Abstract: An apparatus for testing internal combustion engine valves is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with a bore for receiving a seat fixture. The seat fixture, in turn, receives a seat insert. A valve is inserted into the apparatus so the valve head is received at the seat insert and the valve stem extends through the seat fixture and through an axial bore in the housing. One end of the valve engages an actuating apparatus that provides a lifting action of the valve so that the valve head moves off of the seat insert as well as a rotating action to the valve. Another actuator is provided to move the valve from a lifted position to a seated position. A heater is employed to heat the valve to high temperatures to simulate extreme operating conditions. A cooling system is also provided to rapidly cool the valve and associated elements to simulate a rapid cooling condition. A method for testing internal combustion engine valves is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing internal combustion engine valves is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with a bore for receiving a seat fixture. The seat fixture, in turn, receives a seat insert. A valve is inserted into the apparatus so the valve head is received at the seat insert and the valve stem extends through the seat fixture and through an axial bore in the housing. One end of the valve engages an actuating apparatus that provides a lifting action of the valve so that the valve head moves off of the seat insert as well as a rotating action to the valve. Another actuator is provided to move the valve from a lifted position to a seated position. A heater is employed to heat the valve to high temperatures to simulate extreme operating conditions. A cooling system is also provided to rapidly cool the valve and associated elements to simulate a rapid cooling condition. A method for testing internal combustion engine valves is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods have been developed to make porous ceramic membranes having macroscopic channels therethrough. The novel membranes are formed by temporarily supporting the sol-gel membrane precursor on an organic support which is ultimately removed from the interior of the membrane, preferably by pyrolysis or by chemical destruction. The organic support may also include an inorganic metal portion that remains on destruction of the organic portion, providing structural support and/or chemical reactivity to the membrane. The channels formed when the organic support is destroyed provide the ability to withdraw small catalytic products or size-separated molecules from the metal oxide membrane. In addition, the channel-containing membranes retain all of the advantages of existing porous ceramic membranes.

Abstract: Flaw-free porous ceramic membranes fabricated from metal sols and coated onto a porous support are advantageously used in gas phase fractionation methods. Mean pore diameters of less than 40 .ANG., preferably 5-20 .ANG. and most preferably about 15 .ANG., are permeable at lower pressures than existing membranes. Condensation of gases in small pores and non-Knudsen membrane transport mechanisms are employed to facilitate and increase membrane permeability and permselectivity.