Abstract: A mechanical fuel pump includes first and second flexible members disposed within a pump body. The first flexible member is deflected in timed sequence with a rotating engine member. Deflection of the second flexible member is limited to select the amount of fuel expelled from the pump for each engine cycle. A stop member is movable in response to movement of an engine governor and throttle to result in increased fuel and air being supplied when the engine encounters a load.

Abstract: A zero sack volume fluid flow regulator generates upstream turbulence for control of fluid flow, fluid spray distribution and fluid droplet size. The fluid flow regulator includes a seal layer for selectively controlling fluid flow. The seal layer is resiliently movable relative to a base layer to selectively constrict a turbulence inducing intermediate channel within the regulator and selectively control fluid flow. A method of fabricating the fluid flow regulator utilizes a multilayer resist process in conjunction with a multilayer electroforming process.

Abstract: A method for improving the atomization quality from a fluid injector includes the steps of inducing a first vortex turbulence in the fluid flowing past a first protrusion in a supply orifice having a flow axis therein, guiding the fluid through a turbulence cavity and then out through a first metering orifice having another protrusion positioned downstream from the first protrusion by a distance y measured generally parallel to the flow axis and by a distance x measured generally perpendicular to the flow axis. The droplet size of the fluid exiting from the metering orifice is reduced by sizing the x and y dimensions to position the first vortex turbulence within the turbulence cavity operatively adjacent to and upstream from the first metering orifice. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of x/y is greater than 0.5 and less than 5. A fuel injector nozzle practicing this process is also provided.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor for determining the presence and/or measuring the depth of a first substance capable of transmitting light. The fiber optic sensor includes a plurality of light receiving fibers, a plurality of light transmitting fibers surrounding the light receiving fibers and structure for refracting light from the light transmitting fibers at a predetermined angle for total internal reflection of the light from an interface of the first substance with a second substance.