Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method for assembling a cylinder for an internal combustion engine. The cylinder includes a cylinder liner with a liner wall having an outer diameter and a flange extending radially outward from the liner wall at a superior end of the liner wall. The flange includes a fillet region adjacent to the liner wall having an inferior surface. The inferior surface has a contour defined at least partially by a non-circular profile. The contour defines a minimum diameter that is greater than or equal to an outer diameter of the liner wall. The non-circular profile is optionally defined by a slanted ellipse.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing engine speed and engine angular position. A tone wheel with a plurality of reference indicators and a position indicator is mounted to a camshaft gear. The reference and position indicators rotate past a Hall Effect sensor which generates a sensor signal suitable for use by a controller for determination of engine speed and engine angular position. Other embodiments do not include a controller.

Abstract: A coating for a portion of the flowpath of a diffuser of a centrifugal compressor. The coating covers a portion of the diffuser against which flows high velocity air from the compressor blades. The coating is a smooth, tenacious, heat-resistant powder paint that reduces the aerodynamic drag of the diffuser walls on the high velocity air thus increasing the efficiency of the compressor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing excessive resistance in an electrical harness of an internal combustion engine. Voltage is applied from a power source (24) through contacts (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) and harness leads (26 and 28) to an electrical assembly (20). Electrical assembly (20) includes the load of a first electrical component (23), and by switching means (25) includes the electrical load of a second electrical component (21). An electronic control module (22 or 38) controls switching means (25) and compares the voltage drop across electrical assembly (20) when the second electrical component (21) is switched in or out. By comparing the voltage drops ECM (22 or 38) can determine if there is excessive resistance in the contacts (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) or leads (26 and 28).

Abstract: An improved fuel injector for providing precise control over injection timing, quantity and rate shape is provided which includes a fuel pressure balancing device for balancing the fuel pressure forces acting on a needle valve element while the element is in both the closed and open positions thereby permitting an actuator to more precisely and predictably control the movement of the needle valve element. The fuel pressure balancing device includes a cavity formed in the needle valve element and pressure balancing surfaces formed on the needle valve element and positioned in the cavity. The actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator for compressing actuating fluid in an actuating fluid circuit which includes a fluid chamber positioned adjacent a needle valve element and fluidically separate from a fuel supply circuit for supplying high pressure fuel for injection. Actuating fluid pressure in the chamber acts on the needle valve element to initiate injection.

Abstract: A system for controlling fueling of an internal combustion engine includes a receiver associated with the vehicle, such as a GPS, GLONASS or LORAN-C receiver, operable to receive radio signals relating to vehicle location, a fueling system responsive to fueling signals to provide fuel to the engine and a control computer with a memory having a number of different engine fueling maps stored therein. The control computer is responsive to the radio signals to determine therefrom a geographical position of the vehicle, retrieve an appropriate one of the number of engine fueling maps from memory which corresponds to the geographical location of the vehicle, and provide the fueling signals according to the appropriate one of the number of engine fueling maps.

Abstract: A low inertia, wear-resistant needle valve assembly is provided for an internal combustion engine closed nozzle unit fuel injector. The needle valve assembly includes a needle and spring retainer subassembly made from an advanced structural ceramic, such as silicon nitride. A valve seat subassembly in the injector cup is made from a combination of metal and ceramic. The assembly materials and configuration provide maximum control over the efficiency of the injection event so that the fuel injection event can be terminated quickly, thereby allowing more effective control over exhaust emissions.

Abstract: A fastener which allows a user to easily utilize the Torque Angle Method to provide a predictable clamp load to a clamped element. The fastener includes an externally threaded shank portion, a torque receiving portion integrally connected on one end of the shank portion and a radially extending flange located between the shank portion and the torque receiving portion. The flange includes a pair of cut-out notches located on the peripheral edge of the flange which are formed prior to initial tightening of the fastener and are spaced apart at a predetermined angular distance to allow a user to utilize the Torque Angle method to provide predictable clamp load across a joint connection.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is provided having a turbine section responsive to the engine exhaust gas flow and a compressor section communicating with the engine intake manifold. A pressure responsive adjustable fuel pump is in communication with the engine combustion chambers. A wastegate unit with an adjustable valve disposed within a bypass passageway formed in the turbine section is provided for regulating the diverion of a predetermined amount of exhaust gas flow away from a turbine wheel within the section. The unit valve is biased to assume a closed position with respect to the bypass passageway. A multiport connection having an interior cavity is provided with a first port in pressure communication with the fuel pump; a second port in pressure communication with the intake manifold; and a third port in pressure communication with the wastegate unit.

Abstract: A one-way pressure relief valve assembly is provided for venting the lubricant reservoir of a roller-type well drilling bit. The valve assembly is mounted in the cap of the lubricant reservoir, to open outwardly, and is adapted to provide hydrostatic loading of the valve element to its closed position.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates a cooling system for a turbocharged diesel engine having an aftercooler and an oil cooler. The cooling system is defined by two flow loops, one for the engine and the other for cooling purposes. An engine driven pump circulates a coolant through the engine block and cylinder heads. The pump also circulates coolant through the cooling loop which includes the engine oil cooler immediately upstream of a radiator and bypass line. The aftercooler is downstream of the radiator and bypass line. Placement of the oil cooler ahead of the radiator and bypass line produces a higher temperature potential which permits a reduction in radiator size in addition to other benefits. A flow control logic system embodied in a dual thermostat arrangement ahead of the radiator and bypass line minimizes mixing of bypass flow with radiator flow and reduces radiator flow rates to permit low aftercooler temperatures that hithertofore have not been achievable.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bearing assembly for a high speed rotating shaft, such as a turbocharger shaft. The bearing assembly includes a sleeve bearing and a ball bearing. The sleeve bearing carries the radial load adjacent one end of the shaft, and the ball bearing carries the radial load adjacent the other end of the shaft. The shaft is subject to thrust loads in either axial direction, and the ball bearing also carries the thrust load in at least one direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for precisely positioning a gear plate (10) on the block (12) of an internal combustion engine equipped with an accessory drive gear train (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36) are disclosed whereby the precise positioning of the gear plate (10) results in the precise alignment of the gears mounted thereon. The present invention achieves this result by utilizing the shafts (56 and 58) of two of the gears (34 and 36) in the gear train as primary and secondary positioning means. Primary and secondary positioning bores (66) are formed in the engine block (12) and in the gear plate (10) and the primary and secondary gear shafts (60) inserted therein to position the gear plate (10) first at a point along a first axis relative to the engine block (12) and secondly at a point along a second axis relative to the engine block (12).

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch is provided which embodies first, second and third drive members rotatable about a common axis. The second drive member is provided with an internal chamber in which both the first and third drive members are disposed. A predetermined amount of viscous fluid is disposed within the chamber. The third drive member is positioned between the first drive member and a chamber-forming wall of the second drive member. The second and third drive members rotate as a unit and the third drive member is movable axially independently of said second drive member. Corresponding surfaces of the first and third drive members form therebetween an annular fluid shear space concentric with the rotary axis of the drive members. The chamber-forming wall of the second drive member is provided with a thermal-responsive membrane having a segment thereof independently movable axially of the first drive member in response to predetermined ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: An exhaust brake modulating control system is provided for an internal combustion engine having a turbo-charger and source of pressurized fluid. The system includes a double-acting piston-cylinder assembly having one cylinder end communicating with the engine exhaust manifold and an opposite end separated from the one end by a piston head. An adjustable control valve is provided having an outlet connected to the cylinder second end, and a plurality of inlets selectively connected to the outlet. One inlet communicates with the pressurized fluid source and a second inlet is vented to the atmosphere. Communicating with the exhaust manifold is an inlet of a hollow section in which a rotor is rotatably mounted. The hollow section has an outlet separated from the inlet by the rotor. The outlet communicates with the turbine wheel chamber of the turbo-charger. When the rotor assumes a first selected position, substantially unrestricted exhaust gas flow past the rotor occurs.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for a diesel engine. An injection rate control device, such as an auxiliary spring, is connected in line with the conventional injection train which operates the injector plunger in synchronism with the rotation of the camshaft. When an auxiliary spring is used as the injection rate control device, the auxiliary spring has a lower spring rate than that of the injection train so that the injector plunger is advanced at a different rate when it is under the control of the auxiliary spring. Means are included for rendering the auxiliary spring ineffective during a portion of the plunger advancement so that the rate of plunger advancement is controlled by the auxiliary spring during the initial part of the advancing stroke, and by the conventional part of the injection train during the balance of the advancing stroke. The auxiliary spring automatically varies ignition timing and injection rate as a function of engine speed and/or load.