Abstract: The seal assembly comprises providing a fuel conduit having a fluid flow passage therethrough for conveyance of a pressurized fuel-containing gas in a general fluid-flow direction with a first sealing surface disposed on the fuel conduit. A second sealing surface engages with the first sealing surface, such as to provide a fluid-tight connection preventing pressurized gas from leaving the fluid flow passage. The said first and second sealing surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the general fluid-flow direction. An o-ring is disposed between the first sealing surface and second sealing surface, the o-ring being compressed by the first and second sealing surfaces to form said fluid-tight connection. Preferably the o-ring is subjected to a squeeze of at least 40%, more preferably 50%, when the first and second sealing surfaces are coupled together. The sealing arrangement is most advantageously applied to throttle assemblies and the like, in particular for use with low-speed, gaseous fueled engines.

Abstract: In a combustion-powered fastener driving tool employing a fuel cell having an internal fuel metering valve with an axially reciprocating delivery stem, an actuator is provided for causing the dispensing of a desired dose of fuel from the fuel cell prior to each combustion event, the actuator including at least one actuator element configured for exerting an axial force on the stem, releasing the dose of fuel, and a fuel conduit associated with the element and being in fluid communication with the stem for transmitting the fuel for delivery to a combustion engine.

Abstract: An inlet valve is partially coated with a protective coating to resist corrosion and gas impingement when used in an internal combustion engine. The inlet valve has a hard cladding that is shaped to function as a valve seat. The hard cladding forms an interface with the valve head body, which is typically made of a softer metallic material than the hard cladding. The protective coating is bonded to the inlet valve and covers the cladding-body interface. The protective coating is resistant to corrosion, wear from gas impingement, and can withstand the high temperatures reached in internal combustion engines. Internal engines incorporating the valves are more durable and less susceptible to catastrophic valve failure. A method for making the inlet valves generally includes masking a portion of the valve stem and the valve seat, applying a protective coating to cladding-body interface, and curing the protective coating or otherwise bonding the protective coating to the inlet valve.

Abstract: A system and method to improve electromechanical valve control in an internal combustion engine. The method adjusts valve current to meet a wide range of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable media for controlling cooling in a diesel fueled power generation unit. The system includes a first cooling circuit configurable in a first mode for directing an oil coolant portion into main oil cooler and an intercooler coolant portion into an intercooler and configurable in a second mode for limiting the oil coolant portion provided to the main oil cooler. The system also includes a supplementary oil cooler for cooling a portion of the lubrication oil and a supplementary coolant source for providing a second coolant flow to the supplementary oil cooler. The system also includes a second cooling circuit in communication with the supplementary oil cooler configurable in the first mode for limiting the portion of the lubrication oil provided to the supplementary oil cooler and configurable in the second mode for directing the portion of the lubrication oil to the supplementary air oil cooler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a cylinder for a multi-cylinder four-stroke internal combustion engine, wherein said cylinder interacts with at least one fuel injector, an intake valve, an exhaust valve, operation members for controlling the opening of the valves according to a cycle running and means driven by an engine control computer according to the predetermined operation conditions of the engine for selectively opening or closing said cylinder valves, wherein the deactivation of the valves is carried out simultaneously in the middle of a cycle at a time approximately coinciding with the middle of a time extending between the theoretical consecutive opening times of the intake (OI) and the exhaust (OE) valves.

Abstract: An intake manifold of an engine has a common pipe disposed downstream of a throttle valve, a plurality of first through fourth branch pipes connected to the common pipe, and a bypass pipe connected between the common pipe and the first through fourth branch pipes. The bypass pipe has a plurality of branches connected respectively to the first through fourth branch pipes. An amount of intake air flowing through the intake manifold is detected by an air flow meter disposed in the bypass pipe.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling an internal combustion engine provide for a fuel combustion cycle that takes place in a combustion chamber of the engine. Injection of water into the combustion chamber during the fuel combustion cycle is controlled based on sensor input, such as temperature, extinguishment and pollution level input.

Abstract: An engine with a hybrid crankcase includes the crankcase being a composite construction having an exoskeleton formed of a non-ferrite material having no defined endurance limit as a material, the non-ferrite exoskeleton encapsulating a load bearing skeleton formed of a ferrite material, the ferrite material having a well defined endurance limit, whereby the skeleton acts to carry the highest engine loadings. A method of forming such an engine is further included.

Abstract: An air guide is disclosed for a bonnet-covered engine bay of a goods vehicles, in particular agricultural tractors, where under the bonnet are located a combustion engine (1), components under high thermal load and low thermal load, and a fan which generates an air flow which is directed through air guide ducts past the combustion engine into the open. As the air flow from the fan heats up greatly on the combustion engine, there is a risk of a deterioration in the functioning of heat-sensitive components exposed to the air flow.

Abstract: An intake assembly operable to communicate intake air to an internal combustion engine is provided. The intake assembly includes an inlet adapter defining a flow conduit through which the intake air may pass and an intake manifold. The inlet adapter is removably mounted with respect to the intake manifold. At least one resonance chamber is defined by at least one of the inlet adapter and the intake manifold. A gasket member is operable to substantially seal the inlet adapter with respect to the intake manifold. The gasket member defines at least one tuner neck operable to provide communication between the at least one resonance chamber and the flow conduit to form at least one Helmholtz resonator.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted oil recovery system uses a conduit to transport oil from an engine lubricating system of the vehicle to a retort system, mounted upon the vehicle. The retort system distills the transported oil, through vaporization, into individual components. These vaporized components are further subjected to a slight cooling to separate water and fuel vapor from oil vapor. The oil vapor condenses and returned to the engine lubricating system of the vehicle. On the other hand, the vaporized water and fuel is transported to a fuel system of the vehicle for combustion thereof. The heat needed for vaporization is extracted from an exhaust system of the vehicle by mounting the retort system directly upon the exhaust system. The retort system captures the heat from the exhaust system of the vehicle to provide energy for the vaporization of the transported oil into individual components.

Abstract: A thermostat for an internal combustion engine. The thermostat includes a tube type bypass valve member; a spring to keep said valve member in a closed position and a temperature sensitive actuator to move said valve member to an open position. A flow control element is provided to control a flow of fluid past said valve member as said valve member opens to prevent a sudden cooling of the engine after the engine has already reached an initial warm condition. In one embodiment a safety catch is also provided to prevent the valve from closing even if an over-temperature event damages it.

Abstract: A system and method for starting a large diesel engine using at least one hydraulic motor includes an auxiliary power unit having a hydraulic pump for driving a hydraulic motor coupled to the diesel engine. The hydraulic pump may automatically pump oil from the diesel engine into a pressure reservoir until a pressure set point is exceeded. When the pressure set point is exceeded, a relief/check valve positioned between the pressure reservoir and the hydraulic pump may open to divert some lubrication oil through a heater and back into the diesel engine. To start the diesel engine, a solenoid-controlled valve, positioned between the pressure reservoir and a hydraulic motor coupled with the diesel engine, may be opened to release pressurized oil to the hydraulic motor. After energizing the hydraulic motor, the oil may be diverted back to a sump of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed having opposed cylinders, each cylinder having a pair of opposed pistons. All the pistons may be connected to a common central crankshaft. The inboard pistons of each cylinder may be connected to a common joint on the crankshaft with pushrods and the outboard pistons may be connected to a common joint on the crankshaft with pullrods. Each opposed cylinder may include an integrated scavenge pump for providing positive intake pressure. The engine configuration also allows for asymmetrical timing of the intake and exhaust ports through angular positioning of the journals on the crankshaft.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The method may include supplying a combustible combination of reactants to a combustion chamber of the engine, which may include supplying a first hydrocarbon fuel, hydrogen fuel, and a second hydrocarbon fuel to the combustion chamber. Supplying the second hydrocarbon fuel to the combustion chamber may include at least one of supplying at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon fuel from an outlet port that discharges into an intake system of the engine and supplying at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon fuel from an outlet port that discharges into the combustion chamber. Additionally, the method may include combusting the combustible combination of reactants in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The free piston vacuum producing apparatus is an internal combustion device with no piston rod or constraining mechanism attached to the free piston. After fuel ignition the piston is rapidly propelled toward the open end of a cylinder. As the combustion gases expand, the piston's momentum propels it past the point where the pressure is equal on both sides of the piston. A vacuum is created in the cylinder behind the piston. When the piston comes to a stop, the vacuum in the cylinder is secured. An air/gas/vapor entry port into the cylinder is then opened to allow outside air, gas, or vapors to enter the cylinder. The gases drawn into the cylinder's vacuum pass through a device, such as a turbine, in order to produce work or energy from the flowing gases. The cylinder's vacuum can thus be used as the basis for vacuum pumps, evaporators, or gas evacuation device.

Abstract: Internal combustion engines having V-and L-configurations. There are first and second piston systems, each including: an engine block; a cylinder through the engine block; a piston within the cylinder, the piston with piston rings, including a cavity therein the underside; a stump member disposed within the cylinder and sized to be received by the cavity, and having a bore through the center to a direction of travel of the piston; a connecting rod, connected between the piston, and a crankshaft; a first and second combustion chambers defined between the piston, the cylinder, and the upper engine head, and between the piston, the cylinder, the stump member, and the cylinder floor respectively; an inlet port, an outlet port, and a spark plug/fuel injector port; each disposed through the engine block orthogonal to a direction of travel of the piston.

Abstract: A compensating drive for driving a compensating shaft of an internal combustion engine, comprising a toothed belt or a chain, which connects a crankshaft driven wheel of the internal combustion engine to a drive wheel on the compensating shaft or shafts, in which case the crankshaft driven wheel (2, 2?) and/or the drive wheel or wheels (5) of the compensating shafts (4) are shaped to be non-circular in such a way that they transmit to the drive a variability, which at least partially compensates the vibrations produced during the rotation of the crankshaft (1).