Abstract: A damper assembly includes a reservoir chamber for supplying hydraulic fluid to a main damper chamber. The reservoir chamber is in fluid communication with damper chamber through an internal fluid passage formed by openings in the damper housing and the reservoir housing. Mating features align the reservoir and damper housing relative to each other.

Abstract: The present invention involves thermal management of an integrated emission reduction system for the removal of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from diesel engine exhaust streams. The inventive integrated emission reduction system may include a diesel particulate filter (DPF), a heat source for adjusting the temperature of the exhaust stream entering the DPF, at least one selective catalytic reducer of NOx, a heat exchanger for adjusting the temperature of the exhaust stream entering the NOx reducer, and a computing device for monitoring the temperature and/or pressure of the exhaust stream entering the DPF and the NOx reducer, and for controlling the operation of the heat exchanger and heat source, thereby improving the efficiency of the DPF and the NOx reducer.

Abstract: A fluid filtration system includes a filter receiver located in a fluid reservoir housing and a replaceable filter module adapted to mount in the filter receiver. Fluid to be filtered is exposed to a filter media included in the filter module and mounted in a filter chamber provided in the filter receiver. The filtered fluid is discharged into a fluid reservoir located in the fluid reservoir housing and outside the filter receiver. Low-pressure fluid is then pumped from the fluid reservoir to a fluid user and fluid discharged from the filter user is conducted to the filter chamber for filtration in the filter media.

Abstract: A reformer controller is electrically coupled to both a fuel reformer and an engine control unit. The reformer controller is configured to communicate with the engine control unit to monitor an engine load signal between the engine control unit and an internal combustion engine. The reformer controller operates the fuel reformer in response to the engine load signal. A method of operating a fuel reformer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An emission abatement assembly includes a pair of NOx traps arranged in a parallel arrangement. A fuel reformer generates a reductant fluid in the form of a reformate gas which is selectively supplied one of the traps during regeneration thereof. During regeneration of the trap, engine exhaust gas is directed through the other trap. A catalyzed soot filter is positioned downstream of the NOx traps. A method of operating an emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An oil filter assembly comprising: an oil filter housing defining an oil filter chamber adapted to receive an oil filter element, the oil filter housing also defining a port; and a valve assembly received within the port, the valve assembly having a closed position and an open position for draining the chamber of oil associated with the oil filter element, the valve assembly comprising a spring, a valve and a casing disposed about the spring and the plunger. The casing may include a substantially annular lip retaining the valve in engagement with the casing. The casing defines a casing chamber and the lip retaining a collar of the valve within the casing chamber. The lip also may define a hole for receiving the stem or, in accordance with an alternative embodiment, for receiving a post or the like associated with the oil filter element. A method is also provided of producing an oil filter assembly having a housing defining an oil filter chamber adapted to receive an oil filter element.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus including a filter cap with a releasable filter element is disclosed herein. The filter cap defines a filter chamber and includes an upper wall having an opening therein. An oil filter element is positioned in the filter chamber. A snap connection is provided within the filter chamber for releasable connecting the oil filter to the filter cap. Finally, an actuator having a portion extending through the opening into the filter chamber is provided. The actuator is operable is operable to eject the filter element from the filter chamber. The actuator is movably secured to the filter cap and is separable from the oil filter upon ejection of the filter element from the filter chamber.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel reformer to regenerate a NOX trap includes operating the fuel reformer to produce a reformate gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide and advancing reformate gas through the NOX trap so as to regenerate the NOX trap. The method further includes determining if a SOX regeneration of the NOX trap is to be performed and generating a SOX-regeneration control signal in response thereto. The temperature of the NOX trap is raised and reformate gas is advanced into the NOX trap in response to the SOX-regeneration signal so as to remove SOX from within the NOX trap. A fuel reformer system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid filter apparatus includes a filter media for filtering contaminants from unfiltered fluid (such as motor vehicle oil) and a cooling element for cooling unfiltered fluid before such fluid is passed through the filter media. The apparatus includes a filter housing formed to include a filter chamber containing the filter media.

Abstract: An exhaust processor comprises a Helmholtz resonance chamber with a variable tuning throat. The tuning frequency of the exhaust processor changes as the outlet opening from the variable tuning throat into the Helmholtz resonance chamber changes.

Abstract: A sealing ring is anchored to a filter retainer included in a fluid filter assembly. An insert-molding process is used to anchor the sealing ring to the filter retainer.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly includes a valve assembly having a plunger with openings defined therein. The plunger includes a sealing portion and a non-sealing portion. The sealing portion sealingly engages a valve seat, while the non-sealing portion includes an opening which leads to a central passage through the plunger, the opening and central passage cooperating to direct the flow of fluid through the plunger and an associated spring.

Abstract: A method of operating a power system including a fuel reformer and an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine is shutdown subsequent to shutdown of the fuel reformer. A fuel reformer system for supplying a reformate gas to the engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly includes a shroud containing a filter module. A fluid pump is coupled to the shroud and operated to draw transmission fluid from a fluid reservoir in a transaxle housing into the shroud and through the filter module in the shroud to produce a stream of filtered transmission fluid to be pumped to a transmission or other destination in the transaxle housing. The shroud includes a filter housing containing the filter module and a mount flange cantilevered to the filter housing and adapted to mate with the fluid pump.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided that includes a shock absorber having a housing filled with hydraulic fluid. An air spring is supported on the shock absorber, and the air spring includes a bladder filled with air. A valve assembly is surrounded by the fluid housing and the bladder. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid and air. The air manipulates the valve and adjusts flow of hydraulic fluid through the shock absorber to adjust damping based upon vehicle load experienced at the air spring. Preferably the valve assembly is located within the inner cylinder head arranged between the piston rod and the outer cylindrical wall of the shock absorber. The valve assembly may include a teeter-totter valve that cooperates with other valves plungers and springs to provide variable damping throughout the vehicle load experienced by the inner spring.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for transferring heat for use onboard a vehicle includes a conductor arranged to conduct exhaust gas discharged from an engine of the vehicle along a serpentine path to generate back pressure for transmission to the engine so that heat of exhaust gas flowing along the serpentine path is maximized. The heat transfer system includes a tube arranged to conduct fluid so that heat is transferred from the exhaust gas to the fluid.

Abstract: A fuel reforming assembly has a control unit electrically coupled to a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of a catalyst positioned in the reaction chamber of a plasma fuel reformer. Based on the temperature of the catalyst, operation of the reformer's plasma-generating assembly may be selectively actuated and deactuated.

Abstract: An exhaust processor includes a soot filter and a filter regenerator. The filter regenerator is configured to burn off particulate matter collected in the soot filter to regenerate the soot filter.

Abstract: A plasmatron reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformed gas which is supplied to a remote device such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell. The plasmatron includes an air jacket which removes heat from the reaction chamber of the plasmatron and supplies heated air to the plasma-generating assembly of the plasmatron. A method of operating a plasmatron is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly includes a filter housing, a filter element, and an outlet conduit coupled to the filter housing to discharge liquid fluid from a filtered-fluid region in the filter element. An elongated grommet is mounted on the outlet conduit and positioned in the filter housing to seal against an outer surface of the filter element and an inner surface of the filter housing.