Abstract: A teat cup magazine (1), arranged to store at least two teat cups (3), includes a removing device for each teat cup (3), which is arranged to retract the teat cup (3) into the teat cup magazine when a milking process has finished. Each removing device includes a cylinder (8) and a piston (9). The cylinders (8) of the removing devices are formed by at least one cylinder profile (35, 38, 39), manufactured in one piece, which constitutes the sole load-bearing structure of the teat cup magazine. The at least one cylinder profile (35, 38, 39) includes on one side, integrated attachment zones (37) for attaching milking components, and on an opposite side, a guiding track (13) for each cylinder (8), adapted for a movable guiding element (6) supporting a milk tube (4) and a pulse tube (5) connected to the teat cup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning an individually metered out food portion on an animal cage arranged ranged in a row of animal cages for fur animals by means of a motorized feed cart comprising wheels and a feed container, comprising the steps of: —moving said feed cart along a row of animal cages, —providing an output from an encoder corresponding to the angular turning of one of said wheels to a control unit, —determining that the feed cart has reached a given position corresponding to a given cage from said output and a database of information related to positions of animal cages and desired size of food portions to each animal cage, and —controlling the feed cart to metering out the desired food portions at a suitable food delivering place at the given animal cage according to the information in said database.

Abstract: A cardboard container can be folded into a compact flat package for storage, shipment or disposal. The container can be locked into an open configuration by a pair of stiffening lappets removably wedged in folds into pockets of the collapsible side walls. The container is particularly adapted to hold cat litter or other disposable material.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for enhancing the growth of aquatic life in an ecosystem and method of enhancing the growth of aquatic life in such an ecosystem. The assembly includes a vessel submerged within water of the ecosystem. A substrate is disposed within and surrounded by the vessel and provides electronics to provide a conditioned current to a plurality of light emitting diodes also contained on the substrate. The light emitting diodes emit light within the water of the ecosystem that provides for growth, not only in a larger volume of the ecosystem, but in addition enhances the growth of the aquatic life.

Abstract: A nucleus coated with a film includes one or more exopolysaccharides (EPS) and optionally one or more bioactive molecules such as bactericidal or bacteriostatic agents, cicatrizing agents and/or anti-inflammatory agents. A method for obtaining the nucleus, in order to inhibit graft rejection in pearl oysters is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aquarium cleaning apparatus, systems and methods for removing debris from the aquarium, and in particular, a self-contained cleaning apparatus that utilizes a siphon effect created by pouring water in an aquarium tank and/or pulling water out of an aquarium tank, such as via a vacuum. In a preferred embodiment, the siphon operation occurs because of the difference between the water level of the aquarium tank and the vertical height of a spout attached to the top of a vertical tube. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to immerse their hands in the aquarium water to operate the cleaning device.

Abstract: A pet barrier is disclosed. The pet barrier comprises a plurality of hinges. Each of the plurality of hinges a first component configured to engage a second component. The first component comprises one or more projections. The second component comprises a plurality of openings at a plurality of angles. One or more of the plurality of openings are configured to engage and lock the one or more projections at one of the plurality of angles. The pet barrier also comprises a plurality of panels. Each of the plurality of panels are configured to couple to another one of the plurality of panels at one of the plurality of angles via one of the plurality of hinges. The one of the plurality of hinges is locked at the one of the plurality of angles while the one or more of the plurality of openings engage the one or more projections.

Abstract: A pet drying towel includes: a first, ring-shaped, absorbent surface including an inner circumference and a concentric outer circumference, wherein the first absorbent surface faces a first direction and the length of the first absorbent surface between the inner circumference and the outer circumference is generally sized to span the length of the pet from the pet's front shoulders through the pet's hindquarters; and a second, ring-shaped, absorbent surface including an inner circumference and a concentric outer circumference, wherein the second absorbent surface faces a second direction opposite to the first direction; wherein the inner circumference of the first absorbent surface and the inner circumference of the second absorbent surface form an inner circumference of the towel; further wherein the inner circumference of the towel forms a central circular opening sized to allow the pet's head to pass through, but not to allow the pet's front shoulders to pass though.

Abstract: An animal leash apparatus comprising: an elongate hose portion having opposing ends; a hose nozzle at one end of the hose portion; a tap connector at the other end of the hose portion; and a clip at the same end of the hose portion as the tap connector, for enabling the animal leash to be coupled to an article worn by an animal.

Abstract: An innovative dog mobility device is disclosed herein an comprises an elastic cord detachably connectable to a dog harness at one end, and to paw loop at the other. The paw loop is configured to engage one of the dog's paws and is defined by a material strip looped into a figure eight configuration. The material strip figure eight configuration further defines an metatarsal strap section and a toe strap section, wherein the metatarsal strap section is configured to receive and fit about the dog's metatarsus, and wherein the toe strap section is configured to receive and fit about the dog's inner toes.

Abstract: A cover device that houses, protects and safely and economically dispenses an edible product, such as a rolled rawhide. The cover device substantially encases an edible rolled product and effectively prevents the pet from accessing the ends of the product. Relatively small access windows provide chewing access to the edible rolled product. The cover body has a hollow cavity and openings allowing access to the rolled product. The rolled product can be prevented from rotating within the cavity by one or more pin projections extending within the hollow cavity.

Abstract: A lighting fixture for deterring predation has a case containing a battery and one or more sources of illumination. A controller acts to cause random intermittent flashing of the sources of illumination because the illusion of apparent motion deters predators.

Abstract: An innovative dog mobility device is disclosed herein an comprises an elastic cord detachably connectable to a dog harness at one end, and to paw loop at the other. The paw loop is configured to engage one of the dog's paws and is defined by a material strip looped into a figure eight configuration. The material strip figure eight configuration further defines a metatarsal strap section and a toe strap section, wherein the metatarsal strap section is configured to receive and fit about the dog's metatarsus, and wherein the toe strap section is configured to receive and fit about the dog's inner toes.

Abstract: The present invention is an animal processing cradle that includes an aluminum crossing support structure with a top portion and a plurality of ends and a support sheet that is sewn over the top portion of the crossing support structure to form a permanent attachment to the top portion of the crossing support structure. The animal processing cradle also includes a hook and loop fastener to secure the animal's neck to the animal processing cradle and a plurality of rubber support caps that are disposed on the ends of the crossing support structure to prevent the animal processing cradle from slipping or sliding, while being set on a surface.

Abstract: A device for controlling the behavior of an animal, which animal has a neck, eyes, and a head, is provided. The device includes a collapsible hood having a length extending between a collar end and a muzzle end. The collapsible hood is configurable in a collapsed state wherein the collar end and the muzzle end are in close proximity to the collar. The collapsible hood is lengthwise extendable into a deployed state, wherein the collar end and muzzle end are separated from one another and the hood covers at least a portion of the animal's head including its eyes. In the collapsed state the device when mounted on the animal does not diminish the animal's ability to interact with, or sense, its environmental surroundings. In the deployed state the collapsible hood is operable to substantially diminish the animal's ability to sense environmental surroundings outside of the hood using one or more of vision, smell, and hearing.

Abstract: A water heating system including a water container having a cold water inlet that connects to a water supply, a hot water outlet, a water heater outlet and a water heater inlet; an instantaneous water heater mounted to the water container and having a tank supply inlet connected to the water heater outlet, a tank supply outlet connected to the water heater inlet, a burner, and a heat exchanger located adjacent the burner between the tank supply inlet and the tank supply outlet; a pump connected between the water container and the instantaneous water heater that moves water between the water container and the instantaneous water heater; and a controller that operates the pump and the burner.

Abstract: In a method for reducing the oxygen content in the flow volume of tubes of erected and installed tube wall regions or tube wall segments of a steam generator or steam boiler of a power station fired, in particular, with carbon-containing fuel, a solution is to be provided which eliminates or at least diminishes the problem of the incorporation of atmospheric oxygen into the boiler water which arises when tubes of the steam generator wall are being filled with boiler water and/or when boiler water is being discharged from these tubes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a regenerative particle/vapor separator to thermally convert various liquids used to treat stored agricultural products into vapor by: 1) Entraining the liquid in a turbulent mist and then effectuating a change of the liquid into a vapor intermixed with the mist; and, 2) Separating the vapor out of the mist while retaining the remaining mist for subsequent conversion to vapor. Some liquids used to treat stored agricultural products undergo the further step of thermally decomposing into beneficial gaseous byproducts which are also separated out of the mist. The vapor and/or gaseous byproducts are then applied to a stored mass of agricultural products to variously sanitize, clean, and chemically and biologically alter them.

Abstract: An engine system comprises a fuel processor that is supplied with air and a fuel reactant stream to produce a hydrogen-containing gas stream. The fuel processor comprises a mounting manifold, a housing, and an internal reaction chamber. The mounting manifold can fluidly interconnect an upstream engine exhaust conduit and a downstream engine exhaust conduit via internal passageways in the manifold, attach and position the fuel processor within the engine exhaust conduit, and fluidly connect external reactant supply conduits to the internal reaction chamber of the fuel processor.

Abstract: A thermostat housing is disclosed. The thermostat housing comprises a housing member. The housing member includes an inlet and an outlet to allow coolant to flow therethrough. The thermostat housing also includes least two thermostats within the housing member. The at least two thermostats have staggered opening temperatures. One of the at least two thermostats opens and controls a flow rate of coolant through the housing when the coolant is within a first predetermined temperature range. A single loop of coolant is being controlled within the housing member.

Abstract: A chamber structure for a vehicle may include a housing, a chamber formed inside the housing and into which a blow-by gas flows, and a cooling water path which may be formed inside the housing around the chamber and through which a preheated cooling water passes.

Abstract: A thermal management unit for a vehicle powertrain component. The thermal management unit is designed to maintain the operating temperature of the vehicle component within a relatively small, ideal temperature range. The thermal management unit includes a three-way valve and temperature sensor that uses the temperature of a lubricant used by the component itself to configure the valve such that lubricant having the desired temperature is passed to the component.

Abstract: A system for cooling internal combustion engine pistons comprising an oil pump driven by the engine, jets projecting oil on the pistons, and a control device (2) interposed between the oil pump and the jets, where the control device comprises a valve (14) positioned between an oil inlet pipe (8) connected to the pressurised oil pump and a jet supply pipe (10), where said valve allows the oil to flow out from the pump to the jets when the oil pressure is at least equal to a threshold pressure, and where the device also comprises a solenoid valve (22) capable of causing the valve (14) to close by permitting the pressurised oil to be brought into contact with the closure member (16), in a direction of closure of the valve (14).

Abstract: An exhaust valve control system of an engine includes a first bank including a plurality of cylinders and a second bank including a plurality of cylinder, in which the angle between the exhaust cam profiles of any two cylinders in the first bank is different by a predetermined angle or more from 180°, and the angle between the exhaust cam profiles of any two cylinders in the second bank is different by a predetermined angle or more from 180°.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining a lifter bore, and a valve lifter assembly positioned at least partially within the lifter bore and configured to actuate a push rod. The assembly includes a valve lifter and an angular displacement-limiting clip. A cutout is formed on a proximal end of the valve lifter and includes a channel and a taper. The valve lifter is rotatable out of alignment with a cam, and the clip limits angular displacement of the valve lifter via contacting a wall portion of the cylinder block. First and second fillets of the clip are positionable within the cutout, such that the taper provides a clearance for inhibiting impingement of the valve lifter upon the fillets.

Abstract: A clip includes a one-piece metal body having a holder and an attached hanger. The clip is configured to couple with a valve lifter to form a lifter assembly for varying the position of a valve in an internal combustion engine. The holder may be C-shaped, and the hanger may be U-shaped. The one-piece metal body further includes an anti-scuffing outer profile, and a first and a second fillet transitioning from the holder to the hanger, for diffusing stresses induced in the clip at an angular displacement-limiting stop position defined by contact between the hanger and a wall portion of a cylinder block. Related methodology is disclosed.

Abstract: An IIS system that performs control related to intermittent stopping of engine operation by idling stop control is applied to an internal combustion engine including a VVT mechanism that makes the valve timing of an engine valve variable and has an intermediate lock mechanism that mechanically locks the valve timing at an intermediate lock position between a most retarded position and a most advanced position. The IIS system is configured to inhibit the engine operation from being intermittently stopped at the occurrence of a failure of the VVT mechanism to avoid the internal combustion engine from being prevented from being restarted after the intermittent stop depending on the occurrence of the failure of the VVT mechanism.

Abstract: An engine that actively varies a compress expansion ratio may include an intake camshaft to which an intake cam may be formed to lift an intake valve, an exhaust camshaft to which an exhaust cam may be formed to lift an exhaust valve, an intake valve variable timing unit disposed at one end portion of the intake camshaft to advance or retard a rotation of the intake camshaft, an exhaust valve variable timing unit disposed at one end portion of the exhaust camshaft to advance or retard a rotation of the exhaust camshaft, an intake valve variable duration unit disposed at the other end portion of the intake camshaft to vary a lift duration of the intake camshaft, and an exhaust valve variable duration unit disposed at the other end portion of the exhaust camshaft to vary a lift duration of the exhaust camshaft.

Abstract: Valve actuation systems are disclosed herein that allow valve opening timing to be varied using a cam phaser and that allow valve closing timing to be varied using a lost-motion system. In one embodiment, an actuation system is provided that has a locked configuration in which a bearing element is held in place between a cam and a rocker to transmit cam motion to an engine valve. The actuation system also has an unlocked configuration in which the bearing element is permitted to be at least partially ejected from between the cam and rocker, such that cam motion is not transmitted to the engine valve. The actuation system is switched to the unlocked configuration by draining fluid therefrom through a main valve which is piloted by a trigger valve. The actuation system also includes integrated autolash and seating control functionality.

Abstract: A camshaft adjuster arrangement (2) having a camshaft (4) and a rotor (6) for a camshaft adjuster. The rotor (6) has a central bore (8) for a fixing element (14), the rotor being mounted on the camshaft (4) in a rotationally fixed manner by the fixing element (14). The mounting of the camshaft adjuster arrangement (2) is simplified by forming a frictional connection between the camshaft (4) and the rotor (6) using a clamping unit (16).

Abstract: A plastic head cover of an internal combustion engine having therein two parallel oil mist separator chambers comprises a plastic cover body that is adapted to be mounted on a cylinder head of the engine and includes lower portions of the separator chambers, and a plastic upper body that includes upper portions of the separator chambers and is mounted on and secured to the plastic cover body in such a manner that the upper portions possessed by the plastic upper body are mated with the lower portions possessed by the cover body, thereby forming an entire construction of the two oil mist separator chambers.

Abstract: An electric vehicle powertrain includes a battery configured to couple with an external power source, a power plant including at least one three-phase electric motor, and a power controller configured to receive electrical energy from the battery and to controllably provide electrical energy to the at least one electric motor. The electric motor includes a stator having a plurality of electrical windings and a rotor having a magnetic field orientation, with the rotor being configured to rotate relative to the stator. The power controller is configured to warm an engine fluid by determining the position of the rotor relative to the stator; determining a DC current for each of the three motor phases such that the electromagnetic field of the stator mirrors the magnetic field orientation of the rotor; and by providing the determined DC currents to the electric motor to resistively heat the fluid.

Abstract: Laser spark plug for an internal combustion engine has at least one laser unit for guiding, shaping and/or generating laser radiation, further including a combustion chamber window, and a housing which has, on the opposite side of the combustion chamber window from the laser unit, an aperture for the passage of the laser radiation guided, shaped and/or generated by the laser unit into a combustion chamber, the length of the aperture being 4 mm or more.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a glow plug are disclosed. In one example, glow plugs of a compression ignition engine are selectively operated during automatic engine starting. The methods and systems may be useful to reduced glow plug degradation and improve emissions of an automatically started engine.

Abstract: An intake apparatus including two intake ducts and a flap mechanism disposed in one of the two intake ducts, the flap mechanism including a main flap, a damper flap, a damper chamber cooperating with the damper flap to form a damper space, and a biasing member biasing the main flap in a closing direction. When the main flap is located in an angular range between the fully closing position and a predetermined opening angle, a peripheral edge of the damper flap is opposed to an inner wall surface of the damper chamber with a fine clearance to thereby render the damper space substantially closed. When the main flap is located with an opening angle larger than the predetermined opening angle, a communication passage to open the damper space is formed between the inner wall surface of the damper chamber and the peripheral edge of the damper flap.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a recoil starter mechanism, including: a starter case having a rotation shaft; a rope reel rotatably mounted on the rotation shaft; a coil spring wound on the rotation shaft, one end thereof being formed into a tip projecting portion; a hold plate holding the coil spring to the rotation shaft; and a ratchet which is formed into a ring-like shape and interposed between the rope reel and the hold plate. The ratchet includes: a fulcrum around which the ratchet is swingable with respect to the rope reel; a guide groove in which the tip projecting portion is engaged; and an engagement pawl which is to be engaged with an engagement portion of a pulley to thereby start an engine. The guide groove and the engagement pawl are disposed at opposite sides so as to interpose the rotation shaft therebetween.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an engine via an outlet control device of an intake manifold, such as via variable valve lift operation. The engine may further include an inlet control device, such as an electronic throttle, as well as coordination between the inlet and outlet control devices for controlling airflow in the engine.

Abstract: A variable ignition type diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered combustion engine and control method can select spark ignition or compression ignition depending on the engine operating range. The variable ignition type diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered combustion engine includes a cylinder block formed of a plurality of cylinders each being connected to an air intake manifold sucking air or a gasoline fuel-mixed air and an exhaust manifold exhausting an exhaust gas after combustions; and an ECU controlling the combustion modes. The engine operating ranges are judged by the speed and load of the engine. When the range is the high load range or the low load range, a gasoline fuel combustion is performed, and when the range is between the high load range and the low load range, a diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered step is performed.

Abstract: In a method for a diesel-gasoline dual fuel premixed charge compression ignition combustion system based on diesel compression ignition triggered ignition control of the present invention, air (+EGR gas) and a gasoline fuel supplied in a premixed charge intake stroke create a premixed surroundings, a diesel fuel injected in at least two classified steps in a succeeding compression ignition stroke creates a compression ignition combustion surroundings for a diesel and serves as an ignition trigger to produce flames, and the gasoline fuel injected in the premixed charge intake stroke and having created the premixed surroundings is burned in a succeeding combustion expansion stroke to generate power. Accordingly, a practical diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered engine solving both unstable combustion due to difficulty in control of ignition times and combustion and knockings restricting power performance can be realized.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (100) includes: a first fuel supply portion (28) which is provided in a combustion chamber (12) or in an intake passageway (40) that communicates with the combustion chamber (12), and which supplies a first fuel; a second fuel supply portion (24) that is provided in the combustion chamber (12) and that supplies a second fuel that is capable of compression-ignited fuel; and a third fuel to supply portion (26) that is provided in the intake passageway (40) and that supplies the second fuel.

Abstract: An engine has a geometric compression ratio of higher than 12, and includes an exhaust manifold, a variable exhaust valve timing mechanism, an ignition timing controller, and an effective compression ratio adjuster. The exhaust manifold has a plurality of branched exhaust passages connected to the respective exhaust ports of the individual cylinders; a plurality of first collector segments each of which joins the branched exhaust passages for the cylinders which are not adjacent in the exhaust order sequence; a plurality of middle exhaust passages connected to the downstream of the first collector segments, respectively; and a second collector segment that joins the middle exhaust passages.

Abstract: A method for adapting the injection characteristic of a fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine to production-related tolerances is described. In the method, an injection quantity correction value is determined from the deviation of the idle travel and the deviation of the injection quantity of the injection valve before the operating phase of the injector. This injection quantity correction value is used to determine the injection-specific deviation of the injection quantity during the operating phase at the start of the operating phase of the injector in conjunction with the current deviation of the idle travel which is determined in the system. The injector-specific deviation of the injection quantity which is determined is used to correct the injection characteristic. As a result, changes in the injection quantity of an injector can be detected and corrected particularly precisely on the basis of production tolerances.

Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted to improve fuel vaporization of a fuel that includes alcohol. The system and method may improve engine starting and emissions.

Abstract: A turbo purge module includes a purge valve connected between a vapor collection canister and an intake manifold. A venturi nozzle receives pressurized air from the turbocharger, when the turbocharger is operating, to create a vacuum to draw vapors from the canister through the purge valve to an inlet of the turbocharger and the intake manifold to be purged in the engine. A first check valve prevents pressure from the intake manifold from reaching the canister when the turbocharger is operating. A second check valve prevents vacuum pressure from the intake manifold from communicating with the venturi nozzle when the turbocharger is at idle, with vapor from the canister being drawn through the purge valve and the intake manifold to be purged in the engine. The purge valve, venturi nozzle, first check valve, and second check valve are integrated into a single component.

Abstract: An evaporative fuel vapor control system (10) for extended range electric vehicle includes a fuel supply (18) for storing fuel that generates fuel vapor, an internal combustion engine (16) supplied with fuel from the fuel supply, a vapor canister (20) in fluid communication with the fuel supply to retain fuel vapor and being in fluid communication with the engine, a hydrocarbon sensor (24) to determine when hydrocarbon saturation is occurring in the canister, a vapor control valve (22) associated with the vapor canister. A controller (26) is electrically connected with the hydrocarbon sensor and with the control valve such that when the controller receives a signal from the hydrocarbon sensor indicating that the engine should be started to purge the canister, the controller is constructed and arranged to cause the control valve to control a flow of fuel vapor from the purge passage while the engine is operating.

Abstract: An intercooler assembly for cooling charge air to be delivered to an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The said assembly is disposed along an axis in the axial direction, including an intercooler housing having a housing cavity for receiving an intercooler core therein. Conventional cooling fluid is channeled axially through an axial chamber of the intercooler core for cooling the core and charge air is channeled around the outer surface of the core for cooling the charge air, wherein the core assembly further including a means for rotating the intercooler core about the axis, thereby increasing the cooling of the charge air as it flows around the outer surface of the intercooler core.

Abstract: Electronic induction system tuning featuring electronic pressure charging for an intake tract of an internal combustion engine is disclosed herein. The electronic pressure charging system includes a pressure sensor, a signal generator, and a wave generator. The signal generator causes the wave generator to create a pressure wave in response to monitored parameters and a pressure wave detected by the pressure sensor. The generated pressure wave may be added to, cancel, or otherwise modify the detected pressure wave to increase, decrease, or otherwise manipulate the pressure within a combustion chamber of the engine.

Abstract: A diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered combustion engine system is provided with spark-assisted fouling free EGR system in which gasoline and air are homogeneously combined and supplied to cylinders and then a diesel fuel is injected and combusted together. The system may include: a plurality of cylinders each having a fuel injector; and an exhaust line through which flows an exhaust gas discharged as a fuel from each cylinder is combusted; wherein gasoline fuel combustion type is adapted to one or more cylinder of the plurality of the cylinders, and diesel-gasoline fuel pre-mixed combustion type is adapted to the other cylinders.

Abstract: A fouling free clean EGR system for a diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered engine allows re-circulation of an exhaust gas of a certain cylinder among a plurality of cylinders. The fouling free clean exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for a diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered engine in which gasoline and air are pre-mixed and supplied to cylinders and then a diesel fuel is injected and combusted together comprises a directly-exhaust cylinder of which an exhaust valve of the cylinder is connected to an exhaust manifold directly connected to a after treatment device; and an EGR cylinder of which an exhaust valve of the cylinder is connected to an EGR line and which supplies the EGR gas to the diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition device can determine ignition timing with high precision to perform ignition with high precision even where noise superimposed at the time of rise of current flowing through an ignition coil is generated. In an internal combustion engine ignition device including an output terminal for detecting an internal state such as a coil current, it is possible to prevent generation of pulse noise in the form of chattering at falling and rising edges of a voltage of the output terminal by using a hysteresis comparator, even if noise is superimposed at the time of rise of the coil current. Therefore, a voltage pulse with pulse width of high precision is transmitted to an electronic control unit without the influence of noise, and the ignition timing can be determined properly with high precision.