Abstract: A controlled exhaust brake for an engine comprises an exhaust restrictor located in an exhaust system downstream of an exhaust manifold of an engine. An actuator operably associated with the restrictor adjusts the restrictor. A pressure sensor operably associated with the exhaust manifold senses pressure in the exhaust manifold. A controller determines a set pressure in the exhaust manifold correlated with speed of the engine. The controller is in communication with the pressure sensor and the actuator, and causes adjustment of the restrictor in order to achieve and maintain the set pressure in the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A controlled exhaust brake for an engine comprises an exhaust restrictor located in an exhaust system downstream of an exhaust manifold of an engine. An actuator operably associated with the restrictor adjusts the restrictor. A pressure sensor operably associated with the exhaust manifold senses pressure in the exhaust manifold. A controller determines a set pressure in the exhaust manifold correlated with speed of the engine. The controller is in communication with the pressure sensor and the actuator, and causes adjustment of the restrictor in order to achieve and maintain the set pressure in the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A valve control apparatus is provided for an internal combustion engine having a valve and a camshaft. The camshaft has an axis of rotation, a first raised portion and a second raised portion adjacent to the first raised portion. The second raised portion is angularly spaced-apart about the axis from the first raised portion. The apparatus includes a follower operatively engagable with the camshaft and the valve. The follower has a first operational mode where the first raised portion operatively engages the follower on each revolution of the camshaft to open the valve a first time on each revolution. There is a mechanism for selectively putting the follower in a second operational mode where the second raised portion operatively engages the follower to open the valve a second time on each revolution of the camshaft. The mechanism puts the follower in the second operational mode on each revolution of the camshaft before the second raised portion is fully aligned with the follower.

Abstract: A valve control apparatus is provided for an internal combustion engine having a valve and a camshaft. The camshaft has an axis of rotation, a first lobe and a second lobe adjacent to the first lobe. The second lobe is angularly spaced-apart about the axis from the first lobe. The apparatus includes a follower operatively engagable with the camshaft and the valve. The follower has a first operational mode where the first lobe operatively engages the follower on each revolution of the camshaft to open the valve a first time on each revolution. There is a mechanism for selectively putting the follower in a second operational mode where the second lobe operatively engages the follower to open the valve a second time on each revolution of the camshaft. The mechanism puts the follower in the second operational mode on each revolution of the camshaft before the second lobe is fully aligned with the follower.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided to maximize the retarding horsepower of a compression release engine retarder driven from the intake or exhaust valve pushtubes or the fuel injector pushtubes throughout the operating speed range of the engine without exceeding the maximum allowable loading of the pushtubes. The apparatus includes a timing advance mechanism incorporated into each slave piston comprising a biasing means responsive to the hydraulic pressure above the slave piston which determines the position of a moveable stop means whereby the timing advance of the slave piston is continuously varied in response to the hydraulic pressure above the slave piston.

Abstract: An improved compression release retarder for internal combustion engines is disclosed. The improvement comprises hydro-mechanical mechanisms incorporated principally into the slave piston and adjustable stop which assures a prompt closing of the engine exhaust valve following a compression release event and provides means to advance the opening of the exhaust valve to begin the compression release event. The mechanism is automatic in that the exhaust valve opening advance mechanism alters the valve train lash to a predetermined level whenever the engine retarder is operated and the exhaust valve closing mechanism acts in response to the decrease in engine cylinder pressure during the compression release event.

Abstract: An hydromechanical overhead is provided for a four-cycle internal combustion engine. The hydromechanical overhead includes a set of master cylinders and pistons adapted to be actuated by each of the engine exhaust and intake pushtubes, a set of slave cylinders and pistons adapted to actuate each exhaust and intake valve, a two-position three-way control valve associated with each slave cylinder, passageways interconnecting the several master and slave cylinders and control valves and electronic control means adapted to move the control valves between a first position wherein the engine operates in a four-cycle powering mode and a second position wherein the engine operates in a two-cycle retarding mode. A solenoid controlled lash adjustment mechanisn is provided for the exhaust and intake valves whereby the normal lash required for the powering mode of engine operation may automatically be increased to the substantially larger lash required for the two-cycle retarding mode of engine operation.

Abstract: A hand-held application module directs the operation of a programmable manipulator controlled by digital computing means. The module identifies points to which the end effector of the programmable manipulator shall move, programs the programmable manipulator to direct the precise operations relative to the points, selectively runs to one or more points to debug the entered program and retrieves statements for display in its alpha-numeric display facility. Program statements and parameters may be deleted from the program, and program statements and parameters may be added to the program. Entry of commands is made through a keyboard and data is displayed on an alpha-numeric display.

Abstract: An improved engine retarder of the compression release type in which the exhaust valves are opened near the end of the compression stroke of the engine by a slave piston hydraulically interconnected with a master piston driven by an existing pushtube is provided. The improved engine retarder includes a second master piston interconnected hydraulically in parallel with the first master piston and driven by a separate existing pushtube whereby the timing of the compression release event may be regulated and the stress on the engine pushtubes may be reduced.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for a compression release engine retarder is disclosed. The method and apparatus are used in conjuction with a supercharged internal combustion engine fitted with a compression release engine retarder and a supercharger employing a divided volute exhaust gas turbine. A diverter valve is located between the exhaust manifold of the engine and the exhaust gas turbine. Upon actuation of the compression release engine retarder, all of the exhaust gas (or air) passing through the exhaust manifold is diverted to the portion of the divided volute of the turbine which is closest to the turbine wheel flange and, within that portion to the divided volute, to the region closest to the center of rotation of the turbine wheel.

Abstract: A coordinate system transformation control system for a programmable manipulator having a base referenced by a three dimensional cartesian coordinate system (base frame) includes a hand-held application module for directing the operation of the programmable manipulator. The end effector of the manipulator may be moved to locate a point of origin, a point in the x axis and a point in the x-y plane of another three dimensional cartesian coordinate system (user frame). Other user frames may be selected in the same manner and one user frame may be referenced to another user frame through a mathematical operation. These are known as stacked user frames, all such frames being ultimately referred back to the base frame for operation of the programmable manipulator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing improved engine braking and improved engine operation following a braking operation is disclosed. The invention relates to a turbocharged internal combustion engine fitted with a compression relief type of engine brake wherein the turbocharger comprises a double entry turbine. In addition, a diverter valve is provided which is adapted to divert all the flow of exhaust gases into one portion of the turbine. The combination of the present invention increases the retarding horsepower developed by the engine by increasing the mass flow of the air through the engine and increasing the exhaust manifold temperature and pressure. Improved performance following braking results from the higher turbocharger speeds and increased engine temperature produced in the engine during the braking operation.

Abstract: Multiple hole drilling by the electro-chemical process, in which individual jets of electrolyte impinge upon a workpiece, presents problems in assessment of hole depth reached and/or of jet deflection through jet orifice blockage. The invention provides a device which looks for the corona at the head of each jet. If the corona is present, the device generates and electrical signal which inhibits the actuation of a further device the function of which is to remove the jet, the corona of which has extinguished. Device also senses the displacement of the corona from a datum and in response, initiates switch off the machine tool.

Abstract: An engine braking system is provided for an internal combustion engine of the Otto or Diesel type fitted with an exhaust gas supercharger and an air-to-air intercooler driven by a turbofan and having a gas compression relief type of engine brake. A control valve is provided in the gas flow passage communicating with the turbofan which drives the air-to-air intercooler using air compressed by the supercharger. The control valve is actuated automatically to inhibit flow of air through the turbofan whenever the gas compression relief engine brake is operated.