Abstract: A moving magnet actuator (MMA) includes a magnetically conductive end-ring that is spaced from a magnet pole piece. The end-ring is constructed and spaced to provide a desired counter or anti-cogging force when the MMA is in a powered state. The MMA is also constructed such that a central portion of its armature stroke is axially displaced from a radial centerline of the magnetically conductive conduit enclosing the MMA components.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system is proposed in which the latent heat of fusion of common salts is used to store energy within a selectable temperature range, extending both above and below the melting/freezing temperature zone of the salt mixture. The salt mixture occupies interstitial void spaces in a solid endostructure. The solid material remains in the solid state throughout the thermal cycling of the energy storage system, and preferably has properties of thermal conduction and specific heat that enhance the behavior of the salt mixture alone, while being chemically compatible with all materials in the storage system. The storage system is capable of accepting and delivering heat at high rates, thereby allowing power generation using a suitable energy transfer media to power a turbine of an electric generator or a process heat need to provide a relatively local, dispatchable, rechargeable thermal storage system, combined with a suitably sized generator.

Abstract: A flow sensing dual pump switching system and method are provided that control the supply of fuel from a dual pump fuel system to a fuel metering unit. The system senses bypass pressure from the fuel metering unit to control the differential pressurization of the second pump. As the bypass is reduced, the pressure of the second pump is increased so that it may be added to that of the first pump to supply the increased fuel consumption needs of an engine. As the fuel consumption needs decrease, the flow from the second pump added to the first pump is reduced and the differential pressure of the second pump is similarly reduced. If the bypass pressure remains high, the switching system disconnects the output of the second pump from that of the first in favor of bypassing the flow to its input to reduce its differential pressure and conserve energy.

Abstract: A semi-tubular vane air swirler is provided. In one embodiment the air swirler is a deep drawn sheet metal component having a first and a second set of semi-tubular vanes formed therein. In one embodiment the semi-tubular air vanes include a first and a second portion formed by upsetting the sheet metal in opposing directions to create mirrored vane geometry, thereby doubling the open area of the vane.

Abstract: A dual-pump fluid distribution system that includes a first pump having an inlet and an outlet, and configured to supply a first flow of fluid, and a second pump having an inlet and an outlet, and configured to supply a second flow of fluid. In an embodiment, a bypass flow valve with a four-way hydraulic bridge is configured to initiate the switch between single-pump mode and dual-pump mode based on fluid flow demand. The bypass flow valve is configured such that the position of the bypass flow valve member relative to the four-way hydraulic bridge operates a pump selector valve. In an embodiment, the pump selector valve has a valve member, a biasing element, and a pressure switching port, and is configured such that the position of the valve member determines whether the second flow of fluid is combined with the first flow of fluid.

Abstract: An automatic variable gain amplifier is provided. The automatic variable gain amplifier automatically adjusts the amplification of a signal, and in one embodiment, an ion signal, based on the amplitude of the peaks of the signal. The automatic variable gain amplifier detects the peaks of the signal, compares them to a threshold value, and, based on this comparison, varies the amount by which the signal is amplified. The automatic variable gain amplifier produces a composite output waveform for an input waveform with an amplitude that may vary over a plurality of orders of magnitude.

Abstract: A self power circuit for ion sense circuitry is provided. The self power circuit is configured to supply the voltages required to generate and measure an ion current flow in a combustion chamber of an engine. The power circuit stores power from the current flow in the ignition coil secondary circuit during at least a portion of a sparking period for use during the ion current measurement period between sparking events. Ion current generation voltage as well as positive and negative sensor circuit power supply voltages are generated in one embodiment.

Abstract: A regeneration control system for use with a diesel engine having a diesel particulate filter is provided. This regeneration control system utilizes a wide band oxygen sensor placed in the exhaust stream upstream of a regeneration device, as well as an engine speed sensor, to determine when to initiate the regeneration event, and for controlling the regeneration device to ensure proper regeneration of the diesel particulate filter. The after treatment controller utilizes the percent oxygen signal to calculate or otherwise determine the percentage load at which the diesel engine is operating. This information along with the engine speed information allows the after treatment controller to calculate or otherwise determine exhaust parameters necessary for proper control of the regeneration device.

Abstract: A dual-supply fluid distribution system includes a first pump having an inlet and an outlet. The first pump is configured to supply a first fluid flow. A second pump has an inlet and an outlet, and is configured to supply a second fluid flow. A check valve is coupled between the first and second pump outlets. The check valve is configured to combine the second fluid flow with the first fluid. A bypass valve is coupled to the outlet of the first pump. The bypass valve has an integral pilot valve and is configured to permit fluid flow from the pump outlets in excess of the fluid demand to recirculate back to the first and second pump inlets. The bypass valve and integral pilot valve are configured to cause the check valve to open when the flow of fluid through the bypass valve is below a threshold amount.

Abstract: A variable performance valve for use in a fuel nozzle is presented. The valve includes a spring, an inner spool having a port, an outer sleeve, and an orifice, which in a fuel nozzle application may be a calibration orifice. In a low flow condition, the inlet to downstream pressure is the spring force divided by the area on which the pressure acts. At low flow the orifice does not cause any appreciable pressure drop. As the flow increases, a pressure drop develops across the orifice. Since the pressure drop across the valve cannot be greater than the spring force divided by valve area, the valve is forced to open to compensate. As flow is increased, the valve will stroke completely open and the pressure drop at the port becomes negligible and the pressure drop across the orifice is nearly 100% of the pressure drop across the valve.

Abstract: A fuel injector having a body with a bore, which defines a fuel manifold. The injector also has a variable-area injector arrangement having a pintle with a conical head and a pintle spring connected to the body. The pintle spring urges a tip of the pintle to seal against an exit orifice of the body, such that application of pressurized fuel within the body causes the pintle to move. Above some threshold pressure, the pressurized fuel causes the conical head to move out of contact with the exit orifice of the body. This, in turn, provides a corresponding variable area for passage of the pressurized fuel through the exit orifice about the conical head of the pintle. The injector further includes a swirler configured to create a swirling action in the flow of pressurized fuel through the fuel manifold, wherein the manifold is upstream of the exit orifice.

Abstract: A controller moves a solenoid operated valve with a first solenoid operating pulse during a travel time. After a time interval, the controller applies a second pulse, which moves the valve towards its original position. The time interval may be varied, and a characteristic indicative of the return of the valve to the original position may be detected based on a comparison of the pulses.

Abstract: A self charging ion current sensing circuit is provided. The self charging ion current sensing circuit is coupled to spark generation circuitry, and utilizes the spark plug electrodes as the ion current sensing electrodes. The self charging is achieved by utilizing the spark current during an ignition event to charge an ion bias capacitor. After the ignition event, the charge voltage build up on the ion bias capacitor is used to provide an ion current across the spark plug gap. The ion current is passed through an offset stage that translates the ion current sense voltage to a voltage that can be buffered and amplified from a single power source available in automotive and vehicular applications. The output of the circuit provides tri-state information, including spark current, null current, and linear representation of ion sense current.

Abstract: A nested fuel injector that includes an injector housing having a bore longitudinally therethrough, and a pintle assembled to the housing and positioned substantially within the bore. The pintle has a head located at an end of a cylindrical portion, wherein the head is seated in one end of the bore, and the seating of the head defines a variable-area exit orifice. A wave spring is assembled onto the pintle and configured to urge the pintle into the seating position. The bore is configured for the passage of a pressurized flow of fuel. The fuel pressure urges the pintle head away from the exit orifice to permit the pressurized fuel to flow from the bore out through the exit orifice.

Abstract: An electrode for a spark plug includes a contact portion. In a particular embodiment, the electrode further includes an annular base and a support portion formed from a different material than the contact portion. The contact portion may be aligned axially with a central axis of the annular base. Further, the contact portion is configured to shield the annular base and the support portion from a second electrode inserted into the annular base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing particulates within an exhaust flow are provided. The methods and apparatus utilize a soot sensor that includes opposed electrodes separated by an insulator. Preferably, a gap is formed between the electrodes and the insulator to prevent electrical current from flowing therebetween. The soot sensor, when positioned in an exhaust flow, will accumulate a layer of particulates on an outer surface thereof. As the layer of particulates increases the particulates will bridge the two electrodes permitting current flow. The sensor is configured with a proper geometry and potential difference between the electrodes to generate currents in the milli-amp range. Further, the sensor is configured to have a regenerative effect that causes the bridge to be broken when particles sees to impinge the soot sensor.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode for a spark plug is provided. The method includes machining locating holes within a blank material, inserting a rod of a different material into the locating holes and brazing the rod to the blank. An electrode receiving aperture is machined into the blank. The step of machining the aperture exposes a surface of the rod to form a contact portion of the electrode.

Abstract: A multiplexing drive circuit for an AC ignition system having a common leg that includes two switches coupled in series, and one or more dedicated legs, wherein each leg includes two switches coupled in series. The multiplexing drive circuit also includes a transformer for each of the one or more dedicated legs, each transformer having a primary winding coupled between one of the one or more dedicated legs and the common leg, and wherein each transformer has a secondary winding coupled in parallel to a spark plug, and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) switch controller configured to operate the common leg and dedicated leg switches to control characteristics of the spark discharge for the spark plug.

Abstract: A pump including a pressure plate having two inlets and outlets, wherein each inlet has an auxiliary intake port in fluid communication with the inlet, and each outlet has an auxiliary discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet, and a cam/rotor assembly attached to the pressure plate. The cam/rotor assembly includes a rotatable cam having an opening, a rotor within the cam opening, the rotor having multiple radial slots, and multiple vanes that move within the slots, wherein a pumping chamber is defined by a space between rotor and cam. Rotor rotation within the cam causes the vanes to extend and retract within the pumping chamber. The movement of the vanes discharges into the outlets and auxiliary discharge ports a fluid drawn into the pumping chamber via inlets and auxiliary intake ports. The auxiliary inlet and auxiliary discharge ports reduce pressure pulsations in a variable displacement dual-lobe vane pump.

Abstract: A roller pin for carrying a cam roller in a tappet assembly is provided. The roller pin providing reduced run in time and reduced peak and localized contact pressure between the cam roller and roller pin. The roller pin comprises a substantially cylindrical shaft having a length, a first end and a second end. The length extends from the first end to the second end. The shaft includes a plurality of grooves axially spaced apart and extending in a direction being transverse to the length. The plurality of grooves located proximate the first and second ends and extending only partially the circumference of the shaft.