Abstract: A thermal energy storage system is proposed in which the latent heat of fusion of common salts is used to store energy within a selectable temperature range, extending both above and below the melting/freezing temperature zone of the salt mixture. The salt mixture occupies interstitial void spaces in a solid endostructure. The solid material remains in the solid state throughout the thermal cycling of the energy storage system, and preferably has properties of thermal conduction and specific heat that enhance the behavior of the salt mixture alone, while being chemically compatible with all materials in the storage system. The storage system is capable of accepting and delivering heat at high rates, thereby allowing power generation using a suitable energy transfer media to power a turbine of an electric generator or a process heat need to provide a relatively local, dispatchable, rechargeable thermal storage system, combined with a suitably sized generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine when regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) are presented. Such determination is made by indirectly determining soot accumulation in the DPF by monitoring soot accumulation on a regeneration burner spark plug based on the correlation between spark plug fouling and DPF soot loading. An ion current sensing circuit is used during periods of no flame to determine soot loading on the spark plug. When soot loading on the spark plug approaches an amount that could cause fouling of the spark plug, the ignition controller initiates a hot spark to burn the soot off the spark plug. The number of such cleaning events is tracked and used to determine when the DPF soot loading is at a level that regeneration should be initiated. Temperature rise across the DPF is monitored and used to adjust the number spark plug cleaning events needed before initiating regeneration.

Abstract: The invention combines the features of a supercharger, a turbocharger and turbo-compounding into one system, utilizing a hydraulic or mechanical continuously variable transmission to drive the turbocharger up to a specific speed or intake manifold pressure and then holding the ideal speed to keep it at the right boost pressure for the engine condition. The benefits of a supercharger, which is primarily good for high torque at low speed, and a turbocharger, which is usually only good for high horsepower at high speeds are merged. Once the exhaust energy begins to provide more work than it takes to drive the intake compressor, the invention recovers that excess energy and uses it to add torque to the crankshaft. As a result, the invention provides the benefits of low speed with high torque and the added value of high speed with higher horsepower or better fuel economy all from one system.

Abstract: The invention combines the features of a supercharger, a turbocharger and turbo-compounding into one system, utilizing a hydraulic or mechanical continuously variable transmission to drive the turbocharger up to a specific speed or intake manifold pressure and then holding the ideal speed to keep it at the right boost pressure for the engine condition. The benefits of a supercharger, which is primarily good for high torque at low speed, and a turbocharger, which is usually only good for high horsepower at high speeds are merged. Once the exhaust energy begins to provide more work than it takes to drive the intake compressor, the invention recovers that excess energy and uses it to add torque to the crankshaft. As a result, the invention provides the benefits of low speed with high torque and the added value of high speed with higher horsepower or better fuel economy all from one system.

Abstract: A dual function brake and manual drive actuating system for selectively holding a rotatable member of a drive train and manually driving the drive train. A support structure is provided, with a brake operatively associated between the support structure and the rotatable member for holding the member against rotation. A common release member is operatively associated with the brake. A fluid retracting mechanism operates against the common release member to selectively hold the brake in disengaged condition. A manual retracting mechanism also operates against the common release member to selectively hold the brake in disengaged condition. A manual drive is incorporated in the manual retracting mechanism for manually rotating the rotatable member when in the disengaged condtion.