Abstract: A supercharger intercooler includes three sequential Anti-Reversion Plenums (ARPs) separated by heat exchangers, in right and left air paths between the supercharger and intake ports. The intercooler resides above and beside the supercharger and has paths for each bank of a V8 engine. An air flow from the supercharger is up and into a first ARP, is split into right and left flows into right and left first heat exchangers, passes into second ARPs and turns down, flows though right and left second heat exchangers into third ARPs and then into the engine. Reversion pulses from the engine are reduced by each ARP, increasing air flow into the engine, and reducing pulsations in the air flow, thereby increasing power, improving fuel economy, throttle response, driveability, and reducing emissions.

Abstract: A supercharger cooling system provides a path for coolant from an air/coolant heat exchanger to a supercharger intercooler and then loops around the supercharger housing proximal to a hot outlet end of the supercharger and back to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be a dedicated air/coolant heat exchanger or be a vehicle radiator. The intercooler is sandwiched between the supercharger and intake manifold and cools the flow of hot compressed air from the supercharger into the intake manifold. The supercharger cooling loop cools the bearings and seals, the forward ends of the male and female rotors, and the male and female rotor gears. The cooling loop is preferably located between the supercharger rotors and the rotor drive gears to form a barrier to heat. A dedicated pump cycles the coolant flow and restrictions control the flow of coolant to the supercharger.

Abstract: A supercharger cooling system provides a path for coolant from an air/coolant heat exchanger to a supercharger intercooler and then loops around the supercharger housing proximal to a hot outlet end of the supercharger and back to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be a dedicated air/coolant heat exchanger or be a vehicle radiator. The intercooler is sandwiched between the supercharger and intake manifold and cools the flow of hot compressed air from the supercharger into the intake manifold. The supercharger cooling loop cools the bearings and seals, the forward ends of the male and female rotors, and the male and female rotor gears. The cooling loop is preferably located between the supercharger rotors and the rotor drive gears to form a barrier to heat. A dedicated pump cycles the coolant flow and restrictions control the flow of coolant to the supercharger.

Abstract: A supercharger cooling system provides a path for coolant from an air/coolant heat exchanger to a supercharger intercooler and loops around a hot outlet end of a screw type supercharger and back to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be a dedicated air/coolant heat exchanger or be a vehicle radiator. The intercooler is sandwiched between the supercharger and intake manifold and cools the flow of hot compressed air from the supercharger into the intake manifold. The supercharger cooling loop circles the front rotor bearings thereby cooling the bearings and seals, the forward ends of the male and female rotors, and the male and female rotor gears. The cooling loop is preferably located in the outlet end wall between the supercharger rotors and the rotor drive gears to form a barrier to heat. A dedicated pump cycles the coolant flow and restrictions control the flow of coolant to the supercharger.

Abstract: A pressure equalization system reduces or eliminates a pressure differential across supercharger rotor shaft seals. Under high boost, rotor shaft seals often fail, allowing hot compressed air into an oil lubricated space containing rotor bearings and gears (and vented to ambient pressure), reducing oil lubricating effectiveness and resulting in increased wear and failure. Under low or non boost operation, the pressure differential is reversed causing the lubricating oil to leak into the supercharger interior and accelerated rotor seal wear. The pressure equalization system includes flow restrictive seals on both rotor shafts, separated from the rotor shaft seals by vented spaces, thereby isolating the rotor shaft seals from boost or vacuum in the supercharger interior and reducing or eliminating the pressure differential across the rotor shaft seals. Maintaining close to atmospheric pressure on both sides of the rotor shaft seals during boost and vacuum operation reduces wear and failures.

Abstract: A screw compressor type supercharger includes an improved supercharger bypass valve including a spring biasing the bypass valve towards an open position. The spring may be a compression spring integrated into a bypass valve diaphragm, an extension spring extending parallel to a diaphragm arm, or a torsion spring on a bypass valve butterfly shaft. The spring is selected and installed to hold the bypass valve open at all vacuum levels and at up to one PSI of boost, and then to allow the bypass to close between one PSI and six PSI boost, and to be closed at above six PSI boost. The resulting control of the bypass valve prevents damage to the supercharger.

Abstract: A pressure equalization system reduces or eliminates a pressure differential across supercharger rotor shaft seals. Under high boost, rotor shaft seals often fail, allowing hot compressed air into an oil lubricated space containing rotor bearings and gears (and vented to ambient pressure), reducing oil lubricating effectiveness and resulting in increased wear and failure. Under low or non boost operation, the pressure differential is reversed causing the lubricating oil to leak into the supercharger interior and accelerated rotor seal wear. The pressure equalization system includes flow restrictive seals on both rotor shafts, separated from the rotor shaft seals by vented spaces, thereby isolating the rotor shaft seals from boost or vacuum in the supercharger interior and reducing or eliminating the pressure differential across the rotor shaft seals. Maintaining close to atmospheric pressure on both sides of the rotor shaft seals during boost and vacuum operation reduces wear and failures.

Abstract: A supercharger cooling system provides a path for coolant from an air/coolant heat exchanger to a supercharger intercooler and loops around a hot outlet end of a screw type supercharger and back to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be a dedicated air/coolant heat exchanger or be a vehicle radiator. The intercooler is sandwiched between the supercharger and intake manifold and cools the flow of hot compressed air from the supercharger into the intake manifold. The supercharger cooling loop circles the front rotor bearings thereby cooling the bearings and seals, the forward ends of the male and female rotors, and the male and female rotor gears. The cooling loop is preferably located in the outlet end wall between the supercharger rotors and the rotor drive gears to form a barrier to heat. A dedicated pump cycles the coolant flow and restrictions control the flow of coolant to the supercharger.

Abstract: A screw compressor type supercharger includes an improved supercharger bypass valve including a spring biasing the bypass valve towards an open position. The spring may be a compression spring integrated into a bypass valve diaphragm, an extension spring extending parallel to a diaphragm arm, or a torsion spring on a bypass valve butterfly shaft. The spring is selected and installed to hold the bypass valve open at all vacuum levels and at up to one PSI of boost, and then to allow the bypass to close between one PSI and six PSI boost, and to be closed at above six PSI boost. The resulting control of the bypass valve prevents damage to the supercharger.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems serve to collapse steam in effluent released from steam sterilizers and sterilizer systems. These systems include tanks or containers configured for receiving and holding fluids, for example, water, and include a fluid outlet and a port that receives the released effluent. A conduit extending into the tank from the effluent receiving port provides a path for the steam to the fluid in the tank, to collapse the steam.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems serve to collapse steam in effluent released from steam sterilizers and sterilizer systems. These systems include tanks or containers configured for receiving and holding fluids, for example, water, and include a fluid outlet and a port that receives the released effluent. A conduit extending into the tank from the effluent receiving port provides a path for the steam to the fluid in the tank, to collapse the steam.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum-base composite material. The aluminum-base material contains a uniform distribution of carbide particles and lubricating phase particles such as carbon or graphite. The carbide particles increase hardness for improved wear resistance. The lubricating phase particles provide improved wear resistance and especially improve unlubricated wear resistance under increased loads. Finally, a dispersoid of nickel aluminide intermetallic phase may also be used to provide additional hardness and wear resistance. The composite is formed by introducing carbide particles and lubricating phase such as graphite into a molten aluminum alloy to neutraliize buoyancy and to form an aluminum-base mixture. Mixing the aluminum-base mixture to uniformly distribute carbide and carbon particles throughout the molten aluminum. Carbide and carbon particles counteract each other to remain uniformly distributed throughout the aluminum-base alloy despite prolonged holding or cooling times.

Abstract: The invention produces a light metal alloy composite having a nickel coated graphite or carbon with a nickel-containing intermetallic phase within a portion of a casting. A mold is provided to cast a light metal into a predetermined shape. A nickel coated carbon phase structure is placed into a portion of the mold. The light metal is cast into the mold around the carbon structure to wet an interface between the light metal and the nickel coated carbon structure. A nickel-containing intermetallic phase is formed in the light metal proximate the nickel coated carbon to provide increased wear resistance. The light metal is then solidified to form the metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A tool for use in aligning a vehicle door. A vehicle typically has a door lock assembly which receives a lock pin on the door frame, or similar article, to secure the vehicle door in a closed position. The tool of the present invention has a comparable lock pin toward one end which can be "locked" into the vehicle lock assembly and, at an opposed end, a portion for engaging the vehicle door frame lock pin. The lock pin engaging portion is structured so that, at least, the door and the door frame are horizontally fixed in a desired ajar relationship. This frees both hands of the tool user to make the desired door adjustment. The tool of the preferred embodiment is used with a standard breaker bar, with extension if necessary.

Abstract: A technique for substantially reducing nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) emissions in internal combustion engine exhaust gases. The NO.sub.x laden stream is contacted with a As catalytic material supported on a metal plated Ni foam substrate in the presence of a reducing agent. The NO.sub.x is reduced to nitrogen, water and/or carbon, and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The invention produces a light metal alloy composite having a nickel coated graphite or carbon with a nickel-containing intermetallic phase within a portion of a casting. A mold is provided to cast a light metal into a predetermined shape. A nickel coated carbon phase structure is placed into a portion of the mold. The light metal is cast into the mold around the carbon structure to wet an interface between the light metal and the nickel coated carbon structure. A nickel-containing intermetallic phase is formed in the light metal proximate the nickel coated carbon to provide increased wear resistance. The light metal is then solidified to form the metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A novel process for the production of nickel hydroxide wherein particulate nickel is reacted with oxygen in the presence of liquid water at a temperature of at least 180.degree. C. The invention also includes the nickel hydroxide product so produced.

Abstract: A gas turbine having internally cooled thermal barrier coated turbine blades is disclosed. The turbine blades are made from an alloy substrate exhibiting a low coefficient of thermal expansion, an intermediate bond coating and an exterior ceramic coating. Cooling fluid is supplied from the shaft of the compressor where it flows into and out of the turbine blade. Thermal barrier coated turbine blades result in more efficient gas turbine designs.

Abstract: A normally aspirated compounded, overcharged (supercharged) four stroke internal combustion engine, preferably diesel, which is particularly useful in adiabatic (low heat rejection) versions. An auxiliary expansion piston and compression piston reciprocate at least twice as fast as the combustion pistons to increase the volumetric efficiency of the engine as well as to overcharge the air charge within the combustion cylinders. Increased efficiency and simplified construction result.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for removing the oxide surface from water atomized metal powders containing an oxidizer capable of oxidizing chromium from a trivalent to a soluble hexavalent state, whereby chromium oxides are removed from the metal powder surface. The powder is then treated with a dilute acid solution essentially devoid of hydrofluoric acid to remove other hydrated oxides from the metal powder surface. The powder is then water washed and dried.