Abstract: A system for the delivery of ethanol or other solution additives to the intake manifold of compression ignition diesel engines comprising an electronic control module containing a microcomputer capable of monitoring SAE J1939 serial data, receive a signal from an additive monitoring sensor and have outputs to turn on a pump relay, indicator lamp and from 1 to n pulse width modulated electrical fluid injectors.

Abstract: A system for the delivery of ethanol or other solution additives to the intake manifold of compression ignition diesel engines comprising an electronic control module containing a microcomputer capable of monitoring SAE J1939 serial data, receive a signal from an additive monitoring sensor and have outputs to turn on a pump relay, indicator lamp and from 1 to n pulse width modulated electrical fluid injectors.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid electric vehicle design delivers smooth, high power performance while decreasing harmful exhaust emissions and maximizing fuel economy. An electric motor strategically assists the internal combustion engine. This arrangement can increase driveability and make for a very smooth driving vehicle. Decreased emissions are realized by helping the engine to run in a fashion which inherently minimizes emissions. Fuel economy is significantly enhanced by efficiently producing power needed to make the car meet the demands of the driver while leveling the load demands placed on the internal combustion engine. When the internal combustion engine is operating very efficiently under light loading or deceleration, the power source is charged as the motor turns into a generator.

Abstract: A rechargeable electric battery includes a number of metal-air cells, each including a metal anode, an air cathode, an anode electrolyte absorber adjacent the anode, a cathode electrolyte absorber adjacent the cathode, a separator separating the electrolyte absorbers, an input for supplying electrolyte to the absorbers at a supply side of the cell and a drain for draining excess electrolyte from the electrolyte absorbers at a drain side of the cells, each of the metal-air cells being inclined so that the drain side is lower than the supply side.

Abstract: A method of providing electrolyte to an electrolyte starved battery includes the steps of supplying electrolyte from a source to a dispenser and dispensing the electrolyte from the dispenser in a preplanned sequence to each of a number of electrolyte inputs in the electrolyte starved battery. Related devices for accomplishing such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air manager system for a metal-air battery cell having an air a cathode, the air manager system producing a flow of air through the air manager system and battery cell and directing a first air flow adjacent to the air cathode to provide reactant air and directing a second air flow adjacent to a portion of the battery cell isolated from the air cathode to provide cooling of the battery cell, preferably near the anode. The air manager system may be used with multiple cell metal-air battery packs. Heat exchange between the isolated air flows may be facilitated, and the reactant air may be recirculated for uniform cooling.

Abstract: A metal-air battery pack is disclosed for external assembly to a portable electronic device with a battery compartment. The battery pack electrically connects to the electronic device through an existing connector of the device that is located in the battery compartment of the device.

Abstract: An improved cathode is described which comprises an air-permeable, top coat deposited on the face of the cathode current collector screen. The top coat contains a CO.sub.2 absorber such as magnesium hydroxide which absorbs CO.sub.2 from the air and prevents CO.sub.2 from reacting with or neutralizing the electrolyte. The layer is composed of a dispersion of metal hydroxide in a hydrophobic binder such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The top coat is preferably formed of a first, outer gas flow limiting layer of hydrophobic material absent any CO.sub.2 absorber and a second, inner layer adjacent the current collector of hydrophobic binder containing a CO.sub.2 absorber.

Abstract: An air manager system for a metal-air battery cell having an air cathode, the air manager system producing a flow of air through the air manager system and battery cell and directing a first air flow adjacent to the air cathode to provide reactant air and directing a second air flow adjacent to a portion of the battery cell isolated from the air cathode to provide cooling of the battery cell, preferably near the anode. The air manager system may be used with multiple cell metal-air battery packs. Heat exchange between the isolated air flows may be facilitated, and the reactant air may be recirculated for uniform cooling.

Abstract: An ignition combustion pre-chamber for igniting an air-fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine which operates in conjunction with an engine management system to maintain an ideal stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in the pre-chamber throughout the complete operating range of the engine. A one-way check valve admits a separate air-fuel mixture into the pre-chamber which, after mixing with the portion of the air-fuel mixture of the main combustion chamber which necessarily enters the pre-chamber during the compression stroke of the engine, results in an ideal stoichiometric mixture receptive to quick ignition and faster flame front propagation throughout the main combustion chamber. In a second embodiment, the pre-chamber is separated from the main combustion chamber by a second one-way check valve which prevents mixing of the separate air-fuel mixtures during the compression stroke, allowing a constant stoichiometric air-fuel ratio to be introduced into the pre-chamber and ignited.

Abstract: A zinc anode plate is completely wrapped in a cloth anode separator containing liquid electrolyte. A hydro-gel material packed in an inert mesh separator is sandwiched between the wrapped anode and an air cathode which is in the form of a carbon membrane. The gel material is sufficiently permeable to oxygen to allow oxygen flow therethrough during charging and discharging cycles of the battery, and provides chemical reactive communication between the air cathode and the electrolyte in the anode separator without allowing electrolyte to pass therethrough. The permeability of the gel material is selected such that during charging of the battery, oxygen generated by the anode exerts sufficient pressure at the interface of the anode separator and gel material to cause electrolyte to be recirculated through the edges of the cloth anode separator to the opposite layer thereof, thereby preventing depletion of electrolyte to the anode.

Abstract: A consumable anode of a reactive metal such as lithium is provided as a layer on a flexible, conductive substrate. The anode is preferably in the form of an elongated tape wound on a reel. The anode tape is fed from the reel into and through an elongated electrolyte reaction chamber formed between the surface of the anode tape and an opposed cathode. The ends of the compartment contain seals for retaining electrolyte between the electrodes. The tape is rewound on a driven take up reel.

Abstract: A metal-air battery power supply for powering a device includes an enclosed container having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an array of connected metal-air battery cells therein. The container is sealed during non-use. When a power switch is turned on, the air inlet and air outlet are opened. At the same time, the residual low power of the battery cells is used to start a fan positioned near the air inlet. The fan initiates an air flow across the battery cells to further increase the power supply output. The power supply output is limited to the use requirement of the device by varying the fan speed in response to instructions from the device. Precise control of the battery cells' exposure to air extends the lifetimes of the cells.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system is disclosed for controlling as a function of at least one selected engine parameter the ignition or spark instants of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder with a piston and a rotatable crankshaft coupled to the piston to be rotatably driven as combustions occur within the cylinder at spark instant. The crankshaft has at least one reference position defining a positional relationship of the crankshaft to the cylinder. The electronic ignition system comprises a rotor fixed to rotate with the crankshaft and having a plurality of reference indicia thereon positionally related with respect to the reference position. The reference indicia are disposed at points equally spaced from each other by a predetermined arc of crankshaft rotation about the rotor. At least one of the points has a missing indicium and is disposed in a predetermined relation to the reference position of the crankshaft.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system is disclosed for controlling as a function of a selected engine parameter the ignition instants of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston, a spark plug for effecting combustion in the cylinder and a rotatable crankshaft coupled to the piston to be rotatably driven as combustions within said cylinder occur at said ignition instants. The crankshaft has a reference position defining a positional relationship of the crankshaft to the cylinder. The ignition system includes an optical encoder directly coupled to the crankshaft for generating ignition signals upon the termination of a variable crankshaft arc beginning at a point fixed with respect to the reference position. The length of the crankshaft arc is set as a function of one or more selected engine parameters.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system is disclosed for controlling as a function of a selected engine parameter the ignition instant of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder and a piston disposed therein and coupled to a rotatable crankshaft of the engine to define a first reference position with respect to the crankshaft. The ignition instant occurs upon the termination of an arc of crankshaft rotation at a second variable position with respect to the first reference position. The arc of crankshaft rotation is initiated at a third reference position fixedly disposed before said first reference position considering the rotational direction of the crankshaft.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system is disclosed for controlling as a function of at least one selected engine parameter the ignition or spark instants of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder with a piston and a rotatable crankshaft coupled to the piston to be rotatably driven as combustions occur within the cylinder at spark instant. The crankshaft has at least one reference position defining a positional relationship of the crankshaft to the cylinder. The electronic ignition system comprises a rotor fixed to rotate with the crankshaft and having a plurality of reference indicia thereon positionally related with respect to the reference position. The reference indicia are disposed at points equally spaced from each other by a predetermined arc of crankshaft rotation about the rotor. At least one of the points has a missing indicium and is disposed in a predetermined relation to the reference position of the crankshaft.