Abstract: A pressure regulator is associated with a solenoid-operated valve that is operated by a pulse waveform at a fundamental frequency substantially greater than the frequency response of the valve mechanism. This substantially attenuates solenoid pulsations and applies a predetermined pressure differential across the valve mechanism to accomplish improved flow control accuracy. The invention is especially advantageous for purging fuel vapor to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A valve, system, and method for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The system includes a fuel vapor collection canister, an isolation valve, and a fuel tank. The isolation valve includes a housing defining a chamber, a diaphragm movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration and a second configuration, and a coil spring biasing the diaphragm toward the first configuration. The housing includes an interior partition that defines an aperture and separates the housing into first and second sections, a first port that is in fuel vapor communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and a second port. In the first configuration, the diaphragm occludes the aperture, divides the chamber into three sub-chambers, and substantially prevents fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports. In the second configuration, the diaphragm divides the chamber into two sub-chambers and permits generally unrestricted fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for providing a variable output torque based upon a constant input force. The assembly includes an actuator for providing a constant input force and at least one link operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivot point such the constant input force is converted to the variable output torque.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is associated with a solenoid-operated valve that is operated by a pulse waveform at a fundamental frequency substantially greater than the frequency response of the valve mechanism. This substantially attenuates solenoid pulsations and applies a predetermined pressure differential across the valve mechanism to accomplish improved flow control accuracy. The invention is especially advantageous for purging fuel vapor to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A valve structure that comprises a housing and a valve. The housing includes a first fluid communication passage between a first port and a second port. The valve is movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. The first configuration permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the first and second ports. And the intermediate configuration provides restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The valve includes a first valve element and a second valve element. The first valve element includes a second fluid communication passage providing the restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second valve element is positionable in first and second positions with respect to the first valve element.

Abstract: A valve structure that comprises a housing and a valve. The housing includes a first fluid communication passage between a first port and a second port. The valve is movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration, a second configuration, and an intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. The first configuration permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the first and second ports. And the intermediate configuration provides restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The valve includes a first valve element and a second valve element. The first valve element includes a second fluid communication passage providing the restricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second valve element is positionable in first and second positions with respect to the first valve element.

Abstract: A system and a method for recirculating a flow of exhaust gases. The system comprises a passage through which the exhaust gas flow passes, a valve movable in the passage between a generally open configuration and a generally closed configuration, an actuator operatively connected to the valve, and a fail-safe returning the valve to one of the generally open and generally closed configurations if the actuator is disabled. The generally open configuration of the valve substantially permits the exhaust gas flow to pass through the passage, and the generally closed configuration of the valve substantially prevents the exhaust gas flow from passing through the passage. The actuator includes a one-way driver and a release to move the valve between the generally open and generally closed configurations and to vary the exhaust gas flow though the passage. The method comprises energizing the actuator with a power supply, and moving the valve to a fail-safe position if the power supply fails.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for providing a variable output torque based upon a constant input force. The assembly includes an actuator for providing a constant input force and at least one link operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivot point such the constant input force is converted to the variable output torque.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine that operates with charge air boost. An EGR valve has an inlet port communicated to the engine exhaust system upstream of a throttle valve in the tailpipe and an outlet port communicated to the engine intake system. The throttle valve is controlled to selectively restrict exhaust gas flow through the tailpipe so as to maintain the difference between pressure at the EGR valve inlet and pressure at the EGR valve outlet substantially unaffected by changes in pressure in the intake system and in the exhaust system. The invention is particularly suited for a turbocharged diesel engine.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting leakage from a evaporative emission space of an automotive vehicle fuel system. A reciprocating pump is operated in a pressurizing mode to build pressure in the space toward a nominal test pressure. The pressurizing mode involves operating the pump in a repeating cycle wherein the pump operates alternately in an accelerated pumping mode and a natural frequency pumping mode. During the pressurizing mode, a characteristic of successive occurrences of the natural frequency pumping mode indicative of pressure in the space is measured. The number of times the cycle repeats is counted and compared to a predefined reference.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for providing a variable output torque based upon a constant input force. The assembly includes an actuator for providing a constant input force and at least one link operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivot point such the constant input force is converted to the variable output torque.

Abstract: A valve, system, and method for controlling evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. The system includes a fuel vapor collection canister, an isolation valve, and a fuel tank. The isolation valve includes a housing defining a chamber, a diaphragm movable with respect to the housing between a first configuration and a second configuration, and a coil spring biasing the diaphragm toward the first configuration. The housing includes an interior partition that defines an aperture and separates the housing into first and second sections, a first port that is in fuel vapor communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and a second port. In the first configuration, the diaphragm occludes the aperture, divides the chamber into three sub-chambers, and substantially prevents fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports. In the second configuration, the diaphragm divides the chamber into two sub-chambers and permits generally unrestricted fuel vapor flow between the first and second ports.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite extrusion is disclosed wherein a main body portion (1) of the extrusion is first extruded from a thermosetting material, this body portion then being heated so as at least partly to cure it, the main body portion then being passed at high temperature through a further extruder where a thermoplastics material (8) is extruded onto one or more surfaces of the main body portion (˜), the subsequent composite extrusion then being cooled and formed into its final shape.

Abstract: The valve has a solenoid actuator and a position sensor providing an electric signal of the position of the solenoid armature. The solenoid is an electromagnet coil disposed on a plastic bobbin. The magnetic circuit contains a stator member having a flange disposed against a flange of the bobbin, and the position sensor has a plastic housing having a base that captures the stator member flange against the bobbin flange. The stator member flange contains apertures through which non-metallic material that joins with the bobbin flange passes to join with the position sensor housing base, thereby uniting the bobbin and the position sensor housing in assembly capturing the stator member flange. The assembly may be fabricated by an insert molding method or a method in which joining material is melted.

Abstract: A method and sensor or sensor subsystem permit improved evaporative leak detection in an automotive fuel system. The sensor or sensor subsystem computes temperature-compensated pressure values, thereby eliminating or reducing false positive or other adverse results triggered by temperature changes in the fuel tank. The temperature-compensated pressure measurement is then available for drawing an inference regarding the existence of a leak with reduced or eliminated false detection arising as a result of temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is associated with a solenoid-operated valve that is operated by a pulse waveform at a fundamental frequency substantially greater than the frequency response of the valve mechanism. This substantially attenuates solenoid pulsations and applies a predetermined pressure differential across the valve mechanism to accomplish improved flow control accuracy. The invention is especially advantageous for purging fuel vapor to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder head (142) has an exterior wall that contains a walled compartment (140). A wall of that compartment is exposed to an internal coolant passage (146) through which liquid coolant circulates. An exhaust gas passageway (160) running through the compartment has an exhaust gas entrance (162) into the compartment and an exhaust gas exit (164) from the compartment. The compartment comprises a receptacle (148) that intersects the exhaust gas passageway between the entrance and the exit. An EGR valve (10) disposed on the exterior wall comprises a base (12) that has an inlet port (30) and an outlet port (32) and that is disposed within the receptacle with the inlet port open to the entrance via the passageway and the outlet port open to the exit via the passageway. As hot exhaust gas is recirculated, coolant that circulates through the coolant passage aids in limiting peak temperatures to which the valve may be subjected.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder head (142) has an exterior wall that contains a walled compartment (140). A wall of that compartment is exposed to an internal coolant passage (146) through which liquid coolant circulates. An exhaust gas passageway (160) running through the compartment has an exhaust gas entrance (162) into the compartment and an exhaust gas exit (164) from the compartment. The compartment comprises a receptacle (148) that intersects the exhaust gas passageway between the entrance and the exit. An EGR valve (10) disposed on the exterior wall comprises a base (12) that has an inlet port (30) and an outlet port (32) and that is disposed within the receptacle with the inlet port open to the entrance via the passageway and the outlet port open to the exit via the passageway. As hot exhaust gas is recirculated, coolant that circulates through the coolant passage aids in limiting peak temperatures to which the valve may be subjected.

Abstract: A system and a method for recirculating a flow of exhaust gases. The system comprises a passage through which the exhaust gas flow passes, a valve movable in the passage between a generally open configuration and a generally closed configuration, an actuator operatively connected to the valve, and a fail-safe returning the valve to one of the generally open and generally closed configurations if the actuator is disabled. The generally open configuration of the valve substantially permits the exhaust gas flow to pass through the passage, and the generally closed configuration of the valve substantially prevents the exhaust gas flow from passing through the passage. The actuator includes a one-way driver and a release to move the valve between the generally open and generally closed configurations and to vary the exhaust gas flow though the passage. The method comprises energizing the actuator with a power supply, and moving the valve to a fail-safe position if the power supply fails.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine that operates with charge air boost. An EGR valve has an inlet port communicated to the engine exhaust system upstream of a throttle valve in the tailpipe and an outlet port communicated to the engine intake system. The throttle valve is controlled to selectively restrict exhaust gas flow through the tailpipe so as to maintain the difference between pressure at the EGR valve inlet and pressure at the EGR valve outlet substantially unaffected by changes in pressure in the intake system and in the exhaust system. The invention is particularly suited for a turbocharged diesel engine.