Abstract: A retractable vehicle hardtop has a predominantly transparent top roof panel and a predominantly transparent combined back light/sail panel. The panels are attached to a top stack linkage that is used to retract and extend the hardtop. The top roof panel and combined back light/sail panel each feature a smooth, continuous two-part retractable hardtop that provides panoramic overhead views both when retracted and when extended. A frame is assembled to opaque peripheral portions of the top roof panel. Reinforcement bars are assembled to opaque portions of the combined back light/sail panel. A method of making the retractable hardtop is also disclosed.

Abstract: The fuel injector has several swirl passages in a fuel swirl and needle guide member that direct swirl fuel onto the frusto-conical surface of a valve seat member that is disposed at the injector's nozzle end. The needle lift is such that with the needle unseated to open the injector to flow, the swirl fuel is throttled as it passes between the rounded tip end of the open needle and the frusto-conical surface of the seat member. The throttling tends to spread the swirl flow so that it is more uniform in the circumferential sense. If the injector is closed before equilibrium flow occurs, a toroidal shaped fuel cloud is created; if the injector is closed after equilibrium flow occurs, an ellipsoidal shaped fuel cloud is created.

Abstract: A reversible flow pump (12) comprising: a first port (16) and a second port (20); a rotor (60) comprising a plurality of pump elements (74-80) movable through a fill mode and a discharge mode, a pump chamber (140) associated with each pump element (74) which are respectively filled and discharged; a ported shaft (30) rotatable between a first position and a second position, for carrying fluid to and from the various pump chambers (140), such that when in the first position fluid received at the first port (16) is communicated to fill each pump chamber (140) during the fill mode, at least a portion of such fluid is discharged therefrom and communicated to the second port (20), and wherein in the second position fluid flow is reversed. A brake system incorporating the pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiple cylinder two-stroke fuel-injected internal combustion engine is operated at idle by interrupting the fuel injection stages in a predetermined pattern such that over a certain number of crankshaft revolutions a fewer number of injections occur than over the same number of revolutions at non-idle. The quantity of fuel injected per injection is increased relative to that required to operate the engine at idle wihtout any injection interruptions. Spark timing is also advanced.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical fuel injector comprising: a housing and valve seat including a valve setting surface and a metering orifice disposed at a lower end of the housing. An armature assembly is movable relative to the valve seating surface for opening and closing the metering orifice and includes an armature and a pin extending therefrom and adapted to engage the seating surface; a coil assembly and spring are provided to move the armature assembly in a direction to open and close the metering orifice. The injector includes a fluid chamber defined upstream of the metering orifice, in surrounding relation to a portion of the armature assembly. A damping assembly is also provided, movable with the armature assembly, for generating a viscous shear damping force by interacting with the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A method and system, including a valve (32) for controlling the amount of fluid purged from a cylinder (12) of a two-cycle engine prior to the combustion of an air-fuel mixture within the cylinder especially during low demand periods of engine operation. The system including a throttle (26) disposed upstream of an inlet port (14) and controlled to be maintained in an open condition during such intervals. The valve (32), which is adapted to communicate with a scavenge port (30) includes a piston (80) that is movable relative to an aperature (76) in response to a pressure differential created in part by the operation of a cooperating electromagnetic valve (54), such that when the piston is moved to uncover the aperture a predeterminable amount of fluid within the cylinder can be purged therefrom as the cylinder piston is moved through its compression cycle.

Abstract: A method and system, including a valve (32) for controlling the amount of fluid purged from a cylinder (12) of a two-cycle engine prior to the combustion of an air-fuel mixture within the cylinder especially during low demand periods of engine operation. The system including a throttle (26) disposed upstream of an inlet port (14) and controlled to be maintained in an open condition during such intervals. The valve (32), which is adapted to communicate with a scavenge port (30) includes a piston (80) that is movable relative to an aperture (76) in response to a pressure differential created in part by the operation of a cooperating electromagnetic valve (54), such that when the piston is moved to uncover the aperture a predeterminable amount of fluid within the cylinder can be purged therefrom as the cylinder piston is moved through its compression cycle.

Abstract: A fuel injector, system and method comprising means for ejecting fuel directly into a cylinder (14) an engine through a non-conductive, heat storing element. The element including a nozzle (44) portion comprising a preferably ceramic body having a narrow, first passage (158) in communication with a conical second portion (164). The two portions cooperating to cause the fuel to flow turbulently therethrough. The nozzle further includes a heater (174) for elevating the temperature to the nozzle to a predetermined temperture. In this manner, as the fuel contacts the heated nozzle it is atomized. In one embodiment of the invention a solid ceramic body is employed. In another embodiment, the nozzle (178) is formed by a plurality of stacked ceramic disks which include a central opening (182) therethrough and a plurality of heating elements (184), one for each disk. The openings (182) are sized to approximate the continuous conical portion of the solid body nozzle.

Abstract: A pressure sensor including a pressure capsule such as a dual diaphragm quartz capacitance pressure capsule and structure for supporting and sealing same within the pressure environment to be measured. The pressure capsule having two parallel quartz plates spaced by a dielectric ring forming a vacuum chamber therein. The structure providing a force balanced support for compressively loading the pressure capsule through the dielectric ring. The structure further having transfer port therein to communicate the pressure environment to both plates.

Abstract: A pressure sensor including a pressure capsule such as a dual diaphragm quartz capacitance pressure capsule. The pressure capsule having two parallel quartz plates spaced by a dielectric ring forming a vacuum chamber therein.A registration fixture is described which contains a plurality of flat plates, each plate having a pressure capsule receiving cavity sized to closely receive one of the quartz plates and further provides a uniform temperature radiation pattern for sealing of the pressure capsule during the controlled pressure-temperature profile.