Abstract: A valve bridge system comprises a valve bridge configured to extend between at least two engine valves of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a valve bridge guide is operatively connected to the valve bridge and configured to extend between at least two valve springs respectively corresponding to the at least two engine valves, the valve bridge guide defining a surface conforming to a valve spring of the at least two valve springs. In another embodiment, the valve bridge guide may comprise at least a first member maintained in a first fixed position relative to and at a predetermined distance from the valve bridge. In both embodiments, the valve bridge guide is configured to avoid contact with the valve bridge in a controlled state, but to permit contact with valve bridge to resist uncontrolled movement of the valve bridge.

Abstract: A valve bridge system comprises a valve bridge configured to extend between at least two engine valves of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a valve bridge guide is operatively connected to the valve bridge and configured to extend between at least two valve springs respectively corresponding to the at least two engine valves, the valve bridge guide defining a surface conforming to a valve spring of the at least two valve springs. In another embodiment, the valve bridge guide may comprise at least a first member maintained in a first fixed position relative to and at a predetermined distance from the valve bridge. In both embodiments, the valve bridge guide is configured to avoid contact with the valve bridge in a controlled state, but to permit contact with valve bridge to resist uncontrolled movement of the valve bridge.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system in a machine system includes a pumping element, and a drive mechanism for actuating the pumping element. The drive mechanism has an electromagnetic element with a superconducting state at or below a critical temperature. A temperature control jacket and cooling mechanism are provided to pump heat from a heat exchange cavity to cool the drive mechanism to or below a critical temperature less than an ambient temperature in a cryogenic environment.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid system includes a vessel and a pumping system positioned for submerging within cryogenic fluid within the vessel. The pumping system includes an electric drive structured to move a pumping element within a pumping chamber to pump cryogenic fluid out of the vessel. A cooling jacket forms a heat exchange cavity about the electric drive such that heat is rejected externally of the storage vessel.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid system such as a cryogenic fuel system for an engine includes a storage vessel, and a pumping mechanism with a pump positioned inside the storage vessel to be submerged in fluid stored therein. The system further includes a reciprocable pumping element operated by way of a drive mechanism including a rotatable driving element and a magnetic coupling operably between the rotatable driving element and the reciprocable pumping element.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid system includes a vessel and a pumping system positioned for submerging within cryogenic fluid within the vessel. The pumping system includes an electric drive structured to move a pumping element within a pumping chamber to pump cryogenic fluid out of the vessel. A cooling jacket forms a heat exchange cavity about the electric drive such that heat is rejected externally of the storage vessel.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system in a machine system includes a pumping element, and a drive mechanism for actuating the pumping element. The drive mechanism has an electromagnetic element with a superconducting state at or below a critical temperature. A temperature control jacket and cooling mechanism are provided to pump heat from a heat exchange cavity to cool the drive mechanism to or below a critical temperature less than an ambient temperature in a cryogenic environment.

Abstract: An expansion tank (10) for a vehicle cooling system (18) of an engine using a liquid coolant (16) includes a tank body (12) defining a first volume (V1) containing coolant (16), wherein the coolant defines a variable coolant elevation level (CEL) within the tank body. The tank body (12) also defines an upper volume (20) containing air. A bladder (14) is disposed in the tank body (12) and defines a second volume (V2) containing air. The bladder (14) includes a flexible membrane (36) actuated by an actuator (46). When the engine is stopped or is below a predetermined temperature, the flexible membrane (36) is moveable to a first position (FP) which lowers the coolant elevation level (CEL), and when the engine is started or reaches a predetermined temperature, the flexible membrane (36) is moveable to a second position (SP) which raises the coolant elevation level. A communicating line (38) is in fluid communication between the upper volume (20) and the second volume (V2) to fluidly communicate air therebetween.

Abstract: A first loop contains engine coolant passageways (28, 30) and a first radiator (34). A second loop contains a first EGR cooler (48). A third loop contains a second EGR cooler (50), a second radiator (36), a charge air cooler (26LP), a first valve (66), and a second valve (64). Valve (64) apportions coolant flow entering an inlet (64A) to parallel flow paths, one including second radiator (36) and the other being a bypass around radiator (36). The apportioned flows merge into confluent flow to both an inlet of charge air cooler (26LP) and a first inlet (66B) of valve (66). Valve (66) has an outlet (66C) communicated to an inlet of second EGR cooler (50). The first condition of valve (66) closes a second inlet (66A) to coolant flowing toward both the second inlet (66A) and inlet (64A) while opening inlet (66B) to outlet (66C).

Abstract: An expansion tank (10) for a vehicle cooling system (18) of an engine using a liquid coolant (16) includes a tank body (12) defining a first volume (V1) containing coolant (16), wherein the coolant defines a variable coolant elevation level (CEL) within the tank body. The tank body (12) also defines an upper volume (20) containing air. A bladder (14) is disposed in the tank body (12) and defines a second volume (V2) containing air. The bladder (14) includes a flexible membrane (36) actuated by an actuator (46). When the engine is stopped or is below a predetermined temperature, the flexible membrane (36) is moveable to a first position (FP) which lowers the coolant elevation level (CEL), and when the engine is started or reaches a predetermined temperature, the flexible membrane (36) is moveable to a second position (SP) which raises the coolant elevation level. A communicating line (38) is in fluid communication between the upper volume (20) and the second volume (V2) to fluidly communicate air therebetween.

Abstract: A method of cooling exhaust gas (F) from an engine in an EGR cooler (10) for recirculation to the engine includes the steps of transporting the exhaust gas from the engine to a core assembly (22) disposed inside a single housing assembly (20), and dividing the housing assembly into at least a first cooling volume (42) of the EGR cooler (10) and a second cooling volume (44) of the EGR cooler (10). The core assembly (22) extends at least partially into the first cooling volume (42) and the second cooling volume (44). The method also includes the steps of introducing a first cooling fluid (CF1) into the first cooling volume (42), and introducing a second cooling fluid (CF2) into the second cooling volume (44). The exhaust gas (F) is transported from the core assembly (22) to the engine.

Abstract: A first loop contains engine coolant passageways (28, 30) and a first radiator (34). A second loop contains a first EGR cooler (48). A third loop contains a second EGR cooler (50), a second radiator (36), a charge air cooler (26LP), a first valve (66), and a second valve (64). Valve (64) apportions coolant flow entering an inlet (64A) to parallel flow paths, one including second radiator (36) and the other being a bypass around radiator (36). The apportioned flows merge into confluent flow to both an inlet of charge air cooler (26LP) and a first inlet (66B) of valve (66). Valve (66) has an outlet (66C) communicated to an inlet of second EGR cooler (50). The first condition of valve (66) closes a second inlet (66A) to coolant flowing toward both the second inlet (66A) and inlet (64A) while opening inlet (66B) to outlet (66C).

Abstract: This application relates to a method of sealing machine components using electroactive materials that can be energized through a separate electric circuit or electric field in order to eliminate most friction and deformation losses during a sealing process.