Abstract: A hydrodynamic journal bearing including a rotary journal shaft which is circular in cross section, a journal bearing surrounding the journal shaft and having at least two arcuate bearing surfaces, each arcuate surface defined by a radius slightly greater than that of the journal shaft so that the journal shaft will be in lubricated contact with at least the mid portion of each arcuate bearing surface while the ends of each arcuate bearing will be spaced from the surface of the rotary journal shaft, and seals to assure that lubrication almost completely fills all spaces between the rotary journal shaft surface and that of the journal bearing surface.

Abstract: NO.sub.x abatement results with EGR obtained in practice have been drastically less than those predicted by kinetic calculations. This disparity can be eliminated in all heterogeneous combustion processes by complete mixing to the microscale of exhaust gas recirculation with intake air prior to introduction into the heterogeneous burner. To achieve the required mixedness the air and EGR must be folded together in a controlled fashion in a turbulent flow having mean flow streamlines structured so that turbulent diffusion and molecular diffusion need only act to mix at relatively small distances. Scaleable vortex mixing means to achieve this folding together and mixing are disclosed. Complete vortex mixing of air and EGR prior to the supply of this "oxidizer mix" into heterogeneous combustion systems such as diesel engines, stationary turbines, large burners, and power plants produces radical NO.sub.x reductions at low cost.

Abstract: Side loads on the valve guide due to rocker tip sliding can be essentially eliminated with a rocker tip which maintains a squeeze film of oil between the valve tip and the rocker tip. This squeeze film of oil between rocker tip and valve tip can be arranged with a special rocker tip involving a spherical lubricated support, a flat section engaging the flat plane of the valve tip spring, means to produce a clearance between the rocker tip and the valve tip during the periods when the valve is closed, and lubricant supply means to assure that oil is present between the rocker tip and the valve tip to replenish the film when the valve is closed. During the closed or unloaded period, a film of oil is established between the rocker tip and valve guide. This oil film is not completely squeezed out when the valve is actuated due to the squeeze film effect. Because of the full film of oil between the valve tip and the rocker tip, the friction side force produced by the rocker tip actuation is radically reduced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing intense, consistent swirl and air-fuel-E.G.R.-vorticity charge uniformity without any net penalty in engine power, volumetric efficiency, or pumping work. Method and apparatus permit optimal swirl and turbulence for flame stability and fuel economy throughout the R.P.M.-load phase space of engine operation. Method and apparatus require no substantial changes in combustion chamber shape or basic engine structure. For spark fired engines, the method and apparatus permits operation at air-fuel-E.G.R.-intake manifold vacuum combinations having excellent fuel consumption characteristics combined with very low emissions of CO, HC, and NO. For diesel engines, the method and apparatus permits optimized swirl without the volumetric efficiency and pumping work penalties accepted with present art swirl inducing techniques.

Abstract: A servo control which adjusts the supply of combustion diluent (either excess air or EGR) upwards until the statistical variation of flame speed achieves a set limit. The system is intended as a control coefficient input to an automatic control system capable of more rapid dynamic response than the roughness controller itself. For engines characterized by exceptional homogeneity and in-cylinder flow control, control of flame speed variability up to set limit nearly minimizes NO.sub.x emissions and very nearly optimizes fuel efficiency at all engine speeds and loads. Two "measures" of flame speed are disclosed, first peak blowdown pressure in the exhaust, and second, the ionization breakdown voltage of an additional spark fired a specified number of crank angles after the ignition spark.

Abstract: A valve lock-valve spring retainer assembly where the valve lock and valve retainer mating surfaces are spherical. The spherical valve lock-valve spring retainer mating surface permits small rotations of the valve spring retainer with respect to the plane perpendicular to the valve stem. This significantly reduces valve spring generated side loads on the valve guides.

Abstract: A liquid flow control servo valve where the flow controlling element is a magnetically loaded hydrostatic step bearing. An electromagnet has a central liquid passage 3 through it, and flow from this passage 3 is closed off by a magnetically permeable flat plate which has a planar surface matching a corresponding planar surface of the electromagnet. Pressure from passage 3 floats the plate on a thin liquid film in the manner of a hydrostatic step bearing, and the film thickness of this liquid film rapidly adjusts until the hydrostatic bearing pressure force W balances the magnetic forces on the plate. This variation in film thickness adjusts flow rate past the plate. The flow and pressure drop across the hydrostatic bearing plate rapidly adjusts to coil current in the low hysteresis electromagnet, so that P across the plate varies nearly in proportion to coil current I.

Abstract: A pivoted pad bearing is supported on an elastomeric pad fully contained by a supporting structure. The elastomeric pad contains some liquid. The liquid filled pad is extremely strong in compression but can pivot. The pivoted pad assembly is somewhat flexible. This flexibility is useful under conditions of fluctuating load where squeeze film effects are superimposed upon wedge film effects.

Abstract: A piston having an evaporation-condensation heat pipe to transfer heat between piston crown and piston skirts. The evaporation-condensation heat pipe is formed as a structure separate from the piston itself, and the two are joined together by a high conductivity adhesive-elastomer bond.

Abstract: A fuel/air metering system with an air throttle valve and fuel valve positively linked with the flow crossectional area of each valve proportional to the other. The air pressure drop across the air throttle valve is sensed and a corresponding fuel pressure drop is computed. A servo valve in series with the fuel valve is controlled so that the pressure drop across the fuel valve corresponds to this computed value.

Abstract: Modifications of piston top geometry eliminate the formation of the coherent roll-up vortex characteristic of most engines and dissipatively mix absorbed HC from the cylinder wall with hot gases in the cylinder to reduce unburned HC emissions.

Abstract: A piston ring and cylinder assembly designed for fully hydrodynamic operation with oil control is disclosed. The rings are loaded in circumferential compression and are flexible. They conform instantaneously to cylinder wall distortions and oil film forces. The elastic properties of the ring, combined with the ring crown geometry maintain oil control (zero oil pumping to the top of the cylinder wall) with fully hydrodynamic conditions between ring and cylinder wall. The cylinder wall is finished to a very smooth surface and may be provided with a number of axial grooves near the top dead center position of the top ring so that oil is positively blown down from the top of the cylinder for oil control.

Abstract: A piston ring and piston assembly designed for operation with the piston skirt fully flooded with oil and with the piston rings operating as fully hydrodynamic sliders is disclosed. Geometries of rings and piston skirt are arranged to conform elastically to the real out-of-round deformations of cylinder walls in such a fashion as to maximize the advantages of full film lubrication physics. The rings are loaded in circumferential compression and are flexible. This elastic configuration makes the rings conform instantaneously to cylinder wall out-of-round to a scale of microinches. This conformability is required to maintain oil control (zero oil pumping to the top of the cylinder wall) with fully hydrodynamic conditions between the rings and the cylinder wall. The piston has a piston skirt which is flexible enough to conform to cylinder wall out-of-round and maximize squeeze film effects. The piston skirt is arranged to superimpose squeeze film and pivoted pad slider physics.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing intense, consistent swirl and air-fuel-E.G.R.-vorticity charge uniformity without any net penalty in engine power, volumetric efficiency, or pumping work. Method and apparatus permit optimal swirl and turbulence for flame stability and fuel economy throughout the R.P.M.-load phase space of engine operation. Method and apparatus require no substantial changes in combustion chamber shape or basic engine structure. For spark fired engines, the method and apparatus permits operation at air-fuel-E.G.R.-intake manifold vacuum combinations having excellent fuel consumption characteristics combined with very low emissions of CO, HC, and NO. For diesel engines, the method and apparatus permits optimized swirl without the volumetric efficiency and pumping work penalties accepted with present art swirl inducing techniques.

Abstract: A fuel-air metering system functioning according to precise flow and geometrical equations. An air throttle valve and fuel valve are positively linked with the flow crossectional area of each valve proportional to that of the other. Fuel pressure drop across the fuel valve is regulated in precise proportion to the pressure drop across the upstream orifice of a two orifice in series air flow system which bypasses the air throttle. Careful shaping of the air throttle, the bypass system orifices, the fuel valve, passage geometry, and the servo valve fuel regulation system results in an accurate porportioning of fuel flow to air flow.

Abstract: A vortex fuel air mixer is positioned between the air throttle and the intake manifold of an engine. Part of the expansion flow velocity past the air throttle flows tangentially into the vortex chamber of the mixer, providing angular momentum which drives the flow into a vortical pattern. The flow streamlines within the vortical flow form into a generally irrotational flow pattern which swirls from the outside wall of the vortex chamber inwardly to a central vortex chamber outlet. This outlet feeds the engine intake manifold. Centrifugal forces in the swirling flow fling fuel droplets to the outside wall of the vortex chamber (in the manner of a cyclone scrubber). This liquid fuel must evaporate in order to leave the vortex chamber. The interaction of the evaporation, flow structure and turbulence relations inside the vortex chamber produces an essentially homogeneous mixture at the vortex chamber outlet.