Abstract: The method and apparatus for generating start of combustion signals associated with the combustion events in a diesel engine (10), and for using such signals to control the timing of fuel delivery to the engine. The combustion event is sensed, as by an electrostatic (230, 330) or optical (130, 430) sensor, and signal conditioning circuitry (32) provides a start-of-combustion (SOC) signal (34) which is directly and precisely indicative of the time of the onset of combustion. The sensors (130, 230) include self-cleaning capabilities (48, 248) for extended operating life on an engine. The sensors may be incorporated in the structure of a glow plug (330, 430). The SOC signal (34) is advantageously supplied to a timing control circuit (26) which delivers a timing control signal (28) to a fuel delivery device, such as the controller (16') associated with a fuel pump (16).

Abstract: A plurality of motors are arranged in a side-by-side array employing at least one common end cap or closure for the housings of the individual motors which are formed as to securely interfit with the respective housings and provide a base or reference frame member relative to which they are all supported. There may be a common end plate of this type at both ends of the array. The end plate also serves to provide bearing support for the shafts of the armatures and to provide support for gear coupling to a torque/speed conversion coupling member. Preferably, the end cap also provides support and a closure for gear means employed as well.The motors employed are advantageously of a type having flat generally parallel sides the dimension across whose sides is significantly smaller than the diameter of the housing containing the magnetic pole pieces. Such a configuration permits increased compactness if the flat sides are placed face to face in the array.

Abstract: An improved timing control mechanism is provided for an engine-driven fuel injection pump of the type having plungers actuated by an adjustable cam. The cam is adjusted by the linear displacement of a timing piston operating in a cylinder. A pressurized hydraulic fluid admitted to a pressure chamber at one end of the cylinder provides a force against one end of the timing piston which is opposed by a biasing element, such as a spring. A rotary servo valve extends into an axial bore in one end of the timing piston for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through a control orifice formed in the wall of the piston bore and connecting with the cylinder's pressure chamber. The servo valve is axially fixed and includes an inclined, typically helical, control edge. Upon rotation of the valve, as by an electric rotary stepper motor, the control edge effectively moves "axially" relative to the control orifice to vary flow therethrough and thus cause the piston to track that "axial" positioning of the control edge.

Abstract: An electrical governor system for a turbocharged diesel engine which eliminates objectionable puffs of smoke when gears are shifted, by limiting the rate of fuel delivery to the engine at such times. The response characteristics of the turbocharger to changes in kinetic energy of the engine exhaust flow are determined and stored in a microprocessor memory. The engine operating parameters are monitored to produce signals representative of engine speed and fuel delivery rate, and these signals are supplied to the microprocessor to cause it to generate a signal representative of the maximum rate at which fuel can then be delivered to the engine without producing objectionable exhaust smoke. The latter signal is used to control the fuel-control each automatically, through a stepping motor arrangement, at appropriate times to limit the fuel delivery rate to said maximum and thus avoid objectionable smoke puffs.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for mounting an injection barrel in the mounting bore of a fuel injection pump housing and maintaining the integrity of a fluid seal therebetween. A pumping chamber is defined in each injection barrel. Each injection barrel includes a pair of axially spaced annular seats in the external periphery thereof, preferably beyond the axially opposite ends of the pumping chamber. A respective annular seal is seated in each of the respective seats, and when uncompressed, projects radially beyond the barrel periphery. Each mounting bore includes a pair of chamfered surfaces formed at axially spaced locations, each chamfered surface having a respective diameter sufficiently small for compressively engaging a respective seal when the barrel is mounted. The included angle of each of the chamfered surfaces is relatively small to allow axial adjustment of the mounted position of the injection barrel.

Abstract: An improved fuel rack mounting arrangement, particularly for use in an in-line pump, is structured to reduce actuating forces. The fuel rack is supported by a pair of lever arms pivotally connected thereto at longitudinally spaced pivot axes. Each lever arm is also pivotally connected to the pump housing at separate pivot axes. The orientation and positioning of the various pivots are such as to afford longitudinal reciprocation of the rack in response to actuation of one of the levers about its pivot axis by which it is connected to the housing. The actuation may be provided by a stepper motor acting on an extension of the lever. Each lever may include an integral pivot pin and a locking mechanism for captured pivotal mounting of the rack.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for generating start of combustion signals associated with the combustion events in a diesel engine, and for using such signals to control the timing of fuel delivery to the engine. The combustion event is sensed, as by an electrostatic or optical sensor, and signal conditioning circuitry provides a start-of-combustion signal which is directly and precisely indicative of the time of the onset of combustion. The sensors include self-cleaning capabilities for extended operating life on an engine. The sensors may be incorporated in the structure of a glow plug.The SOC signal is advantageously supplied to a timing control circuit which delivers a timing control signal to a fuel delivery device, such as the controller associated with a fuel pump. The control circuit stores one or more start of combustion values which indicate the desired timing, relative to an engine cycle, for the start of the combustion event as a function of speed and load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for indicating an operating characteristic of a periodically combusting internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, having exhaust gas issuing from one or more combustion chambers in a periodic manner through a duct. The particulate in the exhaust gas stream are electrically charged and of the same polarity, and are grouped in packets associated with the periodic combustion in the respective chambers. An electrically conductive, passive electrode, preferably annular in shape, is disposed such that most or all of the exhaust gas flows therethrough so as to electrostatically sense, principally by induced image charge, the passage of the respective packets of charged particles. The electrode is electrically isolated from the duct.

Abstract: A windshield wiper mechanism includes a motor driven gear and a drive plate positioned relative thereto but selectively rotatable to enable easy change of the effective wiper parts position. A park switch to automatically stops the arm and blade at a selected position on the windshield is located on the drive gear (driving rotatable member). Removal, rotation and reengagement of the drive plate relative to the motor driven gear then easily changes the wiper park position. The drive plate is provided with at least one opening located at a radial distance from the center rotating axis of the drive plate for receiving a pin of a connecting link that will provide oscillating motion to a shaft upon which a windshield wiper arm and blade is secured.

Abstract: An electrical machine including an armature rotatable within a housing comprised of a section of tubular ferrous material and methods for producing the housing. At least two alternate magnetic field pole pieces are secured within the housing and at least two intermediate induced pole pieces are formed by deforming the housing to provide inwardly projecting pole pieces intermediate the magnetic field pole pieces, each of the pole piece conforming to the shape of and closely embracing the armature.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump of the rotary distributor type having opposed fuel pumping pistons housed within a rotor and actuated by an internal ring cam. Fuel distribution, metering and timing control are effected through ports and slots associated with the rotor, the pump housing and a spill sleeve. The angular position of the cam is varied automatically in accordance with changes in engine speed as are the relative positions of certain ones of said ports and slots to provide an automatic advance of the fuel injection timing. The pump is particularly suited for electronic governing, electronic timing control and electronic control of rate of injection.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine is provided with a frame structure consisting of at least two fabricated sheet metal pieces of identical shape and size. The sheet metal members are formed to provide cavities to accommodate an armature structure and bearings, and the opposed sheet metal pieces enclose and support the armature and bearing when fixed together. The sheet metal pieces also support preferably a ceramic magnet field by providing formed bosses and tabs for locating and holding the magnets in position. If additional low reluctance flux path is required, a tubular jacket may be placed over the sheet metal housing. The bearings are preferably spherical bearings, and the invention contemplates providing the sheet metal pieces with formed bearing retaining areas and having grooves to retain a fibrous lubricant containing material formed either in the retaining areas or the bearings or both.

Abstract: An electric starter assembly and, more specifically, an improved drive assembly that is responsive to inertia encountered during the fast acceleration of the starter armature and that also is responsive to the inertia encountered as a result of providing for a braking or rapid deceleration of the starter armature. The assembly also provides a positive engagement between the drive assembly of the starter motor and the engine member to be rotated during the cranking cycle. Engagement is maintained so long as the motor is energized, even if the engine is running.

Abstract: An electrical machine including an armature rotatable within a housing comprised of a section of tubular ferrous material and methods for producing the housing. At least two alternate magnetic field pole pieces are secured within the housing and at least two intermediate induced pole pieces are formed by deforming the housing to provide inwardly projecting pole pieces intermediate the magnetic field pole pieces, each of the pole pieces conforming to the shape of and closely embracing the armature.

Abstract: Handle means provides a frame on which a cutter head may be supported spaced from a hand grip whereby, when the user is standing, the cutter head may be positioned adjacent the ground. The cutter head is a rotatable head including attachment means for attaching at least one flexible flail which extends outward when rotated. The drive means may be electrical or other motor means preferably mounted proximate to the cutter head, but including versions mounted remotely but having an extended flexible shaft enabling drive of the cutter head attached to the rotatable shaft. A circular shield is rotatably supported on the shaft, so that it is independent of the shaft's rotation, preferably outboard of the cutter head. The cutter head provides attachment means which may simply be a hole associated with and opposed to a post or hook, whereby a loop or bight of filamentary material may be placed over the hook or post and the filamentary material extended through the hole which is radially outboard of the motor shaft.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle and holder assembly of conventional construction is made leakless by eliminating the leakoff passages from the spring chamber. An unreasonable buildup of leakage fuel pressure in the spring chamber is prevented by relieving the pressure in the fuel delivery passages between injection intervals to permit leakage from the spring chamber and a stabilization of the spring pressure. A continuously open passage is provided between the spring chamber and the valve bore to prevent a sealing of the spring chamber by the nozzle valve during the injection interval and thus provide a predictable spring chamber pressure augmenting the nozzle closing force of the spring.

Abstract: A four pole d.c. motor speed control is provided by connecting two of the opposed brushes together to ground and the intermediate brushes to separate terminals of a switch means which in energized positions connects a grounded power supply to at least one of the brushes. The switch means supplies various combinations including direct connection of the power supply to one or both of the brushes. Connection of the power supply through resistance means, connection of the other brush to provide a closed circuit across the windings or to provide a resistance in series with those windings.

Abstract: A single plunger distributor type fuel injection pump for multi-cylinder internal combustion engines having improved features for preventing cavitation in the fuel distribution passages upon fuel cutoff and for providing a uniform residual fuel pressure in the idle fuel distribution passages. The pump does not have the usual delivery valve for maintaining a high residual fuel pressure in the distribution passages. Instead, the passages upon injection termination drain into a spill chamber, the pressure within which builds up to resist fuel flow from the passages and minimize cavitation therewithin. The spill chamber pressure is relieved by a bleed passage opening into the low pressure fuel supply chamber. The pressure in the idle fuel distribution passages is maintained at a low predetermined level by connection of the passages to the fuel supply chamber between injection intervals.

Abstract: A sensor for the quantitative determination of reduction of a gas in which a thin tungsten oxide film detector element includes means for providing a specificity for the gas to be detected with respect to other gases. If ammonia is to be detected, a platinum catalyst is utilized. If hydrogen sulfide is to be detected, tungsten trioxide is used in the film.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a housing having an inlet passage in communication with an outlet passage with valve seat members disposed in the passages on opposite sides of the lower end of a plunger. The plunger has a bore therein for receiving a pair of valve sealing elements which are biased apart by a spring for engagement with the valve seat members. The plunger is biased to the closed position by a spring and is moved to the open position by the magnetic field generated by the coil of a solenoid. The solenoid coil is disposed about a plastic bobbin which is, in turn, disposed about a nonmetallic tube which is inserted into a counterbore in the housing. A plunger seat member having a conical lower end for engaging the plunger is soldered within the nonmetalic tube and includes a head abutting the upper end of the tube and the upper end of the bobbin. A wave-like washer is disposed adjacent the bottom of the bobbin for urging the bobbin upwardly against the head of the plunger seat member.