EP0700482B1 - Controlled variable compression ratio internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Controlled variable compression ratio internal combustion engine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0700482B1
EP0700482B1 EP93909156A EP93909156A EP0700482B1 EP 0700482 B1 EP0700482 B1 EP 0700482B1 EP 93909156 A EP93909156 A EP 93909156A EP 93909156 A EP93909156 A EP 93909156A EP 0700482 B1 EP0700482 B1 EP 0700482B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
involute
shaft
engine
piston
preselected
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93909156A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0700482A4 (zh
EP0700482A1 (en
Inventor
Ahmed Syed
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Individual
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Individual
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B75/00—Other engines
    • F02B75/04—Engines with variable distances between pistons at top dead-centre positions and cylinder heads
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B41/00—Engines characterised by special means for improving conversion of heat or pressure energy into mechanical power
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D15/00—Varying compression ratio
    • F02D15/04—Varying compression ratio by alteration of volume of compression space without changing piston stroke
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B1/00—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression
    • F02B1/02—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition
    • F02B1/04—Engines characterised by fuel-air mixture compression with positive ignition with fuel-air mixture admission into cylinder

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the internal combustion engine art and, more particularly, to an improved arrangement for controlling the compression ratio of the engine.
  • thermal efficiency which is directly related to fuel economy, is directly proportional to compression ratio.
  • Compression ratio is defined as the ratio of the total internal volume of the cylinder when the piston is at bottom dead centre (BDC), to the clearance volume of the cylinder when the piston is at top dead centre (TDC).
  • BDC bottom dead centre
  • TDC top dead centre
  • the space between the piston and the cylinder head at TDC is also known as the combustion chamber.
  • CR Total vol. at BDC / Clearance vol. at TDC
  • compression ratio It is important to differentiate between compression ratio and compression pressure (CP), although they are directly related.
  • Typical compression ratios of modern spark ignition engines are anywhere from 8 to 9.5.
  • the compression ratio for a particular spark ignition internal combustion engine design is selected after a determination of what safe compression pressures the engine can handle without the fuel mixture detonating prematurely.
  • CR is limited by the maximum (full throttle) CP. This limitation, a) hinders the use of very lean mixtures for emission control, and b) places an undesirable limitation on the theoretical efficiency of the engine.
  • the CR may be safely increased without exceeding maximum safe CP.
  • An increase in engine efficiency and a decrease in emissions may be realised if the CR is varied in a manner so that CP remains constant near a preselected value.
  • the engine compression system must adapt to changing operation and external conditions such as load, speed, etc. and change the compression ratio therein.
  • a solution to providing variable CR is to somehow control the clearance volume at TDC.
  • variable compression ratio systems have attempted to provide a quiet, stable, controllable arrangement for changing the compression ratio in internal combustion engines.
  • U.S. Patent 4,516,537 teaches the use of a variable position sub-piston under hydraulic control.
  • the ⁇ 537 patent describes the inherent problem of a number of prior solutions of the back-flow of the hydraulic fluid under the intense back pressure of the internal explosion of fuel and air.
  • the prior art systems did not work as expected because the regulation of the compression ratio is accompanied by too large an error imposed by the intense explosion pressure.
  • the ⁇ 537 patent attempts to solve the problems by only moving the sub-piston during the intake and exhaust strokes of the engine.
  • the opening and closing of a check valve is used to activate the movement of the sub-piston.
  • ⁇ 537 discloses that the sub-piston will be forced to a slightly rearward position during the intense power explosion. Such intermittent movement results in noise, vibration and control instability.
  • a disclosure in the Japanese patent No. 88926/81 attempts to solve some of the problems by introducing a hydraulic cylinder with a plunger mounted to be co-axial with the piston rod of the sub-piston used to vary the compression ratio.
  • the system results in a step wise control of the compression ratio which introduces a large error resulting in knock and erratic performance.
  • control means be continuously variable and vibration resistant to provide noise free and error free efficient operation of the engine.
  • WO91/14860 of the present applicant seeks to provide a solution to the above-stated problems associated with the earlier disclosures.
  • a secondary cylinder is formed in the cylinder head and a piston is located therein.
  • the position of the piston is controlled by an involute surface mounted upon a rotatable shaft such that the torque generated upon the involute and shaft by the explosion in the cylinder is reduced to a very low value. Since the present application is an improvement upon the disclosure of WO91/14860, several of the drawings and much of the description of the earlier application is included herein.
  • WO91/14860 represents the closest prior art to the present application, and the preamble of the claim 1 is derived therefrom.
  • the involute is supported by a shaft but driven by a sleeve surrounding the shaft.
  • the sleeve communicates with the involute by means of a spring to advance the involute only during periods of low back pressure.
  • the involute communicates with the shaft by means of a ratchet whereby the involute will advance in only one direction and only during low pressure.
  • the ratchet prevents movement in the other direction.
  • the involute is repositioned by means of moving the shaft.
  • Any such control device responding to the preselected variables of air temperature, pressure, octane rating of the fuel, engine temperature, etc. may be incorporated in the algorithm used by the control device to determine the rotational position and achieve the preselected engine efficiency by changing the compression ratio.
  • the purpose of this invention which is shared by the invention described in WO91/14860, is to provide an arrangement which may be used to increase internal combustion engine thermal efficiency.
  • the efficiency is a function of the compression ratio and the fuel-air ratio.
  • Unleaded gas and smog control devices have been introduced to reduce undesirable emissions.
  • High octane gas is used to prevent knocking.
  • the compression ratio of most engines is fixed at a range of 8 to 9.
  • the quantities of fuel and air may be controlled to try to provide an ideal lean mixture which runs hotter. However, with low compression ratios, the lean mixture burns slower resulting in serious loss of power and sometimes may even fail to ignite. If it is too slow, the burning is incomplete and creates pollutants.
  • the engine controls may increase the fuel to create a richer mixture which burns faster. However, the rich mixture burns cooler and still creates pollutants.
  • the desired control is to increase compression pressure to the maximum for the current load. With increased pressure, the mixture burns faster. Thus, the ideal mix may be used and pollutants reduced.
  • the objective is to maintain a constant pressure of the charge in the combustion chamber prior to ignition regardless of engine load, speed or environmental conditions.
  • the compression is varied by means of a secondary piston. Under part throttle conditions, the secondary piston moves down to increase the compression ratio.
  • the engine compression ratio is raised to run in a more fuel efficient manner. Since the charge density is made constant at all throttle conditions, it becomes possible to use extremely lean mixtures reducing pollutants and improving economy. Under heavy load conditions or full throttle acceleration, the engine compression ratio is lowered.
  • Figure 10 is a graph showing the effect of compression ratio on the efficiency of a constant-volume engine.
  • the fuel-air-cycle efficiency is seen to increase with compression ratio.
  • the ratio of fuel-air-cycle efficiency to air-cycle efficiency is roughly constant for a given fuel-air ratio.
  • Efficiency is increased as the compression ratio is increased.
  • the objective is to squeeze the maximum mileage from a given amount of fuel by running the engine at the highest possible compression ratio.
  • FIG. 1 a cross sectional view of an internal combustion engine generally designated 10.
  • the engine has a primary cylinder 101, a cylinder head 102, and a primary piston 103.
  • Other items necessary for the function of the engine such as intake, exhaust valves, rocker arms, rocker arm camshaft, piston rings, crank shaft, connecting rod, etc. are illustrated but not integral to the invention.
  • a secondary cylinder 201 is formed in the cylinder head 102 and positioned so that the opening of the secondary cylinder 201 corresponds with a selected part of the volume which comprises the clearance volume at TDC. As illustrated, the opening of the secondary cylinder 201 is fully enclosed within the upper portion of the cylinder head 102 which is opposite the upper surface of the primary piston 103.
  • a secondary piston 203 is mounted within the secondary cylinder 201. The space within the secondary cylinder 201 and below the secondary piston 203 is added to the clearance volume of the engine 10 in computing the compression ratio. As the secondary piston 203 is lowered along the secondary cylinder 201, the clearance volume is reduced and the compression ratio is increased.
  • Cooling of the secondary cylinder 201 and piston 203 may be provided by means of an oil flow which is well known in the art.
  • a return spring 204 is attached to the secondary piston 203 to return the secondary piston 203 to the upper-most position of the secondary cylinder 201 and keep it firmly pressed to the surface of the involute.
  • the shaft of the actuator (electric motor) incorporates a spring return mechanism to rotate the shaft in the direction of minimum CR in case of loss of power or control signals to the actuator.
  • the minimum CR position is the configuration utilised upon starting and stopping the engine.
  • the secondary piston 203 must incorporate compression rings, lubrication channels, etc. to function but such items are well known in the art, are not part of the invention herein and therefore not shown in detail.
  • the spark plug 104 is illustrated as mounted within the secondary piston 203 with the spark gap between the electrodes extending into the combustion chamber 110 of the primary cylinder 101, cylinder head 102 and primary piston 103.
  • This configuration allows the secondary piston 203 to be as large as possible. This arrangement is more clearly shown by the diagram of Figure 2.
  • the spark plug may be mounted elsewhere given a different arrangement of the secondary cylinder 201 and the intake and exhaust valves incorporated in the design. Multiple intake and exhaust valves may be used to increase the efficiency of the engine. But these items are well known in the art.
  • Figure 4 shows the spark plug wire 105 from the distributor being connected to the spark plug 104 by means of a connector fitted on the camshaft cover. This could also be performed by providing a service access, hinged door on the camshaft cover. The size, placement and sealing requirements of the door to provide easy access to the spark plugs mounted inside the secondary piston is well known in the art.
  • the camshaft cover could be fitted with cable connectors for passage of cables to the outside of the cover.
  • the shaft 301 shown in perspective in Figure 3 may be mounted in bearings on towers and positioned so that the surface of a plurality of involutes 302 are in contact with a plurality of caps 205 for multi-cylinder engines.
  • the shaft 301 is similar to a camshaft which is well known in the art.
  • a control device is connected to one end of the shaft 301 and rotates the shaft 301 to a preselected position. As shown in Figure 4, under the condition of the shaft 301 being rotated counter clockwise, the outside surface of the involute 302 will push down upon the cap 205 which lowers the secondary piston 203 thereby decreasing the clearance volume and increasing the compression ratio of the engine 10 to a preselected value for the present operating conditions.
  • the servo control device 503 is illustrated to be an electric motor but may be a hydraulic drive device.
  • the shaft 301 is rigidly mounted on bearings in towers to the cylinder head. Thus the upward force generated on the secondary piston 203 and transmitted through the cap 205 and the involute 302 to the shaft 301 is controlled.
  • Figure 4 is another design showing a shaped cap 405 mounted above the secondary piston 203.
  • the secondary piston 203 is kept in rotational alignment within the secondary cylinder 201 by means of a guide 407 and key 406. This keeps the wedge shaped end 408 of the shaped cap 405 of the secondary piston 203 in normal alignment with the surface of the involute.
  • Figure 5 shows the detail of the wedge 408 and the alignment of the cap 408 on the surface of the involute 302. By use of this alignment, the force vector of the shaped cap 405 acts through the centre of the shaft 301 with a resultant zero torque force acting on the shaft 301.
  • the control of the position of the shaft may utilize an electric servo motor.
  • a hydraulic position control actuator may be used.
  • the control means may utilise automatic braking to eliminate overshoot and backlash.
  • the position of the control means may have a simple correspondence to the intake manifold vacuum.
  • the intake manifold butterfly may incorporate a dash pot to damp the throttle response to allow the control system to follow the motion of the intake manifold butterfly valve.
  • Figure 9 illustrates a block diagram of a control method. Because it is impractical to measure the pressure in a cylinder while it is in operation, an indirect method to compute the relative amount of charge present in a cylinder is used. A fairly accurate indication is the inlet manifold vacuum. A vacuum manifold sensor produces a signal for input to the logic unit.
  • Intake manifold vacuum is a direct parameter for establishing engine load and a fairly accurate means for determining the amount of charge entering the cylinders.
  • the logic unit could combine inputs from several variables such as atmospheric pressure, engine RPM, throttle position, engine temperature, etc. to evaluate current compression ratio.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates that RPM sensor 920 is another input which may be utilised by the logic unit.
  • the position sensor 925 of the actuator 926 indicates to the logic unit 915 the present position of the involute 302 and thus the compression ratio of the engine.
  • the reference 927 contains a table established for the engine and vehicle type to allow the logic unit 915 to compare current engine charge, RPM and compression ratio to the desired compression ratio established to produce top efficiency.
  • the logic unit will then calculate a clockwise or counter clockwise position control signal and communicate that signal to the actuator 926.
  • the position sensor 925 provides the feed back to allow the logic unit 915 to determine when the actuator has turned the involute 302 to the position to achieve the desired compression ratio.
  • the logic unit 915 Upon arrival at the desired position, the logic unit 915 will disengage the actuator 926.
  • a switch may be provided to lock the actuator in its present position to further stiffen the tolerance of the system to backpressure.
  • the objective of both the prior disclosure of WO91/14860 and the present invention is to maintain the compression ratio at the highest possible level for the conditions.
  • the only limiting factor is that the pre-ignition pressure does not exceed a maximum tolerable value.
  • This process of achieving the optimum compression ratio for the present operation of the engine is essentially continuous.
  • the position of the involute 302 may stay essentially the same for a period of time depending upon the driving conditions.
  • a damping mechanism may be utilised on the main throttle butterfly valve to ensure that it cannot be opened or closed too quickly.
  • the damping action should closely follow the response time of the actuator 926 to allow the system time to "catch up".
  • an additional throttle plate under the control of the logic unit may be utilised.
  • Such control systems are well known in the art.
  • Figure 6 and 7 show another design of the prior disclosure WO91/14860 having threaded bolts 603 driven by a worm gear 502 moving a drive gear 501 on the shaft 301.
  • the bolt 603 replaces the action of the involute 302.
  • a second worm gear 602 mounted on the shaft 301 engages a second drive gear 601, it pushes down on the cap 205 mounted on the secondary cylinder 203.
  • the back pressure of the secondary cylinder 203 against the bolt 603 will create some torque force on the bolt 603 and tend to unscrew it.
  • the torque on the second drive gear 601 against the second worm gear 602 transmitted as torque on the drive gear 501 to the worm gear 502 is significantly reduced by a pre-selected gearing ratio so that any rearward movement of the bolt 603 is controlled.
  • the gear head portion of the bolt 603 may be attached to the threaded portion of the bolt 603 by means of a key inserted into a guide. This may increase the strength of the arrangement over a one-piece moulded or machined part.
  • Figure 8 illustrates yet another prior art design in which the position of each involute 815 is independently controlled by a separate logic unit 816 or one channel of a multi channelled control unit.
  • the control unit 816 is connected to the servo motor actuator 810 and directs it to rotate in the desired direction.
  • a worm gear 813 is mounted on the shaft 817 of the servo motor actuator 810 and engaged with gear 814.
  • Gear 814 is formed as part of the involute 815 and rotatably mounted to the cylinder head of the motor to be controlled.
  • the servo motor position sensor 811 provides input to the logic unit 816. The control signal from the logic unit 816 to the servo motor actuator is terminated when the position sensed by the servo motor position sensor 811 indicates that the involute 815 has moved the secondary piston 203 to the pre-selected position.
  • the servo limit switch 812 protects the control system from rotating beyond pre-selected limits by disengaging the servo motor actuator 810.
  • the limit switch 812 may be incorporated into a fail safe position circuit to allow the servo motor actuator 810 to move the involute 815 to the minimum compression ratio position upon loss of the logic unit 816 or selected inputs to the logic unit 816.
  • Figure 11 illustrates yet another prior art design in which the position of each involute 1115 is independently controlled by a separate logic unit 1116 or one channel of a multi channelled control unit.
  • the involute 1115 which controls the position of a cap 205 as described above is mounted on the shaft 1117 of the servo motor actuator 1110 in the same manner as described above.
  • Figure 12 illustrates yet another prior art design in which the position of each threaded bolt 1206 is independently controlled by a separate logic unit 1216 or one channel of a multi-channelled control unit.
  • the rotated position of the threaded bolt 1206 which controls the position of the cap 205, as described above, corresponds to the rotation of the worm gear 1202 mounted on shaft 1217 of the servo motor actuator 1210 in the same manner as described above.
  • Figures 13 through 17 illustrate an embodiment according to the present invention, which may incorporate some of the features of the prior designs if desired. According to the invention, the positioning of the involute is achieved with minimum power because the involute is advanced only during times of low pressure in the combustion chamber.
  • Figures 13-17 do not show all of the features described below in relation thereto.
  • a supplementary sheet of drawings showing the features referred to below which are not expressly shown in Figures 13-17 have been prepared and are open to public inspection in the official file. The sheet is entitled “Supplementary Drawings” and has been filed with the representative's letter dated 26 August 1998.
  • Figure 13 depicts a base shaft 1301 on which is formed a ratchet 1302.
  • Figure 15 depicts an involute 1501 in which a plurality of notches 1503 are formed at a pre-selected radius.
  • a first wall 1504 is formed in the centre of the involute and a click/lock mechanism 1502 is mounted in the inside surface of the first wall 1504.
  • One involute 1501 with click/lock mechanism 1502 is mounted onto the base shaft 1301 over each ratchet 1302.
  • a sleeve 1401 has a preselected inside diameter to fit over the base shaft 1301.
  • the sleeve 1401 is formed with fingers 1402 which can be mounted through the notches 1503 of the involute 1501.
  • a spring 1403 is mounted on the sleeve 1401 to communicate torque from the sleeve 1401 to the involute 1501 upon the rotational movement of the sleeve 1401.
  • the position of the sleeve 1401 is controlled by a servo motor actuator or hydraulic actuator as described above in relation to certain of the prior art designs.
  • a gear 1404 is formed on a selected portion of the sleeve 1401 to allow rotational information to be communicated between the actuator and the sleeve 1401 by such means as a worm gear or directly coupled gear transmission.
  • the arrangement Upon movement of the shaft 1401 in the desired direction and the loading of the spring 1403, the arrangement is primed to have the involute move in the desired direction upon the occurrence of pressure in the combustion chamber, as communicated to the involute 1501 by the secondary cylinder described above, being lower than the spring 1403 coefficient.
  • This movement of the involute 1501 relieves the tension on the spring 1403.
  • the involute 1501 is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction by a click/lock mechanism 1502 mounted in the involute 1501 and engaging the ratchet 1302 on the base shaft 1301.
  • the granularity of the teeth in the ratchet 1302 is of a pre-selected size. In the preferred embodiment, the granularity is small to allow the rotation of the involute 1501 to appear essentially continuous even though it is actually step wise.
  • the bearing may be of the oil pressure type or a roller/ball bearing type.
  • the bearing is comprised of a rotating inner bearing 1601 mounted within an outer bearing 1602 mounted on a journal 1603 which is positioned to support the arrangement.
  • the inner bearing supports the base shaft 1301 while sections of the sleeve 1401 are attached to the outer bearing 1602.
  • Figure 17 shows the entire embodiment assembled into arrangement 17.
  • a stepper motor 1702 is depicted as having a transmission gear 1703 engaging the drive gear 1404 of the sleeve 1401.
  • the involute 1501 is rotated into the desired forward position under a controller connected to the stepper motor 1702.
  • a clutch mechanism 1701 at one end of the base shaft 1301 is released which will cause the base shaft 1301 to rotate in the direction of lower compression.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Output Control And Ontrol Of Special Type Engine (AREA)
EP93909156A 1993-03-19 1993-03-19 Controlled variable compression ratio internal combustion engine Expired - Lifetime EP0700482B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1993/002728 WO1994021908A1 (en) 1990-03-23 1993-03-19 Controlled variable compression ratio internal combustion engine

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0700482A1 EP0700482A1 (en) 1996-03-13
EP0700482A4 EP0700482A4 (zh) 1996-03-20
EP0700482B1 true EP0700482B1 (en) 1999-12-22

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ID=22236440

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93909156A Expired - Lifetime EP0700482B1 (en) 1993-03-19 1993-03-19 Controlled variable compression ratio internal combustion engine

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0700482B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP3366332B2 (zh)
DE (1) DE69327408T2 (zh)
WO (1) WO1994021908A1 (zh)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5611300A (en) * 1995-10-11 1997-03-18 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The Environmental Protection Agency Floating piston, piston-valve engine
DE102011114259A1 (de) * 2011-09-23 2013-03-28 GM Global Technology Operations LLC (n. d. Gesetzen des Staates Delaware) Hubkolben-Verbrennungsmotor mit variabler Verdichtung
CN103256126B (zh) * 2013-05-09 2015-07-15 浙江大学 用于内燃机的机械辅助压缩控制均质混合气燃烧的系统
CN114856838B (zh) * 2022-04-02 2023-03-17 辽宁工程技术大学 一种自控调节汽油机用可变压缩比机构

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2163015A (en) * 1935-01-07 1939-06-20 V A Bradley Variable clearance volume engine
SE428141B (sv) * 1981-09-07 1983-06-06 Hedelin Lars G B Sett att reglera forloppet i en forbrenningsmotor, samt forbrenningsmotor
JPH01100328A (ja) * 1987-10-09 1989-04-18 Fuji Heavy Ind Ltd 圧縮比可変型エンジン

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0700482A4 (zh) 1996-03-20
JPH08511597A (ja) 1996-12-03
EP0700482A1 (en) 1996-03-13
DE69327408D1 (de) 2000-01-27
DE69327408T2 (de) 2000-08-03
WO1994021908A1 (en) 1994-09-29
JP3366332B2 (ja) 2003-01-14

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