Abstract: A fuel pump includes a fuel pump housing with a pumping chamber; a pumping plunger which reciprocates within a plunger bore; and an inlet valve. The inlet valve includes a valve body having a valve body bore; an inlet passage; and an outlet passage. The inlet valve also includes a check valve which moves between a seated position and an unseated position, wherein the seated position prevents flow through the outlet passage into the valve body bore and the unseated position permits flow through the outlet passage such that the valve body bore is in fluid communication with the pumping chamber. The inlet valve also includes a valve spool which moves between a first position where the valve spool maintains the check valve member in the unseated position and a second position where the check valve member is able to move to the seated position.

Abstract: A fuel pump includes a fuel pump housing with a pumping chamber; a pumping plunger which reciprocates within a plunger bore; and an inlet valve. The inlet valve includes a valve body having a valve body bore; an inlet passage; and an outlet passage. The inlet valve also includes a check valve which moves between a seated position and an unseated position, wherein the seated position prevents flow through the outlet passage into the valve body bore and the unseated position permits flow through the outlet passage such that the valve body bore is in fluid communication with the pumping chamber. The inlet valve also includes a valve spool which moves between a first position where the valve spool maintains the check valve member in the unseated position and a second position where the check valve member is able to move to the seated position.

Abstract: A pulsation damper is disposed within a fluid volume defined by a fluid volume wall such that the pulsation damper is exposed to pressure pulsations within the fluid volume. The pulsation damper includes a pulsation damper first half having a first damper wall which is flexible in response to the pressure pulsations; a pulsation damper second half having a second damper wall which is flexible in response to the pressure pulsations; and a damping volume defined between the pulsation damper first half and the pulsation damper second half such that the damping volume is fluidly segregated from the fluid volume. One of the pulsation damper first half and the pulsation damper second half defines a spacing member which maintains separation between the fluid volume wall and one of the first damper wall and the second damper wall.

Abstract: A pulsation damper is disposed within a fluid volume defined by a fluid volume wall such that the pulsation damper is exposed to pressure pulsations within the fluid volume. The pulsation damper includes a pulsation damper first half having a first damper wall which is flexible in response to the pressure pulsations; a pulsation damper second half having a second damper wall which is flexible in response to the pressure pulsations; and a damping volume defined between the pulsation damper first half and the pulsation damper second half such that the damping volume is fluidly segregated from the fluid volume. One of the pulsation damper first half and the pulsation damper second half defines a spacing member which maintains separation between the fluid volume wall and one of the first damper wall and the second damper wall.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel injector for supplying gaseous fuel to a fuel consuming device includes a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, a fuel passage for communicating the gaseous fuel from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet and a valve assembly for selectively preventing and permitting the gaseous fuel to pass from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve seat with a plurality of apertures for providing fluid communication therethrough and a valve extending along a valve axis for selectively preventing and permitting flow of the gaseous fuel through the valve seat. Each one of the plurality of apertures is a radially extending slot and the plurality of apertures is arranged in a polar array centered about the valve axis.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel injector is provided with a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, and a conduit for communicating fuel from the inlet to the outlet. A valve and valve seat is provided for selectively preventing and permitting fuel to pass from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The valve seat has a plurality of apertures for providing fluid communication therethrough. The valve has a sealing face for selectively engaging and disengaging the valve seat to selectively prevent and permit fuel from passing therethrough. The valve seat includes a raised seating surface for sealing against the sealing face when the valve is engaged with the valve seat. The raised seating surface is defined by at least one wall that continuously surrounds each aperture. Each wall is in continuous fluid communication with the entirety of each wall downstream of the sealing face when the valve is engaged with the valve seat.

Abstract: A heated fuel vaporizer is disposed in an intake component, such as a throttle valve or an intake manifold, of a fuel injected and spark-ignited internal combustion engine. The engine may be fueled by any liquid fuel, such as gasoline, diesel or by fuels much less volatile than gasoline, for example, alcohols such as ethanol, or mixtures of ethanol and gasoline. A configurable heating element is made from a single piece of sheet metal and includes one or two grids each formed by slots and segments. By controlling the geometry of the element, the power and surface area can be configured to any desired value. A single piece heater assembly is designed for installation in an intake component, such as throttle valve or intake manifold, of an internal combustion engine. The heater assembly includes a single-grid or dual-grid heating element that is over-molded with a high melting temperature polymer.

Abstract: A fuel vapor generator disposed in the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The vapor generator enriches air passing through the manifold to the individual cylinders to enhance engine starting capability, especially at low ambient temperatures. A dedicated fuel injector dispenses atomized fuel onto the surface of an electrically-heated element spaced apart from the nozzle of the fuel injector. The element is positioned within the manifold such that evaporated fuel is immediately swept from the generator by intake air and mixed with air in the manifold. In one aspect of the invention, the location for the heating element is immediately downstream of the manifold air intake throttle valve. The invention is especially useful for spark-ignited engines.

Abstract: A fast start-up catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate from hydrocarbon fuel includes a reactor having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within a reforming chamber in the reactor, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device within the reactor tube ignites a first lean mixture in combustion mode to generate exhaust gases to warm the catalyst which also warms the wall of the reactor adjacent the catalyst. The reactor then switches over to a rich fuel/air mixture during reforming mode. A jacket concentrically surrounds the reactor, defining a mixing chamber therebetween which communicates with the reforming chamber via openings in the wall of the reactor. Fuel entering the reformer in combustion mode is injected directly into the reforming chamber to provide rapid warming of the catalyst.

Abstract: A heat-conducting element having known length D is disposed at a first end in a first region having a first temperature T1 to be inferred. The second end of the element is disposed in a second region having a measureable second temperature T2 different from the first temperature. The element is well-insulated between the first and second regions. Heat flows along the element from the higher temperature region to the lower temperature region, and the temperature of the element at any point along the element is proportional to the temperature difference between the two regions and the distance from either one of the regions. By measuring the second temperature and also a third temperature T3 at a point along the element, and knowing accurately the position Dn of that point with respect to the first and second ends of the element, the first temperature can be inferred by proportionality.

Abstract: A valve deactivation system includes a deactivation rocker arm assembly and a free motion spring assembly. The deactivation rocker arm assembly includes an elongate rocker arm defining an aperture. A center post is slidingly disposed within the aperture. The center post is configured for engaging a valve stem of a valve of an internal combustion engine. Coupling means selectively couple together and decouple the center post and the rocker arm. The free motion spring assembly includes an inner spring retainer surrounding a portion of the valve stem. An outer spring retainer surrounds a portion of the valve stem. An inner spring surrounds a portion of the valve stem between the inner spring retainer and a disk cap associated with the valve stem. An outer spring surrounds the inner spring.

Abstract: A heat-conducting element having known length D is disposed at a first end in a first region having a first temperature T1 to be inferred. The second end of the element is disposed in a second region having a measureable second temperature T2 different from the first temperature. The element is well-insulated between the first and second regions. Heat flows along the element from the higher temperature region to the lower temperature region, and the temperature of the element at any point along the element is proportional to the temperature difference between the two regions and the distance from either one of the regions. By measuring the second temperature and also a third temperature T3 at a point along the element, and knowing accurately the position Dn of that point with respect to the first and second ends of the element, the first temperature can be inferred by proportionality.

Abstract: An assembly having first and second coaxially-related elements oscillatingly-rotatable about a mean angular relationship therebetween. An axial well in one element is threaded and an axial well in the other element is splined. A pin having threads on a first end and splines on the second end is disposed on both the threads and splines of the two elements. A Hall-effect magnetic field strength sensor is disposed coaxially adjacent to the assembly. A permanent magnet mounted on an end of the pin adjacent the Hall-effect sensor creates a magnetic response therein. As the angular relationship between the two elements changes, the pin turns with the splined element, the threads simultaneously displacing the pin and magnet axially of the assembly, thereby changing the intensity of the field experienced by the sensor and the signal output therefrom in proportion to the relative angular position of the two elements.

Abstract: A fast start-up catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate from hydrocarbon fuel includes a reactor having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within a reforming chamber in the reactor, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device within the reactor tube ignites a first lean mixture in combustion mode to generate exhaust gases to warm the catalyst which also warms the wall of the reactor adjacent the catalyst. The reactor then switches over to a rich fuel/air mixture during reforming mode. A jacket concentrically surrounds the reactor, defining a mixing chamber therebetween which communicates with the reforming chamber via openings in the wall of the reactor. Fuel entering the reformer in combustion mode is injected directly into the reforming chamber to provide rapid warming of the catalyst.

Abstract: A vane-type cam phaser wherein a realtime method of measuring the axial position of the phaser's locking pin is provided. A magnet is fixed to the nose portion of the locking pin. A Hall-effect sensor is attached to the stator of the phaser in proximity to the magnet. As the locking pin moves through its range of travel, the magnet moves either toward or away from the sensor resulting in a proportional increase or decrease in sensor output voltage. By reading the voltage output, the axial position of the locking pin can be determined.

Abstract: A short-stroke solenoid-actuated valve assembly modified to minimize mechanical clatter. The valve has a valve seat formed of compressed powdered metal to reduce the intensity and sharpness of sound resulting from closing contact with the valve head. The solenoid pole pieces are formed of powdered metal to reduce weight, reduce noise, and improve response of the actuator. The solenoid armature is de-coupled from the valve pintle shaft to decrease impact loading upon opening and closing of the valve. When the valve is employed in a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, the solenoid may be actuated at a multiple of the engine's frequency of revolutions, the timing of actuation being selected to occur during a portion of the engine's cycle when the engine is otherwise emitting a high volume of noise. Thus, the actuation sounds of the solenoid and valve may be masked.

Abstract: A valve deactivation system includes a deactivation rocker arm assembly and a free motion spring assembly. The deactivation rocker arm assembly includes an elongate rocker arm defining an aperture. A center post is slidingly disposed within the aperture. The center post is configured for engaging a valve stem of a valve of an internal combustion engine. Coupling means selectively couple together and decouple the center post and the rocker arm. The free motion spring assembly includes an inner spring retainer surrounding a portion of the valve stem. An outer spring retainer surrounds a portion of the valve stem. An inner spring surrounds a portion of the valve stem between the inner spring retainer and a disk cap associated with the valve stem. An outer spring surrounds the inner spring.

Abstract: A burner type catalytic converter heater composed of an air intake housing having a peripheral mounting flange for universal mounting to an exhaust system upstream of the catalytic converter. A nozzle body is provided having a central portion whereat an orifice delivers atomized fuel and an annular flange portion which interfaces with the air intake housing to define an air intake chamber on an upstream side thereof. A cylindrical combustion chamber housing is provided and a single-stage vortex body is connected to one end of the combustion chamber housing, wherein vanes of the vortex body adjoin a downstream side of the annular flange portion.

Abstract: A valve for an automotive vehicle emission system is provided which includes a valve housing with an inlet communicating the valve housing with an air pump; an outlet fluidly communicating the valve with a catalytic converter, the outlet having a check valve preventing flow from an engine exhaust conduit through the valve to the air pump; an upper diaphragm in the valve housing creating a first chamber in the housing which is fluidly exposed to the inlet; a lower diaphragm in the housing creating a second chamber between itself and the first diaphragm, the lower diaphragm forming a third chamber between itself and the housing generally opposite the first chamber; a sealing wall located within the housing separating the second chamber from the inlet, the sealing wall having a surface forming a valve seat with the lower diaphragm, dividing the inlet from the second chamber; a spring urging the lower diaphragm toward the first chamber; and a valve stem connecting the upper and lower diaphragms wherein the air pr

Abstract: An electronically controlled fuel system for use with a continuous, non-cyclical process has a fuel manifold to which pressurized fuel from a source is supplied and through which the fuel is metered, to an end use combustor, by a periodically energizable pulse-width modulated, solenoid actuated valve. The pulsed fuel output of the valve is exposed to an accumulator which operates on the output to reduce the amplitude of the pulsations effectively integrating them out of the fuel flow, resulting in a substantially continuous supply of fuel. A purge system may be integrated into the fuel manifold and has a second solenoid actuated valve member which is operable, upon fuel system shut-down, to direct pressurized air through the fuel system to remove excess fuel.