Abstract: An engine system having a compressor coupled to an engine and supplying air to an intake manifold, a throttle controlling the supply of air from the compressor to the intake manifold, a compressor recirculation valve (CRV) having a pneumatic control chamber, and a throttle aspirator having its motive section in fluid communication with an inlet of the throttle and its discharge section in fluid communication with an outlet of the throttle and its suction port in fluid communication with the pneumatic control chamber of the CRV. Such an engine system automatically minimizes surge during boost without a control system activating the CRV. Here, the CRV operates purely on the changes in pressure within the system forming a loop that resets itself. In another embodiment, a gate valve and a vacuum canister may be included rather than having the throttle aspirator directly connected to the CRV's pneumatic control chamber.

Abstract: Pulley assemblies are disclosed that include a pulley body, a hub disposed within the bore of the pulley body, and a one-way clutch concentric about the hub. The one-way clutch has a plurality of cantilevered members that each include a friction surface and a cantilevered end and a biasing member in contact with one cantilevered member to bias the cantilevered members into continuous frictional engagement with the bore of the pulley body. Each of the cantilevered members is pivotable about its cantilevered end and is partially nested within an adjacent cantilevered member to form an annular body. This construction places the friction surface of each cantilevered member facing the bore of the pulley body. In operation, the pulley body rotates in a predominant direction which activates the plurality of cantilevered members to link the pulley body to the hub for simultaneous rotation.

Abstract: Check valves are disclosed, including check valve included in an aspirator, that includes a housing defining an internal cavity having a first port and a second port both in fluid communication therewith, and a sealing member within the cavity. The sealing member is translatable between a closed position against a first seat within the internal cavity of the housing and an open position against a second seat within the internal cavity of the housing. The sealing member has a sealing material positioned for sealing engagement with the first seat when the sealing member is in the closed position and a reinforcing member positioned for engagement with the second seat when the sealing member is in the open position.

Abstract: An aspirator for creating vacuum is disclosed that includes a housing defining a fluid passageway with a first tapering portion and a second tapering portion. Each tapering portion has a larger internal opening and a smaller internal opening, the smaller openings facing one another. The aspirator includes a gate positioned between and in fluid communication with the first and second tapering portions, the gate having a first Venturi tube with a Venturi opening creating vacuum when fluid flows in a direction and a second Venturi tube with a Venturi opening that creates vacuum when fluid flows in the opposite direction. The Venturi openings are in fluid communication with a suction port, and the first and second Venturi tubes may provide different mass flow rates through the aspirator. An engine system having an aspirator with a gate having a first bore and a second bore and an actuator is also disclosed.

Abstract: Recirculation systems for engine intake air are disclosed having a turbocharger compressor with an inlet and an outlet, a recirculation pathway connecting fluid flow from the outlet of the turbocharger compressor to fluid flow into the inlet of the turbocharger compressor, and a recirculation valve assembly controlling fluid flow through the recirculation pathway. The recirculation valve assembly includes an actuator operating a valve coupled to an aspirator assembly that produces vacuum when the fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the inlet to the outlet and when fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the outlet to the inlet. Fluid flows through the recirculation pathway from the outlet to the inlet when the turbocharger generates boost. The vacuum generated by the aspirator assembly is in fluid communication with the actuator to move the valve between two or more positions.

Abstract: A diesel engine fluid reservoir system having a reservoir of diesel exhaust fluid in thermal communication with a heating element, a first conduit for the flow of engine coolant fluid to the heating element, a temperature sensor disposed to sense ambient temperature and/or a temperature of the diesel exhaust fluid, a controller communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and communicatively coupled to a sprung gate valve included in the first conduit. The gate valve has a no-flow position and a flow position for control of the flow of engine coolant and includes an endless elastic band sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member each defining an opening therethrough alignable with the first conduit in the flow position. In response to a sensed temperature at which the diesel exhaust fluid is frozen, the controller signals the gate valve to be in the flow position.

Abstract: A solenoid-powered gate valve that provides a reliable, high quality seal with a reduced operating force requirement. The valve includes a solenoid coil and armature connected to a valve mechanism, with the valve mechanism including a conduit having a connection opening, an oppositely-disposed pocket, and a sprung gate assembly linearly movable between the connection opening and the pocket. The sprung gate assembly includes a first gate member with an opening, a second gate member with an opening, and an endless elastic band retained between the first and second gate members, with the openings and endless elastic band collectively defining a passage through the sprung gate assembly, with the first and second gate members being mechanically coupled to the armature for reciprocating linear movement between the connection opening and the pocket. The endless elastic band allows an interference fit within the pocket with reduced frictional opposition to gate movement.

Abstract: A sprung gate for a valve having an endless elastic band sandwiched between first and second gate members that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof, which collectively form a passage through the sprung gate. The first gate member includes a fastener connected to a fastener receiving member of the second gate member thereby securing the first and second gate members together as a unit. This sprung gate unit is operatively connected to an actuator for linear translation within a pocket of a conduit to control fluid flow through the conduit. This assembled device may be manufactured using spin welding to sealingly mate the conduit to a housing enclosing the actuator.

Abstract: An engine system having a compressor coupled to an engine and supplying air to an intake manifold, a throttle controlling the supply of air from the compressor to the intake manifold, a compressor recirculation valve (CRV) having a pneumatic control chamber, and a throttle aspirator having its motive section in fluid communication with an inlet of the throttle and its discharge section in fluid communication with an outlet of the throttle and its suction port in fluid communication with the pneumatic control chamber of the CRV. Such an engine system automatically minimizes surge during boost without a control system activating the CRV. Here, the CRV operates purely on the changes in pressure within the system forming a loop that resets itself. In another embodiment, a gate valve and a vacuum canister may be included rather than having the throttle aspirator directly connected to the CRV's pneumatic control chamber.

Abstract: An engine system having a compressor coupled to an engine and supplying air to an intake manifold, a throttle controlling the supply of air from the compressor to the intake manifold, a vacuum reservoir, an aspirator having its motive section in fluid communication with the air intake system upstream of the compressor and its discharge section in fluid communication downstream of the compressor and a suction port in fluid communication with the vacuum reservoir, a compressor recirculation valve having a pneumatic control chamber in fluid communication with downstream air from the compressor and in fluid communication with the vacuum reservoir, a gate valve controlling the fluid communication of the pneumatic control chamber of the compressor recirculation valve with the downstream air and the vacuum reservoir, and a bleed line having a bleed valve in fluid communication with the vacuum reservoir and the pneumatic control chamber of the compressor recirculation valve.

Abstract: Pulley assemblies are disclosed that include a pulley body, a hub disposed within the bore of the pulley body, and a one-way clutch concentric about the hub. The one-way clutch has a plurality of cantilevered members that each include a friction surface and a cantilevered end and a biasing member in contact with one cantilevered member to bias the cantilevered members into continuous frictional engagement with the bore of the pulley body. Each of the cantilevered members is pivotable about its cantilevered end and is partially nested within an adjacent cantilevered member to form an annular body. This construction places the friction surface of each cantilevered member facing the bore of the pulley body. In operation, the pulley body rotates in a predominant direction which activates the plurality of cantilevered members to link the pulley body to the hub for simultaneous rotation.

Abstract: Piston actuators and methods of its operation are described. The piston actuators include a housing defining a chamber having a piston therein and a spring seated against the piston to bias it into a starting position. The piston includes a ferromagnetic material, a magnet or both and a secondary magnet or ferromagnetic material, forming a first magnetic/ferromagnetic pair with the piston, is positioned to maintain the piston in a secondary position. A tertiary magnet or ferromagnetic material, forming a second magnetic/ferromagnetic pair with the piston, may assist the spring in maintaining the piston in the starting position. During operation, introduction into or removal from the chamber of an amount of fluid sufficient to overcome the force of the spring (and the tertiary magnet or ferromagnetic material) enables the attraction between the members of the first magnetic/ferromagnetic pair to move the piston to the secondary position as a snap movement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering and recycling hydrogen from a reforming process raises the pressure of at least one hydrogen-rich gas stream from at least one catalyst lock hopper and delivers at least a portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas stream to at least one predetermined downstream location. At least another portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas is used to maintain the desired pressure within the hydrogen recovery and recycling process and apparatus.

Abstract: A digitally-based, multi-media learning center is provided for an interactive learning experience. An expert-guided digital presentation of relevant evidence-based information is provided, such as relating to medical conditions. In addition to digitally-based information, live peer-to-peer, and interpersonal interaction, including with live patients, is preferably supported to supplement the learning experience.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering and recycling hydrogen from a reforming process raises the pressure of at least one hydrogen-rich gas stream from at least one catalyst lock hopper and delivers at least a portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas stream to at least one predetermined downstream location. At least another portion of the pressurized hydrogen-rich gas is used to maintain the desired pressure within the hydrogen recovery and recycling process and apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a 360 degree ventilation system with a single unitary plenum. The present invention is also directed to a 360 degree ventilation system with a single mixing chamber extending at least substantially entirely around the perimeter of the blow ventilation system. The present invention is also directed to a 360 degree ventilation system with a heating/cooling units that extend substantially all the way around the perimeter of the ventilation system. The present invention is also directed to a 360 degree ventilation system with a single return air chamber.

Abstract: Low probability of marine mammal impact (LPMMI) sound signals have a modulation component selected to reduce a behavioral response from a marine mammal from that which would occur when transmitting another sound signal having approximately the same time duration component, approximately the same bandwidth component, and approximately the same center frequency component as the LPMMI waveform but having a modulation component comprising a frequency modulation.

Abstract: A portable device for swatting and collecting bugs, insects, flies and the like is disclosed herein. In one practicable embodiment, the device includes a spread structure having a designated swatting surface, a handle having an inner hollow defined therein, a hollow tube having an open distal end joined to the spread structure and an open proximal end joined to the handle, an activatable vacuum system in fluid communication with the inner hollow of the handle, an electric power source electrically connected to the vacuum system, and a hold in fluid communication with the inner hollow of the handle. In this configuration, bugs can be struck with the swatting surface of the spread structure by wielding the handle, and air can be drawn into the open distal end of the hollow tube by activating the vacuum system so as to convey the bugs to the hold.

Abstract: An intake interface receives a package with files of content from a submitter and places a job with the package in a jobs database. An automated dispatcher retrieves the job, identifies each file of the content of the package of the job, and groups the identified files into one or more tasks. Each task has a particular type and represents a particular propagation event that can be submitted to one or more particular tools. The automated dispatcher, for each task, calls to a propagation system with the files of the task and the particular type of the task. The propagation system calls to one or more particular tools thereof to in fact perform one or more respective propagating events based on the files and type of such task to propagate the content of the job to the network.

Abstract: An underwater sound source which comprises a housing having an inner and an outer surface and a monopole driver suspended within the center of the housing. The housing is adapted to receive fluid therein to form a fluid column inside the housing. The underwater sound source resonates at a frequency of 260 Hz when the monopole driver excites the fluid column.