Abstract: A valve assembly with coupled seats includes a first body with a first annular valve seat and a pin bore centered about an axis. A second body is attached to the first body and has a second annular valve seat centered about the axis and located in a position opposite to the first annular valve seat. A ball is positioned to move between the annular valve seats. A pin is mounted to move in the pin bore along the axis such that one end can contact the ball to move the same. The pin bore along with the annular valve seats are coupled by providing one of the first body and the second body with a locating bore centered on the axis. The other of the first body and the second body has a cylindrical portion substantially parallel to the axis and sized to be tightly received in the locating bore. The valve assembly was developed for use with a solenoid as a control valve in a fuel injector.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly applicable to lean burn engines that produce exhaust containing insufficient amounts of unburned hydrocarbons to satisfactorily reduce NOx emissions without undermining engine performance. In the exhaust purification system, ethanol or another suitable hydrocarbon is injected into the exhaust stream at an appropriate location between the engine and the catalytic converter. A deNOx catalytic converter is positioned within the exhaust downstream from the ethanol injection point. The combination engine application, ethanol injection and suitable deNOx catalyst combine to reduce NOx to satisfactory levels without producing significant amounts of undesirable secondary nitrogen containing compounds. An oxidation catalytic converter is positioned in the exhaust downstream from the deNOx catalytic converter. The oxidation catalyst serves to convert any remaining unburned hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: A method of coupling a fluid-powered work implement to a boom assembly of a work machine is disclosed. The boom assembly has a first male fluid coupling attached thereto. The boom assembly also has a plunger attached thereto. The work implement has a first female fluid coupling attached thereto. The first female fluid coupling has a first locking sleeve slidably secured thereto. The method includes the step of moving the boom assembly toward the work implement so as to align the first male fluid coupling with the first female fluid coupling. The method also includes the step of actuating the plunger so as to cause the first locking sleeve to be moved from a first locked position to a first unlocked position. Moreover, the method includes the step of further moving the boom assembly so as to advance the first male fluid coupling into the first female fluid coupling.

Abstract: A lock assembly for locking a control lever in a neutral or non-active position includes a lock mechanism having a locking pin and a locking bracket for receiving the locking pin. The locking bracket is secured to the control lever and prevents the lever from moving when the locking pin is engaged with the bracket. The control lever controls a work function of a work machine and the lock assembly prevents unintentional activation of the control lever.

Abstract: In the operation of conventional track assemblies it is common for an idler to have a pair of laterally extending wear treads to engage and support the wear rails defined by the track links of the track assembly as it is driven thereabout. This ultimately creates an arcuate wear pattern on the wear rails of the track links creating an extremely rough ride when the wear rails contact the track rollers suspended from a track roller frame. The present invention provides an idler member having a flange member that defines a raised center portion. The raised center portion contacts a roller bushing that extends between a pair of chain assemblies defined by the track assembly to support the track assembly as it is rotated therearound. The raised center portion further provides a pair of tapered side portions that are positioned between the chain assemblies and to provide lateral guiding thereof.

Abstract: A track seal assembly adapted to seal a track joint includes a track link and a first ceramic seal member. The track seal further includes a first elastomeric member positioned between the track link and the first ceramic seal member. The track seal further includes a bushing having an end face. The track seal also includes a second ceramic seal member secured to the end face of the bushing, wherein (1) the first ceramic seal member contacts the second ceramic seal member so as to form a seal interface, (2) the end face of the bushing has a counter bore defined therein, and (3) the second ceramic seal member is positioned within the counter bore of the bushing.

Abstract: A control system for a gas generator is disclosed. The control system includes an automotive type oxygen sensor that produces a signal responsive to the oxygen content of a product gas. The automotive type oxygen sensor is connected to a controller and is installed in the gas generator so that the sensor tip is in the product gas, downstream of a first heat exchanger. Preferably, the installation of the automotive sensor is at a point where the product gas has been cooled to at least 1500.degree. F. at a rate of at least 4000.degree. F. The controller produces an output signal responsive to the oxygen sensor signal. A trim valve receives the controller output signal and responsively varies an input gas to vary the composition of the product gas.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a gate drive circuit is disclosed. The gate drive circuit includes a first voltage source, a power transistor, a first and second switching device, and a controller. The power transistor has a drain connected to the first voltage source and a source connected to a load. The first switching device is connected to the power transistor gate and biases the power transistor ON to transfer energy from the first voltage source to the load. The second switching device is connected to the power transistor gate and biases the power transistor OFF to block the transfer of energy from the first voltage source to the load.

Abstract: Cylinder drift resulting from internal leakage of a recycling circuit, which recycles oil returned from the arm cylinder of a hydraulic shovel to the hydraulic supplying end, is reduced by an hydraulic circuit which includes a recycle valve attached directly to a control valve. When working fluid is returned from a rod chamber of arm cylinder into the control valve, the recycle valve recycles a part of the working fluid through a recycle selector valve to the hydraulic supplying end. A pilot operated check valve is disposed in the oil channel that connects the rod chamber and recycle selector valve together. When extending arm cylinder of the hydraulic shovel, pilot pressure from control valve shifts a pilot selector valve in such a direction as to open pilot operated check valve. When control valve is at the neutral position, pilot selector valve is shifted back to the return position and closes pilot operated check valve so that return oil of arm cylinder is prevented from working on recycle selector valve.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated piston and barrel assembly includes a barrel defining an actuation fluid cavity and a piston bore, which includes an upper bore and a lower bore. A stepped piston is slidably received in the piston bore and moveable between a retracted position and an advanced position. The stepped top of the piston includes a first area that is separate from a second area. The first area and the upper bore define an upper cavity connected to the actuation fluid cavity through a relatively unrestricted flow area, when the piston is in its retracted position. The second area and the lower bore define a lower cavity connected to the actuation fluid cavity through a relatively restricted flow area when the piston is in its retracted position. The first area is exposed to fluid pressure in the upper cavity and the second area is exposed to fluid pressure in the lower cavity over a portion of the piston's movement from its retracted position toward its advanced position.

Abstract: An improved fuel injector system comprising a nozzle tip which defines a pressure control chamber, an injection chamber, and at least one fuel injection orifice. The nozzle tip further includes a movable direct-operated check operable to selectively control fluid communication between the injection chamber and the fuel injection orifice. The improvement includes a hilt reciprocally movable within the injection chamber and being of a construction to define a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The improvement further includes a high pressure fuel passage communicating high pressure fuel to the lower chamber. The present invention provides reduced stresses on the nozzle tip as the check engages the check seat while not adversely affecting the performance of the fuel injector. This results in lower tip wear and improved life of the fuel injector.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled heavy fuel oil injection system comprises a pumping chamber for pressurizing fuel and a direct-operated check for controlling fuel injection. A control fluid different from the fuel is used to operate regulating apparatus for controlling the fuel injection pressure and fuel injection timing. The regulating apparatus are isolated from the high viscosity, heavy fuel oil. Pressurization of fuel begins before the start of fuel injection. Fuel injection is initiated by exposing one end of the check to low pressure control fluid while the other end is exposed to high pressure fuel. Fuel injection is terminated by exposing the one check end to high pressure control fluid to hydraulically balance the check and allow a biasing device to close the check.

Abstract: An improved means for dispensing a substantially even flow of semi-liquid material such as, concrete, into remote areas includes the use of an auger assembly mounted within a bucket of a construction machine. The auger assembly has a tubular housing with sealed end portions and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has a receiving passage defined therein. An auger is mounted within the tubular housing and has a blade portion which is rotatable in either a first or second direction by power supplied through a bi-directional motor. The semi-liquid material is poured into the bucket and enters the auger only through the receiving passage. The direction of rotation is chosen by an operator so that the material is conveyed along a rotational axis toward either a first or second opening, respectively, adjacent a remote area. The semi-liquid material flows substantially evenly through either the first or second openings to fill the remote area uniformly.

Abstract: The finishing precision and uniformity of hardness of a surface finished by a construction machine, such as back-hoe, is improved by modifying the targets of a position-tracking control system based on work-load applied to the end effector of the construction machine. For example, compaction of a surface, contoured by a position-tracking, back-hoe, can be made more uniform. This is accomplished by adjusting actuator targets, otherwise controlled on the basis of positional and speed constraints, in response to a detected work load acting on the end effector. To detect work load, a hydraulic fluid pressure signal can be applied to a computer which generates target position and speed commands to the feedback system. The control circuit may be arranged to hold work load constant (generating a constant compaction force for example) or, in response to a priority signal, the circuit can give a selected weight to both the positional constraints and the work load constraints.

Abstract: An unloader valve is connected to a pump and has first and second ends, a priority flow port communicating with the first end and being connected to a first conduit connected to a first hydraulic circuit, an excess flow port communicating with a tank, and a spring disposed at the second end biasing the unloader valve to a priority flow position with a force sufficient to maintain the pressure in the priority flow port above a predetermined minimum level. The unloader valve is biased toward an unloading position in opposition to the spring force by pressure generated force acting on the second end. A check valve is disposed between the first conduit and a second conduit connected to a second hydraulic circuit. A valve device controls the pressure at the second end of the unloader valve in response to pressure in the second conduit so that pressure in the second conduit is maintained above a second higher predetermined level.

Abstract: A load transfer and loading device equipped with a boom, a stick, and a bucket which are pin-coupled to each other for loading a load into the bucket, and transferring and loading it onto a specified position. The load transfer and loading device includes a weighing means for calculating the weight of the load in the bucket from a load applied to a pin coupling the boom to the stick and the position of the boom and the stick in accordance with specified equations.

Abstract: A control system for lubricating a work machine is provided. The control system includes a lubricant distribution system, a charging system adapted to drive the lubricant distribution system, a sensor for determining the operating state of the charging system, and a device for calculating a time interval being dependent upon a previous lubricating event. The control also includes a device for producing a lubrication signal in response to the time interval reaching a predetermined interval constant.

Abstract: A fluid filler tool for a spin-on fluid filter comprises a tubular housing having an annular peripheral wall, an open end and a closed end. The closed end has one or more openings to allow fluid to flow therethrough and into fluid inlet ports of the fluid filter. The closed end has centrally located venting means for allowing air inside the filter to escape therefrom when the fluid filler tool is positioned on the filter and when the filter is being filled with fluid. The closed end has centrally located tool positioning means for allowing the filler tool to sealingly and removably fit into a centrally located fluid exit port of the spin-on filter. The fluid filler tool allows the filter assembly to be pre-filled with a fluid only through the fluid inlet ports and prevents any fluid from entering the fluid exit port of the filter assembly.

Abstract: An active pitch control is provided for counteracting the pitching motion of a mobile machine. The machine has an apparatus for transmitting driving torque from an engine to a pair of pneumatic tires. The pitch control includes a device for detecting a pitching motion of the machine and responsively outputting a control signal. A device receives the control signal and changes the driving torque transmitted to the tires to counteract the pitching motion.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an operator's compartment includes an upper roof portion, a lower base portion, and first and second side support assemblies connected between the roof portion and the base portion. Each side support assembly includes a straight part, comprised of a formed tube, and a curved part, formed as a fabricated box section having several individual wall plates. The fabricated box section curved parts are stronger than the formed tubes and are, therefore, in the area of highest stress.