Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for controlling corona discharge. A driver circuit provides energy to the corona igniter and detects any arc formation. Optionally, in response to each arc formation, the energy provided to the corona igniter is shut off for a short time to dissipate the arc. Once the arc dissipates, the energy is applied again to restore the corona discharge. The driver circuit obtains information relating to the corona discharge, such as timing and number of arc formations. A control unit adjusts the energy provided to the corona igniter, shut-off time, or the duration of the corona event based on the information. The adjusted energy levels and duration are applied during subsequent corona events. For example, the voltage level could be reduced or the shutoff time could be increased to limit arc formations and increase the size of the corona discharge during the subsequent corona events.

Abstract: Engine valve actuation systems and methods used to decompress an engine cylinder during engine start-up, shut-down, and for bleeder braking are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft, and a structure mounted adjacent to the rocker arm in a fixed position relative to the rocker arm. A latch piston may be slidably disposed between the rocker arm and the structure. The latch piston may be selectively extended to engage both the rocker arm and structure to limit the pivotal motion of the rocker arm and maintain the engine valves in an open condition.

Abstract: A combustion engine includes a combustion engine piston cylinder including an interior wall surface, the interior wall surface having a textured pattern comprising a plurality of texture elements over at least part of an axial length of the interior will surface. An area density and/or a volume of the texture elements of the textured pattern for a given surface area of the interior wall surface and/or a depth of the texture elements increases toward a center of the axial length of the interior wall surface.

Abstract: The oil pump for a vehicle may include a housing forming an outer wall of the oil pump, an outer ring to control a pumping volume of an oil, a first chamber for storing a pumped oil and connected to an engine to supply the oil to the engine, a second chamber selectively communicated to the first chamber to store the pumped oil, a rotor moving along a radial direction to pump the oil and rotating at the same time, an elastic member for controlling an operation pressure of the oil to maintain a working moment of the outer ring, and a solenoid valve for selectively communicating the first chamber with the second chamber.

Abstract: An engine, such as a circulating piston engine, includes a housing that defines an annular bore, a piston assembly, and a valve. The piston assembly is disposed within the annular bore and is configured to be coupled to a drive mechanism. The valve is configured to be intermittently disposed within the annular bore to define a combustion chamber relative to the piston assembly.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine may reduce noise caused by a high pulsation pressure generated in a high-pressure pump due to fuel pressure control. The fuel supply system may include: a high-pressure pump; a high-pressure rail; an injector that is installed at the high-pressure rail and injects a fuel into a combustion chamber of the GDI engine; and a high-pressure pipe that is connected between the high-pressure pump and the high-pressure rail so as to supply the fuel to the high-pressure rail, wherein a porous member for reducing a pulsation pressure through which a plurality of through holes through which the fuel to be supplied to the high-pressure rail passes, is formed, is installed on a flow passage of the high-pressure pipe.

Abstract: An improved multi-stroke DIG or diesel engine and method includes a cylinder formed within an engine cylinder block, a piston is movably disposed within the cylinder, and a combustion chamber is formed in a space between the piston and a cylinder head. An injector is disposed within the engine cylinder head for supplying fuel into the cylinder. An intake valve is disposed within an intake opening formed in the engine and an exhaust valve is disposed within an exhaust opening formed in the engine. An actuator is connected to the piston, wherein movement of the piston causes the actuator to open the exhaust valve a first predetermined amount at a beginning of the compression stroke of the piston to vent air through an exhaust channel formed in the engine and to close the exhaust valve after a predetermined period of time within the compression stroke of the piston.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pump (43), including operating an engine (23) having an engine intake (49) coupled to a pump output (51) of a pump, and a transmission (41) coupled to the engine and to the pump, and operating a valve (58) between a pump input of the pump and the engine intake, such that the valve can be opened during a ratio change of the transmission.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuously variable valve lift apparatus, may include determining a desired valve lift of the continuously variable valve lift apparatus based on a driving status, determining a first correction factor based on the driving status, determining a second correction factor based on an amount of air flowing into an engine, determining a final correction factor from the first correction factor and the second correction factor, determining a critical value of operation inclination of the valve lift from the final correction factor and an operation status of a transmission, and controlling the operation of the continuously variable valve lift apparatus on the basis of the determined desired valve lift within the critical value of the operation inclination of the valve lift.

Abstract: A method of controlling an oil pump of an engine with a variable valve lift apparatus includes: detecting the operation status of a vehicle; determining whether mode change conditions of a variable valve lift apparatus are satisfied; determining whether the mode change condition of the variable valve lift apparatus is a condition for changing from a low lift to a high lift; comparing whether the current oil hydraulic pressure is larger than the current necessary hydraulic pressure, when the mode change condition of the variable valve lift apparatus is a condition for changing from a low lift to a high lift; and increasing oil pressure by controlling the oil pump, when the current oil hydraulic pressure is not larger than the current necessary hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: An induction cleaning analyzing system includes a pressure sensor, an ignition event detector, and a control module. The pressure sensor measures airflow pressures of intake air and/or exhaust from cylinders in a common airflow pathway of a vehicle. The ignition event detector determines ignition events of the cylinders. The control module obtains pressure waveforms representative of the airflow pressures and divides the pressure waveforms into waveform segments. The control module associates different subsets of the waveform segments with different ones of the cylinders using the ignition events. The control module also identifies cyclic variations in the airflow pressures flowing in the common airflow pathway and caused by at least one of the cylinders by examining the waveform segments associated with the at least one of the cylinders.

Abstract: Features relating to engine efficiency and emissions controls are described. Systems, methods, articles or manufacture and the like can include features relating to integrated muffler and emissions controls for engine exhaust, water-injected internal combustion engine with an asymmetric compression and expansion ratio, controlled combustion durations for HCCI engines, piston shrouding of sleeve valves, low element count bearings, improved ports, and premixing of fuel and exhaust.

Abstract: A high-pressure quill for a fuel injection system of an engine includes a pair of elongated components linked together in fluid communication. The upstream component includes a plenum chamber with a seat at its upstream end. The pair of elongated components is linked together by a linking component in a manner to permit fluid flow therethrough. A fuel flow limiter is slidably supported in the chamber and is operable during normal operation to provide predetermined quantities of fuel during each injection event to a combustion chamber and, in the event of a failure condition, to terminate fuel flow.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an engine system having liquid and gaseous fuel systems, each of which injects fuel directly into an engine cylinder. A controller controls pumping of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the gaseous fuel system. In a pump cycle, a pumping piston is moved in an intake direction over an intake stroke such that the pumping piston produces a negative pressure that draws LNG from a tank fluidly connected to the pumping element into a pumping chamber of a body of the pumping element. The pumping piston is moved in an opposing power direction over a power stroke such that the pumping piston pumps compressed LNG out of the pumping chamber away from the tank. The pumping piston is moved over the intake stroke with an average intake velocity and over the power stroke with an average power velocity, which is greater than the average intake velocity.

Abstract: A dual fuel common rail system may be operated in a regular mode in which a relatively large charge of gaseous fuel is ignited by compression igniting a relatively small injection quantity of liquid diesel fuel. The dual fuel system may be operated in a single fuel limp home mode in which liquid diesel fuel is injected at higher pressures. Over pressurization of the gaseous fuel side of the fuel system due to leaked liquid fuel is avoided by regularly injecting leaked liquid fuel, but not gaseous fuel, from the gaseous nozzle outlet set during the limp home mode of operation.

Abstract: A common rail system for a dimethyl ether (DME) fuel in which a medium-pressure fuel system is disposed between a low-pressure fuel system and a high-pressure fuel system to improve the durability and reliability of the common rail system is provided. The low-pressure fuel system stores a DME fuel in a gaseous state. The medium-pressure fuel system maintains a DME fuel supplied from the low-pressure fuel system to a high-pressure fuel system or returned from the high-pressure fuel system to the low-pressure fuel system in a liquid state. The high-pressure fuel system receives the DME fuel maintained in the liquid state from the medium-pressure fuel system and supplies the DME fuel to an injector.

Abstract: An injection system for cold start improvement of a flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV), may include a first injector installed in an intake port, and a second injector installed in the intake port in which the first injector may be installed and having a built-in heater, wherein the first injector and the second injector may be positioned upstream of intake valves.

Abstract: An engine includes two injectors that inject fuel in an intake port connected with one combustion chamber and allows overcoming the technical limits of the related art and achieving more appropriate fuel injection in accordance with the operation sections of an engine, thereby improving fuel efficiency and output of the engine with more efficient operation.

Abstract: An intake system for a vehicle includes an air cleaner assembly in a compact size. Intake passages introduce intake air to front and rear cylinder blocks of a multicylinder engine, and an air cleaner assembly is connected to upstream ends of the intake passages. A space inside an air cleaner case of the air cleaner assembly is partitioned into upper and lower sides by a partition wall, forming a clean chamber above the partition wall and a dirty chamber below. The intake passages are arranged to pass through the dirty chamber in an up-down direction, and inlets of the intake passages are arranged in the clean chamber. A through hole is formed in the partition wall between the intake passages for the front and rear cylinder blocks. An air cleaner element, configured to clean incoming intake air, is arranged to occlude the through hole.

Abstract: Provided with a control device for an in-cylinder injection type internal combustion engine that reduces an amount of fuel attaching to and remaining on a piston crown surface and a cylinder bore wall surface so as to suppress an increase in the number of exhaust particles of PM when fuel injection is performed a plurality of times in one burning cycle. In divided multi-stage injection in which the fuel to be injected in one burning cycle is divided into a plurality of times, an injection amount rate of injection at an early timing among injections divided into the plurality of times is set according to a fuel cut continuous time at a timing when the fuel injection is resumed from a fuel cut state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel ICE termed the Leaschauer Engine (LE). The Leaschauer Engine (LE) is a single or multiple step compression cycle ICE machine, employing the Pressure/Heat Detonation Principle (Diesel Principle). The Leaschauer Engine differs significantly from a conventional ICE machine by its ability to employ extreme combustion pressure to achieve high combustion efficiency operation without risking a pre-detonation condition.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an engine system having liquid and gaseous fuel systems, each of which injects fuel directly into an engine cylinder. A controller controls the pumping of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the gaseous fuel system using variable speeds for reciprocally moving a pumping piston of a pumping element with a drive assembly. The controller adjustably controls the drive assembly of the pump system to vary a time period for the pump cycle based upon a comparison of a pressure measured in the accumulator and a target pressure condition. When the accumulator pressure satisfies the target pressure condition, the controller is adapted to control the drive assembly such that the pumping element is in a creep mode in which the pumping piston continues to move, but produces no more than a nominal amount of compressed LNG.

Abstract: A fuel system is provided for use with a variable speed dual fuel engine. The fuel system comprises a first fuel injector configured for supplying diesel fuel to the engine, a second fuel injector configured for supplying natural gas to the engine, and a fuel controller configured to implement a diesel injection schedule and a natural gas injection schedule based on at least a fuel map, an optimal engine speed and a current engine speed.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a mobile refueling solution to vehicles that run on natural gas (CNG) or other gaseous fuels (CFG) through an integrated system of onboard compression, storage, interface modules and a central control architecture.

Abstract: A fuel heating device may improve cold start performance and solve a number of problems of conventional auxiliary tank and heating systems of a flex fuel vehicle (FFV). The fuel heating device may include a heater having embedded therein a heat emission object for heating fuel, a solenoid valve connected the heater such that a flow path to a first outlet is opened or closed to selectively supply fuel, a temperature sensor installed in the heater, and a controller for turning on and off the heater and opening and closing the solenoid valve according to a temperature of the fuel, in which the outlet of the heater is connected with a cold start injector through a cold start line and an inlet of the solenoid valve is connected with a fuel line connected from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A tuned power amplifier includes: a tuning capacitor connected in series with multiple loaded chokes that represent an inductance of an oscillator, and multiple semiconductor power switches connected to the series connections between the tuning capacitor and the loaded chokes. The loaded chokes may be induction heating coils of inductively heated fuel injectors. The induction heating coils may be connected to a common voltage source. An on state and an off state of the semiconductor power switches may be synchronized with, or at a frequency below, a natural resonant frequency of the tuned power amplifier.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pump (43), including operating an engine (23) having an engine intake (49) coupled to a pump output (51) of a pump, and a transmission (41) coupled to the engine and to the pump, and operating a valve (58) between a pump input of the pump and the engine intake, such that the valve can be opened during a ratio change of the transmission.

Abstract: A brake negative pressure generating device of a vehicle includes: an electrically-driven supercharger for drawing in, compressing, and supplying outside air; a vacuum chamber connected to an inlet opening of the electrically-driven supercharger and supplying negative pressure for brake force boosting; a negative pressure supply passage for connecting the inlet opening of the electrically-driven supercharger and the vacuum chamber; and a first negative pressure control valve for opening and closing an inlet passage. Accordingly, the electrically-driven supercharger is run to supplement brake negative force if the brake negative force is not sufficient.

Abstract: In a method for operating a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine having internal exhaust gas energy recuperation, a cylinder head recuperator is heated up during an exhaust cycle by hot exhaust gas flowing through the cylinder head recuperator prior to being exhausted from the cylinder via an exhaust valve. During an intake cycle, fresh charge flows into the power chamber of the cylinder by passing around a cylinder head recuperator. During the subsequent compression stroke, the cylinder head recuperator is moved out of a recess formed in the cylinder head such that some of the compressed charge can flow into the recess. Near the end of the compression stroke, the cylinder head recuperator is moved back into the recess so that compressed charge located in the recess is forced to flow through the hot cylinder head recuperator and thereby be heated up immediately before ignition of the compressed charge.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve device for a vehicle includes a valve housing having an exhaust gas inlet port and an exhaust gas outlet port, a flap valve rotatably mounted on the valve housing to open and close the exhaust gas outlet port, and a valve shaft fitted to penetrate the flap valve and coupled to the flap valve by electron beam welding to rotate integrally with the flap valve.

Abstract: An oil filter system for a vehicle may provided at a cylinder block of an engine for collecting engine oil from a blow-by gas generated in a crank case. The oil filter system may include a blow-by path to recirculate the blow-by gas so that the blow-by gas generated in the crank case is combusted together with a fuel-air mixture, a filter case that is a space formed between the crank case and the blow-by path, a filter partition disposed to divide the filter case into two spaces, and configured to collect the engine oil contained in the blow-by gas, and an oil pan mounted in the cylinder block for collecting the engine oil that have been collected by the filter partition. The filter partition may collect the engine oil in a forward direction flow and a reverse direction flow of the blow-by gas.

Abstract: An oil filter system for a vehicle is provided at a cylinder block of an engine and collects engine oil from blow-by gas generated in a crank case. The oil filter system may include a blow-by path configured to recirculate the blow-by gas so that the blow-by gas generated in the crank case is combusted together with a fuel-air mixture, a filter case formed between the crank case and the blow-by path, filters disposed in the filter case to collect the engine oil contained in the blow-by gas, and an oil pan mounted in the cylinder block to collect the engine oil collected at the filters, wherein the filters collect the engine oil in a forward direction flow and a reverse direction flow of the blow-by gas.

Abstract: In this invention, there is provided a method for reducing NOx emission from an internal combustion engine designed to produce a given amount of power and a method for improving fuel efficiency by providing an intake stream of oxygen-enriched air and keeping the amount of power output the same so that the combustion temperature in the engine is lower.

Abstract: A stratified scavenging two-stroke engine includes a first scavenging passage that extends from a first scavenging intake that opens to the inside of the crankcase to a first scavenging port that opens to the inside of a cylinder, and a second scavenging passage that extends from a second scavenging intake that opens to the inside of the crankcase to a second scavenging port that opens to the inside of the cylinder. The first and second passages are formed so as to communicate with each other via a communicating portion. An air passage is connected to the first passage at a position closer to the first scavenging intake than the communicating portion. A first check valve inhibits a flow from the first passage to the inside of the crankcase, and a second check valve inhibits a flow from the first passage through the air passage to the outside.

Abstract: An apparatus for crossbows. The crossbow has a stock attached to a bow and the bolt has an arrowhead attached to a shaft. The apparatus includes an arrowhead bracket attached to the stock, the arrowhead bracket having a first arm containing a first receptacle and a second arm containing a second receptacle. The apparatus may include a hood operatively attached to a cap, the hood being operatively configured to receive the arrowhead. The hood may be engagable with the first or second receptacle. The apparatus may contain a brace positioned on one side of the stock and having a first leg pivotally attached to a second leg and wherein said first leg is configured to engage the shaft of the bolt. The apparatus may also include a selective attachment member that will selectively attach the first and second leg together when the legs are pivoted together.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a double linkage triggering system used on a crossbow including a main body, which consists of a trigger unit and a shooting unit. In various embodiments, the trigger unit comprises a bracket body, a trigger block, a hammer, a trigger power-adjusting bolt, a triggering mechanism and a trigger-safety device.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a crossbow that includes a housing having a channel for receiving an arrow, a trigger arm carried by the housing, a bowstring latch for retaining a bowstring in a cocked position that is pivotally carried by the housing and engagable with the trigger arm, and a dry-fire safety (DFS) latch pivotally carried by the housing and engagable with the bowstring latch, wherein the DFS latch substantially retains the bowstring latch in the cocked position when the trigger arm is actuated without the arrow seated in the channel.

Abstract: An autonomous ventilation system includes a variable-speed exhaust fan, a controller, an exhaust hood, and a spillage sensor. The exhaust fan removes air contaminants from an area. The controller is coupled to the exhaust fan and adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan. The exhaust hood is coupled to the exhaust fan and directs air contaminants to the exhaust fan. The spillage sensor is coupled to the controller, detects changes in an environmental parameter in a spillage zone adjacent to the exhaust hood, and communicates information relating to detected changes in the environmental parameter to the controller. The controller adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan in response to information relating to detected changes in the environmental parameter.

Abstract: A hybridization system (15) for use in a hybrid energy plant (35, 50, 60, 70) that includes a first thermal energy unit (10) powered by solar energy and a second non-solar thermal energy unit (11) for providing thermal energy to a user (16) via first and second heat transfer fluids (HTF) respectively. The hybridization system includes a mixing unit (45) for mixing the thermal energy of the first and second heat transfer fluids either directly or indirectly so as to form a unified heat transfer fluid that is fed to the user. In some embodiments a thermal energy storage unit (28) and mixing unit (45) are coupled directly or indirectly to the first and second thermal energy units for receiving, storing and mixing thermal energy from the thermal energy units, so as to form either directly or indirectly a unified heat transfer fluid that is fed to the user.

Abstract: A drive can include a positional sensor within an outer housing of the drive so as to provide an output indicative of a position of the drive. The positional sensor can be an inclinometer. The inclinometer can be used for feedback control of an inclination of the drive. The drive can further include control electronics within the same housing, so as to provide feedback control of a motor of the drive. The control electronics can include an input for receiving a requested inclination and can be configured to drive the motor until the inclinometer outputs a signal indicative of the requested angle.

Abstract: A solar concentrator comprising at least one rigid parabolic self-supporting solar collector comprising at least one parabolic reflector and at least one heat collector rigidly supported above a reflective surface of the parabolic reflector; and a positioning unit configured for positioning the solar collector into an operation position for reception of solar beams by the parabolic reflector, and into a rest position in which the reflective surface of said parabolic reflector and the heat collector are at least partly under cover of a back surface of the parabolic reflector.

Abstract: A solar energy collection conduit (10) comprising an optical concentrator (40) incorporated into an outer tube (30) having a sunlight-transmitting ceiling (32). The concentrator (40) focuses, guides, directs, and/or otherwise concentrates sunlight towards a pipe (50). Fluid (60) conveyed by the pipe (50) can be heated to very high temperatures (e.g., up to and above about 100° C., about 200° C., and/or about 300° C.).

Abstract: Improvements in the design and construction of solar collector modules. Aspects of the invention include improvements in the layout of a frame for a solar collector module, and in the joining of structural members of the frame at nodes. In one example, a module of a solar collector includes a reflector and a three-dimensional structural frame that supports the reflector. The frame is made up of substantially rigid elongate frame members interconnected at nodes. Improved node connection components include hubs or frame members having tabs for receiving frame member connections. A tab may have a width that is substantial in relation to its height. The frame may incorporate asymmetry in its layout, in the size or presence of frame members, or in the positioning of the nodes.

Abstract: A portable grill assembly having a frame and a plurality of legs that are pivotally attached to the frame. A removable tray is matingly received within the frame and a screen is removably nested within the tray in spaced relation to the bottom of the removable tray to provide room for charcoal to be burned. At least one wind screen is detachably secured in the frame adjacent the grill to block wind from blowing on the grill. At least one wing is attached to the frame.

Abstract: In some variations, the invention provides a process for producing purified cellulose, comprising: providing a feedstock comprising lignocellulosic biomass; contacting the feedstock with sulfur dioxide, water, and a solvent for lignin, to produce intermediate solids and a liquid phase comprising hemicelluloses and lignin; mildly bleaching the intermediate solids to further delignify the intermediate solids, thereby generating cellulose-rich solids; and washing the cellulose-rich solids to generate purified cellulose with less than 2 weight percent lignin. The bleaching may employ bleaching agents including lignin-modifying enzymes. The bleaching and washing steps may be combined. It is also possible to carry out bleaching prior to, or simultaneously with, biomass fractionation in the digestor, which may help reduce downstream lignin precipitation. The purified cellulose may be utilized for making cellulose materials or cellulose derivatives, or for hydrolysis to produce glucose.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for humidifying ventilation gas. Systems and methods may include a nasal interface apparatus for receiving ventilation gas from gas delivery tubing and for humidifying ventilation gas. The nasal interface apparatus may have one or more channels within the nasal interface to deliver gas from a gas delivery circuit to a patient's nose; one or more structures in fluid communication with the one or more channels to direct ventilation gas to the patient's nose; and a hygroscopic material within the nasal interface in the flow path of the ventilation gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compliance monitor for monitoring patient usage of a medicament delivery device, where the medicament delivery device includes a store of medicament and a medicament dispensing means. The compliance monitor includes a housing adapted to enclose the medicament delivery device, and a dose counter, associated with the housing, for recording the delivery of a dose of medicament to the patient from the medicament delivery device. The arrangement and construction is such that the housing is loosely coupled to the medicament delivery device, whereby the housing is able to move relative to the medicament delivery device during the delivery of the dose of medicament, and it is this movement which actuates the dose counter, either directly or indirectly, in order to record the delivery of the dose of medicament.

Abstract: A composition and therapeutic kit provide a therapeutic azole with increased solubility. The kit includes an aerosol packaging assembly containing a container accommodating a pressurized product and an outlet capable of releasing the pressurized product as a foam. The pressurized product includes a foamable composition including: i. a therapeutic azole, wherein the solubility of the azole in the composition before foaming is less than the solubility of the azole in the composition after foaming; ii. at least one organic carrier selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic organic carrier, a co-solvent, an emollient and mixtures thereof, at a concentration of about 2% to about 50% by weight; iii. a surface-active agent; iv. about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of at least one polymeric additive selected from the group consisting of a bioadhesive agent, a gelling agent, a film forming agent and a phase change agent; v. water; and vi.

Abstract: This portable device, which allows people without medical experience, the ability to support persons in medical distress until more trained persons are available. With the use of audible instruction the user is guided in calling for medical assistance, placement of pulse oximeter and cardiac electrodes. The device continuously analyzes input from the pulse oximeter and cardiac electrodes. If input suggests that supplemental oxygen could benefit the person in distress, the user is guided by audible instruction in the use of the oxygen delivery system, and automatically activates the Chemical Oxygen Generator (COG) to start oxygen flow. If the input suggests that Cardiac Shock (Defibrillation) could benefit the person in distress, the audible instruction informs the user and directs the user accordingly, activating the Automated External Defibrillator (AFD). Audible instructions would be available in multiple languages as selected by the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule for receiving a preferably powdered pharmaceutical preparation and an inhaler in which, for inhalation, the preparation is expelled from the capsule through at least one hole. A capsule according to the invention comprises as capsule elements a capsule cap and a capsule body, at least one of which comprises at least one prefabricated hole. Systems according to the invention comprising inhalers and capsules are described, in which the prefabricated hole in the capsule is sealed off in the transporting state of the system and is open in the usage state. The hole is exposed by actuation of a pushing or pulling mechanism. Prior to this the hole is closed off by part of the capsule itself or by a capsule receptacle belonging to the inhaler. In one embodiment the capsule may be present in two different states, for example in different insertion positions of the capsule elements. In the first state the prefabricated hole is closed off and in the second it is exposed.