Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the fuel injection timing of a fuel injector in order to start an engine. The temperature of the engine is sensed and an engine temperature signal indicative of the temperature of actuating fluid used to actuate the injector is generated. A desired piston firing position is determined, and an injection command signal is generated, whose timing oscillates between a time range that is a function of said temperature and said desired piston firing position, to control the fuel injection timing.

Abstract: Past methods for starting an engine have included increasing the amount of fuel to support combustion creating an excess of unburned fuel in the exhaust causing white smoke. Such past methods for starting an engine additionally required additional components, such as heater, and required an excessive draw on the battery to provide extensive glow plug operation and extensive cranking. The present method of starting an engine reduces and essentially eliminates white smoke, reduces the need for extensive glow plug operation and reduces the need for extensive cranking. The method of starting an engine includes the steps of: positioning an intake valve in a closed position; positioning an exhaust valve in a closed position; rotating a piston to a top dead center position; rotating the piston from the top dead center position toward a bottom dead center position; and injecting a fuel into the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly well suited for purifying exhaust from relatively large lean burn diesel engines. The emissions purification system causes an after-injection of fuel through the engine fuel injector during the exhaust stroke of an internal combustion engine. A computer controls the injector to inject an optimal amount of NOx reducing fuel into the engine cylinder. The optimal amount corresponds to an amount that will achieve optimal NOx reduction rates for the given engine operating condition and exhaust temperature. A computer periodically senses the engine operating condition and determines the exhaust temperature, and calculates the appropriate injection amount. With appropriate deNOx and oxidation catalysts located downstream from the injector, the emissions purification system of the present invention has the ability to greatly reduce NOx content of the exhaust while maintaining HC emissions at acceptable levels and greatly reducing system complexity.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly applicable to lean burn engines that produce exhaust containing insufficient amounts of unburned hydrocarbons to satisfactorily reduce NOx emissions without undermining engine performance. In the exhaust purification system, ethanol or another suitable hydrocarbon is injected into the exhaust stream at an appropriate location between the engine and the catalytic converter. A deNOx catalytic converter is positioned within the exhaust downstream from the ethanol injection point. The combination engine application, ethanol injection and suitable deNOx catalyst combine to reduce NOx to satisfactory levels without producing significant amounts of undesirable secondary nitrogen containing compounds. An oxidation catalytic converter is positioned in the exhaust downstream from the deNOx catalytic converter. The oxidation catalyst serves to convert any remaining unburned hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly well suited for purifying exhaust from relatively large lean burn diesel engines. The emissions purification system causes the addition of an optimal amount of fuel through the engine fuel injector after closure of the fuel injector needle check valve by enlarging the fuel injector SAC volume. The optimal amount corresponds to an amount that will achieve optimal NOx reduction rates for the given engine operating condition and exhaust temperature when the exhaust is passes through appropriate deNOx and oxidation catalysts located downstream from the injector. The emissions purification system of the present invention has the ability to greatly reduce NOx content of the exhaust while maintaining HC emissions at acceptable levels and greatly reducing system complexity.

Abstract: A speed-governed lean burn engine and its fuel and air delivery apparatus are provided with a control system that monitors engine conditions, including actual speed relative to a desired speed setting, to determine which of two air to fuel ratios the engine operates with under the existing conditions: either a stoichiometric ratio or a lean-burn ratio. A stoichiometric ratio is to provide short periods of smooth and rapid response to an increased load during which NOx emissions are reduced by a three-way catalyst in the exhaust from the engine. The lean-burn ratio during other periods of operation is sufficiently lean to exhibit low NOx emissions and allows operation with low fuel consumption. The invention can be applied to improve performance of gas fueled truck engines, for example.

Abstract: A method for treating exhaust gas stream of an engine for the removal of NOx by mixing a NOx reducing fluid and air together with the exhaust gas and subsequently cooling the treated exhaust gas stream prior to contact with the deNOx catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly applicable to lean burn engines that produce exhaust containing insufficient amounts of unburned hydrocarbons to satisfactorily reduce NOx emissions without undermining engine performance. In the exhaust purification system, ethanol or another suitable hydrocarbon is injected into the exhaust stream at an appropriate location between the engine and the catalytic converter. A deNOx catalytic converter is positioned within the exhaust downstream from the ethanol injection point. The combination engine application, ethanol injection and suitable deNOx catalyst combine to reduce NOx to satisfactory levels without producing significant amounts of undesirable secondary nitrogen containing compounds. An oxidation catalytic converter is positioned in the exhaust downstream from the deNOx catalytic converter. The oxidation catalyst serves to convert any remaining unburned hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: A modular catalytic converter and muffler is used to purify exhaust from a relatively large diesel engine. The device includes various structural components that are mounted in the exhaust flow path within a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A plate mounted within the housing divides the housing into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. A plurality of catalytic converter sub-cans are mounted across the plate between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. A flow distributor is mounted within the housing upstream of the catalytic converter sub-cans. The flow distributor divides and directs a portion of the exhaust to each of the catalytic converter sub-cans. Some muffler structure is mounted within the housing between the catalytic converter sub-cans and the outlet in order to attenuate noise in the exhaust.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly well suited for purifying exhaust from relatively large lean burn diesel engines. A computer controlled injector intermittently injects an optimal amount of NOx reducing fluid into the exhaust passageway from the engine. The optimal amount corresponds to an amount that will achieve optimal NOx reduction rates for the given engine operating condition and exhaust temperature. A computer periodically senses the engine operating condition and the exhaust temperature, and calculates the appropriate injection amount. With appropriate deNOx and oxidation catalysts located downstream from the injector, the exhaust purification system of the present invention has the ability to greatly reduce NOx content of the exhaust while maintaining HC emissions at acceptable levels.

Abstract: Pressurizing an intermediate fluid chamber of a pump housing is useful to substantially eliminate fluid loss across the seal faces in the pump housing. The subject dual seal pump has a spring-loaded diaphragm in an intermediate fluid chamber of the pump housing separating the intermediate fluid chamber into primary and secondary compartments. A fluid chamber in the pump housing is in fluid communication with the primary compartment of the intermediate fluid chamber. A fluid connecting means, including a conduit, an annulus, a pair of passages, and a recess communicate fluid into the primary compartment of the intermediate fluid chamber. The secondary compartment of the intermediate fluid chamber contains a non-corrosive fluid which is pressurized accordingly by the spring-loaded diaphragm. The result is a higher pressure in the second compartment of the intermediate fluid chamber which substantially eliminates fluid loss across the seal.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting tools and other devices which is capable of adjustment in both the vertical and horizontal directions relative to a box receiver mounted on the bumper of a vehicle. An L-shaped support section at its one end slidingly engages and is fixed to a box receiver mounted on a vehicle bumper. At its other end, L-shaped support section slidingly engages a second support member which has a mounting plate fixed thereto. The mounting plate is provided with an number of holes or elongated slots to provide means for mounting tools, motors, vices, and the like, to provide a secure mounting platform at remote locations, such as construction sites or campgrounds.

Abstract: An integrated transformer-sectionalizing switch assembly including a transformer module having a low profile feeder module mounted on and connected to the transformer module. The feeder module including two pair of circuit breakers mounted in side by side relation on each side of the feeder module with each pair of circuit breakers in back to back relation with the other pair of circuit breakers. A bare bus network is used to interconnect the secondary phase bushings to the circuit breakers. The bus network including three bus bars, each bus bar being connected to a phase busing. Each bus bar also including a phase connector connected to each circuit breaker. The phase connectors on each bus bar being arranged to correspond to the location of the same phase contact on each circuit breaker so that the circuit breakers can be interchanged. The feeder module is also provided with a compartment for a low potential transformer assembly.