Abstract: A method for fault diagnosis in a fuel injection system having first and second fuel injectors. The method includes initiating a current flow in the first and second fuel injectors. Further, a rise duration of the current flow to reach a threshold level is measured. The method further includes comparing the rise duration and a preset duration. The fuel injection system is controlled based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for fault diagnosis in a fuel injection system having first and second fuel injectors. The method includes initiating a current flow in the first and second fuel injectors. Further, a rise duration of the current flow to reach a threshold level is measured. The method further includes comparing the rise duration and a preset duration. The fuel injection system is controlled based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for detecting actuation of an armature associated with a solenoid includes providing a voltage potential to a solenoid coil associated with the solenoid. The method also includes measuring a current flowing through the solenoid coil. The method further includes switching the voltage potential off when the measured current reaches a predetermined maximum value. The method also includes switching the voltage potential on when the measured current reaches a predetermined minimum value. The method further includes measuring a chop period between pulses associated with the switching on and off of the voltage potential. The method also includes analyzing successive chop periods to detect armature movement and armature seating. The method further includes determining, based on the comparison of chop periods, a pull-in time of an armature associated with the solenoid.

Abstract: A control system and method for protecting engine electronic circuitry from thermal damage including an electronic controller coupled to the engine, and one or more sensors coupled to the controller for inputting at least one signal indicative of a condition which can be correlated to the temperature of the electronic circuitry. The controller is operable to establish the temperature of the electronic circuitry based upon the at least one sensor input and to output a signal to effectively lower the temperature of the electronic circuitry when the temperature of such circuitry exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature. The sensor inputs to determine or establish a correlation between the input signal and the temperature of the electronic circuitry may include sensing engine speed, sensing the voltage level of the power source providing electrical power to the circuitry, or sensing the temperature of the circuitry directly.

Abstract: A circuit configuration wherein a plurality of solenoid driver circuits are all coupled together such that the high voltage supply associated with one driver circuit is connected in parallel with the high voltage supply of another driver circuit. Each driver circuit includes a high voltage select switch, a select switch, and a modulation switch, all of which switches are coupled to and controlled by an electronic controller such that back EMF created by the solenoid coil in each respective driver circuit can be recaptured by charging the high voltage supply associated with that driver circuit. This recaptured energy can then be utilized to not only provide current flow to the solenoid coil associated with that particular driver circuit, but such energy can likewise be utilized to recharge any plurality of the other high voltage supplies associated with the other driver circuits, even while the solenoid coils of such driver circuits are being powered by their respective high voltage supply.

Abstract: A current mirror circuit is provided including a first and second transistors of a first conductivity type, the first transistor having a base connected to a base of the second transistor forming a base junction. A third transistor which is of a second conductivity type is connected in series with the first transistor and a collector of the third transistor is connected to the base junction of the first and second transistors. A fourth transistor which is of the second conductivity type is connected in series with the second transistor and has a base connected to a base of the third transistor forming a base junction. A collector of the second transistor is connected to the base junction of the third and fourth transistors. A first resistor is connected between an emitter of the third transistor and ground and a second resistor is connected between an emitter of the fourth transistor and ground.

Abstract: A retaining clip for a pegboard hook of the type having upper and lower fingers receivable in adjacent holes of the pegboard. The clip has an elongated sheet metal body having a slot for receiving the upper end of the hook, and a retaining tab disposed adjacent the lower end of the hook shank to prevent the hook from being removed from the pegboard unless the retaining clip is swung out of the way.

Abstract: A system for drying and preheating small metallic particles such as chips, turnings, borings and the like to remove volatiles therefrom which includes a dryer working in conjunction with a briquetting press. The dryer includes a drying and preliminary combustion chamber includng a revolving drum therein through which the chips pass. The drying and preliminary combustion is heated and is atmospherically sealed and operated with a reducing atmosphere. The volatiles driven from the metallic particles are passed to a combustion completion chamber which is maintained at a temperature sufficient to burn the combustibles and into which air is injected to complete the combustion. The hot metallic particles are thermally insulated and sealed from the atmosphere while being conveyed from the drying and preliminary combustion chamber to the briquetting press where they are compressed into briquettes for subsequent introduction into induction furnaces and the like.

Abstract: A scrap preheating system in which scrap metal is preheated and contaminants such as grease removed therefrom by direct impingement of flames upon the scrap. The system includes a tunnel like preheater hood through which a conveyor passes conveying the scrap. The preheater hood includes parallel side walls positioned adjacent the conveyor and a roof assembly in which are positioned a plurality of burners for directing flames upon the scrap. The roof assembly of the preheater hood is formed into a plurality of substantially identical modular roof assemblies which are carried by the side walls and are positioned in side by side relationship along the side walls transverse to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor.

Abstract: A system for drying and preheating small metallic particles such as chips, turnings, borings and the like to remove volatiles therefrom which includes a dryer working in conjunction with a briquetting press. The dryer includes a drying and preliminary combustion chamber including a revolving drum therein through which the chips pass. The drying and preliminary combustion is heated and is atmospherically sealed and operated with a reducing atmosphere. The volatiles driven from the metallic particles are passed to a combustion completion chamber which is maintained at a temperature sufficient to burn the combustibles and into which air is injected to complete the combustion. The hot metallic particles are thermally insulated and sealed from the atmosphere while being conveyed from the drying and preliminary combustion chamber to the briquetting press where they are compressed into briquettes for subsequent introduction into induction furnaces and the like.