Abstract: A particulate trap is regenerated with a valving mechanism downstream of the trap for periodically creating a reverse pressure of about 15 to 60 psig throughout the entire trap, a reversing apparatus operative after the reverse pressure is created for starting a regeneration cycle by creating a substantially instantaneous reverse pressure drop across the porous walls of the trap to dislodge accumulated particulate cake and by causing the filtered exhaust gas to flow back through the porous walls to remove the dislodged particulate from the trap, and controls for starting and stopping a regeneration cycle.

Abstract: A particulate trap system for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of contiguous porous walls, and a remotely actuated relief valve downstream of said trap for periodically creating a reverse pressure throughout the exhaust system upstream of the relief valve and including said trap. A reversing apparatus periodically creates a reverse pressure drop across a portion of the contiguous porous walls of said trap to dislodge accumulated particulate and cause a portion of the filtered exhaust gas to flow back through said portion of the contiguous porous walls to remove particulate therefrom. A control system actuates the relief valve and the reversing apparatus. In one embodiment the system is utilized on a vehicle and the reversing apparatus includes a relief valve that is also operative as an exhaust brake.

Abstract: A particulate trap system for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes a monolithic wall-flow particulate trap having a plurality of contiguous porous walls, and a remotely actuated relief valve downstream of said trap for periodically creating a reverse pressure throughout the exhaust system upstream of the relief valve and including said trap. A reversing apparatus periodically creates a reverse pressure drop across a portion of the contiguous porous walls of said trap to dislodge accumulated particulate and cause a portion of the filtered exhaust gas to flow back through said portion of the contiguous porous walls to remove particulate therefrom. A control system actuates the relief valve and the reversing apparatus. In one embodiment the system is utilized on a vehicle and the reversing apparatus includes a relief valve that is also operative as an exhaust break.

Abstract: An inspection system adapted to perform retro positive material identification of components of a multi-feature system. The inspection system comprises an electronic drawing, a positive material identification database, a field load sheet and a data logger. The electronic drawing has tagged locations identifying respective features of the multi-feature system to be read for retro positive material identification analysis. The electronic drawing has at least one unique identification code for each tagged location. The positive material identification database has component information records for respective components. Each component information record correlated to a component associated with one tagged location of the electronic drawing. The field load sheet has identification codes for respective tagged locations. The identification codes of the field load sheet are correlated to the component information records of the positive material identification database.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine by use of monolithic particulate trap systems having porous walls (2c, 24c). The porous walls (2c, 24c) filter the particulate. The filtered particulate on inner surfaces of the porous walls is periodically removed or regenerated via back flow of previously filtered exhaust gas. The back flow is caused by creating a pressure difference across the porous walls. The back flow of the previously filtered exhaust gas is simultaneously or sequentially coupled with high velocity through flow of exhaust gas in the channels. In addition, the particulate trap system can be an adsorber-catalyst particulate trap system for filtering particulate and reducing NOx via an adsorber-catalyst trap systems to achieve the EPA 2007 standards.

Abstract: A wall-flow particulate trap system regenerated by reverse flow of filtered exhaust gas through porous walls of a plurality of tubular passages is disclosed. The system includes a particulate trap having an inlet and an outlet, the particulate trap adapted to receive engine exhaust gas; a mode valve assembly offset from the inlet of the particulate trap; a remote actuated relief valve offset from the outlet of the at least one particulate trap a duct rotor intermediate the particulate trap and the mode valve assembly, the duct rotor having a first end and a second end, the second end of the duct rotor in operative communication with the mode valve assembly and the first end of the duct rotor in fluid communication with the inlet of the particulate trap; and a rotor drive in driving connection with the duct rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine by use of monolithic particulate trap systems having porous walls (2c, 24c). The porous walls (2c, 24c) filter the particulate. The filtered particulate on inner surfaces of the porous walls is periodically removed or regenerated via back flow of previously filtered exhaust gas. The back flow is caused by creating a pressure difference across the porous walls. The back flow of the previously filtered exhaust gas is simultaneously or sequentially coupled with high velocity through flow of exhaust gas in the channels. In addition, the particulate trap system can be an adsorber-catalyst particulate trap system for filtering particulate and reducing NOx via an adsorber-catalyst trap systems to achieve the EPA 2007 standards.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine by use of monolithic particulate trap systems having porous walls (2c, 24c). The porous walls (2c, 24c) filter the particulate. The filtered particulate on inner surfaces of the porous walls is periodically removed or regenerated via back flow of previously filtered exhaust gas. The back flow is caused by creating a pressure difference across the porous walls. The back flow of the previously filtered exhaust gas is simultaneously or sequentially coupled with high velocity through flow of exhaust gas in the channels. In addition, the particulate trap system can be an adsorber-catalyst particulate trap system for filtering particulate and reducing NOx via an adsorber-catalyst trap systems to achieve the EPA 2007 standards.

Abstract: A wall-flow particulate trap system regenerated by reverse flow of filtered exhaust gas through porous walls of a plurality of tubular passages is disclosed. The system includes a particulate trap having an inlet and an outlet, the particulate trap adapted to receive engine exhaust gas; a mode valve assembly offset from the inlet of the particulate trap; a remote actuated relief valve offset from the outlet of the at least one particulate trap a duct rotor intermediate the particulate trap and the mode valve assembly, the duct rotor having a first end and a second end, the second end of the duct rotor in operative communication with the mode valve assembly and the first end of the duct rotor in fluid communication with the inlet of the particulate trap; and a rotor drive in driving connection with the duct rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus permits production of the complete monolithic cross flow trap module in a single extrusion process followed by firing to sinter the plasticized ceramic material and remove the plastics to achieve open porosity. Consequently, the trap modules can be made in large production quantities at minimal cost.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention permits production of the complete monolithic cross flow trap module in a single extrusion process followed by firing to sinter the plasticized ceramic material and remove the plastics to achieve open porosity. Consequently, the trap modules can be made in large production quantities at minimal cost.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for removing or filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine exhaust and/or for regenerating through flow particulate traps with the incoming flow of exhaust gas. The particulate trap modules have through flow passageways with porous walls for filtering particulate in the exhaust gas. The passageways are regenerated by periodically passing the exhaust gas there through at a velocity sufficient to erode or dislodge the soot and/or ash. Apparatus is provided to separate, burn and store the dislodged soot and/or ash. Having devices and catalysts may also be used to aid in the removal of soot and/or ash.

Abstract: A visual distance marker for a golf course fairway which provides viewable indicia of distance along the fairway. The marker member has a generally uniform x- or cross-shaped cross section which facilitates being viewable from any direction on the fairway. The device includes an elongated resilient, preferably molded polyurethane marker member having its lower end slidably positioned and secured inside a tubular anchor member. When the anchor member is implanted or buried in the ground, the marker member is supported in an upright orientation extending above the ground, being supported within the tubular anchor member. The marker member is sufficiently resilient in all directions so as to be deflected and bent over against the ground as a reel-type lawn mower approaches and passes there over, thus eliminating the need for removing and replacing the entire device or just the marker member during normal mowing operations.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the pressure of a compressible fuel resident in a reservoir above a predetermined minimum including withdrawing compressed air from an internal combustion engine's combustion chamber, further compressing that withdrawn air, transmitting that further compressed air to an expandable air compartment which, with a fuel compartment having an outlet, occupies the interior of a reservoir. Apparatus for maintaining the pressure of a compressible fuel above a predetermined minimum including a reservoir having an air compartment and a fuel compartment separated by a moveable barrier, an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, means for transmitting air from the combustion chamber to the air compartment, a compressor for compressing the transmitted air, and a valve for obstructing air transmission when the fuel compartment's pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: A visual distance marker for a golf course fairway and method which provides viewable indicia of distance along the fairway such as from a tee. The device includes an elongated resilient preferably elastomeric or polyurethane marker tube having its lower end slidably or adhesively secured inside a tubular anchor member. When the anchor member is implanted or buried in the ground, the marker tube is supported in an upright orientation extending above the ground, being supported inside the tubular anchor member. The marker tube is sufficiently resilient in all directions so as to be deflected and bent over against the ground as a reel-type lawn mower approaches and passes thereover, thus eliminating the need for removing and replacing the device during normal mowing operations.

Abstract: An improved gasifier adapted for gasifying a predetermined charge of non-gaseous fuel into fuel gas. Each charge of non-gaseous fuel, which may have optional conditioning materials added to it, is intermittently fed to a gasifier chamber where each charge is partially burned with high-pressure air supplied thereto. High-pressure and temperature fuel gas is produced which is cleansed prior to passing out of the gasifier chamber. After gasification of the charge of fuel is is ended, the gasifier chamber is vented. The residue of the burned charge in the gasifier chamber is removed, along with the contaminated or reacted conditioning materials, and replaced by a fresh charge. The subject invention provides a feasible way of continuously fueling an internal combustion engine with gasified fuel and is compact enough to be practical for even mobile applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for a multi-fuel system has a recirculation conduit passing excess fuel back to a mixing chamber where it is mixed with incoming fuel and thereby preventing abrupt fuel composition changes associated with switching from one fuel to another.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for determining the energy content of a fuel and delivering an engine controlling signal responsive to the determined energy content.

Abstract: A visual distance marker for a golf course fairway which provides viewable indicia of distance along the fairway such as from a tee. The device includes an elongated resilient maker strip having its lower end secured inside a tubular anchor portion. When the anchor portion is embedded or buried in the ground, the marker strip is supported in an upright orientation extending above the ground but is loosely secured inside the tubular anchor portion so that the marker strip can be rotated about its longitudinal axis through a small acute angle. The marker strip is thin and sufficiently resilient in one plane so as to be deflected and bent over against the ground as a reel-type lawn mower approaches and passes thereover, thus eliminating the need for removing and replacing the device during normal mowing operations.

Abstract: The service life of conventional glow plugs is extremely short when they are continuously energized at an elevated temperature during engine operation in order to assist ignition of non-autoignitable fuels. Such glow plugs typically fail due to thermal stresses and/or oxidation and corrosion.Herein is disclosed an improved heating element assembly adapted for incorporation in a glow plug. The heating element assembly includes a monolithic sheath having a relatively-thin and generally annular wall defining a blind bore. The heating element assembly further includes a heating device positioned in the blind bore and adapted to emit heat, and a heat transfer device adapted to transfer heat from the heating means to the sheath. The heating device includes a heating filament and a ceramic insulator. THe heating filament is protected against oxidation by being encapsulated in the insulator. The insulator is protected against corrosion by being encapsulated in the sheath.