Abstract: The valve includes a valve element with an internal longitudinal bore and cross-drilled orifices which, in combination with other orifices and restrictions, force balance the valve in an open configuration when attached to a pump assembly in a spilling mode.

Abstract: An improved fuel injector is provided which effectively controls fuel injection events using two injection control valves which operate in series to control the movement of a nozzle valve element. An outer injection control valve and actuator assembly operates to control fluid pressure in a control volume adjacent an inner injection control valve thereby controlling the movement of the inner control valve which, in turn, controls fuel pressure in an inner control volume adjacent one end of the nozzle valve element. A particular design of the inner injection control valve prevents control valve oscillations thereby minimizing unwanted fuel injection variations.

Abstract: An EGR measurement device for recirculating a portion of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine that is adapted to allow accurate measurement of exhaust gas flow when the exhaust gas flows in a reverse direction that is opposite to the forward direction toward the intake of the engine. In one embodiment, an extension portion is used which extends over a second tap to allow measurement of pressure in the reverse flow direction so that flow rate can be calculated. In another embodiment, one or more pitot tubes are provided that allows accurate measurement of exhaust gas flows when the exhaust gas flows in a reverse direction.

Abstract: An engine is provided which includes various precise configuration parameters, including dimensions, shape and/or relative positioning of the combustion chamber features, resulting in a combustion process minimizing NOx emissions and particulates. The combustion chamber includes a spray angle relative to an inner bowl floor angle that maximizes the amount of fuel in contact with the inner bowl, in combination with one or more of the following: a vertical distance from the tip of the piston bowl to the injection orifices; a number of injection orifices; a swirl ratio; a vertical distance from the injection orifices to an inner face of the cylinder head; a distance from the piston top surface to the cylinder head; a radius of curvature of an outer bowl section; a radius of curvature at an edge of the piston bowl; a ratio of the piston bowl diameter to the cylinder diameter; and the cylinder diameter.

Abstract: A novel and improved engine data system for collecting, displaying and analyzing engine/vehicle data is provided. The system have advantageously results in a more effective, convenient, portable and low cost method of monitoring and processing vehicle data. The vehicle data system includes a handheld computer containing operating system software adapted to operate the handheld computer in accordance with a data protocol different from a vehicle bus protocol and a handheld microprocessor for executing the operating system software. The system importantly includes an adapter for creating a data pathway between a vehicle bus connector and an external data port provided on the handheld computer which is physically incompatible with the engine bus connector.

Abstract: A variable pressure fuel injection system and multi-flow rate injector is provided which produces multiple fuel injection flow rates from a common source of pressurized fuel to enable reductions in emissions, combustion noise and particulates while improving fuel consumption. The present invention includes inner and outer needle valve elements biased into respective closed positions against respective valve seats for controlling the flow through corresponding sets of injection orifices. The movement of each valve is controlled by an injection control valve controlling the drain flow of control fuel from respective control volumes positioned at outer ends of the valve elements. Valve element bias spring preloads along with control flow orifices and needle valve element surface areas are selected to cause, for example, single valve operation at low fuel supply pressure and dual valve operation at high supply pressure.

Abstract: A piston cooling system and associated piston are provided which effectively cools and lubricates the upper crown portion of a piston and the connecting rod/piston pin area using a single cooling nozzle. The piston cooling system includes a piston having a cooling gallery, a cooling nozzle positioned to direct cooling oil through a flow path to the entrance of the cooling gallery, and a deflecting surface positioned in the flow path to deflect a portion of the cooling oil into a deflected flow path toward the connecting rod and piston pin area. The deflecting surface may be formed on a baffle plate positioned as the bottom wall of the cooling gallery or may be integrally formed on the piston body.

Abstract: A fuel delivery device for a fuel delivery system incorporates an electronic compensation device that either incorporates information that is relevant to the specific fuel delivery device or includes a processor that generates an actuator control signal that is based at least in part upon the information contained in the memory device.

Abstract: A permanent magnet alternator including a stationary stator including a plurality of spaced stator poles projecting inwardly from the stator, a winding circuit wound through the spaces between the stator poles, a rotor assembly mounted for rotation within the stator, including a plurality of permanent magnets fixedly mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the rotor in alternating polarity, and a retaining shield for reducing the effects of centrifugal motion of the rotor during operation of the alternator.

Abstract: A method and internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode, comprising a combustion chamber, an intake system for delivering intake air, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide a post-ignition injection where the second fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber after onset of ignition of the premixed charge in the combustion chamber. The second fuel is preferably injected into the combustion chamber during combustion of the premixed charge and/or shortly after combustion of the premixed charge in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.

Abstract: A reliable and cost-effective method and composition is provided for inspecting manufactured components and detecting defects therein. In particularly, a method is provided for optically detecting defects in manufactured components during the manufacturing process by the incorporation of a fluorescent dye into a manufacturing fluid.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and a method for operating the engine, the engine including an engine body with a piston assembly, a combustion chamber formed in the engine body by the piston assembly, an intake system for delivering intake air to the combustion chamber during an intake stroke, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide at least one early control injection, and preferably, a plurality of early control injections of the second fuel into the combustion chamber before start of combustion of the premixed charge.

Abstract: A closed needle injector assembly is provided which effectively permits low fueling quantity control in short duration injections and pilot quantity control in longer duration events without compromising energy efficiency, maximum fuel delivery rates nor requiring increased operating pressures. The closed needle injector assembly includes first and second needle valve elements and a throttle passage formed in the second needle valve element to restrict fuel flow through an injector orifice. The second needle valve element is telescopingly received within the first needle valve element. Respective control volumes and one or more injection control valves are used to control the movement of the needle valve elements. Operation of the assembly results in movement of the first needle valve element to an open position for throttling fuel flow through the throttle passage followed by subsequent lifting of the second needle valve element for longer duration injections.

Abstract: The high-pressure fluid manifold connection assembly includes a one-piece tube collar with an annular relief cavity that surrounds a high-pressure fluid tube. The tube includes a hole that passes through the tube and which is not aligned with an exit hole in an annular relief cavity of the tube collar.

Abstract: An improved, spin-on, bead-lock filter which is particularly adapted for use in a high-pressure oil filter in a diesel engine is provided. The filter includes a housing containing a filter medium and having an inwardly deformed periphery, and a cover assembly including a cover plate and a retainer plate having mutually spaced apart outer edges for forming a recess that receives the inwardly deformed portion of the housing. A gasket whose outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the undeformed housing is seated in the recess. The smaller outer diameter of the gasket relative to the inner diameter of the housing allows the cover assembly to be easily positioned in place over the top of the housing during manufacture. Both a mechanical connection and a seal is formed between the cover assembly and the housing when the periphery of the housing is inwardly deformed pursuant to a bead rolling step in conformance with the assembly method of the invention.

Abstract: A method for assembling a conveyor belt and a conveyor belt is provided, the conveyor belt including a plurality of elongated rods, a plurality of slide-in overlay elements, and a plurality of retaining overlay elements having a vertical opening to allow vertical insertion of the retaining overlay element on to an elongated rod. In one embodiment, the vertical opening includes a retainer such as a clip that resists removal of the retaining overlay element from the elongated rod. In another embodiment, the slide-in overlay element includes a lock mechanism which locks the retaining overlay element with the slide-in overlay element to resist removal of the retaining overlay element. The lock mechanism preferably includes a lock protrusion on the slide-in overlay element, and an interlock protrusion provided on the retaining overlay element offset relative to one another to allow interlocking of the lock protrusion with the interlock protrusion.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for effectively determining the start of combustion in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine where the start of combustion is calculated by obtaining cylinder pressure data (P), processing the cylinder pressure data (P) into a processed pressure value indicative of the occurrence of SOC, comparing the processed pressure value to a predetermined threshold value, if the processed pressure value crosses the predetermined threshold value, determining that SOC has occurred, and calculating a crank shaft location at which the predetermined threshold value was crossed by the processed pressure value thereby identifying the crank shaft location at which SOC occurred. In alternative embodiments, optional steps may be provided including a verification step, a windowing step, a filtering step, determining occurrence of misfire, and determining occurrence of retarded timing.

Abstract: The fuel injector includes a solid state actuator that operates through an actuator motion amplifying lever to directly control the needle valve motion. Hydraulic forces, which act along the axes of the needle valve and the motion amplifying lever, are compensated by using a control piston, or other biasing means, to reduce the required amplitude of the control current/voltage and to reduce the required strength of the spring biasing the needle valve closed. The fuel injector may also include a control fuel inlet that is separate from the injection fuel inlet port.

Abstract: A bitless bridle for humanely, physiologically and effectively restraining and controlling a horse or other animal at rest and at exercise comprises an elongated strap which includes a center piece at the poll, and two crossover straps at the sides, attachable to a pair of reins providing a direct link between the centerpiece and the reins. The crossover feature of the bitless bridle provides for persuasive, but non-painful, pressure to be applied to the whole of the opposite side of the head of the horse, from poll to chin or for rapid alternate pressure to be applied to both sides of the head. The centerpiece may include a plurality of holes for receiving studs for applying painless pressure on regions of special acuity at the poll and behind each ear of the animal, or may receive a separate sleeve which includes the studs in order to apply pressure over areas of special acuity.