Abstract: A particulate and exhaust emission control system for a vehicle (10) having a diesel engine (12). The control system has a particulate trap (24) connected to the exhaust manifold (22) of the diesel engine, an additive tank (30) for storing a fuel additive decomposed by the engine's combustion process to form a reducible metal oxide capable of depressing the ignition temperature of the carbon particulates collected by the particulate trap (24) and a metering mechanism (34) responsive to the adding of diesel fuel to the vehicle's fuel tank (28) to add a quantity of the fuel additive to the diesel fuel in the fuel tank (28) to maintain a predetermined ratio of the fuel additive to the diesel fuel in the tank. The metal oxide depressing the ignition temperature of the carbon particulates collected by the particulate trap (24) to a temperature obtained by the particulate trap during selected operating parameters of the diesel engine (12).

Abstract: An exhaust system for a spark ignition engine on an automotive vehicle including an exhaust filter disposed downstream of a spark ignition engine for condensing hydrocarbons in exhaust gases from the engine during a first time period after start of the engine, a bypass structure for bypassing at least a portion of exhaust gases around the exhaust filter to heat the exhaust filter during a second time period after the first time period and evaporate the condensed hydrocarbons, and a catalytic converter disposed downstream of the exhaust filter to oxidize the evaporated hydrocarbons and reduce NO.sub.x in exhaust gases passing therethrough. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a spark ignition engine on an automotive vehicle including an exhaust filter disposed downstream of a spark ignition engine for condensing hydrocarbons in exhaust gases from the engine during a first time period after start of the engine, a bypass structure for bypassing at least a portion of exhaust gases around the exhaust-filter to heat the exhaust filter during a second time period after the first time period and evaporate the condensed hydrocarbons, and a catalytic converter disposed downstream of the exhaust filter to oxidize the evaporated hydrocarbons and reduce NO.sub.x in exhaust gases passing therethrough. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A low-friction piston construction for use in an oil-fed cylinder bore with the piston skirt relieved to define lands that are coated with SFL (graphite, MoS.sub.2, BN, and a special expoxy resin). A method of making such piston construction including provision of asperities on the skirt wall onto which the SFL coating is thermally sprayed and formation of small pockets at the mouth of the asperities to additionally act as oil replenishing reservoirs. A method of using such piston construction in an engine which comprises provisions of a slightly increased gap between the piston and cylinder wall and formation of a transferred SFL coating from the piston to the cylinder wall resulting in two polished microsmooth mating coatings, each attractive to oil films.

Abstract: The invention discloses internal combustion engines, particularly compression ignition engines such as diesel engines, having reduced nitrogen oxide emissions with concurrent reductions in particulate emissions. The invention provides a catalyst impregnated prechamber insert which operates in the fuel rich environments of internal combustion engines to reduce nitrous oxides.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling intake air in an internal combustion engine. The system comprised of a two-stage turbocharging subsystem having two turbine driven compressors in series with two intercoolers and a closed-loop refrigeration subsystem having cooling coils within or in close proximity to the insulated intake manifold of the engine. This cooled intake air results in a lower peak combustion temperature which results in lower levels of nitrous oxides emitted by the engine exhaust.

Abstract: A low-friction piston construction for use in an oil-fed cylinder bore with the piston skirt relieved to define lands that are coated with SFL (graphite, MoS.sub.2, BN, and a special expoxy resin). A method of making such piston construction including provision of asperities on the skirt wall onto which the SFL coating is thermally sprayed and formation of small pockets at the mouth of the asperities to additionally act as oil replenishing reservoirs. A method of using such piston construction in an engine which comprises provisions of a slightly increased gap between the piston and cylinder wall and formation of a transferred SFL coating from the piston to the cylinder wall resulting in two polished microsmooth mating coatings, each attractive to oil films.

Abstract: A filtration system operative to remove oxidizable particulates from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine is disclosed. The system has a filter element to trap and collect particulates in the exhaust gas, ignition means supplied with energy for a period only sufficient to ignite a leading portion of the particulate collection, and means for conducting a flow of gas with excess oxygen through the filtration means immediately following ignition without addition of other energy, the flow of gas with excess oxygen being utilized to support the continued oxidation of the ignited particulate collection.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a gas phase film lubrication between a reciprocal piston and a cylinder of an uncooled oilless internal combustion engine; the piston is effective to drive a rotary crankshaft in response to an expanding gas charge. The apparatus comprises: (a) means connecting the crankshaft to said piston for transferring reciprocal thrust into rotary thrust, such means aligning the piston concentrically within the cylinder wall to limit the imposition of side loads on said piston (i.e., less than 80 psi); (b) interfacing walls on the piston and cylinder (i) sized to provide a predetermined annular gap therebetween at ambient conditions that has a radial dimension in the range of 0.001.+-.0.

Abstract: A filtration system operative to remove oxidizable particulates from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine is disclosed. The system has a filter element to trap and collect particulates in the exhaust gas, ignition means supplied with energy for a period only sufficient to ignite a leading portion of the particulate collection, and means for conducting a flow of gas with excess oxygen thorough the filtration means immediately following ignition without addition of other energy, the flow of gas with excess oxygen being utilized to support the continued oxidation of the ignited particulate collection.

Abstract: A carbon ignition temperature depressing agent is disclosed along with a method of regenerating an automotive particulate trap using the ignition temperature depressing agent. The agent is effective to promote oxidation of on-board collected carbonaceous particles extracted from the automobile exhaust. The agent comprises (a) an organometallic compound that upon heating (the combustion process of the engine) forms a readily reducible metal oxide which when finely divided promotes a carbonaceous ignition temperature in the range of as low as 450.degree. F. and up to as low as 675.degree. F., and (b) an aerosol-promoting liquid carrier effective to form a fine mist with the organometallic compound when sprayed, the carrier having a boiling point in the range of 176.degree.-302.degree. F. (80.degree.-150.degree. C.). The organometallic compound is one or more metal octoates having the metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and cerium.

Abstract: A carbon ignition temperature depressing agent is disclosed along with a method of regenerating an automotive particulate trap using the ignition temperature depressing agent. The agent is effective to promote oxidation of on-board collected carbonaceous particles extracted from the automobile exhaust. The agent comprises (a) an organometallic compound that upon heating (the combustion process of the engine) forms a readily reducible metal oxide which when finely divided promotes a carbonaceous ignition temperature in the range of as low as 450.degree. F. and up to as low as 675.degree. F., and (b) an aerosol-promoting liquid carrier effective to form a fine mist with the organometallic compound when sprayed, the carrier having a boiling point in the range of 176.degree.-302.degree. F. (80.degree.-150.degree. C.). The organometallic compound is one or more metal octoates having the metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and cerium.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed for adding a fluid agent to the fuel supply of an automotive engine, the agent is effective in depressing the ignition temperature of soot collected in an exhaust trap. The apparatus comprises: (a) a reservoir for containing a supply of the fluid agent such as copper octoate and hexane; (b) an electrically operated pulse pump for positively displacing a measured amount of the agent from the reservoir into the fuel supply; (c) register means for registering the amount of fuel replenished to the engine fuel supply and for transmitting an electrical signal proportional to the amount of fuel so added; and (d) control means responsive to the electrical signal to permit electrical operation of the pulse pump for a number of predetermined pulses to dispense a required amount of the agent for maintaining a desired uniform concentration of the agent throughout the fuel supply.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for regenerating a filter trap used to collect particulates from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises: (a) an assembly providing a flow of a heat transfer medium through the filter trap: (b) an assembly for heating the heat transfer medium to a temperature effective to incinerate the particulates in the filter trap: and (c) a flow mask stationed in the flow of heat transfer medium, upstream from said filter trap, effective to divert the heat transfer medium away from the radially inner zone of the filter trap while guiding the heat transfer medium to engage and ignite the particulates along a radially outer region of the filter trap. The mask is a circular disc and spaced upstream from the filter trap effective to mask a central core area of the flow of heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A filtration system is disclosed which removes particulates from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine. The system has (a) a filter element, (b) oxidation means for conducting a flow of heated gas through at least a portion of the filter element, the heated gas being effective to ignite the particulates in that portion, and (c) a flow control means. The flow control means has walls dividing the filter element into first and second portions, and a flow diverter effective to normally permit full exhaust gas flow through both of said filter portions, and effective to selectively permit exhaust glow through only one of the filter portions while permitting flow of heated gas of the oxidation means through the other of said filter portions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making wear resistant, ferrous based parts (10) by molding a uniform mixture of ferrous based powder and binder material into a compacted shape, heating the compacted shape to remove the binder and to partially sinter the mixture to a strength of 1000-8000 psi, while maintaining a porosity of 20-40% at least along the outer region of the part, depositing a fluid suspension of wear resistant particles onto a surface zone of the shape, and heating the coated shape to bond the particles to the surface and fully sinter the part.

Abstract: A heat exchange assembly and method for making same is disclosed which is useful for Stirling engine heater head constructions. The assembly is comprised entirely of a low cost extrudable material, such as silicon, which when fused in a carburizing furnace provides a rigid highly durable ceramic. Heater tubes are arranged within a chamber, the tubes carry ambient pressure high temperature combusted gases and the chamber containing high pressure lower temperature working gases about the exterior of each tube.Heat exchange can additionally be improved by increasing the exterior surface area of each tube relative to the interior surface thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for insulating the exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A three-zone liner assembly is provided with an outer zone comprised of a room temperature vulcanizing silicone sleeve, an inner zone comprised of a stamped and seam welded high strength Al-Cr-steel alloy, and an intermediate zone consisting of a ceramic wool mat. The liner assembly is supported or enclosed within a mild carbon sheet metal sleeve metal which in turn may be bonded to the engine passage wall by use of a room-temperature-vulcanized silicone if of the insert type, or by fusion bonding during casting if of the cast-in-place type.

Abstract: An oilless engine having a piston reciprocal within a cylinder and along an axis of such cylinder while providing an annular gap therebetween to receive combustion gases and a gas phase blow-by control system for such engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a gas phase film lubrication between a reciprocal piston and a cylinder of an uncooled oilless internal combustion engine; the piston is effective to drive a rotary crankshaft in response to an expanding gas charge. The apparatus comprises: (a) means connecting the crankshaft to said piston for transferring reciprocal thrust into rotary thrust, such means aligning the piston concentrically within the cylinder wall to limit the imposition of side loads on said piston (i.e., less than 80 psi); (b) interfacing walls on the piston and cylinder (i) sized to provide a predetermined annular gap therebetween at ambient conditions that has a radial dimension in the range of 0.001.+-.0.