Abstract: A turbocharger assembly for use with an internal combustion engine, the turbocharger assembly including a housing having an integral backpressure control valve assembly disposed in the turbine exhaust passage and an actuator assembly integral to the turbocharger housing, the actuator assembly being hydraulically operated by the pressurized engine lubricating oil supplied for lubricating the turbocharger, and the actuator assembly selectively actuating the backpressure control valve assembly in response to control signals generated by a control module based on engine coolant temperature and intake air temperature to optimize engine warm-up time and engine operating temperature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating and maintaining a spark in an environment having a varying pressure, such as a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine, whereby a means for producing a high-frequency alternating electrical current is electrically connected to a pair of electrodes spaced apart by a gap and disposed in the combustion chamber for producing under the influence of a low applied electrical current, a continuous spark between the electrodes at a low pressure condition in the combustion chamber and maintaining the spark as the pressure in the combustion chamber becomes relatively high, aiding the ignition of combustible fuel injected into the combustion chamber during the high pressure condition.

Abstract: A method for operating a reciprocating piston-type internal combustion engine selectively in two-stroke, four-stroke, and six-stroke mode includes: providing transfer valves, transfer passage means between piston cylinders, selectively controlling the actuation and timing of the intake, exhaust and transfer valves, and alternatively operating the intake and exhaust valves for each piston cylinder in overlapping sequence during each crankshaft revolution to provide two-stroke operation, operating the intake and exhaust valves in sequence during each second crankshaft revolution to provide four-stroke operation, operating the intake, exhaust, and transfer valves sequentially to cause a secondary expansion stroke in an adjacent piston cylinder to provide six-stroke operation of the engine.

Abstract: An articulated piston apparatus including an improved skirt member wherein the skirt member includes a cooling gallery channel with means for providing a directed flow of lubricant from the cooling gallery channel to the elements of the piston apparatus disposed within the skirt bore, wherein during the upward stroke of the piston apparatus a downwardly directed flow of lubricant flows from the cooling gallery channel through a bore from the cooling gallery channel to the skirt bore and therein impinges those elements of the piston apparatus to assure complete lubrication thereof.

Abstract: An improved dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine defined by an external housing with a first piston sleeve and a second piston sleeve, a reciprocating internal housing disposed within the external housing, the internal housing having a conical first piston member operatively disposed in the first piston sleeve to define a first compression chamber and a conical second piston member operably disposed in the second piston sleeve to define a second expansion chamber, and the internal housing further defining an operating chamber assembly with two reciprocating, opposed pistons disposed in a rotationally oscillating cylinder sleeve valve therein to form a combustion chamber, the cylinder sleeve valve providing selective flow connection from the first compression chamber to the combustion chamber and to the second expansion chamber from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating about parallel, non-aligned axes to produce a relative orbital motion, a mass secured to at least one of the scrolls for enhancing the nutational stability of the scroll member. Preferably, the nutation reducing means includes a mass affixed to an end plate of the scroll member to induce a dynamic imbalance during rotation of the scroll member, creating a balancing or moderating moment sufficient to compensate for the moment induced by the varying pressure of the fluids in the various compression chambers during the rotation of the scroll member.

Abstract: In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating concurrently about parallel, non-concentric axes to produce a relative orbital motion, a scroll member including an annular biasing chamber formed in one scroll member end plate opposite the scroll wrap and a passage from one of the chambers formed by the scroll wraps for providing fluid to the chamber. The fluid exerts a force upon a pressure plate secured to the opposing scroll end plate and thereby acts to bias the scroll wraps into contact with the opposing scroll end plate. Seals are provided in the biasing chamber of the scroll end plate to ensure contact with the pressure plate of the opposing scroll member.

Abstract: A scroll member is formed using a scroll profile cutter including a first portion generating a diameter equal to the desired width between scroll involute flanks, where the first portion also is of a length determined by a distance between the tip of the cutter and a second portion of greater diameter. The length of the first portion determines the scroll wrap height. Radii are provided at both ends of the first portion of the scroll profile cutter so that a fillet is generated at the base of the corresponding scroll wrap and a radius is generated at the edges of the scroll wrap tip to improve the strength of the scroll wrap and to remove sharp corners which could burr or interfere with the base of the opposing scroll wrap.

Abstract: In a scroll apparatus having interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating about parallel, non-concentric axes to produce a relative orbital motion, a modified tip seal groove in the tip surface of at least one of the scroll wraps. In the preferred embodiment, the tip seal element is of constant cross-sectional width along the scroll wrap, with the groove in the scroll wrap tip having an inner portion adjacent the discharge port and an outer portion. The inner portion of the groove is of greater cross-sectional width than the outer portion of the groove.

Abstract: In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating about parallel, non-concentric axes to produce a relative orbital motion, a means for providing positive lubricant flow through the scroll wraps. A sump is provided adjacent the idler scroll member for supplying lubricant to a lubricant pump disposed in the lower end of the shaft of one scroll member. A lubricant gallery is provided in the scroll shaft for receiving the lubricant from the pump and directing the lubricant through passages in the scroll shaft to lubricate the scroll shaft bearing and for directing lubricant to passages in the end plate of the scroll member to be discharged adjacent the outer ends of the scroll wraps into the alternatively open and closed first chamber formed by the scroll wraps.

Abstract: In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating about parallel, non-concentric axes to produce a relative orbital motion, a coupling for causing concurrent rotation and for enhancing the nutational stability of the scroll element. In the preferred embodiment, the nutation reducing means is comprised of an Oldham-type coupling engaging extension members on one of the scroll end plates and drive keys on the other respective end plate. The angular disposition thereof is optimized to cause the Oldham coupling to generate during rotation a moderating moment load in opposition to the tipping moment load of at least one of the scroll elements and thereby enhance the nutational stability of the scroll elements. The moderating moment load of the coupling imposed on the scroll elements may be altered by varying the angular and radial disposition of the center of gravity of the coupling.

Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for incremental fluid flow rate control is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body having an interior with a planar outlet surface against which a rectilinear valve element is slidingly operated. The valve body includes an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in the planar outlet surface for fluid flow through the valve body. The valve element has an orifice therethrough controlling flow through the outlet orifice in accordance with the position of the valve element, which is linearly actuated by a rotary stepper motor. Linear actuation of the valve element by the rotary stepper motor is accomplished by a shaft extending through and rotating in bearings at opposing ends of the valve body. A drive key on the shaft interfits a corresponding slot in the valve element and converts rotary motion of the shaft to linear motion of the valve element.

Abstract: In a scroll apparatus for fluid compression, two interfitting involute scroll elements with inner wall surfaces, each defined by an inner tip portion, an adjacent intermediate portion, an outwardly tending arcuate portion for periodic engagement in moving line contact with the inner tip of the other respective scroll element, and an involute portion extending from the arcuate portion to an outer end of the scroll element. When the involute scroll element inner tip is in moving line engagement with the arcuate portion of the other element, the scroll elements cooperates to define sealed final compression chambers of decreasing volume bounded by the intermediate portion of the scroll elements adjacent the respective inner tips, providing an extended duration of final compression as compared to a scroll apparatus having modified scroll elements.

Abstract: In a microprocessor-operated system controller having a light source operated by the microprocessor for indicating the general operating status of the system controller, an apparatus and method for providing ground isolated system diagnostics of data transmitted from the system controller. The apparatus and method is comprised of means for superimposing a bit rate data transmission upon the light source when in a visual ON condition and a ground isolated optical receiver for receiving the superimposed bit rate data transmission, decoding and converting the data transmission to a corresponding electrical signal, and transmitting the bit rate data for interpretation in a monitor device such as a computer and printer.

Abstract: A high performance damper blade and damper blade seal combination including a damper blade having a planar portion perpendicular to the damper blade and a damper blade seal including a base and two upwardly extending legs. One leg of the damper blade seal contacts the damper blade body, while the other leg of the damper blade seal contacts the outside edge of the perpendicular tip portion of the damper blade. The tip of the perpendicular damper blade portion contacts the base of the damper blade seal for providing a third point of contact between the damper blade and the damper seal to ensure minimum airflow through the damper blade and end seal when the damper blade is in the closed position. Furthermore, the leg of the damper seal which contacts the outer side of the blade tip portion operates advantageously as a wind break to prevent leakage through the damper blade and seal combination due to wind gusts when the damper blade and seal are employed on air handler units or air conditioning systems.

Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for incremental fluid flow rate control is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body having an interior with a planar outlet surface against which a rectilinear valve element is slidingly operated. The valve body includes an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in the planar outlet surface for fluid flow through the valve body. The valve element has an orifice therethrough controlling flow through the outlet orifice in accordance with the position of the valve element, which is linearly actuated by a rotary stepper motor.

Abstract: In a system for refrigeration and air conditioning including a microprocessor based electronic controller and an electronic expansion valve responsive to the controller, a fault determination test method for discovering operational faults in the controller and the valve. The test method further determines whether the failure is due to the valve or the controller to minimize servicing time by providing test results applicable to a logic table which indicates the failed component and the action to be taken by the service technician.

Abstract: In a refrigeration system including an incremental expansion valve and an electronic controller for controlling the operation of the expansion valve, a method of controlling the expansion valve in response to a sensed condition of the refrigerant in the system. According to the method, the valve controller alters the control gain rate to provide compensation in the valve flow rate for changing refrigerant conditions in the system due to the staging of multiple condenser fans and flooding of the evaporator.

Abstract: A digital to analog signal converter apparatus for converting digital signals to analog signal outputs. The converter apparatus includes a microprocessor, a low pass filter portion for converting a digital output signal from the microprocessor to an analog output signal, and an analog to digital converter portion for sampling and converting the analog output signal to provide a digital input to the microprocessor, permitting control of the analog output signal.

Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for incremental fluid flow rate control is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body having an interior with a planar outlet surface against which a rectilinear valve element is slidingly operated. The valve body includes an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in the planar outlet surface for fluid flow through the valve body. The valve element has an orifice therethrough controlling flow through the outlet orifice in accordance with the position of the valve element, which is linearly actuated by a rotary stepper motor. Linear actuation of the valve element by the rotary stepper motor is accomplished by a shaft extending through and rotating in bearings at opposing ends of the valve body. A drive key on the shaft interfits a corresponding slot in the valve element and converts rotary motion of the shaft to linear motion of the valve element.