Abstract: A seal member (3) is disposed between a cylinder head cover (1) in which an ignition plug mounting hole (1a) is formed and a plug tube (2) which is inserted in the ignition plug mounting hole (1a). The seal member (3) is provided with: a base section (31) configured to be elastically deformable and inserted into the ignition plug mounting hole (1a); a protrusion section (32) formed so as to protrude outward in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the base section (31) and engaging with a groove (12b) formed in the inner peripheral surface of the ignition plug mounting hole (1a); a seal lip section (33) in elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface of the plug tube (2); and a grip section (34) formed between the base section (31) and the seal lip section (33) and protruding downward from the ignition plug mounting hole (1a).

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine and method of construction thereof are provided. The piston includes a piston body having an upper combustion surface and an annular cooling gallery surrounding an undercrown region. An outer wall depends from the upper combustion surface. An annular ring belt region is formed in the outer wall adjacent the upper combustion surface. The ring belt region has at least one ring groove formed therein. At least one oil passage extends from the at least one ring groove to the cooling gallery. The oil passage has a first portion depending radially inwardly from the ring groove and a second portion ascending radially inwardly from the first portion to the cooling gallery.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a housing is disclosed. The housing includes an asymmetric surface portion having a periphery, the asymmetric surface portion comprising a plurality of asymmetric surface sections disposed about the periphery, each asymmetric surface section having a surface contour differing from the surface contours of the other surface sections. In another embodiment, an engine front cover is disclosed. The engine front cover includes a substantially circular asymmetric surface portion disposed concentrically about a crankshaft bore, the asymmetric surface portion comprising a plurality of asymmetric surface sections disposed substantially concentrically about the crankshaft bore, each asymmetric surface section having a surface contour differing from the surface contours of the other surface sections.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of providing a first panel of aluminium material; providing a second panel of steel material; stamping a plurality of first pimple-like bulges in the first panel; stamping a plurality of second pimple-like bulges in the second panel, wherein the arrangement of the second pimple-like bulges is congruent with the arrangement of the first pimple-like bulges; bringing together the sides of the first and second panels that are furnished with the bulges, so that the domes of each set of pimple-like bulges lie opposite each other; and clipping the first and second panels together to form a composite by ensuring that at least one tongue is broken out of each of the pimple-like bulges on the second panel and pressed into the corresponding pimple-like bulges in the first panel.

Abstract: The innovation concerns an orbiting planetary gearing system and an internal-combustion engine employing the same. In aspects, the engine can comprise an engine housing having a first wall delimiting a first combustion chamber, a first primary member having a first piston and a second primary member having a second piston. The pistons can also delimit the first combustion chamber. The first wall defines at least a section of a toroid, and the pistons are guided along a curved path defined by the section of the toroid. The primary members can be coupled to an intermediate member. In various embodiments, the intermediate member can couple motion of the primary members to a crankshaft via an orbiting planetary gearing system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder with a combustion chamber and a piston selectively changing the volume of the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber receives a mixture of air, hydrogen and a liquid fuel consisting essentially of water and a flammable, preferably non-fossil, substance. The contents of the combustion chamber are ignited generating power.

Abstract: A system in an internal combustion engine is provided. The system a combustion chamber, a first exhaust port in fluidic communication with the combustion chamber, a second exhaust port in fluidic communication with the combustion chamber, and a direct fuel injector positioned between the first and second exhaust port and fluidly communicating directly with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A combined rocker arm apparatus for actuating auxiliary valve of engine, comprises an auxiliary actuator, a main rocker arm and a secondary rocker arm. The auxiliary actuator comprises an auxiliary rocker arm and an auxiliary cam. The auxiliary rocker arm and the main rocker arm are mounted on the rocker arm shaft in parallel. The auxiliary rocker arm is connected to the auxiliary cam at one end and adjacent to the secondary rocker arm at the other end. The auxiliary rocker arm includes a drive mechanism which provided with a piston. In the non-operation mode of the drive mechanism, the piston is drawn back, then the auxiliary rocker arm is disconnected with the secondary rocker arm; in the operation mode of the drive mechanism, the piston is pushed out, then the auxiliary rocker arm is connected with the secondary rocker arm.

Abstract: In the present fault diagnosis method and the fault diagnosis system for an engine, an external diagnosis device: obtains continuous data on the incidences of misfire by misfiring cylinders from the vehicle's side with regard to the actually occurring misfire or past incidences of misfire; detects a misfire pattern, which is to be classified according to the presence of continuous incidences of misfire, on the basis of the continuous data; and narrows down a fault site in accordance with the misfire pattern.

Abstract: A scavenged gas amount calculation device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of accurately calculating a scavenged gas amount under conditions where scavenged gases are produced during a valve overlap time period, and an internal EGR amount calculation device for the engine, which is capable of calculating an internal EGR amount using the scavenged gas amount thus calculated. The internal EGR amount calculation device includes an ECU. The ECU calculates a basic blown-back gas amount using an average intake pressure, a maximum exhaust pressure, and a correction coefficient (step 6), calculates a scavenged gas amount using the average intake pressure, a minimum exhaust pressure, and a scavenge ratio (step 8), calculates a blown-back gas amount by correcting the basic blown-back gas amount by the scavenged gas amount (step 11), and calculates the internal EGR amount according to the blown-back gas amount (step 12).

Abstract: A fuel injector may include a central longitudinal axis and may be arranged in a cylinder head of a combustion engine. The fuel injector has an injector body and an adjustment device, the adjustment device including a ring element configured to be arranged in a recess of a cylinder head between the injector body and the cylinder head to align the fuel injector relative to the recess in radial direction. The ring element comprises a magnetic material. A fuel-injection system is also disclosed that includes a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and a fuel injector as disclosed above.

Abstract: A diesel engine for combusting a diesel-LPG mixture includes a fuel system for supplying diesel and LPG. The mixture is obtained by combining the fuel flow from a LPG tank and diesel tank. Increased pressure is applied in both fuel flows for mixing purposes. Immediately following the mixing a circulation system is present in which increase in pressure also takes place, wherein a part of the mixture is supplied to a high-pressure pump for injection to the diesel engine and a part is recirculated. In a method of supplying the diesel-LPG mixture, the part of the mixture that is supplied to the high-pressure pump is returned to a position upstream of the mixing point. The pressure in the fuel system is higher downstream of the mixing point. When the LPG supply is switched off the pressure can be gradually decreased through circulation.

Abstract: There are provided a multi-layer piezoelectric element that is driven stably for a long period of time without developing cracks in a junction between a metallized layer and a lead member or a stacked body, and an injection device and a fuel injection system provided with the same. A multi-layer piezoelectric element includes a stacked body in which piezoelectric layers and internal electrodes are laminated; a metallized layer disposed on a side surface of the stacked body, the metalized layer being electrically connected to the internal electrodes; and an external electrode member disposed on the metallized layer, with an electrically-conductive adhesive layer interposed therebetween, wherein the electrically-conductive adhesive layer has a plurality of voids configured not to open on a surface thereof which surface is in contact with the metallized layer.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio apparatus may include a connecting rod having a small end portion having an eccentric bearing installation hole, a large end portion rotatably connected to the crank shaft, and a space portion formed in a longitudinal direction of the connecting rod and communicated with the eccentric bearing installation hole, a piston pin fixedly, an eccentric bearing rotatably engaged to the eccentric bearing installation hole and coupled to the piston pin through a pin installation hole of the eccentric bearing, wherein the piston pin may be offset from a center axis of the eccentric bearing, an eccentric link connected to the eccentric bearing, a variable link rotatably connected to the eccentric link, a control link rotatably connected to the variable link, and a control shaft provided in the control link to rotate the control link, wherein the eccentric link may be rotated within the space portion.

Abstract: A fuel injection controller includes a transistor downstream of a coil of a fuel injector, two transistors applying a source voltage to an upstream of the coil, a diode refluxing an electric current to the coil from a ground, and a Zener diode provided to promptly consume the counter electromotive force generated in the coil when one of the transistors is turned OFF and the transistor is turned OFF, after an injector-drive-period of the fuel injector is terminated. When a microcomputer measures an injector current “I” decreasing from a time of the termination of an injector-drive-period, a drive control circuit delays an OFF time of the transistor relative to a time of a termination of an injector-drive-period, whereby the injector current “I” decreases gradually.

Abstract: A vehicle oil pump having a first member and a second member relatively rotatable around one axial center such that one of the first member and the second member is inserted in an inner circumferential side of the other, includes: a slider member interposed between the first member and the second member in a direction orthogonal to the one axial center, the slider member being relatively immovable in circumferential direction around the one axial center with respect to the first member and slidable in direction parallel to the one axial center, the vehicle oil pump being configured such that a cam groove being formed in a circumferential surface of the second member facing the first member, a projecting portion disposed on the slider member being fitted in the cam groove, and the cam groove causing the slider member to reciprocate in the one axial center direction in association with rotation of the slider member relative to the second member around the one axial center, the second member being formed with a

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for controlling fluid flow between two reservoirs. The valve assembly includes a relief valve arranged inside the housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path when the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: An engine includes an injector, an ignition plug, a supercharger, an electronic throttle device, and an EGR apparatus. An EGR passage has an inlet connected to an exhaust passage downstream of a turbine and an outlet connected to the intake passage upstream from a compressor. A fresh-air introduction passage is arranged to introduce fresh air to a surge tank downstream from the electronic throttle device and a fresh-air control valve is provided to regulate a fresh air amount. When an ECU determines that the engine is under deceleration and under fuel supply, the ECU closes the electronic throttle device to a predetermined opening degree to scavenge EGR gas flowing from the EGR passage and remaining in the intake passage, opens a fresh-air control valve to a predetermined opening degree, and causes the ignition plug to retard an ignition timing.

Abstract: An EGR apparatus includes an EGR passage and an EGR valve including a valve seat, valve element, and step motor. In a fully closed state of the EGR valve with the valve element seated on the valve seat, a front-side pressure of the valve element is detected by an air flow meter and a back-side pressure of the valve element is detected by an intake pressure sensor. An ECU calculates a differential pressure between the front-side pressure and the back-side pressure as a front-and-back differential pressure. When the front-and-back differential pressure is smaller than a predetermined reference value, the ECU allows opening of the EGR valve from the fully closed state and allows driving of the step motor. The ECU can also correct the reference value according value according to voltage of a battery that supplies electric power to the step motor.

Abstract: A system, circuit, and method are provided for generating continuous plasma to control combustion including the ignition and maintenance of the combustion process. An electric potential difference is generated across a pair of electrodes in a combustible bulk gas in the form of an oscillating driving potential just below the arcing threshold which alternates in polarity to cause an alternating gap current between the electrodes which generates continuous plasma to contribute to combustion of the bulk gas by providing for more efficient combustion.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine has a cylindrical insulator, a center electrode held inside of the insulator, and, a terminal portion held inside of the insulator and electrically connected to the center electrode. The insulator has a insertion portion arranged closer to the base end side than the housing is, the insertion portion being inserted into a cylindrical plug cap. The insertion portion has a non-fit portion formed at the base end of the insulator, and, a fit portion formed to the head end side of the non-fit portion, an outer diameter of the non-fit portion being equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the plug cap, the fit portion being fitted in the inner periphery surface of the plug cap.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to achieve a stable idling revolution speed in a short time and to prevent easily the occurrence of abnormal combustion, misfire, or the like by effectively controlling a gas flow rate adjustment valve even in a case where a fuel gas which tends to fluctuate in fuel gas concentration, as represented by a coal mine gas, is used.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) furnace has a flat burner comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, the flat burner being configured to receive an air-fuel mixture therethrough, a first flow path located adjacent the flat burner and downstream relative to the flat burner, the first flow path configured to receive fluid exiting the flat burner, and a plurality of second flow paths located downstream relative to the first flow path, the plurality of second flow paths being configured to receive fluid from the first flow path.

Abstract: An over having an improved exhaust structure capable of discharging a fluid of the inside of a cooking chamber at a constant rate, the oven including a cooking chamber cooking food, a machine chamber disposed at an upper side of the cooking chamber and accommodating an electronic component, a cooling fan unit disposed at an inside of the machine chamber to cool the machine chamber, and a flow passage guide communicating with an inside the cooking chamber and an inside of the cooling fan unit such that a fluid of the inside of the cooking chamber is introduced to the inside of the cooling fan unit, wherein the cooling fan unit includes a cooling fan configured to suck a fluid of the inside the machine chamber and blow the fluid to the outside environment.

Abstract: A portable cooking grill includes upright posts, rails, a grilling surface, and a fuel tray. Each rail couples a pair of the upright posts. The grilling surface is coupled with the rails and supports food for cooking. The fuel tray is coupled with the rails and receives a volume of fuel. The grilling surface and the fuel tray slide relative to each other to allow them to be relatively moved into distinct positions. In one position, the fuel tray is beneath the grilling surface. In another position, at least a portion of the fuel tray is not beneath the grilling surface.

Abstract: Thermal cloth for football fields, comprising: a polyvinyl chloride sheet; an electrical heating resistor cable glued on top of said polyvinyl chloride sheet according to predetermined pattern and distances; an aluminium sheet glued on top of said polyvinyl chloride sheet and of said heating resistor cable; a control system for supplying said heating resistor cable; said thermal cloth is positioned on said football field with said aluminium sheet placed upwards.

Abstract: A food service unit for use with a cooking unit includes a food shield including an upper wall, a customer-side wall, and two lateral sidewalls, a ventilation volume defined at least in part by the food shield, a recirculating ventilation system including a filter, a fan downstream of the filter, and an exhaust vent, wherein the fan is configured to draw air from the ventilation volume through the filter and exhaust the air through the exhaust vent, a pressure sensor configured to detect a differential pressure between atmosphere and a location between the filter and the fan, a control system configured to prevent a cooking unit from operating when the detected differential pressure is outside a specified range of pressures, a fire suppression system including a nozzle and a source of fire extinguishing agent and a fire detection sensor configured to detect a fire and activate the fire suppression system.

Abstract: Chimney blocking apparatus including a handle (4), telescopic support means (6) having a longitudinal axis (7), chimney blocking means (8) and an actuation mechanism configured to firstly extend the telescopic support means (6) and deploy the chimney blocking means (8) outwardly and secondly collapse the chimney blocking means 8 inwardly towards the longitudinal axis (7). The actuation mechanism may include a first resilient means for collapsing the chimney blocking means (8).

Abstract: A solar receiver includes a manifold, a sealed enclosure around the manifold and a plurality of tubes connected to the manifold and extending through the sealed enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention keeps fluid temperature at a point in a flowing fluid system below a preset limit by providing automatic self-adjusting over-temperature protection that cools the fluid when needed and without requiring a separate cold fluid source. The present invention keeps the temperature of the fluid at a point in the system clipped at a cutoff temperature and prevents overcooling the fluid. When the fluid temperature is below the cutoff temperature, the temperature of the fluid is unchanged as it passes through the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention can operate without electrical power or any power source, can function in any orientation, and works for both unpressurized and pressurized systems. The present invention has application in the areas of solar thermal energy systems, fluid storage tanks, engine oil and coolant systems, transmission oil systems, hydraulic systems, and cutting oil systems, among others.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support module for a solar collector having a triangular substructure, formed by: a main structure intended to resist the torsional and bending forces of the collector, and an auxiliary structure that balances the assembly and supports the weight of the mirrors and the absorber tube. The main structure includes: a triangular substructure comprising rectangular pyramids and two half-pyramids at the ends, bars (5) joining the upper vertex of each pyramid (1) to the upper vertex (1) of the adjacent pyramid or to the upper vertex (1?) of the adjacent half-pyramid (1?), a diagonal bar (4) joining two opposite vertices of the base of each pyramid, and two king posts (6) located on each end of the triangular substructure. The auxiliary structure includes: arms (7, 7?), struts (8, 8?, 8?) for each arm (7, 7?), purlins (9) and supports (11) for the absorber tube (12).

Abstract: A trough collector for solar energy, with multiple parallel troughs preferably being contained within a single unit. The collector does not use conventional azimuth tracking in order to keep the sun's rays directed toward the parabola's focus as the sun moves across the sky. Instead, the relative position between the collecting device (preferably a conductive tube containing a circulating working fluid) and the plane of symmetry for each collector is adjusted so that the collecting device remains within the focal zone of the collector as the sun traverses the sky.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treatment of lignocellulosic organic waste or biomass, by which the carbohydrates are rendered more available for subsequent hydrolysis, e.g. by means of addition of enzymes or direct fermentation to one or more desired products. The invention more specifically relates to a method comprising a combination of the following process steps: thermal hydrolysis, wet oxidation and wet explosion. The method according to the present invention can operate with undivided or only poorly divided substrate having a high dry matter concentration.

Abstract: An aerosol transfer device for medical aerosol generators comprises a body, fluidically coupled to a nebulizer and to a patient interface. An ambient air intake is formed into a lower body. The body is shaped and configured to optimize mixing of ambient air from the ambient air intake and the aerosol generated by the nebulizer, resulting in the formation of an aerosol plume having optimum characteristics for delivery of the aerosol to the patient's pulmonary system, such as the central or deep lung regions. The shape and dimensions of the body are further designed to minimize aerosol deposition, thus improving delivery efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intubation device including a nasal endotracheal tube having a proximal, relative to a person inserting the nasal endotracheal tube, end and a distal end; and an introducer including an elongated member having a proximal open end and a distal blunt end, the introducer proximal open end including a hollow mouth having sidewalls for receiving and holding the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The dilator/introducer is simply a tube, solid or hollow having a hollow proximal end that will hold a distal end of a nasal endotracheal tube in place. It will act as a dilator, and once the distal end of the endotracheal tube is past the nasopharynx and is visualized in the oropharynx, the “dilator” is removed and typically discarded. A method of use of the intubation device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tracheal tube capable of suctioning accumulated mucus secretions from the airway of intubated patients are provided. Disclosed embodiments include a variety of endotracheal tubes with integral suction lumens terminating in ports optimally located at the distal end of the endotracheal tubes between a Murphy's Eye and a cuff. During intubation, the foregoing features, among others, of the tracheal tube may have the effect of preventing bacterial colonization of the respiratory airway and the subsequent development of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in the lungs.

Abstract: Systems for imaging structures of a subject are provided. The subject has an optical axis, a pupil, and a nodal point. The system includes an image capture device; a first structure including a mount for the subject to be imaged by the image capture device, the first structure providing at least two rotational degrees of freedom; a second structure including a mount for the image capture device, the second structure providing at least two translational degrees of freedom; and a means for aligning the image capture device in relation to the optical axis, the pupil, and the nodal point of the subject.

Abstract: A respiratory apparatus comprising a base and removable chamber, wherein the chamber is configured to hold a supply of water and include a blower arrangement adapted to provide a supply of pressurized air or gas to the supply of water. In certain embodiments the respiratory apparatus includes a split motor, wherein the stationary components are located within a base and the rotating portions are located within a chamber.

Abstract: A system for collecting nitrous oxide in exhalation air and subsequently delivering the nitrous oxide to further processing which comprises a number of mutually replaceable adsorption units (201). Every unit has a nitrous oxide reversible adsorbent (213a) and: i) an inlet port (214a) and an outlet port (214b) for exhalation air, ii) an inlet port (215a) and an outlet port (215b) for desorbing gas, together with A) a docking arrangement (202) which is associated with adsorption of nitrous oxide and used for connecting a face mask (204) to the inlet port (214a), and B) a docking arrangement (203) which is associated with desorption of nitrous oxide and used for connecting the outlet port (215b) to further processing of nitrous oxide. Another aspect is an adsorption unit (201,301,401) unit as defined in the preceding paragraph which is capable of being regenerated by passing a desorbing gas through the adsorbent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical method for treating atopic dermatitis. By subjecting patients suffering from atopic dermatitis to filtered temperature controlled laminar air flow disease symptoms have been significantly reduced and even removed. The velocity of the laminar air flow is balanced such that body convections are braked without the generation of draught.

Abstract: A device provides respiratory treatment such as for sleep disordered breathing and other respiratory conditions in a discreet configuration to provide a minimally invasive system. The system may include a flow pressurizer apparatus configured to generate a pressurized flow of air through a fine bore delivery conduit toward a patient interface. The system may further include a treatment compensator coupled with the fine bore delivery conduit. The treatment compensator may be configured at the patient interface to reduce pressure for patient inspiration. A processor may control adjustments to the pressure generated by the flow pressurizer apparatus.

Abstract: A pressure support system (10) including a pressure generator that generates a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a subject and a processor (22) configured to execute computer program modules. The modules include a first mode module (32) controls the pressure generator according to a first mode of therapy wherein breathing cues are provided to the subject (12) according to a breathing regime. The breathing cues prompt the subject to consciously alter breathing parameters. The modules also include a second mode module (34) controls the pressure generator according to a second mode of therapy wherein the flow of breathable gas is provided to the subject (12) at a selected pressure or selectively variable pressures. The modules further include a transition module (36) that transitions between the first mode of therapy and a second mode of therapy wherein parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is adjusted in response to a trigger event.

Abstract: A method for local heating includes placing first magnetic material in a first lumen, and a second magnetic material in a second lumen from the first magnetic material to a magnetically permeable rod, then applying alternating magnetic fields. The first lumen may be a fallopian tube. A method of occluding fallopian tubes uses a catheter to inject first magnetic material into the tubes, injecting second magnetic fluid into uterus, introducing a magnetically-permeable rod into vagina, positioning a second end of the rod over the fallopian tube and applying an alternating magnetic field to the first magnetic material to heat it. The method is performed with apparatus having a coil wound over a magnetically-permeable rod, a high frequency AC generator coupled to the coil, a first magnetic fluid capable of generating heat in an alternating magnetic field, and a second magnetically-permeable magnetic fluid capable of conducting magnetic fields through a lumen.

Abstract: A limb positioner apparatus includes a stabilizing plate and a movable positioning plate for arrangement about a joint or fracture. The movable plate is movable with respect to the stabilizing plate about three mutually perpendicular planes which intersect at a point corresponding to a center of rotation of the joint or fracture. The positioning plate may also be movable with respect to the stabilizing plate along at least one linear direction. At least some of the available degrees of freedom are selectively lockable. The apparatus is illustrated in the context of the foot and ankle. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: An oral appliance for treatment of medical conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, and/or for improving athletic performance, comprises a maxillary and a mandibular baseplate component each configured to conform to at least some of the teeth of the user; at least one pair of straps adjustably coupling the baseplate components, wherein the strap defines the relative horizontal positioning of the baseplate components; at least one pair of shim holding brackets coupled to one baseplate component; and a plurality of shims, wherein each shim is replaceably received in the shim holding bracket and configured to abut against the other baseplate component, wherein the shim when received within the shim holding bracket defines the relative vertical positioning of the baseplate components, and wherein the shims are provided in varying heights to allow for varying the vertical positioning of the oral appliance for a specific user.

Abstract: An oral tobacco raw material is easily handled during the manufacturing of oral tobacco, does not stain a packaging material when packaged as a pouch, and does not cause a feeling of a lump to a user and rapidly emits flavor when the user uses the pouch by placing it in the oral cavity. A method for manufacturing such an oral tobacco raw material, and a method for stably obtaining oral tobacco at low cost using the oral tobacco raw material are disclosed. A raw material chip for oral tobacco, includes a tobacco raw material composition including tobacco particles, water, and an additive, and a water-soluble edible film, the tobacco raw material composition and the water-soluble edible film being laminated, wherein outer surfaces of the raw material chip for oral tobacco are composed of a surface composed of the tobacco raw material composition, and a surface composed of the film.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically operated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate. The system includes a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate, an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, and electric circuitry for determining depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on a relationship between a temperature of the heating element and power applied to the heating element. There is also provided a method in an electrically operated aerosol generating system including a liquid storage portion for storing liquid aerosol-forming substrate and an electric heater including at least one heating element for heating the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the method including determining depletion of liquid aerosol-forming substrate heated by the heater based on a relationship between a temperature of the heating element and power applied to the heating element.

Abstract: A method of modifying the content of certain chemical compounds in tobacco materials is provided, the method including treatment of a tobacco plant or portion thereof with at least one enzyme. For example, the method may modify the content of tobacco smoke toxicant precursors in tobacco materials, which can result in a modification in toxicant production when the tobacco material is exposed to elevated temperatures. The type of tobacco plant or portion thereof treated according to the invention can be, for example, a tobacco seed, a tobacco seedling, an immature live plant, a mature live plant, a harvested plant, or a plant derivative. Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such enzyme-treated tobacco materials are also provided.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a cut stem with increased filling capacity comprises tearing a rod-like stem material having a water content of 20 to 50% by weight, shredding the torn rod-like stem material, and subjecting the rod-like cut stem material to expansion treatment.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette comprises a smoking unit and a power unit. The smoking unit attachably connects with the power unit as a unitary member by magnetism. A connecting end of the smoking unit and a corresponding connecting end of the power unit respectively comprise a connecting element which is made of iron material. A permanent magnet is disposed in at least one of the connecting end of the smoking unit and the corresponding end of the power unit. The connecting element of the connecting end of the smoking unit and the connecting element of the corresponding connecting end of the power unit are removably and insertedly connected to each other, and engaged with each other via an attractive force of the permanent magnet. The electronic cigarette can be assembled and disassembled conveniently and efficiently, and is easy for maintenance and replacement.