Abstract: A fluid mixing device that includes a housing having a fuel inlet and at least one primary orifice positioned at the inlet, wherein the at least one orifice configured to disperse a stream of fuel into a plurality of fuel droplets. The plurality of fuel droplets contact a fuel impingement surface to break up the plurality of fuel droplets into a plurality of smaller secondary droplets and create a thin film of secondary droplets on the impingement surface. At least one pressurized air channel delivers an airflow into contact with the secondary droplets. The secondary droplets pass through a plurality of secondary outlet orifices to exit the housing. A size of the plurality of secondary droplets is reduced when passing out of the plurality of secondary orifices.

Abstract: A metering system for a fuel atomizer includes a housing having a fuel inlet and an oxidizer inlet arranged coaxially, and an oxidizer metering device having a plurality of oxidizer channels, an oxidizer flow controller, and a fuel metering device. The oxidizer channels are spaced apart circumferentially in the housing and are arranged angled in at least one of a radially inward direction and a tangential direction to create a swirl of oxidizer flow in a mixing chamber of the fuel atomizer. The oxidizer flow controller is configured to control flow of oxidizer from the oxidizer inlet to the plurality of oxidizer channels. The fuel metering device is configured to control fuel flow from the fuel inlet to the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

Abstract: A metering system for a fluid atomizer includes a housing, first and second metering members, and at least one solenoid. The housing includes a mixing chamber. The first metering member is operable to control flow of a first fluid to the mixing chamber. The second metering member is arranged coaxial with the first metering member and operable to control flow of a second fluid to the mixing chamber. The at least one solenoid is configured to operate at least one of the first and second metering members.

Abstract: A metering system for a fluid atomizer includes a housing, first and second metering members, and at least one solenoid. The housing includes a mixing chamber. The first metering member is operable to control flow of a first fluid to the mixing chamber. The second metering member is arranged coaxial with the first metering member and operable to control flow of a second fluid to the mixing chamber. The at least one solenoid is configured to operate at least one of the first and second metering members.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

Abstract: A metering system for a fluid atomizer includes a housing, first and second metering members, and at least one solenoid. The housing includes a mixing chamber. The first metering member is operable to control flow of a first fluid to the mixing chamber. The second metering member is arranged coaxial with the first metering member and operable to control flow of a second fluid to the mixing chamber. The at least one solenoid is configured to operate at least one of the first and second metering members.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

Abstract: A metering system for a fluid atomizer includes a housing, first and second metering members, and at least one solenoid. The housing includes a mixing chamber. The first metering member is operable to control flow of a first fluid to the mixing chamber. The second metering member is arranged coaxial with the first metering member and operable to control flow of a second fluid to the mixing chamber. The at least one solenoid is configured to operate at least one of the first and second metering members.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fluid atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fluid atomizer, providing an initial air/fluid mixture with the fluid atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fluid atomizer.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel delivery to an engine includes providing a fuel atomizer, a mechanically driven air compressor, a start up air source, and an air valve coupled between the mechanically driven air compressor and the start up air source, charging the start up air source, delivering compressed air from the start up air source to the fuel atomizer, starting the engine using an air/fuel mixture provided by the fuel atomizer, and operating the air valve to direct compressed air from the mechanically driven air compressor to the fuel atomizer after the engine starts.

Abstract: A metering system includes a housing, a gas metering member, and a fuel metering member. The housing includes a first cavity arranged at a first non-parallel angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and a second cavity arranged at a second non-parallel angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The gas metering member is positioned in the first cavity and configured to control flow of gas to the fuel atomizer. The fuel metering member is positioned in the second cavity and configured to control flow of fuel to the fuel atomizer.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an input shaft, an output shaft, at least one first friction plate mounted to the input shaft, and at least one second friction plate mounted to the output shaft and spaced apart from the at least one first friction plate. The clutch assembly also includes a rheological fluid positioned between the at least one first friction plate and the at least one second friction plate, and a fluid activator configured to increase a viscosity of the rheological fluid to provide increased torque transfer from the at least one first friction plate to the at least one second friction plate.

Abstract: An air compressor includes a first compressor stage and at least one motor. The first compressor stage includes a first housing, a first drive plate, and a plurality of first pistons. The first drive plate is positioned in the first housing and includes an odd number of first lobes. The plurality of first pistons each contact the first drive plate at different locations relative to top dead center on the first lobes. The at least one motor is operable to rotate the first drive plate to move the plurality of first pistons to generate a volume of compressed air in the first housing.

Abstract: A metering system for a fuel atomizer includes a housing having a fuel inlet and an oxidizer inlet arranged coaxially, and an oxidizer metering device having a plurality of oxidizer channels, an oxidizer flow controller, and a fuel metering device. The oxidizer channels are spaced apart circumferentially in the housing and are arranged angled in at least one of a radially inward direction and a tangential direction to create a swirl of oxidizer flow in a mixing chamber of the fuel atomizer. The oxidizer flow controller is configured to control flow of oxidizer from the oxidizer inlet to the plurality of oxidizer channels. The fuel metering device is configured to control fuel flow from the fuel inlet to the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A fuel atomizer that includes a housing having a fuel inlet and at least one primary orifice positioned at the inlet, wherein the at least one orifice configured to disperse a stream of fuel into a plurality of fuel droplets. The plurality of fuel droplets contact a fuel impingement surface to break up the plurality of fuel droplets into a plurality of smaller secondary droplets and create a thin film of secondary droplets on the impingement surface. At least one pressurized air channel delivers an airflow into contact with the secondary droplets. The secondary droplets pass through a plurality of secondary outlet orifices to exit the housing. A size of the plurality of secondary droplets is reduced when passing out of the plurality of secondary orifices.