Abstract: A control system is disclosed having at least one spray head, a fluid pump, and a power converter driving the fluid pump. The control system may also have an interface device to receive at least one parameter associated with a desired fluid delivery event, a pressure sensor configured to generate a first signal, a travel speed sensor configured to generate a second signal, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a desired fluid pressure based on the at least one parameter, and determine a control command for the power converter based on the desired fluid pressure. The controller may be further configured to determine a feedforward gain parameter based on the at least one parameter and the second signal, determine a feedback gain parameter based on a difference between desired and actual fluid pressures, and adjust the control command based on the feedforward and feedback gain parameters.

Abstract: A windshield washer fluid heater for an automotive vehicle has an elongated housing with two open ends and in which the housing defines a housing chamber. A tubular subhousing divides the housing chamber into an outer housing chamber and an inner housing chamber. A core is disposed in the inner housing chamber and this core forms an annular chamber between the core and the subhousing. A pair of end caps is attached to the ends of the housing and these end caps sealingly engage the housing and the subchamber to fluidly separate the outer housing chamber from the annular chamber. The housing includes a washer fluid passageway which fluidly connects a washer fluid port on the end cap with the annular chamber as well as a coolant fluid passageway which fluidly connects a coolant port on each end cap with the housing chamber.

Abstract: A pressure atomizing nozzle for injecting fuel includes an inlet housing configured to thermally isolate the interior space from external conditions and to remain relatively cool under operation so as to substantially eliminate heat soak back from the inlet housing to the interior space thereof after operation. First and second coolant conduits cool the nozzle tip region actively during operation and passively after operation. A cooling air jacket is configured to thermally isolate inboard components from exterior conditions, to provide clean air during operation to the nozzle tip region for diluting carbon to reduce carbon deposits in the nozzle tip region and for cooling the same, and to provide passive cooling to the nozzle tip region after operation.

Abstract: A system and method of cooling a rocket motor component includes injecting a high pressure liquid coolant through an injector nozzle into a cooling chamber. The cooling chamber having a pressure lower than the high pressure liquid coolant. The liquid coolant flashes into a saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture in the cooling chamber. The saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture is at equilibrium at the lower pressure of the cooling chamber. Heat from the rocket motor component to be cooled is absorbed by the coolant. A portion of the liquid portion of the saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture is converted into gas phase, the converted portion being less than 100% of the coolant. A portion of the coolant is released from the cooling chamber and the coolant in the cooling chamber is dynamically maintained at less than 100% gas phase of the coolant as the thrust and heat generated by the rocket motor varies.

Abstract: A device and method of use for a towed portable cleaning facility is disclosed. The device employs storage tanks for both the storage and transport of cleaning fluids. The tanks serve the additional function of surrounding and enclosing the cleaning area an area that may be used for cleaning or storage. By utilizing the tanks as walls, the present invention provides a portable cleaning station. The device may further include the ability to treat and clean used fluids in order to either reuse or safely dispose of the used fluids as well as the ability to recover heat energy from an engine compartment to heat cleaning fluids.

Abstract: A device and method of use for a towed portable cleaning facility is disclosed. The device employs storage tanks for both the storage and transport of cleaning fluids. The tanks serve the additional function of surrounding and enclosing the cleaning area an area that may be used for cleaning or storage. By utilizing the tanks as walls, the present invention provides a portable cleaning station. The device may further include the ability to treat and clean used fluids in order to either reuse or safely dispose of the used fluids as well as the ability to recover heat energy from an engine compartment to heat cleaning fluids.

Abstract: A windshield washer fluid heater having a housing which defines a housing chamber. A subhousing is disposed in the housing chamber. This subhousing is constructed of a thermally conductive material and divides the housing chamber into an outer housing chamber between the housing and the subhousing, and an inner housing chamber inside the subchamber. The outer housing chamber and inner housing chambers are fluidly isolated from each other. A core is disposed in the inner housing chamber thus forming an annular fluid chamber between the core and the subhousing. A washer fluid inlet on the housing is open to one end of the annular chamber while a washer fluid outlet at the other end is open to the other end of the annular chamber. An engine coolant inlet is open to the outer chamber while an engine coolant outlet is also open to the outer chamber at a position spaced from the inlet so that fluid flow into the coolant inlet flows through the outer housing chamber and to the coolant outlet.

Abstract: In some embodiments a propulsion system includes a thrust chamber having an inside wall, an expansion nozzle mounted to the thrust chamber and having an interior and having an exterior, a main propellant injector mounted to the thrust chamber to inject a fluid in the interior of the thrust chamber, the fluid comprising oxidizer, fuel and internal film coolant, the internal film coolant ranging from about 1% to about 5% of the fluid, limited coolant tubing circumscribing the exterior of the expansion nozzle to circulate an external coolant, and an injector mounted to the expansion nozzle to inject the external coolant in the interior of the expansion nozzle, the external convective coolant about 2.5% of the fluid. The system operates at lower temperatures while having conventional amounts of thrust, in which the thrust chamber can be made of thin walls of lower cost conventional metals with simple coolant tube construction.

Abstract: A spray nozzle, with which the position at which the spray fluid strikes a target does not change, includes an ejection port elongated from side to side, a flow path formed cylindrical between a supply port and the ejection port, the flow path having a taper section formed at the middle thereof to reduce the flow path cross-sectional area gradually toward the ejection port. The taper section has upper and lower apex ends at an end portion on the ejection port side that are offset with respect to each other in the direction of the axis of the flow path.

Abstract: A melter, mixer and applicator system for applying coating or sealing compositions is disclosed. An internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, is used to provide the motive force necessary to operate many or all of the components of the system. A tank surrounded by an internal heating system is provided for melting a first material, such as asphalt. An insulated cabinet is provided and heated from heat generated by the internal heating system. The plumbing configuration for the system is disposed within the heated cabinet for mixing the material heated within the tank with an additional material fed to the plumbing configuration by a proportioner pump. The output of this mixture serves, through a heated hose, as one of the inputs to the applicator, which is preferably a plural component spray gun. The other input to the applicator is another material fed directly from the proportioner pump.

Abstract: The plural component striping spray system and method involves mixing two spray components by pumping them under pressure from heated supply systems and converting them into a fine spray within a spray gun where they mix by impingement before being blown out through a common spray tip orifice. The initiation and termination of spray from the spray tip is controlled by a shutoff needle, and the design of the mixing chamber, needle and spray tip are such that no mixed material is allowed to stay in the spray gun to cure and freeze up the gun. When the components are a resin and a catalyst, pure catalyst is the first and last material sprayed from the spray gun. The system includes a recirculation system which can become operative when the operation of the spray gun is terminated.

Abstract: A melter, mixer and applicator system for applying coating or sealing compositions is disclosed. A diesel engine provides the motive force necessary to operate many of the components of the system. A tank surrounded by an internal heating system is provided for melting a first material. An insulated cabinet is provided and heated from heat generated by the internal heating system. The plumbing configuration is disposed within the heated cabinet for mixing the material heated within the tank with an additional material fed to the plumbing configuration by a proportioner pump. The output of this mixture serves as one of the inputs to the applicator. The other input to the applicator is another material fed directly from the proportioner pump. The proportioner, preferably provides the two materials running through it in a predetermined ratio amount with respect to each other.

Abstract: An anti-hydroplane system for tires that includes a blower assembly in front of each of the tires of a vehicle. Each blower assembly discharges a high pressure stream into a water dispersal area in front of a respective one of the vehicle tires.

Abstract: In the case of a washer system (9) which is intended for a motor vehicle, a delivery unit (1) is used to supply a washer nozzle (11) which is connected by means of a pipe element (10). To protect against damage at low ambient temperatures, a heating element (5) is arranged on a housing (7) of a pump chamber (3) of the delivery unit (1) and thus makes it possible for the washer fluid situated in the pump chamber (3) to be heated rapidly and in a specific manner.

Abstract: A windshield clearing and de-icing system including a first housing having air inlet and outlet ports extending through walls of the first housing and further having fluid inlet and outlet ports extending through the walls of the first housing, and also including a first air conduit member connected to the air inlet and outlet ports and a first fluid conduit member connected to the fluid inlet and outlet ports. The system and also includes a heating member connected to a fan having a motor and securely mounted in a second housing which is adapted to be mounted in an engine compartment of a vehicle. The system and further includes a heater member being adapted to be connected to a fluid reservoir pump and connected to a second fluid conduit member which is connected to the first fluid conduit member.

Abstract: A mobile pressure cleaning system contained in a mass-produced commercial van-type vehicle and including an engine and a pair of positive displacement pumps constantly driven by the engine to supply high pressure water and chemical additives to a pair of operator stations. A pair of demand type water heaters, a water supply tank, chemical additive tanks and fuel tanks are also mounted in the cargo area of the vehicle. Novel circuitry enables an operator at either station, independently of the other, to discharge cleaning fluid, hot or cold, with any desired chemical additive. The physical arrangement of the engine, pumps, and water heaters affords a high degree of accessibility to the engine and pumps for inspection, maintenance and repair.

Abstract: A ground heating system is provided comprising an internal combustion engine which has a shaft output and an exhaust gas stream. An electric alternator/generator is driven by the shaft output of the engine. A working fluid is provided for transferring heat to the ground. A heat exchanger receives the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and transfers waste heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid. An electric heating element is provided for converting some of the electric output of the generator into heat and transferring this heat to the working fluid. A pump circulates the working fluid through a ground-engaging heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system for the mixing of two or more interacting heated solutions and the simultaneous application of the mixed interacting solutions to a fabric surface. The system is made up of a mobile supply base and an elongate applicator having a valved mixing chamber at the proximal end and a fluid distributing manifold at the distal end. The mobile supply base houses multiple containers, each adapted for holding and heating solutions to a desired temperature. The supply base also contains one or more pumps for the delivery of solutions from each container through interconnecting lines to the valved mixing chamber at the proximal end of the applicator. The applicator is an elongated support structure such as a wand. At the proximal end of the applicator, the valved mixing chamber is configured to receive and meter solutions from the supply base through the interconnecting lines into a mixing chamber maintained at substantially ambient pressure.

Abstract: A high pressure hot water acid washer is towed to a site on a trailer. A chemical tank and gasoline and diesel fuel tanks are filled. A water supply hose is connected to a water tank. A power cord is connected to a power source. A float valve controls the filling of the water tank. Water flows from the water tank through a Y-type filter to a water pump. A drain withdraws water directly from the water pump. The water pump and a compressor are driven with an engine. Pressurized water flows through a flow switch to a heat exchanger. Upon water flow, the flow switch completes a power circuit to operate a fuel pump with an electric motor. Fuel is pumped from the fuel tank and is atomized and sprayed into the heat exchanger. An ignition coil ignites the fuel. The power circuit is interrupted upon sensing a high temperature in a pressurized water delivery line from the heat exchanger. Pressure of pressurized hot water in the delivery line is controlled with a hot water pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A storage tank is used to store a large quantity of pseudoplastic deicing fluid. The fluid is stored at an ambient storage temperature. The storage tank has an outlet which is preferably a valve located on the floor of the tank. A heater is provided to rapidly heat only a portion of the fluid in the tank to a required delivery temperature estimated at between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Once a portion of the fluid is heated to the appropriate temperature, the valve is opened and the heated fluid is delivered out of the tank through the valve. Heat is transferred to the fluid in a heating area creating a predetermined dynamic temperature pattern within the fluid when the outlet is in the closed position and a predetermined steady state temperature pattern within the fluid when the outlet is in the open position.

Abstract: A storage tank is used to store a large quantity of pseudoplastic fluid. The fluid is stored at an ambient storage temperature. The storage tank has an outlet which is preferably a valve located on the floor of the tank. A heater is provided to rapidly heat only a portion of the fluid in the tank to a required delivery temperature estimated at between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Once a portion of the fluid is heated to the appropriate temperature, the valve is opened and the heated fluid is delivered out of the tank through the valve. Heat is transferred to the fluid in a heating area creating a predetermined dynamic temperature pattern within the fluid when the outlet is in the closed position and a predetermined steady state temperature pattern within the fluid when the outlet is in the open position.

Abstract: A deicing system for applying a deicing mixture to an aircraft is provided. Water is enclosed in a first tank, and deicing fluid in a second tank. A first pump transfers water through a heater, to a heat exchanger located in the second tank. The deicing fluid is thereby heated to a desired operating temperature by the hot water flowing through the heat exchanger, with the flow of hot water controlled by a heater control device. The first pump and second pump transfer heated water and heated deicing fluid, respectively, to a mixing chamber. A mixing control means controls the respective flows to provide the desired mixture. The mixture of water and deicing fluid is then applied to the aircraft via a nozzle.

Abstract: A mobile cleaning unit for providing high pressure cleaning and rinsing sprays, comprising a van-type vehicle with separate sources of water and cleaning and treating solutions. The sprays may be heated by a self-contained water heater with a fuel ignitor operated by low voltage direct current. The separate solutions are selected by a pressure switch sensitive to an increase in spray line pressure caused by stopping the spray by operation of a valve at the spray applicator. The pressure switch acts to sequentially open a supply valve for each solution in turn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for de-icing aircraft with hot water alone or with a mixture of hot water and a thixotropic de-icing fluid. The apparatus includes a centrifugal de-icing pump which is driven through a clutch only when de-icing fluid is being used thereby minimizing detrimental shear to the thixotropic fluid which shear causes fluid breakdown and reduction of viscosity. Several flow and pressure responsive controls are provided to control the engaging the disengaging of the clutch.The de-icing step may be followed by an anti-icing step if needed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cleaning residue fuel varnish and carbon from the fuel nozzles and guide vanes of a jet engine. The apparatus is constructed to dispense a detergent and water solution under sufficient pressure through the nozzles themselves to scrub residue fuel varnish and carbon from the fuel nozzles and from the guide vanes of a jet engine of an aircraft without the need for removing the same from the engine. In its operation, the apparatus serves to wet down the surfaces of the nozzles and guide vanes with a detergent solution for a period of time (i.e. about twenty minutes), then to scour the surfaces with a pulsating detergent spray, and finally to purge the surfaces with a pressurized air stream. The apparatus is conveniently mounted on a vehicle, so that it can be moved to the work site.

Abstract: A conversion unit for an aircraft de-icing machine which permits the machine to be easily converted to a much improved device without the necessity of completely remanufacturing the machine. The conversion unit comprises a frame which is secured to the rearward end of the de-icing machine frame. A housing is secured to the conversion unit frame and encloses the conversion unit components. A water heater is provided in the housing for heating the water being supplied thereto. A "glycol" pump is also provided on the conversion unit frame and is in fluid communication with the detergent tank on the de-icing machine which is used to contain "glycol" rather than detergent. The water heater is fluidly connected to the water pump on the de-icing machine and is fluidly connected to the spray nozzle on the aerial platform provided on the de-icing machine. A "glycol" proportioning valve is also provided adjacent the spray nozzle and is in fluid communication therewith.

Abstract: A chassis having a walking beam undercarriage suspends a carrier in an adjustable manner. The carrier is confined for vertical travel by chassis mounted guides and serves to carry a series of liner members defining multiple burning chambers. Each chamber is served by a low pressure oil burner and exhausts a heat flow downwardly against the passing ground surface. The liner members are detachably mounted by knock-out pins for purposes of periodic servicing the carrier. Repositionable wheel assemblies on the walking beam undercarriage permit travel of the chassis in one direction during operation and lengthwise travel for passage over roadways.