Abstract: Described herein is a fluid valve assembly includes a body that defines a fluid cavity. The body includes an inlet through which fluid enters the fluid cavity and an outlet from which fluid exits the fluid cavity. The fluid valve assembly includes at least one arm rotatably coupled to the body and positioned within the fluid cavity. Additionally, the fluid valve assembly includes a flap coupled to the at least one arm. The flap includes a domed portion and a flat portion extending radially outwardly away from the domed portion.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a first rotor having a first flow-through area that is more than 50% of a total first rotor flow area and a first ridged arc member, and a second rotor having a second flow-through area that is more than 50% of a total second rotor flow area and a second ridged arc member. The article further includes an upstream stator and a downstream stator, each stator having a co-extensive stator flow-through area and a co-extensive structural area. The article includes an actuator having an engagement gear between the ridged arc members, where a turn of the engagement gear moves the ridged arc members in opposing directions. The first rotor and second rotor are phased to be at a maximum closed at a first position of the engagement gear and a maximum open at a second position of the engagement gear.

Abstract: A system includes an internal combustion engine receiving intake air from an intake manifold and providing exhaust gases to an exhaust manifold. The system further includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conduit fluidly coupling the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold. The system includes a conical spring check valve disposed in the EGR conduit, the conical spring check valve having a helically wound spring including a number of turns of decreasing diameter, where each turn progresses axially in a normal flow direction of the EGR from a previous one of the turns. Each of the turns further overlaps a previous one of the turns.

Abstract: A conical rotary valve includes a conical valve body including a frustum of a cone and a first fluid passageway. The valve further includes a conical engagement body at least partially covering the conical valve body, where the conical engagement body comprising a second fluid passageway. The valve includes a valve actuator rotatably engaged to the conical valve body to provide a variable flow area that includes an intersecting area of the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway. The first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway are structured such that a value ?Af/??v is monotonically increasing, where Af is the variable flow area and ?v is a rotational angle of the conical valve body.

Abstract: A valve system includes a conical valve body disposed in an engine gaseous fluid stream and having a first fluid passageway, where the conical valve body is a cone or a frustum of a cone. The system includes a fluid inlet conduit fluidly coupled to the conical valve body on an upstream side, a first fluid outlet conduit, and a second fluid outlet conduit. The first and second fluid outlet conduits are fluidly coupled to the conical valve body on a downstream side. The valve system includes a valve actuator operatively coupled to the conical valve body and that rotates the conical valve body, and a controller that provides a valve actuator command and thereby selectively flows the engine gaseous fluid stream through the first fluid outlet conduit and the second fluid outlet conduit.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a first rotor having a first flow-through area that is more than 50% of a total first rotor flow area and a first ridged arc member, and a second rotor having a second flow-through area that is more than 50% of a total second rotor flow area and a second ridged arc member. The article further includes an upstream stator and a downstream stator, each stator having a co-extensive stator flow-through area and a co-extensive structural area. The article includes an actuator having an engagement gear between the ridged arc members, where a turn of the engagement gear moves the ridged arc members in opposing directions. The first rotor and second rotor are phased to be at a maximum closed at a first position of the engagement gear and a maximum open at a second position of the engagement gear.

Abstract: A system includes an internal combustion engine receiving intake air from an intake manifold and providing exhaust gases to an exhaust manifold. The system further includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conduit fluidly coupling the exhaust manifold to the intake manifold. The system includes a conical spring check valve disposed in the EGR conduit, the conical spring check valve having a helically wound spring including a number of turns of decreasing diameter, where each turn progresses axially in a normal flow direction of the EGR from a previous one of the turns. Each of the turns further overlaps a previous one of the turns.

Abstract: A valve system includes a conical valve body disposed in an engine gaseous fluid stream and having a first fluid passageway, where the conical valve body is a cone or a frustum of a cone. The system includes a fluid inlet conduit fluidly coupled to the conical valve body on an upstream side, a first fluid outlet conduit, and a second fluid outlet conduit. The first and second fluid outlet conduits are fluidly coupled to the conical valve body on a downstream side. The valve system includes a valve actuator operatively coupled to the conical valve body and that rotates the conical valve body, and a controller that provides a valve actuator command and thereby selectively flows the engine gaseous fluid stream through the first fluid outlet conduit and the second fluid outlet conduit.

Abstract: A conical rotary valve includes a conical valve body including a frustum of a cone and a first fluid passageway. The valve further includes a conical engagement body at least partially covering the conical valve body, where the conical engagement body comprising a second fluid passageway. The valve includes a valve actuator rotatably engaged to the conical valve body to provide a variable flow area that includes an intersecting area of the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway. The first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway are structured such that a value ?Af/??v is monotonically increasing, where Af is the variable flow area and ?v is a rotational angle of the conical valve body.

Abstract: An improved closed nozzle injector assembly for injecting high pressure fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine is provided which includes a first needle valve element associated with a first set of injector orifices, a first needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the first needle valve, a second needle valve associated with a second set of injector orifices and a second needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the second needle valve. Each needle valve control device includes a control volume positioned at one end of the respective needle valve, a control volume charge circuit for supplying high pressure fuel to the respective control volume and the respective injection control valve for controlling the flow of high pressure fuel from the respective control volume to a low pressure drain thereby controlling the movement of the respective needle valve.

Abstract: An improved closed nozzle injector assembly for injecting high pressure fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine is provided which includes a first needle valve element associated with a first set of injector orifices, a first needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the first needle valve, a second needle valve associated with a second set of injector orifices and a second needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the second needle valve. Each needle valve control device includes a control volume positioned at one end of the respective needle valve, a control volume charge circuit for supplying high pressure fuel to the respective control volume and the respective injection control valve for controlling the flow of high pressure fuel from the respective control volume to a low pressure drain thereby controlling the movement of the respective needle valve.

Abstract: A wear and scuff-resistant plunger for use in high pressure fuel system components in internal combustion engines is provided. The plunger, which is formed of a high thermal expansion, high hardness ceramic with a thermal expansion coefficient preferably greater than 6.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. and a hardness preferably greater than 800 Kg/mM.sup.2, maintains a desired optimum minimal diametral clearance while avoiding excessive fuel leakage and efficient plunger function without scuffing or sticking under the high axial, side and pressure loads and variable quality fuels encountered in the fuel system operating environment. Preferred high thermal expansion, high hardness ceramics are zirconia, alumina-zirconia and alumina.

Abstract: An improved fuel injector for providing precise control over injection timing, quantity and rate shape is provided which includes a fuel pressure balancing device for balancing the fuel pressure forces acting on a needle valve element while the element is in both the closed and open positions thereby permitting an actuator to more precisely and predictably control the movement of the needle valve element. The fuel pressure balancing device includes a cavity formed in the needle valve element and pressure balancing surfaces formed on the needle valve element and positioned in the cavity. The actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator for compressing actuating fluid in an actuating fluid circuit which includes a fluid chamber positioned adjacent a needle valve element and fluidically separate from a fuel supply circuit for supplying high pressure fuel for injection. Actuating fluid pressure in the chamber acts on the needle valve element to initiate injection.

Abstract: A wear and scuff-resistant timing plunger for a timing assembly in a unit fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is provided. The timing plunger is formed of a high thermal expansion ceramic with a thermal expansion coefficient greater than 6.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. and a hardness greater than 800 Kg/mm.sup.2, which maintains a desired diametral clearance and efficient plunger function without scuffing or sticking under the axial, tangential and pressure loads encountered in the fuel injector operating environment. Preferred high thermal expansion ceramics are zirconia, alumina-zirconia and alumina.

Abstract: An injector drive train push-rod injector plunger connection for use in internal combustion engines is disclosed. The injector includes a body having an axial bore, a plunger, and a biasing mechanism which biases the plunger away from the injection chamber. The plunger is slidable within the bore. A push rod connects the plunger to a drive train assembly which includes a pivotable rocker arm. A first end of the push rod is connected to the plunger and a second end of the push rod is connected to the driven end of the rocker arm. The first end includes a spherical portion which is receivable in a complementarily-shaped concave portion disposed on the outer end of the plunger but not within the plunger. The spherical portion has a diameter at least equal to the outer diameter of the plunger. The load from the driving assembly is transmitted from the push rod to the plunger at the end of the plunger only.