Abstract: A device is provided for detecting the presence of solid impurities within a pressurized fluid. The device comprises a housing having a fluid passageway formed therein. One end of the fluid passageway is open to the pressurized fluid while the other end of the fluid passageway is open to a low pressure fluid region via a restricted port. A filter strip dispensed from a filter strip magazine is disposed across and obstructs the fluid flow through the passageway at a point intermediate its ends so that the filter strip removes solid or liquid particles from fluid flowing through the passageway. A differential pressure sensing means, such as a differential pressure transducer, communicates with the fluid passageway and detects the differential pressure across the filter strip. An increase of fluid pressure sensed by the differential pressure sensing means is indicative of a clogged filter strip which, in turn, indicates the presence of solid impurities within the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting the presence of solid impurities within a pressurized fluid. The device comprises a housing having a fluid passageway formed therein. One end of the fluid passageway is open to the pressurized fluid, preferably via a restricted port, while the other end of the fluid passageway is open to a low pressure fluid region. A filter element is disposed across and obstructs the fluid flow through the passageway at a point intermediate its ends so that the filter element removes solid particles from fluid flowing through the passageway. A pressure sensing means, such as a pressure transducer, communicates with the fluid passageway between the pressurized fluid and the flter element. An increase of fluid pressure sensed by the pressure sensing means is indicative of a clogged filter element which, in turn, indicates the presence of solid impurities within the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An air cleaner is provided for use with an engine turbocharger having a housing with an inlet and compressor means contained within the housing. The air cleaner is operatively positioned between the air inlet and the compressor means of the turbocharger and comprises an annulus contained within and spaced from the turbocharger housing so that the annulus defines a semitoroidal fluid passageway between the air inlet and the compressor means of the turbocharger. An annular opening is formed around the outer periphery of the toroidal fluid passageway adjacent its outlet and the annular opening is fluidly coupled with an exhaust system. As an air and solid particle mixture from the air inlet of the turbocharger flows through the semitoroidal fluid passageway, the solid particles migrate to the outer periphery of the passageway due to centrifugal force and, thus, flow through the annular opening and to the exhaust system so that only filtered air is supplied to the turbocharger compressor means.

Abstract: A two part variable compression ratio (VCR) piston assembly for use in a two cycle internal combustion engine, the piston assembly including an outer member movable relative to an inner member to vary the compression ratio of the engine and a hydraulic system utilizing oil from the lubrication system of the engine to automatically control the relative movement of the members to maintain a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure. The hydraulic circuit includes an upper and a lower chamber which expands and contracts conversely upon relative movement of the piston members and further includes a pumping system for pumping oil to the upper chamber and to the lower chamber through the upper chamber to thereby vary the compression ratio of the piston.

Abstract: A liquid fuel purification system has a centrifuge in parallel with a conventional filter. Both the centrifuge and the filter are in fluid communication with a reservoir of liquid fuel and with a user of liquid fuel, such as an internal combustion engine. A by-pass valve device selectively effects the movement of fuel through either the centrifuge or the filter responsively to centrifuge speeds. The latter, in a preferred embodiment, is responsive to engine speeds.