Abstract: In an automobile fuel system and particularly for a diesel powered vehicle, it is desirable to provide a water separator to prevent passage of water to the engine and particularly the fuel induction components. It is also desirable to provide ejection means for the separated water which may include a provision to prevent the ejected water from falling to the ground.

Abstract: A fuel injection system and control valve are disclosed for use with a multi-cylinder engine such as a diesel or proco type engine. The disclosed control valve, which is of the piezoelectric type, controls the fuel injection into the individual cylinders by being connected in fluid circuit between the high pressure pump and distributor which are contained in the pump and distributor assembly. The control valve contains novel features providing improvements in the system.

Abstract: An oxygenated hydrocarbon based fuel for use in internal combustion engines is composed by volume of alcohol (40-80%), ketone (0-30%) ether (15-40%), a dimethyl siloxane (0.01-1.0%) a surfactant (0.25-1.0%) and a fuel-soluble corrosion inhibitor (0.02-0.1%). The resulting fuel has excellent storage life and performance characteristics superior to gasoline.

Abstract: A fuel injection system and control valve are disclosed for use with a multi-cylinder engine such as a diesel or proco type engine. The disclosed control valve, which is of the piezoelectric type, controls the fuel injection into the individual cylinders by being connected in fluid circuit between the high pressure pump and distributor which are contained in the pump and distributor assembly. The control valve contains novel features providing improvements in the system.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut is provided with an improved bearing assembly consisting of a metallic bearing member which directly supports a portion of the rod member of the strut and a plastic seal member which sealingly engages the bearing member and provides for securely resiliently mounting the bearing assembly in a self centering manner in the structure by which the strut is fixed to the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A knock detector for an internal combustion engine comprises a resonantly tuned knock sensor mounted on the engine, a variable gain amplifier for amplifying the signal from the knock sensor, knock and reference channels which are operatively coupled with the output of the variable gain amplifier to develop respective knock and reference channel signals, and a comparator for comparing the signal of one channel against the signal of the other channel. The gain of the variable gain amplifier, in general, is an inverse function of engine speed. The amplified signal from the variable gain amplifier is gated to a peak detector of the reference channel circuit during absence of any appreciable engine knock to develop a reference signal representing background noise. The knock channel detects peaks of the amplifier output signal, and the comparator compares the two peak detected signals to provide a knock signal when a predetermined relationship between the two is attained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously measuring the thickness of individual layers of a multilayer plated deposit, the electrochemical potential difference between the layers, and the relative polarity of the layers, is disclosed.

Abstract: Heating apparatus for the air-fuel mixture of a vehicle engine including a perforated grid placed across the flow of the air-fuel mixture. The grid is spaced downward from the outlet of the carburetor. A bypass housing formed of permeable screen material may be placed with an open inlet end registered with the carburetor outlet and with an open outlet end registered with the face of the heating grid. During engine start and idle modes with or without use of a choke all of the fuel-air mixture passes through the grid. During off-idle engine modes which require substantially greater flow rates, a portion of the mixture may bypass the grid and pass through the permeable walls of the bypass housing.

Abstract: In a vehicle with a vapor fuel vent conduit between the fuel tank and a vapor storage means, a liquid fuel condensate trap and dump valve which opens in response to a given liquid level to discharge liquid fuel back to the fuel tank or to the fuel pump. The preferred embodiment provides a hollow housing with three ports and containing a float type valve which moves from a valve seat in response to liquid level.

Abstract: In a typical vehicle intake manifold on which is mounted a carburetor, a fluid flow director is used to turn the initial downward flow of fuel and air into a lateral direction while simultaneously transmitting heat energy to the fluid for more complete fuel evaporation. The flow director is designed to apportion fuel-air flow over all the face surfaces of several parallel spaced plate members. Except for the lowest or most remote plate member from the fluid inlet, the plates have apertures therein, the diameters of which progressively decrease with greater spacing of the plates from the manifold inlet. The plates are preferably of a ceramic material having a positive temperature coefficient or PTC which is characterized by relatively low electrical resistance at ambient temperatures, but much higher resistance at temperatures corresponding to engine operating temperatures.

Abstract: A unitary structure for a vehicle engine which provides an air cleaning function, a fuel vapor storage function and a valve cover function. The structure may be molded or cast in a configuration particularly adapted to be secured to the outer portion of an engine cylinder head thus forming an enclosure means for valve components such as rocker arms and a camshaft if the engine is an overhead cam type engine. First and second wall means are spaced progressively outward from the cylinder head to form a space therebetween adapted to hold a quantity of activated charcoal. The charcoal is connected to the fuel tank and carburetor to trap and store fuel vapors therefrom. Another space is formed above the second wall means to house an air filter element. Air inlet and outlet means are located below and above the filter element to provide for a flow of air to the engine carburetor.

Abstract: An improved L-shaped seal for a turbine regenerator and a method of making same. The seal has a curved leg which contacts a mating surface. The curve urges the seals leg into contact about the periphery of the seal even when there is no gas pressure in the regenerator.

Abstract: A brake rotor with a ceramic-metallic coating. The ceramic-metallic coating provides a wear resistant surface. The coating generally comprises about 30 to 70% by weight of ceramic particles in about 30 to 70% by weight metallic carrier material compatible with the substrate and carbide.

Abstract: A lock-up system for an automatic transmission torque converter including a single movable piston disposed axially between a housing fixed to the torque converter impeller and the torque converter turbine, normally held in a free position by transmission regulated fluid forces and movable in response to a reversal of the fluid forces acting on it to a position where frictional sealing surfaces on the piston and the housing effect a mechanical interconnection of the turbine and impeller.

Abstract: A sealing type electrical connector with mating housing portions configured to inhibit undesirable seepage of water or other contaminates into its interior which would be detrimental. A first housing is formed of flexible, molded elastomeric material which is relatively soft. A second housing is molded of rigid thermoplastic material. Each housing includes a tubular outer wall with closed and open ends defining a hollow interior therebetween. The housing members each also include an inner plug portion integrally formed therewith and spaced inward from the tubular outer wall portion, each having electrical contact makers molded therein. The tubular wall of one housing member has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tubular wall of the other housing member so that the members are assembled with the one member overlying the outer wall of the other member.

Abstract: A clamp particularly suited for crimp joining the telescoped end portions of thin walled tubing which is prone to inward collapse when overly constricted. The clamp includes an upper and a lower member each of thin metal material and each forming a curved mid-portion the arcuate edge of which contacts the surface of the outer telescoped tube member. Overlying portions at one side of the two clamping members forms a hinging action about the tube. At the opposite side of the members, tubular contours are formed in aligned relationship to one another to receive a bolt and nut fastener. The fastener is operated to draw the upper and lower members together about the exhaust tubes. Prior to operation of the fastener, the configuration of the members is such that a gap is formed between the facing end surfaces of the adjacent tubular portions.

Abstract: An improvement in preparation of a combustible mixture for an internal combustion engine comprises a throttle body having a butterfly-type throttle blade with a deflector mounted on the downstream face of the blade which acts much like a spoiler to generate turbulence. A mixing tube downstream of the blade generates additional turbulence.

Abstract: An improved fuel spray bar for spraying fuel into the induction passage of an internal combustion engine comprises a pair of spray tubes projecting from a spray bar body into the induction passage with a fuel dispersion element downstream thereof. Each spray bar tube has a plurality of spray orifices spaced along the length thereof for spraying fuel in a direction generally downstream of the induction passage. The improvement of the invention is provided by arranging one of the spray bar tubes upstream of the other so as to spray fuel onto the upstream surface of said other spray bar tube.

Abstract: A novel electronic control circuit which may be used in different types of electronic engine control systems is disclosed. Illustrative usage in various types of electronic spark timing control systems contemplates 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engine configurations as well as single or multiple pick-ups. The circuit is intended for fabrication as an integrated circuit device to provide a low-cost unit which is advantageous in mass production usage.