Abstract: An edible pet chew 114 has a first casing 10 of plant base material and a second protein 12 of flavored material for example jerky that is wrapped with the first sheet to form alternating layers in the edible pet chew.

Abstract: An architecture is presented that provides an audio dog collar system. The audio dog collar system comprises a pet collar for securing the audio dog collar to a pet and an audio player secured to the pet collar. The audio player comprises a USB port that utilizes a USB cable to upload songs and playlists directly from a computer to the audio player. Further, the audio player could also comprise a memory card port that utilizes a memory card. The memory card stores songs and playlists to be uploaded to the audio player. Furthermore, the audio dog collar system comprises a remote control to control operations of the audio player, weather-resistant speakers, and a rechargeable battery. Additionally, the audio player is contained within a zippered compartment of the pet collar for easy access.

Abstract: An animal light collar including a band, a housing, and a lighting device within the housing, such that the light collar is configured to fit around the neck of the animal. The band includes two ends connected to the housing. A portion of the lighting device, more specifically a battery-powered, light emitting diode, is inserted into ends of the band. The band further includes light scattering portions to distribute the light from the lighting device at the ends evenly throughout the band.

Abstract: Example embodiments for reducing thermal load in one or more exhaust gas lines are provided. One embodiment includes an internal combustion engine with liquid cooling, comprising at least one exhaust gas line, at least one coolant jacket, and a common boundary wall separating the at least one exhaust gas line and the at least one coolant jacket, wherein the common boundary wall includes a surface structure provided on sides of the coolant jacket in at least one locally limited region. In this way, the surface structure on the sides of the coolant jacket may increase heat transfer to reduce thermal loading.

Abstract: The first aspect of the present invention is a cylinder head containing a water jacket in which a passage for EGR gas is disposed, and the EGR gas passage has a hollow pipe that is disposed in the hollow pipe and through which the EGR gas passes and an end member that is formed with an insert hole into which the end of the hollow pipe is inserted and fixed. The end member has a bottom that is provided with the insert hole, a side wall that is formed continuously to the bottom, and a wedge portion that is projected outward from the outer peripheral of the side wall and includes a inclined surface facing the wall of the cylinder head and inclined to the flow direction of the EGR gas. The EGR gas passage is fixed to the cylinder head by holding the wedge portion of the end member between a fastening member for fastening the EGR gas passage to the cylinder head and the wall of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A heat engine employs an auxiliary cylinder to receiving exhaust gases from a main cylinder during its exhaust phase to extract mechanical energy from the heat in the exhaust gases. The auxiliary cylinder has an auxiliary piston that reciprocates with an asymmetric pattern in respect to the main crank a counter-rotating auxiliary cranks such that the downward stroke of the auxiliary piston and the upward stroke of the auxiliary piston correspond to crank angles above and below 180 degrees. In one favorable embodiment, fresh air can be drawn in and combined with the exhaust gases.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for varying the compression ratio in opposed-piston engines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an opposed-piston engine can include a first phaser operably coupled to a first crankshaft and a second phaser operably coupled to a corresponding second crankshaft. The phase angle between the crankshafts can be changed to reduce or increase the compression ratio in the corresponding combustion chamber to optimize or at least improve engine performance under a given set of operating conditions.

Abstract: A valve timing control device comprises a drive-side rotational member synchronously rotatable with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a driven-side rotational member mounted coaxially with the drive-side rotational member and synchronously rotatable with a camshaft for opening and closing a valve of the internal combustion engine; a fluid pressure chamber defined by the drive-side rotational member and the driven-side rotational member; a partition provided in at least one of the drive-side rotational member and the driven-side rotational member for dividing the fluid pressure chamber into a retarded angle chamber and an advanced angle chamber; a fluid feeding/discharging mechanism for controlling feed/discharge of working fluid relative to the fluid pressure chamber; a locking mechanism for restricting a relative rotational phase of the driven-side rotational member relative to the drive-side rotational member to a predetermined phase between a most retarded angle phase and a most advanced angle

Abstract: A cam shaft adjuster for adjusting the angle-of-rotation positions of a cam shaft relative to a crankshaft. The cam shaft adjuster has at least two operating chambers to which pressure oil can be supplied to change the angle-of-rotation position. At least one of the operating chambers can be deactivated depending on an operating parameter by blocking the pressure oil supply.

Abstract: Various types of valve systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a positive control reciprocating sleeve valve system for use with an internal combustion engine includes opening and closing rockers controlled by corresponding opening and closing cam lobes. In one aspect of this embodiment, interference can be designed into the valve control system to provide additional “hold-closed” force to hold the valve against its seat during a portion of the engine cycle. In another aspect of this embodiment, positive control valve systems can include compliant components and systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and/or mechanical spring systems to control valve lash, facilitate sealing, etc.

Abstract: A starter motor for an internal combustion engine has an electric motor, a shaft driven by the motor, and a pinion assembly arranged to engage a flywheel of the engine. The pinion assembly has a drive collar mounted to a helical spline of the shaft, an output gear and an elastic member disposed between the drive collar and the output gear. A connection shell prevents axial separation between the drive collar and the output gear. The elastic member prevents direct contact between the connection shell and at least one and possibly both of the drive collar and the output gear.

Abstract: An intake system of combustion air is provided for a vehicle. The intake system has an intake opening, an intake duct, and an air filter. The intake opening is situated on one side of a water separation container, which is fixed on a girder of the vehicle. The intake opening is situated in a front most front face of the vehicle in the travel direction for this purpose.

Abstract: An intake tract is provided for combustion air of a vehicle. The intake tract includes, but is not limited to an intake opening and an intake channel. At the end of the intake channel a sound source is arranged, which is sound-dampened by a sound damping device in the intake channel. An air filter is arranged between part regions of the intake channel and downstream of the air filter an air mass sensor is provided in an intake channel section, wherein the intake channel section of the air mass sensor includes, but is not limited to the sound damping device.

Abstract: A sleeve valve with a valve body that at least partially encircles at least one piston that moves in a reciprocating manner can, at least partially define with the at least one piston a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A valve actuation mechanism can move the sleeve valve between an open position and a closed position to control flow through a port of the internal combustion engine. The sealing edge of the sleeve valve can be urged against a valve seat by an urging force generated by the valve actuation mechanism when the sleeve valve is moved to the closed position. At least one of the sleeve valve and the valve seat can include a valve assistance feature that assists the valve actuation mechanism in resisting forces generated by the internal combustion engine in opposition to the urging force. Related articles, systems, and methods are described.

Abstract: An engine valve comprising a chromiferous steel and a protective surface layer (5) which consists of iron chrome oxide. A method for manufacture of an engine valve with a protective layer includes an engine component of a chromiferous steel which is heated (200) at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time so that a layer (5) of iron chrome oxide is formed on the engine component's surface, and the engine component is then cooled (300) to room temperature.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide a rotary valve system for piston engines. The valve system for piston engines comprises an intake rotary valve, an exhaust rotary valve arranged in conjunction with the intake rotary valve, a crankshaft gear and a plurality of spindle gears. The plurality of spindle gears are connected to at least one of the intake rotary valve and the exhaust rotary valve to transfer a rotary force from the crankshaft gear to at-least one of the intake rotary valves and exhaust rotary valves such that intake rotary valve and the exhaust rotary valve are set in motion. The valve system provides for changing the volume and timing for entering the fuel and the air into the engine and exiting smoke from the engine. The rotary valve system decreases shake of the engine and performs the required performance of the engine within specified range.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, which includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head fastened to the cylinder block, an aperture formed in a side of the cylinder head, and a conduit assembly, such as an intake runner assembly or an exhaust conduit assembly. A combustion chamber is formed by the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The intake runner assembly is received within the aperture and configured to communicate air to the combustion chamber. The intake runner assembly includes a first piece and a second piece. The first piece has a first channel that includes a bend. The second piece has a second channel that includes another bend mirroring the bend of the first channel. The first piece is coupled to the second piece such that the first and second channels together form a flow path through the intake runner assembly, and the bends of the first and second channels together form a smooth turn in the flow path.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in an internal combustion engine is provided by the present disclosure. The piston assembly includes a piston body having an extended piston mantel, a piston face, an internal cavity, and a wrist pin support. Two oil retainer seals are located concentrically about the extended piston mantel near a distal end, each oil retainer seal having an internal groove and being formed of a polymer material. Two compression clips are disposed within the internal grooves of the two oil retainer seals and are adapted to assist the oil retainer seals in establishing contact with an inner wall of a cavity in a cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The piston body is formed of an engineered composite material.

Abstract: An amount of inlet air can be delivered to a combustion volume of an internal combustion engine via an air inlet port, and delivery of an amount of a fuel from a compressed fuel reservoir to the combustion volume can be controlled via a pressurized fuel inlet port positioned to the deliver the amount of the fuel directly into the combustion volume separately from the air inlet port. The amount of the fuel can be controlled relative to the amount of the inlet air to create an air-fuel mixture within the combustion volume having a target air/fuel ratio. In other aspects, a vehicle chassis can be designed to incorporate a compressed fuel reservoir as a structural part of the chassis. Methods, system, and articles of manufacture relating to these features are described.

Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection of an engine is disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing is adjusted to account for fuels having different cetane numbers. Operation of the engine may be improved especially during conditions where combustion phase may vary.

Abstract: A direct-injection internal combustion engine is provided. The engine comprises at least one cylinder in which a combustion chamber is jointly formed by a piston crown of a piston and by a cylinder head, each cylinder having an inlet opening for the supply of fresh air, and an injection nozzle which is arranged in the cylinder head on the opposite side of the piston crown, on which injection nozzle, at a free end projecting into the combustion chamber, are provided a plurality of nozzle holes for the direct injection of the fuel, the injection nozzle being arranged eccentrically, spaced apart from a longitudinal axis of the cylinder and inclined at an angle ? to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, at least two of the plurality of nozzle holes including opening cross-sections of different size. In this way, an equal fuel distribution in the cylinder may be provided.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and method of improving fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in combustion engines is disclosed. A liquid aerosol catalyst is introduced in to the air intake stream of a combustion engine and allowed to react during the oxidation of the fuel in the combustion chamber. The catalyst mixture contains platinum, rhenium, cerium, alcohol, and water.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine provided by the present invention is a control device which can satisfy both a requirement relating to exhaust gas performance of the internal combustion engine and a requirement relating to operation performance by properly regulating a change speed of a required air-fuel ratio, in the internal combustion engine which uses torque and an air-fuel ratio as control variables. The control device receives the requirement relating to the exhaust gas performance of the internal combustion engine, and calculates an air-fuel ratio which satisfies the requirement as a required air-fuel ratio. When a predetermined reduction condition is not satisfied, an original required air-fuel ratio is directly determined as a final required air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine can be operated in response to a received first throttle control input in a first operating regime that includes delivering a first air-fuel mixture having a first air/fuel ratio to a combustion volume to deliver a first output power in a first output power range between zero and a transition output power level. The engine can be operated in response to a received second throttle control input in a second operating regime that includes delivering a second air/fuel ratio richer than the first air/fuel ratio to the combustion volume to deliver a second output power in a second output power range between the transition output power level and a maximum output power level. Related methods, systems, and article of manufacture are described.

Abstract: A high volume combustion catalyst system of the current invention delivers an aerosol liquid catalyst into a diesel engine for the express purpose of enhancing combustion efficiency, thus, lowering fuel consumption and emissions. This invention is capable of extremely precise catalyst delivery and can service the full range of commercially available diesel engines.

Abstract: A fuel distribution pipe for a motor vehicle includes a tubular body having an end face, and a closure part which is arranged on the end face for sealing the tubular body against fuel leakage. The closure part is constructed as a retaining member for securing the fuel distribution pipe on a component of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with combustion chambers into which liquid and gaseous fuel is introduced together with intake air is operated, at least predominantly, with only one type of fuel in a range in which a harmful HC excess is produced by internal combustion. A retrofitting/conversion kit for such an internal combustion engine has at least one securing plate for at least one injection nozzle for gaseous fuel, wherein a supply conduit for the gaseous fuel is connectable to the at least one injection nozzle, wherein the at least one securing plate is an intermediate flange to be connected between a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine and an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. 3, the present invention provides a fluid injector (10) which functions as a positive displacement pump and comprises: a housing (12) in which a piston chamber is formed; a piston (11) which reciprocates in the piston chamber to define therewith a variable volume fluid pumping chamber; a one-way inlet valve (32) which allows flow of fluid into the pumping chamber from a fluid inlet; and a one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29) which allows flow of fluid out of the pumping chamber to a fluid outlet (31). In operation of the injector the piston (11) cyclically moves to increase volume of the pumping chamber and draw fluid into the pumping chamber via the one-way inlet valve (32) and then the piston moves to decrease volume of the pumping chamber and expel fluid from the pumping chamber via the one-way outlet valve (25, 26, 27, 28, 29).

Abstract: A sensor structure capable of achieving both resistance to pollution and measurement performance such as humidity responsiveness is disclosed as is a multifunction sensor capable of facilitating integration of detecting devices for various physical quantities. The sensor structure includes a housing including a connector that mediates an input/output exchange with an outside and a terminal of the connector; and an electronic circuit board that is mounted inside of the housing and includes a humidity sensing element, the terminal of the connector and the electronic circuit board being electrically connected to each other, the sensor structure being inserted to be attached to an airflow tube through which a main air flows, via a seal material provided in the housing. The housing includes a plurality of bypass channels that each communicate an inside of the housing with an inside of the airflow tube.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery system has a fuel tank, an adsorbent canister, a separator capable of separating fuel vapor from air, and a negative pressure supplier applying negative pressure to the adsorbent canister in order to remove the fuel vapor from the adsorbent canister. The separator has a housing and a separation membrane. The separation membrane divides an inner space of the housing into a receiving chamber and a permeation chamber and is configured to allow the fuel vapor to pass therethrough. The separator is connected with the fuel tank such that the fuel tank is fluidly connected with the receiving chamber. The negative pressure supplier is fluidly connected with the adsorbent canister via the permeation chamber. When the negative pressure supplier applies negative pressure to the adsorbent canister, purge gas flows from the adsorbent canister into the fuel tank via the permeation chamber.

Abstract: The invention presents a method of converting a diesel fueled engine to a blended-fuel engine capable of operating on blended gaseous fuel and diesel fuel, where the diesel fueled engine has a plurality of cylinders, a plurality of diesel fuel injectors for injecting diesel fuel into the cylinders, and an Engine Control Unit (ECU) for controlling at least the operation of the diesel injectors by sending diesel fuel injector control signals to the diesel fuel injectors.

Abstract: An internal-combustion-engine electronic control system according to the present invention is provided with a power switching device that applies or shuts off a primary current of an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine so that at the secondary side of the ignition coil, there is generated a voltage for making an ignition plug of the internal combustion engine produce a spark discharge; and a control unit that turns on or off the power switching device. The internal-combustion-engine electronic control system is characterized in that the control unit is provided with a circuit unit that makes the power switching device softly shut off so as to prevent the ignition plug from producing the spark discharge, and in accordance with the characteristics of the power switching device, the control unit changes the characteristics of the soft shutoff halfway through the shutoff operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber, wherein a surface of at least one component of the combustion chamber and/or of an internal-combustion-engine component which is close to the combustion chamber and carries the exhaust gas stream is at least partially coated with a catalytic coating, said surface coming into contact with an air-fuel mixture or with an exhaust gas stream. The invention provides that the catalytic coating has a nanostructure composed of oblong structural elements, wherein the first ends of the structural elements adhere to the coated surface and the second ends of the structural elements project into the combustion chamber or into the space which carries the exhaust gas stream. Such a coating is preferably produced according to the gas flow sputtering method or according to the magnetron sputtering method.

Abstract: Arrow securing devices and various methods and making are disclosed herein. An exemplary arrow securing device typically includes a cord, one or two nock coupling end, and a locking mechanism. Each nock coupling end is typically located at and of the cord. The locking mechanism can be connected to the cord and is releasably lockable. Typically, the locking mechanism includes a clamping aperture through which the cord can be passed. With use of a button on the locking mechanism, the clamping aperture can be clamped locked or loosened to adjust the length of the cord to each nock coupling end. The arrow securing device can be attached to various portions of a quiver. Then the nock coupling ends can be removably attached to the nocks of arrows in a quiver to stabilize and secure the arrows within the quiver.

Abstract: The present invention includes a projectile assembly for underwater hunting and specimen collection comprising at least a cylindrical launcher, a projectile spear initially kept within the cylindrical launcher, and an elastic tension band attached to the cylindrical launcher. The invention also includes a method of capturing underwater prey or specimens using the projectile assembly. The cylindrical launcher can include a launch cap with a hole, through which the launch end of the spear is slotted prior to launching the spear. The projectile spear is launched by pulling the launch end of the spear through the cylindrical barrel and through the hole of the launch cap, placing against the middle section of the elastic tension band and pulling the tension band tight and away from cylindrical barrel along its longitudinal axis, then releasing the elastic tension band.

Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention provide improved systems and methods for mounting accessories, such as a rangefinder, to supporting structure, such as an archery bow or firearm. The improved accessory mount includes one or more brackets adapted to interface to the accessory and to the supporting structure. Preferred brackets provide universal adaptability between and amongst a variety of supporting structures.

Abstract: Methods for cropping a cylindrical ingot and, in some particular embodiments, for cropping a multicrystalline ingot such as a multicrystalline silicon ingot.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for sawing a single crystal ingot. The apparatus includes a wire saw sawing an ingot, a roller driving the wire saw, and a bath containing a liquid cooling the ingot before sawing the ingot.

Abstract: A furnace includes a cabinet having a top plate and a blower located in the cabinet. A blower shelf is located in the cabinet and has a first side supportive of the blower and a second side including one or more canted slide rails. A heat exchanger is located in the cabinet between the blower and the top plate and is securable to the one or more canted slide rails. The one or more canted slide rails are configured to allow removal of the heat exchanger from the cabinet along the canted slide rails without removal of the top plate from the cabinet.

Abstract: A disassemblable far infrared knee-and-foot warming device includes a bottom plate, a top plate, a front frame, a curved plate, a plurality of screws and an opening. By operating the screws, the bottom plate, the top plate, the front frame and the curved plate can be assembled or disassembled, and the curved plate is provided with a far infrared heating plate. Thereby, the far infrared heating plate generates far infrared thermal energy, and the warming device can be easily disassembled for saving costs related to packaging, storage and transportation, and can be easily reassembled for use.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic plate of lithium aluminosilicate free of arsenic and antimony, the optical transmission of which, for a thickness of 4 mm, is between 0.2 and 4% for at least one wavelength between 400 and 500 nm.

Abstract: A solar power ground engagement device with an ecological environmental protection function primarily consists of a tube which has a drainage function and is combined with a water accumulating box at its bottom; a power gatherer is provided at the interior of the tube which is engaged into the ground paving and goes through to the macadam beneath the paving, such that the paving would serve as a water permeable ecological paving to allow the rain accumulated on the ground to instantly permeate into the underground, and concomitantly allow the macadam to keep a high content of water to enhance generation of microbe and activation of the soil; in addition, the power gatherer in the tube can absorb the solar power to develop a condensing or heat gathering function to accomplish regulation of the integral temperature and humidity of the environment.

Abstract: An air control regulator regulates the amount of air flowing into the inlet of a combustion chamber by causing flowing air to support a disc located in the air passage against the force of gravity. Air passes around the edges of the disc and is channeled into a plurality of airflows by ovoid depressions in the inner surfaces of the regulator forming a venturi chamber. By regulating the airflow into the combustion chamber, combustion efficiency is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water heater system comprising: a hot water boiler having top, bottom and side walls; a flue connected to the top wall; a burner secured to a side wall of the first housing; a combustible feeder connected to the burner; an evaporator having a housing, the housing comprising an outlet, heat exchange elements located in the housing and a water discharge device spaced above the heat exchange elements, wherein the evaporator provides a source of humid air to the burner for increasing the combustion product dew point and to reduce NOx emission when burned; and a heat recovery system connected to the flue wherein the heat is used for heating water used by the water discharge device.

Abstract: An improved concentrated solar power collector, includes a frame intended to be mounted rotatable to a stand surface, according to a first axis perpendicular to the stand surface, at least one solar concentrator fixed on the frame at a desired angle determined so that the solar concentrator is oriented at between 20 and 70° with reference to the stand surface and reflect or direct sunlight upwardly toward a heat pipe, connected to a steam network including a steam tank carried by the frame, wherein the frame is able to rotate automatically to provide an azimuth-tracking of the solar concentrator following the azimuth of the sun, wherein the steam tank works with a diffusion absorption cooling machine or a hot water heating arrangement, feeding a warm-water tank and an ice/cold-water tank, the warm-water and ice/cold-water tanks being directly connected to a house.

Abstract: A solar thermal power system with associated heat exchanger, variable focus heliostat, and a heliostat stand with a pneumatic piston for shock absorption and positioning is disclosed. The heat exchanger is a solar receiver possessing a beveled bottom substantially perpendicular to the angles of the reflected light from the surrounding heliostats.

Abstract: A collapsible fire pit comprising an upper fire pit portion pivotally secured to a lower fire pit portion which enables the fire pit to be selectively movable between a collapsed position to an extended cylindrical position. Collapsible or folding legs are also provided to position the lower end of the fire pit above a supporting surface.

Abstract: Nebulizer systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed. The apparatus includes a body, a breathing gas inlet and outlet, and a barrier. The body is sized to be positioned within an adaptor of the nebulizer system. The breathing gas inlet and the breathing gas outlet are at opposite ends of the body. The barrier is coupled to the body. A plurality of holes are formed in the barrier. The plurality of holes open in a direction orthogonal to the breathing gas inlet. The system employs the apparatus in conjunction with a nebulizer and an adaptor. The method includes generating an aerosolized medicament, providing the aerosolized medicament to the adaptor, passing the aerosolized medicament through the barrier of the apparatus, providing a breathing gas to the apparatus, and flowing the aerosolized medicament and the breathing gas through the breathing gas outlet of the apparatus.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating an aerosol inhalation device (10), comprising the steps of transporting a certain amount of an aerosol to a desired location outside said device (10) and vibrating the transported aerosol when it has reached said desired location. In a second aspect, the invention relates to an aerosol inhalation device (10) comprising a pump (1) for flowing a certain amount of an aerosol to a desired location outside the device (10), a vibrator (2) for vibrating the transported aerosol in a vibration mode and a control configured to actuate the vibrator (2) for vibrating the flowed aerosol only when it has reached said desired location.

Abstract: A nasal spray device for the delivery of a pharmaceutical formulation to the nasal cavity in metered doses. The device includes: a pressurised aerosol canister including a vial containing a pharmaceutical formulation including an active ingredient, a propellant and, optionally, a co-solvent, the aerosol canister further including a metering valve having a valve stem; and an actuator for the aerosol canister, the actuator including a stem block having a receptacle into which the valve stem of metering valve of the aerosol canister is received and axially located and being displaceable relative to the vial of the aerosol canister to actuate the metering valve of the aerosol canister, a sump extending below the receptacle, the stem block further defining a discharge orifice for the pharmaceutical formulation and a transfer channel through which a dispensed dose of the pharmaceutical formulation is able to pass from the sump to the discharge orifice.