Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of controlling Erwinia amylovora with natural and synthetically-produced vinylglycines and variants thereof. As Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of the plant disease fire blight, by extension, this disclosure relates to methods of controlling fire blight with vinylglycines and variants thereof. This disclosure also relates to methods of controlling Erwinia amylovora, and by extension, fire blight, with vinylglycine-producing bacteria.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns specific herbicide molecules, herbicidal compositions comprising the molecules and the bacterial strains that produce certain of these molecules, and methods of using these molecules and bacterial strains to control grassy weeds and other sensitive weed species.

Abstract: A method of thermal management of a fuel cell transportation vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises directing a first air having a temperature less than a chamber temperature towards at least one surface of a chamber. At least a portion of the air is passed through at least one chamber wall to an interior of the chamber, reducing the surface temperature.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes a cylinder deactivation system mechanically coupled to an internal combustion engine, and electrically coupled to an engine management system. The engine management system signals the cylinder deactivation system to selectively deactivate one or more engine cylinders. The engine continues to operate using the remaining available active engine cylinders, and generates an inconsistent torque output. A torque-smoothing device mechanically coupled to the engine, and electrically or hydraulically coupled to an energy storage device, removes and releases energy periodically to compensate for the inconsistent torque output.

Abstract: A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes a cylinder deactivation system mechanically coupled to an internal combustion engine, and electrically coupled to an engine management system. The engine management system signals the cylinder deactivation system to selectively deactivate one or more engine cylinders. The engine continues to operate using the remaining available active engine cylinders, and generates an inconsistent torque output. A torque-smoothing device mechanically coupled to the engine, and electrically or hydraulically coupled to an energy storage device, removes and releases energy periodically to compensate for the inconsistent torque output.

Abstract: A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular fuel delivery system including a reservoir in a fuel tank, an electric fuel pump in the reservoir, and a jet pump for pumping fuel from the fuel tank into the reservoir wherein overflow from the reservoir is recirculated by the jet pump back into the reservoir to minimize mixing of potentially hot overflow with cooler bulk fuel in the fuel tank. A recirculation fluid flow path extends from the reservoir to a secondary inlet of the jet pump adjacent a small diameter end of a venturi passage in the latter. A valve closes the recirculation flow path when the reservoir is not overflowing and opens the recirculation flow path when the reservoir is overflowing. A portion of the recirculation flow path is above the maximum surface elevation of fuel in the fuel tank so that the pressure head at the recirculation inlet exceeds the pressure head at the main inlet of the jet pump open to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel fill tube for a vehicle fuel tank has a canister vapor vent, a shut-off valve and an overfill protection valve. The overfill valve prevents liquid from communicating with the carbon canister during overfill and communicates the liquid to the atmospheric open end of the fill tube.

Abstract: An otherwise conventional fuel supply system of the type that includes an engine driven distributor type fuel injection pump operatively connected to a diesel engine is modified so as to include a normally closed solenoid actuated valve means operatively associated with the inlet passage means of the pump in a location between the transfer pump of the pump and the injection pump means of the pump; an adaptive torque balancing electronic controlled electric power source being connected to the solenoid actuated valve means, whereby the solenoid actuated valve means is operative to supplement the metering valve control of fuel flow from the transfer pump to the injection pump means whereby the fuel flow to the injection pump means and from the injection pump means to each of the respective injection nozzles for each of the cylinders is controlled as a function of engine operation and the incremental speed difference per preselected degrees of movement among the respective cylinders of the engine.

Abstract: A compression operated diesel fuel injector, for use with an internal combustion engine, is provided with a compression operated piston that is associated with a pump cylinder and plunger to effect pressurization of fuel for discharge from the injector, the piston also defining with the associate injector housing a fuel control chamber. A solenoid actuated valve is operatively positioned to normally block the return flow of fuel from the fuel control chamber to the fuel reservoir for the engine and, a variable flow orifice means is operatively positioned downstream of this valve to control the return fuel flow pressure as a function of engine speed and load to thus regulate the return flow of fuel from the control chamber so as to thereby control engine compression operation of the piston and, accordingly, to correspondingly regulate the rate of fuel injection from the fuel injector.