Abstract: Valve bridge systems include constraints and guides for managing bridge jump and other uncontrolled valve bridge motion during engine operation. Constraints may include an e-foot collar, an extended portion on the bridge, and a bridge brake pin. Guides may include valve stem tip lead-in chamfers surrounding the valve bridge valve pockets as well as a deflection surface on the bridge extended portion. Methods of configuring valve bridges may include configuring the valve step tip lead-in chamfers based on worst-case positions of the valve bridge defined by one or more or a combination of the constraints provided by the e-foot collar, extended portion and brake pin.

Abstract: Valve bridge systems include constraints and guides for managing bridge jump and other uncontrolled valve bridge motion during engine operation. Constraints may include an e-foot collar, an extended portion on the bridge, and a bridge brake pin. Guides may include valve stem tip lead-in chamfers surrounding the valve bridge valve pockets as well as a deflection surface on the bridge extended portion. Methods of configuring valve bridges may include configuring the valve step tip lead-in chamfers based on worst-case positions of the valve bridge defined by one or more or a combination of the constraints provided by the e-foot collar, extended portion and brake pin.

Abstract: A system for controlling actuation of an engine valve comprises a pivot and a torsion spring having first and second legs operatively connected to the pivot. A lever arm is adjustably affixed to and extending away from the pivot, and is further rotatable about a pivot axis of the pivot between a retracted position and an extended position and vice versa relative to a motion conveying component. Furthermore, a housing is provided having a pivot bore formed therein with the pivot rotatably disposed in the pivot bore. The housing further comprises a first and second openings intersecting with the pivot bore such that the first and second legs extend out of the first opening and the lever arm extends out of the second opening. When a first force is applied by the motion conveying component to the lever arm, such first force maintains the lever arm in the extended position.

Abstract: A system for controlling actuation of an engine valve comprises a pivot and a torsion spring having first and second legs operatively connected to the pivot. A lever arm is adjustably affixed to and extending away from the pivot, and is further rotatable about a pivot axis of the pivot between a retracted position and an extended position and vice versa relative to a motion conveying component. Furthermore, a housing is provided having a pivot bore formed therein with the pivot rotatably disposed in the pivot bore. The housing further comprises a first and second openings intersecting with the pivot bore such that the first and second legs extend out of the first opening and the lever arm extends out of the second opening. When a first force is applied by the motion conveying component to the lever arm, such first force maintains the lever arm in the extended position.

Abstract: A column connection device for use in gas chromatography is disclosed. The column connection device includes a housing with a piston, a piston spring retainer, and disk springs composed of an austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloy (e.g. Special Metals Corp.'s Inconel family of metals). The piston has a ferrule on its exposed end. The disk springs urge the ferrule against the mating portion of an external device maintaining a seal with the external device and creating a seal radially around a column disposed within. The column connection device also includes a release slider and a column base with a column retainer, column tab, and wire springs composed of an austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloy. The wire springs urge the column tab to frictionally engage the column, thereby inhibiting column movement. Depressing the release slider flexes the wire springs, urging the column tab away from the column, removing the frictional inhibition.

Abstract: A flow cell for a fluorescence spectrometer includes a flow channel to receive a flow of a liquid sample, an excitation light entrance window to receive excitation light from a light source, and an emission light exit window to transmit fluorescent emission light from the liquid sample in the flow channel from the flow cell. The excitation light entrance window and/or emission light exit window includes a waveguide including: a waveguide core formed of a core material; and a cladding medium surrounding a portion of the waveguide core, wherein the cladding medium has a refractive index less than the refractive index of the core material. The waveguide defines a portion of the flow channel.

Abstract: A column connection device for use in gas chromatography is disclosed. The column connection device includes a housing with a piston, a piston spring retainer, and disk springs composed of an austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloy (e.g. Special Metals Corp.'s Inconel family of metals). The piston has a ferrule on its exposed end. The disk springs urge the ferrule against the mating portion of an external device maintaining a seal with the external device and creating a seal radially around a column disposed within. The column connection device also includes a release slider and a column base with a column retainer, column tab, and wire springs composed of an austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloy. The wire springs urge the column tab to frictionally engage the column, thereby inhibiting column movement. Depressing the release slider flexes the wire springs, urging the column tab away from the column, removing the frictional inhibition.

Abstract: A liquid sample analyzer includes a liquid sample source, a flow cell, an optical device and a plurality of optical fibers. The flow cell is configured to receive a flow of a liquid sample from the liquid sample source. The plurality of optical fibers optically connect the flow cell to the optical device to transmit light between the flow cell and the optical device.

Abstract: A flow cell for a fluorescence spectrometer includes a flow channel to receive a flow of a liquid sample, an excitation light entrance window to receive excitation light from a light source, and an emission light exit window to transmit fluorescent emission light from the liquid sample in the flow channel from the flow cell. The excitation light entrance window and/or emission light exit window includes a waveguide including: a waveguide core formed of a core material; and a cladding medium surrounding a portion of the waveguide core, wherein the cladding medium has a refractive index less than the refractive index of the core material. The waveguide defines a portion of the flow channel.

Abstract: A liquid sample analyzer includes a liquid sample source, a flow cell, an optical device and a plurality of optical fibers. The flow cell is configured to receive a flow of a liquid sample from the liquid sample source. The plurality of optical fibers optically connect the flow cell to the optical device to transmit light between the flow cell and the optical device.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve body having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet, a valve seat located in the valve body between the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve member movable towards and away from the valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a PTC heater in thermal contact with the valve seat for heating the valve seat. The heater is integrated in the valve in a manner where the valve seat is used as an electrical conductor to facilitate operation and assembly of the valve, and a unique valve construction is provided for enabling self-draining to avoid accumulation of water or other liquid in the valve that might negatively impact performance of the valve.

Abstract: A vehicle on board system for recovering fuel vapors from the fuel tank both during filling of the fuel tank with volatile hydrocarbon liquid fuel and operation of the vehicle engine. A control unit in the fuel tank has a valve assembly actuated by a float to control the flow of fuel vapors from the top of the tank into a receiving canister with activated charcoal for absorbing the fuel vapors which can be purged from the canister by operation of the engine. The valve assembly has a valve seat, a flexible elastomeric closure received on a pivotally mounted carrier plate movable to open and closed positions relative to the seat, and a stripper plate encompassing the seat, overlying the closure and pivotally movable by the float to disengage the closure from the seat to open the valve.

Abstract: An improved filler neck for a fuel inlet of a vehicle fuel tank has a bend communicating with converging and diverging portions which control the flow of fuel through the filler neck to ensure that fuel flows through and downstream of the bend without backing up in the filler neck and actuating an automatic shutoff device of a refueling nozzle received in the filler neck. The filler neck also preferably has a bypass fuel passage through which fuel flows upstream through the filler neck and out to the atmosphere if a predetermined maximum pressure is exceeded within the fuel tank to limit the maximum pressure within the fuel tank and prevent it from being damaged or rupturing. Several angled ribs in the filler neck housing guide the refueling nozzle for proper positioning within the filler neck. Other ribs also provide gaps between the refueling nozzle and the filler neck housing to prevent the refueling nozzle from sealing the filler neck inlet.

Abstract: A filler neck of a fuel tank extends from the gas cap to the interior of a fuel tank, and a fill valve insert is positioned adjacent the tank-interior end of the filler neck in a tank/neck coupler construction. The insert carries a flexible valve to close the interior end of the filler neck, and the valve is designed and mounted both to flex open and bodily move downstream to both open and rapidly enlarge the valve opened passageway in response to rapid inflow of fuel to the tank, and to return and revert to a closed position upon cessation of fuel inflow. The fill valve insert is positively positioned and held in the interior of a threaded spout on the fuel tank and is retained and sealed against the filler pipe by a threaded collar screwed onto the threaded spout.