Abstract: The present invention allows the vehicle to be operated at higher than normally desired speeds during periods when there is a legitimate need for increased performance, such as downshifting in order to aid in climbing an uphill grade or accelerating with the goal of upshifting. Like the prior art systems, the present invention also imposes a maximum vehicle speed for all non-top gears, but only during steady state conditions (defined as a light engine load existing for a predetermined period of time). During transient conditions (discerned by recognizing gear changes and by high engine load conditions), the control system of the present invention provides lenience from the normal maximum vehicle speed limits for non-top gears. Such lenience provides for increased vehicle performance during periods when it is legitimately needed by the driver.

Abstract: Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide in the presence of oxygen is achieved using a solid oxide solution of the formula:La.sub.0.8 Sr.sub.0.2 MO.sub.3.+-..differential.where:M is a transition metal, and is preferably selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Y; and.differential. is the deviation from stoichiometric balance; or:La.sub.1.8 Sr.sub.0.2 CuO.sub.4.+-..differential.where:.differential. is the deviation from stoichiometric balance. The solid oxide solution catalyst exhibits catalytic activity for nitrous oxide decomposition which rivals or exceeds that of dispersed noble metals on alumina.

Abstract: An electronic fuel injector includes a metering chamber defined by a metering piston and the sides and bottom of a bore defined within the injector body, and a timing chamber defined by the metering piston, the bore sides and a timing plunger slidably disposed within the bore. A biasing spring is connected to opposing surfaces of the timing plunger and metering piston for biasing the metering piston away from the timing plunger. The metering chamber is in constant fuel communication with a pressurized fuel source and the timing chamber receives fuel from the fuel source according to the actuation of a solenoid actuated control valve disposed therebetween. A fueling strategy for such an injector requires actuating the control valve to substantially fill the timing chamber before filling the metering chamber, for subsequent injection into the engine, when the force of the biasing spring is at a minimum.

Abstract: A fuel system vibration damper. A damper is affixed to the fuel system drive gear in order to counteract torsional vibration produced in the fuel system drive gear by the fuel system, such as a fuel injection system or a fuel pump. The damper additionally dampens the response of the entire fuel system drive train, thereby reducing engine noise due to gear rattle.

Abstract: A variable length arc magnetic spark plug includes a shell, a pair of electrodes that define a variable length air gap or diverging air gap therebetween, and at least one magnet that produces a magnetic field in the air gap separating the electrodes. The magnitude of an ignition signal supplied to the electrodes directly affects the force acting on the arc to move or position the arc relative to the magnetic field produced by the magnets in accordance with well known field principles. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of magnets produces a magnetic field in the diverging air gap. Less current is required to produce a larger or longer arc with the inclusion of the magnets in the vicinity of the air gap wherein the electrical arc is generated.

Abstract: A valve for selectively permitting the flow of fluid therethrough is disclosed including a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a valve seat provided in the housing about the inlet, a displaceable ball for cooperating with the valve seat for sealing fluidic communication between the inlet and outlet and a ball guide for guiding the ball between a closed position in contact with the valve seat and an open position spaced from the valve seat. The ball guide includes a central bore for reciprocally receiving the ball and a plurality of circumferentially spaced fluid passages in fluid communication with the inlet, the passages extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the central bore such that a flow of fluid through the inlet is directed radially outwardly from the central bore and into the circumferentially spaced passages when the ball is in the open position.

Abstract: A sliding friction- and wear-resistant elephant's foot or swivel pad adjusting screw assembly for contacting an actuating member interface in an internal combustion engine is provided to transmit arcuate motion into reciprocal motion. The assembly includes a metal screw element configured to move along an arcuate path in a correspondingly configured socket in a ceramic pad element. A retainer element secures the pad element to the screw element loosely to allow this relative motion. The ceramic pad element includes a planar contact face for contacting a corresponding planar contact surface on an internal combustion engine actuating member, such as a valve, a valve crosshead or a unit fuel injector.

Abstract: A variable displacement high pressure pump for pumping fluid at a high pressure to an accumulation chamber is disclosed including a low pressure supply pump for supplying fluid at a low pressure, a first high pressure pumping unit for receiving the low pressure fluid through an inlet and selectively delivering the supply fluid to the accumulation chamber at a high pressure greater than the low pressure, a second high pressure pumping unit for receiving the low pressure fluid through an inlet and selectively delivering the supplied fluid to the accumulation chamber at a pressure greater than the low pressure, a common fluid passage in fluid communication with each of the first and second high pressure pumping units for permitting the flow of fluid from one of the first and second high pressure pumping units to the other of the first and second high pressure pumping units and a pressure balanced valve positioned in the common fluid passage for selectively blocking the flow of fluid between the first and second

Abstract: In a closed-nozzle fuel injector, an injection timing chamber and an injection chamber and a metering plunger/valve moving in a bore between them. A passage from the injection chamber to the injection spray ports is closed by a needle valve. A piston cup seats one end of a needle valve closing spring, the other end being seated on the needle timing spill passageway is opened by a metering plunger and spills fuel from the injector timing chamber to drive an injection needle-valve-spring-loading-piston away from a rest position toward the spring seat on the valve and apply additional force on the valve-closing-spring at the end of injection. In one embodiment, a passageway from the space above the spring-loading piston to a drain line has an orifice therein to maintain pressure atop the piston to hold the valve closed long enough for combustion pressure in the cylinder to drop before return of the spring seat piston to original rest position.

Abstract: An automatic water drain and priming pump for a fuel system in which a reversible pump is operable in a first direction to pump separated water out of a fuel filter and into a water drain, and further operable in a second (opposite) direction to pump fuel into the fuel filter in order to prime the fuel pump. Operation of the pump in the first direction to drain water from the fuel filter is initiated by water-in-fuel sensors within the fuel filter. Operation of the pump in the second direction to prime the fuel pump is initiated by manual activation of a switch during servicing of the fuel filter.

Abstract: A vehicle oil pan assembly which is acoustically insulated for noise reduction includes an oil pan having a normal configuration with a base and enclosing sidewalls and further including a peripheral flange which is disposed adjacent an upper edge of the sidewall and which is used to attach the oil pan to the vehicle engine. In order to insulate the oil pan so as to reduce any noise which may otherwise be transmitted by the oil pan, a noise reducing/sound deadening enclosure is attached to the oil pan. In order to facilitate the attachment of the enclosure to the oil pan, a plurality of support brackets are welded to the oil pan and each bracket includes a plurality of support tabs. The noise-reducing enclosure is arranged with an outer skin and a foam isolation layer and the outer skin is molded so as to include a plurality of latching portions. The final component in the attachment system is a plurality of spring clips. There is one tab for each latching portion and one clip for each tab.

Abstract: An engine misfire detection system for an internal combustion engine includes a microprocessor based controller for providing an increasing fuel command signal to any cylinder in the engine. The contribution to engine speed of the particular cylinder under test is monitored and compared to the contribution to engine speed of the previous two cylinders in the firing sequence. A misfire condition is detected if the average contribution to engine speed of the cylinder under test does not exceed the greater average contribution to engine speed of the previous two cylinders by a predetermined amount after a predetermined number of engine cycles. A temporary fault is logged for the cylinder under test if such a misfire condition occurs a predetermined subsequent number of times thereafter. If such a temporary fault condition is detected during a subsequent driving cycle, a driver warning lamp is illuminated.

Abstract: An accessory control system for a vehicle which includes an engine, cooling fan driven by the engine and a selectively-operable, power-requiring accessory includes an electronic logic control module which is packaged within a logic control box and which is electrically connected between various sensors and various power-requiring accessories. The accessory control system further includes a first signal output line which is electrically connected between the logic control module and a power-requiring accessory, such as a combine unloader. Also connected to the logic control module is an engine temperature sensor which operates on a thermocouple principle and is connected to a relay within the logic control module. If the engine temperature is below a threshold level then the logic control module is able to disengage the cooling fan so as to make additional horsepower available for operation of the power-requiring accessory.

Abstract: A method of microdeburring a selected portion of bore in a workpiece with a jet of abrasive gas is provided that is particularly applicable to the removal of microburrs at the interface between the timing and metering spill ports in a fuel injector metering barrel and the plunger bore. In the method, the nozzle that emits the abrasive gas is first inserted in and aligned with the bore so that the jet is focused on the microburrs at the interface. The nozzle is then actuated for a time period long enough for the jet to remove the microburrs from the bore, but insufficient for the jet to cause unwanted radiusing of the bore at the interface that could degrade the timing characteristics of the fuel injector. The method also includes the step of interposing a shield within the metering barrel to mask off the finished surface of the barrel from unwanted abrasion.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for use in a fuel system includes a valve body with a central core and three interconnected passageways. A spool is disposed within the central core and by means of enlarged and reduced diameter portions controls the flow through the solenoid valve. Solenoid armatures cooperatively control movement of the valve spool which is sized and shaped so as to provide a fuel flow path from an inlet passageway to an outlet passageway when the solenoid valve is in an opened condition. When the spool is shifted to a closed condition, incoming fuel is blocked and a flow path is created from the output passageway to a drain passageway, The drain passageway allows excess fuel in the injector to drain to relieve fuel pressure on the metering plunger. As the spool moves from a closed condition to an opened condition, some fuel flows to the drain passageway. The amount of fuel "loss" depends on the speed of the spool and the size of the drain passageway.

Abstract: A distortion control ring disposed and connected between a fuel injector body and a clamping device. The distortion control ring is utilized as an intermediary for transmitting a static clamping load from the clamping device to the fuel injector body. The distortion control ring includes a cylindrical shaped main body having a bore extending therethrough between an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the main body being adapted for mounting a return spring thereon. The lower surface having an annular portion for contacting the fuel injector body. A radial flange is formed on the distortion control ring adjacent to the main body for contacting the clamping device and receiving the static clamping load. The clamping device engages the radial flange at a distance radially outward of where the lower surface of the main body contacts the fuel injector body.

Abstract: A three-way valve including a valve housing having a valve chamber and a high pressure fluid supply inlet, high pressure fluid outlet and drain communicating with the valve chamber is disclosed. A movable member is reciprocally received in the valve chamber so as to be reciprocated between first and second positions for selectively fluidically communicating the outlet with either the inlet or drain. A first valve seat is formed in the valve housing and concentrically disposed in the valve chamber for sealing communication between the outlet and drain and a second valve seat is concentrically disposed in a cavity formed in the movable member for sealing communication between the inlet and outlet. A floating pin is received in the movable valve member cavity at a one end of the movable valve member and cooperates with the second valve seat for selectively sealing fluidic communication between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An air intake heating and diagnostic system for an internal combustion engine includes a microprocessor based controller for activating electrical heating elements for a preheat time period prior to starting the engine and for a postheat time period after starting the engine. The controller receives inputs corresponding to intake manifold air temperature, battery temperature, vehicle speed, engine speed, and key switch position. The system continuously monitors the integrity of the various sensors, monitors the functionality of the heating elements during the postheat time period, and warns the vehicle operator by illuminating a "check engine" lamp if certain fault conditions are detected. In both cases, the controller sets fault flags within the controller memory corresponding to the detected fault conditions.

Abstract: An engine oil capacitor which allows a larger volume of oil to be used in an internal combustion engine without reducing fuel economy or increasing engine package size. Oil flow through the normal oil drainback holes is partially restricted, resulting in a substantial quantity of oil being temporarily stored in an engine compartment, such as the camshaft compartment, during engine operation.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine. The piston has upper and lower compression rings and a recess between the two which exposes a greater proportion of the ring end gap for the lower compression ring. As a result, the space between the rings and below the lower compression ring provides a capacitance volume to minimize top ring reversal.