Abstract: In a system for providing electrolyte to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine, a water store is in communication with a water supply line, for replenishing the level of electrolyte solution used by the electrolysis cell. A valve which may be disposed at a level below the level of the water supply line and is opened, for example upon deactivation of the engine, to drain the water out of the water supply line and prevent freezing in sub-freezing temperatures.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon vapour filter system for capturing vapour released from a fuel tank. The system contains a vapour line in vapour-tight communication with the fuel tank, having a vapour capture segment for capturing fuel vapour, and in the preferred embodiment a purging stage releasing the fuel vapour. During engine operation captured fuel vapour can be released from the vapour capture line into air drawn into the engine intake manifold.

Abstract: A multi-tiered rotary workstation comprises at least two rotary work spaces supported at different levels, with associated workstation floors, substantial increasing the amount of work space available within a fixed floor space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for providing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine. A hydrogen storage reservoir in communication with the gas output port stores a supply of hydrogen, and a hydrogen storage release valve retains the hydrogen in the storage reservoir and selectively releases hydrogen from the storage reservoir when the engine is started. In the preferred embodiment the system comprises an electrolysis cell that produces hydrogen when the engine is warm, and hydrogen is released from the storage reservoir when the system is active but the electrolysis cell is not producing hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for providing electrolyte to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine. The system includes an electrolysis cell having an electrolyte input port, an electrolyte output port and at least one working gas output port. The electrolyte output port communicates with a storage reservoir. A coolant liquid conduit is in thermal communication with the electrolyte solution and in fluid communication with a portion of the engine coolant system in which the coolant liquid has been heated by the engine when the engine is running. To heat up the electrolyte solution and improve the efficiency of electrolysis, the heated liquid coolant is diverted from the engine coolant system and circulated through the heating system to transfer heat to the liquid containing the electrolyte.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon vapour filter system for capturing vapour released from a fuel tank. The system contains a vapour line in vapour-tight communication with the fuel tank, having a vapour capture segment for capturing fuel vapour, and in in the preferred embodiment a purging stage releasing the fuel vapour. During engine operation captured fuel vapour can be released from the vapour capture line into air drawn into the engine intake manifold.

Abstract: In a system for providing electrolyte to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine, a water store is in communication with a water supply line, for replenishing the level of electrolyte solution used by the electrolysis cell. A valve which may be disposed at a level below the level of the water supply line and is opened, for example upon deactivation of the engine, to drain the water out of the water supply line and prevent freezing in sub-freezing temperatures.

Abstract: A method of producing a stamped composite part, the method comprising spot welding two or more metal component parts to each other to hold the component parts in a selected position as a composite part, heating the composite part, and stamping the composite part into a desired shape. The invention also contemplates the further step of welding the two or more metal component parts to each other in the composite part.

Abstract: A multi-tiered rotary workstation comprises at least two rotary work spaces supported at different levels, with associated workstation floors, substantial increasing the amount of work space available within a fixed floor space.

Abstract: This invention provides a validating device for validating at least one dimension of a part as being at least a minimum magnitude. It may also validate a dimension of a part as being no greater than a maximum magnitude or between a minimum magnitude and maximum magnitude. The validating device includes a frame having a cavity and employs a plunger and a sensor. One portion of the plunger engages the part and another portion activates the sensor. When the sensor activates, it indicates that the dimension of the part is at least the minimum magnitude. The cavity for receiving the part may be sized to correspond with maximum magnitudes for the same dimension and/or other dimensions for the part such that the part cannot fit in the cavity if a dimension exceeds its maximum magnitude and therefore the sensor cannot be activated and the part cannot be validated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fluid conduit assembly and testing the fluid conduit for leaks. Clipping devices support fasteners at a position remote from the conduit. According to the invention the fasteners can be loaded into clip nests provided by the clipping devices while leak testing of the conduit is performed. The performance of these steps simultaneously effectively eliminates the conventional requirement of pre-loading installation fasteners into the leak testing apparatus, and thus reduces the overall time required for the testing and assembly of fluid conduits by approximately one third. If the leak test is successful, all of the fasteners are then moved to the conduits and closed to integrate the conduit assembly.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle comprises a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions. A hitch receiver is mounted to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure. The end portions each include a mounting section with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with horizontally extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fluid conduit assembly and testing the fluid conduit for leaks. Clipping devices support fasteners at a position remote from the conduit. According to the invention the fasteners can be loaded into clip nests provided by the clipping devices while leak testing of the conduit is performed. The performance of these steps simultaneously effectively eliminates the conventional requirement of pre-loading installation fasteners into the leak testing apparatus, and thus reduces the overall time required for the testing and assembly of fluid conduits by approximately one third. If the leak test is successful, all of the fasteners are then moved to the conduits and closed to integrate the conduit assembly.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle comprises a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions. A hitch receiver is mounted to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure. The end portions each include a mounting section with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with horizontally extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bending system comprising a series of bending stations, each equipped with a bending head. Workpieces are conveyed from one bending station to the next by grippers suspended from a two-axis gantry, that preferably grasp the workpiece at an intermediate portion. Each bending head grasps the tube at a different intermediate position, and in the preferred embodiment each bending station is capable of rotating to position the bending dye such that the free end of the workpiece being bent can be oriented in the bending plane without interference by an adjacent bending station. These features reduce the space requirements of the system considerably. A multi-level dispensing apparatus may be provided to load the bending heads. The bending system is preferably operated by computer, allowing the bending of long workpieces to precise configurations under the control of a single operator.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle comprises a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions. A hitch receiver is mounted to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure. The end portions each include a mounting section with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with horizontally extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle.

Abstract: A magnetic resiliency suspension system for a motor vehicle. The suspension system includes a damping device such as a shock absorber. Magnets are arranged on the damping device such that like magnetic poles are adjacent to and oppose each other, creating a magnetic resilient bias. When the damping device is compressed in response to forces on the vehicle, the magnetic resilient bias acts to restore the damping device to its uncompressed state.