Abstract: A combination of an engine and a pump. An integral first housing section defines a portion of both the engine housing and the pump housing and has a first major surface which defines a portion of the interior engine housing surface and an oppositely disposed second surface which defines a portion of the interior pump housing surface. The first housing section has an opening and a first bearing is disposed therein. The crankshaft extends through the opening and is supported by the first bearing. A pump driving mechanism, such as a wobble plate or camming member, is coupled with the freely extending length of the crankshaft projecting beyond the first bearing. The first major surface may define an oil sump within the engine and an oil passage extending between the first and second major surfaces may communicate oil between the engine and the pump.

Abstract: A scroll compressor having fixed and orbiting scrolls. The scrolls are disposed within a housing which defines a plenum having an oil sump. A shaft is coupled at one end to the orbiting scroll and is also coupled to a motor located in the housing. A bearing support is secured within the housing and has a central boss with a bearing mounted therein. The bearing supports the shaft opposite the orbiting scroll. The bearing support includes an outer ring and a plurality of support arms extending from the outer ring to the boss. The lowermost portion of the outer ring freely extends for an arc of approximately 120 degrees between adjacent support arms. The lowermost portion of the outer ring is disposed within the oil sump and includes a recessed portion defining a passage between the outer ring and housing for communicating lubricating oil.

Abstract: A vapor compression system including a refrigerant circuit having operably coupled thereto, in serial order, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. A valve is disposed within refrigerant circuit between first heat exchanger and expansion device, and has a first position and a second position. A defrost circuit having operably coupled thereto a third heat exchanger defines an inlet in fluid communication with refrigerant circuit through valve when valve is in second position, and an outlet disposed in refrigerant circuit between inlet and expansion device. A check valve is disposed in defrost circuit between third heat exchanger and outlet. The check valve allows refrigerant to return to refrigerant circuit through outlet and prevents refrigerant from entering third heat exchanger via outlet. The refrigerant flows through third heat exchanger and second heat exchanger when valve is in second position.

Abstract: Piston stroke recognition methods for small internal combustion engines, such as single and two cylinder engines, in which the ignition-related trigger pulses corresponding to the engine cylinders are the only input signal used for stroke recognition.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed compressor assembly including a housing, an electric motor disposed in the housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the motor, a cover attached to the housing and including an integral fitting having at least one clip therein. The clip is structured and arranged such that a conduit to be electrically connected to the compressor assembly enters the cover wherein the clip engages the conduit and prevents the egress of the conduit.

Abstract: A priming system for small internal combustion engines is operable at engine cranking speeds to prime the carburetor of the engine, and is automatically disabled at engine running speeds. The priming system includes a control valve having an air vane responsive to rotation of the engine flywheel such that, at engine cranking speeds, the air vane positions the control valve to direct pressure pulses from the crankcase breather valve to the fuel bowl of the carburetor for priming and, upon running of the engine, the air vane positions the control valve to divert the pressure pulses from the crankcase breather valve to the throat of the carburetor to recirculate the pressure pulses for combustion with the engine. The priming system also includes a temperature-responsive vent valve which is opened at warm engine temperatures to vent a substantial portion of the pressure pulses to the atmosphere to reduce the amount of priming and prevent flooding of the engine during hot re-starts of the engine.

Abstract: A push button air primer including a priming piston slidably housed in a primer housing and a sealing piston slidably housed in the priming piston. To prime the carburetor, the operator depresses the priming piston causing both priming piston and sealing piston to slide within the primer housing until the sealing piston bears against the carburetor body to seal an opening to an internal vent passage. Further movement of the priming piston forces air from the housing into a fuel bowl, thereby pressurizing the fuel bowl and causing fuel to move from the fuel bowl into the throat of the carburetor.

Abstract: An air cleaner for small internal combustion engines, including a removable or replaceable air cleaner element detachably mounted within an air cleaner cavity which is defined at least on part by the shroud of the engine. The air cleaner element includes engagement structure for releasable engagement with a wall of the air cleaner cavity to permit mounting of the sir cleaner element within the cavity, and removal of the air cleaner element from the cavity, without the use of tools. In addition, a cover is provided for releasably engaging the air cleaner cavity to cover the air cleaner element.

Abstract: A push button air primer is provided for a carburetor used with a small internal combustion engine. The carburetor includes a primer chamber having a piston sealingly and slidably movable therein, with a return spring biasing the piston outwardly of the carburetor. The piston is depressible by an operator such that, upon initial depression of the piston, a portion of the piston slides past a plurality of vent holes in the wall of the primer chamber to block communication between the primer chamber and an internal vent passage within the carburetor which leads to the carburetor throat and thence to the atmosphere. Thereafter, further depression of the piston reduces the volume of the primer chamber and forces a quantity of air from the primer chamber into the fuel bowl of the carburetor, thereby pressurizing the air space in the carburetor to force a quantity of liquid fuel into the throat of the carburetor to aid in engine starting.

Abstract: A primer assembly is provided including a resilient primer bulb which, along with the carburetor body, defines a variable volume priming chamber. A plunger or blocking element is slidably disposed within the priming chamber. Upon initial depression of the primer bulb, the primer bulb engages and depresses the plunger element toward the carburetor body to seal off an internal vent passage from the primer chamber and the fuel bowl. Thereafter, further depression of the primer bulb forces air from within the primer chamber into the fuel bowl to pressurize the fuel bowl and force an amount of fuel into the throat of the carburetor for priming. Advantageously, the plunger element functions to effectively seal the internal vent passageway from the primer chamber and fuel bowl regardless of the direction from which the primer bulb is depressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing properties of materials under operating conditions of the materials. The apparatus includes a hermetically sealed vessel in which a tribology tester is mounted. The tribology tester includes a pair of lever arms having first and second ends with the first end of each lever being pivotally connected. A spring is located between the second end of each of the lever arms with a test block assembly being mounted between the lever arms in a position between the pivotal connection and the spring. The test block assembly includes a pair of test blocks and a pin with the spring biasing the test blocks into contact with the pin. Drive means, such as a motor, is magnetically coupled to the tribology tester to rotatively drive the pin against the test blocks to test the properties of the materials.

Abstract: A modular hydrostatic transaxle includes an axle module removably connected to a hydrostatic transmission module. The axle module includes a differential connected to a reduction gear train and disposed in an axle casing. A pair of axles are connected to the differential and supported within the axle casing. The hydrostatic transmission module comprises a transmission casing separate from the axle casing. The hydraulic motor output connection includes a shaft piloted to an input drive of the reduction gear train, which constitutes the alignment mechanism of the transmission and axle modules. A portion of the pump and motor block forms an inclined surface which supports a face of a thrust bearing. At least one homogeneous low friction bearing strip is confined between the swash plate and the interior portion of the casing. A disconnect mechanism includes a spring that urges a sleeve to engage the output and input shafts.

Abstract: A fuel injector including a piezoelectric actuator directly attached to a metering rod wherein when the actuator is distorted in proportion to an input voltage, the metering rod moves to vary the size of a discharge spray orifice. The input voltage, and therefore the distortion of the actuator, may be varied in accordance with the readings from a throttle position sensor or an oxygen sensor, for example. A dual actuator type of fuel injector is also provided which has an injector body in engagement with the combustion chamber and a fuel chamber therein to receive low pressure fuel. A piezoelectric actuator moves a piston to close the fuel chamber inlet and pressurize the fuel therein. A second piezoelectric actuator moves the metering rod to open the discharge orifice. The amount of distortion of the respective actuators effects proportional movement of the piston or the metering rod.

Abstract: A method of draining and recharging a hermetic compressor with oil using a drainage assembly mounted in the compressor housing. The assembly includes a tube having a valve mounted at one end thereof with the second end of the tube located in the oil sump of the housing. To drain the compressor oil, refrigerant flowing through the discharge and suction lines is shut off. Refrigerant is purged from the housing to create a vacuum therein and the housing is charged with a gas such as dry air or nitrogen. As the compressor housing is charged with gas, the pressure inside the housing increases, forcing the oil through the drainage assembly and out of the compressor. To recharge the compressor with oil, the gases are purged creating a vacuum in the housing. A predetermined amount of oil is drawn into the housing through a service hose. The compressor is purged and recharged with refrigerant.

Abstract: A twin cylinder rotary compressor including first and second cylinders; a crankshaft having first and second eccentrics mounted thereon, the first eccentric disposed within the first cylinder, the second eccentric disposed within the second cylinder; and a separator plate disposed between the first and second cylinders and having a first piece and a complementary second piece. Each of the first and second pieces includes an interior surface defining a semi-circular recess. The interior surface and the semi-circular recess of the second piece is complementary to the interior surface and the semicircular recess of the first piece, respectively, such that the semi-circular recesses combine to form a circular bore, which closely captures a portion of the crankshaft located between the first and second eccentrics.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a fluid conveying conduit and a plurality of heat exchange elements thermally coupled with the conduit. The heat exchange elements have heat transfer surfaces that define at least one air flow passage through the heat exchanger that is non-perpendicularly aligned with the conduit. An air blower is operatively associated with the heat exchanger and generates airflow in a direction that is non-perpendicular to the heat exchanger conduit. The air flow direction generated by the blower and the air flow passage defined by the heat transfer surfaces through the heat exchanger may be substantially parallel or form an angle of no greater than approximately 30 degrees.

Abstract: A compression release mechanism for small internal combustion engines, including a compression release member having an auxiliary cam and a weight section. The compression release member is supported for rotation on an annular bearing surface which is in eccentric relation to the longitudinal axis of the engine camshaft. At engine cranking speeds, the compression release member rotates with the camshaft, and the auxiliary cam projects beyond the base circle of a cam lobe on the camshaft to periodically engage a valve to vent pressure from the engine combustion chamber during the compression stroke of the piston to aid in engine cranking. After the engine starts, rapid rotation of the camshaft causes the compression release member to rotate under the inertial load of the weight section thereof to a position in which the auxiliary cam is retracted within the base circle of the cam lobe such that combustion may proceed in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A powertrain module for a zero turn radius vehicle, such as a tractor or mower, the powertrain module generally including a structural member or mounting plate to which an engine, a pair of hydrostatic transmission modules, and a pair of axle drive units are attached to form a self-contained powertrain module which may be shipped as a single packaged unit for installation into the zero turn radius implement. The mounting plate provides structural rigidity between the powertrain components attached thereto, and the mounting plate of the powertrain module may be attached directly to the frame of the vehicle, or alternatively, may itself serve as a structural frame member for the vehicle.

Abstract: A priming system for a carburetor for small internal combustion engines, wherein the priming system is remotely actuated and includes an automatic primer disabling feature operative when the engine is in a warm condition to prevent the supply of an overly rich fuel/air mixture to the engine intake system during warm re-starts, for example.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston compressor having a suction muffler and a pair of discharge mufflers to attenuate noise created by the primary pumping frequency in the primary pumping pulse. The suction muffler is disposed along a suction tube extending between the motor cap and the cylinder head of the compressor. The discharge mufflers are positioned in series within the compressor to receive discharge gases from the compression mechanism and are spaced one quarter of a wavelength from each other so as to sequentially diminish the problematic or noisy frequencies created during compressor operation. The motor/compressor assembly including the motor and compression mechanism is mounted to the interior surface of the compressor housing by spring mounts. These mounted are secured to the housing to define the position of the nodes and anti-nodes of the frequency created in the housing to reduce noise produced by natural frequencies during compressor operation.