Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of piezoelectric fault recovery comprising: monitoring a set of operational piezoelectric elements of a piezoelectric actuator, detecting a failure of an element of the set, removing the failed element from the set, and rerouting the drive signal sent to the element according to a predetermined behavior preference.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injector-ignition fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an ECU controlling a heated catalyzed fuel injector for heating and catalyzing a next fuel charge, wherein the ECU uses a one firing cycle look-ahead algorithm for controlling fuel injection. The ECU may further incorporate a look-up table, auto-tuning functions and heuristics to compensate for the rapid rotational de-acceleration that occurs near top dead center in lightweight small ultra-high compression engines as may be used with this invention. The ECU may further ramp heat input to the injector in response to engine acceleration requests and, under such circumstances, may extend its look-ahead for up to four firing cycles.

Abstract: A multi-element piezoelectric actuator and driver is presented that allows greater control over the dynamic displacement response of a piezoelectric actuator. A system comprises a piezoelectric driving apparatus configured to transmit a plurality of waveform signals to a corresponding plurality of piezoelectric elements of a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric driving apparatus comprises a waveform generator to generate a waveform configured to operate a piezoelectric element, a plurality of channels coupled to the waveform generator and configured to be electrically coupled the piezoelectric elements of the piezoelectric actuator, a channel comprising an input configured to receive a waveform, a driving amplifier electrically coupled to the input and configured to amplify the waveform, and an output configured to transmit the waveform and configured to be electrically coupled to a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator driving is presented that serially actuates individual piezoelectric elements of a multi-element piezoelectric actuator. One embodiment of the invention features a system comprising (1) a piezoelectric actuator having a plurality of piezoelectric elements; and (2) a current source configured to transmit a plurality of electrical currents to the piezoelectric actuator to actuate a corresponding plurality of the piezoelectric elements; (3) wherein the plurality of electrical currents are configured such that one piezoelectric element reaches a maximum actuation before another piezoelectric element begins actuating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injector, comprising a housing having a sealable injector seat; a fuel injector pin disposed within the housing proximate to the injector seat such that the injector seat may be sealed and unsealed by displacing the fuel injector pin; a resilient element biasing the fuel injector pin in an unsealed direction; a piezoelectric actuator disposed within the housing proximal to the fuel injector pin configured to actuate to force the injector pin towards the injector seat to seal the injector seat; and a thermal compensating unit disposed within the housing proximal to the actuator and configured to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of a component of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A biomass fractionator and method are described for inputting ground biomass and outputting several vapor streams of bio-intermediate compounds along with syngas and biochar. In one embodiment, a method for biomass fractioning, comprises dispensing biomass into thin sheets of ground biomass; subjecting the thin sheets to ramps of temperature; and selectively collecting various groups of compounds as they are released from the thin sheets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injector-ignition fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising an input fuel metering system for dispensing a next fuel charge into a pressurizing chamber, a pressurization ram system including a pressurization ram for compressing the fuel charge within the pressurizing chamber, wherein the fuel charge is heated in the pressurization chamber in the presence of a catalyst, and an injector nozzle for injecting the heated catalyzed fuel charge into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention is provides a fuel injector having a hydraulically actuated injection pin, also referred to as an injector stem. In accordance with invention, the fuel injector provides for more efficient fuel combustion within internal combustion engines, such as vehicle engines. According to various embodiments of the invention, the fuel injector achieves efficient fuel combustion by (i) fast and responsive actuation, (ii) heating the fuel to a supercritical temperature, (iii) maintaining fuel at a supercritical pressure, and (iv) using a catalyst in the oxidization of the fuel. Some embodiments of the invention utilize a dual solenoid to actuate the fuel injector pin and a heating element to heat the fuel to a supercritical temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injector, comprising a housing having a sealable injector seat; a fuel injector pin disposed within the housing proximate to the injector seat such that the injector seat may be sealed and unsealed by displacing the fuel injector pin; a resilient element biasing the fuel injector pin in an unsealed direction; a piezoelectric actuator disposed within the housing proximal to the fuel injector pin configured to actuate to force the injector pin towards the injector seat to seal the injector seat; and a thermal compensating unit disposed within the housing proximal to the actuator and configured to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of a component of the fuel injector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injector-ignition fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an ECU controlling a heated catalyzed fuel injector for heating and catalyzing a next fuel charge, wherein the ECU uses a one firing cycle look-ahead algorithm for controlling fuel injection. The ECU may further incorporate a look-up table, auto-tuning functions and heuristics to compensate for the rapid rotational de-acceleration that occurs near top dead center in lightweight small ultra-high compression engines as may be used with this invention. The ECU may further ramp heat input to the injector in response to engine acceleration requests and, under such circumstances, may extend its look-ahead for up to four firing cycles.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a motor attached to a variable displacement pump for providing a supercritical fuel and fuel pressure to a plurality of fuel injectors of a vehicle engine. The system includes: a pump having a motor; a tachometer sensor for measuring a rotational displacement of a motor shaft and for sending a tachometer count value to a memory device; an engine control unit configured to generate a rotational displacement vs. pressure profile of the pump based on the displacement value and pressure value; an accumulator attached to the output of the pump; and a control method that allows for a look ahead and prediction of the pump requirements needed in a future cycle based on current demand to allow for an efficient fuel injection pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heated catalyzed fuel injector that dispenses fuel substantially exclusively during the power stroke of an internal combustion engine, wherein ignition occurs in a fast burn zone at high fuel density such that a leading surface of the fuel is completely burned within several microseconds. In operation, the fuel injector precisely meters instantly igniting fuel at a predetermined crank angle for optimal power stroke production. Specifically, the fuel is metered into the fuel injector, such that the fuel injector heats, vaporizes, compresses and mildly oxidizes the fuel, and then dispenses the fuel as a relatively low pressure gas column into a combustion chamber of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injector-ignition fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an ECU controlling a heated catalyzed fuel injector for heating and catalyzing a next fuel charge, wherein the ECU uses a one firing cycle look-ahead algorithm for controlling fuel injection. The ECU may further incorporate a look-up table, auto-tuning functions and heuristics to compensate for the rapid rotational de-acceleration that occurs near top dead center in lightweight small ultra-high compression engines as may be used with this invention. The ECU may further ramp heat input to the injector in response to engine acceleration requests and, under such circumstances, may extend its look-ahead for up to four firing cycles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injector-ignition fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, comprising an input fuel metering system for dispensing a next fuel charge into a pressurizing chamber, a pressurization ram system including a pressurization ram for compressing the fuel charge within the pressurizing chamber, wherein the fuel charge is heated in the pressurization chamber in the presence of a catalyst, and an injector nozzle for injecting the heated catalyzed fuel charge into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heated catalyzed fuel injector that dispenses fuel substantially exclusively during the power stroke of an internal combustion engine, wherein ignition occurs in a fast burn zone at high fuel density such that a leading surface of the fuel is completely burned within several microseconds. In operation, the fuel injector precisely meters instantly igniting fuel at a predetermined crank angle for optimal power stroke production. Specifically, the fuel is metered into the fuel injector, such that the fuel injector heats, vaporizes, compresses and mildly oxidizes the fuel, and then dispenses the fuel as a relatively low pressure gas column into a combustion chamber of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injector-ignition fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an ECU controlling a heated catalyzed fuel injector for heating and catalyzing a next fuel charge, wherein the ECU uses a one firing cycle look-ahead algorithm for controlling fuel injection. The ECU may further incorporate a look-up table, auto-tuning functions and heuristics to compensate for the rapid rotational de-acceleration that occurs near top dead center in lightweight small ultra-high compression engines as may be used with this invention. The ECU may further ramp heat input to the injector in response to engine acceleration requests and, under such circumstances, may extend its look-ahead for up to four firing cycles.

Abstract: A rechargeable electric battery includes a number of metal-air cells, each including a metal anode, an air cathode, an anode electrolyte absorber adjacent the anode, a cathode electrolyte absorber adjacent the cathode, a separator separating the electrolyte absorbers, an input for supplying electrolyte to the absorbers at a supply side of the cell and a drain for draining excess electrolyte from the electrolyte absorbers at a drain side of the cells, each of the metal-air cells being inclined so that the drain side is lower than the supply side.

Abstract: A method of providing electrolyte to an electrolyte starved battery includes the steps of supplying electrolyte from a source to a dispenser and dispensing the electrolyte from the dispenser in a preplanned sequence to each of a number of electrolyte inputs in the electrolyte starved battery. Related devices for accomplishing such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air manager system for a metal-air battery cell having an air a cathode, the air manager system producing a flow of air through the air manager system and battery cell and directing a first air flow adjacent to the air cathode to provide reactant air and directing a second air flow adjacent to a portion of the battery cell isolated from the air cathode to provide cooling of the battery cell, preferably near the anode. The air manager system may be used with multiple cell metal-air battery packs. Heat exchange between the isolated air flows may be facilitated, and the reactant air may be recirculated for uniform cooling.

Abstract: A compact molded case circuit breaker with increased ampere rating employs a latch assembly for maintaining the circuit breaker operating mechanism in a closed condition against a pair of powerful operating springs. To increase the mechanical advantage required to move the operating handle against the springs, a retractable handle extender is attached to the handle. For higher-rated circuit applications, a lug cover extension is added to the line end of the breaker to assist in extinguishing the intense arc that occurs during circuit interruption and to protect the line lugs from inter-phasal circuit faults. A visual access slot is arranged next to the circuit breaker handle to ascertain and verify the condition of the circuit breaker contacts. The line and load terminal straps are slotted to receive protrusions on the bottom of the line and load terminal lugs and provide anti-turn facility to the line and load terminal lugs under short circuit overcurrent conditions.