Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the technical solutions described herein, a control system in a motor vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine includes an oxygen sensor, and an oxygen sensor diagnosis module to diagnose the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor diagnosis includes performing an intrusive rich-to-lean diagnostic for the oxygen sensor, and detecting a lean-to-rich diagnostic event. In response, the diagnosis includes performing a passive lean-to-rich diagnostic for the oxygen sensor, the lean-to-rich diagnostic event comprising a fuel enrichment.

Abstract: An automobile vehicle exhaust gas heat recovery system includes an engine having a turbocharger. A cooling pump provides coolant flow to the engine and the turbocharger. A combined coolant discharge header receives coolant discharged from the engine and the turbocharger. A main rotary valve receives coolant discharged from the combined coolant discharge header. The main rotary valve includes multiple rotary valves selectively distributing all of the coolant in the combined coolant discharge header to at least one of an engine heater, a heater core and a transmission oil heater during a cold start operation. An exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) device is positioned to receive the coolant discharged from any one, any two or all of the engine heater, the heater core and the transmission oil heater and in a path to return the coolant to the cooling pump during the cold start operation of the engine.

Abstract: A method of using a thermoelectric generator for warming a transmission on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes starting the internal combustion engine, thereby generating a hot exhaust gas; circulating coolant through a heating loop in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine and the thermoelectric generator; passing the hot exhaust gas through a hot-side of the thermoelectric generator and circulating the coolant through the cold-side of the thermoelectric generator, thereby transferring heat from the hot exhaust gas to the coolant and generating an electric current; and selectively powering an electric heating element with the electric current. The electric heating element is in thermal communication with a transmission fluid of the transmission.

Abstract: An automobile vehicle exhaust gas heat recovery system includes an engine having a turbocharger. A cooling pump provides coolant flow to the engine and the turbocharger. A combined coolant discharge header receives coolant discharged from the engine and the turbocharger. A main rotary valve receives coolant discharged from the combined coolant discharge header. The main rotary valve includes multiple rotary valves selectively distributing all of the coolant in the combined coolant discharge header to at least one of an engine heater, a heater core and a transmission oil heater during a cold start operation. An exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) device is positioned to receive the coolant discharged from any one, any two or all of the engine heater, the heater core and the transmission oil heater and in a path to return the coolant to the cooling pump during the cold start operation of the engine.

Abstract: A method of using a thermoelectric generator for warming a transmission on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes starting the internal combustion engine, thereby generating a hot exhaust gas; circulating coolant through a heating loop in fluid communication with the internal combustion engine and the thermoelectric generator; passing the hot exhaust gas through a hot-side of the thermoelectric generator and circulating the coolant through the cold-side of the thermoelectric generator, thereby transferring heat from the hot exhaust gas to the coolant and generating an electric current; and selectively powering an electric heating element with the electric current. The electric heating element is in thermal communication with a transmission fluid of the transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle, system, and method of warming the transmission fluid with a thermoelectric generator is also provided. Disclosed is vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission containing a transmission fluid, a coolant circuit configured to remove heat from the engine, and a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator is in non-contact thermal communication with the hot exhaust gas produced by the engine and the relatively cooler coolant circulating through the coolant circuit. The thermoelectric generator produces a current from the temperature gradient between the exhaust gas relative and coolant and transfers heat from the exhaust gas to the coolant. The heat coolant is conveyed to a transmission heat exchanger to heat the transmission fluid. A heating element is disposed in thermal contact with the transmission fluid and the heating element is powered by the electric current produced by the thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: A vehicle, system, and method of warming the transmission fluid with a thermoelectric generator is also provided. Disclosed is vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission containing a transmission fluid, a coolant circuit configured to remove heat from the engine, and a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator is in non-contact thermal communication with the hot exhaust gas produced by the engine and the relatively cooler coolant circulating through the coolant circuit. The thermoelectric generator produces a current from the temperature gradient between the exhaust gas relative and coolant and transfers heat from the exhaust gas to the coolant. The heat coolant is conveyed to a transmission heat exchanger to heat the transmission fluid. A heating element is disposed in thermal contact with the transmission fluid and the heating element is powered by the electric current produced by the thermoelectric generator.

Abstract: Continuous haulage system (10) suitable for use in the mining industry, including an extendible conveyor belt (20) adapted to extend when a tensile force is exerted on the conveyor belt, and to retract when the tensile force is removed, the extendible conveyor belt being biased to the retracted condition; and an extendible cable (30) adapted to extend when a tensile force is exerted on the cable, and to retract when the tensile force is removed, the extendible cable being biased to the retracted condition. The extendible cable is located at least partially adjacent to the extendible conveyor belt, so as to provide support for the extendible conveyor belt when the conveyor belt is extended.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe includes a barrel with a plunger assembly slidably extending therein. The plunger assembly includes an outer plunger and an inner plunger telescoping together with a bungee resisting extension of the assembly. The inner and outer plungers may be locked in the extended position with the bungee in tension. A seal stop is located at the seal end of the plunger assembly and holds an annular seal in radial extension sealing against the internal sidewall of the barrel. A luer hub assembly is fixed at the needle end of the barrel. A plunger cap may be advanced after injection to rotate the plunger assembly. Such rotation engages a probe on the end of the plunger assembly with the luer hub, disengages the seal stop to release the annular seal, engages the seal stop with the luer plunger assembly causing release of the luer hub assembly from the barrel and releases the engagement between the outer plunger and inner plunger.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe includes a barrel with a plunger assembly slidably extending therein. The plunger assembly includes an outer plunger and an inner plunger telescoping together with a bungee resisting extension of the assembly. The inner and outer plungers may be locked in the extended position with the bungee in tension. A seal stop is located at the seal end of the plunger assembly and holds an annular seal in radial extension sealing against the internal sidewall of the barrel. A luer hub assembly is fixed at the needle end of the barrel. A plunger cap may be advanced after injection to rotate the plunger assembly. Such rotation engages a probe on the end of the plunger assembly with the luer hub, disengages the seal stop to release the annular seal, engages the seal stop with the luer plunger assembly causing release of the luer hub assembly from the barrel and releases the engagement between the outer plunger and inner plunger.

Abstract: An open steam generator system is disclosed which comprises a substantially enclosed vessel having an opening for exhausting steam generated and an opening for draining residual water from the vessel. Within the vessel also is a heat exchange coil having a heat transfer fluid circulating through its runs. The vessel also includes an injector for spraying water onto the heating coil to form steam. The disclosed steam generator achieves tolerance for low water quality by minimizing surface areas in contact with water. In addition, the system promotes self-cleaning of heat exchange surfaces using thermal shock to dislodge scale deposits.

Abstract: A gas-fired, double-sided griddle apparatus for high-volume commercial cooking comprises double-sided griddles, each having a lower platen having a horizontal lower cooking surface and an upper platen having an upper cooking surface; a positioning mechanism for moving the upper platen of each griddle into a horizontal position in contact with the food, permitting the upper platen to press downward against the food until the cooking surface reaches a predetermined level above the cooking surface of the lower platen, stopping the downward movement at that level, and lifting the upper platen away from the food after a predetermined cooking time; a counterflow heater for heating a supply of oil to desired temperatures; and apparatus for circulating the heated oil through a serpentine path wherein the oil contacts, and transfers heat to, a first region of the lower platen and a similar path wherein the oil transfers heat to a second region of the upper platen that is positioned directly above, and parallel to, the

Abstract: A carburetor assembly having a venturi element for fuel metering and a throttle valve for controlling the flow of an air and natural gas mixture to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion gas engine wherein a stepper motor is used to angularly position a throttle valve plate in the gas flow path to the carburetor, the throttle valve plate being carried on a throttle valve shaft that forms an extension of the armature of the stepper motor wherein provision is made for sealing the stepper motor at a location on the axis of rotation of the throttle valve element, the throttle valve shaft being mounted without the necessity for using throttle valve shaft bearings or a separate seal, thereby minimizing friction and any tendency for a misalignment to occur.

Abstract: A gas-fired, double-sided griddle apparatus for high-volume commercial cooking comprises double-sided griddles, each having a lower platen having a horizontal lower cooking surface and an upper platen having an upper cooking surface; a positioning mechanism for moving the upper platen of each griddle into a horizontal position in contact with the food, permitting the upper platen to press downward against the food until the cooking surface reaches a predetermined level above the cooking surface of the lower platen, stopping the downward movement at that level, and lifting the upper platen away from the food after a predetermined cooking time; a counterflow heater for heating a supply of oil to desired temperatures; and apparatus for circulating the heated oil through a serpentine path wherein the oil contacts, and transfers heat to, a first region of the lower platen and a similar path wherein the oil transfers heat to a second region of the upper platen that is positioned directly above, and parallel to, the

Abstract: A system for connecting panels in adjacent edge-to-edge relationship comprises plates mounted to the edge of each panel providing a series of spaced-apart protuberances along each panel edge. Each protuberance includes an opening normal to the edges of the panels. A channel connector has a web which is interposed between the panel edges and includes a plurality of windows providing gateways through the web for the protuberances when the panels are placed in adjacent edge-to-edge relationship. Each window includes a downwardly extending tongue which is inserted into the opening corresponding to the protuberance in each window to interlock the two panels.

Abstract: Heat sealing bars are spaced circumferentially around a rotatable drum and seal together two face-to-face strips of material as the strips are drawn continuously around the drum. The sealing bars are automatically moved radially inwardly and outwardly to change the circumferential distance between the bars and the effective diameter of the drum and thereby keep the bars in register with printed material on the strips.

Abstract: Pattern envelopes or like flat articles retained in stack configuration by elements engaging marginal portions of the lead article are withdrawn substantially in such flat condition by displacing the lead article in its entirety in a manner spacing at least one lead article marginal portion from its associated retaining element and then displacing the same outwardly of the stack spacedly from the retaining element. Further outward displacement of the withdrawn marginal portion effects sequential withdrawal of the other marginal portion from the stack.