Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine isolates the fuel tank from the engine during purging of a carbon canister used to store fuel vapor drawn from the fuel tank during refueling. The flow of vapor from the tank to the canister is controlled by a main vapor control valve, and the flow of vapor from the canister to the engine is controlled by a purge valve. Pressure transducers are used to independently sense vapor pressure in the tank and in the canister. An electronic controller operates the valves based in part on the pressure information generated by the pressure transducers.

Abstract: An injection pressure sensor (10) intended for use with a fluid source (12). The injection pressure sensor (10) has a sensor element (14). and a tube member (18). The tube member (18) creates a fluid pathway (20) between the fluid source (12) and the sensor element (14). The tube member (18) contains a collapsible portion (22), such that when the tube member (18) is bent, the fluid pathway (20) is generally closed.

Abstract: A tester 10 suitable for testing fuel system components of an automotive vehicle such as a fuel pump 34, a fuel sender 36 and a pressure transducer 38 has a housing 12 that is coupled to a power supply 30. Switch SW1 is used to selectively power the fuel pump 34. A second switch SW2 is used to selectively couple power to transducer 38. A final test port TP1 and a second test port TP2 are places where the electrical characteristics of the fuel system components may be measured. For example, the sender resistance and transducer output voltage may be measured.

Abstract: A fuel tank filler pipe neck assembly, a fuel tank system and a method for refueling a fuel tank each employ a chamber having formed therein a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle entry port and a liquid fuel exit port. There is also disposed within the chamber a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat, where the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat is sized to accept and seal a rim of a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle introduced into the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle entry port while allowing flow of a liquid fuel from the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle through the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat. Finally, there is also disposed within the chamber a means for resiliently and flexibly biasing the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat against the rim of the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle while resiliently and flexibly sealing the liquid fuel dispensing nozzle seat to the liquid fuel exit port.

Abstract: A apparatus for improving loading dock safety includes an actuator 22 coupled to light 16. Actuator 22 controls the position of a visible barrier 24, or flag. When semi-truck 12 is being unloaded, it is unsafe to move semi-truck 12 ahead, therefore, red light 18 is activated and actuator 22 lowers barrier 24 in front of the truck where the driver can see it. When the unloading process is complete, it is safe to move semi-truck 12 ahead, therefore, green light 20 is activated and actuator 22 raises barrier 24 to signal the driver that semi-truck 12 may be safely moved ahead.

Abstract: A varnish oven (10), including a preheating station (12), a temperature homogenization station (14), a varnish application station (16), a varnish curing station (18), a cooling station (20), a conveyor system (24) and a control system (38). The conveyor system (24) moves parts through the oven. The parts start at the preheating station (12) where portions of the part are raised to an appropriate temperature for varnish application. The parts then move to the temperature homogenization station (14) where the temperature is maintained at an appropriate level. Varnish is applied to the part in the varnish application station (16) and is cured in the varnish curing station (18). Finally the part is cooled in the cooling station (20). The control system (38) varies the temperature of the preheating station (12), the temperature homogenization station (14), and the cooling station (20) to maintain part temperature upon stoppage of the conveyor system (24).

Abstract: A fuel system, a method for operating the fuel system and a method for operating an engine which is supplied by the fuel system each comprise: (1) a fuel tank; (2) a fuel vapor tank in fluid communication with the fuel tank by means of a first fuel vapor conduit; and (3) an engine in fluid communication with the fuel vapor tank by means of a second fuel vapor conduit. Within each of the fuel system and the two methods, there is captured, contained and compressed within the fuel vapor tank a fuel vapor extracted from the fuel tank when either: (1) refueling the fuel tank whether or not the engine is operating; (2) when the engine is operating whether or not refueling the fuel tank; or (2) immediately after shutting down the engine after having operated the engine. The fuel vapor within the fuel vapor tank may then be employed alone for restarting the engine, in absence of liquid fuel from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A method (100) for predicting distortion of a sheet metal during a sheet forming process to form the sheet metal into a part. The method (100) of the present invention is for use with a computer including memory and sheet forming tools. The method (100) comprises applying (104-116) the radial return method to compute the total stress for the anisotropic hardening rule of Mroz. The method (100) of the present invention does not divide a given strain increment into hundreds of subintervals as long as the movement of the center of the active yield surface is along a fixed path. If a break occurs, the given strain increment is divided into a few segments (110).

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the purging of vapor from a carbon canister based on identification of a vacuum loss in the manifold. The system and method of the present invention store target values for the tank pressure and purge duty cycle. A differential pressure between current system levels and target levels is calculated and compared to predetermined critical levels. If the currently calculated level exceeds a calibrated threshold value, a countdown timer is set and reset until the calculated differential drops below the threshold value. If the engine air mass drops below a critical calibrated air mass value before the timer has completed counting down, the purge flow is reset and slowly reintroduced to prevent rich engine air/fuel ratio conditions.

Abstract: A fuel delivery module for an automotive fuel delivery system includes a reservoir and a fuel pump. The fuel pump delivers fuel from the tank to the reservoir via a fuel tank inlet and reservoir outlet and from the reservoir to the engine via a reservoir inlet and engine outlet. The reservoir is formed with a plurality of contaminant traps for collecting contaminants contained in the fuel as the fuel is pumped through the reservoir such that the contaminants settle unto said contaminant traps thereby reducing the amount of contaminants entering the reservoir inlet.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system having a housing with a motor, throttle valve, gear mechanism, and fail-safe mechanism. A spring member attached to a gear member and default lever, and which is biased when the throttle valve is in its fully open and closed positions, operates to open the throttle valve in the event of an electric failure, thus allowing the vehicle to limp home.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster mechanism for an internal combustion engine having a body portion with a bore formed in the body portion having a bottom surface. A plunger having a top surface is slidingly received within the bore of the body portion. The plunger has an internal channel with a bleed hole formed therein connecting the top surface of the plunger to a high pressure chamber formed between the bottom surface of the bore and the bottom of the plunger. The body portion has a valve opening formed therein that is in fluid communication with an engine fluid supply. A check valve mechanism selectively opens and closing the valve opening in response to pressure differences between the engine fluid reservoir and the high pressure chamber. The diameter and length of the bleed hole and the force applied to said top surface of said plunger control the leak down rate of the hydraulic lash adjuster to eliminate lash in the engine valve train components.

Abstract: A system for minimizing lash in the valve components of an internal combustion engine including a lash adjuster assembly with a body having a closed bore formed therein. A piston is slidingly received within the bore. A cam is in communication with one surface of the assembly for imparting motion thereto. The assembly also has a fluid reservoir and chamber formed therewithin. The chamber is formed between the bore bottom surface and the bottom surface of the piston. A valve opening is also formed in the assembly for providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the chamber. A check valve mechanism is in communication with the valve opening for selectively opening and closing the valve opening in response to angular position of the cam.