Abstract: An evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and its method of control comprise commanding a three-way valve to fluidly connect an auxiliary vapor canister and a bottom portion of a fuel tank, controlling at least one of an engine of the vehicle and a purge pump of the EVAP system disposed between the engine, a separate primary vapor canister, and the auxiliary vapor canister to draws fuel vapor from the fuel tank into the auxiliary vapor canister for storage, commanding the three-way valve to fluidly connect the bottom portion of the fuel tank to an atmosphere outside of the EVAP system to generate additional fuel vapor in the fuel tank, commanding the three-way valve to fluidly connect the auxiliary vapor canister to the atmosphere, and controlling at least one of the engine and the purge pump to draw the fuel vapor from the auxiliary vapor canister into the engine.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, cruise control of an automotive vehicle in a fuel economy cruise control mode controls vehicle speed to be within a fuel economy speed band about a cruise control set speed so that instantaneous fuel economy is at least equal to average fuel economy.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, cruise control of an automotive vehicle in a fuel economy cruise control mode controls vehicle speed to be within a fuel economy speed band about a cruise control set speed so that instantaneous fuel economy is at least equal to average fuel economy.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions (EVAP) control system for a vehicle includes a purge pump configured to pump fuel vapor to a direct injection (DI) engine of the vehicle via a vapor line and a purge valve and a hydrocarbon (HC) sensor disposed configured to measure an amount of HC in the fuel vapor. The system also includes a controller configured to detect an HC vapor supply condition indicative of an operating condition of the Di engine where engine vacuum is less than an appropriate level for delivering the fuel vapor to the DI engine via the vapor line; and in response to detecting the HC vapor supply condition, controlling at least one of the purge pump and the purge valve, based on the measured amount of HC, to deliver a desired amount of fuel vapor to the DI engine to decrease particulate matter (PM) produced by the DI engine.

Abstract: Engine coolant heating systems and methods that improve waste heat recovery. The systems and methods include a piped connection between the outlet of an exhaust gas recirculation cooler and the main exhaust pipe leading to the vehicle's tailpipe. The systems and methods also include at least one additional valve in the exhaust stream for directing the flow of exhaust appropriately given specific driving conditions.

Abstract: A new and improved cooling system for an internal combustion engine that includes a flow control assembly having a housing formed with a heater core inlet passage, a heater core bypass passage, an intake passage receiving coolant from the radiator, and an outlet passage connected to the coolant pump and in which the flow control assembly is characterized in that the pellet enclosed body portion of the thermostat cooperates with a tapered opening formed in the bypass passage for effectively controlling the flow of the liquid coolant through the bypass passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leak testing a first and a second cavity of a part. A fixture is provided for engaging and individually sealing the cavities of the part. Pressurized fluid from a pressure source is introduced into each of the cavities. The first cavity is allowed to stabilize and its leak rate is measured using a pressure-measuring device. The first cavity is then vented. Upon stabilization of the second cavity, the leak rate thereof is similarly measured. The second cavity is then also vented. The leak rates are then evaluated to determine if a leak is present in either of the cavities.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for injecting gasoline or other fuel directly into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine including a fuel pump with a plurality of fuel pumping pistons mounted within cylinders formed in a fixed barrel member. Each of the pistons internally contains an improved inlet valving assembly mounted wholly within a bore axially extending in the piston. The valving assembly provides a one-way fluid inletting to the pumping chamber by slight movement of a low mass valving member away from an annular seating surface formed about an inlet passage. Unlike rotary sliding type valves, the subject valve does not move rapidly through and agitate fuel and thereby does not generate any significant degree of undesirable fuel heating thus preventing undesirable fuel vaporization which is detrimental to pumping action of fluid.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for injecting gasoline or other fuel directly into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine includes a fuel pump having a fixed barrel member therein which has a plurality of bores forming cylinders extending therethrough. A pumping piston extends into one open end of each of the cylinder bores. The piston is supported for reciprocal movements as produced by an input mechanism, such as a shaft and swash plate. A fluid inlet passage and inlet check valve are positioned at one end portion of each piston so that fluid can be drawn into the pumping chamber formed by the cylinder bore and piston. The other open end of the cylinder bore in the barrel member serves as an outlet for fluid from the pumping chamber and a flat reed valve portion of an outlet valve plate overlies the open end to prevent fludi from reentering the pumping chamber during an inletting stroke.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for injecting gasoline or other fuel directly into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine including a pump that incorporates a rotary driven swash plate, a plurality of fuel pumping pistons radially separated from one another and operatively mounted for axial fuel pumping movement in a fixed barrel. A special bearing assembly and creeper plate is operatively interposed in the pump housing to transmit pumping forces of the swash plate to the pumping pistons while isolating the pumping pistons from rotation so that they stroke axially in the barrel. With this arrangement, check type valves are effectively used to control the inlet and discharge of fuel to and from the pumping chambers of the pistons eliminating rotary sliding valves with attendant heat build-up and undesirable fuel vaporization.

Abstract: A mechanically driven centrifugal air compressor for an internal combustion engine has an impeller shaft supported in a compressor housing with journal bearings. A helical pinion gear is formed on one end of the impeller shaft and an impeller is attached to the other end. A thrust ring mounted on the impeller shaft near the impeller is sandwiched on one side by a thrust bearing and on an opposite side by the nearest journal bearing and the housing to axially locate the impeller shaft. An internal helical ring gear is rotatably supported on the compressor housing and driven by a pulley that is engaged by a belt that is driven by a pulley of larger diameter fixed to an engine crankshaft. The ring gear meshes with the pinion gear to provide a high overdrive speed ratio in series with the belt and pulley drive from the engine crankshaft which provides a low overdrive speed ratio.

Abstract: A mechanically driven centrifugal air compressor for an internal combustion engine has an impeller shaft supported in a compressor housing with journal bearings. A helical pinion gear is formed on one end of the impeller shaft and an impeller is attached to the other end. A thrust ring mounted on the impeller shaft near the impeller is sandwiched by a thrust bearing and the nearest journal bearing to axially locate the impeller shaft. An integral pulley and internal helical ring gear of molded plastic is rotatably supported on the compressor housing with the pulley engaged by a belt that is driven by a pulley of larger diameter fixed to an engine crankshaft. The ring gear meshes with the pinion gear to provide a high overdrive speed ratio at a low noise level in series with the belt and pulley drive from the engine crankshaft which provides a low overdrive speed ratio.

Abstract: A combination gear type oil pump and pressure regulator is disclosed, particularly for a lubricating system of an internal combustion engine. Elements of a gear type pump are housed within an internal recess in the engine crankcase. An end cover is positioned between an enlarged portion of the crankshaft and gear elements and is biased thereagainst by a carefully selected spring which is positioned between the cover member and the enlarged crankshaft portion so that when a predetermined high pressure is formed at the pump outlet, the spring allows the end cover to move away from the pump elements to relieve the pressure by spillage in to the engine crankcase.

Abstract: In association with an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold with an inlet opening at one end, an air pump of the type including an impeller on a rotatable shaft and a discharge opening, with the air pump mounted directly to the manifold so that the manifold's inlet opening and the pump's discharge opening are registered thereby allowing air to flow from the pump directly into the manifold interior.

Abstract: An electric shift mechanism for an automotive transmission mechanism is disclosed in which a manual selector lever is universally mounted on a support adapted for sequentially pivoting north-south and east-west swingable rockers about associated intersecting axes. A gate limiting plate formed with a predetermined shift pattern is mounted on the support intermediate the rockers. The lower end of the lever has a ball follower for pre-loaded travel on a single cam track supported longitudinally on the east-west rocker. The cam track is contoured to simulate shift effort stability and feel of conventional manual gear shifting operations. The rockers allow crossover movement from a neutral lever position to preselect a desired gate for reciprocal fore and aft travel of the ball follower to selected transmission shift positions.