Abstract: A fuel injection valve introduces a fuel into an engine and controlling fuel flow to reduce variability between injection events. The fuel injection valve employs an arrangement for a valve nozzle that cooperates with a valve needle to provide a range of needle movement within which the fuel mass flow rate is substantially constant. This can be achieved by providing a restriction with a constant flow area for a predetermined range of needle movement. The method comprises commanding a valve needle to a position within the predetermined range of needle movement to reduce variability in the fuel mass flow rate, particularly when the engine is idling or operating under low load conditions. Valve needle lift is variable during an injection event and from one injection event to another injection event.

Abstract: A method is provided for compressing a gas in a single cycle and in a single cylinder to a pressure of at least 17.2 Mpa with a compression ratio of at least about five to one. The method further comprises dissipating heat from the cylinder during the compression stroke whereby the gas is discharged with a temperature significantly less than isentropic. The apparatus comprises a hollow cylinder and a reciprocable free-floating piston disposed therein. The piston divides the cylinder into: (a) a compression chamber within which a gas can be introduced, compressed, and discharged; and, (b) a drive chamber, into which a hydraulic fluid can be introduced and removed for actuating the piston. The apparatus further comprises a piston stroke length to piston diameter ratio of at least seven to one. For operating the apparatus with a compression ratio of at least five to one, an outlet pressure of at least 17.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve introduces a fuel into an engine and controlling fuel flow to reduce variability between injection events. The fuel injection valve employs an arrangement for a valve nozzle that cooperates with a valve needle to provide a range of needle movement within which the fuel mass flow rate is substantially constant. This can be achieved by providing a restriction with a constant flow area for a predetermined range of needle movement. The method comprises commanding a valve needle to a position within the predetermined range of needle movement to reduce variability in the fuel mass flow rate, particularly when the engine is idling or operating under low load conditions. Valve needle lift is variable during an injection event and from one injection event to another injection event.

Abstract: A method is provided for compressing a gas in a single cycle and in a single cylinder to a pressure of at least 17.2 Mpa with a compression ratio of at least about five to one. The method further comprises dissipating heat from the cylinder during the compression stroke whereby the gas is discharged with a temperature significantly less than isentropic. The apparatus comprises a hollow cylinder and a reciprocable free-floating piston disposed therein. The piston divides the cylinder into: (a) a compression chamber within which a gas can be introduced, compressed, and discharged; and, (b) a drive chamber, into which a hydraulic fluid can be introduced and removed for actuating the piston. The apparatus further comprises a piston stroke length to piston diameter ratio of at least seven to one. For operating the apparatus with a compression ratio of at least five to one, an outlet pressure of at least 17.

Abstract: A turbomachine for moving air comprising includes a shroud disposed about a longitudinal axis and a rotor assembly mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis. The rotor assembly has a plurality of blades and tips of the blades are coupled to an annular band. The annular band is disposed with respect to the shroud so as to define a gap extending continuously between an outer surface of the annular band and an inner surface of the shroud. A seal structure extends from the inner surface of the shroud and into the gap. The seal structure has a density sufficient to reduce swirl in recirculating airflow and to minimize air leakage across the gap.