Abstract: An apparatus and method of supplying feedwater to a forced flow boiler or the like as described. A positive displacement pump having a plurality of discrete pumping elements is arranged to pump feedwater from an inlet to the boiler. The pump includes bypass valves which, when open, disable the pumping action of an associated pumping element. Control means responsive to the demand for water in the boiler are arranged to disable a selected number of the pumping elements so that the rate of water supplied by the remaining elements, if operated continuously, would just exceed that required. The control means is further arranged to disable at least one of the remaining pumping elements on a periodic basis so that the ratio of time that the element is enabled to the time for one period multiplied by the water flow rate supplied by said element, if operated continuously, equals the difference between the total demand for water and the rate supplied by the pumping elements enabled on a full-time basis.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling the generators of a multiple steam generator or multiple hot water generator installation. The control apparatus includes burner command apparatus which limits each of the generators to one of at least two different maximum firing rate levels. The command apparatus is controlled by a data storage device, such as a microcomputer, which periodically adjusts the maximum firing rate level of the generators in accordance with the predicted loads of the installation. The firing rate of the generators is controlled by modulating apparatus which varies the firing rate within the maximum firing rate levels in accordance with the actual measured installation load. By controlling the actual firing rate in response to both the predicted and the actual installation loads, efficiency of operation may be optimized.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine analyzer is described which permits analysis to be performed by attaching one sensor to the engine circuit. Timing at idle, engine speed, plug firing parade, etc., can be performed with only one sensor connected to the engine. For more extensive testing wherein additional leads are used, for example, at both the primary and secondary of the engine ignition coil, circuitry is provided for automatically triggering from both primary and secondary input signals or either one if only one is present. The analyzer also contains circuitry that enhances its use with both standard and electronic ignition systems. This circuitry rejects the noise generated by ignition systems in the cylinder ignition signals representative of plug firing so as not to mistrigger, or fire more than once for each plug firing.

Abstract: A torque measuring device is disclosed wherein a torque of a rotating member rotating about an axis is measured. The device includes a support member which is attached to a fixed object such as a stationary frame by at least two linkage arms. Each linkage arm is pivotably attached at a first point of attachment to the fixed object and at a second point of attachment to the support member. The relative positioning of the rotating member, the support member, and the linkage arms is such that geometrical lines interconnecting the respective first and second points of attachment of each linkage arm substantially intersect the axis of the rotating member. The rotating member is in an operative relationship with the support member so that the rotating member during its rotation imparts a force to the support member, which attempts to rotate the support member.An instantaneous center of rotation of the support member coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotating member.

Abstract: An improved vehicle exhaust handling system capable of accomodating vehicles of varying sizes while maintaining optimal exhaust capabilities is disclosed. A motor vehicle with its engine operating is positioned in a test center in a predetermined location. A chamber is located in the floor of the test center below the rearward portion of the vehicle. A plurality of hinged shutters and a grate behind the shutters are disposed over the chamber. An exhaust fan creates an airflow from the test center into the chamber and to an outside location. The shutters are individually controllable, and a mechanism is provided to close off a flow of air through the grate whenever any of the shutters is opened. Depending on the size of the vehicle and the position of its tailpipe, an individually selected shutter is opened or all the shutters are closed and the exhaust gases are directed into the grate. Portable deflectors are provided for positioning adjacent to the tailpipe of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pressurized hot fluid washer includes a combination pumping unit driven by a closed hydraulic system which applies driving impulse forces to an interlocked liquid pump member and a fuel pump member. The liquid pump and fuel pump are hydraulically interlocked so that when liquid is not being discharged through the cleaning gun, the fuel will definitely be stopped. A static pressure line senses the pressure downstream of the liquid pump and transmits the pressure to one end of a spring biased by-pass spool valve. At a predetermined liquid pressure, the spool valve will sequentially close a hydraulic conduit first to deactivate the fuel pump and then open a by-pass conduit to deactivate the liquid pump member. Thus, both the fuel pump and the liquid pump will be automatically stopped, for example, when the cleaning gun is not being used. In addition, a differential area piston is provided in the hydraulic system between the by-pass spool valve and the fuel pump.

Abstract: A roller is disclosed which is intended to have frictional engagement with a vehicle wheel during a testing operation and which is constructed by welding together: a central supporting shaft, a plurality of outwardly-extending axially-spaced supporting discs, and a plurality of axially-extending members supported in slots on the peripheries of the discs and arranged to provide wheel-engaging ribs extending at right angles to the direction of motion of the wheel periphery.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the performance of wheeled, land vehicle brake systems is described wherein means are provided for driving the vehicle wheels at a predetermined speed and the operator or computer controlled brake actuator selectively applies the brakes in a series of simple successive steps comprising the test sequence. The pedal force, or other actuating force, the brake effort exerted by each wheel, and the imbalance between the braking effort of opposite wheels is measured and recorded on a strip chart or fed to a computer, to determine if the measured values fall outside of a predetermined range of values representing acceptable deviations from standard values. Any deviation of the brake effort from the acceptable values, or excessive imbalance between opposite wheels at any point in the test sequence, may be used as a basis for diagnosing and identifying a specific brake malfunction. The system can be enlarged to simultaneously test the brakes on all wheels of a land vehicle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine performance analyzer is described for providing a numerical value representing certain operating characteristics such as spark plug ionization voltage, points closed voltage drop, alternator ripple output voltage and voltage drop across the starter during cranking. Simple connections to the engine provide the necessary signals to the solid state electronic analyzer. The analyzer includes appropriate switches, converters and a cylinder identification circuit in the form of a ring counter for enabling the several parameters to be conveniently measured and displayed in a digital format.

Abstract: Modal test method and apparatus is described for use in automotive engine plants, vehicle inspection stations, diagnostic centers, etc., for quickly, accurately and repeatably measuring the principal air contaminants; i.e., carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in engine exhaust gas emissions. Quantitive measurement of oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) and oxygen (O.sub.2) may also be measured if desired. While O.sub.2 is not an air contaminant, a measure of its concentration in the exhaust gas has diagnostic value. The engines are tested at prescribed modes of operation (usually three; high cruise, low cruise and idle) at which emission-related engine malfunctions, if they exist, are most likely to be exposed. CO and HC (NO.sub.x and O.sub.2 if desired) evaluations are made at each test mode and may be recorded on a "report card." The measured test values of the air contaminants are compared at each test mode with prescribed permissible values either automatically or manually.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the performance of wheeled, land vehicle brake systems is described wherein means are provided for driving the vehicle wheels at a predetermined speed and the operator or computer controlled brake actuator selectively applies the brakes in a series of simple successive steps comprising the test sequence. The pedal force, or other actuating force, the brake effort exerted by each wheel, and the imbalance between the braking effort of opposite wheels is measured and recorded on a strip chart or fed to a computer, to determine if the measured values fall outside of a predetermined range of values representing acceptable deviations from standard values. Any deviation of the brake effort from the acceptable values, or excessive imbalance between opposite wheels at any point in the test sequence, may be used as a basis for diagnosing and identifying a specific brake malfunction. The system can be enlarged to simultaneously test the brakes on all wheels of a land vehicle.

Abstract: A brake testing apparatus and method are disclosed which utilize a hydraulic subsystem as a stroke-limiting memory unit and as a position-holding means during the brake test sequence. The hydraulic subsystem is designed for inclusion in a brake testing means which performs a series of analyzable brake tests using a controlled force application system which applies the brakes under different, but predetermined, conditions in a series of successive brake applications. The stroke measuring memory unit uses the hydraulic subsystem to measure the distance of one brake application stroke and limits the next brake application stroke to that distance. The position-holding means utilizes the hydraulic subsystem to retain a given brake-applying position of the testing apparatus for the length of time desired in certain brake applications in the testing series.

Abstract: Apparatus for blending dry or slightly moist steam with water to produce wet steam of 20% to 70% moisture content by weight for treating logs or other objects in a closed steam treatment vat or vault. The apparatus includes a blender having a mixing chamber, to one end of which comparatively dry steam from a suitable source is supplied at constant pressure and flow rate through a pilot-operated pressure reducing main valve and a metering orifice. The blender also has a port through which water at a constant pressure and volume is supplied to the mixing chamber by a positive displacement pump maintained under a constant gravity head of water in an elevated supply tank. The outlet of the blender is connected to a back pressure regulator for controlling the outlet pressure of the blended mixture of water and steam to be supplied to the vault. The pilot valve is connected across the main steam valve and has a solenoid valve connected in the line supplying operating fluid to said main valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the performance of wheeled, land vehicle brake systems is described wherein means are provided for driving the vehicle wheels at a predetermined speed and the operator or computer controlled brake actuator selectively applies the brakes in a series of simple successive steps comprising the test sequence. The pedal force, or other actuating force, the brake effort exerted by each wheel, and the imbalance between the braking effort of opposite wheels is measured and recorded on a strip chart or fed to a computer, to determine if the measured values fall outside of a predetermined range of values representing acceptable deviations from standard values. Any deviation of the brake effort from the acceptable values, or excessive imbalance between opposite wheels at any point in the test sequence, may be used as a basis for diagnosing and identifying a specific brake malfunction. The system can be enlarged to simultaneously test the brakes on all wheels of a land vehicle.

Abstract: Wheel-contact rollers for a vehicle test-bed have helical grooves formed in their outer surfaces to improve start-up friction by providing fast removal of water and other foreign materials from tire surfaces. The grooves are preferably formed by a thread-cutting or thread-forming process. The helical grooves should be equally-sloped left-hand and right-hand threads, in order to provide balanced side-to-side forces on the tire; however, the opposing left and right hand slopes may be formed on separate rollers, i.e., one slope on the left wheel roller and the opposite slope on the right wheel roller.

Abstract: A portable vehicle testing unit which can be placed on the floor of the driver's compartment of any vehicle to be tested and which can be adjusted to the toeboard of the vehicle in such a way that a fluid pressure actuator mounted on the testing unit is almost in engagement with a vehicle control member, such as the brake pedal or accelerator treadle, so that the fluid pressure actuator will immediately move the control member upon build up of fluid pressure in the actuator. A feature of the design permits measuring the reaction force of the pedal (or treadle) against the fluid pressure actuator during the actuating stroke of the vehicle control member.

Abstract: A rate control system is disclosed for use in a brake testing apparatus which applies an automatically controlld force to the vehicle braking system being tested. The rate control system varies the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid displaced as the brake pedal moves on its brake application stroke, in response to the rate of increase of a feedback signal which represents the vehicle stopping force, or brake effort, measured at a vehicle wheel. Varying the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid controls the rate of application of the vehicle braking system during the test.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the performance of wheeled, land vehicle brake systems is described wherein means are provided for driving the vehicle wheels at a predetermined speed and the operator or computer controlled brake actuator selectively applies the brakes in a series of simple successive steps comprising the test sequence. The pedal force, or other actuating force, the brake effort exerted by each wheel, and the imbalance between the braking effort of opposite wheels is measured and recorded on a strip chart or fed to a computer, to determine if the measured values fall outside of a predetermined range of values representing acceptable deviations from standard values. Any deviation of the brake effort from the acceptable values, or excessive imbalance between opposite wheels at any point in the test sequence, may be used as a basis for diagnosing and identifying a specific brake malfunction. The system can be enlarged to simultaneously test the brakes on all wheels of a land vehicle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine performance analyzing system is described for displaying a number of operating characteristics, such as engine ignition and cylinder power, which exists under selectively controlled operating conditions. Simple connections to the engine provide the necessary signals to the solid-state electronic analyzer. Various pattern display modes may be selected. An anticipatory cylinder fire signal, which is related to crankshaft rotational degrees, permits a given cylinder to be shorted for the desired interval, regardless of the engine speed. This anticipatory cylinder fire signal is obtained from a servoed ramp waveform generator. Individual cylinder waveform patterns are synchronously and simultaneously displayed on an oscilloscope.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine performance analyzing system is disclosed for displaying a number of operating characteristics, such as engine ignition and cylinder power, which exists under selectively controlled operating conditions. Simple connections to the engine provide the necessary signals to the solid-state electronic analyzer. Various pattern display modes may be selected. An anticipatory cylinder fire signal, which is related to crankshaft rotational degrees, permits a given cylinder to be shorted for the desired interval, regardless of the engine speed. This anticipatory cylinder fire signal is obtained from a servoed ramp waveform generator. Individual cylinder waveform patterns are synchronously and simultaneously displayed on an oscilloscope.