Abstract: A method and system for introducing supplemental material to an exhaust aftertreatment device, including: a delivery system, an air pump operable to input pressurized air to the delivery system, and a turbosupercharger of an internal combustion engine operable to deliver pressurized air to an inlet of the air pump. The supplemental material introduced to the exhaust aftertreatment device is pressurized by the pressurized air input from the air pump, and the air inlet to the air pump is pressurized by the turbosupercharger for the internal combustion engine. The delivery system uses existing pressurized air generated within the engine system from the turbosupercharger to supplement air pressure supplied to the turbine-style air pump used by the delivery system. The supplemental material may comprise ammonia, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or urea.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, a catalytic reformer unit provides reformate fuel for use by the cells in generating electricity. Both the reformer and the fuel cells require elevated temperatures for satisfactory operation. The reformer unit is provided with a combustion chamber and igniter ahead of the catalytic reformer plates such that, during start-up, fuel/air mixture normally destined for reformation may be ignited in the combustion chamber to provide a hot combustion exhaust which is fed through the catalytic reformer and the anode reformate flow spaces to assist in rapidly bringing the fuel cell system to operating temperature.

Abstract: A primary pole piece (PPP) for an electrical solenoid linear actuator includes an inner skirt portion extending axially from a radial flange portion and having a substantially uniform cylindrical thickness and a non-uniform axial length. The skirt is formed into a plurality of “saw teeth” or other axially-extending and circumferentially tapered elements separated by axially extending notches or similar axial inlets along the terminal skirt edge. Whereas in the prior art the magnetic flux is intensified radially by conical formation of the skirt, in the present invention the magnetic flux is intensified azimuthally by being collected in and directed to terminal flats of the saw teeth. The entire PPP may be net-formed by conventional powdered metal press/sintering, requiring no post-forming machining. Preferably, the molded PPP is conventionally sintered to increase density and is impregnated for plating.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, a sealing gasket is disposed between spaced, parallel components and includes a gas-filled pillow structure formed in the general shape of the manifold opening to be sealed. The gasket acts as a passive gas spring that responds with increased seating force to increased temperature. The gasket comprises first and second elements formed from sheet or foil metal stock having mating concavities and joined along their mutual surfaces to form the gas-filled pillow structure in the shape of each opening to be sealed. The first and second elements are respectively formed of the same material as the components and diffusion bonded on their outer surfaces to their respective component surfaces.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of operating a NOx abatement system comprises: introducing an exhaust stream to an ammonia generator in a normal flow direction, adsorbing NOx from the exhaust stream in the ammonia generator, diverting the exhaust stream around the ammonia generator, introducing hydrogen to the ammonia generator in a direction opposite the normal flow direction, and generating ammonia within the ammonia generator.

Abstract: The resistance of an oxygen sensor heating element is estimated by modeling the effects of physical and electrical heating on the resistance of the heating element lead-in conductors, and subtracting the lead-in conductor resistance from a measure of the heating circuit resistance. The lead-in conductor resistance model is based on the temperature of the oxygen sensor boss and the current carried by the lead-in conductors. The heating element temperature is calculated from the determined heating element resistance and initial (cold-start) parameters of the heating circuit.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor includes a electrically conductive, generally piston shaped diaphragm with a flexible base wall configured to deflect under pressure. The diaphragm is generally U-shaped in cross section. The base wall includes an upper, flat sensing surface which acts as a capacitive electrode. The diaphragm further includes a step around a radially-outermost perimeter which is elevated from the flat sensing surface. A sensing electrode body is located on top of the step and creates a capacitive sensing cavity between the sensing surface and the bottom surface of the electrode body. On the bottom surface of the electrode body is formed a center, circular electrode and a ring electrode that surrounds the center electrode. The center electrode and the sensing surface form a variable capacitor which changes with pressure and the ring electrode and the sensing surface form a reference capacitor.

Abstract: A high resolution flow valve may comprise a first stage valve for allowing a first flow through the flow valve and a second stage valve located concentrically within the first stage valve and also connected to the inlet for allowing an additional second flow through the flow valve.

Abstract: An outwardly-opening gas-exchange valve assembly for an internal combustion engine. The valve assembly includes a port in a firing chamber in an engine head, the port having a valve seat on a side opposite from the firing chamber. A piston-shaped poppet valve head slides in a bore in the engine head for mating with the valve seat to occlude passage of gas across the valve seat. Withdrawal of the poppet valve head from the seat opens the firing chamber to communication with an intake or exhaust manifold runner in the engine head. The poppet valve head may be actuated by an overcenter lever arrangement actuated selectively by hydraulic pressure or mechanical actuation. In a preferred embodiment, OO intake and exhaust valves are radially arranged in a hemispherical fire deck and may include an adjustable pitch helical channel to induce swirl to the incoming gas.

Abstract: A driver circuit is described for an ion measuring device associated with a cylinder of a diesel engine for the measurement of the conductivity of the combustion gas present in the cylinder, wherein a negative voltage can be applied by the driver circuit to a glow plug serving as a sensor and associated with the cylinder for a respective ion measurement. The negative voltage is generated by a capacitor which is correspondingly charged each time the glow plug is switched off via the magnetic energy stored in the internal inductance of the glow plug.

Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed and may comprise an actively cooled valve actuation section, an actuator, and a valve section comprising a rotationally actuated valve plate that is structured to be rotationally actuated by the actuator to direct flow wherein the actuation section may be thermally insulated from the valve actuation section.

Abstract: A transmission control arrangement controls the generation of a required solenoid control current that is provided to an electro-hydraulic pressure control module to ultimately control clutch pressure. The module includes a linear solenoid, which has an up direction pressure-current (P-I) data table and a down direction pressure-current (P-I) data table associated therewith. For large pressure increase change requests the up P-I table is used. For large pressure decrease change requests the down P-I table is used. An interpolation process uses current values taken from both the up and down P-I data tables for pressure change requests that are neither large increases nor large decreases. The control arrangement also includes a variable gain feature that changes the gain in dependence on the gear state of the transmission.

Abstract: A bushing assembly adapted for application in vehicle suspension systems includes an outer, generally cylindrical bushing member, an inner generally cylindrical bushing member arranged concentrically within the outer member. The two bushing members are interconnected by an elastomeric member disposed there between and bonded thereto to permit limited rotational displacement between the external and internal bushing members. An angular position sensor is at least partially embedded within the elastomeric member and operative to produce an output signal indicative of the relative angular position of the external and internal bushing members. The sensor includes a stator assembly including a permanent magnet, a galvanomagnetic sensing element and a flux guide defining at least one pole face, and a rotor including a flux guide defining a second pole face. An air gap between the two pole faces varies dimensionally as a function of the relative angular position of the stator assembly and rotor.

Abstract: An oil flow control valve (10) for a cam phaser is described comprising a spool (18), a spool housing (16) and a check valve (40), wherein the spool (18) comprises a throughbore (60) and the check valve (40) is mounted in the spool housing (16) in that it extends through the throughbore (60) allowing the check valve (40) to be integrated in the housing (16) of the oil flow control valve (10), with the spool (18) reciprocally moving around the check valve (40), in order to avoid any influencing of the equilibrium of a spool (18) when the oil pressure is suddenly changing in the oil flow control valve (10) due to varying efforts in the cam phaser caused by the valve train.

Abstract: In a process for forming a methane-enriched fuel, a hydrocarbon feedstock that includes hydrocarbons having molecular weights greater than that of methane (CH4) is mixed with an oxidizable gaseous reactant that includes water (H2O) and is free of molecular oxygen (O2). The mixture, which has a H2O/total hydrocarbon (H2O/C) ratio of less than about 1, is heated to an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst to form a methane-enriched pre-reformate product. At least a portion of the feedstock hydrocarbons having molecular weights greater than that of methane is converted to methane (CH4) in the process.

Abstract: A resonator and method of designing a resonator including a cavity having an effective length that exceeds ?/8 such that a standing wave having an anti-node will form in the cavity. First and second necks each having first ends are attached to and in fluid communication with the cavity, the first neck being positioned adjacent the anti-node and thereby operable to interfere with said standing wave.

Abstract: A bushing assembly adapted for application in vehicle suspension systems includes an embedded position sensor and an embedded speed sensor.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photonic sensor and method of operation, in one embodiment a photonic has: a sensing element; a dielectric layer; a first electrode disposed between the sensing element and the dielectric layer; a second electrode positioned in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the dielectric layer, the second electrode being disposed upon a substrate; and wherein an applied voltage between the first and second electrodes attracts the first electrode towards the second electrode resulting in a movement of the sensor and the first electrode and dielectric layer with respect to the second electrode, wherein a path of thermal conductance is provided between the substrate and the sensing element through the first electrode, the dielectric layer and the second electrode, and the dielectric layer and the first electrode return to the facing spaced relationship when the applied voltage is removed.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser control system for reducing rotor positional instability. A phaser system includes a target wheel mounted on the phaser rotor such that during camshaft rotation wheel teeth chop a signal to generate first and second interruption signals indicative of amplitude of rotor instability. An instability monitor is used to monitor the level of instability against predetermined acceptable levels, depending upon engine operating conditions (RPM, temperature). An excessive level of instability is established by engine calibration. When measured instability exceeds a predetermined threshold level for a predetermined period, an instability diagnostic becomes alarmed. A default strategy is used to correct the excessive instability by applying a bias to the phaser control duty cycle. The system continues to monitor the level of instability, and when instability falls below the threshold limit, normal phasing operation is resumed.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the integrity of a leak detection test for a purge valve of a fuel system in a vehicle reduces or eliminates false failures. The method is executed on an engine control module (ECM) and is configured to determine when vehicle soak conditions meet first criteria conducive to fuel vapor condensation in the fuel tank. The first criteria include a predetermined temperature drop in ambient air temperature between successive drive cycles. The ECM is further configured to determine when a vehicle maneuver meets second criteria indicative of the capability of the maneuver to initiate fuel slosh in the fuel tank, to thereby establish a trigger event. The ECM is further configured to determine, after the trigger event, the maximum slope of a fuel tank vacuum increase. The ECM is still further configured to produce a slope ratio as a function of the maximum vacuum increase slope and a reference vacuum slope corresponding to a slope that is unaffected by any slosh/condensation events.