Abstract: Venturi devices for producing vacuum are disclosed that include a housing defining a motive port, a suction port, a discharge port, a first flow passage between the motive port and the discharge port, and a second flow passage into and through the suction port and into fluid communication with the first flow passage, a first check valve incorporated into the housing and positioned to control fluid flow through the suction port, and a sound attenuating wrap about the outer surface of the housing. The Venturi devices may also include a sound attenuating member disposed in the first flow passage downstream of the intersection of the second flow passage and the first flow passage, in the portion of the second flow passage leading into the suction port, in the first check valve, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Ejector assemblies and engine systems including the same are disclosed herein. The ejector assemblies include a pressure regulator in fluid communication with an ejector. The pressure regulator receives boost pressure and selectively allows the boost pressure to pass through a valve opening therein under selected engine conditions and into the ejector as regulated boost pressure. Both the pressure regulator and the ejector each have a conduit defining a passageway that includes a Venturi gap separating the passageway into a converging section and a first diverging section that both narrow toward the Venturi gap. The pressure regulator has a piston operatively connected to a valve mechanism positioned for movement therewith to control the passage of the boost pressure through the valve opening, and the valve mechanism defines a passage therethrough that includes a gradually narrowing portion that is narrower than the valve opening.

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: 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: A piston for an internal combustion engine and method of construction thereof are provided. The piston includes a piston body having an upper combustion surface and an annular cooling gallery surrounding an undercrown region. An outer wall depends from the upper combustion surface. An annular ring belt region is formed in the outer wall adjacent the upper combustion surface. The ring belt region has at least one ring groove formed therein. At least one oil passage extends from the at least one ring groove to the cooling gallery. The oil passage has a first portion depending radially inwardly from the ring groove and a second portion ascending radially inwardly from the first portion to the cooling gallery.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator assembly is disclosed, and includes a core, wiring, and a gate assembly. The core is constructed of a magnetic material, and includes a first end and a second end. The wiring is wound around a portion of the core. A predetermined amount of electric current is applied to the wiring to induce a magnetic field within the core. The gate assembly is positioned between the first end and a second end of the core. The gate assembly comprises a first gate member traveling between the first end and a second end of the core based on a threshold force being applied to the gate assembly. The threshold force is created by the magnetic field.

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: Noise attenuation units are disclosed that are connectable in a system as part of a fluid flow path. Such units include a housing defining an internal cavity and having a first port and a second port each connectable to a fluid flow path and in fluid communication with one another through the internal cavity, and a noise attenuating member seated in the internal cavity of the housing within the flow of the fluid communication between the first port and the second port. The noise attenuating member enables the fluid communication between the first port and the second port to flow through the noise attenuating member.

Abstract: Check valve units having one or more sound attenuating members are disclosed. A check valve unit includes a housing defining an inlet port, an outlet port, and a chamber in fluid communication therewith thereby defining a flow path from the inlet port through the chamber to the outlet port. The chamber includes first and second valve seats and has a sealing member disposed therein that is moveable from a position seated on the first valve seat to a position seated on the second valve seat. A sound attenuating member is disposed in the flow path downstream of the chamber, within the chamber, or both. In another embodiment, the check valve unit includes a Venturi portion in fluid communication with the chamber. The Venturi portion has a fluid junction with the flow path downstream of the chamber or forms the discharge section of the Venturi portion thereby defining the outlet port.

Abstract: A corona igniter (20) includes a metal shell (32) with a corona reducing lip (38) spaced from an insulator (26) and being free of sharp edges (40) to prevent arcing (42) in a rollover region and concentrate the electrical field at an electrode firing end (48). The corona reducing lip (38) includes lip outer surfaces (88) being round, convex, concave, or curving continuously with smooth transitions (90) therebetween. The corona reducing lip (38) includes lip outer surfaces (88) presenting spherical lip radii (r1) being at least 0.004 inches. The corona igniter (20) also includes shell inner surfaces (104) and insulator outer surfaces (75) facing one another being free of sharp edges (40).

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine has a body including an upper combustion wall having an upper combustion surface; cylindrical outer wall with a ring belt region adjacent the upper combustion surface, and a closed annular cooling gallery located in radial alignment with the ring belt region. A cooling medium is contained in the cooling gallery. The cooling gallery has an inner surface including a radially outermost portion extending along the ring belt region. The outermost portion converges from the upper combustion wall toward a longitudinal central axis. During reciprocating motion of the piston, the cooling medium flows and remains in contact with the cooling gallery walls, thereby maximizing the capacity for heat to be transferred from the upper combustion wall to the contained cooling medium and from the cooling medium to the piston body, ring belt region and ultimately to the engine cooling system.

Abstract: A piston, piston ring and method of construction thereof is provided. The piston ring is L-shaped, having a first portion configured to extend upwardly from a ring groove of a piston along a top land of the piston and a second portion configured for receipt in the ring groove. The first and second portions of the ring have an enclosed hollow cooling chamber with a cooling medium disposed therein such that the cooling medium is free to flow internally to the piston ring groove and upwardly from the piston ring groove along the top land.

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: 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: Aspirators are disclosed herein that include a body defining a Venturi gap between an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section and have a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap. The converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, and the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet. In one embodiment, the converging motive section defines an inner passageway that transitions as a hyperbolic function from the circular-shaped motive inlet to the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet and the elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet has an area that is less than the area of the circular-shaped motive inlet.

Abstract: A corona igniter (20) includes a metal shell (32) with a corona reducing lip (38) spaced from an insulator (26) and being free of sharp edges (40) to prevent arcing (42) in a rollover region and concentrate the electrical field at an electrode firing end (48). The corona reducing lip (38) includes lip outer surfaces (88) being round, convex, concave, or curving continuously with smooth transitions (90) therebetween. The corona reducing lip (38) includes lip outer surfaces (88) presenting spherical lip radii (r1) being at least 0.004 inches. The corona igniter (20) also includes shell inner surfaces (104) and insulator outer surfaces (75) facing one another being free of sharp edges (40).

Abstract: A corona igniter 20 includes an insulator 28 surrounding a central electrode 24 and a shell 30 surrounding the insulator 28. The shell 30 presents a shell gap 38 having a shell gap width ws between a shell lower end 34 and a shell inner surface 90 or shell outer surface 92. The shell 30 has a shell thickness ts decreasing toward the shell lower end 34 allowing the shell gap width ws to increase toward the shell lower end 34. The shell gap 38 is open at the shell lower end 34 allowing air to flow therein, and the shell gap width ws is greatest at the shell lower end 34. The increasing shell gap width ws enhances corona discharge 22 along the insulator 28 between the central electrode 24 and shell 30.

Abstract: A method of sputter depositing silver selenide and controlling the stoichiometry and nodular defect formations of a sputter deposited silver-selenide film. The method includes depositing silver-selenide using a sputter deposition process at a pressure of about 0.3 mTorr to about 10 mTorr. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an RF sputter deposition process may be used preferably at pressures of about 2 mTorr to about 3 mTorr. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pulse DC sputter deposition process may be used preferably at pressures of about 4 mTorr to about 5 mTorr.

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.