Abstract: An exhaust water trap assembly has separated and spaced exhaust tubes, and a dome cap blocking entry of water to protect an upstream catalytic converter or soot filter. A first tube extends axially upwardly into a housing, and a second tube is spaced vertically thereabove. The dome cap on the top end of the first tube blocks exhaust flow axially upwardly therepast and blocks entry of water axially downwardly therepast.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel filter for use with internal combustion engines. The fuel filter includes a fuel additive that can be released into fuel. The rate of release for the fuel can be controlled. In one form the fuel additive can be mixed with a matrix material and released at a substantially constant rate to maintain a uniform level of fuel additive in the fuel. Use of the present invention provides a fuel filter having an extended life span that is longer than fuel filters typically used with combustion engines.

Abstract: A method for making high temperature filter media is provided by melt-spinning a plurality of fibers of preceramic thermoplastic polymer to form a nonwoven textile web of the fibers, curing and cross-linking the thermoplastic polymer to a thermoset polymer, and thermally decomposing the thermoset polymer to ceramic. Between the melt-spinning step and the curing step, the web is formed to a filter pre-form in a green state while still pliable and malleable. The filter pre-form is cured without re-melting the thermoplastic polymer and without destroying morphology.

Abstract: A unitary centertube, molded out of a synthetic material and designed for use as part of a fluid filter, includes a tubular body portion arranged with a plurality of annular ribs in alternating sequence with a plurality of annular recessed sections, the tubular body portion defining a plurality of fluid flow apertures and an interior opening. The plurality of fluid flow apertures are arranged in two styles to facilitate the mold design. Included as part of the unitary centertube is a cross-beam section positioned in the interior opening for providing reinforcement to a corresponding filtering element when subjected to a differential pressure.

Abstract: A fuel additive composition comprising a sustained release component and an additive component, the additive component is effective to provide at least one benefit to a fuel when released into the fuel, the sustained release component is (1) a polymeric material, (2) substantially insoluble in the fuel, and (3) effective to reduce the rate of release of the additive component into the fuel relative to an identical composition without the sustained release component.

Abstract: A container for releasing a chemical additive into a fuel composition comprises a fuel-impermeable casing having a hollow interior and an additive composition comprising at least one fuel soluble additive. The additive is held within the container by at least one fuel-permeable element provided at or near an opening in the casing and is effective to provide for release of additive(s) into the fuel composition. Methods of releasing additives into fuel compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating particulate matter from a fluid includes a housing having a base portion defining a fluid inlet, a rotor subassembly in the housing and including a centertube and a shaft. The shaft defines a plurality of fluid outlet ports and a fluid passageway in flow communication therewith. The fluid passageway communicates with the fluid inlet such that oil delivered to the centrifuge flows through a portion of the centrifuge shaft and exits from the fluid outlet ports. Press fit into the centertube is a baffle sleeve which is initially positioned so as to cover the fluid outlet ports when the baffle sleeve is in a first position. The baffle sleeve is movable with the rotor subassembly to a second position where the plurality of fluid outlet ports are uncovered.

Abstract: The present invention provides for adsorber catalysts arranged in parallel. The exhaust flow from the engine is divided in a predetermined ratio between the two catalysts during lean operation (e.g. 50-50). At a predetermined regeneration time (for example, when the adsorber catalyst is 20% full), the exhaust gas flow is reduced through the parallel leg that is to be regenerated (e.g. 20-80). A quantity of hydrocarbon is injected into the reduced-flow leg in order to make the mixture rich. Once the leg has been regenerated, the flow distribution between the parallel legs is reversed, and the other catalyst leg is regenerated while the other side (which is now clean) receives the majority of the exhaust flow. Once both catalyst legs have been regenerated, the exhaust flow is adjusted back to normal (e.g. 50-50) until the catalysts are again ready for regeneration and reduction. A catalytic soot filter is positioned downstream from the adsorber.

Abstract: Connector tubing is provided by a pair of nested corrugated spiral flex tubes twistable relative to each other about an axis at a flex tube joint to provide torsion relief.

Abstract: An underhood air cleaner (10) includes a plastic housing (12) having an inlet (14) for receiving dirty air, a filter element (18) for filtering the air, and an outlet (42) for discharging clean filtered air. A plastic outlet duct (40) is butt welded (50) to the housing outlet (42) in axially non-overlapping relation, to eliminate axial overlap previously required for a hose clamp, to reduce the amount of underhood space required by an engine air cleaner in the axial direction.

Abstract: An engine intake resonator and manufacturing method is provided by a pair of molded sheets mated to each other along a plane and defining a plurality of tubular channels therebetween and having different length for attenuation of different frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the latch-assisted lid extractor. The present invention includes a canister and a lid connected to the canister via a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an over-center lock to removably secure the lid to the canister. Additionally, the latch assembly can be moved from a first position sealing the canister with the lid to a second position urging the lid away from the canister. The present invention provides a mechanism that can both securely latch or fasten a lid to a canister and at the same time assist in removing the lid from the canister to enhance ease of operation.

Abstract: A fuel filter housing and fuel heater combination for a fuel-water separator includes, as part of the fuel filter housing, a heater-receiving bore and a notch, opening into the heater-receiving bore. The notch is constructed and arranged with a ramp portion extending axially into the fuel filter housing. The fuel heater is constructed and arranged for inserting into the bore and includes a flange that is attached to the housing for securing the fuel heater in position. The fuel heater includes a protrusion that inserts into the notch and is seated against the ramp portion when the fuel heater is fully installed. O-ring seal swelling may cause the fuel heater to be locked into the bore and the protrusion cooperates with the ramp portion by way of a camming action to facilitate removal of the fuel heater from the bore under such conditions.

Abstract: A fluid separation centrifuge for the separation of particulate matter from a flow of oil is designed with a disposable rotor assembly including a molded plastic rotor housing and a fluid separation device positioned within the rotor housing. Included as part of the fluid separation device is a unitary, molded plastic base plate which is designed and arranged with a peripheral lip formed with a channel portion therein. In a cooperating manner, the rotor housing is constructed and arranged with a molded plastic, generally cylindrical projection which is designed and arranged to receive the channel portion so as to create a fluid-tight, sealed interface at the location of contact between the projection and the channel portion.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment filter (100) is provided for internal combustion engine exhaust, and includes an axially extending cylindrical filter roll (106) having pleated filter media (110) defining a plurality of axially extending flow channels (130), and having a first open-flow section (142) with open flow channels (140), and a second filtering section (148) with alternately sealed flow channels (136, 138) forcing exhaust to flow through (158) the pleated filter media (110). A core section (142) aides filter regeneration by providing an exothermic reaction. A combination catalytic converter and filter includes a first catalytic section (142) treated with a catalyst, and a second filter section (148) with alternately sealed flow channels (136, 138).

Abstract: An exhaust system for a diesel engine which includes a particulate filter for filtering a flow of engine exhaust gas includes, as part of the exhaust system, a catch basin for the collection of oxidation by-products from the particulate filter. Important in the design is to orient the particulate filter in a generally vertical orientation based upon the normal orientation of the diesel engine when in use. By vibration of the engine due in part to engine operation and due in part to vehicle vibrations, oxidation by-products shake loose from the particulate filter and fall through a connecting conduit. By positioning the catch basin below the particulate filter and connecting it to the conduit, the oxidation by-products are able to be collected in the catch basin for removal at a later time.

Abstract: A liquid filter (10) housing an annular filter element (16) has an annular space or inlet chamber (24) between the filter element and the housing and viewable through the housing such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the inlet chamber as an indication of when to replace the filter element, the higher the level of liquid in the inlet chamber the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. A change interval plugging indicator (102), preferably part of the filter element, is provided by a gas trap and pressure responsive release mechanism (104) trapping gas in the upper section (23) of the inlet chamber until a designated release pressure is reached, corresponding to a desired terminal pressure, to prevent premature plugging indication otherwise indicated by rising liquid level in the inlet chamber. Accurate and reliable calibration is enabled by separating the filtration function and the plugging indication function.

Abstract: Exhaust flow from an internal combustion engine is divided in a predetermined ratio between two adsorber catalysts arranged in parallel during lean operation. A regeneration cycle time is predetermined and regeneration is accomplished by injecting hydrocarbons into a catalyst leg having a reduced exhaust flow. Upon regeneration of the catalyst, the exhaust gas flow distribution is reversed and the opposite catalyst is regenerated while the regenerated catalyst bears the brunt of the exhaust flow. The exhaust flow then reverts to a normal (e.g. 50—50) flow distribution until another regeneration cycle is warranted. A catalytic soot filter placed upstream of each adsorber is also regenerated by hydrocarbon injection. The addition of the catalytic soot filter provides more time and surface area for the hydrocarbon to react with the oxygen. Some of the diesel fuel is reformulated into hydrogen and carbon monoxide for superior regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an NOx adsorber aftertreatment system for internal combustion engines which utilizes adsorber catalysts arranged in parallel. The exhaust flow from the engine is divided in a predetermined ratio between the two catalysts during lean operation (e.g. 50-50). At a predetermined regeneration time (for example, when the adsorber catalyst is 20% full), the exhaust gas flow is reduced through the parallel leg that is to be regenerated (e.g., 20% through the leg to be regenerated, 80% of the flow to the other leg). A quantity of hydrocarbon is injected into the reduced-flow leg in order to make the mixture rich. Since the flow has been reduced in this leg, only a small fraction of the amount of hydrocarbon that would have been required to make the mixture rich during full flow is required. This will result in a substantial reduction in the fuel penalty incurred for regeneration of the adsorber catalyst.

Abstract: A silencer for connection to the air intake of a machine such as a turbocharger compressor. The silencer comprises a housing containing a plurality of axially spaced annular noise attenuating baffles. Each baffle has an outer circumference and an inner circumference defining a central aperture, the central apertures of each baffle collectively defining an axial outlet flow passage to an outlet aperture. The baffles define a series of axially spaced generally annular partial flow passages such that air flowing through the silencer is initially split and then merges into the axial outlet passage. Each of the annular flow passages curves radially inwards from its outer to its inner circumference in a direction towards the axial. Additionally, or alternatively, the dimensions of the annular partial flow passages vary so that the velocity of air flow through the passages is greater for passages closer to the axial outlet aperture.