Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supply during a deceleration fuel shutoff mode includes determining the amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst or the temperature thereof and intermittently supplying fuel to the engine such that the fuel reacts in the catalyst to reduce excess oxygen therein.

Abstract: A stratified charge is formed in a direct injection engine by injecting fuel at a predetermined velocity, a predetermined droplet size, and forming the injected fuel with a hollow cone having a predetermined initial cone angle. The injected fuel thereby shallowly penetrates the combustion chamber so as to float therein to reduce wall-wetting and subsequent soot formation. A substantially flat top piston forms the injected fuel into a ball-shaped kernel during a compression stroke of the engine. The ball-shaped kernel remains substantially unmixed with the inducted air, thereby producing the stratified charge. The continued motion of the piston causes the ball-shaped kernel to move toward the spark plug for ignition.

Abstract: An automotive evaporative emissions canister includes a housing containing a hydrocarbon adsorbing material, such as carbon. The canister includes a vent port for venting air to the atmosphere upon adsorption of hydrocarbons and for admitting air upon the desorption of hydrocarbon during the purging operation of the canister. A purge port is adapted for connection to the engine to allow the desorbed hydrocarbons to flow into the engine. A plurality of holes is formed through the side wall of the canister housing and are formed at a location remote from the purge port between the vent port and the purge port to define a buffer zone. The holes are adapted for communication with the fuel tank to allow fuel vapor to flow through the tank through the plurality of holes into the buffer zone. Thus, vapor purged directly from the tank to the engine is buffered through the carbon canister to prevent any vapor purge spikes creating the undesirably over-rich condition.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vapor recovery system. The system uses a vapor sensor canister containing activated charcoal and two temperature probes. The sensor provides a differential temperature measurement that can be monitored and processed to determine hydrocarbon content in the vapor recovery system.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated fuel injector supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine. The injector has a body with an inlet and a nozzle. A needle valve is selectively moveable within the body in response to actuation of the fuel injector. A reduced center-body coil spring is disposed within the fuel injector and biases the needle valve in a closed position. The reduced center-body coil spring has a substantially hour glass shape to prevent rubbing with the components of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A variable valve controlled engine causes the inducted exhaust residual to flow from the exhaust port(s) into specific regions of the combustion chamber and remain substantially separate from the air-fuel mixture, thereby creating stratification. The exhaust gas remains substantially on the piston surface and along the entire cylinder wall for at least a portion of the cylinder, with the air-fuel mixture occupying the remaining portion of the chamber.

Abstract: In a flywheel (1) for an internal combustion engine which is provided on a side face with bore holes (4, 6) with bridges (7) between them and a sensor located above them to determine the position of the flywheel, and thus of the crankshaft, to avoid siren-like whistling noises from the flywheel an annular groove (5) is formed in such a way that it intersects the bore holes (4, 6) so that there is a connection between the bore holes (4, 6) and the groove (5).

Abstract: A control system for a fuel delivery system regulates fuel pressure on the filtered side of a fuel filter and relieves excessive primary pump flow from the unfiltered side of the filter. The valve also selectively provides warm fuel to de-wax the fuel filter after a cold start. Once wax build-up is no longer an issue, the warm fuel is directed to a fuel cooler or a heat sink, such as the fuel tank. The control system prioritizes the maintenance of filtered fuel pressure over maximizing fuel returned for cooling. Also, the fuel filter is protected from excessive fuel pressure differential.

Abstract: A diesel fuel recirculating manifold for a fuel delivery system selectively provides warm return fuel to unclog (de-wax or de-ice) the components of the fuel system, such as the fuel filter, after a cold start. Once clogging is no longer an issue, the warm fuel is directed to the fuel tank.

Abstract: An integrated manifold, muffler, and catalyst device for an engine uses perforated ducts surrounded by a resonator volume. Exhaust flow is routed from the exhaust ports by the ducts to a close coupled catalyst. The combination of the perforated ducts with the resonator volume and close coupled catalyst reduces exhaust flow restriction while at the same time increasing catalyst performance and reducing noise emissions.

Abstract: A cylinder bore liner for an internal combustion engine is formed of a sheet of material in the shape of a non-rectangular parallelogram having oblique edges is formed into a cylindrical liner with the abutting edges vertically offset to form a cylinder of smaller diameter than the diameter of a cylinder bore. The liner is then inserted into the cylinder bore of the engine with the leading edge resting on a ledge in the bore, and the trailing edge protruding from the top of the bore. A force is applied to the protruding edge of the liner to force a sliding motion along the oblique abutting edges which necessarily increases the diameter of the liner until a tight fit is achieved.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is described having one or more combustion chambers 10 each having an intake port 16, a fuel injector assembly 30 for injecting fuel into the intake port 16 and means 20, 22, 24, 26 for supplying pressurised gas to assist in fuel atomisation of the fuel metered through the fuel injector assembly 30.The means for supplying pressurised gas comprises a passage 20, 24 incorporating a passive flow restrictor 22 having no moving elements. The passage 20, 24 leads from one of the combustion chambers 10 of the engine to the intake port 16 and is operative to deliver a single pulse of gas to the intake port 16 during each combustion cycle of the engine in order to assist in the atomisation of fuel which is injected into the intake port 16 at the same time as the pulse of gas.

Abstract: A tire diagnostic system for detecting an inflation condition of a pneumatic tire on an automotive vehicle includes a sensor cooperating with each wheel to sense a distance related parameter of each wheel and a global positioning receiver for receiving position signals from a global positioning system. A distance related parameter of the vehicle based on the position signals received from the global positioning receiver is calculated so that a desired distance related parameter of a wheel having a predetermined inflated pneumatic tire may be calculated. The system then compares each sensed distance related parameter of each wheel with the desired distance related parameter to determine whether each tire is properly inflated.

Abstract: A retaining clip includes a cantilever arm which engages an exterior tab affixed to the outer surface of the retaining clip. The inner surface of the cantilever arm and the outer surface of the engaging tab both include a number of serrated catches. The catches are situated such that the inner surface catches of the cantilever arm are opposing the outer surface catches of the engaging tab. When the retaining clip is engaged, the serrated catches form a secure mesh. The retaining clip also includes a latch which further secures the engaged clip while also providing a means of unfastening the clip without specialized tools.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector for connecting a fuel filler pipe (3) to a fuel tank (1), particularly in a motor vehicle. The connector has a tubular sealing housing (2) attached to the fuel tank (1) and a retention collar (4) retained by a pair of flanges (7,8) on the pipe (3) and which may be press-fitted to the housing (2). The collar (4) has a ring (5) from which four lugs (6) extend axially towards the housing (2). Each lug (6) has: a radially outward projecting detent (13) which engages with a lip (39) within the housing (2); and a radially inward projecting detent (14) which retains the filler pipe (3) in one axial direction, the filler pipe (3) being retained in the other axial direction by the ring (5). The housing (2) has a grommet (60) seal with the filler pipe (3) and also a number of crenellations (9,10,11) and detent guide channels (38) which receive and guide outwardly projecting detents (13) to the lips (39).

Abstract: An electrically powered fuel pump in an electronic returnless fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine is controlled during transient engine operating conditions. A controller senses an operating parameter to infer whether a transient engine operating condition exists. Then, the controller generates an estimate of a fuel pump correction signal based on this inference. The correction signal is generally sufficient to cause the fuel pump to respond to the transient condition, by supplying a generally correct amount of fuel, prior to the engine requiring a change in fuel quantity.

Abstract: A method and system for adaptive feedforward control of a fuel delivery system provides for adapting a normalized pressure input and a normalized flowrate input to a feedforward voltage look-up table. If low fuel flow and high manifold pressure are detected (104), then the normalized pressure input will be adapted based on a target fuel rail pressure and a pressure multiplier PMUL. If high fuel flow is detected (106), then the normalized flowrate input will be adapted based on a target flowrate and a flowrate multiplier FMUL. The present invention provides adaptive feedforward control without the need for the look-up table to be stored in a keep-alive memory (KAM).

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery system for an automotive vehicle includes a fuel tank, a first vapor recovery canister, a second vapor recovery canister, and a bypass flow metering element. The first canister has an inlet communicating directly with the fuel tank and an outlet. The second canister has an inlet communicating directly with the outlet of the first canister. The bypass flow metering element is disposed between the inlet and outlet of the first canister and directs a predetermined portion of the vapor from the tank directly to the inlet of the second canister, thereby reducing the vapor flow restriction through the system.

Abstract: A park lock mechanism for an automatic transmission includes a park apply rod for selectively engaging and disengaging a park pawl with a park gear. The park apply rod is actuated by a plate member having a slot formed therein. The slot defines a cam portion and a lost motion portion whereby the cam portion causes the park apply rod to move longitudinally so as to actuate the park pawl. The lost motion portion limits longitudinal travel of the park apply rod in any gear other than park. A reaction member is also used to limit the degrees of freedom of the park apply rod.

Abstract: A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a body having a throttle bore defining an axis. A throttle plate for controlling air flow through the throttle valve is molded within the throttle bore, thereby providing a relatively exact throttle plate to throttle bore positional relationship The throttle plate may be integrally molded within the throttle bore and attached to the throttle body. The throttle plate is subsequently detached from the throttle body for relative rotation within the throttle bore. To facilitate detaching of the throttle plate, the plate may be weakened about is periphery. The throttle plate may be also formed with a bend for reducing throttle plate sticking upon rotation from an idle position and for controlling air leakage when the throttle plate is in the idle position. Further, the throttle plate may include a wedge to control air flow through the throttle bore and reinforcing ribs to further control the deflection of the throttle plate.