Abstract: One embodiment of a remotely controlled apparatus for selectably admitting a large animal into and then selectably releasing the animal from a livestock chute uses the weight of the animal as its primary energy source for opening and closing the entry and exit gates. The livestock chute has a linking mechanism for communicating with the entry gate, the exit gate, a moveable floor, and a biasing force wherein the weight of the animal is used to overcome the biasing force to open the entry gate and to store energy that can be selectively activated to open the exit gate on the livestock chute.

Abstract: A pair of closed endless elastic rings connected to each other by a length adjustable band lifts the bases of the ears of a floppy eared pet, away from the pet's head and away for the openings to the pet's ear canals to reduce problems of the ear canals such as bacterial and fungal growth.

Abstract: An article of animal apparel for “Cat Paw Mittens to Prevent Scratching During Bathtime” with a one piece mitten comprised flexible, cotton like, porous material, shaped to fit over each cat paw, front and rear with one user friendly design, a variable piece of dense reinforcement material affixed inside the mitten about the claw area for puncture resistance, an elastic, rubber band, or other expandable seam at the top of the mitten that when stretched open provides an opening for paw insertion, and when released provides instant closure or security, and a variable piece of material(s) on the bottom of the mitten that when wet becomes slippery taking away the cats ability to grip and execute a flee attempt giving the human control of the cat during bathtime. A preferred embodiment that maximizes fur exposure for the purpose of bathing while providing human protection from painful scratches during bathtime.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for generating a mixture of steam and combustion gas in a direct contact rotating steam generator, using high solids content water, and without waste liquid discharge. The invention includes removing the solids with controllable water content in a stackable form. The system includes a longitudinally rotatable and controlled pressure enclosure being mounted at a slope and having a steam producing section, a water injection section and a discharge section. The enclosure can include a mixing and mobilizing rotating element to enhance the mixture and the heat transfer. The system can have an additional wet section to scrub contaminates and produce saturated steam. The system can be integrated with an enhanced oil recovery facility or with an open mine oil facility that generates non-segregate tailings to consume their discharge liquid waste and generate steam, heat and a stable solids waste.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion. The base portion receives the fuel into the body and the nozzle portion can be positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve carried by the nozzle portion that is movable between a closed position and an open position to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber. An actuator is coupled the valve and extends longitudinally through the body towards the base portion, and a driver is carried by the body and is movable between a first position and a second position. Thermochemical regeneration of waste heat produced by combustion and associated combustion events is captured and invested in endothermic reactions to improve efficiency of the combustion event.

Abstract: An efficient internal combustion engine jointly using hydrogen obtained by dehydrogenation of a hydrogen supply mass. There is disclosed a hydrogen supply unit for internal combustion engine comprising hydrogen separating means, storage means for storage of separated hydrogen, means for storage of dehydrogenation products and means for addition supply of produced hydrogen to a fuel source.

Abstract: A cooling fan (10) for a vehicle engine (50), having a fan casing (60) and a fan rotor (12) which is movable axially relative to the fan casing during operation. There is an actuator (20) for moving the fan rotor (12) to positions which represent various degrees of protrusion (a) from an end of the fan casing (60) in order to optimise the fan's suction capacity and efficiency on the basis of current operating parameters such as fan speed and vehicle velocity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fan, particularly for cooling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, having an attachment unit, an electric drive motor, and a fan wheel rotating about the fan axis, wherein the attachment unit has a frame, from which bars protrude that cross through an air opening, said bars carrying an attachment element serving to attach the drive motor. The invention proposes that each of the bars (6) have a cross-sectional contour, wherein at least one cross bar (18) extending laterally in the direction of the fan axis (9) is configured between end regions (14, 15) of the bar (6) extending in the direction of the fan axis (9), defining a bar width (b).

Abstract: The two-stroke engine has a plurality of intake passages extending from the external air inlet port through the crankcase, separating the intake air charge from the air and oil vapor within the crankcase. The piston has one or more corresponding inlet tubes depending therefrom that telescope within the crankcase intake passages as the piston reciprocates. All intake air travels through these passages and is separated from the remainder of the crankcase volume. The incoming air charge passes through a concentric poppet valve in the piston crown to enter the combustion chamber. Fuel is provided by conventional direct or port injection and ignition is provided by one or more conventional spark plugs. Diesel operation is achievable when the engine is configured appropriately. Exhaust exits the combustion chamber through a poppet valve in the cylinder head, the poppet valve being actuated by a rocker arm and pushrod from a crankshaft driven cam.

Abstract: The object is to prevent rotation of the case when a load is applied to the adjusting screw that tends to push in the adjusting screw.

Abstract: An actuator is provided for operating a valve in an engine. The actuator includes a casing forming an actuation chamber for holding a working fluid and having a first cylinder portion with a first opening and a second cylinder portion with a second opening. A first plunger is held slidably at least partially within the first cylinder portion and exposed through the first opening, and a second plunger is held slidably at least partially within the second cylinder portion and exposed through the second opening. The first plunger is reciprocally movable by action of a rotating cam to displace working fluid within the actuation chamber. The second plunger reciprocally movable by pressure exerted on the second plunger by the working fluid and arranged to exert force on a valve.

Abstract: A mechanism (40) for enabling an engine cylinder valve (18) to close at various times during engine cycles has a hydraulic actuator (58) and a control valve (60) controlling the hydraulic actuator a) to constrain a pivot axis of a valve rocker (52) against relocation while the cylinder valve is being forced increasingly open, and b) to release the constraint after the cylinder valve has been forced open for enabling the pivot axis to relocate so that the intake valve can close early thereby providing early IVC. A hydraulic snubber (64) snubs closing motion of the cylinder valve through a scheduling geometry to a hydraulic accumulator (62). The control valve opens to the accumulator to allow the rocker pivot axis to relocate and provide early IVC and closes to return the pivot axis to a location that doesn't provide early IVC.

Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift device for a vehicle is provided, which includes a drive shaft rotating in association with a crank shaft and having a drive cam formed on an outer periphery thereof, a locker arm shaft provided apart from the drive shaft and having one end that supports a rocker arm rotating and rocking in association with the drive cam, output cams rotatably installed on the drive shaft to interlock with the other end of the rocker arm, and a variable drive part straightly moving the rocker arm shaft in a vertical direction of the rocker arm shaft to vary a valve lift. When a valve is shifted from the high-lift state to the low-lift state, a pumping loss is reduced to improve the fuel consumption ratio. Also, since an advance function is provided, an exhaust-side CVVT can be deleted to greatly reduce the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift device of an engine may include a cam shaft having an eccentric cam formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cam shaft so that an oscillating outer-race wheel is coupled to and oscillatable along the eccentric cam, an output cam being rotably fitted to the cam shaft, a sliding shaft for varying the position of the output cam by moving straightly in a front and rear direction according to an engine operating condition, in which the sliding shaft has a deviation adjustment member which is formed to be eccentric toward an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a rocker arm rotably fitted to the deviation adjustment member and one end of which is rotably connected to the oscillating outer-race wheel and the other end of which is rotably engaged with the output cam.

Abstract: [Problems ] To provide a variable phase controller for an engine which assures easy manufacturing at low cost, reduces operating sound, and includes a relative rotational motion mechanism enabling quick change of a phase angle between a cam shaft and a crank shaft. [Means for Solving Problems] A variable phase controller for an engine controls the rotational motion of a first control rotor for changing the relative phase angle between a crank shaft and a cam shaft to either a phase-lead angle side or a phase-lag angle side in accordance with the direction of such control.

Abstract: A waste-to-energy cogeneration system is described in various embodiments. The system can convert certain fuel-laden waste to thermal energy and electrical power. In certain embodiments, fuel-laden waste which has not been pre-filtered or pre-treated to remove particulates and water is deposited in the cogeneration system and prepared by the system for combustion in an unmodified diesel engine. The fuel-laden waste can comprise oils, greases and fats from food preparation which are contaminated with water and particulates. Thermal and mechanical energy produced by the engine are utilized to provide thermal energy and electrical power external to the cogeneration system.

Abstract: An intake manifold is disclosed. The intake manifold includes a first chamber in fluid communication with a PCV line and disposed generally upstream of a second chamber. The chambers are designed to provide a long flow path for the moisture laden PCV gas and to help reduce the introduction of moisture or fluids into the second chamber. This helps to prevent the ingestion of moisture or fluids by the combustion chambers of engine. An optional fluid blocker can also be used to trap fluids and help prevent those fluids from entering a cylinder port.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston for an engine having a stable behavior of a piston ring. The piston for the engine includes: an upper ring, a middle ring, and an oil ring, provided in an outer circumferential portion; and a ring-shaped groove formed between the upper ring, and the middle ring, wherein the ring-shaped groove has a deep portion which has a concave shape, a straight-line shaped first gap is formed between a liner of a cylinder, and an area from the ring-shaped groove to the middle ring, and the first gap is larger than a gap between the liner of the cylinder, and an area from a portion provided with the upper ring to the ring-shaped groove. In the disclosed piston, a blow-by gas, which is a mixed gas flowed into a crank case from a combustion chamber by passing through a gap between the cylinder and the piston, formed below the ring-shaped groove, is stabilized, thereby stabilizing the behavior of the upper ring and the middle ring.

Abstract: A combustion engine wherein said engine includes a cylinder chamber, a cylindrical piston adapted to move up and down within a defined passageway provided for by said cylinder chamber. The piston is characterised in having at one end of the piston a segment of the circumferential edge of the piston end at a raised elevation with respect to a diametrically opposed circumferential edge segment of said piston end, such that the end face of the piston is configured as an ellipse. The cylinder chamber passageway has an ellipse end configuration of comparable dimension and inclination to the ellipse piston end face, such that when the ellipse piston face is moved up the cylinder passageway during a compression stroke and at the moment of combustion ah ignited mix of air and fuel injected into the cylinder has a contactable surface area of the ellipse face of the piston to power a return of the piston to its lower position inside the cylinder chamber passageway after the combustion event.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of internal combustion engines in which compression and combustion of an Air/Fuel mixture is carried out without a compression stroke as used in conventional internal combustion engines and expansion of the combusted mixture is performed to significantly increase the expansion ratio resulting in a significant increase in the amount of work extracted from the expansion of combusted mixture. Several embodiments are described. In the preferred embodiment externally compressed Air/Fuel Mixture is combusted in a variable volume combustion chamber and then expanded into a conventional cylinder displacing a power piston to produce rotation of a conventional crankshaft to drive a vehicle or other device.

Abstract: In a direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine that includes a fuel injection valve, and closes an intake valve after gas in the combustion chamber begins to flow back into an intake passageway after the compression stroke begins. The required fuel injection amount is injected a first fuel injection event and a second fuel injection event in a single combustion cycle, and the first fuel injection is performed while the intake valve is open during the compression stroke, and the second fuel injection is performed after the intake valve closes. The timing of the first fuel injection event is set such that the injected fuel is deflected upwards in the top of the combustion chamber by the gas flowing toward the intake valve.

Abstract: A throttle assembly comprising: a body portion defining a gas flow channel, the body portion being arranged to allow a flow of gas to be established through the gas flow channel from a gas inlet to a gas outlet of the assembly; and an injector arranged to inject fuel into the gas flow channel, wherein the injector is arranged such that a centreline of a flow of fuel from the injector is substantially parallel to a centreline of a portion of the channel into which fuel is injected thereby to reduce an amount of fuel impinging on a sidewall of the channel.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a speed of an internal combustion engine installed in an outboard motor and having an actuator connected to a throttle valve of the engine to open and close the throttle valve, and up/down command signal outputting devices that output an up/down command signal to increase/decrease the engine speed when manipulated by an operator, the engine speed is controlled to change in response to the up or down command signal with an engine speed change amount per unit time made different depending on whether the detected engine speed exceeds a reference speed or not, thereby enabling to finely and precisely control the engine speed in the low speed range, while facilitating speed regulation.

Abstract: A safety device for the throttle operation includes a shaft, a linking plate having an end connected and moving with the shaft and another end provided with an projecting bent wing, a pulling plate having one end formed with a shaft hole for combining with the shaft and located at a side of the bent wing and another end resting on an end surface of the bent wing and connected with a throttle line. The bent wing moves the throttle line to move the pulling plate for an angle for opening the throttle. The safety device further includes a contact switch for contacting the linking plate so an engine control system may be electrified by the contact switch to reduce its speed to a slow condition even if the throttle line is stuck immovable and unable to return to its original position after pulling open the throttle, keeping safe a vehicle.

Abstract: In a method for determining the rail pressure in a common rail system of an internal combustion engine, at least one measurement variable is determined which is a measure for the angular velocity of a crankshaft movement of the internal combustion engine, and the rail pressure is determined from said measurement variable or from a variable derived from the measurement variable. Furthermore disclosed are methods that are based thereon for controlling an injection quantity and for controlling a rail pressure, and a corresponding common rail injection system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an engine (1) including: —a chamber (3) designed to accommodate a working fluid, —a first piston (4) defining the volume of said chamber (3), —a first passage (5) located in said first piston (4) to supply the chamber (3) with working fluid and/or to discharge from the chamber (3) the burned fluid resulting from the combustion of the working fluid, —a first valve (6) mounted on the first piston (4) to monitor the opening and closing of said first passage (5), —an output shaft (8) that engages with the first piston (4) to convert the motion of the first piston (4) into rotational motion of the output shaft (8), characterized in that the output shaft (8) and the first valve (6) engage to convert the motion of output shaft (8) into motion of the first valve (6).

Abstract: A supercharger system for a two-stroke internal combustion engine includes a gearbox, compressor, airbox and an exhaust flow restrictor. The compressor may be a belt driven impeller to create positive pressure to the engine air intake. Restricting the flow of the exhaust slows down the exhaust to inhibit blow-through in the combustion chamber which would prematurely force unburned air and fuel from the combustion chamber of the engine. The gearbox is self-lubricating and contains only two gears and an internal reservoir arranged using a metering conduit so that consistent lubrication occurs at higher angles of inclination when the engine is in use.

Abstract: A first and a second superchargers are arranged in parallel with each other on an intake air passage and an exhaust passage. At least one of the first and the second superchargers includes a variable supercharging mechanism. The control unit determines a target air amount ratio of the first and the second superchargers, and controls the variable supercharging mechanism such that an actual air amount ratio of the first and the second superchargers becomes equal to the target air amount ratio. The air amount ratio which does not cause the surge in the first and the second superchargers is set as the target air amount ratio, and the variable supercharging mechanism is controlled by using it as a target.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine that is supercharged by a turbocharger, including calculating a temperature of the gases at the inlet to a compressor of the turbocharger, followed by determining a boost pressure set point, the value of the set point being dependent particularly on the temperature of the gases at the inlet to the compressor calculated in such a way as to set a boost pressure in an inlet manifold of the engine.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston mechanism comprises a crankcase and a crankshaft having at least a crankpin The crankshaft is rotatable about a crankshaft axis. The mechanism comprises a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the crankpin, and comprises at least a bearing portion which is eccentrically disposed with respect to the crankpin. The bearing portion has an outer circumferential wall which bears the big end of a connecting rod such that the connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the crank member via the big end. The crank member is provided with a crank member gear which meshes with a first auxiliary gear being an external gear. The first auxiliary gear is fixed to a second auxiliary gear via a common auxiliary shaft The auxiliary shaft is mounted to the crankshaft and rotatable with respect thereto about an auxiliary shaft axis which extends parallel to the crankshaft axis.

Abstract: An intake manifold (16) of an internal combustion engine (10) is charged to superatmospheric pressure by operating a first compressor (44) to compress fresh air diluted by exhaust gas into the intake manifold while operating a second compressor (24C) to compress undiluted fresh air into the intake manifold through a device (40) that allows flow in a direction from the second compressor into the intake manifold but not in an opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locomotive two-stroke uniflow scavenged diesel engine system including an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for reducing NOX emissions and achieving improved fuel economy by recirculating exhaust gas through the engine. The EGR system includes a flow regulating device and a cooler. The flow regulating device (e.g., a valve or positive flow device) is adapted to direct a select portion of the exhaust gas to be recirculated to the engine system. The cooler is coupled to the flow regulating device for decreasing the temperature of the exhaust gas. Additionally, a control system for the EGR system is provided which monitors and controls select components of any of the EGR systems described. Specifically, the control system may be adapted to control select components of an EGR system to adaptively regulate exhaust gas recirculation based on various operating conditions of the locomotive.

Abstract: An archery lighted release aid apparatus for providing sufficient illumination to assist an archer in attaching the release aid to the bowstring or loop and/or the arrow to the nocking position of the bowstring is provided. The archery lighted release aid apparatus has a light source, a switch assembly connected to said light source, a trigger housing having a trigger housing main body and a trigger, with the trigger housing main body having a channel extending completely therethrough where the switch assembly passes, a main body housing having a first end and a second end, with the main body housing first end having a cap attached thereto, and with the main body housing having a channel extending completely therethrough, a power source located inside the main housing in the main body channel, with the power source contacting the switch assembly, and a wrist strap mounting assembly connected to the main body housing.

Abstract: A toy gun includes a gun main body, a magazine and a pull-locked piece. The gun main body has a trigger including a pulled part and a base part arranged a tenon. The magazine has a bullet-loading head for pushing the bullets. A push block is arranged at the bullet-loading head. One side of a middle section of the pull-locked piece is pivoted in the gun main body. Corresponding to the rear end of the trigger, a hook is arranged at a front of the pull-locked piece, while a rear end of the pull-locked piece has an abutting-and-holding part, which is swung downwardly by an elastic element. Thereby, when the bullet in the magazine is used up, the abutting-and-holding part is pushed up by the push block, making the hook buckled down onto the tenon to prevent the pulled part from being pulled.

Abstract: A system for cutting a plurality of substrates of integrated circuit units comprising a plurality of tables (40, 55), each table including a plurality of trays (37A, 37B, 57A, 57B), each tray arranged to receive one of said substrates; each of said tables selectively movable between a respective loading station (20) for receiving said substrates and a cutting station for cutting the substrates, and a substrate placement device (35) for placing the substrates on the respective trays of said tables; wherein the substrate placement device is arranged to sequentially place substrates on said tables with said tables arranged to sequentially move to the cutting station after receiving the substrates and then return to their respective loading stations for placement of additional substrates.

Abstract: A high efficiency range hood includes a housing and a smoke exhausting device. The smoke exhausting device includes a snail-shaped air chamber, an air turbine installed in the air chamber, and an electric motor installed in the air chamber for rotating the air turbine. The air chamber has an air inlet and at least one air outlet. The housing has at least one knockout portion that communicates with the air outlet. The knockout portion communicates with the external air outlet pipe.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a gas burner (16), in particular a gas burner for a cooktop, comprising a plurality of burning portions (40, 42, 44). A gas burner according to the present invention comprises a plurality of burning portions (40, 42, 44) adapted to receive a gas flow from gas supply means (20, 30, 36) that comprise injector means (20) adapted to eject a gas flow diverging along the flow direction (10) to define a spreading angle Y. The gas burner is characterized in that gas-flow adjusting means (24, 25) are provided for modifying said spreading angle Y such that said gas flow is enabled to supply one or more of said plurality of burning portions (40,42, 44) depending on the adjustment of said spreading angle Y.

Abstract: A solar collector structural support system that affixes to a mounting surface without penetrating the mounting surface is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment includes a base assembly comprising: a plurality of leg members, a center junction elements configured to receive (a) the proximal end of each of the plurality of leg members and (b) a support member configured to securely uphold at least one of the one or more one solar collectors, and at least one footing adapted to frictionally engage the mounting surface. Multiple base assemblies may be interconnected using peripheral junction elements to form arrays of solar collectors of arbitrarily large size. The peripheral junction element is configured to couple the leg members of multiple base assemblies. When connected with the present invention, a plurality of solar concentrators form an array with greater structural integrity and less susceptibility.

Abstract: Adherence to flux or resultant measurable parameter limits, ranges, or patterns can be achieved by directing heliostat mounted mirrors to focus on aiming points designated on the surface of a solar receiver. Different heliostats can be directed to different aiming points, and a heliostat can be directed to different aiming points at different times. The cumulative flux distribution resulting from directing a plurality of heliostats to any aiming point on a receiver surface can be predicted by using statistical methods to calculate the expected beam projection for each individual heliostat or alternatively for a group of heliostats. Control of the heliostats in a solar power system can include designating aiming points on a receiver from time to time and assigning heliostats to aiming points from time to time in accordance with an optimization goal.

Abstract: A control system includes a control module and one or more input sources. The control module is coupled to an output of the solar module in order to operate the solar panel so that an output of the solar panel is at a maximum power level. The control module is able to selectively decrease a current level of the solar panel's output in response to a condition that is indicative of a temperature of the solar panel while maintaining the power output of the solar panel at or within a designated percentage of the maximum level. The input source is coupled to the control module to provide an input that is indicative of the temperature.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus by which solar energy may be collected to provide heat, electricity, or a combination of heat and electricity are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A personal inhalation device includes an outer shell having an orifice formed therein and containing a medium having one or more deliverables and an atomizing unit disposed within the shell. The atomizing unit atomizes the medium when a user puffs on the orifice such that vapor containing the deliverables is discharged through the orifice. The personal inhalation device is further capable of metering the deliverables discharged with the vapor.

Abstract: A filter mask includes an oronasal cup, an inhalation directional cover, and an exhalation diverter body. The oronasal cup encloses a nose and mouth of a user. The oronasal cup is fluidly coupled with a filter. The inhalation directional cover is configured to be joined to the filter. The inhalation directional cover includes an elongated wing portion that is oriented in an inhalation direction that is angled with respect to the center axis of the filter. The exhalation diverter body is fluidly coupled with the oronasal cup. The exhalation diverter body defines an exhalation duct that directs exhaled air out of the oronasal cup along an exhalation direction. The inhalation direction and the exhalation direction are oriented away from a plane of interaction between the user and another person.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for inhalation of at least one air stream carrying a dose of medicament powder. The device comprises a flow passage passing a powder-containing cavity. A part of said flow passage propagates along a generally flat surface region. The flat surface region comprises a cavity opening into said powder- containing cavity. The passing of an air stream along said flat surface region and outside said cavity generates an eddy in the cavity and the generated eddy contributes to deaggregation of the powder in said cavity and emptying of the powder from said cavity. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to the use of a shear driven cavity principle on such a device and a method of releasing medicament powder.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser device comprising: a body (10) provided with a dispenser orifice (15); at least one reservoir containing a dose of fluid, such as pharmaceutical powder; movable support means (50) that receive at least one reservoir, and that are displaceable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; reservoir-opening means (80) for opening a reservoir when said opening means are actuated; stressing means for urging said movable support means towards said dispensing position, said stressing means including an elastically-deformable stressing element (51); blocking means (100) for retaining said movable support means in the non-dispensing position corresponding to a cocked position of said blocking means; and inhalation trigger means for releasing said blocking means and for enabling said movable support means, together with a reservoir, to be displaced towards said dispensing position at the time a user inhales; the device including means (700) for modifying the inhalation flow of the user

Abstract: An inhaler (1) for delivery of a powder-form inhalation formulation from a blister strip (2) with a plurality of blister pockets (3) is proposed. A tape is used for numbering.

Abstract: An emergency oxygen supply device for an aircraft comprises an oxygen pressure tank, and at least one oxygen mask which is conductively connected thereto. At least two electrically actuatable and activatable shut-off valves which are arranged parallel to one another are arranged in the conduit from the oxygen pressure tank to the at least one oxygen mask. Of these shut-off valves, at least one shut-off valve has an NO-function and at least one shut-off valve an NC-function.

Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of a medical disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or congestive heart failure. The system includes a gas flow generator and a patient interface. The system delivers a flow of gas to the patient using the gas flow generator and the patient interface. The system determines that the patient is experiencing an apnea and, in response, performs a pressure change maneuver. This maneuver includes increasing a pressure of the flow of gas for a period of time, and decreasing the pressure of the flow of gas after the pressure increase. The system then monitors the change in flow rate for the flow of gas resulting from the pressure change maneuver, if any, and determines whether the airway of the patient is open or closed based on the monitored change in the flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter material for respirator masks. The filter material comprises a filter material layer that is pleated so as to form a plurality of folds, said filter material layer comprising a filter layer and a first netting layer. The invention is characterized in that the filter material layer comprises a second netting layer disposed on the filter layer on the side opposite to said first netting layer. The invention additionally relates to a respirator mask comprising such a filter material.

Abstract: A positioning device to facilitate the maintenance of a patent airway by correctly positioning a patient's head under anesthesia during an operation or procedure comprising at least one adjustable support including a plurality of segments or sections selectively positionable relative to adjacent segments or sections and selectively lockable relative to each other having a patient engaging member coupled to the proximal end portion thereof to engage a portion of the patient's head to maintain the position of the patient's head during an operation or procedure.