Abstract: A method of operating a four-stroke gasoline direct-injection controlled auto-ignition combustion engine includes opening both the intake and exhaust valves during terminal portions of the expansion strokes and initial portions of the contraction strokes, injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber for mixing with retained gases and igniting the fuel near the ends of the contraction strokes. In the process, combustion gases are expanded to produce power during major portions of the expansion strokes, combusted gases are blown down into the exhaust outlet and the air inlet and are partially redrawn into the cylinder with fresh air during the terminal portions of the expansion strokes so the air charges are heated by the hot exhaust gases. Portions of the charges re-expelled and the remaining portions of the charges and injected fuel are compressed for ignition of the dilute fuel/air and exhaust gas mixture. Substantial reductions of NOx emissions result from the method.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the air-fuel ratio in a four-stroke gasoline direct-injection controlled auto-ignition combustion. The engine is operated with two sequential pairs of expansion and contraction strokes during two revolutions of the engine crank, the two revolutions defining a combustion cycle. A system is employed for variably actuating the intake and exhaust valves and adjusting the flow of air and burned gases entering the combustion chamber. Adjusting the flow affects the resulting air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber. The valve actuating system is employable to operate the intake and exhaust valves with an exhaust re-compression or an exhaust re-breathing valve strategy. Either valve strategy affects the air-fuel ratio in the cylinder and causes a proportion of burned gases from previous combustion cycles to be retained in the cylinder to provide the necessary conditions for auto-ignition of the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for an internal combustion engine includes a closed end cylinder having an axis. A piston is reciprocable in the cylinder and includes a generally flat rim having an inner edge surrounding a recessed bowl into which the fuel is primarily injected, the bowl having a floor and a surrounding side formed by an arcuate surface connecting tangentially with the floor and extending to the rim inner edge. A spark plug has a centerline through the spark gap and is offset to one side of the cylinder axis with the spark gap extending into the combustion chamber toward the axis. A fuel injector is offset to an opposite side of the axis with the spray tip aimed to direct a generally conical fuel spray into the piston bowl with a portion of the fuel spray passing near the spark gap. Various dimensional characteristics are disclosed.

Abstract: A control system for measuring a gap in an apparatus for pressing a traveling paper web as the paper web travels through the gap accompanied by at least one belt or felt, the apparatus including a press apparatus and a support surface defining a gap therebetween. A frame is provided for moveably supporting the press apparatus. An actuator is operatively disposed between the frame and press apparatus for selectively moving the press apparatus toward and away from the support to control the gap size. A transducer is mounted in either the press apparatus or support for producing a signal indicative of the pressure on the paper web as the paper web, belt and felt pass through the gap beneath the transducer. A controller is operatively linked with the transducer for receiving the signal, determining the measure of the gap as a function of the pressure, and causing the actuator to selectively move the press apparatus to control the gap size.

Abstract: Low load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through a valve control operative to establish sub-atmospheric pressure conditions within the combustion chamber into which fuel and exhaust gases are introduced.

Abstract: A vehicle driven by a homogeneous-charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes a fuel supply that supplies a hydrocarbon fuel in a first amount and an acetylene supply that supplies an acetylene-based component in a second amount. A cylinder has a piston reciprocally driven therein. The cylinder receives a combustion mixture including a third amount of air, the first amount of hydrocarbon fuel and the second amount of the acetylene-based component. The piston compresses the combustion mixture to induce auto-ignition of the combustion mixture. The acetylene-based component includes one of acetylene, an acetylene-hydrogen mixture, and a mixture of acetylene, hydrogen and other products of the acetylene production process.

Abstract: An apparatus for one of direct and indirect application of a coating medium onto a traveling fiber material web includes at least one doctor element for application and/or metering of the coating medium. At least one doctor element is formed of a carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A calender press for use in a paper-making machine includes a top roll positioned adjacent to a nip and rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof. The top roll has a length and circumferential perimeter. The length extends in the direction of and is longer than the width of the fiber web. The top roll is thermally compensated in a plurality of thermal zones which are adjacent to each other across the length of the top roll, whereby the perimeter of the top roll may be adjusted in a locally adjustable manner toward and away from the nip. A bottom roll is positioned adjacent to the top roll and defines the nip with the top roll. The bottom roll is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and has a length and circumferential perimeter. The length extends in the direction of and is longer than the width of the fiber web. The perimeter is smaller at each longitudinal end of the bottom roll and larger at approximately a midpoint between the longitudinal ends, thereby defining a crowned bottom roll.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a suction roll shell for use in a paper-making machine utilizes a mandrel with a length and a cross-sectional area corresponding to the shell. The mandrel has a plurality of generally radially extending holes. A plurality of pins are placed in the holes, with each pin extending radially outward from the shell a distance greater than a desired thickness of the shell. At least one elongate fiber is wound around the mandrel to form the shell with the desired thickness. The pins are removed from the mandrel and the shell.

Abstract: A headbox for a paper-making machine includes a plurality of side walls and an apron. A nozzle blade is connected to one of the side walls. The nozzle blade and the apron define a discharge nozzle therebetween. A profile bar is rigidly connected to an end of the nozzle blade. A slice lip is rigidly and removably attached to the profile bar and/or nozzle blade. The slice lip and the apron define a discharge outlet therebetween.

Abstract: A coater for applying a coating medium to a moving surface includes a mounting; a coater rod bed connected to the mounting; and a coater rod carried by the coater rod bed. The coater rod is configured for applying the coating medium to the moving surface, and includes a hollow rod with a longitudinal bore interconnecting opposite ends thereof. A pair of fluid couplings are respectively attached to each end of the coater rod. Each fluid coupling has an internal fluid passage which is disposed in fluid communication with the longitudinal bore of the coater rod, whereby a thermal transfer fluid may be transported through the longitudinal bore of the coater rod.

Abstract: A metering size press rod assembly specifically for use in a paper-making machine is stored and transported in a container and use in the paper-making machine. A plurality of metering size press rod assemblies are assembled. A storage sand transport container is provided at shipping location. The container includes a plurality of elongate openings therein. Each metering size press rod assembly is loaded into a corresponding one of the elongate openings in the container. The container is then transported to a user location, the metering size press assemblies are then sequentially and individually removed from the container, used in the papermaking machine and reloaded into the elongate openings in the container. The container with the used metering size press rod assemblies is the transported back to the shipping location.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a continuous belt edge detector system for use in a paper making machine having a continuous belt guide device. The edge detector system comprises a continuous belt having an edge dope with metallic particles therein and an inductive sensor connected to the guide device and adjacent the edge dope. The inductive sensor sends a signal to the guide device indicative of a location of the continuous belt. The guide device moves the continuous belt, e.g., transversely relative to the running direction of the belt within the machine, dependent on the inductive sensor signal.