Abstract: A resistor seal composition useful in resistor spark plugs, comprises glass, at least one metal oxide, at least one filler material, and a branched or straight chained zirconium carboxylate. The glass comprises a strontium borate glass and/or a borosilicate glass. Metal oxides include aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, and zirconium oxide. Filler materials include silicon dioxide and mullite.

Abstract: A dual tank fuel system has primary and secondary fuel tanks, with the primary tank including a filler pipe to receive fuel and a discharge line to deliver fuel to an engine, and with a balance pipe interconnecting the primary tank and the secondary tank. The balance pipe opens close to the bottom of each tank to direct fuel from the primary tank to the secondary tank as the primary tank is filled, and to direct fuel from the secondary tank to the primary tank as fuel is discharged from the primary tank through the discharge line. A vent line has branches connected to each tank to direct fuel vapor from the tanks as the tanks are filled, and to admit air to the tanks as fuel is delivered to the engine.

Abstract: A fuel filler neck assembly is provided for use in a vehicle including a gas cap and housing assembly and a fuel tank. The vehicle has a plurality of predetermined final vehicle dimensions dictating a predetermined variety of final filler neck dimensions. The fuel filler neck assembly extends between the gas cap and housing assembly and the fuel tank for transferring fuel into the fuel tank. The filler neck assembly includes at least one axially elongated fill pipe having an axial length and including a plurality of raised, annular beads thereon. The beads are axially spaced along the fill pipe at predetermined distances each corresponding to respective predetermined final filler neck dimensions.

Abstract: A spark plug is provided which is suitable for use in a spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The spark plug is equipped with a specially configured firing tip on each of its electrodes for the purpose of minimizing the demand voltage of the spark plug, as well as extending the life of the spark plug by maximizing the time over which the demand voltage will remain within an acceptable level. For this purpose, the firing tips are configured such that their firing surfaces include at least three edges and three corners which serve as arc initiation sites of a relatively low resistance arc path between the electrodes.

Abstract: A gas flow system for an emission analysis bench includes a source of blended calibration span gas using a single span tree connected with all the analyzers so that a method of simultaneous calibration or diagnosis of all the analyzers may be carried out and the need for multiple span trees connected with various separate span gases is avoided. The method includes concurrent delivery of one or more divisions of the span gases to all the analyzers to obtain intermediate data points from the analyzers. A further step of using a precalibrated or linear analyzer, such as the flame ionization detector (FID hydrocarbons analyzer) of the system, to accurately determine the percentage ratio of intermediate divide points obtained by mixing various amounts of zero gas with the span gas simplifies the calibration procedure and eliminates the need for an expensive gas divider.

Abstract: An injector for delivering a charge of fuel and air to an engine includes a central passage extending from an air inlet to a valve seat, a poppet valve secured on a valve stem extending through the central passage and engageable with the valve seat, a poppet valve engageable with a valve seat for controlling flow therethrough, a fuel nozzle opening into the air passage near the valve seat, apparatus for periodically metering fuel through the nozzle into the central passage to create a fuel-air charge in the central passage concentrated near the valve seat, and apparatus for periodically disengaging the poppet valve from the valve seat for delivering the fuel-air charge from the central passage.

Abstract: A motor control includes position transducers for generating crankshaft position and motor position pulse trains. The pulse trains are compared to detect any phase difference between engine and motor. Tables are generated to define the desired phase difference needed for particular valve characteristics. The phase difference represents the instantaneous deviation from the basic profile. One of the tables is selected according to the engine conditions and the motor is driven to achieve the desired phase differences.

Abstract: A planet bearing and gear assembly for the carrier of a speed increasing planetary gear train for driving a diesel engine turbocharger or the like includes an enlarged diameter gear bore and associated bearing outer diameter for lightening the gear and increasing the bearing area to at least 50 percent and preferably more than 65 percent greater than those of the bearing inner wall and the outer diameter of an associated support pin. Self-cleaning of unfiltered dirt particles in the engine lubricating oil is provided by dirt expulsion passages formed by flats at the edges of an oil supply groove in the planet bearing while operation with entrained dirt particles capable of passing through the engine lubricating oil filters is improved by increased oil film thickness resulting from reduced bearing loads due to reduction of mass of the planet gears and increased bearing surface.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for a turbocharger or the like is mounted to an impeller shaft and optionally an additional drive shaft by annular rows of coupling teeth preferably of the CURVIC.TM. coupling type having radially and rotationally locking convex sided and concave sided interlocking teeth. Flexible webs connecting coupling rings on the turbine allow thermo and mechanical growth of the turbine wheel without excessive deflection of the coupling rings and the associated shaft flanges. A single central stud threaded into one of the shafts and retained by a bolt against the other maintains the components in assembly with the coupling teeth fully engaged. A radial slot formed in the coupling flange for one of the shafts prevents thermal distortion of the flange from substantially affecting an adjacent thrust bearing portion of the flange. The arrangement simplifies rotor assembly and avoids the need for rebalancing after disassembly and reassembly.

Abstract: A Lanchester type engine balancer avoids rattle of gears connecting counterrotating balance shafts by minimizing inertia through limiting diameters of the counterweight envelopes, timing gears and bearing journals of the balance shafts and by driving an accessory, such as an oil pump from the driven balance shaft. Gear lash is controlled by using a cast iron housing with select fitting of steel gears. Also maximum gear pitch diameter runout is oriented in assembly opposite the counterweights of the respective balance shafts to minimize a change in lash caused by shaft runout due to the eccentric load of the counterweights during operation.

Abstract: A spark plug is provided which is suitable for use in a spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The spark plug is equipped with a specially configured firing tip on each of its electrodes for the purpose of minimizing the demand voltage of the spark plug, as well as extending the life of the spark plug by maximizing the time over which the demand voltage will remain within an acceptable level. For this purpose, the firing tips are configured such that their firing surfaces include at least three edges and three corners which serve as arc initiation sites of a relatively low resistance arc path between the electrodes.

Abstract: A cam mechanism is employed to convert motor rotation to reciprocating valve motion. Motor speed is reduced at the valve opening and closing times to reduce stress on the cam mechanism.

Abstract: Similar electronic module packages are provided having guide pins and front actuated retaining rods for mounting the package on a mounting panel having threaded mounting holes spaced in a regular pattern to accept the guide pins and retaining rods of several module packages. The guide pins and retaining rods are mounted on diagonally opposite corners of the modules. Front mounting of the modules and front location of electrical connectors avoids a requirement for rear access to the mounting panel. Various arrangements of modules on the mounting panel are allowed by suitable arrangement of the pattern of mounting holes in the panel. The modules include a housing with a face plate and a mounting plate. The housings include either a support panel or a cover. The face plate and the mounting plate extend above and below the support panel or the cover.

Abstract: Methods of operating a locomotive engine to maintain power and speed under conditions of air starvation, as in high temperature tunnel operation, include varying engine load instead of fuel rate to maintain set engine speed when operating at (1) excessive engine exhaust smoke levels or (2) under conditions where increasing fuel rate fails to increase engine power. Normal speed control by varying fuel rate is maintained under other operating conditions. Application to turbocharged two cycle diesel engines is particularly indicated.

Abstract: A torch jet spark plug is provided which is suitable for use in a torch jet-assisted spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The torch jet spark plug is configured to ignite an air/fuel mixture within a combustion prechamber formed integrally within the body of the spark plug, such that a jet emanates from the prechamber and projects into the main combustion chamber of the engine, so as to enhance the burning rate within the main chamber. More particularly, the spark plug is configured so as to be relatively unsusceptible to pre-ignition, and also substantially eliminates the occurrence of internal short circuits to ground due to deposits accumulating within the prechamber. The spark plug achieves each of the above objects while having a relatively uncomplicated structure, requiring a minimal number of discrete components so as to enhance its manufacturability.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a torch jet spark plug suitable for use in a torch jet-assisted spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The torch jet spark plug is configured to ignite a fuel mixture within a combustion prechamber formed integrally within the insulator body of the spark plug, such that a jet emanates from the prechamber and projects into the main combustion chamber of the engine, so as to increase the burning rate within the main chamber. More particularly, the method involves forming a tubular inner electrode on the internal surface of the combustion prechamber by integrating the molding process for the spark plug's insulator body with an inking process by which the inner electrode is formed.

Abstract: Compact valve lifters are disclosed for overhead camshaft engines with direct acting valve gear and for engines with indirect acting valve actuation such as push rod actuated overhead valves. Two step variable lift and non-variable lift valve lifters are included as are roller and non-roller follower types with various features in common.

Abstract: A piston connecting rod assembly has a floating piston pin that is retained in centered assembly by a retainer clip having hooked fingers that lock into grooves in one end of the piston bore and hooked stringers that lock the piston pin in position after installation. The clip is formed of any suitable resilient material such as glass filled thermoplastic.

Abstract: Compact valve lifters are disclosed for overhead camshaft engines with direct acting valve gear and for engines with indirect acting valve actuation such as push rod actuated overhead valves. Two step variable lift and non-variable lift valve lifters are included as are roller and non-roller follower types with various features in common.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated valve assembly has first and second valve members, first and second valve seats, a solenoid coil, a first armature effective when the coil is energized with a positive current to permit displacement of the first valve member from the first valve seat, and a second armature effective when the coil is energized with a negative current to displace the second valve member from the second valve seat. The first valve member engages the first valve seat when the coil is energized with a negative current, and the second valve member engages the second valve seat when the coil is energized with a positive current.