Abstract: A solenoid device includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a stator (42, 32, 38) and a coil (36) for generating a magnetic field. An armature structure (14, 16) can move with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position, defining a working gap area (62) between the coil and a portion of the armature structure, to an open position in response to the magnetic field generated by the coil. Seal structure (22) is coupled with a proximal end of the armature structure and has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof. A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position. Under certain operating conditions of the device, pressure is balanced between the working gap area and an area defined adjacent to 1) the sealing edge, and 2) a distal end of the armature structure.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker having an improved shield apparatus provides protection to components that are internal to the circuit breaker during an arc event. A contact arm carrier assembly of the circuit breaker comprises a number of springs that bias a number of movable contacts that are disposed on contact arms into engagement and electrical connection with a stationary contact. The shield apparatus is disposed on a carrier housing of the contact arm carrier assembly and is situated adjacent the springs. A shield member of the shield apparatus is biased into engagement with the contact arms. When the circuit breaker is moved between the ON position and the OFF or TRIPPED positions, the shield of the shield apparatus moves between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the shield remaining in engagement with the contact arms and protecting the springs from damage in an arc event. In one embodiment, the shield member is formed of a material that generates gases when struck by an arc.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker having an improved shield apparatus provides protection to components that are internal to the circuit breaker during an arc event. A contact arm carrier assembly of the circuit breaker comprises a number of springs that bias a number of movable contacts that are disposed on contact arms into engagement and electrical connection with a stationary contact. The shield apparatus is disposed on a carrier housing of the contact arm carrier assembly and is situated adjacent the springs. A shield member of the shield apparatus is biased into engagement with the contact arms. When the circuit breaker is moved between the ON position and the OFF or TRIPPED positions, the shield of the shield apparatus moves between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the shield remaining in engagement with the contact arms and protecting the springs from damage in an arc event. In one embodiment, the shield member is formed of a material that generates gases when struck by an arc.

Abstract: An air bypass valve (10) includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a magnetic housing (32), a coil bobbin (34) in the magnetic housing, a coil (36) disposed about the coil bobbin, and a magnetic flux ring (38) coupled with the magnetic housing. An armature and seal assembly (12) includes an armature structure (14, 16) that can move with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil. Seal structure (22) is coupled with armature structure so that the seal structure can pivot with respect to the armature structure. The seal structure has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a manifold component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof. A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position and a main housing covers (46) the magnetic housing.

Abstract: A solenoid device includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a stator (42, 32, 38) and a coil (36) for generating a magnetic field. An armature structure (14, 16) can move with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position, defining a working gap area (62) between the coil and a portion of the armature structure, to an open position in response to the magnetic field generated by the coil. Seal structure (22) is coupled with a proximal end of the armature structure and has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof. A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position. Under certain operating conditions of the device, pressure is balanced between the working gap area and an area defined adjacent to 1) the sealing edge, and 2) a distal end of the armature structure.

Abstract: A solenoid device includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a stator (42, 32, 38), a coil (36) for generating a magnetic field, and first retention structure (64). Armature and seal assembly includes armature structure (14, 16) that moves with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to the magnetic field generated by the coil, seal structure (22) that is coupled with a proximal end of the armature structure and has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof, and second retention structure (68). A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position. The first and second retention structures engage and retain the armature and seal assembly with respect to the stafor assembly prior to installation of the device.

Abstract: A frequency-to-voltage (F2V) conversion module includes a pulse shaping module that generates a square wave signal based on an oscillator signal, an edge to pulse conversion module that generates a pulse train based on corresponding rising and falling edges of the square wave signal, and an integrator module that generates an output voltage based on the pulse train. The output voltage is based on a frequency of the oscillator signal.

Abstract: An armature-stator structure (45) includes a stator (56) having a magnetic housing (57) of generally U-shaped cross-section. The housing includes an open end (58) in communication with an interior portion (60). A coil (94) is associated with the stator and to be energized to generate a magnetic field. An armature (46) has a generally ring-shaped base (48) and a generally rod-shaped stem portion (50) extending transversely from the base such that the base and stem portion define a generally T-shaped cross-section. The base is able to be received in the opened end of the housing with the stem portion extending into the interior portion. The armature moves with respect to the stator from a first position to a second position in response to the generated magnetic field. The stator and armature are configured such that a force on the armature decreases as a portion of the armature moves further into the interior portion of the body of the stator, towards the second position.

Abstract: A fuel system for supplying CNG to an internal combustion engine. The system includes a fuel rail, a CNG fuel injector, and an engine manifold. The CNG fuel injector includes a fuel inlet in fluid communication with the fuel rail, and a fuel outlet disposed along a longitudinal axis and in fluid communication with the engine manifold. A member is disposed at the fuel outlet that dispersing the CNG in a direction skewed from the longitudinal axis as the CNG flows from the fuel outlet into the engine manifold.

Abstract: A gasoline unit injector includes a high speed, high force actuator such as a magnetrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The actuator operates a positive displacement diaphragm pump. The pumping volume is isolated from a supply rail by an inlet check valve, and is isolated from the engine manifold by an outlet check valve. Each of the check valves includes a disk having a central anchor and a peripheral valve seat. Diaphragm movement reduces pump volume and thereby displaces fuel at high pressure through outlet valve. Fuel spray is formed by geometry of outlet valve, the frequency of actuation, and mass and pressure of the displaced fuel. Relaxation of actuator, and therefore diaphragm, increases pump volume and thereby draws fuel into pump volume through the check valve.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil that induces a time varying magnetic field into a second coil that is utilized to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector. The second coil generates a second magnetic field generated by a current induced by the first coil into the second coil. The induced current is generated by an alternating current signal that is interposed onto a direct current signal sent to the first coil. The second coil also is electrically connected to pass current induced from the first coil into a component in thermal contact with the flowing fuel. The current from the secondary coil resistibly heats the component to provide an alternate mode of heating fuel flow.

Abstract: An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a zero-voltage switching oscillator that is impedance coupled to an imbedded multiple function signal separator and integrated with a conventionally implemented electronic fuel injector driver. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, and couples the high frequency energy to a high pass filter such that the useful energy is utilized in an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A CNG fuel injector for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The fuel system includes a fuel rail and an engine manifold. The fuel injector includes a fuel inlet for fluid communication with the fuel rail, a fuel outlet having an orifice disposed along a longitudinal axis for fluid communication with the engine manifold, and a member proximate the fuel outlet downstream of the orifice for dispersing the CNG in a direction skewed from the longitudinal axis as the CNG flows from the orifice into the engine manifold.

Abstract: A spring offset device is structured to extend between a circuit breaker frame assembly and a trip mechanism. The offset device includes an offset member disposed on a trip device banana link, a spring anchor disposed on the frame assembly, and a spring extending between the offset member and the spring anchor. The spring anchor is spaced from the hatchet pin assembly and, preferably positioned so that the longitudinal axis of the spring remains on a single side of a hatchet pin assembly axis as the banana link moves between a closed position, an open position, and a reset position. The offset member and the spring anchor are structured so that, when the hatchet plate is in the closed position, the spring creates an opening force on the hatchet plate biasing the hatchet plate toward the open position, and when the hatchet plate is in the reset position, the spring creates a closing force on the hatchet plate biasing the hatchet plate toward the closed position.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes an inductive heater that generates heat inductively in a structure to rapidly heat fuel within the fuel injector. Wires are connected to the inductive heater and are arranged outside of a fuel flow path.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil that induces a time varying magnetic field into a second coil that is utilized to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector. A first coil receives a first signal from a driver to generate a first magnetic field that moves an armature between an open and closed position. The second coil generates a second magnetic field generated by a current induced by the first coil into the second coil. The induced current is generated by an alternating current signal that is interposed onto a direct current signal sent to the first coil. The alternating current signal produces a time varying second magnetic field that induces heating of a magnetically active component with the fuel flow that in turn heats the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes an actuator and a heater. A common driver provides a first signal superimposed, for example, over a second signal to power both the actuator and the heater.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil driven by a direct current driver and a second coil driven by an alternating current driver where both the first coil and the second coil share a common connection to reduce the number of external terminal connections. The second coil generates a second magnetic field that is utilized to heat a component in thermal contact with the fuel flow that in turn heats fuel before exiting the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil that induces a time varying magnetic field into a second coil that is utilized to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector. The second coil generates a second magnetic field generated by a current induced by the first coil into the second coil. The induced current is generated by an alternating current signal that is interposed onto a direct current signal sent to the first coil. The second coil also is electrically connected to pass current induced from the first coil into a component in thermal contact with the flowing fuel. The current from the secondary coil resistibly heats the component to provide an alternate mode of heating fuel flow.

Abstract: An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a zero-voltage switching oscillator that is impedance coupled to an imbedded multiple function signal separator and integrated with a conventionally implemented electronic fuel injector driver. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, and couples the high frequency energy to a high pass filter such that the useful energy is utilized in an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.