Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a reaction chamber, including a catalyst, and a heating chamber configured to receive light. The heating chamber is positioned underneath at least a portion of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The invention herein described consists of a single-cylinder free-piston engine system comprising a combustion cylinder, a compression cylinder, a seal between the two cylinders and a piston assembly, capable of being produced in a miniature scale (e.g., less than 10 cubic centimeters volume). The combustion cylinder consists of a holding chamber wherein fuel enters through a fuel inlet port before combustion, a combustion chamber wherein combustion occurs according to an HCCI process, after which the excess fuel and exhaust leaves the engine system through a port for exhaust, and a port extending from the holding chamber to the combustion chamber. The compression cylinder comprises a compression chamber wherein a compressible a compressible fluid enters through an inlet port, is compressed by the single-cylinder engine system, and the compressed fluid exits through an outlet port, and a rebound chamber wherein energy from the combustion process is conserved by a rebound element.

Abstract: Method and system of onboard diagnostics in engine emissions monitoring, particularly for detecting anomalous cylinder behavior. In some embodiments, at least one sensor in the exhaust path measures electric charge that is indicative of particulate matter. In some embodiments, at least one sensor measures oxides of nitrogen. The indications of instantaneous emissions can be used to effect real-time adjustments in engine control, and can be logged for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting particulate matter in an exhaust stream of an engine. The sensor may be a spark-plug-like device having an extended center electrode composed of a stainless steel or other material. The electrode may have a thin passivating layer formed on it. The layer may be grown or deposited on the electrode within the exhaust system. The sensor may detect charge transients indicative of particulate concentration in the exhaust stream. Information about particulate matter in the exhaust system along with other engine information may be processed for controlling or adjusting parameters of the engine to affect the particulate matter in the exhaust system.

Abstract: A particle beam shaping apparatus preferably includes a prefocusing element and a primary focusing element disposed within a tube. An aerosol beam source having relatively heavy particles and relatively light gas is operably connected to the prefocusing element. The prefocusing element preferentially expands the aerosol beam such that the gas diverges laterally relatively rapidly while the particles diverge laterally relatively slowly. The tube laterally confines the rapidly expanding gas such that the primary focusing element converges the gas upon the particle beam to more narrow the particle beam. A detector may be located downstream of the primary focusing means to sense the particles impinging thereon. A skimmer is preferably interposed between the primary focusing element and the detection means to remove the gas while allowing the particles to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An engine performance optimizing system is described that requires only a single engine parameter (shaft revolution time) to be measured. By simultaneously dithering spark timing, air/fuel ratio and/or EGR rate in accordance with a predetermined cyclic pattern, and measuring shaft speed during each discrete phase of the dither cycle, correction factors can be computed and used to adjust the spark setting, the air flow and/or the recirculation rate in a way that causes engine performance to be enhanced in terms of fuel economy and lowered emissions.

Abstract: An adaptive electronic control system in which a machine control parameter is oscillated (dithered) back and forth on either side of a given setting of such machine control parameter, with the period of the dithering being in synchronism with the natural cycle of the machine, whereby the changes in the control system's error signal due to normal speed changes of the machine itself are minimized or eliminated. When applied to a spark ignition of a gasoline engine or the injection timing on a diesel engine, the timing is advanced and retarded in synchronism with the rotation of the engine's shaft such that each phase of the dither cycle includes an equal number of complete engine cycles. The effect on engine speed occasioned by the dithering of the machine control parameter is then computed and an error signal is produced which is used to further adjust the parameter control setting in a direction to optimize performance of the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling particulate emissions from a combustion apparatus, such as a diesel engine. Diesel engine exhaust particles are electrically charged during the formation of the particles in the engine combustion chambers. A particle collector is used to collect the electrically charged particles on collecting structures connected to a high voltage power supply and ground. The collecting structures of the particle collector can be a plurality of parallel metal plates, spaced cylindrical rods, or concentrically located cylindrical members. A fibrous matrix can be located adjacent the particle collecting structure to collect the charged particles as they move through the matrix. In one embodiment, the collected particles separate from the collecting structures and return to the engine intake. In another embodiment, a removable collecting cartridge has electrically conductive plates for collecting the charged particles. The entire cartridge is removed for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for controlling particulate emissions from a combustion apparatus, as a diesel engine. Diesel engine exhaust particles are electrically charged during the formation of the particles in the engine combustion chamber. A particle collector is used to collect the electrically charged particles on collecting structures connected to a high voltage power supply and ground. The collecting structures of the particle collector can be a plurality of parallel metal plates, spaced cylindrical rods, or concentrically located cylindrical members. A fibrous matrix can be located adjacent the particle collecting structure to collect the charged particles as they move through the matrix. In one embodiment, the collected particles separate from the collecting structures and return to the engine intake. In another embodiment, a removable collecting cartridge has electrically conductive plates for collecting the charged particles. The entire cartridge is removed for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for controlling particulate emissions from a combustion apparatus, as a diesel engine. Diesel engine exhaust particles are electrically charged during the formation of the particles in the engine combustion chamber. A particle collector is used to collect the electrically charged particles on collecting structures connected to a high voltage power supply and ground. The collecting structures of the particle collector can be a plurality of parallel metal plates, spaced cylindrical rods, or concentrically located cylindrical members. A fibrous matrix can be located adjacent the particle collecting structure to collect the charged particles as they move through the matrix. In one embodiment, the collected particles separate from the collecting structures and return to the engine intake. In another embodiment, a removable collecting cartridge has electrically conductive plates for collecting the charged particles. The entire cartridge is removed for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for controlling particulate emissions from a combustion apparatus, as a diesel engine. Diesel engine exhaust particles are electrically charged during the formation of the particles in the engine combustion chambers. A particle collector is used to collect the electrically charged particles on collecting structures connected to a high voltage power supply and ground. The collecting structures of the particle collector can be a plurality of parallel metal plates, spaced cylindrical rods, or concentrically located cylindrical members. A fibrous matrix can be located adjacent the particle collecting structure to collect the charged particles as they move through the matrix. In one embodiment, the collected particles separate from the collecting structures and return to the engine intake. In another embodiment, a removable collecting cartridge has electrically conductive plates for collecting the charged particles. The entire cartridge is removed for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: A method and instrument for continuous monitoring of an aerosol as the sulfur content of atmospheric aerosols. The instrument has an electrostatic precipitator that is turned off and on at a given frequency to modulate the particle concentration of aerosol flowing through the precipitator. A total sulfur flame photometric detector sensitive to both gaseous and particulate sulfur receives a sample of the modulated aerosol from the precipitator. The modulated particle concentration of the aerosol supplied to the detector causes a fluctuating component in the detector output that is directly related to the sulfur particle concentration. This component is amplified by a frequency and phase sensitive lock-in amplifier tuned to the precipitator modulation frequency. The resulting output signal gives a continuous measure of the sulfur particle concentration entering the instrument.