Abstract: A method is provided in which stoichiometrically proportions of solid alkali metal borohydride are reacted with solid hydrated alkali metal borate. Upon heating, the borohydride hydrolyzes to generate controlled amounts of hydrogen gas and solid by-products. Water for the reaction is stored and carried in the hydrated borate, which is a hydrate of the reaction's by-product. At a suitable temperature, the hydrate melts and releases sufficient water for hydrolysis of the borohydride to molecular hydrogen.

Abstract: A method is provided that generates hydrogen to power a hydrogen consuming device. Hydrogen is stored on-board a motorized vehicle, or the like, in a stabilized slurry of alkali metal borohydride particles and water. Upon demand from the hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, a portion of the slurry is conveyed to a reactor where borohydride particles are heated so that they hydrolyze to produce hydrogen gas and solid-phase by-products. The reactor includes a mixing element therein where the slurry is mixed and ground to expose unreacted borohydride particles from the solid reaction products. A separate grinding mechanism can be used to further crush and grind by-product particles for reaction efficiency and product transport. The solid-phase by-products are then stored in a by-products storage vessel whereas hydrogen gas is delivered to either a hydrogen buffer container for temporary storage or to the hydrogen consuming device.

Abstract: A method is provided in which stoichiometrically proportions of solid alkali metal borohydride are reacted with solid hydrated alkali metal borate. Upon heating, the borohydride hydrolyzes to generate controlled amounts of hydrogen gas and solid by-products. Water for the reaction is stored and carried in the hydrated borate, which is a hydrate of the reaction's by product. At a suitable temperature, the hydrate melts and releases sufficient water for hydrolysis of the borohydride to molecular hydrogen.

Abstract: A method is provided that generates hydrogen to power a hydrogen consuming device. Hydrogen is stored on-board a motorized vehicle, or the like, in a stabilized slurry of alkali metal borohydride particles and water. Upon demand from the hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, a portion of the slurry is conveyed to a reactor where borohydride particles are heated so that they hydrolyze to produce hydrogen gas and solid-phase by-products. The reactor includes a mixing element therein where the slurry is mixed and ground to expose unreacted borohydride particles from the solid reaction products. A separate grinding mechanism can be used to further crush and grind by-product particles for reaction efficiency and product transport. The solid-phase by-products are then stored in a by-products storage vessel whereas hydrogen gas is delivered to either a hydrogen buffer container for temporary storage or to the hydrogen consuming device.

Abstract: A method is provided that generates hydrogen to power a hydrogen consuming device. Hydrogen is stored on-board a vehicle in dry lithium and/or sodium borohydride particles. Upon demand from the hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, a portion of the borohydride is conveyed to an axial flow reactor. Water is then injected into the reactor in controlled amounts to hydrolyze the borohydride particles thus, producing hydrogen gas and solid-phase by-products. The reactor includes parallel, closely spanned, counter rotating augers to mix and convey the borohydride particles and solid by-products through the reactor. A separate grinding mechanism can be used to further crush and grind large by-product particles to increase packing efficiencies in a by-products storage vessel, where reaction products will later be stored. Hydrogen gas produced in the reaction is delivered to either a hydrogen buffer container for temporary storage or to the hydrogen consuming device.

Abstract: An automatic dross removal apparatus, which can be used with a solder wave apparatus, is provided, that generally includes a reservoir having a cavity for containing liquid solder, dross removal apparatus having a first end extending within the cavity of the reservoir for removing dross on the surface of the liquid solder, and a motor engaged with the dross removal apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a conveyor driven by a motor. In another embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a motor driven receptacle. Means for moving the dross from one part of the solder reservoir to another, such as a pump, can be included. Preferably, a computer is used to control the automatic dross removal. The dross can be placed in a dross separation device which can include apparatus for processing the dross to remove any remaining solder.

Abstract: An automatic dross removal apparatus, which can be used with a solder wave apparatus, is provided, that generally includes a reservoir having a cavity for containing liquid solder, dross removal apparatus having a first end extending within the cavity of the reservoir for removing dross on the surface of the liquid solder, and a motor engaged with the dross removal apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a conveyor driven by a motor. In another embodiment of the invention, the dross is automatically removed by a motor driven receptacle. Means for moving the dross from one part of the solder reservoir to another, such as a pump, can be included. Preferably, a computer is used to control the automatic dross removal. The dross can be placed in a dross separation device which can include apparatus for processing the dross to remove any remaining solder.

Abstract: A fuel injection system is provided for use in an internal combustion engine, where the engine includes at least one cylinder head cover. The fuel injection system includes at least one fuel injector assembly that is inserted into an inlet in the cylinder head cover. The fuel injector assembly includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that extends through the inlet of the cylinder head cover, where at least part of the lower body portion is comprised of a low radiant heat absorbent material having a high radiant heat reflectance color for reflecting radiant heat away from the fuel injector assembly during engine operating conditions.

Abstract: An improved engine control in which the fuel volatility is detected based on a measure of the fired-to-motored cylinder pressure ratio, and used to trim fuel and spark timing controls during engine warm-up and transient fueling periods. In a first embodiment, a matrix of empirically determined pressure ratio values that occur with fuels of differing volatility is stored and compared to the measured pressure ratio to identify the closest stored pressure ratio, and the fuel volatility is determined based on the fuel volatility associated with the identified pressure ratio. In a second embodiment, the actual fuel vapor-to-air equivalence ratio is computed based on the measured pressure ratio, and the fuel volatility is determined based on the deviation between the actual ratio and the desired fuel vapor-to-air equivalence ratio.

Abstract: An improved engine fuel control method which divides the liquid fuel into a plurality of components characterized by relative volatility. The mass and evaporation characteristics of each fuel volatility component are determined separately within the fuel puddle, with the overall puddle behavior being characterized as the sum of the behaviors of the individual volatility components. The method involves determining, for each engine cycle, the mass of fuel that will evaporate from the puddle, the mass of vapor required to achieve the desired air/fuel ratio for the engine cylinder, the fraction of the injected fuel that will vaporize, and the mass of fuel that needs to be injected in order to achieve the desired air/fuel ratio in the cylinder. Finally, the puddle mass is updated for the next intake event.