Abstract: The disclosure provides an oscillatable body mounting a cylinder defining an elongated fluid pressure chamber having at least one end thereof remotely located with respect to the axis of oscillation. The elongated fluid pressure chamber accommodates a free piston which reciprocates along the length of the chamber according to fluid pressure applied thereto. Solenoid operated inlet and exhaust valves are provided at each end of the elongated fluid pressure chamber, and sensing devices, responsive to the passage of the free piston therethrough are disposed on opposite ends of the elongated fluid pressure chamber and adjacent the medial portions thereof to control the operation of the inlet and exhaust valves in accordance with the desired objective to either maximize the extraction of mechanical energy from a pressured gas in the form of oscillating movements of the body, or maximize the expansion of the pressured gas to derive the greatest possible cooling effect therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for a diesel engine is disclosed as having a single injector for injecting diesel fuel and alternative fuel into each combustion chamber of the engine in the form of a plume having diesel fuel at its tip so that the diesel fuel is ignited by the compression in the chamber and the alternative fuel is ignited by the ignition of the diesel fuel.

Abstract: A draft power sensor is shown which is capable of determining the amount of power being applied to the soil in earthmoving equipment. The effective draft force and the true ground speed of the earthmoving equipment are measured. This information is processed electronically to provide the product of the two values, which is the draft power. Production from earthmoving equipment can be maximized if the highest value of the draft power is maintained.

Abstract: Staged combustion apparatus is disclosed for generating repetitive explosions. The apparatus includes a first chamber in which a gas under pressure is ignited by an ignition source, such as a spark plug, and a second chamber in which gas under pressure is ignited by gas discharging from the first chamber. The second chamber includes a discharge outlet and a dump valve is provided responsive to the gas pressures in the two chambers for permitting the discharge of gas under pressure from the second chamber when it is ignited. The gas discharge, for example, may be conducted about the tooth of a ripper plow to aid in earth fracture.

Abstract: A highly responsive valve for exhausting high pressure combustion gases from a closed combustion chamber upon the occurrence of a predetermined pressure is disclosed. A valve housing defines a cylindrical pressure chamber adapted for connection to a combustion chamber. A cylindrical valve sleeve is reciprocably guided along the chamber interior wall from a first position blocking directionally oriented outlet ports in the chamber to a second position opening the outlet ports to rapidly discharge combustion gases from the pressure chamber. The lower edge of the sleeve seats against a cover plate in the first position and defines an annular pressure chamber with the grooved seat. A pilot valve houses a reciprocable piston which controls communication between the pressure chamber and the valve chamber.