Abstract: A fuel injector for supplying fuel to a fuel consuming devise includes a fuel inlet for receiving the fuel, a nozzle tip for dispensing the fuel from the fuel injector, a conduit for communicating the fuel from the fuel inlet to the nozzle tip, a valve seat, and a valve selectively seatable and unseatable with the valve seat for selectively preventing and permitting fuel flow out of the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip includes a non-circular recess on a downstream side thereof and a metering hole on an upstream side thereof opening into the non-circular recess to allow fuel to exit the nozzle tip, the metering hole having a smaller area than the non-circular recess.

Abstract: A fuel injector for supplying fuel to a fuel consuming devise includes a fuel inlet for receiving the fuel, a nozzle tip for dispensing the fuel from the fuel injector, a conduit for communicating the fuel from the fuel inlet to the nozzle tip, a valve seat, and a valve selectively seatable and unseatable with the valve seat for selectively preventing and permitting fuel flow out of the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip includes a non-circular recess on a downstream side thereof and a metering hole on an upstream side thereof opening into the non-circular recess to allow fuel to exit the nozzle tip, the metering hole having a smaller area than the non-circular recess.

Abstract: A NOX abatement system includes a first NOX adsorber capable of being disposed in-line and downstream of and in fluid communication with an engine. The NOX abatement system further includes a selective catalytic reduction catalyst disposed in-line and downstream of, and in direct fluid communication with, the first NOX adsorber. The selective catalytic reduction catalyst is capable of storing ammonia. An off-line reformer is disposed in selective communication with and upstream of the first NOX adsorber and the selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The reformer is capable of producing a reformate that includes primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: An active system for regenerating a NOx adsorber and a particulate filter, the system includes a fuel source, a reformer for generating hydrogen and carbon monoxide in fluid communication with the fuel source, a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve in fluid communication with the reformer, an oxidation catalyst, a NOx adsorber located downstream from the oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter located downstream from the NOx adsorber; and wherein the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve control fluid flow from the reformer to the oxidation catalyst, the NOx adsorber, and the particulate filter.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell system having a relatively large primary fuel cell sub-assembly for steady-state operation and a relatively small secondary fuel cell sub-assembly which is rapidly heatable to a threshold operating temperature to a) produce usable power in a short time period, b) cascade a hot exhaust into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to assist in preheating thereof, and c) provide steam into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to prevent coking of the anodes thereof. As the primary sub-assembly reaches its threshold temperature, it too begins to generate electricity and continues to self-heat and to be heated by the secondary sub-assembly. Preferably, the secondary sub-assembly continues to provide electricity in complement with the primary sub-assembly until the primary sub-assembly reaches full power, at which time the secondary sub-assembly may be shut down or switched to standby status for fuel efficiency, as desired.

Abstract: A NOx abatement system comprising: a first NOx adsorber (18) capable of being disposed in-line and downstream of and in fluid communication with an engine (12); a selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20) disposed in-line and downstream of and in direct fluid communication with the first NOx adsorber (18), wherein the selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20) is capable of storing ammonia; and an off-line reformer (24) disposed in selective communication with and upstream of the first NOx adsorber (18) and the selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20), wherein the reformer (24) is capable of producing a reformate comprising primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: An exhaust system can comprise a NOx adsorber, a reformer disposed upstream of a NOx adsorber and in fluid communication with a fuel source, a first valve for controlling the introduction of the fluid to an exhaust conduit; and a particulate filter disposed upstream and in fluid communication with the NOx adsorber and downstream an in fluid communication with the reformer such that the first valve controls introduction of fluid to the exhaust conduit upstream of the particulate filter. The reformer can be designed to generate a fluid comprising sufficient thermal energy, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. Optionally, the particulate filter can be designed to be regenerated by the thermal energy and to adsorb a sufficient amount of the thermal energy to reduce the temperature of a gas stream comprising the fluid from a first temperature of about 600° C. to about 1,000° C. to a second temperature of less than or equal to about 500° C.

Abstract: An active system for regenerating a NOX adsorber and a particulate filter, the system comprising a fuel source, a reformer for generating hydrogen and carbon monoxide in fluid communication with the fuel source, a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve in fluid communication with the reformer, an oxidation catalyst, a NOX adsorber located downstream from the oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter located downstream from the NOX adsorber; and wherein the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve control fluid flow from the reformer to the oxidation catalyst, the NOX adsorber, and the particulate filter.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell system having a relatively large primary fuel cell sub-assembly for steady-state operation and a relatively small secondary fuel cell sub-assembly which is rapidly heatable to a threshold operating temperature to a) produce usable power in a short time period, b) cascade a hot exhaust into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to assist in preheating thereof, and c) provide steam into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to prevent coking of the anodes thereof. As the primary sub-assembly reaches its threshold temperature, it too begins to generate electricity and continues to self-heat and to be heated by the secondary sub-assembly. Preferably, the secondary sub-assembly continues to provide electricity in complement with the primary sub-assembly until the primary sub-assembly reaches full power, at which time the secondary sub-assembly may be shut down or switched to standby status for fuel efficiency, as desired.

Abstract: An active system for regenerating a NOx adsorber and a particulate filter, the system comprising a fuel source, a reformer for generating hydrogen and carbon monoxide in fluid communication with the fuel source, a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve in fluid communication with the reformer, an oxidation catalyst, a NOx adsorber located downstream from the oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter located downstream from the NOx adsorber; and wherein the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve control fluid flow from the reformer to the oxidation catalyst, the NOx adsorber, and the particulate filter.

Abstract: An exhaust system can comprise a NOx adsorber, a reformer disposed upstream of a NOx adsorber and in fluid communication with a fuel source, a first valve for controlling the introduction of the fluid to an exhaust conduit; and a particulate filter disposed upstream and in fluid communication with the NOx adsorber and downstream an in fluid communication with the reformer such that the first valve controls introduction of fluid to the exhaust conduit upstream of the particulate filter. The reformer can be designed to generate a fluid comprising sufficient thermal energy, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. Optionally, the particulate filter can be designed to be regenerated by the thermal energy and to adsorb a sufficient amount of the thermal energy to reduce the temperature of a gas stream comprising the fluid from a first temperature of about 600° C. to about 1,000° C. to a second temperature of less than or equal to about 500° C.

Abstract: An active system for regenerating a NOx adsorber and a particulate filter, the system comprising a fuel source, a reformer for generating hydrogen and carbon monoxide in fluid communication with the fuel source, a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve in fluid communication with the reformer, an oxidation catalyst, a NOx adsorber located downstream from the oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter located downstream from the NOx adsorber; and wherein the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve control fluid flow from the reformer to the oxidation catalyst, the NOx adsorber, and the particulate filter.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly for a fuel injector, wherein the response times of the shape memory alloy element is decreased to less than about 1 millisecond by forced, convective heat transfer from the SMA element or elements. The forced, convective heat transfer is provided by the circulation of fluid across the SMA element by a metering orifice plate, which directs a fluid flow across the SMA element so as to maximize the area of contact between the fuel and the SMA element, regardless of whether the fuel injection valve is opened or closed. Use of forced convective heat transfer in accordance with the present invention allows greater power input levels than previously possible without resulting in an over-temperature condition of the SMA alloy, as well as constant response times.

Abstract: A fuel injection system is disclosed having a fuel injection nozzle which receives pressurized fuel pulses from a source. The nozzle includes a body having a tubular nozzle body with a longitudinally extending opening extending therethrough. A valve seat is located between the upstream and downstream ends of the longitudinal opening in the valve body for engagement with a valve member to thereby regulate the flow of fuel through the opening. A downstream stop member includes a hollow cylinder with a diametrical member extending across one end. The cylindrical stop member is received over the downstream end of the nozzle body with the diametrically extending member disposed across the downstream end of the longitudinal opening to thereby limit the outward range of movement of the valve member from the opening. As a result, the valve member and the downstream end of the longitudinally extending opening define an annular fuel metering orifice therebetween to regulate the flow of fuel from the nozzle.

Abstract: A fuel injection system is disclosed having a fuel injection nozzle which receives pressurized fuel pulses from a source. The nozzle includes a body having a tubular nozzle body with a longitudinally extending opening extending therethrough. A valve seat is located between the upstream and downstream ends of the longitudinal opening in the valve body for engagement with a valve member to thereby regulate the flow of fuel through the opening. A downstream stop member includes a hollow cylinder with a diametrical member extending across one end. The cylindrical stop member is received over the downstream end of the nozzle body with the diametrically extending member disposed across the downstream end of the longitudinal opening to thereby limit the outward range of movement of the valve member from the opening. As a result, the valve member and the downstream end of the longitudinally extending opening define an annular fuel metering orifice therebetween to regulate the flow of fuel from the nozzle.

Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed having a fuel nozzle which receives pulsed, pressurized fuel for injection into the intake of an engine. The nozzle has a valve seat assembly with an upstream and a downstream seat interconnected by a longitudinal passage and by a bypass extending from upstream of the first seat to a location intermediate of the two seats. A poppet valve assembly has interconnected upstream and a downstream valve members operable relative to respective valve seats to regulate flow through the nozzle. A biasing member urges the valve member into a closed position in which the upstream valve member is unseated and the downstream valve member is seated to interrupt flow therethrough and out of the nozzle. Introduction of a fuel pulse into the nozzle moves the upstream valve member into engagement with its valve seat to thereby unseat the downstream valve member to allow fuel flow through the bypass around the upstream valve/seat and out of the nozzle through the open, downstream valve/seat.