Abstract: Combustion air for use in an engine is normally compressed by a compressor which adds heat during the process of increasing the density of the combustion air. To decrease the heat content of the combustion air, an aftercooler is used. When compressing combustion air to a higher density, the combustion air is compressed by a first compressor section to a first preestablished pressure and temperature and by a second compressor section to a second preestablished pressure and temperature. To decrease the heat content of the highly compressed dense combustion air, a first aftercooler having an air to liquid configuration is used and a second aftercooler having an air to air configuration is used.

Abstract: A coating for fuel system components, including components of fuel injectors, adapted for use with low lubricity fuels is disclosed. The invention consists of a metal carbon material coating or a metal nitride coating to the fuel pump plunger or other fuel injection system components. The invention utilizes a coating on the fuel injector plunger that minimizes scuffing or seizure associated with the plunger and barrel.

Abstract: A primary surface recuperator is made from a plurality of components, one of such components being a primary surface sheets. The primary surface sheet is used to transfers heat from a donor fluid to a recipient fluid. A first sheet portion of the primary surface sheet has a pair of sides and has a preestablished thermal deformation characteristic including a resistance to high temperature deformation and a high temperature resistance to corrosion. A second sheet portion has a pair of sides and has a preestablished thermal deformation characteristic being less than the resistance to high temperature deformation and the high temperature resistance to corrosion of the first sheet portion. The first sheet and the second sheet are attached at a respective one of the pair of sides of the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion forming an axis. The axis is positioned at an angle to the pair of sides.

Abstract: A pump includes a pump housing having an impeller recess therein and a pump outlet and an impeller disposed in the impeller recess. First and second separate volute passages are disposed in the pump housing and are further disposed in fluid communication between the impeller recess and the pump outlet. Motive power and fluid are supplied to the impeller recess, thereby inducing fluid flow therein. The fluid flow is divided into the separate volute passages and the divided flow is recombined in a convergence passage before exiting the pump outlet.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sampling system for use in connection with the sampling of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas streams has a plurality of diluters arranged in a serial array along an axial extent. A source of engine exhaust gas is fluidically connected to the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply an engine exhaust gas stream into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters in a serial manner. A source of dilution air fluidically is connected to each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply dilution air into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters.

Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine used a crankshaft to develop rotating motion. A rotary pulse detonation engine can be adapted to rotate a shaft. A combustor portion of the rotary pulse detonation engine is spaced from an axis of the shaft a preestablished distance therebetween in a mass member. An intake portion and an exhaust portion of the combustor portion is positioned in a parameter of the mass member. A combustion portion of the combustor portion is interposed the intake portion and the exhaust portion. The combustion portion has a frustoconical first position which converges to form a deflagration wave and progresses into a detonation. The deflagration to detonation transition occurs in the transition region. A combustible fuel and air mixture is combusted in the combustor portion creating a high speed jet exiting the exhaust portion and rotating the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cell of a recuperator wherein the cell includes a plurality of primary surface sheets, a plurality of spacer bars and a pair of guide vanes. A fixture has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion is pivotably movable between an open or loading position and a closed or welding position. A plurality of the spacer bars, plurality of primary surface sheets and a pair of guide vanes are positioned in the fixture in a preestablished relationship and are fixedly attached one to another by a tack welding machine. A controller operative controls the tack welding machine.

Abstract: An inspection fixture and line is used to accurately determine the geometry and dimensional accuracy of a circular recuperator core. With the fixture and line inspection of a length, an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the circular recuperator core are completed. The method of using the fixture and the line further insures the concentricity of a donor inlet duct and a donor outlet duct.

Abstract: A system is disclosed to manufacture a recuperator core. The core is made up of a plurality of cells and an inner sealing member. A manufacturing system has an input end, an assembly station having a lower or inner chucking portion and an upper portion, and a welding station. The lower or inner chucking portion is movable between a lower position and an upper position and has a retracted position and an expanded position. The upper portion is movable between a loading position and a clamping position and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The welding station performs a tack welding operation and a lineal welding operation.

Abstract: A method for aligning a circular core. The method has a work station which defines an inner chucking portion being movable between a lower position and an upper position and a retracted position and an expanded position. The work station defines an upper portion being movable between a first position and a second position and a loading position and a clamping position. The clamping position has a plurality of positions. The circular core being aligned during at least a portion of the plurality of positions. And, the work station having a welding station.

Abstract: An assembly line for economically and efficiently assembling a core into a recuperator. The assembly line has an inlet end, an assembly station, a welding station, a control station and an outlet end. The inlet end has a plurality of the cores to be used for assembly thereat. The core is positioned within the assembly station and an assembly fixture locates a ducting structure in a preestablished relationship to the core. The control station using a plurality of sensors sends an input to a controller and the welding station performs a weld fixedly securing the ducting structure to the core.

Abstract: A fin folding machine has a base, a pair of vertical side support members extending from the base. A top support member is spaced from the base and is attached to the pair of vertical side support members. The base, pair of vertical side support members, and the top support member defining an opening therebetween. A plurality of tools are movably positioned within the opening. A bar has a plurality of sensors positioned therein abut a plurality of sides. The sensors send corresponding signals to a controller which monitors the position of the plurality of tools relative to a preestablished position. And, the plurality of tools are moved to the preestablished position. The sensors monitor the preestablished position of a depth and taper of a plurality of deep serpentine upper grooves and a plurality of deep serpentine lower grooves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dump body having an improved skeletal structure reinforcing the body. The skeletal structure includes a plurality of longitudinal and vertical ribs. The ribs include at least one side leg and an exterior leg adjacent to the side leg. A cutout portion is defined in the exterior leg of the longitudinal legs. The cutout portion is adapted to receive a tab portion of a corresponding vertical rib. The exterior legs of the longitudinal ribs and vertical ribs are defined on a single plane. At the intersection of each cutout portion and tab portion a groove is defined. The groove is adapted to receive a weld of substantially similar mechanical properties of the rib material.

Abstract: A wheel and final drive assembly for a work machine, such as a mining truck, having a driven rotatable wheel having inboard and outboard rims mounted thereto. The final drive assembly including a first and a second reduction gear assembly. A ring gear adapter having an inboard end, an outboard end, and an inner surface, a plurality of teeth disposed about the inner surface and interacting with a plurality of planetary gears of the first and second gear reduction assemblies and the inboard end of the ring gear adapter removably coupled to the outboard flange of the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel and final drive assembly for a work machine, such as a mining truck, having a driven rotatable wheel having inboard and outboard rims mounted thereto. The final drive assembly including a first and a second reduction gear assembly. A carrier output adapter having an inboard end, an outboard end, a cover attached to the outboard end and a mounting surface. The carrier adapter being attached at the inboard mounting surface to a outboard rim mounting ring and at the cover to a carrier assembly of the second reduction gear assembly.

Abstract: A method for reducing the incidence of piston pin failure by providing a retainer assembly for piston pin plugs such that the plugs cannot be removed or shaken lose during operation. A plastic rod is inserted into the piston pin, and the rod is ultrasonically welded to the stems of mushroom-shaped plastic piston plugs such that the plugs cover the open ends of the pin and are held in place by the cooperation of structure between the plugs and the rod. In an alternate embodiment, the stem of each pin plug is hollow and a respective internally threaded brass insert is disposed in the stem and ultrasonically welded therein. An externally threaded rod is then engaged with the two internally threaded inserts to hold the plugs on the piston pin.

Abstract: A cooling system has an air-to-air or first heat exchanger and a fluid or second heat exchanger mounted remotely from a main radiator for cooling an internal combustion engine. A filter filters a recipient fluid, such as an ambient air, before the recipient fluid passes through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A cooled fluid is conducted to a flow of intake air for the internal combustion engine. A fan causes the recipient fluid to pass through the filter and the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The spent recipient fluid is discharged to atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for preheating combustion (intake) air of an internal combustion engine during extreme cold ambient temperatures. A valve arrangement is provided to alter the flow of coolant through a radiator and aftercooler. During conditions where intake air temperature is below a predetermined temperature a fluid control valve causes coolant to first flow through a jacket water portion of the engine and next through the aftercooler where the intake air is preheated.

Abstract: A cell of a recuperator has a passage therein having a first end and a second end. In use a fluid passes through the passage under pressure. The cell must be tested to determine an operational efficiency or leakage within the passage. A pair of sealing mechanisms is positioned at a respective one of the first end and the second end of the passage. A vacuum is pulled across the passage and a rate of leakage is monitored to define an operational cell and a failed cell.

Abstract: An actuator for adjusting a clearance between an end of a valve and an end of the actuator. The actuator has a piston therein having a central bore of which a portion is threaded. The piston has an end and has a flat defined near the end. The actuator has a stem member positioned therein. The stem member has a central portion which is threadedly positioned within the threaded portion of the central bore. The stem member defines a first end and a second end, and a threaded portion is located near the second end. The first end of the stem member and the end of the piston has a predetermined length which is adjustable. The predetermined length is adjusted by threadedly rotating the stem member relative to the piston. A locking device fixes the predetermined length during operation of the engine.