Abstract: An improved electrically-heated contact vaporizer (EHCV) for a catalytic hydrocarbon reformer. The EHCV has an electrically-heated vaporization surface and a helical-wound flow director. Preferably the EHCV includes a port and internal passages to permit controlled entry of an oxygen-containing gas, preferably air, into a flowing stream of vaporized fuel near the exit of the EHCV to mix with the vaporized fuel and spontaneously combust, forming hot gases for heating the reforming catalyst. A third wall may be provided to surround the outer wall of the air passage to provide further thermal insulation against heat loss.

Abstract: A urea storage system comprising a storage tank for a urea solution is provided. The system comprises a heated reservoir, a channel connecting the storage tank to the heated reservoir and a pump for drawing urea from the heated reservoir. A second pump including an actuator comprising a memory shape metal for drawing urea from the storage tank to the heated reservoir is also provided.

Abstract: A variable buoyancy heater is provided. It comprises variable buoyancy float that includes a variable volume element. A first fluid is contained within the variable volume element and a heating element that is integral with the variable buoyancy float is provided. The heater is arranged to heat the first fluid wherein the variable volume element expands based on a temperature increase from the heating element, such that the variable buoyancy float becomes positively buoyant when the variable volume element expands and negatively buoyant when the heating element is off.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards improved systems and methods for the delivery of urea to an exhaust gas treatment system. In one exemplary embodiment, a urea pump assembly for an exhaust treatment system is provided. The pump assembly includes a housing comprising: a housing chamber, a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, the first fluid inlet being in fluid communication with the first fluid outlet through a first conduit. The housing also comprises a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet, the second fluid inlet being in fluid communication with the second fluid outlet through a second flexible conduit. The second flexible conduit is located within a portion of the housing chamber and in thermal communication with the first conduit. The pump assembly also includes a pump located within the housing chamber, the pump being engaged with the second conduit and configured to move fluid between the second fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet.

Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed and may comprise an actively cooled valve actuation section, an actuator, and a valve section comprising a rotationally actuated valve plate that is structured to be rotationally actuated by the actuator to direct flow wherein the actuation section may be thermally insulated from the valve actuation section.

Abstract: A method for modified pulsed control of an electromechanical actuator in accordance with the invention comprising the steps of a) setting a common time length for all of the pulses in a pulse train, and b) varying (modulating) the number of such pulses per unit time (repetition rate) by varying the length of time between pulses in the train. Such control is defined herein as pulse-density modulation, or PDM. Especially in applications having a relatively low percent duty cycle if controlled by the prior art Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), PDM control results in more accurate control of an actuator, with higher resolution. The method is especially useful in controlling flow of a fluid, through a valve, such as a fuel injector, and especially at relatively low flow rates at high supply pressures P1 in the fluid supply.

Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed and may comprise an actively cooled valve actuation section, an actuator, and a valve section comprising a rotationally actuated valve plate that is structured to be rotationally actuated by the actuator to direct flow wherein the actuation section may be thermally insulated from the valve actuation section.

Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed and may comprise an actively cooled valve actuation section, an actuator, and a valve section comprising a rotationally actuated valve plate that is structured to be rotationally actuated by the actuator to direct flow wherein the actuation section may be thermally insulated from the valve actuation section.

Abstract: Fuel reformers and methods for using fuel reformers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the fuel reformer can comprise: an oxidant inlet, a mixing zone capable of receiving the oxidant and vaporized fuel to form a fuel mixture, a reforming zone disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the mixing zone, wherein the reforming zone is capable of converting the fuel mixture into a gas stream, and a passive heat exchanger disposed in thermal communication with the gas stream and capable of heating the fuel prior to introduction to the mixing zone.

Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed and may comprise an actively cooled valve actuation section, an actuator, and a valve section comprising a rotationally actuated valve plate that is structured to be rotationally actuated by the actuator to direct flow wherein the actuation section may be thermally insulated from the valve actuation section.

Abstract: A reformer comprises a housing comprising a housing inner surface, a housing outer surface, and an inlet; an ignition housing comprising an ignition housing inner surface, an ignition housing outer surface, an opening, and a turbulent flow generator bordering a portion of the opening, wherein the ignition housing is disposed within the housing; a chamber defined by the housing inner surface and the ignition housing outer surface in fluid communication with the inlet and the opening; and a catalytic substrate disposed within the ignition housing in fluid communication with the opening.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reductant system comprises: a high pressure reductant pump in operable communication with a power source, wherein the reductant pump comprises a reductant chamber and is capable of pressurizing reductant to a pressure of greater than or equal to 500 psi; a reductant reservoir in fluid communication with the reductant chamber; and an atomizer in fluid communication the reductant chamber. In another embodiment, the reductant system comprises: a reductant pump; system pump in operable communication the reductant pump, a reductant reservoir in fluid communication with the reductant chamber, and an atomizer in fluid communication the reductant chamber. The system pump is configured to provide motive power via a pressurized fluid to the reductant pump, and the system pump is fluidly isolated from a reductant chamber in the reductant pump.

Abstract: A calorimetric sensor comprising closely spaced, similarly constructed catalyzed (oxidation catalyst) and uncatalyzed members can be placed in the exhaust gas stream of an automotive engine downstream of a catalytic converter to aid assessment of the efficacy of the converter, especially when the exhaust is hot and at an appreciable steady flow rate and the engine is operating at the stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio or lean of such ratio.