Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly for use in a piston of a diesel engine includes a combustion chamber defined intersecting a crown of the piston, the combustion chamber being defined by three curved surfaces, adjacent surfaces having direct smooth junctures. A piston and a method of forming a combustion chamber are further included.

Abstract: A unit fuel injector, the injector internally preparing fuel during an injection event at a pressure sufficient for injection by means of an intensifier driven by a pressurized non-fuel actuating fluid selectively ported to the intensifier, includes a selectively actuatable controller interposed in a fuel passage, the fuel passage effecting fluid communication between an intensifier fuel chamber and a needle valve, the controller being shiftable between an open and a closed disposition for selectively opening and closing the fuel passage during the injection event A control apparatus and a method of injection timing control are further included.

Abstract: Core sand elements are rapidly and reliably retained in an assembly by driving one or more smooth surface fasteners, such as staples, nails or brads, into the core elements. Such an assembly method comprises positioning at least two core elements in a core assembly, positioning a smooth surface fastener for entry into the at least two core elements, and driving the smooth surface fastener into the two core elements to fasten them in the core assembly. In such a preferred method, the smooth surface fastener comprises a staple with two smooth surface tines connected by a crown and the staple is positioned for entry of one tine into each of two core elements with the crown of the staple spanning the interface between the two core elements.

Abstract: A schedule (164, 166) correlates data values of closed-loop gain (KP, KI) with engine temperature values (EOT) and engine speed values (N). A control strategy develops a data value (ICPC_DES) representing desired injector control pressure (ICP) set-point, processes ICPC_DES and a data value (ICP_MPA) representing actual ICP to develop ICP error data value (ICP_ERR) for closed-loop P-I control (160, 162) of actual ICP. Data values for closed-loop proportional and integral gains are obtained from the schedule based on measured engine temperature and measured engine speed. ICP become less subject to undesirable fluctuations that might otherwise change fuel injection quantity in ways detrimental to attainment of desired tailpipe emission objectives.

Abstract: A fuel injector is operably couplable to a cylinder head, a clamping mechanism being in operable engagement with the fuel injector and the cylinder head for exerting a clamping force tending to hold the fuel injector in engagement with the cylinder head and includes a retainer assembly for retaining the fuel injector in operable coupling with a cylinder head, the retainer acting in cooperation with the clamping mechanism. The retainer assembly has a split dowel, the split dowel being statically engagable with the cylinder head by a clamping action of the clamping mechanism acting on the fuel injector and being engagable with a spring component for imparting a bias to the spring component. The spring component is in operable engagement with the fuel injector for imparting a reactive force to the fuel injector responsive to the bias imparted by the split dowel.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated, intensified fuel injector includes a controller achieving a desired injection control strategy by selectively independently porting actuating fluid to and venting actuating fluid from an intensifier piston to control the compressive stroke of the intensifier piston and selectively independently porting actuating fluid to and venting actuating fluid from a needle valve to control the opening and closing of the needle valve during the injection event. A method of control is further included.

Abstract: A fuel injection device (26) for an internal combustion engine (10) has a fuel inlet (40) and a fuel outlet (42). A plunger (58) is operable within a fuel pumping chamber (50) for forcing pressure-amplified fuel to open and pass through an outlet control valve (56) at the outlet. A (“fast-acting”) control valve (64) operates in timed relation to the engine cycle to allow control fluid from an oil rail (34) to force valve (56) closed when fuel is not to be injected and to disallow control fluid from forcing valve (56) closed when fuel is to be injected. A (“slow-acting”) control valve (72) is selectively operable in timed relation to the engine cycle to disallow control fluid from acting on plunger (58) when fuel is not to be injected, but allow control fluid to act on the plunger to force injection when control valve (72) is disallowing control fluid from forcing control valve (56) closed.

Abstract: A method for servicing a motor vehicle (10) with an electronic service tool (14) that is placed in bi-directional data communication with an electrical system in the vehicle. With the vehicle's motor not running, but with electric power being applied to the vehicle's electrical system, tool (14) is updated by transmitting from the vehicle to the tool, set data containing a current set of vehicle-related parameters stored in the vehicle. With the motor running, the vehicle is serviced with the tool using the set data transmitted to update the tool.

Abstract: A vehicle according to the present invention has an internal combustion engine that is controlled by an engine-control computer that is operable, when the vehicle is parked, to operate in an idle-management mode to automatically start and stop idling operation of the internal combustion engine in order to maintain desirable electrical system energy levels, maintain desirable fluid temperatures of the internal combustion engine, and/or enable maintenance of comfortable occupant cabin temperatures. Each vehicle according to the present invention has a unique configuration of safety-interlock provisions that affect when and if an idle-management mode of operation of the engine-control computer is initiated and/or maintained.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a flexible member that extends through an aperture defined by a divider component. A distal portion of the flexible member extends away from the assembly at an angle. A first flexible-member-routing bracket is mounted to the divider component and has one or more guide structures that function to facilitate a gradual transition of the flexible member from the direction it extends in as it passes through the aperture defined by the divider component to the direction its distal portion extends in.

Abstract: An entrance-door safety-system for a vehicle that includes a contact-sensing door-edge attachment that is adapted to be mounted to a door edge of a door panel of the vehicle. The entrance-door safety-system also includes a door-safety-logic system that is constructed in such a manner and that is adapted to be communicatively linked to the contact-sensing door-edge attachment, an entrance-door control-system of the vehicle, and a powered actuator of the vehicle in such a manner that when the contact-sensing door-edge attachment contacts an obstruction, the door-safety-logic system causes the powered actuator to cease actuating the door panel toward its closed position. The contact-sensing door-edge attachment has a unique shape that provides a particularly effective weather barrier and that has a high tolerance to positional variance relative to other components of the vehicle.

Abstract: A disconnect switch (30, 30SA) is placed in circuit between a battery bank (12) and a distribution point (30B) for the entire electrical system load except the engine cranking motor (24). This allows the circuit between the battery bank and a cranking motor solenoid (22) that operates the cranking motor to be switch-free. A switch-free circuit allows a continuous cable to connect the battery bank to the cranking motor solenoid, significantly reducing the electrical resistance between the battery bank and the cranking motor solenoid.

Abstract: An engine control system (22) of a diesel engine (20) that powers a motor vehicle processes data in execution of a strategy (FIG. 4) to provide control of both timing and duration of forced regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (42). The overall strategy is a hybrid of model-based and closed-loop control strategies. Redundant elements of the strategy (FIG. 6) determine when forced regeneration is called for. Forced regeneration is initiated by retarding the timing of the start of main fuel injection (100). Fueling is then adjusted (98) both to enhance catalytic action and to make the process transparent to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a valve actuation linkage mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine that reduces friction wear on the valve assembly during engine operation and can be pre-assembled to reduce manufacturing time and costs. The valve actuation linkage mechanism comprises a rocker arm having a pivot rod cup, a pivot rod, a valve bridge having a pivot rod chamber, and a pivot rod retainer. The pivot rod comprises a pivot rod head, a pivot rod neck, a pivot rod body, and a pivot rod bottom. The valve bridge comprises a middle valve bridge section having the pivot rod chamber and a pair of pivot rod retainer securing bore, a bottom valve bridge section, and a lubricant dimple in the pivot rod chamber. The pivot rod retainer is comprised of a pivot rod orifice having pivot rod prongs and at least one securing orifice.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder diesel engine provides split mode operation in which one or more cylinders function as air pumps. Compressed air supplied by the cylinders is amplified and stored to a high pressure air tank from which it may be used to run air brakes or other systems. Improved energy density is achieved over prior art vehicle air systems and an auxiliary air compressor is eliminated.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle is constructed from two modules, one for the engine compartment and a second for the passenger compartment. The engine compartment module has a base formed for positioning on at least two locations on a dash panel, a outside air inlet, a secondary air inlet for communication with the passenger compartment, an air outlet and defining a air transport conduit connecting the outside air inlet or the secondary air inlet with the air outlet. Downstream from the engine compartment is a passenger compartment module having a slide slot for a heater core, an inlet for communication with the air outlet from the engine compartment module, an air manifold, a panel exhaust from the air manifold, a defrost exhaust from the air manifold, a compartment door providing access to the slide in friction slot, and an air channel from the inlet to the air manifold. The heater core is positioned in the slide in slot.

Abstract: Immediately following the cranking of an engine, a fuel step is provided (309). The fuel step (305) is an amount of fuel that is less than the cranking fuel amount for an engine, and is provided for a fixed time period (219) once a transition from crank to run in the engine is detected (301). Engine start-up is improved by maintaining engine speed to prevent the engine from stalling, thereby reducing the necessity to restart the engine.

Abstract: A control (30) for controlling a variable valve actuation mechanism (26) of an internal combustion engine (10) to regenerate a particulate filter (35) in the exhaust system (25) of the engine. The control comprises an operating program (50, 50A) for regenerating the particulate filter while the engine is running under its owns power by causing the variable valve actuation mechanism to change the timing of engine cylinder valves during an engine operating cycle, and as a result, elevate the temperature of flow through the exhaust system to a temperature that is effective to combust particles trapped by the filter.

Abstract: An instrument panel of an automotive vehicle has an original circuit board (10). An LED (16) is disposed on a bridge (34) in the board and faces a driver of the vehicle. Two terminals (16T1, 16T2) extend through the bridge to conductive continuity with respective conductive traces (24, 26) on the rear board face 12. Should the LED fail, it is replaced by severing the bridge from the board and removing it along with the LED on it. The severing creates a through-hole (36) in the board. A socket (40) that contains a replacement LED (16R) is installed in the through-hole and provides conductive continuity of the respective traces on the board with respective terminals of the replacement LED.

Abstract: A control for raising and lowering a lift axle (16) on a motor vehicle (10) having an ignition switch (106) for turning the motor on and off. The control has a circuit (32) that is fed through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is on but not when the ignition switch is off and that has a first switch device (102F) that requires actuation to enable the lift axle to be lowered and a second switch device (94D) that, once the first switch device has been actuated to enable the lift axle to be lowered, is effective upon being actuated to cause the lift axle to be lowered. Placement of the vehicle transmission in reverse automatically raises the lift axle if it has been lowered.