Abstract: Operation of a bird deterrent system includes i. measurement of bird habituation to activation of deterrent devices; ii. reduction of habituation through increased selectivity in activating deterrents only for birds posing a threat to or threatened by a protected area, and in particular, those within threat altitudes; iii. provision of analytical data in support of safety management systems, risk management, etc.; iv. integrated, wide-area radar coverage with multiple virtual intrusion zones providing multiple lines of defense around and over very large protected areas.

Abstract: Electronic components, including a transceiver (220) for two-way wireless communications, are carried by a freely roaming animal (190) such as a rat. Electrodes are implanted in the brain of the animal to provide cues and rewards to the animal to achieved desired behaviors, including controlling the direction and speed of movement of the animal, and training the animal to recognize odors. Network interface components (265) allow a network of the animals to work together. Sensors (225, 230, 235, 245, 255, 260) carried by the animal provide information to a remote base station regarding, e.g., heading and location. Chemical or gas sensors, along with a video camera and a microphone provide information regarding an environment of the animal. The animal can search for people buried in rubble piles, and detect explosives, chemicals or other dangerous materials. A vehicle (500) for deploying the animal is also provided.

Abstract: A radial-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system includes a base unit and at least one collar, and is easy to set up and use. Each of the base unit and the one collar include a temperature compensated crystal oscillator for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/?5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.

Abstract: An animal restraint, or “head bail” apparatus for a livestock handling device has two opposed gates to trap the neck of an animal. The gates are pneumatically operated and lockable at any position by a brake caliper assembly that locks onto a releasable braking member, which slides as the gates operate. The bail apparatus can be used with a cattle crush although it may also be used in applications other than with a cattle crush.

Abstract: A system that controls temperature in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). One heat recovery steam generator system may include a first exhaust path. The heat recovery steam generator system also may include a second exhaust path. The heat recovery steam generator system may include a first damper configured to selectively allow a portion of an exhaust to flow through the second exhaust path.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for reducing vehicle emissions by converting exhaust gases to hydrocarbon fuel. The apparatus and process supplement conventional emission control techniques to further reduce vehicle emissions of harmful substances. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger to extract thermal energy from exhaust gases of a combustion engine that powers propulsion of a vehicle, a membrane separator to separate water and carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases, and a catalytic reactor comprising a nano catalyst. The catalytic reactor receives the water and the carbon dioxide from the membrane separator, contains a reaction of the water and the carbon dioxide that produces hydrocarbon fuel and is facilitated by the nano catalyst, and uses the thermal energy from the heat exchanger to stimulate the reaction. The catalytic reactor is contained within a body of the heat exchanger to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy.

Abstract: A system for an engine is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a cylinder head, an engine block, and a gasket assembly sealing the cylinder head to the engine block. Further, the gasket assembly may include a plurality of apertures positioned between an inner beading region and an outer beading region to concentrate a clamping load.

Abstract: Exemplary pistons are disclosed, e.g., for an internal combustion engine. An exemplary piston includes a lower part and an upper part, whereby the lower part and the upper part define a circumferential closed cooling gallery. The cooling gallery may be provided with a gallery bottom. The piston may further include a circumferential bar positioned on the gallery bottom, the circumferential bar defining at least one coolant inlet and at least one coolant outlet extending through the bar.

Abstract: A heat storage device keeps engine coolant hot during operating pauses of the engine allowing quick heating during a cold start of the engine. The capacity of the heat storage device for coolant is twice as large as the capacity for coolant of the coolant circulation system and the engine. An inflow line, an outflow line and a ventilation line pass through the bottom of the heat storage device and are heat insulated on the inside of the heat storage device. Hot coolant from the heat storage device is transferred in two portions into the cold engine. The second portion is transferred when the rising temperature of the metal motor mass has come close to the falling temperature of the first portion of coolant that was circulating in the engine. The heat storage device includes outer and inner containers with a high vacuum in the insulating space between the containers.

Abstract: Actuator device of a sliding cam system, having at least one sliding cam (2) and having an engagement pin (9) which protrudes out of a housing (6), wherein the housing (6) can be fastened to a component of a cylinder head or to the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, and it is possible for contact to be made with the engagement pin (9) by at least one groove (3) of the sliding cam system, which groove (3) has at least one ejection ramp (4), and wherein, within the housing (6), the engagement pin (9) has a permanent holding magnet (11) and, adjoining it, is a controlling stationary coil core (9) which can be magnetized by an electric coil (7), and the engagement pin (9) is spring-loaded in the direction of the sliding cam (2), and wherein an actuating device is installed at least at that end region of the engagement pin (9) which faces the sliding cam (2), which actuating device is active in the region of the run-out of the ejection ramp (4) to the high circle (18) and generates an additional force

Abstract: A valve mechanism is disclosed for a cylinder of an internal combustion engine which comprises two gas exchange poppet valves mounted in a cylinder head, a bridge 122 acting on the two valves, a cam for actuating the two valves, a slider 124 movable by the cam and slidable relative to the bridge 122, and a hydraulically controlled locking system having a latched position in which the slider transmits the force of the cam to the bridge 122 to actuate the two valves and a released position in which the valves are deactivated and the slider slides freely relative to the bridge. In the invention, the slider 124 is urged towards the cam by a spring 134 acting between the slider 124 and the cylinder head.

Abstract: A fluid-pressure-operated valve timing controller includes an outer rotor, an inner rotor, and a spiral spring constructed by an element wire spirally extending. The spiral spring biases the inner rotor in a biasing direction when the spiral spring twistingly deforms in accordance with sliding rotation of the inner rotor in a deformation direction relative to the outer rotor. The spiral spring has a bent part bent to protrude in a radial direction. The bent part of the spiral spring is linearly contact with a part of the element wire located adjacent to the bent part in the radial direction.

Abstract: A rotor (4) for a camshaft adjuster (14) is provided. The rotor (4) has a rotor core (6) that can be pushed onto a camshaft (2) and rotationally symmetric vanes (8) that extend radially away from the rotor core (6). Here, the rotor core (6) has an axial projection (10) projecting over the vanes (8). A profile (12) extends radially away from the axial projection (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates methods of operating internal combustion engines and particularly marine diesel engines that result in reduced levels of sulfur trioxide, and similar corrosive and/or harmful byproducts of combustion. The present invention allows for the use of a lower TBN engine lubricant with a fuel of given sulfur and/or the use of a higher sulfur content fuel with an engine lubricant of a given TBN content than would otherwise be possible, without risking corrosive damage to engine.

Abstract: A laser spark plug device for an internal combustion engine includes a prechamber for receiving an ignitable medium and at least one overflow channel providing a fluid connection between an internal space of the prechamber and an external space surrounding the prechamber. The at least one overflow channel is configured such that when a fluid flows through the overflow channel into the internal space of the prechamber, the result is a fluid flow having at least one eddy which rotates on an eddy axis forming an angle of more than approximately 45° with a longitudinal axis of the laser spark plug device.

Abstract: An assembly includes an engine main body, a spark plug and a gasket. The spark plug is mounted to the engine main body by tightening a male-threaded portion of the spark plug into a female-threaded portion of the engine main body with the gasket elastically deformed between a seat surface of the engine main body and a seating surface of the spark plug. The gasket is made of a metallic material whose yield stress or 0.2% proof stress is not lower than 200 N/mm2. The gasket has first and second contact surfaces respectively in contact with the seating surface of the spark plug and the seat surface of the engine main body. The first and second contact surfaces of the gasket are each formed as a part of a curved surface that has a convex shape, and are offset from each other in a radial direction of the spark plug.

Abstract: An air supply device (2) used in a two-stroke engine includes: an insulator (14) having an insulator mixture passage (17) that is in communication with an intake port (5A) provided in an engine body (1) of the two-stroke engine, the insulator being attached to the engine body (1); a carburetor (15) having an insulator mixture passage (17) that is in communication with an insulator mixture passage (17), the carburetor (15) being attached to the insulator (14); an air cleaner (16) having a mixture-side opening (25) that is in communication with the carburetor mixture passage (19), the air cleaner (16) being attached to the carburetor (15); an accumulating portion (29) that accumulates a blow-back fuel returned through the mixture-side opening 25, the accumulating portion (29) being provided inside the air cleaner (16); and an auxiliary passage having a base end connected to the accumulating portion (29) and a distal end connected to a portion affected by a pressure fluctuation inside a crankcase chamber provide

Abstract: An air intake device for an internal combustion engine includes an air intake path, a throttle valve, and a first partition plate. The throttle valve is provided in the air intake path and includes a valve shaft and a valve body. The valve body is connected to the valve shaft to open and close the air intake path and has a first end and a second end. The first partition plate is disposed approximately parallel to a flow direction of intake air and includes opposite ends connected to a first inner wall surface of the air intake path closer to the first end than the second end. The first partition plate has a substantially curved convex shape protruding radially inward of the air intake path. The first partition plate is located downstream of the first end of the valve body.

Abstract: A balance shaft assembly for a vehicle, which includes a balance shaft carrier disposed under a cylinder block and, includes an oil pan, an upper end of the oil pan being coupled to a bottom of the cylinder block, may include a balance shaft protruding rearward from the balance shaft carrier and rotatably supported by the balance shaft carrier, a balance weight formed on an outer circumferential surface of the balance shaft, and a balance weight receiving portion formed at the oil pan and coupled to the balance shaft carrier to seal the balance weight therebetween.

Abstract: An opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder engine in which the intake and exhaust pistons are symmetrically arranged has a small inertial force imbalance in the direction of reciprocation of the pistons. A center of gravity of the crankshaft can be displaced from the axis of rotation to at least partially overcome this imbalance. Such counterweighting of the crankshaft cancels a portion of the inertial balance due to the pistons but introduces an inertial imbalance in an orthogonal direction with respect to the piston-induced imbalance. By providing additional counterweights on pulleys rotating at the same speed, but the opposite direction, as the crankshaft, the imbalance can be substantially eliminated to yield substantially a perfectly-balanced engine.

Abstract: In an engine, blow-by is substantially eliminated and friction is significantly reduced using one or more combinations of non-metallic rings. By substantially eliminating blow-by and by reducing friction, certain engine parameters may be changed. In addition, by substantially eliminating blow-by and by reducing friction, pollution may be reduced, fuel economy may be increased and power may be increased.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a piston, a crankshaft having a journal, and a connecting rod. The connecting rod includes a first end coupled to the piston and a second end coupled to the journal of the crankshaft. The second end of the connecting rod includes a bearing surface configured to interface with the journal, and further includes an open portion extending through the second end from the bearing surface to the exterior of the second end.

Abstract: In a method for operating a laser spark plug for a combustion engine, the laser spark plug having a precombustion chamber, within an operating cycle of the combustion engine, the laser spark plug irradiates an ignition location situated inside the precombustion chamber with a plurality of laser ignition pulses temporally offset from one another.

Abstract: This engine utilizes the power of cylinder(s) that use diesel fuel which provides great power at slow crankshaft rounds per minute speed. It also utilizes cylinder(s) that operate on dedicated alternant hydrocarbon fuel(s). The fuels do not mix. The diesel cylinder(s) burn only diesel fuel. The alternant hydrocarbon cylinder(s) burn only their assigned fuel. An example would be an engine that had one diesel cylinder and one cylinder that burned natural gas while using a single crankshaft.

Abstract: A dual fuel system includes a dual fuel injector that has disposed therein a gaseous nozzle chamber fluidly connected to a gaseous fuel inlet, and a liquid nozzle chamber fluidly connected to the liquid fuel inlet. The dual fuel injector also includes a hydraulic lock seal with an annular volume of liquid fuel surrounding a guide segment of a gas needle valve member for inhibiting migration of gaseous fuel into the liquid fuel. A liquid fuel common rail is fluidly connected to a liquid fuel inlet. A check valve is fluidly positioned between the gaseous fuel common rail and the gaseous nozzle chamber of the dual fuel injector for blocking liquid fuel leaked into a gaseous nozzle chamber through the hydraulic lock seal from entering the gaseous fuel common rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel metering device in particular for a self-igniting air-compressing internal combustion engine, comprising a fuel pump for delivering a fuel, wherein the fuel can be withdrawn from a tank and supplied via a high-pressure pump to an injection system of the internal combustion engine, and wherein excess fuel can be recirculated from the injection system via a recirculating line in the injection system, and wherein the tank is designed as a pressure mixing receptacle having a vapour pressure buffer chamber to receive a first fuel such as diesel fuel, rape-seed oil, soyseed oil, sunflower oil, palm oil or fats and a further fuel such as a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG fuel), and a pressurised fuel mixture formed of the first fuel and the second fuel can be withdrawn from the pressure mixing receptacle serving as a tank via an extraction valve and supplied to the high-pressure pump of the injection system via the fuel pump designed as a booster pump.

Abstract: An X-Engine assembly includes four cylinder banks which are located on two intersecting planes with the crankshaft axis being on the line of the intersection of the two planes, and having a Double-Acting Scotch Yoke (DASY) power conversion system that couples the reciprocating motion of the pistons with the rotating crankshaft to provide pure sinusoidal piston motion. A series of DASY X-Engine configurations that satisfy even-firing for both 2-stroke and 4-stroke, and other engine cycles, achieve perfect balance with regard to vibrating forces and moments that are all zero, and all configurations have zero torsional vibration of the crankshaft resulting from the reciprocating masses.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling an engine in response to a pre-ignition event. A pre-ignition threshold and a pre-ignition mitigating action are adjusted based on a rate of change of cylinder aircharge. As a result, pre-ignition events occurring during transient engine operating conditions are detected and addressed different from pre-ignition events occurring during steady-state engine operating conditions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a working cylinder (2) including an inlet valve (6) and an adherent pneumatic inlet valve actuator (8), an outlet valve (7) and an adherent pneumatic outlet valve actuator (9), and a working piston (4), a compressor cylinder (3) including an inlet valve (10), an outlet valve (11), and a compressor piston (5) operated by the working piston (4), a compressed-air tank (14) connected to the compressor cylinder (3) via a first compressed-air conduit (15), and a second compressed-air conduit (16) that extends from the first compressed-air conduit (15), the first inlet valve actuator (8) and the outlet valve actuator (9) of the working cylinder (2) being connected to the second compressed-air conduit (16).

Abstract: A fuel pump which can suppress fuel bubbles from being sucked into a fuel pressure chamber, and can achieve a stable fuel pressure property. The fuel pump has a pump body formed with a suction passage and a pump operation chamber, and a pressure pump mechanism to pressurize and discharge fuel. The pump body has a lower side wall portion and an upper side wall portion respectively at the vertically lower and upper sides of the inner wall portion forming a suction gallery chamber partly forming the suction passage. The pressure pump mechanism has a valve retaining member having an insertion portion inserted into the suction gallery chamber. The insertion portion has internal suction inlets through which the fuel is sucked from the suction gallery chamber into the pump operation chamber, the internal suction inlets being positioned in the intermediate height area in the suction gallery chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel pump module for a vehicle includes: a flange assembly positioned at a top portion of a fuel tank; a reservoir body assembly positioned at an inner bottom portion of the fuel tank; and a guide rod connecting the flange assembly and the reservoir body assembly to each other, wherein the reservoir body assembly includes: a fuel pump forcibly supplying fuel in the fuel tank to an engine; and a filter having a column shape in which it includes a hollow having the fuel pump positioned therein, installed in a form in which it is inserted into a case forming an appearance of the reservoir body assembly and having the fuel pump installed therein, and installed to allow the fuel before passing through the fuel pump to pass therethrough, thereby filtering foreign materials included in the fuel.

Abstract: A divert air valve for an internal combustion engine arranged in a bypass channel between a pressure side and a suction side of a supercharging device includes a housing. A bypass valve comprises a first valve closure body. A control pressure chamber is connected with the pressure side through a compensation opening. A solenoid valve comprises a coil body, a magnetic yoke arrangement, an armature, and a second valve closure body which comprises a second spring element and cooperates with the armature. When the solenoid valve is energized and the bypass valve open, a fluidic communication can be established between the pressure side and the suction side or the atmosphere through the control pressure chamber. An overall cross section of the at least one control opening is larger than a cross section of the compensation opening. A closing of the fluidic communication causes a resultant force in a closing direction.

Abstract: An intercooler for a vehicle that cools a mixture of EGR gas and exhaust gas may include a cooler main body with an inlet portion through which the mixture flows in formed at one side thereof and an outlet portion through which the mixture flows out formed at the other end side thereof, connection tubes that connect the inlet portion with the outlet portion and are arranged from an upper side to a lower side of the cooler main body to cool the mixture, and a condensate storage unit that connects a lower end portion of the inlet portion with a lower end portion of the outlet portion and stores the condensate that is formed in the connection tubes.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of PCV ports formed internally within the engine block and the cylinder head. The PCV ports directly connect a crankcase chamber with each of a plurality of intake ports defined by the cylinder head. The blow-by gases that accumulate within the crankcase chamber are directly vented through the internal PCV ports into the intake ports.

Abstract: An archery crossbow having an arrow retainer provided by a yieldable member located within a bore located on a sight guide or a trigger housing of the bow and including an arrow contact portion that extends outwardly of the bore to contact the arrow.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for automatically activating and/or controlling one or more accessory devices for an archery apparatus, including circuitry for automatically activating and/or controlling one or more electrical or electronic accessory devices in response to, for example, the bow string of the archery apparatus being drawn. The electrical or electronic accessory devices can include a sight light, a stabilizing light, a spot light, a video recorder, a photographic camera, an audio enhancement pickup, a fishing reel, a range finder, sights, a lighted quiver, and a game call.

Abstract: A toy system for launching a soft dart projectile. The dart projectile has a flexible shaft. A pneumatic launcher is used to launch the dart projectile. The pneumatic launcher contains an air pulse generating system that displaces air through a flexible barrel. The flexible barrel defines an internal conduit that extends between a first end and a second end. The second end of the flexible barrel is sized to receive the shaft of the dart projectile. The flexible barrel is fabricated from a flexible closed-cell foam that enables said flexible barrel to bend at least ninety degrees without blocking airflow through its internal conduit. As a result, the toy pneumatic launcher can be directed in a first direction, while the barrel is bent to fire in a second direction. The flexible barrel has features that prevent the dart projectile from binding in the barrel when the barrel is bent.

Abstract: A concrete saw is disclosed having a rigid metal frame, a hydraulic drive system, a water-cooled hub, and an axially rotatable trigger assembly comprising a 12 volt switch. The saw may include a hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the drive system. In some embodiments, the saw may includes a flow sharing valve fluidly coupled to the hydraulic drive system to distribute the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the a hydraulic pump in a portable power pack. A method of removing trip hazards with the saw is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary stone cutting tool and method for making countertops and the like includes a shank shaped for detachable connection with a rotary drive. A cup-shaped cutting blade is mounted on the outer end of the shank, and has a frusto-conical sidewall and an outer marginal edge with axially protruding cutting teeth. A plurality of cutting pads are embedded in the sidewall and protrude radially outwardly therefrom. The blade is advanced through a stone slab with the sidewall oriented generally perpendicular to the face of the stone slab to cut an arcuate portion of an inside corner with reduced waste.

Abstract: A battery operated concrete saw system (10) includes an alternating current electric saw (12) and a lithium based battery pack (58) including a plurality of batteries (60) connected in series to power the saw through an inverter (70) that changes the direct current from the battery pack to alternating current that powers the saw.

Abstract: A heater assembly can be used with a gas appliance. The gas appliance can be a dual fuel appliance for use with one of a first fuel type or a second fuel type different than the first. The heater assembly can include at least one pressure regulator, a housing, and an actuation member. The housing has a first fuel hook-up for connecting the first fuel type to the heater assembly, a second fuel hook-up for connecting the second fuel type to the heater assembly, and an internal valve. The actuation member can control the position of the internal valve based on whether the first or the second fuel hook-up is used.

Abstract: Method of combusting hydrocarbon fuel to form combustion products low in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) and mixing the combustion products with additional air to provide a heated air stream suitable for heating enclosed spaces includes the following steps: (a) delivering a fuel stream to a burner assembly; (b) delivering a combustion air stream to the burner assembly; (c) combining the fuel and air streams within a combustion chamber and heat exchanger wherein the mixture is ignited, completely combusted, and the temperature of the products of combustion are reduced; (d) providing tempering air to the external side of the combustion chamber and heat exchanger to transfer heat away from the combustion gases to tempering air; (e) combining the partially heated tempering air and cooled combustion products low in NO2 and CO; and (f) discharging the mixture into a space to be heated.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a cooking appliance having a cooktop plate and a heating device which is arranged below the cooktop plate may include an indicator device for optical temperature indication below the cooktop plate. The indication devices may include a thermochrome material for temperature indication wherein the thermochrome material essentially consists of metal oxides, which are fluorescent for emitting light and which are present in the manner of quantum dots having a predominant proportion of grain sizes between 10 nm and 80 nm and which are admixed in a fluorescent thermochrome paint.

Abstract: A grill comprising a front, a rear, a grill base, a grill lid and a grill door. The grill lid comprises an opening and is in hinged communication with the grill base. The grill door communicates with the grill lid via a hinge, which is disposed at a rear portion of the opening. When the grill door is closed, the grill door seals the opening in the grill lid. The grill lid includes a lifting-assist mechanism and the grill door has an opening-assist mechanism. A method of grilling comprising the steps of opening the grill lid, placing food on the grill base and closing the grill lid to cook food. The method further comprises the steps of opening the grill lid and the grill door during the cooking process, thereby creating a flue that urges smoke away from the front of the grill and towards the rear of the grill.

Abstract: The invention provides a solar water heating apparatus with double-row vacuum tubes coupled to a water tank made of stainless steel or enamel. Each of the vacuum tubes is made of an exterior tube and an interior tube separated by a vacuum. The exterior tube is transparent. The interior tube is covered with a layer of light-absorption material. When sunlight shines on the vacuum tube, the water in the tank and the water in the interior tube circulate by convection.

Abstract: An array of solar collectors includes dual axis reflectors for directing solar radiation to receivers at focal points of the reflectors. Solar radiation is used to heat a thermal energy storage material, which may be used to generate steam for use in power generation with the aid of a turbine. The dual axis reflectors may pivot about independent axes of rotation, thereby enabling use of the reflectors throughout the year.

Abstract: A parabolic trough solar collector system has a parabolic reflector used with an independently supported collector tube. The parabolic reflector has a reflective surface formed on a reflective surface support structure, supported by a circular support beam. This assembly rests on a plurality of support and drive rollers supported by a roller support arm, supported by a roller support column. The parabolic reflector assembly rotates against the rollers along a single axis to maintain a focus line of the parabolic reflector surface at the same location as the center of the circle described by the outer edge of the circular support beam. Located at this same focus line is the independently supported collector tube not attached to the parabolic trough reflector. The collector tube is supported on pipe roller hangers, which in turn are supported by a wire catenary system connected to support towers which straddle the parabolic reflector.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treatment of feedstock to reduce the relative viscosity and promote release of fermentable sugars.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of using thereof for the treatment and prevention of pulmonary arterial hypertension are provided. The formulations contain one or more agents to simultaneously reduce ADMA levels in a patient and reduce inflammatory processes in the pulmonary vasculature of a patient. The formulations contain a therapeutically effective amount of cerivastatin, a cerivastatin analog, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, clathrate, or solvate thereof in a carrier suitable for pulmonary administration.

Abstract: A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.