A vacuum system for the brake booster of a motor vehicle includes a demand-driven vacuum pump and a vacuum line connected on one end to the vacuum chamber of the brake booster and connected on another end to an intake port of the demand-driven vacuum pump. The vacuum system may include a discharge device arranged on an exhaust air opening of the vacuum system for ensuring bidirectional air volume flow between the external surroundings of the discharge device and the exhaust air opening of the vacuum system, which preventing liquids from reaching the exhaust air opening of the vacuum system as an air volume flows from the exterior surroundings into the exhaust air opening of the vacuum system. The vacuum system may also include a check valve arranged between the intake port of the demand-driven vacuum pump and the connection to a vacuum chamber of the brake booster.

Devices for producing vacuum using the Venturi effect are disclosed that have a motive passageway converging toward a suction chamber, a discharge passageway diverging away from the suction chamber, and a suction passageway, all of which are in fluid communication with the suction chamber. The motive passageway has a single entrance, and subdivides downstream thereof into a plurality of subpassageways, one each leading to one of the plurality of motive exits, which are spaced apart from a discharge entrance of the discharge passageway to define a Venturi gap. The fletch having a plurality of ribs extending between an exterior surface of the generally conically-shaped main body thereof and an interior surface of the motive passageway is disposed in the motive passageway. The ribs divide the motive passageway into the plurality of sub-passageways, each converging fluid flow over the exterior surface thereof toward one of the plurality of motive exits.

Devices for producing vacuum using the Venturi effect are disclosed that have a motive passageway converging toward a suction chamber, a discharge passageway diverging away from the suction chamber, and a suction passageway, all of which are in fluid communication with the suction chamber. The motive passageway has a single entrance, and subdivides downstream thereof into a plurality of subpassageways, one each leading to one of the plurality of motive exits, which are spaced apart from a discharge entrance of the discharge passageway to define a Venturi gap. The fletch having a plurality of ribs extending between an exterior surface of the generally conically-shaped main body thereof and an interior surface of the motive passageway is disposed in the motive passageway. The ribs divide the motive passageway into the plurality of sub-passageways, each converging fluid flow over the exterior surface thereof toward one of the plurality of motive exits.

Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

An oil supply device for a vacuum pump of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a car, including an oil feed line via which the vacuum pump can be supplied with oil for lubricating the vacuum pump. The oil feed line includes a valve connected to the oil feed line in an oil-conducting manner, which valve has a piston that is accommodated in a valve interior of the valve and can move at least between a supply position in which it allows a supply of oil to the vacuum pump and a blocking position in which it prevents the supply of oil to the vacuum pump, and has a spring element, by means of which a spring force that holds the piston in the blocking position can be applied to the piston when the internal combustion engine is at rest.

Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.

A vehicle having a valve stop mode control unit configured such that an intake valve and an exhaust valve are stopped in a closed state during rotation of an output shaft, supply of fuel to an engine is stopped, a clutch is made to be in an engaged state, and pistons are driven by rotational forces from driving wheels through the output shaft. When there is a request for valve stop inertial running, a negative pressure is supplied to an intake passage by a vacuum pump.

A vehicle having a valve stop mode control unit configured such that an intake valve and an exhaust valve are stopped in a closed state during rotation of an output shaft, supply of fuel to an engine is stopped, a clutch is made to be in an engaged state, and pistons are driven by rotational forces from driving wheels through the output shaft. When there is a request for valve stop inertial running, a negative pressure is supplied to an intake passage by a vacuum pump.