Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for tracking degradation of a high-pressure fuel pump. In one example, a fuel system controller is configured to receive an output pressure signal from a pressure sensor, transform the output pressure signal to the frequency domain to generate frequency content of the output pressure signal, and diagnose a condition of a fuel pump based at least in part on the frequency content of the output pressure signal, the fuel pump fluidly coupled to a fuel injector via a common fuel rail, and the fuel injector is operable to inject fuel to a cylinder of an engine.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for health assessments of a fuel system. In one example, a fuel system includes a high-pressure fuel pump operable to increase fuel pressure from a first pressure to a second pressure, a common fuel rail fluidly coupling the high-pressure fuel pump to a plurality of fuel injectors each of which is operable to inject fuel to individual cylinders of an engine, a pressure sensor operable to detect a pressure of fuel at the common fuel rail, and a controller operable to diagnose a condition of the high-pressure fuel pump based on output from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for tracking degradation of a high-pressure fuel pump. In one example, a fuel system controller is configured to receive an output pressure signal from a pressure sensor, transform the output pressure signal to the frequency domain to generate frequency content of the output pressure signal, and diagnose a condition of a fuel pump based at least in part on the frequency content of the output pressure signal, the fuel pump fluidly coupled to a fuel injector via a common fuel rail, and the fuel injector is operable to inject fuel to a cylinder of an engine.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for health assessments of a fuel system. In one example, a fuel system includes a high-pressure fuel pump operable to increase fuel pressure from a first pressure to a second pressure, a common fuel rail fluidly coupling the high-pressure fuel pump to a plurality of fuel injectors each of which is operable to inject fuel to individual cylinders of an engine, a pressure sensor operable to detect a pressure of fuel at the common fuel rail, and a controller operable to diagnose a condition of the high-pressure fuel pump based on output from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for health assessments of a fuel system. In one example, a fuel system includes a high-pressure fuel pump operable to increase fuel pressure from a first pressure to a second pressure, a common fuel rail fluidly coupling the high-pressure fuel pump to a plurality of fuel injectors each of which is operable to inject fuel to individual cylinders of an engine, a pressure sensor operable to detect a pressure of fuel at the common fuel rail, and a controller operable to diagnose a condition of the high-pressure fuel pump based on output from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for health assessments of a fuel system. In one example, a fuel system includes a high-pressure fuel pump operable to increase fuel pressure from a first pressure to a second pressure, a common fuel rail fluidly coupling the high-pressure fuel pump to a plurality of fuel injectors each of which is operable to inject fuel to individual cylinders of an engine, a pressure sensor operable to detect a pressure of fuel at the common fuel rail, and a controller operable to diagnose a condition of the high-pressure fuel pump based on output from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle including an engine and a fuel system. In one embodiment, a water drainage system for a fuel system comprises a fuel tank, a fuel-water separator in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a purge tank in fluid communication with the fuel-water separator and the fuel tank, the purge tank separate from the fuel tank. The water drainage system further includes a fuel property sensor for detecting a presence of water and a purge line in fluid communication with the purge tank for removing fluid from the purge tank, a flow of the fluid from the purge tank controlled by a check valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle including an engine and a fuel system. In one embodiment, a water drainage system for a fuel system comprises a fuel tank, a fuel-water separator in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a purge tank in fluid communication with the fuel-water separator and the fuel tank, the purge tank separate from the fuel tank. The water drainage system further includes a fuel property sensor for detecting a presence of water and a purge line in fluid communication with the purge tank for removing fluid from the purge tank, a flow of the fluid from the purge tank controlled by a check valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing positive crankcase ventilation, for the crankcase of an four-stroke engine having one or more reciprocating pistons exposed on a bottom side thereof to the crankcase, whereby the crankcase and bottom side of the one or more reciprocating pistons define a crankcase volume that varies cyclically with reciprocation of the one or more pistons. The cyclically varying volume of the crankcase, resulting from reciprocation of the one or more pistons, is used for generating a flow of air through the crankcase. The flow of air through the crankcase varies substantially in direct proportion to engine speed. An inlet control device and an outlet control device are attached to the crankcase, for controlling the flow of air through the crankcase.

Abstract: An injector for hydrogen gas for use in an internal combustion engine, the injector comprising a mixing chamber communicating with a cylinder of the internal combustion engine via an injector tip, where a water input port and a hydrogen input port feed individually into the mixing chamber. The water-hydrogen mix in the mixing chamber when injected into the cylinder comprises water atomized by hydrogen gas in a stratified water-hydrogen-air mix.

Abstract: A customizable low fuel indicator system for a motor vehicle having an engine control unit storing the average fuel economy of the motor vehicle. A fuel tank sensor is in electronic communication with the engine control unit and is adapted to sense the amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tank of the motor vehicle. An indicator is in electronic communication with the engine control unit. An input device is in communication with the electronic control unit for selecting a threshold distance to empty. The engine control unit calculates a distance to empty value based on the average fuel economy and the amount of fuel sensed by the fuel tank sensor. The indicator is activated by the engine control unit when the distance to empty is less than the threshold distance to empty.

Abstract: A valve for use between a vehicle fuel tank vent and a vapor recovery canister in a vehicle fuel tank containing liquid fuel, such a valve comprises: a housing having a fuel tank side and a vapor recovery canister side; and a vapor permeable membrane fixed to the housing to block the passage of liquid fuel.

Abstract: A V-twin engine includes a two cylinder reciprocating apparatus, having a pair of connecting rods joined to a crankshaft through a pair of connecting rod journals that are centered at a common throw radius from the crankshaft axis, and angularly displaced from one another along the throw radius by an angular displacement equal to an included angle defined by axes of the cylinders, so that the pistons will move in unison and each reach top dead center (TDC) and bottom dead center (BDC) in their respective cylinders at substantially the same time. The cylinders fire alternately on sequential rotations the crankshaft. Counterweights on two balance shafts rotate in a 1:1 rotation ratio in a direction opposite to the crankshaft, with forces from the balance shaft counterweights and a crankshaft counterweight alternately aligning and opposing for counterbalancing vertical forces and unbalance loads in the engine.

Abstract: An injector for hydrogen gas for use in an internal combustion engine, the injector comprising a mixing chamber communicating with a cylinder of the internal combustion engine via an injector tip, where a water input port and a hydrogen input port feed individually into the mixing chamber. The water-hydrogen mix in the mixing chamber when injected into the cylinder comprises water atomized by hydrogen gas in a stratified water-hydrogen-air mix.

Abstract: A direct acting hydraulic valve lifter, DAHVL, having dual bucket tappets is provided with means for damping the inner bucket tappet which is coupled to the engine valve. In doing so, the engine valve is damped on its closure reducing noise and wear of the engine valve. Damping is accomplished by means of side wall communication port for connecting the inner chambers of each bucket tappet which is closed by the reciprocal motion of the inner tappet as the cam closes the engine valve and a thin orifice disk controlling the flow of the fluid from the second or inner bucket to the first bucket tappet. Hydraulic pressure is multiplied by the respective areas of the tappet pistons so that the overall height of the DAHVL in a direct acting cam-valve system in reduced.

Abstract: A hydraulic engine valve actuator utilizes a highly thermally expandable material in the damping piston to control the damping of the piston when the engine valve is closing. The expandable material is retained in the upper piston and as the temperature of the hydraulic fluid increases, the material expands to extend a plunger into a passageway to restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid from one chamber to the other. In the preferred embodiment the thermally expandable material is paraffin wax. The extent of the extension of the plunger is approximately 4.0 mm.

Abstract: A high pressure, fast response, pressure balanced reversible flow, solenoid control valve for use in such automotiove applications as electronic valve timing for internal combustion engines and adaptive braking systems. A pressure balanced bearing is connected to a moveable valve member forming a valve cavity therebetween which is at a first pressure. The moveable valve member is also connected to an armature means on the other side of the pressure balanced bearing in an armature cavity. The pressure on the opposite side of the valve member and in the armature cavity is at a second pressure. Thus, the moveable valve member is maintained in a pressure balanced condition and the solenoid then operates against any spring forces, inertia and the viscous effects of the fluid and not the pressure of the fluid. As the solenoid is energized, the armature moves the pressure balance bearing and the valve member to open the valve allowing fluid to flow from a valve inlet to the valve outlet.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-actuated fuel injector of the type having a spring-biased flat armature and a ball valve element is provided with an improved arrangement for preventing wobble or flutter of the armature, particularly during operation. The substantially-circular armature includes a portion contoured to define a pivot axis for the armature as it engages a stationary part of the injector. This pivot axis is conveniently provided by a chordal edge on the armature. This arrangement aids in reducing wobble by the armature and is further enhanced by concentrating the spring force on the armature remote from the pivot axis. This concentrated spring force is obtained by providing a spring seat on the armature which is inclined such that the spring experiences greater compression where the spring force is required.