Abstract: The present invention is directed to an on-board diagnostic system for detecting a malfunctioning fuel pump in an internal combustion engine during engine operation. Pressure sensor means are provided for sensing fuel pressure in the fuel supply line and for generating corresponding pressure signals. Signal processing means receive and process the pressure signals from the pressure sensor means. An output signal is generated by the signal processing means if pressure signals are determined to correspond to a defective fuel pump Such output signal can be stored, used to alert an engine operator to an impaired fuel pump and/or provided to a fuel injector control means for adjusting fuel flow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an on-board diagnostic system for detecting a defective fuel line pressure regulator in an internal combustion engine during engine operation. Pressure sensor means are provided for sensing fuel pressure in the fuel supply line and for generating corresponding pressure signals. Signal processing means receive and process the pressure signals from the pressure sensor means. An output signal is generated by the signal processing means in the event pressure signals are determined to indicate a malfunctioning pressure regulator. Such output signal can be stored, used to alert an engine operator to an impaired regulator and/or provided to a fuel injector control means for adjusting the duration of injector actuation to better achieve a desired fuel flow quantity per individual actuation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an on-board diagnostic system for detecting impaired fuel injectors in an internal combustion engine during engine operation. A fuel injector control means is provided for individually actuating fuel injectors Operatively connected to a fuel rail. Pressure sensor means are mounted to the fuel rail for sensing transient fuel pressure waves resulting from actuation of the individual fuel injectors. Signal processing means are provided for processing pressure signals from the pressure sensor means. The output signal from the signal processing means corresponds to the fuel flow rate through the fuel injectors. Such output signal can be used to alert an engine operator to an impaired fuel injector and/or can be provided to the fuel injector control means for adjusting the duration of injector actuation to achieve a desired fuel flow quantity per individual actuation.

Abstract: A finger-follower rocker arm type valve train has a finger-follower rocker arm with an upper surface that extends essentially unbroken from end to end with a central area surface for contact with an overhead cam, the central area surface being concave for lubricant retention purposes and having additional lubricant retaining pockets in the surface as reservoirs to maintain lubricant at the surface at all times regardless of the operability of inoperability of the engine camshaft.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for lubrication of the operating components of an internal combustion engine with accelerated heating of the lubricant during engine warmup, comprising (i) a primary circuit for lubricant recirculation including a primary reservoir adapted to receive lubricant drainage from the engine and a primary conduit adapted to return lubricant to the engine, (ii) means for pumping lubricant through the primary conduit to the engine, (iii) means for preheating the lubricant with heat produced by the engine employing a heat exchanger along the primary conduit, and (iv) an auxiliary lubricant reservoir and a return conduit providing fluid communication for the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary reservoir to the primary reservoir. A valve in the return line is controlled to permit flow of lubricant to the primary reservoir in response to a drop in the primary reservoir lubricant level.

Abstract: This application teaches a method of producing an article of glass by cutting it out of a sheet of flat glass. Flat glass is formed in a glass ribbon forming apparatus and is discharged therefrom at a temperature in excess of 1000.degree.F. The hot flat glass is moved under at least a pair of focused laser beams which cut patterns in the glass having a common starting and ending point. In such a manner, a glass article is cut from the ribbon. The article is removed from the remaining portion of the ribbon and cooled in a controlled manner to produce a final glass article. The cooling operation may be rapid or slow so as to produce a tempered or an annealed article.