Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator includes a rigid tank containing a flexible but non-elastic bladder formed of a metal foil and separating the interior of the tank into a gas space and a liquid space. The gas and liquid spaces respectively communicate with exterior sources of gas and liquid through fixtures provided on the accumulator tank. One of the fixtures is provided with an anti-extrusion valve to prevent the bladder from being forced out through the fixture. In one preferred embodiment the bladder is a bellows. In another preferred embodiment the accumulator tank is provided with a vent in communication with the liquid space within the tank to allow for venting of any gas separating from the liquid and accumulating within the liquid space.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle provides variable displacement by selectively driving one or more engine crankshafts mounted within a single unitary engine block. In several embodiments the crankshafts are connected to a common output shaft with a one-way clutch between the common output shaft and at least one of the crankshafts. In one aspect starter gearing is independently associated with each of the first and second crankshafts and a starter is provided for selective engagement with the starter gearing of either of the crankshafts. In another aspect, an accessory drive for driving accessory systems of the vehicle receives power from any crankshaft which is operating, yet is isolated from any crankshaft that is not operating by a one-way clutch.

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, and (4) individually adjusting cooling, heating and/or fuel command to deviating cylinders to achieve uniform combustion. Additional strategies such as averaging of combustion parameter values and use of deadband regions in the control of HCCI combustion are also set forth.

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: A hydraulic accumulator is equipped with a novel shut-off valve. The shut off-valve includes a valve body having a cylindrical hollow with a valve seat surrounding one end. The main piston including a piston head has a central opening and is slidably mounted within the cylindrical hollow of the valve body. A poppet valve has a valve head which mates with the valve seat and a valve stem which extends through the central opening of the piston to guide axial movement of the poppet valve relative to the piston. A spring is mounted between the valve head and the main piston head for urging the valve head away from the piston head. A control valve moves the piston relative to the valve body between open and closed positions responsive to signals from a computer which signals valve closing upon determination that flow rate through the valve exceeds a maximum period.

Abstract: An engine has a plurality of combustion cylinders with a first piston reciprocably mounted in each of the combustion cylinders in the conventional manner. The engine head has, in communication with each of the combustion cylinders, a cylindrical recess containing a reciprocably mounted second piston. On the side of the second piston opposite the combustion chamber is a control chamber with inlets and outlets for controlling movement of the second piston. The second piston is used to increase the compression ratio without appreciably reducing the expansion ratio. Alternatively, the second piston may be used as a pump to pump fluid from the control chamber. In yet another alternative method of operation, the second piston can be driven outward within the cylindrical recess to an extent which varies in accordance with power demand, thereby varying the compression ratio in accordance with the power demand.

Abstract: A medium for culturing microorganisms in the presence of Pb2+ uses as a phosphate component, an O-phosphate-L-amino acid, to provide a source of phosphate for the microorganisms so as to avoid precipitating lead.

Abstract: An improved method for detection of total coliforms and E. coli comprising a broth containing an ingredient that will encourage growth and repair of injured coliforms, buffers to maintain a pH in the range of 6.5-8, at least one agent that suppresses growth of gram positive cocci and spore-forming organisms, at least one active agent 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. In the preferred embodiment, both a fluorogen and chromogen were used. Preferred methods include use of filter and/or plates containing the growth-promoting ingredients and the indicators.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with an expansion cylinder and at least one combustion cylinder, preferably two or four combustion cylinders per expansion cylinder. An air-fuel mixture is ignited within the combustion cylinders to drive a combustion piston which, in turn, drives an engine crankshaft. The gaseous products of combustion are exhausted at a pressure substantially above atmospheric to an expansion cylinder wherein they are allowed to further expand against an expander piston to drive an expander crankshaft. Torque produced at the engine crankshaft and torque produced at the expander crankshaft are combined to drive vehicle wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for periodic analysis of trace amounts of volatile organic compounds in a waste gas provide for feeding of a sample of a waste gas first to an organics concentrator which isolates the volatile organic compounds from the waste gas sample and prepares a concentrated sample for feed to a gas chromatograph. In normal operation, a waste gas is continuously sampled from the waste gas source to produce a continuous waste gas flow through a switching valve and out a vent. A portion of that waste gas flow is periodically diverted by the switching valve and routed to the organics concentrator. The switching valve also receives calibration samples containing known concentrations of the volatile organic compounds prepared in a gas blender. It periodically feeds the calibration samples to the organics concentrator and the gas chromatograph for calibration of the system.

Abstract: An improved method for detection of total coliforms and E. coli comprising placing the target sample in a broth containing an ingredient that will encourage growth and repair of injured coliforms, at least one agent that suppresses growth of gram positive cocci and spore-forming organisms, at least one active agent 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. In the preferred embodiment, both a fluorogen and chromogen were used. Preferred methods include use of filter and/or plates containing the growth-promoting ingredients and the indicators.

Abstract: A drive train for a vehicle having front and rear wheels includes a fluidic motor and a pump interconnected in a continuous loop, with one conduit connected to the inlet of the fluidic motor to the outlet of the pump and a second conduit connecting the inlet of the pump to the outlet of the fluidic motor. A gas/liquid fluid accumulator is in fluid communication with the first conduit and a low pressure reservoir is in fluid communication with the second conduit. An engine, sized to match the average torque demanded of the vehicle, is employed to drive the pump. Sensors are included for detecting the pressure within the accumulator and the power demanded of the vehicle by the driver and, optionally, vehicle speed. A motor controller controls displacement of the fluidic motor in accordance with the sensed power demand and a pump controller controls displacement of the pump responsive to the signal for detected pressure.

Abstract: A virtual impactor that can remove essentially all of the particles from an airstream is disclosed. Disclosed are a method of separating particles from the airstream using this virtual impactor, a method of concentrating the particulate matter in an airstream, and the concentrated airstream.

Abstract: A control system utilizing fuzzy logic adaptive control to control the operation of a wind turbine driven electric power generator to control power generator speed and hence power frequency while maximizing the power output of the power generator. Wind turbulence effects are eliminated and airgap magnetic flux of the power generator is controlled.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to binary azeotropic mixtures of either trifluoromethyl methyl ether and 1,1-difluoroethane or pentafluorodimethyl ether and cyclopropane. Methods of heat transfer with those mixtures also are taught.

Abstract: A cloud or dispersion of a particulate flux is formed in a combustion zone for the purpose of capturing metallic vapor from the combustion gas by formation of a eutectic of the metal and the flux, as a melt on at least the surfaces of the dispersed flux particles. The flux particles are heated within the combustion zone to a temperature sufficient to form the eutectic melt. The preferred flux particles utilized in the invention include conventional metallurgical fluxes, e.g. calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.

Abstract: The invention is a combustion method for operation of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine in a cycle including intake, compression, expansion and exhaust strokes. A first amount of fuel is introduced into each of the cylinders with introduction initiated earlier than 45.degree. before top dead center of a combustion stroke. An amount of air significantly in excess of that providing a stoichiometric amount of oxygen, typically 2-3 times stoichiometry, is also introduced into each of the cylinders to produce a first mixture upon introduction of the fuel, which mixture is ignited to produce a first combustion event. Subsequent to substantial completion of the first combustion event but prior to top dead center in the same compression stroke (or shortly after top dead center in the expansion stroke), a second amount of fuel is introduced into each of the cylinders without introduction of additional air.

Abstract: A novel electrostatic precipitator includes an electrostatic collector section with discharge electrodes positioned between pairs of grounded collector electrodes, a gas entry port located upstream of said electrostatic collector section, and a transition section between the gas entry port and said electrostatic collector section into which an aqueous acid gas neutralizing agent is sprayed into a gas stream. An additional collector section may be interposed between the gas entry port and the point where the acid gas neutralizing agent is injected into the gas stream. The collector section may comprise alternating charging and short collection sections in which the grounded electrodes of adjoining charger and collector sections are connected. A liquid spray removes particulates collected on the grounded electrodes of the collector sections.

Abstract: A novel, internal combustion engine includes a cylinder, a head closing one end of the cylinder and a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder for reciprocating motion, in the usual manner, which reciprocation is converted into rotary motion by, for example, a conventional crankshaft. The top surface of the piston, cylinder head and cylinder serve as walls defining a system chamber, with a pocket formed in one of the system chamber walls for receiving fuel and serving as a combustion chamber for localized combustion therein. In one disclosed embodiment, the cylinder is divided into two sections with thermal insulation, serving as a heat barrier, disposed between the two sections and the piston has a hollow interior containing one or more heat shields spanning the hollow interior. The method of operation involves injection of fuel into a restricted area within the chamber defined between the piston head, cylinder head and cylinder, e.g., the aforementioned pocket.

Abstract: A method of operation of an internal combustion engine to minimize NOx emission in exhaust gas involves detection of load on the vehicle engine as either a low load or a high load. While a low load is detected unthrottled air and a quantity of fuel providing for lean combustion are mixed with injection of fuel adjacent top dead center in the compression stroke. While a high load condition is detected, throttled air and a quantity of fuel governed by sensed oxygen content of the exhaust gas are mixed in an approximate stoichiometric ratio with injection of the fuel much earlier than injection at low load, preferably during the intake stroke.