Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, supporting a substantially planar solar energy collection device on a roof, the roof comprising a plurality of roof battens and a plurality of substantially flat roof elements. A back portion comprises a flange for locating the back portion on a roof batten. A front portion is configured to receive an edge of a solar energy collection device and defines a plurality of apertures in a front perimeter wall. First and second side portions are configured to extend from the back portion and to be releasably secured to the front portion. The apparatus is configurable to provide a frame for surrounding a solar energy collection device. The frame is securable to the roof by securing the back portion to a roof batten. The front portion is releasable from the first and second side portions when the frame is secured to a roof batten.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel injection system utilizes a pressure regulating or control valve to provide a high residual pressure within the injector between injections. Maintaining a high residual fuel pressure boosts the injection pressure to provide improved fuel atomization, with consequent reductions in particulate emissions and increased fuel efficiency. The pressure regulating valve, which may be located in the injector leak-off fuel conduits or in the high pressure line connecting the fuel injection pump with the injector, may be controlled in accordance with engine operating conditions to provide a variable injection pressure boost commensurate with engine requirements.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for alternate fuels such as coal-water slurry comprises a conventional fuel injection pump for supplying timed and metered pulses of diesel fuel to an injector assembly. The injector assembly includes a shuttle piston in a cylinder which is connected at one end by an injection line to the pump and at the other end by a passage to an injection nozzle. The alternate fuel is introduced into the injector assembly passage under pressure through a check valve between injection intervals. A bleed passage in the pump delivery valve provides a rapid pressure decay in the injection line following injection, permitting the shuttle piston to return to its starting position under the influence of the alternate fuel pressure. The timed and metered injection pulses are transferred by the shuttle piston from the diesel fuel to the alternate fuel to open the injection nozzle and inject the alternate fuel into an engine cylinder.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for generating start of combustion signals associated with the combustion events in a diesel engine (10), and for using such signals to control the timing of fuel delivery to the engine. The combustion event is sensed, as by an electrostatic (230, 330) or optical (130, 430) sensor, and signal conditioning circuitry (32) provides a start-of-combustion (SOC) signal (34) which is directly and precisely indicative of the time of the onset of combustion. The sensors (130, 230) include self-cleaning capabilities (48, 248) for extended operating life on an engine. The sensors may be incorporated in the structure of a glow plug (330, 430). The SOC signal (34) is advantageously supplied to a timing control circuit (26) which delivers a timing control signal (28) to a fuel delivery device, such as the controller (16') associated with a fuel pump (16).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the torque or fuel quantity limit to an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine, at least partly as a function of the sensed level of smoke in the exhaust gas stream of the engine. An open-loop preliminary fuel quantity limit signal is provided as a function of engine speed. The actual smoke level is compared with a smoke limit value for the particular operating condition, and an error signal indicates the sense and possibly the magnitude of any difference. The error signal is the basis of a compensating signal which is added to the open-loop preliminary fuel quantity limit signal such that the resulting fuel quantity limit signal provides for maximum torque without exceeding the smoke limit. The smoke level is obtained by a direct measurement of the particulate level or the like in the exhaust gas stream. An alarm may be provided for indicating when the actual smoke level exceeds some threshold relative to the smoke limit.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for mounting an injection barrel in the mounting bore of a fuel injection pump housing and maintaining the integrity of a fluid seal therebetween. A pumping chamber is defined in each injection barrel. Each injection barrel includes a pair of axially spaced annular seats in the external periphery thereof, preferably beyond the axially opposite ends of the pumping chamber. A respective annular seal is seated in each of the respective seats, and when uncompressed, projects radially beyond the barrel periphery. Each mounting bore includes a pair of chamfered surfaces formed at axially spaced locations, each chamfered surface having a respective diameter sufficiently small for compressively engaging a respective seal when the barrel is mounted. The included angle of each of the chamfered surfaces is relatively small to allow axial adjustment of the mounted position of the injection barrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gas in a diesel engine includes an EGR valve responsive to an EGR control signal for relatively opening and closing a recirculation duct to the passage of exhaust gas therethrough. A sensor provides a signal indicative of the level of particulates in the exhaust gas stream. Control circuitry responsive to various signals indicative of engine operating conditions, including the signal indicative of exhaust gas particulate level, provides an EGR control signal for regulating the EGR valve at least partly as a function of the sensed level of particulates in the exhaust gas stream. The engine operating condition signals typically are indicative of the speed of the engine or fuel injection pump, the engine load, and engine operating temperature.

Abstract: An improved fuel rack mounting arrangement, particularly for use in an in-line pump, is structured to reduce actuating forces. The fuel rack is supported by a pair of lever arms pivotally connected thereto at longitudinally spaced pivot axes. Each lever arm is also pivotally connected to the pump housing at separate pivot axes. The orientation and positioning of the various pivots are such as to afford longitudinal reciprocation of the rack in response to actuation of one of the levers about its pivot axis by which it is connected to the housing. The actuation may be provided by a stepper motor acting on an extension of the lever. Each lever may include an integral pivot pin and a locking mechanism for captured pivotal mounting of the rack.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for generating start of combustion signals associated with the combustion events in a diesel engine, and for using such signals to control the timing of fuel delivery to the engine. The combustion event is sensed, as by an electrostatic or optical sensor, and signal conditioning circuitry provides a start-of-combustion signal which is directly and precisely indicative of the time of the onset of combustion. The sensors include self-cleaning capabilities for extended operating life on an engine. The sensors may be incorporated in the structure of a glow plug.The SOC signal is advantageously supplied to a timing control circuit which delivers a timing control signal to a fuel delivery device, such as the controller associated with a fuel pump. The control circuit stores one or more start of combustion values which indicate the desired timing, relative to an engine cycle, for the start of the combustion event as a function of speed and load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for indicating an operating characteristic of a periodically combusting internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, having exhaust gas issuing from one or more combustion chambers in a periodic manner through a duct. The particulate in the exhaust gas stream are electrically charged and of the same polarity, and are grouped in packets associated with the periodic combustion in the respective chambers. An electrically conductive, passive electrode, preferably annular in shape, is disposed such that most or all of the exhaust gas flows therethrough so as to electrostatically sense, principally by induced image charge, the passage of the respective packets of charged particles. The electrode is electrically isolated from the duct.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump of the rotary distributor type having opposed fuel pumping pistons housed within a rotor and actuated by an internal ring cam. Fuel distribution, metering and timing control are effected through ports and slots associated with the rotor, the pump housing and a spill sleeve. The angular position of the cam is varied automatically in accordance with changes in engine speed as are the relative positions of certain ones of said ports and slots to provide an automatic advance of the fuel injection timing. The pump is particularly suited for electronic governing, electronic timing control and electronic control of rate of injection.

Abstract: A controller for a diesel engine fuel injection system of the type characterized by an injector for each engine cylinder driven by a variable high pressure "common rail" fluid. The controller generates and regulates the rail pressure, meters the fuel to the injectors, and times the firing of the injectors in accordance with engine requirements. The controller is characterized by a novel ring cam-driven piston pump for generating the high common rail pressure and a novel differential piston regulator for regulating the common rail pressure. The controller further includes a novel metering system for metering the discrete quantities of fuel delivered to the injectors.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a diesel engine for use with a common rail type universal fuel injection system includes an injection piston driven by the common rail pressure fluid to inject a metered quantity of fuel through an injection nozzle. The opening of the nozzle valve is controlled by a compression spring in a conventional manner. The nozzle closing is effected by the introduction of fuel at injection pressure above the nozzle valve which acts in combination with the spring to seat the valve. In the preferred embodiment, means are provided for connecting the nozzle spring chamber with the pumping chamber of the injection piston at or slightly before the end of delivery of injected fuel to the nozzle, thereby producing a sharp cutoff of fuel flow through the nozzle. The valve spring may accordingly be selected to provide an optimum opening force rather than to satisfy the nozzle closing requirements as heretofore necessary.