Abstract: A method for controlling multipollutant (e.g., SO2, NOx, Hg0 and Hg2+) emissions from a gas stream of a stationary combustion source, an apparatus for controlling multipollutant emissions, and a wet scrubber additive composition for controlling multipollutant emissions are disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure accumulator has an interior chamber containing a fire-suppressing gas such as nitrogen. The fire-suppressing gas in the accumulator is fluidly connected to a thermal device, such as a valve with a thermal fuse or a controlled valve triggered by a thermal sensor. The thermal device is designed to open a fluid connection between the accumulator's interior chamber to ambient when the exterior temperature exceeds a determined safety threshold, thereby releasing the fire suppressing gas from the accumulator.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an integrated drive module coupled to an axle thereof. The module includes a hydraulic motor configured to provide motive power at an output shaft, and a differential for distributing the motive power to right and left portions of the axle. The hydraulic motor and the differential are encased within a common housing. The vehicle may include a second integrated drive module having, within a housing, a second hydraulic motor (or multiple hydraulic motors), and a second differential coupled thereto and configured to distribute motive power to right and left portions of a second axle. The second module may also include a transmission within the same housing. The transmission may be a two speed or other multi-speed transmission. The second module is configured to operate in neutral while power demand is below a threshold, and to engage while the power demand exceeds the threshold. The second module may be configured to remain engaged for full-time four-wheel-drive operation.

Abstract: A two-volute low pressure turbocharger is provided with a VGT mechanism in one turbine volute only.

Abstract: A method for operating a series hybrid vehicle in a manner that responds to an operator's demand for power output, while maximizing engine efficiency and minimizing disruptions in vehicle drivability, may include determining, when the operator makes a demand for power output, whether the secondary power source(s) is supplied with secondary energy stored in an energy storage device(s), direct input energy generated by an engine(s), or both, based on an amount of available secondary energy stored in a secondary storage device(s) alone, or in combination with vehicle speed. While the engine is generating secondary energy, the power efficiency level at which the engine operates may depend on the amount of available stored secondary energy alone, or in combination with vehicle speed. Further, when the engine is not generating secondary energy, the engine may be selectively turned off or idled in response to various operating conditions.

Abstract: Improved transient response times are obtained while maintaining low emissions with a low pressure EGR system through methods for quickly obtaining a desired oxygen concentration for charge-air to be used for combustion. Under a first method, fuel quantity in the main combustion event is controlled in the combustion process to produce exhaust around a relatively constant target exhaust oxygen concentration value. By keeping the exhaust oxygen concentration levels at a relatively constant value, lag time in waiting for low pressure EGR valve adjustments during transients may be avoided, and the system's air handling response to meet transients may be paced solely by adjusting the mass of air to be supplied (i.e. boost response). Under a second method, a multiple-stage combustion process is utilized, in which fuel feed is controlled in a small, preliminary HCCI-type combustion event in order to produce a target oxygen concentration of charge-air to be used for the second, main combustion event.

Abstract: A variable displacement hydraulic/pump motor has a yoke with a pair of shafts aligned to define a yoke pivot axis and connected to a valve plate therebetween having intake and discharge apertures. A rotatable cylinder barrel has piston cylinders open at one end to receive a piston head and opening through fluid ports at another end, flush against the valve plate surface. A drive block is mounted on an input/output shaft for rotation about a central axis of rotation inclined at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder barrel which may be changed by a drive engaging the yoke at a point near its pivot axis. Loads on bushings supporting the yoke shafts are reduced by providing radially extending fluid ports in the shafts and in communication with the intake and discharge apertures of the valve plate.

Abstract: Multiple species of fungi in an environment can be identified in one sample by extracting and purifying fungal DNA in the sample. PCR is then performed followed by cloning the amplifed DNA and transforming the DNA into bacteria for purposes of growing the organisms. Colonies of the growth containing transformed bacteria are then chosen on the basis of coloration. Plasmids from the chosen colonies were then purified and the DNA is analyzed to identify fungi present in the sample.

Abstract: A multi-stage turbocharging system recovers exhaust energy that is conventionally lost in bypassing exhaust flow from one stage to another in a multi-stage turbocharging system. The exhaust energy is preserved through converting a portion of the exhaust energy of the bypassed flow from pressure to kinetic energy (velocity) by passing the bypassed flow through a VGT vane outlet or other variable geometry valve/nozzle, and then not allowing the accelerated flow to dissipate energy before reaching the subsequent stage's turbine wheel, where the accelerated flow may then be converted to a mechanical rotational force by the lower pressure turbine's wheel.

Abstract: A pump/motor includes a back plate having first and second fluid ports configured to be differentially pressurized, first and second reaction plates rigidly coupled to the back plate, and a valve plate slideably coupled to the back plate and having first and second fluid feed channels configured to receive fluid from the first and second fluid ports. A plurality of hold-down pistons is positioned in respective hold-down cylinders formed in the valve plate. Each of the hold-down pistons is configured to be biased, by pressurized fluid in the respective hold-down cylinder, against a surface of one of the reaction plates. A barrel, having a plurality of drive cylinders, is rotatably coupled to the valve plate. Drive pistons positioned in the drive cylinders are biased against a thrust plate by pressurized fluid in the drive cylinders. The thrust plate is coupled to an output shaft of the pump/motor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an integrated drive module coupled to an axle thereof. The module includes a hydraulic motor configured to provide motive power at an output shaft, and a differential for distributing the motive power to right and left portions of the axle. The hydraulic motor and the differential are encased within a common housing. The vehicle may include a second integrated drive module having, within a housing, a second hydraulic motor (or multiple hydraulic motors), and a second differential coupled thereto and configured to distribute motive power to right and left portions of a second axle. The second module may also include a transmission within the same housing. The transmission may be a two speed or other multi-speed transmission. The second module is configured to operate in neutral while power demand is below a threshold, and to engage while the power demand exceeds the threshold. The second module may be configured to remain engaged for full-time four-wheel-drive operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine includes a valve plate, with first and second fluid ports in a surface thereof. A cylinder barrel is rotatably coupled to the valve plate. A plurality of cylinders is formed in the cylinder barrel, such that, as the barrel rotates, each cylinder is coupled to the first and second fluid ports, sequentially. First and second pressure relief ports are formed in the surface of the valve plate between the first and second fluid ports at top- and bottom-dead-center, respectively. A cross-port bore is formed in the valve plate, placing the first and second pressure relief ports in fluid communication with each other. As each cylinder rotates to top-dead-center, an opposite cylinder rotates to bottom-dead-center. The respective cylinders are coupled to the first and second pressure relief ports, such that differential pressure in the cylinders is equalized.

Abstract: A fuel injection supply system includes an intensifier cylinder having an intensifier piston configured to pressurize fuel in an intensifier chamber of the cylinder during a pressurizing stroke, and further configured to draw fuel into the intensifier chamber during a recharge stroke. A fuel rail receives pressurized fuel from the intensifier chamber, and supplies the fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors. A control unit controls switching of the intensifier piston between a pressurizing stroke and a recharge stroke, controlling recharge strokes of the piston to occur between two consecutive injection events of the plurality of fuel injectors. The common fuel rail may be hydraulically locked except during injection events of any of the plurality of fuel injectors, or during a recharge stroke of the piston. The intensifier piston may be controlled to perform a recharge stroke once during each engine cycle, or more than once during each engine cycle.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward methods for operating a series hybrid vehicle in a manner that responds to the operator's demand for power output, while maximizing engine efficiency and minimizing disruptions in vehicle drivability. According to principles of the present invention, when the driver of a series hybrid vehicle makes a demand for power output, whether the secondary power source(s) is supplied with secondary energy stored in an energy storage device(s), direct input energy generated by an engine(s), or both, depends on the amount of available secondary energy stored in the vehicle's secondary storage device(s) alone, and in combination with vehicle speed. During the time that the engine is used to generate secondary energy, the power efficiency level at which the engine is operated also depends on the vehicle speed and the amount of available secondary energy stored in the vehicle's secondary storage device alone, and in combination with vehicle speed.

Abstract: Two motors are arranged on opposing sides of a common shaft, drive plates of the pump/motors being rigidly coupled to each other, for example by being in hard contact with opposing sides of the shaft. By providing hard contact between the pump/motor drive plates and a common shaft, the drive plates and shaft act as a substantially solid element under compression, thereby substantially canceling axial loads generated by the pump/motors directly through the shaft. Residual axial loads are handled via bearings positioned on the shaft adjacent the drive plates in such a manner that the drive plates are in light contact only with the bearings. As a result, friction experienced by the bearings is substantially reduced as compared to conventional systems, thereby improving the efficiency of the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of used alumina to reduce the level of inorganic contaminants, such as mercury and arsenic, from waste fluid streams. The invention further provides a process for reducing the level of mercury or arsenic in fluid streams by contacting the fluid stream with used alumina, such as used Claus catalyst.

Abstract: A vehicle drive-train includes a drive-motor having an output shaft and a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, a plurality of discrete forward gear ratios and a corresponding plurality of synchronizers. Each of the synchronizers is configured to mechanically synchronize rotation of the drive-motor output shaft with the transmission output shaft according to a value of a selected gear ratio, during shifting of the transmission to the selected gear ratio. The output shaft of the drive-motor and the input shaft of the transmission are coupled together such that, during normal operation of the drive-train, rotation of the output shaft of the drive-motor results in a proportionate and uninterrupted rotation of the input shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: A multicylinder homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine with a control system designed to maintain stable HCCI combustion during engine speed/load transitions by: (1) determining “combustion parameter” values such as the maximum rate of pressure rise for each cycle of each cylinder, (2) adjusting engine operating parameters (such as charge-air intake temperature, intake pressure (boost), or charge-air oxygen concentration) to effect a change in the combustion parameter value, (3) thereafter adjusting an engine “control parameter” (e.g., commanded fuel quantity) to each cylinder to maintain a desired target for the combustion parameter value (such as 10 bar/crank angle degree, or a smaller value, such as 6 bar/crank angle degree), and (4) individually adjusting cooling, heating and/or fuel command to deviating cylinders to achieve uniform combustion.

Abstract: An ambient anaerobic digester system for anaerobic digestion of animal waste with biogas production and recovery is provided. The anaerobic digester system includes a substantially flexible bladder for anaerobically digesting the animal waste with biogas production and transmitting the biogas to at least one biogas storage container, biogas use device or a combination thereof. In a preferred form, the substantially flexible bladder has a waste inlet, a digester effluent outlet, one or more sludge access ports and a biogas outlet in a top surface thereof. The anaerobic digester system may inexpensively, simply, reliably, and effectively be used to treat animal waste without energy expenditure and little capital expense, thus minimizing pollution typically caused by animal waste.

Abstract: An improved method for detection of total coliforms and E. coli comprising a broth containing an ingredient that will suppress growth of non-coliform gram negative bacteria, and at least one chromogen or fluorogen has been used effectively and is cost effective. Preferred methods include use of filter and/or plates containing the growth-promoting ingredients and the indicators.