Abstract: An oil control ring assembly having a sealing ring and a scraping is disposed within a groove in a piston. The scraping ring assembly has a scraping end portion and spaced apart ends defining a gap. The sealing ring has a sealing end portion and mated spaced apart radially stepped ends defining a stepped gap. The sealing end portion is connected to the scraping end portion and the stepped gap on the sealing ring is offset from the gap on the scraping ring. A spring applies a radial force to the scraping ring which urges the end portion of the scraping ring into engagement with the cylinder wall and a reaction force moment about the end portion forces the end portion of the of the seal ring into contact with an upper surface of the groove. The oil control ring assembly simultaneously provides for side and gap sealing.

Abstract: An apparatus disposed in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion chamber reduces the cooling affect of intake air directly impinging upon a heating device in the combustion chamber and increases the life of the heating element.

Abstract: An engine cooling system arrangement for use with construction machinery to reduce noise includes an engine enclosure separated from a cooling system enclosure by a noise barrier. An axial flow fan is disposed in suction mode between a heat exchanger and the noise barrier in the cooling system enclosure. The cooling system enclosure receives ambient air through a first inlet and engine compartment air through a second inlet. The fan induces the flow of cooling air from the first inlet, through the heat exchanger and across the fan to between the fan and noise barrier. A diffuser attached to the fan induces the flow of engine compartment air from the second inlet to between the fan and noise barrier, the cooling air and the engine compartment air being exhausted from between the fan and the noise barrier radially outward through the tops and sides of the cooling system enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a temperature profile of a part operating within a machine is provided. The machine is operated with the part for a predetermined period of time. The part is placed in a light box in which a camera produces an image of the part. The image is compared with a standard set of colors and the standard color most closely corresponding to each pixel of the image is selected.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method control the passage of gases into and from a combustion cylinder of an engine. Each combustion cylinder of the engine is associated with a respective induction-compression and an exhaust-expansion cylinder and the compressed gases of these cylinders are controllably passed at preselected intervals from one cylinder to the next.

Abstract: A method for an internal combustion engine controls engine timing as a function of engine load, speed and air intake temperature to reduce engine NOx emissions and/or engine fuel consumption. The method is particularly beneficial to a large, aftercooled turbocharged engine which utilizes a cooling system having a liquid cooled, separate circuit aftercooler (SCAC) to cool the pressurized intake air. By routing the aftercooler circuit and engine coolant circuit through a common or single core radiator, the aftercooler cooling circuit temperature and associated engine air intake temperature are reduced to further reduce engine NOx emissions and/or engine fuel consumption.

Abstract: An oil control ring assembly having a sealing ring and a scraping is disposed within a groove in a piston. The scraping ring assembly has a scraping end portion and spaced apart ends defining a gap. The sealing ring has a sealing end portion and mated spaced apart radially stepped ends defining a stepped gap. The stepped gap on the sealing ring is offset from the gap on the scraping ring. A spring positioned between an inner wall of the groove and the scraping ring biases the scraping ring at a specified tension. An alignment wire maintains misalignment between the stepped gap and the gap.

Abstract: A tilt rate compensating implement system and method utilizes first hand second sensors for sensing the position of the rod end portion of first and second implement lift jacks. A controller calculates a tilt angle of the implement based on a difference in the amount of extension of the lift jacks. An inclinometer senses an angle of the frame relative to a predetermined plane and a tilt rate sensor senses the rate of change of the frame angle relative to said plane. A corrected frame angle based on signals from the inclinometer and tilt rate sensors is combined with the implement tilt angle to provide a corrected implement tilt angle. A display device displays the corrected implement tilt angle. The controller compares the corrected implement tilt angle to the desired implement tilt angle and actuates a fluid operated system to move a tilt jack in response to a difference between the desired and corrected implement tilt angles. The tilt angle control system is particularly suited for use on a bulldozer.

Abstract: Adjustment capabilities are useful in gearing mechanisms so that backlash settings between gears may be changed to accommodate for normal operation, wear, or maintenance disturbances. The subject backlash adjustment mechanism allows for adjustment of center distances between an adjustable idler gear (23) and a camshaft gear (24), while providing a geometric alignment (47,82) relationship to maintain a substantially fixed center distance between the adjustable idler gear (23) and another mating gear (22). The subject backlash adjustment mechanism (26) has the adjustable idler gear (23) rotatably mounted on an idler gear mounting (31,58) having a slotted hole (33,62), with the idler gear mounting (31,58) being releasably connected to a cylinder block (11).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining and maintaining the temperature of a primary zone of a combustor of a gas turbine engine at a predetermined level is provided. A first sensor senses the inlet air temperature of the combustor, a second sensor senses the inlet temperature of the turbine gases, and a third sensor senses the speed of or measures the load of the engine. Based on the first and second sensed temperatures, the speed or the load, and the preestablished combustor design parameter, the primary zone temperature of the combustor T.sub.pz is calculated. A controller maintains the combustor at a predetermined setpoint temperature by moving an air bleed valve between open and closed position, or a plurality of inlet guide vanes between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A temperature controlling apparatus is adapted for association with preselected fluid systems of an internal combustion engine expected to be used in extremely cold atmospheres. The apparatus has a heater associated with a heat transfer reservoir which surrounds the fluid reservoir of the engine desired to be heated.

Abstract: An inspection device and method determines the accuracy of an irregular shaped elongate slot disposed through a piece part supported on an indexable turntable. The inspection device includes a movable illumination device for directing backlighting towards the piece part and illuminating the elongate slot, and a camera for taking a picture of the illuminated irregular shaped elongate slot and delivering an image of the irregular elongate slot. A vision system determines actual key characteristics (center coordinate value, angle value, area value, and true position value) of an image of the actual elongate slot and a monitor displays information corresponding to the actual and target values. The inspection device and method is primarily used to inspect slotted rings used in stators for gas turbine engines.

Abstract: A tilt angle control system has first and second sensors for sensing the position of the rod end portion of first and second lift jacks. A controller calculates an actual tilt angle of an implement connected to the rod end portions of the lift jacks based on a difference in the amount of extension relative to a baseline. A display device displays the actual and desired tilt angles. The controller compares the actual tilt angle to a desired tilt angle and actuates a fluid operated system to move one of the first and second jacks in response to a difference between the desired and actual tilt angles. An inclinometer sensed angle of the machine relative to a horizontal plane is added to the actual tilt angle to correct the actual tilt angle of the implement. The tilt angle control system is particularly suited for use on a bulldozer.

Abstract: Vehicle navigation systems typically include devices for determining the location of the vehicle. In many situations it is advantageous to improve the resolution of such devices or to provide a back-up system for determining vehicle location. Simple and efficient systems are also desirable when used as the primary positioning systems. The subject invention provides a simple and efficient system for determining the location of a vehicle in a base reference frame. One or more targets are located at predefined positions with respect to the base reference frame. A target sensing device determines a position of one of the one or more targets with respect to the vehicle. A device determines an estimated vehicle position. A vehicle locating device determines the location of the vehicle with respect to the base reference frame in response to the position of the target with respect to the vehicle and the estimated vehicle position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for determining and recording the life and run values of a gas turbine engine. A starter drop out sensor and a turbine inlet temperature sensor delivers a respective drop out and turbine temperature signal. A receiving device receives the signals and advances the life recorder a predetermined amount based on a linear failure prediction curve for each completed turbine engine start in response to the turbine inlet temperature being greater than a set point value and the starter drop out signal being received. The receiving means also delivers a signal to enable advancement of the run recorder in response to the sensed turbine inlet temperature exceeding the set point value. A generating device delivers a signal to advance the life recorder an amount for the sensed turbine temperature based on a turbine life curve having turbine temperature to voltage coordinates.

Abstract: A zone heating device has first and second spaced burners for heating first and second spaced sides of a metal plate during forming of a thickened edge along the edge of the metal plate. The first and second burners are elevationally movable by an actuator between first and second spaced transverse positions relative to the sides of the metal plate. An actuator moves the zone heating device along a trackway in directions transverse the plate edge. A fixed guide under the bias of the actuator engages the edge of the metal plate and maintains the first and second burners at a predetermined location relative to the plate edge. A movable guide maintains the first and second burners at another preselected location relative to the plate edge. A control device controls movement of the first and second burners, the zone heating device, and the movable guide in response to preprogrammed instructions. The zone heating device is particularly suited for use on a forming apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic control is provided for controlling the drive speed of a supplemental drive relative to an engine driven main drive of a vehicle. A fluid pump driven by the engine provides pressurized fluid flow. The supplemental drive is driven by the pressurized fluid. A main drive sensor senses the speed of the main drive and responsively produces a main drive speed signal. A command knob is provided for selecting a desired speed relationship between the main and supplemental drives. A knob sensor senses the position of the command knob and responsively produces a modifier signal. A modifier circuit receives the main drive speed and modifier signals and responsively produces a modified main drive speed signal. A supplemental drive sensor senses the speed of the supplemental drive and responsively produces a supplemental drive speed signal. A processor produces an error signal responsive to a difference between received modified main and supplemental drive speed signals.

Abstract: A finished toothed sprocket segment is forged in a cavity of a first die by a second die having a protrusion which extends into the cavity. The sprocket segment has first and second spaced datum pads formed on a first curved surface of a rim of the sprocket which locates the sprocket segment on a hub. The first and second datum pads and first and second apertures are located relative to each other so that distortion of the sprocket segment during final heat treatment does not effect the relative position. As a result the apertures in the hub and sprocket segment are easily aligned during attachment of the sprocket segment to the hub. Since the first die requires no draft angles, the critical surfaces on the sprocket segment are forged to final finish, flatness and tolerance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying the identity of an observed anonymous target 16 from a plurality of anonymous reflective targets 16 positioned at predetermined spaced apart locations within an area 14 of operation of an automatic guided vehicle 10 is provided. The anonymous targets 16 each have a predetermined width and a predetermined orientation angle. A dead reckoning system 78 and scanner 12 on the vehicle 10 each deliver signals to the onboard computer 52. The onboard computer 52 processes the signals in accordance with preprogrammed instructions and corrects the position and heading of the vehicle 10 based on the sensed position of the reflected electromagnetic radiation delivered from the spaced anonymous targets 16. The onboard computer 52 verifies the identity of the reflecting anonymous targets 16 through an incident and subtended angle analysis which considers the orientation and width of the anonymous targets 16.

Abstract: An electronic control is provided for controlling the drive speed of a supplemental drive relative to an engine driven main drive of a vehicle. A fluid pump driven by the engine provides pressurized fluid flow. The supplemental drive is driven by the pressurized fluid. A main drive sensor senses the speed of the main drive and responsively produces a main drive speed signal. A command knob is provided for selecting a desired speed relationship between the main and supplemental drives. A knob sensor senses the position of the command knob and responsively produces a modifier signal. A modifier circuit receives the main drive speed and modifier signals and responsively produces a modified main drive speed signal. A supplemental drive sensor senses the speed of the supplemental drive and responsively produces a supplemental drive speed signal. A processor produces an error signal responsive to a difference between received modified main and supplemental drive speed signals.