Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage; and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, the valve located proximate to the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage, the valve including a low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine; wherein the low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine is formed of a material having low mass and or a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method of controlling combustion in an homogenous charge compression ignition engine through indirect mechanisms. The method utilizes a predictive model so that combustion can be controlled over a wide range of operating conditions while maintaining optimum operation with respect to efficiency and emissions. The methods include an adaptive aspect, which allows the predictive model to be updated if deemed necessary. Furthermore, the methods include a model with a plurality of control modes. A control mode can be chosen to optimize the engine for one of a plurality of output characteristics, including response time, efficiency, or emissions characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a heat sink that, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, includes a heat sink body with a spine configured to be oriented parallel with the direction of air flow when the heat sink is coupled to a substrate. The heat sink further includes a first set of cooling fins that are coupled to and extend from the spine along a first common longitudinal axis. At least two of the first set of cooling fins laterally extend from the first common longitudinal axis in a common direction and in an offset relationship to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heatsink for use with a heat-generating electrical component. The heatsink comprises a spine having opposing sides, cooling fins extending from the spine, and a dielectric layer adhered to at least one of the opposing sides. The dielectric layer has a thermal conductivity of at least about 1 W/m° C. The heatsink may further comprise a metal layer adhered to the dielectric layer. The metal layer provides a surface to which an electric component can be adhered. The heatsink can further include a heat-generating component adhered to the metal layer. In another aspect, the heat-generating component is a surface-mount electrical component adhered to the metal layer with solder.