Abstract: The device according to the invention detects deterioration of a catalytic converter disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine based on output signal response curves of the air-fuel ratio sensors disposed in the exhaust passage upstream and downstream of the catalytic converter, by determining that the catalytic converter has deteriorated when relationship of a ratio of the lengths of the output response curves of the upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors and a ratio of the areas bounded by the output signal response curves and reference lines satisfies predetermined conditions during air-fuel ratio feedback control of the engine; to eliminate errors the detection during a transition of the operating condition of the engine, the device also determine a degree of transition of the operating condition of the engine, for example, by detecting number of reversals of the output signal of the upstream air-fuel ratio sensor, and corrects the value of the ratio of the areas of the outpu

Abstract: An air fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having an electronic engine control module and an upstream and downstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor positioned in the engine exhaust gas stream. A first feedback loop includes the upstream EGO sensor. A second feedback loop includes a downstream EGO sensor and a trim bias signal to bias stored values provided from an air/fuel bias table. Such a biased signal is applied to an air fuel feedback controller which provides a feedback air fuel control signal to be applied to an open loop fuel controller.

Abstract: Monitoring a catalyst positioned downstream of a Y-shaped exhaust path includes positioning an exhaust gas oxygen sensor just upstream and just downstream of the catalyst and using the two sensors together to monitor catalyst activity. Such monitoring is discontinued when the exhaust gas oxygen sensor switching rate of the upstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor is below a minimum threshold value. The upstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor does not provide an air fuel ratio feedback signal but instead, such a signal is provided by two additional exhaust gas oxygen sensors, one sensor being positioned in each of the two legs of the Y exhaust path coming from the engine.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration-detecting device for an internal combustion engine has at least one catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage of the engine,for purifying exhaust gases emitted from the engine, first and second exhaust component concentration sensors arranged in the exhaust passage upstream and downstream of the catalyst, respectively. The catalyst deterioration-detecting device calculates an average value of an output value from the second exhaust component concentration sensor, calculates an output fluctuation width with respect to the average value, based on the output value from the second exhaust component concentration sensor, and determines whether the catalyst is deteriorated, based on the calculated average value and the calculated output fluctuation width. The detection of the catalyst deterioration is carried out when the engine is in a predetermined operating condition defined by engine temperature, engine speed and engine load.

Abstract: An automotive internal combustion engine is equipped with a hydrocarbon adsorber for the purpose of controlling the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons from the vehicle's tailpipe. Regeneration of the adsorber is achieved by an electronic engine controller operating an air pump and a sample pump, using information from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A control system and method maintains engine air/fuel operation near stoichiometry in response to exhaust gas oxygen sensors positioned both upstream and downstream of a catalytic converter. A converter efficiency test cycle is generated during air/fuel feedback control after engine operation occurs in a plurality of airflow ranges for a period determined by a count in transitions of a feedback variable derived from the upstream sensor. Upon each transition in the downstream sensor, the measurement of inducted airflow at which such transition occurred is accumulated. At the end of the test cycle, converter efficiency is determined by an average of such airflow accumulations.

Abstract: Monitoring a light-off catalyst in conjunction with an internal combustion engine includes providing exhaust gas oxygen sensors upstream and downstream of the light-off catalyst for monitoring operation of the catalyst. The monitoring is disabled when the mass air flow through the light-off catalyst is so high that the catalyst monitor is saturated and unable to detect the operation of the light-off catalyst.

Abstract: An energy management system for a hybrid vehicle having wheels drivingly connected to traction motors, which motors are alternatively energized by an internal combustion engine generator or an electrical storage battery. The system comprises an electrical storage battery, a high voltage electrically heated catalyst (300-400 volts) for treating the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine, a generator driven by the selective operation of the internal combustion engine to energize the traction motors and to sometimes produce electrical energy in excess of that consumed by the traction motors, and a high voltage controller for selectively transferring electrical energy generated by the internal combustion engine generator and the electrical energy produced by the traction motors when driven by the wheels to preferentially the electrically heated catalyst and secondarily to the storage battery.

Abstract: A gas-fired, condensing mode, hot air furnace has an exhaust passage for carrying the products of combustion from a gas burner to an exhaust flue. A heat exchanger is provided in the exhaust passage for extracting heat from the products of combustion. An air passage is provided for carrying a flow of air over the heat exchanger and a blower causes a flow of air through the air passage. The gas burner is enclosed and fires into the heat exchanger. A fresh air duct communicates with the burner enclosure for admitting fresh air thereto. A condenser is provided in the exhaust passage for removing water from the products of combustion, the condenser being exposed to the air passage. A second blower is provided in the exhaust passage for causing fluid flow therein from the fresh air inlet duct through the enclosure and the exhaust passage to the exhaust flue.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system is disclosed for heating a liquid and establishing and maintaining thermal stratification of the liquid in a storage tank. The tank, which may store hot water for domestic use, contains a vertical header assembly which functions to greatly reduce the momentum of incoming heated water and to transport the water up or down in the tank to a distribution level containing water of temperature equal to that of the incoming water. Positioned outside the tank is a heat pipe heat exchanger for heating storage liquid withdrawn from the tank. A solar-heated working fluid is circulated through one chamber of the heat exchanger to vaporize a heat pipe fluid. The heat pipe fluid in turn heats storage liquid pumped through a separate chamber of the heat exchanger from a lower part of the storage tank, after which the heated storage liquid is returned to the tank and distributed by means of the vertical header assembly.

Abstract: An improved metering valve, or flush valve, incorporates a rolling diaphragm mechanism of a cylindrical elastromeric material providing a smoothly transitioning flow rate control from the full open to the full close position. The rolling diaphragm sealing means is actuated by a floating cup driven by the differential pressure between the valve fluid inlet and an intermediate actuation control chamber. The valve control is spring biased to the normally closed position and is actuated by dumping all fluid from the control chamber through a poppet mechanism which is triggered mechanically through a sealing diaphragm. Upon dumping fluid from the metering chamber, the actuating cup is compressed by the pressure of the inlet fluids to roll the diaphragm to a substantially open position.

Abstract: A dual adjustable gas intake assembly for a barbecue grill which can be utilized with various types of gas barbecue grill burners. A venturi tube and a supply tube are connected by a flexible section which will provide both horizontal and vertical adjustment of the supply tube. The flexible section is provided by flexible metal tubing. In one embodiment the supply tube has two flexible sections with a rigid curved section in between. In another embodiment the supply tube is entirely provided by a section of flexible metal tubing.

Abstract: A system for heating a building adapted to confine animals includes a solar collector, means for storing the heat absorbed by the collector and heat radiating floor mats which use such heat. The collector includes panels each having lightweight, clear, parallel plastic tubes secured at their ends to headers of similar material. The tubes are disposed in troughs in the panel base having inclined reflective side walls to concentrate reflected solar energy on the tubes. The heat radiating floor mats comprise tubes and headers like those used in the solar collector panels.

Abstract: This invention is a household stove for heating the household air; including a fire box surrounded by a jacket, through which the room air circulates, and a duct unit attached to a cold air intake side of the jacket, the duct unit including branches to collect cold air from distant areas of the room.

Abstract: A dual-rate fuel flow control system for the gaseous or liquid fuel supplied to the burner of a space heater, comprising a valve controllable to supply full fuel flow to the burner at the start of a heating cycle to deliver full heat to the heat exchanger chamber in which circulates the heat transfer fluid, and controllable to supply reduced fuel flow to the burner simultaneously with starting the circulating of the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger to the space to be heated.

Abstract: This invention discloses a solar heat collector and system in which radiant heat energy is absorbed by an absorber plate and the heat is transferred by conduction to a circulating fluid. During normal operation, heat loss from the solar panel is reduced by covering the upper side of the absorber plate with an inflatable transparent cover, and also covering the rear side of the panel with an insulating material which can be an inflatable insulating bladder.The invention pertains more particularly to a solar heat collector which can be inactivated to avoid it attaining excessive temperatures by deflating the flexible transparent cover and allowing it to settle close to the absorber plate, thereby establishing increased heat transfer by conductive and convective processes from the absorber plate to the environment. The deflated cover permits sufficient heat rejection to prevent the plate from attaining excessive temperatures during its inactive or stagnant operating mode.

Abstract: A device for chasing a moving light source includes a plurality of photosensors arranged in elaborated positions for accurate operation. A top plate is formed with a calibrated cruciform opening to minimize indirect light tending to enter the device. Some of the photosensors expected to receive direct light through the cruciform opening are adjustable in position in two perpendicular directions relative to the remaining part of the device. The device can be disassembled for ease of production, maintenance, etc.

Abstract: A solar powered fluid heating system includes a thermal collector for vaporizing a refrigerant, a separator for removing any liquid component from the vapor component of the heated refrigerant, and a condenser for transferring heat from the refrigerant vapor to a fluid thereby returning the refrigerant to the liquid phase. Liquid refrigerant is returned from the condenser to the separator, and from the separator to the thermal collector. A pump or a compressor is used to force refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. The pump or the compressor is actuated by solar energy which is received either from an array of photovoltaic cells or from a generator driven by a turbine which is in turn driven by refrigerant vapor flowing from the separator to the condenser. Secondary refrigerant circuits may be utilized to preheat the refrigerant in the thermal collector, or to exhaust excess heat therefrom, or both.

Abstract: This invention discloses a solar heat collector and system in which radiant heat energy is absorbed by an absorber plate and the heat is transferred by conduction to a circulating fluid. During normal operation, heat loss from the solar panel is reduced by covering the upper side of the absorber plate with an inflatable transparent cover, and also covering the rear side of the panel with an insulating material which can be an inflatable insulating bladder.The invention pertains more particularly to a solar heat collector which can be inactivated to avoid it attaining excessive temperatures by deflating the flexible transparent cover and allowing it to settle close to the absorber plate, thereby establishing increased heat transfer by conductive and convective processes from the absorber plate to the environment. The deflated cover permits sufficient heat rejection to prevent the plate from attaining excessive temperatures during its inactive or stagnant operating mode.

Abstract: A solar heat exchanger having a mesh sandwiched between two thin films for transfer of radiant solar energy to a fluid drawn through the mesh by suction.