Abstract: A very small fixed current is passed through the coil of a solenoid during use thereof when the solenoid is in its “off” state of cyclic PWM command, the fixed current being less than the current required to actuate the solenoid to the “on” position. While the current is flowing through the coil, the voltage across the coil is measured. The resistance of the coil is calculated according to Ohm's Law. When the actual resistance is known, the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid may be altered to compensate for the resistance deviation from nominal. This allows, for example, fuel injectors for internal combustion engines to deliver the correct amount of fuel under all operating conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to support a gyroscope within a downhole drilling tool. A packaging system is positioned within a drill collar of the drilling tool and includes a housing for the gyro and at least one centralizer supporting the housing within the drill collar. The system may also be provided with a down-hole end cap, an up-hole endcap and a loading device. A gyro compression mechanism that is capable of holding wires may also be included to provide power and communication while compressing the gyro to isolate it from shock or vibration.

Abstract: A fuel rail permeant collection system includes a substantially impermeable enclosure surrounding a fuel rail on an internal combustion engine. Preferably, the enclosure is in communication with air intake means for the engine, for example, the intake manifold or runners from the manifold to the engine cylinders, such that fuel collected by the enclosure can be evaporated and passed into the intake means for combustion by the engine. The system may be included in a vehicle vapor purge circuit from a fuel tank emissions-control canister system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to support a gyroscope within a downhole drilling tool. A packaging system is positioned within a drill collar of the drilling tool and includes a housing for the gyro and at least one centralizer supporting the housing within the drill collar. The system may also be provided with a down-hole end cap, an up-hole endcap and a loading device. A gyro compression mechanism that is capable of holding wires may also be included to provide power and communication while compressing the gyro to isolate it from shock or vibration.

Abstract: A fuel rail permeant collection system includes a substantially impermeable enclosure surrounding a fuel rail on an internal combustion engine. Preferably, the enclosure is in communication with air intake means for the engine, for example, the intake manifold or runners from the manifold to the engine cylinders, such that fuel collected by the enclosure can be evaporated and passed into the intake means for combustion by the engine. The system may be included in a vehicle vapor purge circuit from a fuel tank emissions-control canister system.

Abstract: A refueling vapor recovery system for a vehicle utilizes recirculation of a portion of the displaced vapor and combines a vapor vent valve and a recirculation control into a single differential pressure valve assembly. A vapor vent conduit provides fuel tank vapor pressure to one side of a diaphragm and, through a restricted orifice, to the other side of the diaphragm, the other side being further connected by a recirculation conduit to the tank filler neck. When a gas cap closes the filler neck from the atmosphere, the orifice allows pressure to equalize across the diaphragm; and a spring biases the diaphragm to close a vapor vent valve.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system of an internal combustion engine's fuel system including a vent valve. The vent valve provides a mechanism for closing the evaporative emission control system creating a pressure differential between system and atmospheric under various conditions whereby the system can be automatically diagnosed. The vent valve relieves pressure or vacuum in the system that exceeds a threshold necessary to detect the presence of leaks. The vent valve includes a vacuum actuator providing a low restriction flow path for system purges.

Abstract: The intake for a fuel vapor storage canister separates entrained water from the entering purge flow. A separator in the form of an open ended box includes a series of alternating, interleaved, and downwardly sloped fins, the free edges of which create a series of restricting gaps that decrease in size in the upstream direction. Each gap, for some defined subrange of the total possible range of flow rates, accelerates the flow into the fin above it at the optimal velocity for water stripping.

Abstract: A bed of activated carbon granules is maintained tightly packed within a fuel vapor storage canister housing by a specially designed compensator. A pair of spring loaded, nested trays move axially relative to one another and push continually into the lower face of the carbon bed to keep it packed. The trays also define a continuous, self maintaining gap that is smaller than the expected carbon granule size, preventing them from falling out in spite of the swelling of the canister housing.

Abstract: A tank mounted vapor vent valve is actuated from the filler door by a pair of bellows, a primary bellows operated by the filler door, and a secondary bellows moved by the primary bellows to open and close the valve, joined only by a flexible, easily routed air hose.

Abstract: A masonry stencil for masking preselected mortar patterns on a masonry surface and an associated method for coloring or staining a masonry surface. The stencil comprises a latticework structure including an open framework of strips defining a pattern corresponding to the desired or the pre-existing mortar pattern of the masonry, and defining open spaces through which a coloring medium can be applied to the masonry surface. The stencil further comprises a gasket secured to the under surface of the latticework structure for sealably engaging the masonry surface. In accordance with the method of the present invention the masonry stencil is placed on the masonry surface so as to mask the desired mortar pattern or an existing mortar pattern, and a coloring medium is applied to the unmasked surface area exposed by the open spaces of the stencil. The stencil is then removed leaving the mortar pattern uncolored.

Abstract: A tank vapor vent valve assembly mounted to the top of the tank wall has a piston actuated by a source of engine vacuum which maintains a fill vapor exit closed until the gas cap is removed to relieve the vacuum and allow the piston to open.

Abstract: A tank vapor vent valve assembly uses a spring loaded sealing flapper door located below a normally open float chamber. The flapper door spring is specifically designed to open when the tank pressure falls, allowing make up air to pull the flapper door down and draw in make up air through the canister inlet.

Abstract: A canister is divided into small and large bed portions, with the small portion being loaded separately with just diurnal vapors so that it can be purged with a greater efficiency. At fuel fill, both bed portions are loaded simultaneously with a proportion of fuel fill vapors keyed to their own volume ratio, so that an effective capacity equal to the sum of the two is achieved.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister uses a single canister body and a series of three possible modular liquid fuel trap subassemblies that fit into a trap housing of the canister body so as to allow the assembly to be installed in three differing orientations.

Abstract: A specially designed vapor storage canister may be placed within the interior volume of a fuel tank, eliminating the need for a tank to canister vapor line and shortening the TVVA to canister vapor line, while still protecting the adsorbent bed against contamination by liquid fuel.

Abstract: An incoming diphase signal is edge detected producing a train of pulses each pulse of which corresponds to a base-bit level transition or a mid-bit level transition. The mid-bit transition pulses are removed and the remaining base-bit transition pulses are used to control the frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator which clocks a shift register counter. Selected states of the counter are decoded to generate two regular pulse trains. Each pulse of the first pulse train occurs during the first half of a corresponding diphase base-bit time interval and the related pulse is used to selectively sample the diphase level. An exclusive NOR-gate compares this sampled level with the diphase level during the last half of the related diphase base bit time interval.

Abstract: A communications terminal control circuit is described which includes a preprogrammed memory. The memory provides a plurality of sequential instruction signals each serving to direct at least a selected operational sequence of the terminal. Two command and two status decoders are included, each responsive to at least one of the instructional signals and capable of initiating a unique terminal operation in response to a selected instructional signal from the memory. Means are provided for comparing outgoing and incoming coded information with selected memory locations thereby analyzing such coded information and directing selected operative terminal instructions in response thereto.

Abstract: A tank vapor vent valve assembly mounted to the top of the tank wall has a piston actuated by a source of engine vacuum which maintains a fill vapor exit closed until the gas cap is removed to relieve the vacuum and allow the piston to open.