Abstract: A fuel system for use in an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors, each injector including at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat a liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to convert at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state, and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, a controller to control the power supplied to the heat source of each of the plurality of fuel injectors to achieve a predetermined target temperature, a sensor for use in determining engine air flow and a sensor for measuring a value indicative of degree of engine warm-up of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A burner for use in furnaces such as the type employed in steam cracking.

Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage; and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, the valve located proximate to the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage, the valve including a low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine; wherein the low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine is formed of a material having low mass and or a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel vaporization system and an apparatus for producing power from a source of liquid fuel. The hybrid fuel vaporizing system includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end in fluid communication with the source of liquid fuel; a heat source arranged along said at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from a liquid state to a vapor state; and a vaporizing member having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface exposed to heat produced by the apparatus for combusting fuel, the vaporizing member positioned so that fuel exiting the outlet end of said at least one capillary flow passage impinges on the second surface, whereby a stream of substantially vaporized fuel is delivered for combustion.

Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage; and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, the valve located proximate to the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage, the valve including a low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine; wherein the low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine is formed of a material having low mass and or a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a fluid control valve for placing the inlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage in fluid communication with the liquid fuel source and introducing the liquid fuel in a substantially liquid state, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage and means for cleaning deposits formed during operation of the apparatus. The fuel injector is effective in reducing cold-start and warm-up emissions of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a fluid control valve for placing the inlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage in fluid communication with the liquid fuel source and introducing the liquid fuel in a substantially liquid state, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage and means for cleaning deposits formed during operation of the apparatus. The fuel injector is effective in reducing cold-start and warm-up emissions of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A rotor system is provided whereby a rotary assembly such as a fan blade combination in a jet engine is brought into rub contact with a casing such that sensors detect vibration. The casing is then retreated in order to open the gap to a desired value for engine performance. In such circumstances, the rub contact position is defined as a base datum reference from which gap opening means can displace the casing in order to provide the specified gap for engine performance and efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage; and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, the valve located proximate to the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage, the valve including a low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine; wherein the low mass member for substantially occluding the stream of fuel to the internal combustion engine is formed of a material having low mass and or a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A fuel injector for vaporizing a liquid fuel for use in an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector includes at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a fluid control valve for placing the inlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage in fluid communication with the liquid fuel source and introducing the liquid fuel in a substantially liquid state, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat the liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to change at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state and deliver a stream of substantially vaporized fuel from the outlet end of the at least one capillary flow passage and means for cleaning deposits formed during operation of the apparatus. The fuel injector is effective in reducing cold-start and warm-up emissions of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A fuel system for use in an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors, each injector including at least one capillary flow passage, the at least one capillary flow passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a heat source arranged along the at least one capillary flow passage, the heat source operable to heat a liquid fuel in the at least one capillary flow passage to a level sufficient to convert at least a portion thereof from the liquid state to a vapor state, and a valve for metering fuel to the internal combustion engine, a controller to control the power supplied to the heat source of each of the plurality of fuel injectors to achieve a predetermined target temperature, a sensor for use in determining engine air flow and a sensor for measuring a value indicative of degree of engine warm-up of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A burner for use in furnaces such as the type employed in steam cracking.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the vibration of a plurality of rotating blades (12), such as turbine blades in a gas turbine engine, includes the steps of providing a single strain gauge (16A) on a single one (12A) of the blades and providing either one or two tip timing probes (22A, 22B) on a casing surrounding the blades. The data from the strain gauge (16A) allows the vibration of the single blade (12A) to be fully characterized while the data from the tip timing probes (22A, 22B) allows the amplitudes or velocities of vibration of all the blades to be determined. The relationship between the data from the tip timing probes for the single blade (12A) and the stress data from the strain gauge may be established. This relationship may then be assumed to apply to all the blades, thus allowing the stresses induced in all the blades by the vibrations to be determined.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the vibration of a plurality of rotating blades (12), such as turbine blades in a gas turbine engine, includes the steps of providing a single strain gauge (16A) on a single one (12A) of the blades and providing either one or two tip timing probes (22A, 22B) on a casing surrounding the blades. The data from the strain gauge (16A) allows the vibration of the single blade (12A) to be fully characterized while the data from the tip timing probes (22A, 22B) allows the amplitudes or velocities of vibration of all the blades to be determined. The relationship between the data from the tip timing probes for the single blade (12A) and the stress data from the strain gauge may be established. This relationship may then be assumed to apply to all the blades, thus allowing the stresses induced in all the blades by the vibrations to be determined.

Abstract: A fluid temperature measuring device (10) comprises a substrate (12) upon which is deposited a first insulating layer (14). A first metallic layer (16) is sputtered onto the first insulating layer (14), a second insulating layer (18) is deposited on the first metallic layer (16) and a second metallic layer (20) is sputtered onto the second insulating layer (18).The second metallic layer (20) is thin and has a low heat capacity so that it responds quickly to changes in temperature of the fluid. The first metallic layer (16) is thin and is heated by supplying an electric current from an electrical power supply (22) to maintain the first metallic layer (16) at the same temperature as the second metallic layer (20).The second metallic layer (20) is electrically connected to an electrical resistance measuring device (24) which detects temperature changes of the fluid by detecting corresponding changes of the electrical resistance of the second metallic layer (20).

Abstract: A device for detecting axial movement of a rotating member, for example a compressor rotor of a gas turbine engine, comprises a conducting wire spaced radially from the rotating member, and a magnet carried by the rotating member passes in proximity to the conducting wire when the rotating member is rotating. The conducting wire has a first limb a second limb and a third limb extending with axial and circumferential components, the first and third limbs extending in the circumferentially opposite direction to the second limb to increase resolution between pulsed e.m.f.'s produced when the magnet crosses the limbs. The first, second and third limbs are each formed from a pair of parallel connected bars to produce positive and negative pulsed e.m.f.'s which form zero crossing points which are more easily detected. This enables operation at greater radial clearance or lower rotating speeds.