Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel tank and a liquid separator. The fuel tank includes an interior in which liquid fuel and fuel vapor are contained, and has at least one vent in fluid communication with a vapor dome in the interior of the fuel tank. The liquid separator is in fluid communication with the at least one vent in the fuel tank, and has a fuel port disposed at a lower elevation than the at least one vent to enable the liquid separator to be passively aspirated under negative pressure conditions within the fuel tank. The liquid separator may be placed inside or outside the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel injector 10 for a Diesel engine has a plunger 12 and two control valves 20 and 30 for controlling the injection of fuel from the main supply cavity to the discharge port 52. Each control valve 20 and 30 are actuated through piezo-electric stacks 34 and 74 connected to a electronic variable voltage supply 33.

Abstract: In an assembly of facing metal sheets separated by a polymer layer, welded metallurgical bonds are formed between the metal sheets by use of a friction stir weld tool. A rotating tool penetrates the first sheet, locally displaces the encountered portion of polymer film and penetrates into the second sheet. The affected metal of the two sheets is momentarily plasticized and stirred, and the plasticized metal of the two sheets combines to form a weld between the metal sheets. The interposed polymer film may be intended to serve as an adhesive or a vibration damping medium or the like. The facing metal sheets can be layers of facing laminated metal sheet structures that each comprise two metal sheets bonded by an adhesive interlayer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a headlamp adjusting device with lamp units that can be adjusted in groups. To this end, each lamp unit is mounted individually directly or indirectly in the headlamp housing by means of one respective joint; and it is swivelably mounted in a first feed mechanism. The headlamp adjusting device comprises a second feed mechanism. The second feed mechanism guides the first feed mechanism. The orientation of the feed motion of the first feed mechanism and the orientation of the feed motion of the second feed mechanism enclose an angle, which is not equal to an integral multiple of Pi. With the present invention a space-saving headlamp adjusting device for adjusting the lamp units in two directions of adjustment is developed.

Abstract: A rotor assembly operable with anvil mechanism for comminuting waste wood and other fragmentable material has a rotating drive shaft with a series of rotors fixed in axially spaced relation thereon. A series of radially projecting hammers mechanisms are situated along the axis of the shaft and powered by the shaft. Fragmenting knives are removably secured to the leading outer portions of the hammer mechanisms. The hammer mechanisms include sidewisely reversible hammer legs having portions received by the rotors sidewisely contiguously.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a mold charge into a cavity includes a pair of hubs mounted for rotation around parallel axes, a link connected between the hubs at positions off-center relative to the parallel axes and a blade connected to the link. Rotation of the hubs causes the blade to travel in an elliptical path relative to an extrusion orifice to cut mold charges from the orifice and place the mold charges into cavities passing beneath the blade. The apparatus preferably includes a drive member that simultaneously rotates both of the hubs to drive the blade relative to the extrusion orifice and cavities. The blade preferably includes an arm that extends into a cavity to place a mold charge into the bottom of the cavity for consistent and accurate placement of the mold charges from one cavity to the next.

Abstract: The durability of a fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane with an anode on one surface and an oxygen-reducing cathode on the other surface is improved by substituting electrically conductive titanium carbide or titanium nitride particles for carbon particles as oxygen-reducing and hydrogen-oxidizing catalyst supports. For example nanosize platinum particles deposited on nanosize titanium carbide or titanium nitride support particles provide good oxygen reduction capability and are corrosion resistant in an acid environment. It is preferred that the catalyst-on-titanium carbide (nitride) particles be mixed with non-catalyst-bearing carbon in the electrode material for improved electrode performance.

Abstract: A ferrous metal tool is provided for the forming of light metal sheet workpieces at elevated temperatures, with the forming surface of the tool prepared to minimize friction and adhesion when engaged in deformation of the hot sheet metal. The forming surface of a steel tool is nitrocarburized to form a compound layer and diffusion layer on the surface. The compound layer initially comprises an outer gamma-phase material and an underlying epsilon phase material. Gamma-phase material is removed to expose underlying epsilon phase material, and low friction particles are embedded in the modified nitrocarburized compound layer of the forming tool.

Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations provide the likelihood of the availability of ScLi3N2, TiLi3N2, VLi3N2, CrLi3N2, MnLi3N2, CoLi3N2, NiLi3N2, CuLi3N2, and ZnLi3N2 as compounds for reaction with hydrogen under suitable conditions. Reaction with hydrogen is likely to form stable hydrides of the family ScLi3N2Hn, TiLi3N2Hn, VLi3N2Hn, CrLi3N2Hn, MnLi3N2Hn, FeLi3N2Hn CoLi3N2Hn, NiLi3N2Hn, CuLi3N2Hn, and ZnLi3N2Hn, where n is an integer in the range of 1-4. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery system of a vehicle has a fill pipe inlet assembly located at a distal end of a fuel tank fill pipe. The inlet assembly has a cylindrical wall defining an elongated cavity divided axially into upstream and downstream regions by a restrictor plate which carries a hole for close receipt of a fuel supply nozzle of a remote fuel pump. During refueling of the tank, fuel vapor flows from the tank via a recirculation tube and into the inlet cavity of the fill pipe to become entrained into the flowing liquid fuel as oppose to being released to atmosphere. The fuel vapor enters the upstream region at an aperture carried by the wall disposed immediately upstream from the restrictor plate and downstream from a hood. The hood limits vapor release to atmosphere and draws the vapor downstream through a port carried by the restrictor plate for entrainment of vapor into the liquid fuel in the downstream region.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in an air management assembly having an engine, an exhaust side, and an intake side, where the valve assembly provides a housing, a plurality of openings in the housing, a valve in the housing, and an actuator operably connected to the valve. The housing is in fluid communication with the exhaust side and the intake side. The plurality of openings in the housing form at least one inlet and at least one outlet in the housing. The valve moves with respect to the plurality of openings.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in contact mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the foam decomposition having a foam material vapor fraction and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of parameter values for casting process parameters as variables of a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a vapor value for the fraction of the foam material that decomposes to vapor, an undercut length value designating the amount of coating exposed to gas diffusion, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on the results for the vapor value, the undercut length value, or the speed value.

Abstract: A fastener forming apparatus produces a fastener of metal having a rod-to-plate connection often found in such applications as an automotive door latch striker. The fastener is formed and assembled in a single operation and with only a rod and a stamped plate for parts. The forming apparatus has a die structure for securing the rod, a base for vertically aligning the rod, a compression pedestal for vertically aligning the plate and a suspended stamping structure. The stamping structure moves from a pre-staged position for loading of the rod and plate to the die structure, to an intermediate position wherein a head is substantially formed unitarily at the end portion of the rod on one side of the plate, and formation of a unitary protrusion is initiated from the same end portion but on an opposite side of the plate.

Abstract: A fuel pump has a housing defining a cavity. A rotor of an electric motor is carried in the cavity for rotation about a drive axis. An annular pump impeller is supported in the cavity separate from the rotor and is driven by the rotor for rotation about the drive axis.

Abstract: An end section of a plastic fluid line with a push-in fitting is injection molded on coaxially for sealed push-in connection to a mating element of complementary shape with the aid of a securing element which transmits axial forces. The assembly formed of an end section and push-in fitting has a first circumferential groove on the end section, in the region of which the push-in fitting is molded on with form-fitting penetration of the plastic of the push-in fitting into the first circumferential groove. The end section, in the joining direction of the push-in fitting, protrudes axially beyond the latter and has a second circumferential groove for receiving a sealing ring. A third circumferential groove for receiving the securing element is molded into the push-in fitting on the outer circumference thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing platform attitude adjustment range for platforms supported by jacks in which the apparatus includes jacks for supporting a platform at spaced-apart locations, jack drive mechanisms, and a controller connected to each of the jacks through their respective jack drive mechanisms and programmed to adjust platform attitude by coordinating jack movement. The controller coordinates jack movement by selecting and commanding at least one of the jacks to retract and selecting and commanding at least one other of the jacks to extend.

Abstract: A method of automatically communicating personalized messages to a telematics-equipped vehicle includes the following steps: (a) creating a personalized message; (b) defining playback instructions for playing the personalized message; (c) generating a trigger based on the defined playback instructions; (d) setting the trigger; (e) monitoring for the occurrence of one or more conditions that satisfy the trigger; and (f) determining that the one or more conditions have occurred and, if so, then; (g) accessing the personalized message associated with the trigger; and (h) playing the personalized message.