Abstract: A system for detecting aeration in a lubricant includes a sensor having a pair of spaced apart concentric rings forming a first capacitor through which the lubricant flows and a capacitor segment forming a second capacitor with the outer ring. The capacitors are connected in a balanced bridge circuit and the second capacitor is constructed to remove gas entrapped in the lubricant present in the second capacitor so that the bridge becomes unbalanced indicating gas entrapped in the lubricant flowing through the first capacitor.

Abstract: A switching mechanism capable of switching between a two-stroke and a four-stroke operation of an engine as desired, wherein the switching mechanism is switchable between engagement with a first cam lobe for four-stroke operation and a second cam lobe for two-stroke operation, the four-stroke operation maximizing fuel and emissions efficiency and the two-stroke operation maximizing power.

Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating an engine valve has an accumulator sleeve slidably retained in an engine block and biased toward a lower chamber in fluid communication with an interior of the sleeve. A follower piston slides in the sleeve in contact with a lobe of a can. An upper piston slides in an upper chamber in contact with a pushrod. A fluid passage connects the lower chamber and the upper chamber. A normally open spool valve in the fluid passage includes a control spool for opening and closing the passage. Another passage connects the lower chamber and one end of the control spool. A spring chamber provides fluid to an opposite end of the control spool through a control valve from a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating an engine valve has an accumulator sleeve slidably retained in an engine block and biased toward a lower chamber in fluid communication with an interior of the sleeve. A follower piston slides in the sleeve in contact with a lobe of a cam. An upper piston slides in an upper chamber in contact with a pushrod. A fluid passage connects the lower chamber and the upper chamber. A normally open spool valve in the fluid passage includes a control spool for opening and closing the passage. Another passage connects the lower chamber and one end of the control spool. A spring chamber provides fluid to an opposite end of the control spool through a control valve from a source of pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle fluid directing includes an engine control unit (ECU) mounted directly to the intake manifold to provide engine management and diagnostic functions. A case encloses the ECU to hermetically seal and protect the circuit board and attached components. Sensors preferably extend through the case and into the intake manifold to receives a direct input to the medium passing through the intake manifold. In another embodiment, a sensor such as an accelerometer which does not extend from the case receives vibration input. As the entire circuit board is directly mounted to the intake manifold, the vibrations are received as input to the sensor.

Abstract: A control apparatus for deactivating one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve in an internal combustion engine has a stepped sleeve slidably receiving a valve stem in a smaller diameter portion and a rocker piston in a larger diameter portion. Hydraulic fluid is retained in the sleeve and a clamping block is positioned adjacent the exterior of the larger diameter portion. When the clamping block is activated to engage the sleeve, the sleeve remains stationary as reciprocating movement of the rocker piston causes the valve to open and close. When the clamping block is not activated, the sleeve is free to move with the piston leaving the engine valve closed.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an engine having exhaust valve train drive means includes a compression spring connected to the exhaust valve train drive member for compression and expansion movement with the drive member. A diaphragm fuel pump includes a pumping chamber having a pump diaphragm driven by a compression spring. The pumping chamber includes a fuel inlet passage having a check valve therein. An injector chamber, in fuel flow communication with the pumping chamber, receives fuel from the pumping chamber during compression and expansion cycling of the compression spring. The injector chamber includes an accumulator and connects with a fuel injector. A check valve is disposed between the chambers prevents fuel flow back into the pumping chamber. A pressure sensor is mounted for sensing fuel pressure in the injector chamber and operates to communicate the fuel pressure value in the injector chamber.

Abstract: A flow sensing fuel injector nozzle includes first and second spaced silicon layers containing flow restricting and distributing orifices and openings for atomizing fuel. The layers are support by a silicon or metal base and spaced by an epitaxial silicon layer to form a nozzle member. Various electrical conductors and elements formed in the silicon layers and connected with external indicators are operative to indicate the presence and/or the amount of fuel flowing through the injector.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement and method for installing fuel injectors into a molded composite intake manifold having an integral fuel rail provides an aligned injector pocket bore in the fuel rail portion and an injector seat bore in an intake manifold runner. The seating bore is oversized to allow the injector to be angled to enable the tip to be advanced into the seat bore, allowing the injector one end to be thereafter swung into alignment with the pocket bore and inserted therein. A seal has an integral tubular portion configured to be fit over the injector tip and within the injector seat bore to be located therein. When the manifold is assembled onto the cylinder head, the seal is squeezed to grip the injector tip and sealed within the injector seat bore.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement and method for installing fuel injectors in a molded composite intake manifold having an integral fuel rail portion in which the injectors are first assembled into bores in the fuel rail portion, and the intake manifold advanced onto a cylinder head surface having bores extending perpendicularly into the surface so as to allow the tips of the fuel injectors to be seated therein at the same time as the manifold is mounted. Air assist passages are also integrally formed in the intake manifold aligned with passages in the cylinder head.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve for an engine fuel injection system includes a valve housing, a valve seat fixedly secured to the valve housing and a valve needle movable axially and co-operably engageable with the valve seat. The fuel injection valve also includes a diaphragm that aligns the needle with the valve seat. The diaphragm has an outer zone attached to the housing and an inner zone attached to the needle, such that the inner zone of the diaphragm moves in unison with the needle to thereby avoid frictional sliding contact between the needle and the diaphragm. Alignment of the needle with the valve seat may be assured by assembly wherein the diaphragm is first fixed to the needle and the needle is then seated upon the valve seat prior to clamping of the outer zone of the diaphragm to the housing while the needle is seated.

Abstract: A device comprises an armature movable in a first direction and a second direction for causing a needle to contact and separate from a seat assembly. Stop means provide a motion stop in at least the first direction. Damping means are applied to the needle for reducing bounce of the needle when the needle contacts the stop means, by altering spring rates and vibration modes of the needle.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel system includes a combination bypass and safety pressure release valve across the high pressure fuel pump. The combination valve allows the feed pump to directly provide fuel to the system before the high pressure pump reaches full output pressure. The valve also releases overpressure in the system when the high pressure pump is deadheaded. The combination valve includes a check ball which allows fuel to flow from its input to its output when the pressure is greater at its input than at its output.

Abstract: A method of making a solenoid coil assembly comprises the steps of providing a bobbin made of an insulated magnetic material. A pair of electrical terminals is mounted on the bobbin for connection with a separable electrical connector. A two-piece stator assembly is comprised of an inner pole disposed on the interior of the bobbin and an outer pole disposed on the exterior of the bobbin. The bobbin is then molded over the inner pole core. The insulated magnetic material of the bobbin comprises a plurality of magnetic granules, each of the plurality of magnetic granules being coated with a layer of insulating material, thereby preventing an electrical path from granule to granule.

Abstract: Fuel pressure in a deadheaded fuel rail is regulated by an eddy current clutch that forms part of the mechanism that mechanically couples the engine crankshaft with a fuel pump which delivers pressurized fuel to the rail. An electric control that receives several inputs, including engine speed and fuel rail pressure, controls the degree of coupling that is provided by the clutch so that the pressure is regulated even though the engine speed and fuel demand change during normal engine operation.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel injector has a railplug ignitor assembly disposed on its nozzle. The injected fuel travels down the bore of the railplug. The railplug delivers a plasma that travels down the bore of the railplug in timed relation to the injected fuel to ignite the fuel.

Abstract: An improvement in fuel flow through orifices of a thin disc orifice member is obtained by incorporating a radially inwardly open undercut in the seat member below the frustoconical seating surface and above the thin disc orifice member. The undercut provides a space that allows a fuel recirculation zone to be displaced further radially outwardly so that it poses less of an obstruction to flow toward the orifice.

Abstract: In a high pressure fuel injector 10, 56 for direct injection of fuel into an internal combustion engine, the armature 28, 54 has a hub member 70 connected by means of spokes 40, 82 to a concentric ring member 42. This construction reduces the amount of magnetic material in the armature hence reduces magnetic losses and speeds up the actuation times. Spaces between the spokes allow for the passage of fluid from one side of the armature to the other during actuation.

Abstract: Audible noise emission from a solenoid-operated fuel injector is reduced by providing a groove around the armature spaced from the end of the armature that impacts the end to the pole piece/fuel inlet tube so as to leave a radial flange at the end of the armature. In one form of the invention, the groove extends around the outside diameter of the armature. In another form, the groove extends around the inside diameter of the armature. The groove is located and sized to optimize energy absorption during impact of the armature against the pole fuel inlet tube piece.

Abstract: Each swirl passages of the needle guide and fuel swirl member of a fuel injector has a longer and wider entrance portion and a shorter and narrower exit portion to allow only the latter portion, not the former portion, to perform a metering function. Production of swirl passages is facilitated and more consistent metering results.