Abstract: An engine system employs a pre-assembled and/or removable cartridge. In another aspect, an ignitor, a fuel injector and an air inlet valve are all accessible from a top of a cartridge even after assembly of the cartridge to an engine cylinder head. A further aspect positions centerlines of an ignitor, a fuel injector and an air inlet valve angularly offset from each other and also angularly offset from a vertical centerline of a cartridge to which they are mounted.

Abstract: An engine system employs a pre-assembled and/or removable cartridge. In another aspect, an ignitor, a fuel injector and an air inlet valve are all accessible from a top of a cartridge even after assembly of the cartridge to an engine cylinder head. A further aspect positions centerlines of an ignitor, a fuel injector and an air inlet valve angularly offset from each other and also angularly offset from a vertical centerline of a cartridge to which they are mounted.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device (20) and a method for manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The thermoelectric device (20) includes a hot shoe (24) and a cold shoe (28) disposed about the hot shoe. A heat conducting member (32) formed of a thermoelectric material extends between the hot shoe (24) and the cold shoe (28) and generates electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween. The hot shoe (24) is heated and expands at a greater rate than the cold shoe (28) does during operation. The structural and spatial relationship of the hot shoe (24) and the cold shoe (28) maintains the thermoelectric material of the heat conducting member (32) in compression during operation of the thermoelectric device (20).

Abstract: A thermoelectric device (20) and a method for manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The thermoelectric device (20) includes a hot shoe (24) and a cold shoe (28) disposed about the hot shoe. A heat conducting member (32) formed of a thermoelectric material extends between the hot shoe (24) and the cold shoe (28) and generates electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween. The hot shoe (24) is heated and expands at a greater rate than the cold shoe (28) does during operation. The structural and spatial relationship of the hot shoe (24) and the cold shoe (28) maintains the thermoelectric material of the heat conducting member (32) in compression during operation of the thermoelectric device (20).

Abstract: A mass air flow sensor for an internal combustion engine is provided. The sensor has a pair of opposed nozzles. A converging nozzle has a first conical throughbore having a first throughbore axis, the first throughbore has first and second apertures, the first aperture has a diameter greater than the second aperture. The diverging nozzle has a second conical throughbore having a second through axis. The throughbore has third and fourth apertures, with the third aperture having a diameter greater than the fourth aperture. A first hotwire sensor positioned within the first aperture. A second hotwire sensor positioned within the second aperture.

Abstract: A mass air flow sensor for an internal combustion engine is provided. The sensor has a pair of opposed nozzles. A converging nozzle has a first conical throughbore having a first throughbore axis, the first throughbore has first and second apertures, the first aperture has a diameter greater than the second aperture. The diverging nozzle has a second conical throughbore having a second through axis. The throughbore has third and fourth apertures, with the third aperture having a diameter greater than the fourth aperture. A first hotwire sensor positioned within the first aperture. A second hotwire sensor positioned within the second aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for measuring the instantaneous rate of mass flow and the cumulative mass flow in steady or unsteady flows of single-phase liquids or gases in a duct. By measuring the shear stress or the streamwise pressure gradient at the duct wall, and relating it to mass flow through solutions to the Navier Stokes equations of fluid mechanics, information on mass flow through the entire duct cross sectional area is deduced.

Abstract: The performance of an internal combustion engine is optimized utilizing an electrically controlled driver which is located relative to the intake port to excite the intake charge at a selected frequency, duration and power level which depends on the engine operating condition. The purpose of this excitation is to control combustion by optimizing large scale recirculation patterns of the intake charge within the combustion chamber. In particular, this device will provide the effect of optimizing volumetric efficiency at wide open throttle and minimize fuel consumption and emissions at part throttle. An electronic engine controller varies the operation of the drive device as a function of engine operating conditions. The driver excites the intake charge at a frequency of about 5 to 1000 times of the engine speed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for removing hulls (152) from a nut mixture (150) is described. The apparatus includes a gravity feed bin (12), a conveyor (28) and removal units (38). The removal units are comprised of a drum (40), a position roller (50), a beater (56) and a brush (64) around all of which extends a fibrous mat (96). The fibrous mat has looped or curved fibers (96C) and is formed as a continuous belt in the removal unit. To operate the apparatus, the mixture is fed from the gravity feed bin onto the conveyor belt (30) of the conveyor. As the mixture moves along a horizontal path of the conveyor, the mixture comes in contact with the fibrous mat rotating in the removal units. The looped fibers of the mat contact and engage the projections (152A) on the outer surface of the hulls and secure the hulls to the mat. As the mat continues to rotate through the unit the hulls secured to the mat are removed from the mixture on the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for removing hulls (152) from a nut mixture (150) is described. The apparatus includes a gravity feed bin (12), a conveyor (28) and removal units (38). The removal units include a drum (40), a position roller (50), a beater (56) and a brush (64) around all of which extends a fibrous mat (96). The fibrous mat has looped or curved fibers (96C) and is formed as a continuous belt in the removal unit. The removal unit also includes a deflector (92) and a shield (93) to guide the removed hulls into an auger (78) to be removed from the apparatus. To operate the apparatus, the mixture is fed from the gravity feed bin onto the conveyor belt (30) of the conveyor. As the mixture moves along a horizontal path of the conveyor, the mixture comes in contact with the fibrous mat rotating in the removal units. The looped fibers of the mat contact and engage the projections (152A) on the outer surface of the hulls and secure the hulls to the mat.