Abstract: A spool valve for controlling the flow of a fluid into a reciprocating piston cylinder. A spool is slideably inserted into an outer casing, the spool valve having a first and a second non-waisted end portions and having a waisted middle portion. The casing has an intake port and output port for fluids entering and exiting the casing. A first non-waisted end portion covers the intake port during a first valve-closed event as the spool slides in one direction within the casing. The waisted middle portion is sufficiently wide to uncover both the intake port and the output port during a valve-open event as the spool slides in one direction within the casing. A second non-waisted end portion covers the output port during a second valve-closed event as the spool slides in the same one direction within the casing.

Abstract: A valve system that includes a housing defining an intake port, a cylinder port and a valve bore; wherein the intake port defining a valve seat portion at an interface between the intake port and the cylinder port. The valve system also includes a valve to control fluid communication between the intake port and the cylinder port. The valve includes a valve stem disposed within the valve bore and extending into the cylinder port and extending out of the housing, the valve stem having an open face exposed to atmospheric pressure and a valve head coupled to the valve stem comprising a first face and an opposing second face. A diameter of the valve stem is selected to control a closing force on the first face of the valve head.

Abstract: A spool valve for controlling the flow of a fluid into a reciprocating piston cylinder. A spool is slideably inserted into an outer casing, the spool valve having a first and a second non-waisted end portions and having a waisted middle portion. The casing has an intake port and output port for fluids entering and exiting the casing. A first non-waisted end portion covers the intake port during a first valve-closed event as the spool slides in one direction within the casing. The waisted middle portion is sufficiently wide to uncover both the intake port and the output port during a valve-open event as the spool slides in one direction within the casing. A second non-waisted end portion covers the output port during a second valve-closed event as the spool slides in the same one direction within the casing.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash assembly (HLA) for use in a valvetrain. The HLA preferably includes a first arm configured to transition a valve between a closed orientation and an open orientation. The first arm can include an engagement surface to receive a driving force from a timing member and to cause the valve to transition to the open orientation for a predetermined period. The HLA further preferably includes a second arm to receive a holding force from an actuator and a pivot section to couple to the first arm and displace the first arm based on the holding force from the actuator. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm form a lever arrangement whereby the pivot section of the second arm underlies and supports the first arm and allows for rotational movement of the first arm that is independent from the second arm.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston engine, comprising an engine block having a piston cylinder; a piston disposed in the piston cylinder; an intake port to the piston cylinder, an intake valve to open and close the intake port to the piston cylinder; a rotatable crankshaft; a flywheel connected to the crankshaft which is rotatable with the crankshaft, the flywheel having a circumferential profile; and a cam lobe forming a portion of the circumferential profile of the flywheel wherein, during rotation of the crankshaft, the cam lobe acts on the intake valve to open the intake valve.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a current control assembly that includes an electrical current flow path having a maximum current flow rate, a first current limiter in the electrical current flow path, the first current limiter comprising circuitry configured to adjustably restrict current flow along the electrical current flow path to a flow rate less than the maximum current flow rate in response to receipt of a first signal at a first input port, and a second current limiter in the electrical current flow path, the second current limiter arranged to interrupt the electrical current flow path in response to receipt of a second signal at a second input port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for referencing a photovoltaic array are disclosed. An exemplary method includes converting DC power with an inverter from a photovoltaic array to AC power at a line frequency and placing the entire photovoltaic array above ground potential or below ground potential. The AC power is transformed with a transformer and an integrity-check signal is generated to vary a voltage of the photovoltaic array to perform an integrity check. A star point of the transformer is pinned to ground at the line frequency so the integrity-check signal is applied to the DC-side of the inverter and a limited level of fault current is allowed to flow from ground to the star point of the transformer to facilitate a detection of ground faults.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a current control assembly that includes an electrical current flow path having a maximum current flow rate, a first current limiter in the electrical current flow path, the first current limiter comprising circuitry configured to adjustably restrict current flow along the electrical current flow path to a flow rate less than the maximum current flow rate in response to receipt of a first signal at a first input port, and a second current limiter in the electrical current flow path, the second current limiter arranged to interrupt the electrical current flow path in response to receipt of a second signal at a second input port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for referencing a photovoltaic array are disclosed. An exemplary method includes converting DC power with an inverter from a photovoltaic array to AC power at a line frequency and placing the entire photovoltaic array above ground potential or below ground potential. The AC power is transformed with a transformer and an integrity-check signal is generated to vary a voltage of the photovoltaic array to perform an integrity check. A star point of the transformer is pinned to ground at the line frequency so the integrity-check signal is applied to the DC-side of the inverter and a limited level of fault current is allowed to flow from ground to the star point of the transformer to facilitate a detection of ground faults.

Abstract: A fluid degasification system for a hydraulic circuit includes a gas/fluid separation tank, a fluid entry passage directing fluid into a small foam generating cup containing foam and a small amount of additional fluid, thereby stimulating foam formation. A separation screen is positioned below the foam generating cup to receive bubbles formed in the cup and to allow liquid to pass through the screen to a degasified-fluid collecting chamber below the screen as the bubbles resting on the separation screen decompose.

Abstract: A fluid degasification system for a hydraulic circuit includes a gas/fluid separation tank, a fluid entry passage directing fluid into a small foam generating cup containing foam and a small amount of additional fluid, thereby stimulating foam formation. A separation screen is positioned below the foam generating cup to receive bubbles formed in the cup and to allow liquid to pass through the screen to a degasified-fluid collecting chamber below the screen as the bubbles resting on the separation screen decompose.