Abstract: A portable or personal water filtration apparatus comprising upstream and downstream removable reservoirs and a back-washable filter interposed therebetween. The back-washable filter comprises an upstream housing and a downstream housing, inside of which are fitted a membrane cartridge and a slidable plunger. The downstream housing is rotatable relative to the upstream housing between two or more positions, including, for example, an open flow position, a closed flow position, and a back-wash position. In the back-wash position, the downstream housing and plunger are axially extendable relative to the upstream housing and membrane cartridge in order to obtain a charge of clean water in the plunger that may then be forced backward through the filter by returning the plunger to its starting position. This dislodges accumulated debris from the membrane and reverses the slowing of flow observed through repeated use of the filter.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a valve actuator, a pump, an accumulator, and a control valve. The valve actuator actuates at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an engine. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid to the valve actuator through a supply line. The accumulator stores hydraulic fluid. The control valve is disposed between the accumulator and the valve actuator.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an airflow determination module and a cylinder activation module. The airflow determination module determines an amount of airflow through a ventilation system for a crankcase of an engine. The cylinder activation module, when a cylinder of the engine is deactivated while the engine is running, selectively activates the cylinder based on the amount of airflow through the ventilation system.

Abstract: A lubrication system thermostat for controlling the flow of oil in a lubrication system includes a valve and an actuator. The valve is configured to modulate between an unmodulated position and a modulated position, each of which may be in an open position or a closed position. In the open position, at least a portion of the oil flow is unobstructed, and in the closed position, the oil flow is substantially blocked. The actuator is configured to modulate the valve. The actuator includes a thermal element configured to generate mechanical displacement when subjected to a temperature change such that the valve is movable from and returnable to the unmodulated position. The lubrication system thermostat may be in a normally-open configuration, in which the unmodulated position is the open position, or a normally-closed configuration, in which the unmodulated position is the closed position.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a valve control module and a fault detection module. The valve control module controls a valve actuator to actuate a valve of an engine from a first lift position to a second lift position that is different from the first lift position. The valve includes at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. The fault detection module detects a fault in at least one of a valve lift sensor and the valve actuator based on input received from the valve lift sensor when the valve is adjusted to the first lift position and when the valve is adjusted to the second lift position.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a cylinder control module and a pump control module. The cylinder control module selectively deactivates cylinders of an engine. In response to a determination that at least one of the cylinders is deactivated, the pump control module: selectively increases a target displacement for an oil pump that is driven by a balance shaft of the engine; and selectively adjusts displacement of the oil pump based on the target displacement.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine (ICE) includes an engine crankcase, an intake manifold disposed in downstream gas flow communication with the engine crankcase, an air induction system disposed in upstream gas flow communication with the engine crankcase, and a vacuum pump disposed in gas flow communication between the air induction system and the engine crankcase. Operation of the vacuum pump facilitates air flow from the air induction system to the engine crankcase, and from the engine crankcase to the intake manifold.

Abstract: A lubrication system thermostat for controlling the flow of oil in a lubrication system includes a valve and an actuator. The valve is configured to modulate between an unmodulated position and a modulated position, each of which may be in an open position or a closed position. In the open position, at least a portion of the oil flow is unobstructed, and in the closed position, the oil flow is substantially blocked. The actuator is configured to modulate the valve. The actuator includes a thermal element configured to generate mechanical displacement when subjected to a temperature change such that the valve is movable from and returnable to the unmodulated position. The lubrication system thermostat may be in a normally-open configuration, in which the unmodulated position is the open position, or a normally-closed configuration, in which the unmodulated position is the closed position.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an airflow determination module and a cylinder activation module. The airflow determination module determines an amount of airflow through a ventilation system for a crankcase of an engine. The cylinder activation module, when a cylinder of the engine is deactivated while the engine is running, selectively activates the cylinder based on the amount of airflow through the ventilation system.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a cylinder control module and a pump control module. The cylinder control module selectively deactivates cylinders of an engine. In response to a determination that at least one of the cylinders is deactivated, the pump control module: selectively increases a target displacement for an oil pump that is driven by a balance shaft of the engine; and selectively adjusts displacement of the oil pump based on the target displacement.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine (ICE) includes an engine crankcase, an intake manifold disposed in downstream gas flow communication with the engine crankcase, an air induction system disposed in upstream gas flow communication with the engine crankcase, and a vacuum pump disposed in gas flow communication between the air induction system and the engine crankcase. Operation of the vacuum pump facilitates air flow from the air induction system to the engine crankcase, and from the engine crankcase to the intake manifold.

Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a torque modifier module that selects one of a plurality of torque modifier values based on variations in an accessory load. A torque calculating module calculates a maximum torque value for operation in a cylinder deactivation mode based on the selected one of the plurality of torque modifier values. A torque control module selectively switches the engine between the cylinder deactivation mode and a cylinder activation mode based on the maximum torque value.

Abstract: An engine assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine structure, an intake system, an exhaust system, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) assembly. The engine structure defines cylinders having intake and exhaust ports. The intake system includes an intake manifold that provides air to the cylinders through the intake ports. The exhaust system includes an exhaust manifold in communication with the exhaust ports for expelling exhaust gas from the cylinders. The EGR system includes an EGR pipe, an EGR valve, an EGR reservoir, and an EGR injector. The EGR pipe extends from at least one of the exhaust system, the exhaust ports, and the cylinders to the EGR reservoir. The EGR valve regulates exhaust flow through the EGR pipe. The EGR injector is operable to deliver exhaust gas from the EGR reservoir directly to at least one of the intake ports and the cylinders.

Abstract: A portable or personal water filtration apparatus comprising upstream and downstream removable reservoirs and a back-washable filter interposed therebetween. The back-washable filter comprises an upstream housing and a downstream housing, inside of which are fitted a membrane cartridge and a slidable plunger. The downstream housing is rotatable relative to the upstream housing between two or more positions, including, for example, an open flow position, a closed flow position, and a back-wash position. In the back-wash position, the downstream housing and plunger are axially extendable relative to the upstream housing and membrane cartridge in order to obtain a charge of clean water in the plunger that may then be forced backward through the filter by returning the plunger to its starting position. This dislodges accumulated debris from the membrane and reverses the slowing of flow observed through repeated use of the filter.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a valve actuator, a pump, an accumulator, and a control valve. The valve actuator actuates at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an engine. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid to the valve actuator through a supply line. The accumulator stores hydraulic fluid. The control valve is disposed between the accumulator and the valve actuator.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a valve control module and a fault detection module. The valve control module controls a valve actuator to actuate a valve of an engine from a first lift position to a second lift position that is different from the first lift position. The valve includes at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. The fault detection module detects a fault in at least one of a valve lift sensor and the valve actuator based on input received from the valve lift sensor when the valve is adjusted to the first lift position and when the valve is adjusted to the second lift position.

Abstract: In a vane-type camshaft phaser, one vane extends over a much larger internal angle than the other two vanes. Because of its size and strength, the large vane is the vane designated for contact with the stator. The other vanes and lobes have extra clearance to prevent contact regardless of rotor position. In one embodiment, a first surface of the large vane engages a surface of a first adjacent lobe at one extreme rotor rotation, and a second surface of the large vane engages a surface of a second adjacent lobe at the opposite extreme of rotation. The contact surfaces of the lobes and the vane may be equipped with hardened wear pads. One or more wear pads may be machined to provide a desired rotor displacement angle.

Abstract: In a vane-type camshaft phaser, one vane extends over a much larger internal angle than the other two vanes. Because of its size and strength, the large vane is the vane designated for contact with the stator. The other vanes and lobes have extra clearance to prevent contact regardless of rotor position. In one embodiment, a first surface of the large vane engages a surface of a first adjacent lobe at one extreme rotor rotation, and a second surface of the large vane engages a surface of a second adjacent lobe at the opposite extreme of rotation. The contact surfaces of the lobes and the vane may be equipped with hardened wear pads. One or more wear pads may be machined to provide a desired rotor displacement angle.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser wherein camshaft oscillatory torque resulting from opening and closing of an associated engine valve is employed to controllably adjust the degree of advance or retard of the rotor. All advance chambers communicate with a first annular passage, and all retard chambers communicate with a second annular passage. Valve means connecting the first and second annular passages are controllable by a solenoid-actuated piston to permit selective flow of oil between the advance and retard chambers to alter the angular position of the rotor with respect to the stator. The solenoid windings are selectively actuable in response to an engine control module. Preferably, the phaser is a sealed unit, filled with oil at manufacture and requires no oil connection with the oil recirculation system of an engine upon which the phaser is mounted. The phaser is independent of engine oil pressure for actuation.

Abstract: A control arm clamp and shaft assembly for fine adjustment of angular position of the clamp on the shaft. An adjustment bolt and nut includes a socket head located eccentrically relative to the centerline of the bolt shaft so that the bolt head can function as a cam lobe when the bolt is turned. The control arm clamp includes a primary shaft clamping means. The shaft has a diametric bore. The control arm clamp has an axially-slotted opening into which the bolt head fits and engages opposing walls of the opening. When the primary clamping means is loosened, rotation of the adjustment bolt head against the opening wall causes an angular rotation of the control arm relative to the shaft. After the control arm is repositioned, the primary clamp is retightened and the adjustment bolt nut is tightened. The adjustment bolt may also take the form of a removable pin.