Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for measuring ash deposit levels in a particulate filter comprising at least one cell. One or more indicator components is inserted into the at least one cell so as to lie upon any deposits contained therein. Radiation is emitted from a radiation source into the cell, and the position of the one or more indicator components is detected on the basis of the emitted radiation. The deposit level within the cell is then calculated on the basis of the position of the one or more indicator components.

Abstract: A method of repairing an outer enclosure of a diesel particulate filter, having a first axial end and a second axial end, is disclosed. The method includes wrapping a generally planar metal sheet around the outer enclosure. The generally planar metal sheet has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge. Thereafter, aligning a first longitudinal edge with the first axial end and the second longitudinal edge with the second axial end is carried out. Next, causing one of an abutment or an overlap of the first lateral edge with the second lateral edge is performed. Lastly, joining the first longitudinal edge to the first axial end, the second longitudinal edge to the second axial end, and the first lateral edge with the second lateral edge along an axial length of the outer enclosure is performed by welding.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for a diesel particulate filter is provided. The cleaning tool includes a support assembly and a cleaning assembly. The support assembly includes a base block, a locator block, and a support block. The support assembly further includes a pair of support rods fixedly connected to the locator block and slidably connected to the base block and the support block. An action of an external force on the base block causes a contemporaneous sliding motion of the pair of support rods. The cleaning assembly includes a plurality of pins connected to and passing through the base block, the support block, and the locator block. Each of the plurality of pins is configured to contemporaneously enter into each of the plurality of passages and penetrate an ash column deposited at one end of the respective passage and dislodge the ash column therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for measuring ash deposit levels in a particulate filter comprising at least one cell. One or more indicator components is inserted into the at least one cell so as to lie upon any deposits contained therein. Radiation is emitted from a radiation source into the cell, and the position of the one or more indicator components is detected on the basis of the emitted radiation. The deposit level within the cell is then calculated on the basis of the position of the one or more indicator components.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for measuring ash deposit levels in a particulate filter comprising at least one cell. One or more indicator components is inserted into the at least one cell so as to lie upon any deposits contained therein. Radiation is emitted from a radiation source into the cell, and the position of the one or more indicator components is detected on the basis of the emitted radiation. The deposit level within the cell is then calculated on the basis of the position of the one or more indicator components.

Abstract: A gas handling transport assembly includes a bellows assembly together with a bellows engaging structure. The bellows engaging structure includes an engaging surface that engages an outer surface of the bellows assembly to restrain movement thereof. An open first end and an open second end may be provided along a longitudinal axis of the bellows assembly. A method of using the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for measuring ash deposit levels in a particulate filter comprising at least one cell. One or more indicator components is inserted into the at least one cell so as to lie upon any deposits contained therein. Radiation is emitted from a radiation source into the cell, and the position of the one or more indicator components is detected on the basis of the emitted radiation. The deposit level within the cell is then calculated on the basis of the position of the one or more indicator components.

Abstract: An actuator for opening a poppet exhaust valve, which is closed by a spring and opens in normal operation against a relatively low pressure and which opens for compression braking against a relatively high pressure, is motivated in either event by the same hydraulic pressure. The actuator has a unitary central valve and piston element, which is coaxially directed toward the exhaust valve stem and has an area providing, when subjected to the pressure, a force sufficient to open the exhaust valve for normal operation but insufficient to open the exhaust valve during compression braking. The element extends through a relatively larger diameter annular piston which is slidably fitted about the element and within a bore receiving the annular piston. In normal operation, the element provides enough force to move from an unactuated position and open the exhaust valve, and initial movement of the element closes off passages in the element that admit the pressure to the piston which thus does not move.

Abstract: An outward opening valve system includes an engine having a fluid cavity in fluid communication with an accumulator chamber by a transfer passage, a hollow piston cylinder in fluid communication with a gas passageway via an opening, and an intensifier bore that opens to the hollow piston cylinder. The opening includes an outward valve seat adjacent the gas passageway. An outward valve member with a valve face is moveable between a closed position in which the valve face is against the valve seat closing the opening and an open position in which the valve face is away from the valve seat. A compression spring is utilized to bias the outward valve member toward its open position. An intensifier piston is positioned in the intensifier bore with one end exposed to fluid pressure in the hollow piston cylinder. A coupling linkage interconnects the intensifier piston to the outward valve member.

Abstract: A push-pull valve assembly for an engine cylinder includes an engine defining a gas passageway in fluid communication with a hollow piston cylinder via a first opening and a second opening. An inward valve seat is positioned in the first opening adjacent the hollow piston cylinder. An outward valve seat is positioned in the second opening adjacent the gas passageway. A first valve member has a first stem and a first enlarged portion with an inward valve face positioned in the hollow piston cylinder. A second valve member has a second stem and a second enlarged portion with an outward valve face position in the gas passageway. The first valve member and the second valve member are operably coupled via a mechanical or hydraulic linkage. A spring is utilized to bias the inward valve face against the inward valve seat to close the first opening and the outward valve face against the outward valve seat to close the second opening.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus 10 for hydraulically slowing a member (12), preferably an engine poppet valve, to an acceptable impact seating velocity as the valve (12) is moved from open to closed. The poppet valve (12) has a stem (16) having a first portion (18) connected through a stepped portion (20) to a second portion (22) having a greater cross-sectional area than the first portion (18). The valve (12) rides within a guide body (28) having an opening (34) in an end wall (32) thereof through which the first portion (18) of the stem (16) extends. A hydraulic fluid space (50) is formed by the guide body (28) and the valve (12). As the valve (12) closes, fluid is forced out of the space (50) through a first fluid exit opening (66). As the valve (12) nears its seat (44), the fluid still in the space (50) is forced out through a second fluid exit opening (68) through which the rate of flow is less than the rate of flow through the first fluid exit opening (66).

Abstract: An actuation valve for a hydraulically-operated fuel injector includes an actuator having a plunger and a spool valve coupled to the plunger. The spool valve includes a high pressure port and is operable by the actuator to selectively place the high pressure port or the low pressure port in fluid communication with an injection mechanism of the injector.

Abstract: The design and construction of current electronically-controlled hydraulically-actuated engine valve systems are currently still being tested for dependability. The electronics control various activities including actuation velocity and, therefore, can include complicated components. The present invention overcomes this and other problems by providing a valve actuation system including an electronically-controlled hydraulically-actuated plunger for actuating an engine valve. Hydraulic means are utilized for reducing the plunger velocity thereby controlling the valve lift and the valve seating as the valve approaches the open and closed positions. The hydraulic means reduces the need for a complicated electronic control unit, therefore, improving the feasibility and dependability of the present invention.

Abstract: A staged activation logic is utilized in the transition zone of operation for a fuel injector having an electronically actuated valve that opens to permit flow of high pressure fluid into the injector to initiate injection when activated but is biased to close when deactivated to end injection. Many different types of injectors could potentially utilize the present invention, regardless of whether the high pressure fluid is a high pressure hydraulic actuation fluid or high pressure fuel. The transition zone of operation corresponds to that range of activation durations for the injector in which the electronically actuated valve experiences a bouncing phenomenon because the valve member bounces off of its stop and closes prematurely. If it is determined that the desired amount of fuel to be injected during the next cycle falls within the transition zone of operation, then a revised activation duration for the electronically actuated valve is calculated.

Abstract: Adjacent an axially displaceable engine poppet valve (12) is a fluid pathway (36). Within the fluid pathway (36) is a snubbing valve (14) including a snubber (48) movable between first and second locations within the pathway (36) and a snubbing passage (54). When the poppet valve (12) is open, the snubber (48) is at its first location and there is fluid in the fluid pathway (36) between the snubber (48) and poppet valve (12). During a first portion of displacement of the poppet valve (12) as it closes, the snubber (48) is displaced to its second location. During the second portion of displacement of the poppet valve (12) as it closes, fluid in the fluid pathway (36) is snubbed through the snubbing passage (54), thereby increasing the pressure in the fluid in the pathway (36), thereby providing a resistive force against movement of the poppet valve (12), thereby slowing the poppet valve (12) to an acceptable impact seating velocity.