Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated fuel injector is provided with a discharge region of improved construction. The injector discharge region includes a central flow axis and, sequentially in the downstream direction, a simple metering orifice symmetrical with the axis, and flow patterning structure including a diverging flow director for directing the flow of fuel issuing from the metering orifice radially outward relative to the axis to an annular region about the axis and a converging flow director for directing the fuel radially inward relative to the axis from a position radially outward thereof for direct "transparent" discharge thereafter from the injector. A discrete exit nozzle may be shaped to effect the requisite flow convergence, and the angle of that convergence affects the geometry of the final spray pattern. A swirl disc may be positioned intermediate the other two flow directors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gas in a diesel engine includes an EGR valve responsive to an EGR control signal for relatively opening and closing a recirculation duct to the passage of exhaust gas therethrough. A sensor provides a signal indicative of the level of particulates in the exhaust gas stream. Control circuitry responsive to various signals indicative of engine operating conditions, including the signal indicative of exhaust gas particulate level, provides an EGR control signal for regulating the EGR valve at least partly as a function of the sensed level of particulates in the exhaust gas stream. The engine operating condition signals typically are indicative of the speed of the engine or fuel injection pump, the engine load, and engine operating temperature.

Abstract: An improved fuel rack mounting arrangement, particularly for use in an in-line pump, is structured to reduce actuating forces. The fuel rack is supported by a pair of lever arms pivotally connected thereto at longitudinally spaced pivot axes. Each lever arm is also pivotally connected to the pump housing at separate pivot axes. The orientation and positioning of the various pivots are such as to afford longitudinal reciprocation of the rack in response to actuation of one of the levers about its pivot axis by which it is connected to the housing. The actuation may be provided by a stepper motor acting on an extension of the lever. Each lever may include an integral pivot pin and a locking mechanism for captured pivotal mounting of the rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided in a chemical heat pipe for shifting the reaction equilibrium in order to operate at a "shifted" temperature without also "shifting" the pressure. A diluent is added to the heat pipe in a constant-pressure manner near a reaction zone. The diluent exists in the gaseous phase at the reaction zone so as to shift the reaction equilibrium. This has the effect of "shifting" the temperature required for the reaction to proceed to a predetermined extent. The diluent is chemically inert in the particular reacting system and is removed from the system so as not to increase the pressure therein. In a preferred embodiment, methylcyclohexane is dissociated by endothermic reaction at a heat source position to form toluene and hydrogen and water is added to the heat pipe at or near the heat source position to form a diluent of water vapor at the reaction zone. The diluent is removed from the system downstream of the reaction zone, as by a desiccant.

Abstract: A compact, flexible relay with plunger-type armature is provided. Relay configurations ranging from single-pole, single throw to double-pole, double-throw may be provided on the same base, using standardized components. A plurality of the relay terminals are placed in a stacked arrangement, including intermediate insulators, for minimizing the use of space transverse to the plunger armature. The terminals are integrally formed to include a plate portion for positioning parallel to the base and a depending blade portion extending transversely thereto for external electrical connections. Some of the terminals are included in the electromagnetic circuit. In a particular configuration, a double-pole, double-throw relay suited for dynamic braking of a motor is conveniently provided employing the stacked arrangement of terminals and several standardized components.

Abstract: A relay with plunger-type armature includes a resilient contact support, such as a conductive leaf spring, supported by a terminal in a manner affording substantial attenuation of contact bounce when engaged by an armature-mounted contact. Provision is made for insuring separation of the contacts upon reverse displacement of the armature. Specifically, a leaf spring may be fixed at one end to the base of a channel formed in the surface of a terminal plate. An overlying apertured insulator preflexes the spring and limits its displacement in the reverse direction. In a double-throw relay, the other "stationary" contact may be mounted on a resilient support, such as another leaf spring, for providing contact bounce suppression there as well.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated fuel injector includes a disk-type armature and a ball-type valve joined to the armature. The response characteristics and speed of the injector's ball valve are improved by modifying the surface structure of the valve ball to reduce its mass. Preferably a plurality of plunge-ground "flats" are formed on the surface of the ball.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for generating start of combustion signals associated with the combustion events in a diesel engine, and for using such signals to control the timing of fuel delivery to the engine. The combustion event is sensed, as by an electrostatic or optical sensor, and signal conditioning circuitry provides a start-of-combustion signal which is directly and precisely indicative of the time of the onset of combustion. The sensors include self-cleaning capabilities for extended operating life on an engine. The sensors may be incorporated in the structure of a glow plug.The SOC signal is advantageously supplied to a timing control circuit which delivers a timing control signal to a fuel delivery device, such as the controller associated with a fuel pump. The control circuit stores one or more start of combustion values which indicate the desired timing, relative to an engine cycle, for the start of the combustion event as a function of speed and load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for indicating an operating characteristic of a periodically combusting internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, having exhaust gas issuing from one or more combustion chambers in a periodic manner through a duct. The particulate in the exhaust gas stream are electrically charged and of the same polarity, and are grouped in packets associated with the periodic combustion in the respective chambers. An electrically conductive, passive electrode, preferably annular in shape, is disposed such that most or all of the exhaust gas flows therethrough so as to electrostatically sense, principally by induced image charge, the passage of the respective packets of charged particles. The electrode is electrically isolated from the duct.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the size distribution of certain particles, of a particular composition, such as iron sulfide (pyrites), in a sample of host material, such as coal. Data representative of the amount of at least one predetermined elemental constituent of the particles is obtained for each of numerous similarly-sized subsamples of the sample. The "constituent amount" data for each subsample is sorted into bins, each representative of a respective constituent amount range in a series of constituent amount ranges. Respective scaler representations of the fraction of the constituent amounts, represented by each bin range, are provided to yield an approximate representation of the distribution function of the amounts of the constituent in the subsamples of the coal. Those scaler representations collectively may provide a histogram.

Abstract: A control system for an appliance, such as a microwave oven or the like, is provided with an adaptive manual input and a display positioned in visual proximity with one another. Various operating sequences and/or modes of the appliance are represented by symbols which may be displayed. Those operating sequences may be selected for implementation by actuating an input associated with the respective display. The symbols are contained in a plurality of groups which are displayed separately in time from one another. Actuation of a particular input associated with the display of a particular symbol also serves to display a new symbol group in accordance with a predetermined programming schedule. Typically, the functional sequences of the appliance are organized as a plurality of selectable principal modes each comprised of one or more selectable modes or sequences. Various prompting statements may also be automatically displayed to aid the user in programming the control system.

Abstract: A relay having a plunger-type armature is provided with a magnetic circuit having two serial air gaps arranged for additively applying a magnetic force to the armature in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of its plunger to provide the requisite endwise motion to the armature. In addition to a relatively conventional air gap between the inner end of the armature and a base terminal included in the magnetic circuit, a second air gap is also provided between an armature flange and the bight of a ferromagnetic U bracket about the coil. The armature flange comprises a relatively large area extending transversely of the outer end of the armature plunger and over the U bracket bight portion. The length of the armature plunger from the underside of the flange is such that the flange comes into contiguous, but not contacting, relation with the U bracket's bight portion upon movement of the armature to its actuated position.

Abstract: A mounting ring is suited for installation in an opening in a wall or ceiling to provide support thereat for a device, such as a sensor. The ring includes an annular frame with a pair of deformable retaining tabs extending therefrom for manual deformation into retaining engagement with the inner surface of the wall or ceiling. Centering tabs may aid in centering the ring about the opening. One or more antirotation tabs may extend from the frame into the wall or ceiling to prevent rotation of the mounting ring. One or more support tabs on the frame are sized and positioned to longitudinally support a tubular device extending within the opening in the ceiling or wall. The device may be provided with a complementary supporting surface or shoulder. Conveniently, the device is rotated about its longitudinal axis to bring its supporting surface into supported alignment with that of the mounting ring.

Abstract: An injection timing transducer is provided for use with the fuel delivery system of a compression ignition engine. The transducer is operatively associated with the fuel flow path and provides a signal indicative of fuel pressure pulsations within the fuel delivery system. The electrical signals are representative of the derivative or rate of change of fuel pressure as a function of time and are thereby particularly suited for indicating the onset of fuel injection to the engine. The transducer includes a housing member connectable in the fuel flow path intermediate a fuel pump and injector for defining a chamber through which the fuel may pass and for providing a sensor mounting surface external to the chamber but in pressure transmitting relationship with the fluid path. A piezoelectric sensing element is affixed to the sensor mount surface of the transducer housing member.

Abstract: A method is provided for minimizing thermal geometrical distortion of optical articles, such as a laser mirror, comprised in significant part of a graphite fiber reinforced-glass matrix composite. The temperature of the article, and effectively the composite, is maintained, at least for some particular interval, within a range of temperatures at which the absolute coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite (and thus the article) is substantially a minimum. In most instances that minimum is substantially zero and the temperature range is sufficiently wide, i.e. 25.degree. C. or more, as to be easily maintained. The desired temperature may be attained prior to operation of the article, as for a laser mirror. A suitable cooling and/or heating arrangement is associated with the article and may respond to maintain a sensed temperature within a desired range. Where heating is required, an electrical current passed through the article may provide resistance heating.

Abstract: An electronic control system, as for instance a microcomputer in a microwave oven, is automatically reset when a signal, normally provided by the microcomputer within some normal interval relative to some reference, fails to occur. A reset command signal is generated and resets the microcomputer to some initial point from which normal operation may begin or resume and at which certain output loads may be rendered inoperative. A display device associated with the appliance is repetitively scanned at some normal interval and may provide the monitored signal. Circuitry capable of generating a reset-command signal is inhibited by the occurrence of a transition attending the display scan signal so long as it recurs within the particular interval. A timing capacitor is reset, as by being discharged, each time a transition attending a display scan signal occurs. If the capacitor is not reset, the voltage thereon ultimately attains a level which results in the generation of the reset command.

Abstract: In an electronic control system, as for instance, one employing a microcomputer, a timing reference signal supplied to the microcomputer, typically from the AC supply line, is monitored for continuity and integrity by determining whether that signal occurs or recurs some predetermined number of times relative to a measuring interval. The measuring interval is established by an event provided by the microcomputer and which recurs with a generally known time relationship to the timing reference signal. Failure of the timing reference signal to occur or recur within the measuring interval is interpreted as a failure of the timing reference, and a reset command is automatically executed to automatically reset or initialize the control system.A display, for instance associated with an appliance such as a microwave oven, may be repetitively scanned at some normal interval in response to the programmed control of a microcomputer.

Abstract: A method is provided for pattern masking objects preparatory to subsequent working of the objects. The invention also includes those objects prepared in accordance with the method. The method is especially suited to the pattern-masking of relatively large and/or complexly shaped optical elements preparatory to the production of diffraction gratings thereat for use with laser radiation.The object to be worked, such as a mirror, is coated with a semiconductive masking material. Electrolytic etchant is placed on the masking material. Electromagnetic radiation of suitable wavelength and patterned in accordance with the desired pattern of the mask is projected through the etchant and onto the masking material. The radiation effects photoelectrochemical etching of the semiconductive masking material in the desired pattern to a desired depth. An etch-stop layer may be interposed between the object and the masking material to limit the etching action.

Abstract: The invention relates to containers and more specifically to self-locking cartons. More specifically still, the invention relates to compartmented, fully enclosed, self-locking cartons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the enhanced transport of thermal energy utilizing a heat pipe operated principally in the vaporization/condensation mode. The heat pipe is a closed circuit fluid circuit having a heat source position and a heat sink position. A transport fluid is selected to enter the heat source position as a liquid, be vaporized thereat and at least partly chemically reacted with the aid of a catalyst, then transported to the heat sink position whereupon a reverse chemical reaction thereof is induced to release heat. Condensation of the transport fluid also occurs at or near the heat sink position and the transport fluid is returned to the heat source position in liquid form.