Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injection system and method of operating the fuel injection system. The fuel injection system includes at least one hydraulically actuated fuel injector fluidly connected with a source of high pressure actuation fluid. A viscosity sensor determines the viscosity of the hydraulically actuated fuel injector. A controller in communication with the fuel injector and the viscosity sensor is configured to determine the rate of change of the viscosity of the high pressure hydraulic actuation fluid. The supply of high pressure actuated fluid to the fuel injector is based, at least in part, on the rate of change of the determined viscosity of the high pressure actuation fluid.

Abstract: A sensor package for proximity detectors adapted for use with materials having a significant angle of repose. The sensor package includes a hollow housing defining a cylindrical main body adapted to house proximity detection circuitry and a non-planar tip disposed on one end of the housing adjacent the main body. The tip portion is preferably tapered in its diameter from a dimension generally equal to the diameter of the main body to a dimension less than the diameter of the main body. The tip is adapted to house a sensing element electrically coupled to the proximity detection circuitry and disposed on an inner bottom surface of the tip portion. Preferably, the taper of the tip is selected to substantially match the angle of repose of the materials to be sensed, and may take on a wide variety of shapes including cone, frustum, pyramid, round and hemispherical.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel injector that defines an actuation fluid cavity, a fuel inlet and a nozzle outlet. A source of relatively high pressure actuation fluid is connected to the actuation fluid cavity via an actuation fluid supply passage. A fuel fluid supply passage extends between the fuel inlet and a source of relatively low pressure fuel fluid. A mechanically actuated valve is attached to the actuation fluid supply passage, and is moveable between an open position in which the actuation fluid supply passage is open and a closed position in which the actuation fluid supply passage is closed.

Abstract: A user input device is disclosed adapting the electronic components of a time-domain reflectometry material level sensor to replace traditional user input devices such as push-buttons, control knobs, and variable sliders. An electrical conductor is arrayed beneath an input panel, such that when a high permittivity or high conductivity material is placed in proximity to the conductor, the characteristic impedance of the conductor is altered at that point, reflecting electronic pulses transmitted through the conductor. The reflected electronic pulse is received by the associated electronics, and the position of the material along the conductor subsequently determined. By segmenting the conductor into virtual regions, each corresponding to an individual "button", discrete input may be received by the device based upon the placement of the material within specific virtual regions.

Abstract: This oil level control device is for a refrigeration system, the control device being attached between the compressor and the oil supply. The control device includes a housing having an inlet communicating with the oil supply and an outlet communicating with a compressor sump; and a solenoid valve controlling flow from the oil supply into the compressor sump. A sensing chamber having a fixed probe providing a proximity detection system detects the oil level in the sump and responds to a change in the complex permittivity of the oil as the oil level rises and falls to generate a signal that controls the supply of oil to maintain the oil level in the compressor. Circuitry is provided having an input connected to the output of the sensor and an output connected to the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine includes the stop of generating a first injection pulse with an engine control module. The method also includes the step of injecting fuel into a cylinder of the engine in response to generation of the first injection pulse. The method further includes the step of detecting when fuel is injected into the cylinder and generating a control signal in response thereto. Moreover, the method includes the step of determining a time period between generation of the first injection pulse and generation of the control signal. The method also includes the step of adjusting initiation of a second injection pulse based on the time period. An apparatus for controlling a fuel injector assembly of an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a fuel injector that defines an actuation fluid cavity, a fuel inlet and a nozzle outlet. A source of relatively high pressure actuation fluid is connected to the actuation fluid cavity via an actuation fluid supply passage. A fuel fluid supply passage extends between the fuel inlet and a source of relatively low pressure fuel fluid. A mechanically actuated valve is attached to the actuation fluid supply passage, and is moveable between an open position in which the actuation fluid supply passage is open and a closed position in which the actuation fluid supply passage is closed.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled heavy fuel oil injection system comprises a pumping chamber for pressurizing fuel and a direct-operated check for controlling fuel injection. A control fluid different from the fuel is used to operate regulating apparatus for controlling the fuel injection pressure and fuel injection timing. The regulating apparatus are isolated from the high viscosity, heavy fuel oil. Pressurization of fuel begins before the start of fuel injection. Fuel injection is initiated by exposing one end of the check to low pressure control fluid while the other end is exposed to high pressure fuel. Fuel injection is terminated by exposing the one check end to high pressure control fluid to hydraulically balance the check and allow a biasing device to close the check.

Abstract: Centering spring devices are useful in hydraulic control valves for returning the valve to the neutral position under both normal and abnormal operating conditions. Since the actuator moving the valve spool must work against the spring centering device, electrically actuated hydraulic valves have been limited to small sizes. The subject hydraulic control valve incorporates a centering spring device that can be controllably disabled so that the valve spool can be freely moved between the neutral and operating positions. In one embodiment, a centering spring is disabled by hydraulically moving the spring retainers toward each other to compress the spring with hydraulic fluid controlled by a solenoid valve. Maintaining the spring in a compressed condition permits the valve spool to be moved with a smaller actuator thereby making it feasible to control the valve position with an electrical actuator.

Abstract: The disclosed system comprises a testing system which measures the stability of a moving target indicator radar transmitter. It automatically measures the imperfections of its internal in-phase (I)/quadrature (Q) demodulator, and it consists of a control computer, a synchronizer, a frequency synthesizer, an IQ demodulator, a low noise amplifier and a waveform recorder. A unit under test is inserted across the test set for measurement and calibration. The system set has the following features: (a) An automatic calibration routine that requires a tunable RF source. This source provides the RF drive to the UUT. (b) A discontinuous analog to digital (A/D) sample clock that has a precise controllable relationship with the RF pulse. The A/D sample clock samples only during the presence of the RF. (c) A method for computing stability using a table of amplitude and phase weighting coefficients and pulse positions. This table is generated by the user and any desired combination of values is possible.

Abstract: An electrical pressure switch is used on a hydraulic system to indicate the presence of a minimum operating pressure. The hydraulic fluid acts on a piston to move the piston against a force exerted by a calibration spring. Movement of the piston ultimately closes the contacts of a switch, thereby delivering an electrical signal indicative of minimum operating pressure. A check valve moves in concert with the piston and isolates the internal structure of the pressure switch from escalating hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: In the present invention, the temperatures of cooling passages in a gas turbine engine blade are changed, as by forcing a heated gas through them. The infrared signatures of the channels are measured during the initial temperature transient of the channels and the signatures are compared with a reference. The reference may be the signature of other channels on the same blade.