may have a sheet resistance of about either 4 or 5 ohms/square in certain example embodiments.

Abstract: A portable, smokeless, indoor/outdoor grill that utilizes an existing heat source such as a regular stove for indoor use and a propane gas tank, camp grill, or camp fire for outdoor use.

Abstract: An extendable hood and mounting bracket for mounting on the underside of a microwave oven which is positioned above a cook top, the extendable hood being frictionally engaged in the bracket and selectively removable or slidably retracted when not in use, the extendable hood extending over the front burners of the cook top and capturing and directing any fumes, smoke, or odors generated from cooking on the front burners to the fan and filter unit mounted on the underside of the microwave oven.

Abstract: A gas burner for a cooking appliance includes at least one combustion chamber with a first gas inlet forming a substantially annular outer flame ring and a substantially annular inner flame ring. At least one flame channel is configured to trigger ignition of at least one of the inner flame ring and outer flame ring. In one example, at least one transfer burner port is in gas-flow communication with the combustible gas in the at least one combustion chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods of heliostat reflector cleaning via a vehicle in a heliostat field.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed including innovations related to aspects of solar concentration and/or the collection, transfer, or utilization of thermal energy. In some exemplary implementations, systems and methods of generating thermal energy using a plurality of solar modules are set forth, with each solar module includes a collector and a receiver.

Abstract: A passive solar collector utilizes a support constructed of precisely machined foam to simplify the construction and calibration of the reflective surface. Further improvements include sensor-based positioning, and a receiver having inflow and outflow conduits adapted to improve thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A solar air heating module provides heated air to a ventilation system. The solar air heating module includes a collector for heating and drawing in outside air and a housing. The collector includes an absorber plate for absorbing incident sunlight and includes a plurality of perforations therethrough. The perforations are distributed across the absorber plate for allowing passage of air into the collector. The collector also includes a collector tray mounted behind the absorber plate. The collector tray includes an output for allowing the passage of air out of the collector. The collector tray is spaced from the absorber plate to define a cavity therebetween in which air can to flow towards the output. The housing is mounted to the collector tray and forms a plenum therewith for receiving air from the output. The plenum is at a lower pressure than that of the outside air. The plenum is connected to the ventilation system. A plurality of modules may be combined to form a system.

Abstract: A solar receiver is disclosed and includes a housing having a front, radiation-facing, end and a rear end, the front end being formed with a cavity therein. A window is mounted at the front end of the housing and projects inside the cavity. A receiver chamber is defined within the cavity between the housing and the window. The receiver chamber has a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated therewithin, and a working fluid outlet for egress therethrough of the heated fluid. A solar absorber is within the receiver chamber for absorbing the solar radiation and heating the working fluid. The solar absorber includes at least one tubular member configured for maintaining fluid isolation between contents thereof and contents of the receiver chamber. The solar absorber is configured for heating working fluid within the receiver chamber exterior to the tubular member, and working fluid within the tubular member.

Abstract: A solar panel that utilizes the sun's rays to heat a liquid to be used for providing heat or hot water includes front and rear parallel clear plastic panels. The front panel is intended to face the sun and is substantially transparent so that the sun's rays can pass there through The rear panel has a reflective coating thereon wherein rays from the sun are reflected back toward the space between the panels. Located within the space are a plurality of conduits formed by a plurality of internal walls that extend between the panels and the left and right side edges. Within the conduits is a darkened oily liquid that is heated by the incoming rays of the sun and the rays reflected by the rear panel. In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear panels and the internal walls are extruded as a single unit.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting system and method suitable for hot water generation using solar energy. The system includes multiport tubes between inlet and outlet manifolds. The tubes are formed of a metallic material, each tube has oppositely-disposed first and second flat surfaces between lateral edges thereof, longitudinally-opposed first and second ends, and multiple fluid channels between the first and second ends that are in fluidic parallel to each other. The inlet and outlet manifolds are coupled to the first and second ends of the tubes so that chambers within the inlet and outlet manifolds are fluidically connected to the fluid channels of the multiport tubes. During operation of the system, a fluid flowing through the fluid channels of the tubes is heated by direct solar radiation impinging the first flat surfaces of the tubes and optionally by reflected solar radiation impinging the second flat surfaces of the tubes.

Abstract: A mounting system for supporting solar panel cells above a support surface. The system may have a frame including a plurality of frame sections that are secured to a solar panel cell. At least one of the frame sections may include a pair of walls forming a first channel for receiving an edge portion of the solar panel cell, and a second channel spaced apart from the first channel. The second channel may have a curving inner wall. The at least one frame section may also have a base portion. The mounting system may also include a mounting bracket having a pair of flanges and forming a third channel therebetween. One of the flanges of the third channel may form a curving flange. The curving flange and the second channel of the frame section may cooperatively secure the frame section and the mounting bracket together.

Abstract: A rotational trough reflector solar-electricity generation device includes a trough reflector that rotates around a substantially vertical axis. A strip-type photovoltaic (PV) device, or other solar-energy collection element, is fixedly mounted along the focal line of the trough reflector. A tracking system rotates the trough reflector such that the trough reflector is aligned generally parallel to the incident sunlight (e.g., in a generally east-west direction at sunrise, turning to generally north-south at noon, and turning generally west-east at sunset). A disc-shaped support structure is used to distribute the reflector's weight over a larger area and to minimize the tracking system motor size. Multiple trough reflectors are mounted on the disc-shaped support to maximize power generation. Flat mirrors are disposed at the end of the troughs to increase power in “hot” PV sections that are connected in series.

Abstract: Solar concentrator truss assemblies and arrays of solar concentrator truss assemblies are disclosed. The solar concentrator truss assembly has a V-shaped frame joined with a solar panel to form a triangulated truss. The solar concentrator truss assembly is lightweight and strong, and does not require extensive additional structural support for installation. The array of solar concentrator truss assemblies is motion controlled by a computer to move the array into preferable positions with regards to sunlight.

Abstract: Device for supplying mixed gas to gas burners of radiant heating type including a plurality of burner assemblies (310) in the housing (301) for combustion of the mixed gas therein, each with a burner chamber (312) for supplying mixed gas of fuel gas and air thereto, a glass plate (302) placed on top of the housing (301), a plurality of mixing tubes (321) respectively in communication with the burner chamber (312) for supplying the fuel gas and the air thereto, a plurality of gas nozzles (322) for respectively spraying the fuel gas into the mixing tubes (321), a plurality of air supply tubes (323) for respectively spraying the fuel gas into the mixing tubes (321), a plurality of air supply tubes (323) each spaced a distance away from the other end of one of the mixing tubes (321), for supplying air toward the one of the mixing tubes (321), and a fan unit (330) connected to an end of one of the air supply tubes (323) for supplying air thereto.

Abstract: A nebulizer includes a receptacle for containing a liquid, a liquid-drawing tube, and a hollow cover including a partition plate dividing an interior of the cover into first and second chambers, first and second conduits each having an inlet end adapted to be connected to a compressed gas supply tube, and an outlet end communicated with the first chamber, and a mist output tube communicating fluidly with the second chamber. A nebulizing unit is connected to the outlet end of the first conduit and the liquid-drawing tube for directing a first compressed gas from the first conduit to the liquid exiting from the tube to convert the liquid into a mist. The second conduit introduces into the first chamber a second compressed gas which entrains the mist when flowing to the second chamber and exiting through the mist output tube.

Abstract: The present self-sensing dispensing device includes: power supply means, a liquid dispensing element comprising an actuator and a dispensing aperture through which liquid is to be dispensed by activation of the actuator, electronic control means operable to control the actuator, liquid supply means connecting with a liquid reservoir to supply liquid to the liquid dispensing element, valving means allowing or blocking liquid to flow from the reservoir to the liquid dispensing element, wherein the actuator operates to execute in itself at least a dispensing function and a detecting function, the detecting function detecting at least characteristics external to the self-sensing dispensing device and causing the actuator to generate a command signal, and wherein the electronic control means is operable to control the valving means and the actuator based on the reception of the command signal.