Abstract: A bolt-together hitch for a machine having articulatable first and second sections, including a generally annular yoke member of cast steel having a cylindrical portion which is trunnion mounted by bearings in a longitudinal bore formed by the first section and a tube member of forged steel bolted end to end to the yoke member, the yoke member integrally forming brackets to provide an articulated pivot joint with the second section.

Abstract: A fuel injector having a housing with a bore, a tip, and an orifice through the tip and a check having a first end, a second end, and a check guide portion reciprocatable in the bore between first and second positions which, respectively, obstruct and provide fluid communication through the orifice. The check and housing respectively have a primary check seat disposed between the first and second ends and a primary nozzle seat disposed nearer said check guide portion than said tip. The primary check seat being engageable with the primary nozzle seat with a first engagement force when the check is in its first position. The check and housing respectively preferably also include a secondary check seat and a secondary nozzle seat which are engageable with a second engagement force, less than the first engagement force, when the check is in its first position.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body with a plunger bore, a nozzle chamber, and a nozzle outlet that opens to the nozzle chamber. A plunger is positioned to reciprocate in the plunger bore between an advanced position and a retracted position. A portion of the plunger and a portion of the plunger bore define a fuel pressurization chamber. At least one of the injector body and the plunger define a main passage extending between the fuel pressurization chamber and the nozzle chamber. At least one of the injector body and the plunger define a restricted passage extending between the fuel pressurization chamber and the nozzle chamber. The restricted passage restricts flow of fuel to the nozzle chamber over the beginning portion of each injection event. The main passage is substantially closed over a portion of the plunger's movement between its retracted position and its advanced position.

Abstract: An edge scraper device for the inboard edge of a belted track-type vehicle removes debris from the track edge as the vehicle operates in muddy or trash-laden environments by close-proximity relationship to the track edge. Spring biasing and adjustment devices retain the scraper device in a functionally close proximity to the track edge. The edge scraper device is mounted substantially above the track to prevent fallen debris from accumulating on the device.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled heavy fuel oil injection system comprises a pumping chamber for pressurizing fuel and a direct-operated check for controlling fuel injection. A control fluid different from the fuel is used to operate regulating apparatus for controlling the fuel injection pressure and fuel injection timing. The regulating apparatus are isolated from the high viscosity, heavy fuel oil. Pressurization of fuel begins before the start of fuel injection. Fuel injection is initiated by exposing one end of the check to low pressure control fluid while the other end is exposed to high pressure fuel. Fuel injection is terminated by exposing the one check end to high pressure control fluid to hydraulically balance the check and allow a biasing device to close the check.

Abstract: A shell/terminal/coil subassembly adapted for an electrically-controlled proportional fluid pressure control valve assembly. The shell/terminal/coil subassembly comprises an encapsulated terminal/coil subassembly, a shell, and an anti-rotation device for preventing relative rotation movement between the terminal/coil subassembly and the shell. The pressure control valve assembly is adapted for, inter alia, a hydraulically-actuated fuel injector system.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically-actuated fluid injector system comprises a hydraulically-actuated fuel pressurization member, a fluid storage chamber, and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check. Preferably, actuating fluid that is spilled from the fuel pressurization member (to end fuel injection) is communicated to a hydraulic motor which drives a source of pressurized hydraulically-actuating fluid.The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.

Abstract: Past connector assemblies have failed to provide adequate amounts of the air/cooling liquid mixture from the heat exchanger to the surge tank for proper air venting. The present invention overcomes this and other problems by providing a connector assembly 48 which is easily installed within a tank portion 14 of the heat exchanger 12. The connector assembly 48 includes a tubular member 50 which has a cylindrical portion 54 and a bifurcated end portion 56. The bifurcated end portion 56 has a rectangular outer shape 66 which is designed so that it can be squeezed into a rectangular shaped opening 44 in the tank portion 14. A nut 92 which has an inner threaded portion 104 is threaded onto an outer threaded portion 64 of the cylindrical portion 54 until a pair of tabs 76,78 on the bifurcated end portion 56 are securely seated against an inner surface 16 of the tank portion 14. A washer 110 is seated against an annular beaded seat 36 to form a first seal.

Abstract: A valve-closed-orifice (VCO) spray tip having an internal tip seat and one or more fuel spray orifices. The thickness of the tip in the wall portion defining the internal tip seat and upstream entrance of each orifice is made less than that of previously known VCO tips. The length to diameter ratio of each orifice is also relatively smaller than that of previously known VCO tips. Advantages of the thinner wall portion include improved fuel injection spray characteristics as well as reduced cost of forming orifices through the tip.

Abstract: A structure and method for electronically minimizing or eliminating performance variation of an apparatus controllable by a control signal, such as an electronically-controlled fuel injector, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the resultant characteristics of the apparatus at a plurality of operating conditions, such as timing and delivery characteristics of the fuel injector, adjusting the control signal as a function of the measured resultant characteristics, such as by adjusting a base timing and duration or pulse width of a fuel delivery command signal for a fuel injector, and controlling the apparatus in accordance with the adjusted control signal to reduce performance variation.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus 10 for hydraulically slowing a member (12), preferably an engine poppet valve, to an acceptable impact seating velocity as the valve (12) is moved from open to closed. The poppet valve (12) has a stem (16) having a first portion (18) connected through a stepped portion (20) to a second portion (22) having a greater cross-sectional area than the first portion (18). The valve (12) rides within a guide body (28) having an opening (34) in an end wall (32) thereof through which the first portion (18) of the stem (16) extends. A hydraulic fluid space (50) is formed by the guide body (28) and the valve (12). As the valve (12) closes, fluid is forced out of the space (50) through a first fluid exit opening (66). As the valve (12) nears its seat (44), the fluid still in the space (50) is forced out through a second fluid exit opening (68) through which the rate of flow is less than the rate of flow through the first fluid exit opening (66).

Abstract: A wastegate valve for use with turbocharged engines. The wastegate valve vents exhaust gasses upstream of the turbocharger high pressure turbine to reduce turbocharger speed and associated boost pressure. The wastegate valve includes a piston attached to a poppet valve and movable within a housing. The housing receives pressurized intake gasses at a side of the piston to actuate the popper valve between open and closed positions. A diaphragm is sealingly disposed between the piston and housing. The housing includes mechanical stop means to limit the piston travel, thereby reducing flexure of the diaphragm. Additionally, the diaphragm is disposed in the housing in such a way that the diaphragm flexes between reduced peak compressive and tensile stresses.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a system (5) and method for opening an engine valve (12) by hydraulic force and for slowing the engine valve (12) by hydraulic force to an acceptable impact velocity when the engine valve (12) closes. Basically, a snubbing valve (10) is situated between the rail (40) that transports the high pressure hydraulic fluid needed to open the engine valve (12) and the engine valve (12). The snubbing valve (10) allows relatively unrestricted flow of the fluid in the direction from the rail (40) to the engine valve (12) so that adequate high pressure fluid can be provided to quickly open the engine valve (12). When the engine valve (12) returns towards the closed position under the force of a return spring (72) the snubbing valve (10) then restricts the flow of fluid out of the cavity (52) between the snubbing valve (10) and the engine valve (12) so as to slow the engine valve (12) to an acceptable impact velocity.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an intensifier piston with a tapered or conical protuberance and an injector body with a conical seat. During the pre-injection stage, the piston is spring loaded to seat its conical protuberance against the conical seat of the injector body. To start the injection, actuation fluid is admitted to the injector. The injector actuation volume is pressurized and the pressure acts initially only on the top of the conical protuberance of the piston. The displacement of the piston is temporarily retarded during the first stage of injection due to a throttling effect in allowing the high pressure fluid to act on the remaining top surface of the piston. The throttling effect is provided by the relatively narrow flow area between the conical protuberance and the conically shaped seat.

Abstract: An actuator and valve assembly is disclosed which comprises an electrically-energizable actuator assembly and a device for communicating, collecting and draining damping fluid with respect to at least one cavity of the actuator assembly. If too much damping fluid remains in the actuator and valve assembly after shutdown, that damping fluid may cool off and cause slow response of the actuator and valve assembly when it is re-energized. The end result is that quick starting and/or operation of the actuator and valve assembly may be hindered, particularly under cold operating conditions. The communicating, collecting and draining means permits at least a portion of the hot damping fluid to automatically drain from the cavity after the actuator and valve assembly has been shutdown.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the pressure of a compressible fuel resident in a reservoir above a predetermined minimum including withdrawing compressed air from an internal combustion engine's combustion chamber, further compressing that withdrawn air, transmitting that further compressed air to an expandable air compartment which, with a fuel compartment having an outlet, occupies the interior of a reservoir. Apparatus for maintaining the pressure of a compressible fuel above a predetermined minimum including a reservoir having an air compartment and a fuel compartment separated by a moveable barrier, an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, means for transmitting air from the combustion chamber to the air compartment, a compressor for compressing the transmitted air, and a valve for obstructing air transmission when the fuel compartment's pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: An axial flow turbine's nozzle/nozzle support structure having a cantilevered nozzle outer structure including an outer shroud and airfoil vanes extending radially inwardly therefrom, an inner shroud radially adjacent the inner end of the airfoil vanes and cooperatively disposed relative to the outer shroud to provide an annular fluid flow path, an inner and an outer support ring respectively arranged radially inside the inner shroud and axially adjacent a portion of the outer shroud, and pins extending through such portion and into the outer support ring. The inner support ring or inner shroud has a groove therein bounded by end walls for receiving and being axially abuttable with a locating projection from the adjacent airfoil vane, inner shroud, or inner support ring.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the viscosity of actuating fluid used to actuate a hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled injector is disclosed. In an internal combustion engine system including an engine having a crankshaft, a crankshaft angular speed sensor responsive to rotation of the crankshaft, a voltage sensor, and an engine coolant temperature sensor, which respectively generate angular speed, voltage, and temperature indicative signals, are provided. An electronic control module is provided with a memory means, the control module having an associated viscosity indicative signal or parameter whose magnitude is representative of the actuating fluid viscosity and is a function of the angular speed, and voltage indicative signals.

Abstract: A structure and method for electronically minimizing or eliminating performance variation of an apparatus controllable by a control signal, such as an electronically-controlled fuel injector, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the resultant characteristics of the apparatus at a plurality of operating conditions, such as timing and delivery characteristics of the fuel injector, adjusting the control signal as a function of the measured resultant characteristics, such as by adjusting a base timing and duration or pulse width of a fuel delivery command signal for a fuel injector, and controlling the apparatus in accordance with the adjusted control signal to reduce performance variation.

Abstract: An apparatus adjustably controls intake and exhaust valve movement and fuel injection of an engine. Valve movement and injection is adjustably controlled in response to electrical signals delivered to a piezoelectric motor which in turn delivers hydraulic signals through a single spool valve.