Abstract: A lube oil and fuel blending system, pumping device and method are provided which effectively, inexpensively and controllably removes used lube oil from an engine and delivers the lube oil to the fuel system for consumption within the engine. The lube oil and fuel blending system includes a fuel pumping device or injector containing a bore and a plunger reciprocally mounted in the bore for movement through a retraction stroke and an advancement stroke, each having a predetermined stroke length. A fuel drain circuit communicates with the bore at a drain location spaced a predetermined seal length axially along the bore from an outer opening of the bore through which the plunger extends. The predetermined seal length is specifically designed less than the predetermined stroke length to cause lube oil on the outer portion of the plunger to be delivered by the plunger to the fuel drain circuit at the drain location.

Abstract: A unit fuel injector is provided which includes a threadless injector body attaching device for attaching an upper body section of the fuel injector to a lower body section while avoiding imparting a transverse load to the upper body section thereby minimizing bore distortion, plunger wear and the likelihood of injector failure. The threadless injector body attaching device includes a groove formed in the lower end of the upper body section and one or more apertures extending through the lower body section for positioning adjacent the groove. Also, one or more pins are provided for insertion into a respective aperture and connection to the lower body section. The groove and opposing aperture or apertures are sized to create a slip fit to avoid a contact force between the pin or pins and the upper body section.

Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low oxides of nitrogen emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g.

Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low oxides of nitrogen emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g.

Abstract: An engine compression braking system having an integral rocker lever and reset valve utilizes a single rocker lever to operate an engine in both normal power and braking modes while effectively closing an exhaust valve to define a braking mode exhaust valve opening event prior to a primary opening event. The system includes a reset valve mounted on the rocker arm a spaced distance from an actuator piston to relieve fluid pressure from a high pressure circuit after an initial opening of the exhaust valve. A reset contact element is mounted on a stationary engine component for engagement by the reset valve during movement of the rocker lever to cause opening of the reset valve and relief of the pressure. In one embodiment, a bias chamber and bias chamber supply circuit are provided to permit low pressure braking fluid to be continuously supplied to an actuator supply circuit.

Abstract: An injector is provided which includes a nozzle valve element, a control volume, and an injection control valve for controlling fuel flow from the control volume so as to control nozzle valve movement. Importantly, the injector includes a nozzle valve lift detecting device for detecting nozzle valve lift and providing a nozzle valve element lift feedback signal. In addition, an injection control valve member movement detecting device may be provided for detecting movement of the injection control valve member into open and/or closed positions and generating a control valve member position feedback signal. One or both of the feedback signals may be used for adjusting the timing and/or rate of opening of the injection control valve thereby controlling the timing and/or rate of opening of the nozzle valve element to control the timing and/or rate of fuel injection of subsequent injection events.

Abstract: A system and method in which the exhaust manifold pressure is measured by a single gauge-type pressure sensor positioned in the exhaust manifold to detect misfires in all cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The pressure sensor detects the exhaust manifold pressure and feeds a signal to a microcomputer via an analog-to-digital converter. A data processing device monitors the pressure waveform created by the data from the sensor to determine if a full or partial misfire occurs. If a cylinder suffers from a partial or complete misfire, the strength of the pressure pulse for that cylinder will be reduced, thus, allowing the data processing device to identify the misfire. The data processing device may determine a misfire by computing an average peak pressure for each combustion cycle, a pressure threshold as a function of engine speed and fuel consumption rate, and a minimum pressure value based on the difference between the average peak pressure and the pressure threshold.

Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g.

Abstract: An improved surface characteristic measurement system for measuring a characteristic of a surface comprising a processor, a light source for providing a light beam on the surface to be measured, a position sensing device for sensing a position of a diffused light diffused by the surface, and a photodiode for sensing intensity of a reflected light reflected by the surface. The position sensing device, which may be a PIN diode, provides a position signal to the processor indicative of position of the diffused light while the photodiode provides a reflected light intensity signal to the processor indicative of reflected light intensity. The processor determines the surface characteristic based at least one of the position signal and the reflected light intensity signal.

Abstract: A method for accurately and economically shaping a zirconia workpiece with a relatively inexpensive silicon carbide grinding wheel is provided. The grinding wheel used in the method preferably utilizes 220 mesh silicon carbide particles bound in a low porosity vitreous matrix. The grinding wheel is then rotated at a sufficient speed to implement a grinding operation, and is engaged against the zirconia workpiece at a diametral feed rate of at least 0.04 mm/sec. The method advantageously removes material from the zirconia workpiece at a high rate of speed with minimal wheel wear, and results in accurate cuts and smooth surface finishes, and also eliminates the need for dressing the wheel prior to the grinding operation.

Abstract: A low friction, wear-resistant pin for a cam follower roller useful in the injector and valve trains of internal combustion engines, particularly diesel engines, to enhance cam durability and life is provided. The material selected for the pin, which is selected for its wear resistance, its corrosion resistance, its low friction, and its ability to embed hard debris and other oil contaminants without scuffing, has been demonstrated to improve cam life dramatically. A preferred roller pin material that achieves this objective is a copper-based alloy, most preferably a leaded manganese silicon bronze.

Abstract: The high efficiency gear pump includes a pump housing which defines an internal pump chamber. The pump chamber includes opposed first and second elongate gear receiving sections spaced on opposite sides of a central chamber section. The first and second gear receiving sections each have an arcuate peripheral wall which extends between a low pressure inlet port and a high pressure outlet port positioned on opposite sides of the central chamber section between the first and second gear receiving sections. Coaxially mounted on a drive shaft for rotation therewith are first and second pump drive gears having teeth which rotate in minimal spaced relationship with the arcuate peripheral wall of the first gear receiving section. The first and second pump drive gears are mounted for floating axial movement relative to each other and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically authenticating a user to applications in a network environment. After an initial authentication procedure, the user's identity is mapped into a network credential which includes the user's role, and which is formed into a cookie. To gain access to an application requiring authentication, the cookie is provided to a script, and the information contained in the cookie is used to obtain authentication data required by the desired application.

Abstract: A three-way fuel injection control valve assembly is provided which includes a pilot valve for controlling the movement of a drain valve member and a separate supply valve member to minimize valve response time and transition flow losses. The solenoid operated two-way pilot valve controls the flow of fuel from a control volume formed adjacent the ends of the drain valve member and the supply valve member to begin and end an injection event. A transition flow loss limiting feature is provided which causes the drain valve member to close prior to the opening of the supply valve member and subsequently causes the supply valve member to close prior to the opening of the drain valve member during a given injection event thereby minimizing transition flow losses.

Abstract: An improved collapsible, foldable table including at least two table top sections, at least one hinge connecting the table top sections, a plurality of table legs rotatably attached to the table top sections, and a set up and rigidifying mechanism including a pair of braces, a truss member that extends from at least one of the at least two table top sections, and a central cable adapted to cause the outswinging of the plurality of table legs into an operative position when the table top sections are unfolded. Each brace includes a v-brace member, a central brace member, and a pivoting member for pivotally connecting the v-brace member to the central brace member. Preferably, the central cable extends between pivoting members of the pair of braces, a midportion of the central cable being attached to an end of the truss member.

Abstract: A flow control valve having a controllable flow area which varies with the valve displacement. The flow control valve includes a poppet-type valve element mounted to reciprocate between a closed and open position in a valve cavity formed in a valve housing. The valve housing has an inlet and outlet passage to allow fluid to flow therethrough. A removable insert having a flow passage is positioned in the valve cavity adjacent the poppet-valve for controlling the flow rate of gaseous fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage while the poppet valve is in an open position. Movement of the poppet valve from a closed to an open position varies the effective cross-sectional flow area of the flow passage.

Abstract: The improved solenoid actuator assembly of the present invention includes a solenoid stator assembly positioned in an actuator housing and a flux dissipation reducing feature which minimizes flux leakage into the housing thereby maximizing the attractive force and minimizing the response time. The flux dissipation reducing feature includes a slot formed in the housing adjacent each outer face of the solenoid stator pole pieces thereby avoiding a metallic housing wall into which leakage may occur. The slots also permit the cross sectional area of the pole pieces to be maximized thereby increasing the available attractive force. The solenoid stator assembly requires only a single housing which functions to directly support the laminate stack assembly without an intermediate housing while also functioning as an injector body component subject to the compressive assembly load of the injector and including high pressure fuel passages.

Abstract: An improved method and system for automatically continuously replacing an engine's used lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil throughout operation based on engine operating conditions is disclosed. The present system includes an injection control device for injecting small amounts of used lube oil into the engine's fuel system and an auxiliary flow control device for directing controlled quantities of fresh oil into the engine's lube oil system. An electronic controller is provided to vary the amount of used lube oil injected into the oil system based on the severity of engine operation. The process periodically determines an engine operating severity value, i.e. fuel consumption value, for an interval of engine operation and calculates a base line quantity of oil for injection based on the current fuel consumption of the engine during the current interval.

Abstract: The cellular telephone data communication system and method involves the use of a mobile data processing interface and a cooperating static data processing interface to effectively transmit data over a cellular telephone system. Each data processing interface includes a processor which operates in the transmitting mode to add an error control correction data format to data received from an external data source. The data is divided into packets and provided to a modem which is uniquely operated to eliminate the action of the modem scramble system and to remain active in spite of a carrier signal loss. The modem is deactivated or disconnected by a disconnect signal from the processor, and when carrier signal loss occurs, this disconnect signal is provided only after the lapse of a delay period without the resumption of the carrier signal.

Abstract: A unit fuel injector adapted to receive fuel from a fuel supply at relatively low pressure and adapted to inject fuel at relatively high pressure into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided, comprising an injector body having a first internal bore and an injector orifice and a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement within the first internal bore to define a variable volume fuel pressurization chamber including a cam actuated upper plunger portion and a lower plunger portion mounted in the first internal bore between the variable volume fuel pressurization chamber and the upper plunger portion. While the upper plunger portion is in its retracted position, low pressure fuel from the fuel supply is supplied to the variable volume fuel pressurization chamber.