Abstract: A control valve, preferably for use with a fuel injector, includes a valve body defining an inlet passage separated from an outlet passage by a valve seat. A solenoid is attached to the valve body, and includes a coil and an armature. A portion of the armature is a permanent magnet. The polarity of the permanent magnet is oriented such that the armature is pushed away from the coil when the solenoid is energized. A valve member is positioned in the valve body and attached to the armature. The valve member is moveable between an open position in which the inlet passage is open to the outlet passage, and a closed position in which the inlet passage is closed to the outlet passage.

Abstract: A method of regulating pressure in a hydraulically-actuated fuel injection system is described. The hydraulically-actuated fuel injection system includes a high pressure pump coupled to an engine and connected to a high pressure rail. The rail is connected to a plurality of hydraulically-actuated fuel injectors that each include a control valve. The control valve of the individual injectors are periodically activated in a conventional manner sufficiently to perform injection events. At the same time, an electronic control module continues to determine the magnitude of fluid pressure in the high pressure rail. The electronic control module also identifies any idle fuel injectors that are between injection events.

Abstract: A method of treating a fracture in a long bone comprises the initial step of providing an implant that includes one of a bone plate or an intramedullary nail having a length sized to span the fracture. The implant has at least one opening therethrough that is positioned at a location along its length, and has an amount of resorbable material at least partially filling the at least one opening. The implant is positioned at an implantation site spanning the fracture. A first bore is drilled into the long bone and through the resorbable material along a drill axis. A fastener is then inserted into the long bone through the at least one opening.

Abstract: A precision demand axial piston pump with at least one spring for reducing cavitation. The pump includes a drive shaft driven to rotate about a drive axis of rotation. A cylinder block is connected disposed within a casing and is to rotate with the drive shaft and defines a plurality of cylindrical bores arranged parallel to a block axis of rotation. A fixed angle swash plate is positioned adjacent the cylinder block. A valve plate is mounted adjacent the cylinder block and defines an inlet passage and an outlet passage for fluid communication. A plurality of pistons, each having a shoe end, connected to a shoe, and a pressure face end, are slidably received in one of the cylindrical bores. The fixed angle swash plate provides the method for reciprocating the pistons with each revolution of the cylinder block. A throttle valve is positioned to control flow volume through the inlet passage and the pump.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel injector that defines an actuation fluid cavity, a fuel inlet and a nozzle outlet. A source of relatively high pressure actuation fluid is connected to the actuation fluid cavity via an actuation fluid supply passage. A fuel fluid supply passage extends between the fuel inlet and a source of relatively low pressure fuel fluid. A mechanically actuated valve is attached to the actuation fluid supply passage, and is moveable between an open position in which the actuation fluid supply passage is open and a closed position in which the actuation fluid supply passage is closed.

Abstract: A control valve includes a terminal assembly that has a terminal electrically connected to one of a male electrical connector and female electrical connector. A solenoid assembly includes a metallic solenoid housing defining a solenoid cavity. A solenoid coil and the other of the male electrical connector and the female electrical connector are molded into a plastic solenoid carrier. The plastic solenoid carrier is attached to the metallic solenoid housing and preferably molded into the solenoid cavity. The solenoid assembly is attached to the terminal assembly, and said male electrical connector is mated to the female electrical connector. An armature is positioned between a portion of the terminal assembly and the solenoid coil. A valve member is attached to the armature.

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: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body defining an actuation fluid chamber that opens to an actuation fluid drain, an actuation fluid inlet and a piston bore, and further defining a nozzle chamber that opens to a plunger bore and a nozzle outlet. A control valve, positioned in the injector body, has a first position that opens the actuation fluid inlet and closes the actuation fluid drain, and a second position that closes the actuation fluid inlet and opens the actuation fluid drain. A piston, positioned in the piston bore. A plunger, positioned in the plunger bore, is moveable between an upper position and a lower position. A needle valve member, positioned in the nozzle chamber, is moveable between an open position in which the nozzle outlet is open and a closed position in which the nozzle outlet is blocked. A portion of the plunger bore and the plunger define a fuel pressurization chamber that opens to the nozzle chamber.

Abstract: A gang mower for garden tractors includes a frame, a hitch and either three, five or seven reel-type mower units attached to the frame. The frame is attached below the forward wheel axis of each mower unit. In action, the frame leverages the forward drive wheels downward to turn the mower blades when the frame is pulled forward by a garden tractor.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated fuel injection system includes a manifold holding an amount of pressurized actuation fluid therein. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fuel injectors each has an injector body that defines an actuation fluid cavity adjacent a piston. A plurality of branch passages each has one end connected to the manifold and a second end connected to the actuation fluid cavity of a different one of the plurality of hydraulically-actuated fuel injectors. A flow orifice valve member is positioned in each of the branch passages and is moveable between a first position that presents a relatively small flow area through the branch passage when pressure in the manifold is relatively low, and a second position that presents a relatively large flow area when pressure in the manifold is relatively high.

Abstract: An improved fuel injector system comprising a nozzle tip which defines a pressure control chamber, an injection chamber, and at least one fuel injection orifice. The nozzle tip further includes a movable direct-operated check operable to selectively control fluid communication between the injection chamber and the fuel injection orifice. The improvement includes a hilt reciprocally movable within the injection chamber and being of a construction to define a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The improvement further includes a high pressure fuel passage communicating high pressure fuel to the lower chamber. The present invention provides reduced stresses on the nozzle tip as the check engages the check seat while not adversely affecting the performance of the fuel injector. This results in lower tip wear and improved life of the fuel injector.

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: Presented herein is a sand bag filling machine having a hopper mounted to a frame. An upper table is moveably mounted beneath the hopper. The upper table has a plurality of holes that align with a bottom opening on the hopper as the table moves from a first position to a second position. When the table is in either the first position or the second position, the table blocks the flow of sand from the hopper. Below the upper table is a holding apparatus for suspending the bags from the upper table while allowing sand to flow from the hopper and into the bags. In one embodiment, a lower table catches the filled sand bags. The lower table can be pivotable about an axis facilitating removal of the sand bags. A method of use is also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides direct control over the opening and closing of a fuel injector nozzle valve independent of fuel injection pressure or engine operating condition and allows for initial fuel injection rate shaping by controlling the opening velocity of the nozzle valve. The present invention further allows for control over the closing velocity of the nozzle valve thereby reducing stresses on the nozzle tip as the check engages the check seat while not adversely affecting the performance of the fuel injector. This results in lower tip wear and improved life of the fuel injector.

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: A staged activation logic is utilized in the transition zone of operation for a fuel injector having an electronically actuated valve that opens to permit flow of high pressure fluid into the injector to initiate injection when activated but is biased to close when deactivated to end injection. Many different types of injectors could potentially utilize the present invention, regardless of whether the high pressure fluid is a high pressure hydraulic actuation fluid or high pressure fuel. The transition zone of operation corresponds to that range of activation durations for the injector in which the electronically actuated valve experiences a bouncing phenomenon because the valve member bounces off of its stop and closes prematurely. If it is determined that the desired amount of fuel to be injected during the next cycle falls within the transition zone of operation, then a revised activation duration for the electronically actuated valve is calculated.