Abstract: A modular structure for a mitigating evaporative fuel emissions, such as for an automobile, is described. The structure may include a plurality of frames and membranes for flowing fuel vapor and reducing the emission of hydrocarbon therefrom. The structure may include flow guides that provide a meandering flow path for both the fuel vapor and a permeate. A flow guide providing parallel flow paths is also described.

Abstract: A thermal insulation system for mitigating evaporative fuel emissions of an automobile may include a membrane component and a thermal component connected to the membrane component. The thermal component may be configured for condensing, in the membrane component or in the thermal component, fuel vapor generated from a fuel tank of an automobile.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a separation apparatus for use in a fuel emission control system. The separation apparatus includes a tube being disposed within a conduit of the fuel emission control system and a membrane being disposed within the tube. The tube includes an introduction port for introducing a fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank. The disposition of the membrane increases turbulence of the fuel vapor in the tube and separates the fuel vapor into a fuel-rich mixture and a fuel-lean mixture. The tube further includes a discharge port for discharging the fuel-rich mixture.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel tank and an air supply and venting device for the fuel tank. The air supply and venting device includes a hydrocarbon retention device and an air supply and venting path, structured and arranged to provide a gas exchange between the fuel tank and an environment. The hydrocarbon retention device includes at least one filter membrane that separates hydrocarbons from air. The at least one filter membrane is arranged in the air supply and venting path such that the air supply and venting path is covered by the at least one filter membrane to prevent hydrocarbons from escaping from the fuel tank into the environment through the air supply and venting path. The at least one filter membrane has hydrocarbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An improved evaporative emission mitigation system for a motor vehicle includes a canister filled with an adsorbent material connected to a membrane module. The membrane module contains a membrane that separates gaseous hydrocarbons from inert air components within fuel vapor generated by the evaporation of fuel due to the heating of the motor vehicle. The gaseous hydrocarbons separated by the membrane are returned to the canister, where they will again be adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The inert air components are vented from the membrane module into the open atmosphere outside of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An improved evaporative emission mitigation system for a motor vehicle includes a canister filled with an adsorbent material connected to a membrane module. The membrane module contains a membrane that separates gaseous hydrocarbons from inert air components within fuel vapor generated by the evaporation of fuel due to the heating of the motor vehicle. The gaseous hydrocarbons separated by the membrane are returned to the canister, where they will again be adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The inert air components are vented from the membrane module into the open atmosphere outside of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a separation apparatus for use in a fuel emission control system. The separation apparatus includes a tube being disposed within a conduit of the fuel emission control system and a membrane being disposed within the tube. The tube includes an introduction port for introducing a fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank. The disposition of the membrane increases turbulence of the fuel vapor in the tube and separates the fuel vapor into a fuel-rich mixture and a fuel-lean mixture. The tube further includes a discharge port for discharging the fuel-rich mixture.

Abstract: A modular structure for a mitigating evaporative fuel emissions, such as for an automobile, is described. The structure may include a plurality of frames and membranes for flowing fuel vapor and reducing the emission of hydrocarbon therefrom. The structure may include flow guides that provide a meandering flow path for both the fuel vapor and a permeate. A flow guide providing parallel flow paths is also described.

Abstract: A thermal insulation system for mitigating evaporative fuel emissions of an automobile may include a membrane component and a thermal component connected to the membrane component. The thermal component may be configured for condensing, in the membrane component or in the thermal component, fuel vapor generated from a fuel tank of an automobile.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank includes a membrane module disposed and connected between the internal combustion engine and the fuel tank, and configured to reduce discharge of fuel vapor generated from the fuel tank to the atmosphere. The membrane module includes a first passage and a second passage separated by a membrane, and the fuel vapor permeates the membrane in the membrane module. The evaporative emission control system further includes a buffer-volume housing connected to the membrane module by an additional passage and configured for storing fuel-rich vapor that has permeated the membrane. Furthermore, the evaporative emission control system includes an activated carbon filter disposed between the fuel tank and the membrane module, and a purge valve disposed between the membrane module and the engine.

Abstract: A canister for use in an evaporative emission control system that includes an external housing; a membrane module separating the external housing into an inlet side and an outlet side; an entrance located on the inlet side in fluid communication with a fuel tank, such that a vapor mixture flows into the inlet side; an exit located on the outlet side in fluid communication with an internal combustion engine; a first valve that reversibly connects the inlet side to atmosphere; and optionally, a second valve that reversibly connects the outlet side to atmosphere. The membrane module includes one or more structured membranes having a surface with a plurality of folds, the membrane being shaped as a flat sheet or into a cylindrical geometry. The vapor mixture flows from the entrance along the surface of the membrane, such that gaseous fuel vapor permeates through the membrane to the outlet side.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid delivery device has an elongate housing with an internal chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing, and an outlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide is disposed at least in part within the internal chamber of the housing to ultrasonically energize liquid within the internal chamber prior to the liquid being exhausted from the housing through the outlet. The ultrasonic waveguide has an agitating member extending outward from the ultrasonic waveguide within the internal chamber of the housing intermediate the inlet and the outlet. The agitating member and the ultrasonic waveguide are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating member relative to the ultrasonic waveguide upon ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic waveguide. An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide and the agitating member.

Abstract: A fuel injector for delivering fuel to an engine in which a housing of the injector has an internal fuel chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the fuel chamber whereby fuel exits the fuel injector at the at least one exhaust port for delivery to the engine. An ultrasonic waveguide is separate from the housing, and is elongate and disposed at least in part within the fuel chamber to ultrasonically energize fuel within the fuel chamber prior to the fuel exiting through the at least one exhaust port. An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide. A mounting member interconnects the waveguide to the housing, with the mounting member configured to substantially vibrationally isolate the housing from the waveguide.

Abstract: A fuel injector for delivering fuel to an engine in which a housing of the injector has an internal fuel chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the fuel chamber. A valve member is moveable relative to the housing between a closed position in which fuel within the fuel chamber is inhibited against exhaustion from the housing, and an open position in which fuel is exhaustable from the housing. An ultrasonic waveguide is separate from the housing and valve member, with substantially the entire ultrasonic waveguide disposed within the fuel chamber to ultrasonically excite fuel within the fuel chamber prior to the fuel exiting through the at least one exhaust port in the open position of the valve member. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide.

Abstract: A fuel injector for delivering fuel to an engine in which a housing of the injector has an internal fuel chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the fuel chamber. A valve member is moveable relative to the housing between a closed position in which fuel within the fuel chamber is inhibited against exhaustion from the housing, and an open position in which fuel is exhaustable from the housing. An ultrasonic waveguide separate from the housing and valve member is disposed at least in part within the fuel chamber to ultrasonically excite fuel within the fuel chamber prior to the fuel exiting through the at least one exhaust port in the open position of the valve member. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid delivery device in which a housing of the device has an internal chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the internal chamber of the housing. A valve member is moveable relative to the housing between a closed position in which liquid is inhibited against exhaustion from the housing via the at least one exhaust port, and an open position in which liquid is exhaustable from the housing via the at least one exhaust port. An ultrasonic waveguide separate from the housing and valve member is disposed at least in part within the internal chamber of the housing to ultrasonically energize liquid within the internal chamber prior to liquid being exhausted from the housing in the open position of the valve member. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide.

Abstract: Ultrasonic waveguides having improved velocity gain are disclosed for use in ultrasonic medical devices. Specifically, the ultrasonic waveguides comprises a first material having a higher acoustic impedance and a second material having a lower acoustic impedance.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing ultrasonic waveguides having improved velocity gain are disclosed. Additionally, methods for manufacturing ultrasonic medical devices including the ultrasonic waveguides are disclosed. Specifically, the ultrasonic waveguides comprises a first material having a higher acoustic impedance and a second material having a lower acoustic impedance.

Abstract: An ultrasonically operated valve a source of ultrasonic energy for excitation of a pressurized liquid. The vibration of the ultrasonic horn imparts a pulsing of the pressure of the liquid within the valve. Selection of a sealing mechanism that responds at a different natural frequency than that of the valve body causes the sealing mechanism to unseat and therefore to enable liquid flow. The sealing mechanism will stay unseated as long as the source is imparting energy to the system and therefore inducing pressure pulses in the liquid thus keeping the sealing mechanism away from the valve seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in bonding patterns for the attachment of components of disposable absorbent articles. For example, in order to provide attachment of an ear portion to a longitudinal side of the chassis of an article, there may be an attachment area. The attachment area may include an overlapping area of chassis material(s) (outer cover and/or liner materials) and ear portion material. The overlapping areas of chassis material and ear portion material are bonded together in such a way as to include a variegated bond pattern and a uniform bond pattern. The bonding patterns of the invention may also be used to form the side seams and passive side bonds for articles that are donned as pants.