Abstract: The present application provides an ice blast cleaning method for a layer of slag on a surface. The ice blast cleaning method may include the steps of maintaining the surface with the layer of slag thereon at an elevated temperature, shooting a number of ice pellets at the layer of slag on the surface, and loosening the layer of slag on the surface via a mechanical impact of the ice pellets on the layer of slag and a thermal shock caused by a temperature differential between the ice pellets and the layer of slag.

Abstract: A steam water separator includes:—a vessel having a vessel wall delimiting an interior of the vessel, where the vessel is configured to contain steam in a steam zone and water in a water zone in the interior of the vessel,—at least one inlet for introducing steam and/or water in the vessel,—at least one steam outlet for taking steam out of the vessel,—at least one water outlet for taking water out of the vessel, and a wetting device configured to wet in the steam zone an inner surface of the vessel wall.

Abstract: A device that injects hydrogen gas into an engine's air intake or intake manifold that is demand controlled by the vehicle's throttle linkage in an approximately linear manner. When the throttle is depressed, hydrogen generation can start or increase, and when the throttle is released, hydrogen generation can stop of decrease. The device of the present invention uses the vehicle's own vacuum to control the production of hydrogen by forcing a liquid to rise in a chamber and into contact with metal in response to increasing vacuum thus producing an increasing amount of hydrogen gas with increasing throttle depression.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a first fuel is reformed into a gaseous fuel comprising H, CO, and CH4, or the fuel may change state to vaporized alcohol. The present method provides for ramping injection of the gaseous fuel so that stoichiometric combustion may be maintained while gaseous fuel is injected to the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling a fuel injector of a direct injection engine are disclosed. In order to route coolant directly beneath a fuel injector adjacent to a combustion chamber in a direct injection engine, a recess is cast beneath the injector and a slotted gasket is provided to route coolant from core prints of the exiting water jacket into the recess beneath the injector.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine block, a cylinder head coupled to the engine block, and first and second intake valves supported by the cylinder head. The engine block may define a first set of cylinder bores arranged longitudinally in series and including a first cylinder bore and a second cylinder bore adjacent the first cylinder bore. The cylinder head may define a cavity forming an intake manifold region, a first intake runner extending laterally inward from the intake manifold region toward the first cylinder bore and a second intake runner extending laterally inward from the intake manifold region toward the second cylinder bore. The first intake valve may selectively provide communication between the first intake runner and the first cylinder bore. The second intake valve may selectively provide communication between the second intake runner and the second cylinder bore.

Abstract: A method for operating a four-stroke internal combustion engine and a four-stroke combustion engine configured to be operated by the same are disclosed. The method comprises injecting compressed gas into a cylinder during the exhaust stroke of the combustion cycle. In another aspect of the invention, the injection occurs at a time in the combustion cycle near the end of the exhaust stroke, the cylinder approaching Top Dead Center. In a still further aspect of the invention, the gas comprises air.

Abstract: Periodic torque disturbances that affect cylinder valve operation are anticipated, and an appropriate reaction torque is provided by an electric motor to counteract the periodic torque disturbances to position a cylinder valve at a desired position.

Abstract: A valve train comprises a double camshaft with an inner camshaft and an outer camshaft. The two camshafts are preferably designed coaxially. By means of a rotatory change in position of the inner camshaft to the outer camshaft, the angular position of at least one cam of the inner camshaft is adjusted or set relative to a cam of the outer camshaft. The cams are divided into sets that can occupy variable cam positions relative to one another. Various configurations of a camshaft adjuster are provided for this purpose.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes an intermediate locking pin and seat for locking the camshaft phaser at a position intermediate of its full advanced and retard positions. A feature is provided for radially orienting the locking pin with the seat.

Abstract: An electromagnetic camshaft-adjuster device having an armature unit (14, 42) drivable along an axial direction in reaction of a current feed of a stationary inductor unit (10), which for interacting with an adjusting unit (16, 48) causing adjustment of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine is configured with a slide and/or tappet unit, wherein on and/or in the armature unit and/or the adjusting unit, a permanent magnet element (20, 44) is provided and the inductor unit and the armature unit are at least partially received in a housing or supporting unit, and wherein the supporting unit is associated with a configured stationary magnetic field detection element (22, 38) preferably for contactless magnetic interaction with the permanent magnet element, which is configured so that in a current feed condition and a non current feed condition the inductor unit an axial position of the armature unit and/or the adjusting unit can be determined electronically by evaluating a magnetic field detection signal of t

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, a crankcase, a cylinder head and a cylinder-head cover, the cylinder head being formed from a cylinder-head lower part and a camshaft housing which is positioned between the cylinder-head cover and the cylinder-head lower part, and at least one camshaft and one sliding cam which can be displaced axially on the camshaft and has a slotted-guide section being provided for actuating gas exchange valves of the internal combustion engine, an actuator with an actuable pin being provided for bringing about an axial displacement of the sliding cam. The camshaft and the sliding cam are positioned in the camshaft housing. The camshaft, which is mounted rotatably for valve actuation, is arranged with the axially displaceable sliding cam in the camshaft housing in such a way that they can be attached to the cylinder-head lower part as one preassembled unit.

Abstract: An electromagnetic camshaft adjusting device has an armature unit, which can be moved relative to a yoke and core unit by energizing a stationary coil unit and which is designed to carry out an axial actuating movement and to exert a correspondingly axially directed actuating force on a rotating internal combustion engine camshaft by a slider unit interacting with the armature unit. The yoke and core unit is mounted such that it can rotate relative to the coil unit and provides a receptacle for the armature unit that is guided such that it can move axially in the yoke and core unit and has the slider unit firmly seated thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a remote starter system for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle. The remote starter system may comprise an integrated universal bypass module that allows the remote starter system to be utilized with vehicles equipped with a passive anti-theft system such as a transponder-based vehicle security system or a resistance-based vehicle security system. Alternatively, the remote starter system may comprise a kit comprising a remote starter system for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle and a universal bypass module that allows the remote starter system to be utilized with vehicles equipped with an anti-theft system such as a transponder-based vehicle security system or a resistance-based vehicle security system.

Abstract: A manifold assembly is provided having an engine manifold, a mounting collar, and a resilient annulet. The mounting collar is disposed on the engine manifold and the resilient annulet is coupled to the mounting collar. The engine manifold has an inlet, an outlet, a resilient sleeve, and a primary protuberance. The resilient sleeve is coupled to the outer surface of the engine manifold and the primary protuberance is formed on the outer surface of the engine manifold. The mounting collar has a secondary protuberance and a manifold aperture formed therein. The resilient annulet is coupled to the manifold aperture. The resilient annulet is sealingly engaged with the resilient sleeve and the primary protuberance abuts the secondary protuberance. The manifold assembly for an engine minimizes a required number of components, minimizes a time of assembly of the manifold assembly, and militates against a rotation of the engine manifold.

Abstract: A manifold assembly is provided having an engine manifold, a mounting collar, and a resilient seal. The mounting collar is disposed on the engine manifold and the resilient seal is disposed between the engine manifold and the mounting collar. The engine manifold has an inlet, an outlet, and a primary protuberance formed on an outer surface of the engine manifold. The mounting collar has a secondary protuberance and is disposed on the engine manifold. The resilient seal is disposed between the engine manifold and the mounting collar. The primary protuberance abuts the secondary protuberance. The manifold assembly for an engine minimizes a required number of components, minimizes a time of assembly of the manifold assembly, and militates against a rotation of the engine manifold.

Abstract: Featured is a bedplate for a reciprocating engine having a rollerized cranktrain. Such a bedplate includes a peripheral support structure having sides and ends, a plurality of cross members that extend between the sides of the peripheral support structure, and a plurality of rolling element bearings. Each of the plurality of cross members includes a bearing support portion, the bearing support portion being configured so as to receive and retain therein a portion of one of the rolling element bearings. Also, the portion of the rolling element bearing is such that when the bedplate is secured to a cylinder block of the reciprocating engine, the bearing support portion rotatably supports a crankshaft of the reciprocating engine. Also featured is a reciprocating engine having such a bedplate.

Abstract: Featured is a cylinder wall oil delivery system for a reciprocating engine having at least one cylinder and at least one piston movably received in the cylinder as well as a reciprocating engine embodying such a cylinder wall oil delivery system. Such an oil delivery system includes a squirter that is fixably arranged in each cylinder so that oil is directed therefrom to two different areas of the cylinder wall. The squirter includes a first nozzle being orientated so the oil is directed to one of the two cylinder wall areas and a second nozzle being orientated so the oil is directed to the other of two cylinder wall areas. In particular embodiments, the squirter is arranged so the oil targets the piston skirt thrust and anti-thrust travel areas of the cylinder wall and so as to regulate the oil flow from each nozzle.

Abstract: A rotary machine is provided, having a stator forming a chamber for a rotor, the stator having two sidewalls defining opposite sides of the chamber and a substantially continuous, circumferentially extending inner wall, and at least one inlet and outlet. A rotor and stator define two cavities at opposite ends of the chamber. The rotor has at least two radially extending slots and at least two radially movable vanes having first and second primary rollers and first and second secondary rollers mounted on a radially inward section of the vane. Two roller cam devices are each provided on a respective one of the stator side walls and are positioned centrally adjacent opposite sides of the rotor. In use, outer tips of the vanes slidingly engage the inner wall of the stator. The primary rollers limit outward vane movement due to centrifugal forces. Secondary rollers limit and control inward vanes movement.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a separate-type rotary engine which significantly reduces vibrations and weight as compared to conventional cylinder-type internal combustion engines, which is simple in configuration and thus reduces manufacturing costs, which directly generates rotary force rather than through a crankshaft to increase mechanical efficiency, and in which a compressor and a force generator are separated from each other to enable the simple design of an engine suitable for a variety of uses. The engine of the present invention shown in FIG.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of the vanes of vane machines by means of a disk-shaped control link arranged inside a divided rotor, which control link is connected to the housing of the machine by means of a central axle in alignment with the rotor shaft and takes on the guidance of the vanes when the rotor rotates relative to the housing track.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an internal combustion engine having a spark ignition unit. A liquid fuel is mixed with air in an injection procedure and, after ignition by the spark ignition unit, combusted while discharging mechanical power. A liquefied gas is combusted as the liquid fuel. The liquefied gas is at least partially injected using a direct injection nozzle into the combustion cylinder before the ignition by the spark ignition unit. A cooling unit cools the liquefied gas at least in a return line or a supply line.

Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a knock control module and a valve control module. The knock control module adjusts a period that one or more of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of a cylinder are open based on engine knock corresponding to the cylinder. The valve control module, based on the adjusted period, controls the one or more of the intake valve and the exhaust valve using one or more hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine includes: an abnormality determination portion determining the presence of an abnormality in a fuel system, such as an injector, by comparing an air-fuel ratio detected by an A/F sensor and a learning value of the air-fuel ratio with a preset abnormality determination value; an alcohol concentration estimating portion estimating the alcohol concentration in fuel based on the air-fuel ratio detected by the A/F sensor and the learning value; and an abnormality determination value changing portion changing the abnormality determination value depending on the alcohol concentration estimated by the alcohol concentration estimating portion.

Abstract: A decoupling element for a fuel injection device provides a low-noise construction. The fuel injection device has at least one fuel injection valve and a receiving bore in a cylinder head for the fuel injection valve as well as the decoupling element between a valve housing of the fuel injection valve and a wall of the receiving bore. The spring rigidity of the decoupling element is so low and the decoupling element is placed between the valve housing of the fuel injection valve and the wall of the receiving bore in such a way that the decoupling resonance is located in the frequency range below 2.5 kHz. The fuel injection device is particularly suitable for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing spark-ignited internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injector (1) having a high pressure region (32) which contains fuel that is under high pressure during operation, and a low pressure region (38) in which a lower pressure is present during operation than in the high pressure region (32). A sensor (12) is located in the low pressure region (38) and a transmission means (9) is arranged such that a force which is equal to the pressure of the fuel in the high pressure region (32) is exerted on the sensor (12) at least some of the time.

Abstract: A spark ignition type internal combustion engine of the present invention is provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism able to change a mechanical compression ratio, a variable valve timing mechanism able to control a closing timing of an intake valve, and a supercharger. At the time of engine low load operation, the mechanical compression ratio is made higher compared with at the time of engine high load operation. At the time of engine medium load operation, the supercharging action of the supercharger is used to make the pressure inside the intake pipe rise so that the intake air amount fed into a combustion chamber is increased, compared with at the time of engine low load operation, and the mechanical compression ratio is lowered to make the actual compression ratio fall.

Abstract: In a method for operating an injection valve having a longitudinal axis, an injection needle, a control valve and an actuator embodied as a solid body actuator, wherein the actuator acts on the control valve and the control valve acts on the injection nozzle, various pre-defined quantities of electrical energy are supplied to the actuator in a plurality of adaptation flows in order to modify an axial length of the actuator. This electrical energy is defined such that an axial position of the injection nozzle remains unchanged. In correlation with the respective adaptation flow, and following the energy supply associated with the respective adaptation flow, a first and second voltage value are detected and a voltage differential value is then determined which is compared with a pre-defined threshold value and, on the basis of the comparison, at least one control of the actuator is adapted to the injection of fluid.

Abstract: The horizontally opposed center fired engine improves on the traditional design of the horizontally opposed engines and center fired engines with a better engine geometry. The present invention utilizes four pairs of opposing pistons to compress a larger volume of air-fuel mixture within four different cylinders. The four different cylinders are radially positioned around a center axle in order to achieve a perfectly symmetric engine geometry. The center axle consists of two different shafts spinning in two different directions, which could drastically reduce engine vibrations in the present invention. Engine vibrations are caused by a change in engine speed and result in a loss of energy. Due to the design, the present invention will only experience energy loss in the form of entropy and friction. Thus, the present invention can convert a higher percentage of chemical energy into mechanical energy than any other internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A tank venting apparatus for a supercharged internal combustion engine (1) has a fuel tank (18), a fuel vapour reservoir (25) connected to the fuel tank (18) via a connecting line (26) and to an intake pipe (9) of the internal combustion engine (1) via a venting line (27), a tank venting valve (28) which is arranged in the venting line (27), and a safety valve (33) which is arranged in the venting line (27) between the tank venting valve (28) and the intake pipe (9). The safety valve (33) is configured so as to permit a gas flow in a blocking direction (S) from the intake pipe (9) to the tank venting valve (28) with a certain positive pressure in relation to the pressure at the tank venting valve (28) is achieved in the intake pipe (9).

Abstract: A method for charging an intake manifold of an engine comprises adjusting an LP EGR flow rate and an uncooled HP EGR flow rate within first limits to maintain a target dilution level in the intake manifold at steady-state. The method further comprises adjusting the LP EGR and uncooled HP EGR rates within second limits, different from the first, to maintain the target dilution level in the intake manifold during transient conditions.

Abstract: A method includes determining the moment of extinction of an ignition spark of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the ignition device has a high voltage transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, of which the primary side is connected to a high voltage source and the secondary side is connected to a spark path to provide the ignition spark. The time variation in the primary current flowing on the primary side is measured and subdivided at least into a spark burning phase and a subsequent free-running phase of the high voltage transformer, and the transition from the spark burning phase into the free-running phase is equated to the moment of extinction of the ignition spark. The time variation of the primary current in the spark burning phase is mapped by a first function and in the free-running phase by a second function, and the intersection point of the two functions is equated to the moment of extinction of the ignition spark.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a crankshaft, at least one compression piston which is housed in a compression cylinder, and at least one working piston which is housed in a working cylinder. Movement of the compression piston and of the working piston are coupled kinematically to movement of the crankshaft, so that the compression piston moves back and forth during a single revolution of the crankshaft in an intake stroke and a compression stroke and that the working piston moves back and forth during a single revolution of the crankshaft by a working stroke and an exhaust stroke. The compression cylinder has at least one inlet valve for drawing-in air into the compression cylinder during downward movement of the compression piston, and the working cylinder has at least one outlet valve for discharging combustion gases from the working cylinder during upward movement of the working piston.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas feedstream, a mass flowrate of intake air, and a commanded fuel pulse of fuel. A blend ratio of biodiesel fuel and petrodiesel fuel of the fuel is determined. Engine operation is controlled in response to the blend ratio of biodiesel fuel and petrodiesel fuel of the fuel.

Abstract: A ball throwing device includes a shaft having first and second ends and a ball holder formed on the first end of the shaft. The ball holder has first and second U-shaped pieces that define four curved finger elements and are arranged perpendicular to one another. In one embodiment, the shaft and the ball holder are made of bamboo. A cork handle is formed on the second end of the shaft. The ball throwing device can be combined with a hang card to form a display package. The hang card has a mounting aperture formed therein through which the shaft extends so that the ball holder abuts the hang card.

Abstract: A compressed gas-powered projectile accelerator is disclosed having an improved means of gas distribution, a valve locking mechanism, an improved combined bumper/seal, and self-contained modular components to improve efficiency, manufacturability, and reduce size and weight.

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a biofuel heating system for converting biofuel to heat energy to be delivered to a load comprising a combustion chamber defining a combustion zone, an under-fire zone, and an over-fire zone. A controller operates at least one of a fan, an under-fire damper, and an over-fire damper based on at least one operating parameter such that air flows along a flow path extending from at least one of an under-fire port and an over-fire port, through the combustion chamber, through a burn-out port, through a burn-out chamber, through a heat exchange port, through a heat exchange chamber, and out of an exhaust port. The heat exchange system transfers heat energy from air flowing through the heat exchange chamber to the working fluid.

Abstract: Domestic hob (10; 50) comprising a housing (14) with a bottom wall (16), wherein at least one thermically and/or electrically isolating and/or flame resistant, protection plate (24) is attached to the hob (10; 50) underneath the bottom wall (16), wherein a main plane (26) of the protection plate (24) is spaced apart from the bottom wall (16) by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An oven door includes an interior panel and an exterior panel. The interior panel faces the heating chamber and has a glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber. The exterior panel is affixed to the interior panel and includes a frame portion formed of plastic defining an aperture aligned with the glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber. A non-opaque panel is fixed relative to the frame portion and extends across the aperture. The non-opaque panel has an inside surface facing the interior panel and the exterior panel has a masking portion formed of plastic and integrally formed with the frame portion. The masking portion extends from the frame portion into the aperture along the inside surface of the non-opaque panel and defines a window for viewing the heating chamber through the glass sheet.

Abstract: A solid state moderated chemical reaction for use with a heating device comprises the complete reaction between iron powder and the oxidizer sodium chlorate in stoichiometric balance such that the oxygen, rather than being emitted externally to the device, is fully reacted internally in the heating device to a solid oxide. A heating device comprises a heating chamber defining an interior space for receiving and storing a substance to be heated, a heater for use as a source of heat which includes a reaction chamber, a solid state reaction composition disposed within the reaction chamber such that it is physically isolated from and in thermal communication with the interior space of the heating chamber, an activation mechanism in communication with the composition disposed within the reaction chamber, and wherein the reaction composition is inert until the activation mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: A cooking appliance equipped with at least one regulating valve having a rotary regulator organ. The rotary regulator organ has an actuating shaft a plurality of peripheral openings adapted for regulating a flow of gas through the regulating valve. In a first angular position the rotary regulator organ is adapted to supply a constant flow Qmin of a first type of fuel through a first peripheral opening. In a second angular position, successive to the first angular position, the rotary regulator organ is adapted to supply a constant flow Qmin of a second type of fuel through a second peripheral opening. In one implementation a feature that rotates with the actuating shaft is adapted to engage a feature on the cooking appliance to limit the rotation of the rotary regulator organ to the first angular position.

Abstract: A heating apparatus can have a sealed combustion chamber, a burner, and various air channels to direct air into the sealed combustion chamber and to provide heated air to the desired area or environment such as an interior room. A channel can direct a flow of air along a face of the sealed combustion chamber to cool the face. The channel can be within or outside of the sealed combustion chamber. Alternatively, or in addition, the heating apparatus can be capable of operating as a direct vent device or as a vent free device.

Abstract: A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflector facing in a first direction, a second reflector facing in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, and a rotational member having a long axis transverse to the first and second directions, the rotational member disposed between and coupled to each of the first and second reflectors.

Abstract: A solar concentrator assembly is disclosed. The solar concentrator assembly comprises a first reflective device having a first reflective front side and a first rear side, a second reflective device having a second reflective front side and a second rear side, the second reflective device positioned such that the first reflective front side faces the second rear side, and a support assembly coupled to and supporting the first and second reflective devices, the second reflective device positioned to be vertically offset from the first reflective device.

Abstract: A startup system for a solar boiler includes a main fluid circuit having a plurality of solar boiler panels for generating power from solar energy. An auxiliary fluid circuit is selectively connected in fluid communication with the main fluid circuit by a plurality of valves. An auxiliary boiler is operatively connected to the auxiliary fluid circuit. The valves connecting the auxiliary fluid circuit to the main fluid circuit are configured to be opened and closed to selectively place the auxiliary boiler in fluid communication with portions of the main fluid circuit to supply heat to the portions of the main fluid circuit in preparation to produce power from solar energy.

Abstract: A luminescent solar concentrator including a light-guiding slab containing a luminescent material that generates light emissions in response to received sunlight, spaced-apart outcoupling structures that provide a distributed outcoupling of the light emissions through predetermined locations on one of the “broadside” (e.g., upper or lower) surfaces of the light-guiding slab, and optical elements positioned to redirect the outcoupled light emissions such that the light emissions are concentrated onto a predetermined target (e.g., a PV cell). Each optical element includes a collimating surface portion and optional returner surface.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel conversion system adapted for operation engagement with either of a first associated fluid fuel source or a second associated fluid fuel source. The fuel conversion system may comprise a convertible regulator, a fuel distribution, and a transmission. A convertible regulator may be adapted to receive either a first fluid fuel or a second fluid fuel. A fuel distribution valve may be operatively engaged with said convertible regulator. A transmission may be operatively engaged to said fuel distribution valve and operatively engaged with the convertible regulator.

Abstract: A delivery device (10) for the delivery of at least one dose of a composition into a nasal cavity, the device has a discharge member (12) formed for insertion into a nasal cavity, a discharge aperture (20) being formed therethrough and a body (14) containing a reservoir (24) of at least one dose, the body is elongated and generally extending along a longitudinal axis (16), wherein the discharge member (12) extends along a secondary axis (18), the secondary axis (18) intersecting with, and being disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis (16).

Abstract: An intubating attachment apparatus for use with endotracheal intubation devices comprising an elongated, generally cylindrical support module configured to accommodate a fiber optic intubation scope and at least one of an endotracheal tube or an endotracheal tube exchanger. The invention obviates the need for an attending medical professional to utilize more than one hand when advancing an endotracheal tube and/or endotracheal tube exchanger along with the fiber optic bundle of a bronchoscope into a patient.