Abstract: A heated fuel injector includes a heated body, liquid fuel flowing through a fuel passage within the body, and a member that increases heat transfer from the heated body to the fuel within the fuel passage. The thermal efficiency of the fuel injector is increased separately or in combination by diverting the fuel flow along an inner circumferential contour of the heated body, by limiting the volume of fuel bypassing the heated inner surface of the body, by redirecting heat from the body to unheated portions of the fuel flow field within the fuel passage, and by increasing the available contact surface area for heat transfer. Improved heat transfer from the heated body to the fuel is achieved by integrating features that increase the contact surface area into the inside surface of the body or by positioning an insulating or a thermally conductive spacer within the fuel passage.

Abstract: Prior art fuel line check valves remain closed after engine off and cool down. Diurnal heating and the resultant pressure increase in the fuel line causes fuel vapor emissions through small openings in the fuel line (e.g., at the injector tips). The invention provides a check valve for a vehicle fuel line which opens in response to engine cooling and remains open while the engine is off to relieve subsequent increasing pressure in the fuel line due to diurnal heating thereof.

Abstract: A fuel injection metering valve has a first fuel outlet for supplying fuel to a first accumulator volume, a second fuel outlet for supplying fuel to a second accumulator volume, valving for controlling fuel flow to the first and second fuel outlets, a first flow path for exposing the valving to fuel pressure representative of fuel pressure in the first accumulator volume and a second flow path for exposing the valving to fuel pressure representative of fuel pressure in the second accumulator volume. The valving is responsive to the representative fuel pressures to control the fuel supply from the second fuel outlet to the second accumulator volume as a function of the fuel pressure in the first accumulator volume. The fuel injection metering valve can be used in a dual-fuel fuel injection system to control the flow of one fuel such that it follows the controlled pressure of a different fuel, so that it is not necessary to provide duplication control components in the fuel injection system.

Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.

Abstract: A clip for fastening an article to a panel having a hole has a base and a self expanding head attached to the base. The self-expanding head has at least one column extending from the base to a platform that is spaced from the base. First and second flexible beams are attached to the platform at one end and to the base at an opposite end. The first flexible beam has a first plurality of retention shoulders and the second flexible beam has a second plurality of retention shoulders. Each plurality of retention shoulders includes at least one retention shoulder that is spaced from every other retention shoulder in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring operation of an exhaust gas treatment system using an exhaust gas sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The exhaust gas treatment system has an exhaust pipe configured to receive exhaust gases. The exhaust gas treatment system has an SCR catalyst coupled to the exhaust pipe. The exhaust gas treatment system has a urea delivery system configured to delivery urea upstream of the SCR catalyst. The exhaust gas sensor has an ammonia sensing electrode communicating with exhaust gases downstream of the SCR catalyst. The method includes generating a first output signal utilizing the ammonia sensing electrode, the first output signal being indicative of a first ammonia level. The method further includes generating a second output signal to induce the urea delivery system to deliver a predetermined flow rate of urea upstream of the SCR catalyst. The second output signal is based on the first output signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting a low-lift or zero-lift failure mode in a variable valve activation system of an internal combustion engine includes the steps of positioning a piezo-electric element that acts as a radio frequency transmitter relative to a lost motion spring of a two-mode variable valve activation lost motion device, subjecting the piezo-electric element to a compression load when a load from displacement of a lobe of a camshaft acts on the lost motion spring, broadcasting a radio frequency signal each time the piezo-electric element is subjected to the compression load, and evaluating the presence or absence of the broadcasted radio frequency signal in relation to an expected presence or absence of the radio frequency signal. The direct measurement of the mode of each two-mode device is both more reliable and more efficient in the use of engine controller resources compared to currently existing diagnostic methods.

Abstract: A system for the monitoring of the state of a battery used in a vehicle and to which electrical elements comprising at least one electrical consumer and/or at least one electrical generator are connected comprises means for the detection of the battery voltage, means for the extraction of voltage frequency components from the detected battery voltage at different frequencies, means for the detection of the current flowing out of or into the battery, means for the extraction of current frequency components from the detected battery current at the same frequencies at which the voltage frequency components were extracted, means for the determination of internal impedances of the battery from the voltage frequency components and current frequency components extracted at a respective frequency, means for the storage of predetermined relationships between the internal impedance and the battery state for each of the respective frequencies and means for the determination of the battery state from the determined inter

Abstract: In a modular fuel cell cassette for forming a fuel cell stack, anode openings in the mounting plate and separator plate are separated and connected by modular spacer rings such that the cassette is incompressible at operating temperatures and compressive loads within the stack. The spacer rings are formed in modules wherein all of the rings required for all of the anode supply chimneys or all of the anode exhaust chimneys of any given cassette are ganged together and include a perimeter rail to which the rings are connected which automatically orients and positions the rings within the cassette during assembly thereof. The present invention eliminates the prior art need for individually positioning and spot welding each prior art ring in place prior to assembly of a prior art cassette. Two different structural embodiments for a spacer ring module are disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel module for a vehicle has a module housing in fluid communication with a fuel tank of the vehicle and supporting a fuel pump. A pressure regulator is in the module housing and the regulator receives fuel from the pump. An orifice is disposed in a fluid path between the pump and the intake of the regulator.

Abstract: An interconnect system including: a separator plate to provide an anode gas flow space; a first metal interconnect disposed between the separator plate and an anode surface; a nickel oxide paste applied in a pattern over the surface of the anode and adjacent surface of the separator plate which when sintered results in a first conductive layer bonded to the anode and the first interconnect, and a second conductive layer bonded to the first interconnect and the separator plate; a second metal interconnect disposed between a cathode surface of the cell and the separator plate of an adjacent cell cassette; and a silver-containing paste applied over the surface of the cathode and the separator plate which when sintered results in a third conductive layer bonded to the cathode and the second interconnect, and a fourth conductive layer bonded to the second interconnect and the separator plate.

Abstract: A consumer device interface assembly is provided that utilizes a male over-mold adapter that is operable to engage a conventional USB female shroud. A locking clip is associated with the male over-mold so as to provide locking engagement between the over-mold and the female adapter. The over-mold is universal thus allowing a host of consumer device interfaces to be used with the assembly.

Abstract: A real-time system for modeling a turbo-charged engine includes a model configured to estimate various exhaust states such as turbine inlet pressure, turbine outlet pressure, turbine outlet temperature, turbine mass flow rate and waste-gate valve mass flow rate. The model is dependent only on the availability of normal operating values available in a conventionally-configured automotive controller and one or more measured intake side parameters such as ambient pressure, boost pressure, ambient temperature and compressor mass flow rate. The model is constructed to reflect a high-level application of energy conservation between the turbine (generated power) and compressor (absorbed power). A method for the indirect measurement of turbine and waste-gate flow uses turbine inlet and outlet pressure, inlet temperature and engine mass air flow rate measurements. A method for the indirect measurement of turbine efficiency avoids the need for manufacturer's turbine data.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator for use in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, the actuator comprising a stack of ferroelectric layers; an encapsulation for protecting the stack from the ingress of liquid; and oxygenation means for providing oxygen to the ferroelectric layers, the means positioned between the encapsulation and stack. The oxygenation means is preferably impregnated in a fabric which forms a layer between the encapsulation and the stack.

Abstract: A battery clamp includes a collar cooperating with opposing compression plates to engage a battery terminal. The clamp further includes a locking mechanism adapted to apply a compression force between the collar and the battery terminal. A method of securing a battery clamp to a terminal includes positioning a clamp around a terminal of a battery, wherein the clamp includes a collar and opposing compression plates. The method further includes engaging the collar to the terminal of the battery by applying a force to the compression plates.

Abstract: A socket connector having a connector body co-molded with its peripheral and cable seals. In the first molding operation, a first tooling is placed into a mold and is configured so that plastic injected into the mold forms the connector body. In the second molding operation, a second tooling is placed into the mold and is configured so that elastomeric material injected into the mold passes through at least one passage of the connector body to thereby form the peripheral seal and, integrally therewith, the cable seal.

Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly comprising a mixing chamber wherein fuel and air are mixed. The wall of the mixing chamber tapers toward an outlet end. A catalyst bed formed in an annular shape surrounds the outlet end such that the walls of the mixing chamber shield the catalyst from direct exposure to fuel droplets injected into the mixing chamber. The fuel/air mixture flows out of the mixing chamber, then turns and counterflows through the catalyst bed outside the mixing chamber. Hot reformate from the catalyst bed flows in a reformate flow chamber extending along the outer surface of the walls of the mixing chamber, heating the wall surface within the mixing chamber for instantaneous evaporation of injected fuel. A plenum for incoming air surrounds the reformate flow chamber which is also heated thereby.

Abstract: Piezoelectric actuators of the type comprising a stack of layers of ferroelectric material and intervening electrodes which extend only part-way across the adjacent ferroelectric layers suffer differential remanent stress when electric fields are applied across the layers. To overcome this, a tensile stress is applied to the actuator along an axis substantially perpendicular to the layers of piezoelectric material in the actuator, which tensile stress is sufficient to mechanically align the dipoles, thus giving rise to a remanent strain which is uniform throughout the actuator. The actuator is advantageously heated while the tensile stress is applied, so as to increase the difference between the tensile strength of the material and the applied tensile stress. An alternative arrangement involves subjecting the actuator to a multidirectional stress and reducing the stress along the axis substantially perpendicular to the layers of piezoelectric material in the actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyromechanical securing element for the mechanical connection of two components. The securing element comprises a covering and a pyrotechnical propellant charge is arranged in the head part thereof, said propellant charge being adjacent to an adapter, and securing means or a stop for the first component are arranged on the rear part of the covering and a second component can be pushed onto the covering between the first component and the head part. The covering on the head part comprises expected fracture indents extending in the longitudinal direction which tear open the covering in the head area when the propellant charge is ignited and the first component is rigidly connected to the second component in order to allow the adapter to bend. The aim of the invention is to securely anchor the covering to the adapter without using extreme force.

Abstract: A hybrid SOFC/gas turbine electric generating system comprising an SOFC stack, a hydrocarbon reformer, a first anode tailgas hydrogen-rich combustor to drive a first gas turbine stage, and a second stoichiometric combustor to drive a second gas turbine stage to drive a generator. Anode tailgas is also recycled into the reformer for substantially endothermic reforming of hydrocarbon fuel. Oxidant is provided as pure oxygen—which may be stored as liquid oxygen. All nitrogen may be excluded. Cathode exhaust is passed to the first combustor, to the second combustor, and is recycled into the cathodes. The turbine exhaust is passed through successive heat exchangers cooled by liquid oxygen being vaporized, precipitating water and solid CO2. The system is operated at about 800 kPa (about 8 atmospheres), thereby increasing the power output of the stack. The system may be operated with no gaseous exhaust or with by-products of water and CO2.