Abstract: This invention generally relates to expandable containers, more importantly, to expandable containers having a housing with at least one chamber devoid of a fill material in an unexpanded condition and in an expanded condition the chamber having a fill material disposed therein.

Abstract: A fuel processor for rapid start and operational control. The fuel processor includes a reformer, a shift reactor, and a preferential oxidation reactor for deriving hydrogen for use in creating electricity in a plurality of H2—O2 fuel cells. A heating and cooling mechanism is coupled to at least the shift reactor for controlling the critical temperature operation of the shift reactor without the need for a separate cooling loop. This heating and cooling mechanism produces or removes thermal energy as a product of the temperature of the combustion of air and fuel. Anode effluent and cathode effluent or air are used to control the temperature output of the heating mechanism. A vaporizer is provided that heats the PrOx reactor to operating temperature.

Abstract: A universal attachment assembly for installing, and bracing covers over openings. More particularly securing shutter panels over doors and windows in masonry construction without defacing the walls. Novelty, simplicity, economy, vibration resistance and speed of installation are characteristics of the assembly. Tensile force is created by commercially available ratcheting device 21 and transmitted by flexible, lightweight straps 22 within universal attachment assembly 20. Marginally distributed paired fulcrum holes 23 in shutter 24 provide bearing against the structural rigidity of shutters 24 to convert strap tension into compression by novel specialized structural clamping levers 10. Corner of wall opening 25 is clamped by lever against shutter 24. Elasticity of straps provides resilience in maintaining constant, high, compressive loading against concrete sills, etc. despite fluctuations due to turbulent wind loads.

Abstract: A shutter including a unique configuration for pivotably mounting a plurality of louvers is provided herein. The louvers are mounted at either end to first and second connection and orientation elements. The first and second connection and orientation elements are received within groove in first and second stiles. Upper and lower rails may be secured at upper and lower ends, respectively, of the stiles. Methods of producing such a shutter are also provided herein. The methods include the step of producing a cartridge-like screening panel module in a standard length. The module is easily cut to produce a module segment of a desired length. The methods thus allow manufacturers of custom shutters to use standard size parts to produce custom-made shutters. The methods reduce the cost and production time of custom-made shutters.

Abstract: A swing flap (10) for the entry and exit of small pets, which comprises a frame (812), which can be fixed to an opening (13) made in a door or a wall, equipped at the top with hinged means of constraint for a flap (22), and having a strip (11) indicating the direction of the last transit made by the animal.

Abstract: A window assembly has a frame with balance channels to opposite sides of the frame, balance devices in the channels and a sash which is both slideable and tiltable relative to the frame. Also provided is a sash tilt limit bar which has a first end attached to the sash and a second end which is held within and which slides vertically of one of the balance channels without interfering with the balance device in the channel. The bar limits the tilting of the sash to positions which do not allow the second end of the bar to travel sufficiently far as to allow the bar to move to a position perpendicular to the frame where the bar might otherwise block closing of the sash.

Abstract: A guide rail assembly for moving a closure panel of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position includes a guide rail fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A slide mechanism slidably engages the guide rail. A rod has one end coupled to the slide mechanism and an opposing end coupled to the closure panel to move the closure panel as the slide mechanism slides along the guide rail. A drive is fixedly secured to the guide rail for selectively driving the slide mechanism along the guide rail. A clasp is operatively secured to the slide mechanism for selectively coupling the drive to the slide mechanism such that the drive moves the slide mechanism along the guide rail to move the closure panel between the open and closed positions when the slide mechanism is coupled with the drive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door operating system for controlling the movement of a door, more particularly to “no touch” door openers for public washrooms and households. The system has a motor with a gear chain where the high gear is generally semicircularly shaped engaged with a swinging arm coupled with the door through the roller and a pilot plate. The unit is activated upon receipt of the signal from overhead passive infrared or hand proximity detecting sensors and has a controlling system to provide for opening and closing the door, as well as retraction of the arm in the event of door encountering an obstacle or in an overload condition of the motor. The arm and a gear are linked pivotally with each other and with the unit housing. They are coupled through a spring suspension system and have a clutch mechanism preventing overloading.

Abstract: A module for incorporation into a door includes a base panel made of resin, a window motor attached to the base panel, a pinion gear, which is rotated by operation of the window motor, a carrier for retaining a window glass, and a power transmission arm, which is rotatably supported by the base panel. The power transmission arm includes a gear portion, which is engaged with the pinion gear, an arm portion, which has a distal end to be coupled to the carrier, and a coupler, which couples the gear portion to the arm portion. The coupler is formed of resin material having the same coefficient of linear expansion as the base panel. As a result, the engagement between the pinion gear and the gear portion is always reliably maintained regardless of temperature change.

Abstract: An access door has a rectangular outer frame adapted to be set in a wall and having two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides defining four corners and a rectangular inner frame congruent to the outer frame, having longitudinal and transverse sides and four corners, and dimensioned to fit within the outer frame. Hinges at corners at ends of one of the longitudinal sides hold the inner frame in the outer frame and allow pivoting of the inner frame in the outer frame generally about the one longitudinal side. Two transversely effective spring latches are provided at the other longitudinal side near ends thereof between the inner and outer frames, and two longitudinally effective spring latches are provided at the transverse sides near the other longitudinal side between the inner and outer frames.

Abstract: Methods and solutions for forming self assembled organic monolayers that are covalently bound to metal interfaces are presented along with a device containing a self assembled organic monolayer. Embodiments of the present invention utilize self assembled thiolate monolayers to prevent the electromigration and surface diffusion of copper atoms while minimizing the resistance of the interconnect lines. Self assembled thiolate monolayers are used to cap the copper interconnect lines and chemically hold the copper atoms at the top of the lines in place, thus preventing surface diffusion. The use of self assembled thiolate monolayers minimizes the resistance of copper interconnect lines because only a single monolayer of approximately 10 ? and 20 ? in thickness is used.

Abstract: A building construction assembly composed of factory-manufactured thermoplastic structural modules which when interconnected at a building site then create the entire shell of an edifice having side walls and a roof. Each module which is formed of a pair of parallel panels bridged by transverse webs is provided on either side along its length with a pair of flexible catch flanges projecting from the panels. When assembling these modules to create the shell of the edifice, adjacent modules are interconnected in coplanar relation by a double-faced joiner on each face of which is a pair of teeth. When one face of the joiner is pressed against a side of a module, its catch flanges then flex to snap into and behind the teeth to connect the joiner to this module. The other face of the joiner is similarly connected to the side of an adjacent module whereby the modules are then interconnected in coplanar relation.

Abstract: A domed building or mold constructed with flexible, lightweight curved panels snapped together using grooves and ridges formed in the panels to form a building wall, a tension ring holding the panels in place and a top cap overlying and secured to upper edges of the panels

Abstract: A wall and buttress construction for swimming pools in which deck support extensions can be secured to the top of the buttresses. The wall includes a plurality of panels having end flanges at the sides of the panels, and a double slotted peg is provided. One of the slots is shorter to receive a wedge when a peg is placed through two abutting panel end flanges, and the other slot being longer to accommodate a wedge when the peg is being used to join a brace as well as two abutting end flanges. The end flanges have elongated openings therethrough for receiving the pegs that are oriented diagonally, rather than either vertically or horizontally. The elongated openings, pegs and wedges are easily visible/accessible for inserting pegs as a result of the diagonal orientation.

Abstract: A window assembly has a window pane formed from inorganic glass and a concealing member formed along a peripheral edge of the window pane. The concealing member is bonded to the window pane through an adhesive layer containing an acid-modified polyolefin resin or an acid-modified olefin-styrene copolymer resin as a main component. The concealing member is formed in such a manner that a forming material mainly containing an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer material or a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer material is heated and molten, and the molten forming material is brought into pressure contact with the window pane having the adhesive layer formed thereon in advance, and then cooled and solidified.

Abstract: A combination of modular floor covering and border strip materials which operate in cooperative relation to greatly reduce or eliminate the necessity and expense of trimming waste material from the floor covering being installed. A system for installation of floor covering elements is also provided.

Abstract: A cover for an inflatable modular structure is claimed. A plurality of covers fit on the core of an inflatable module. An inflatable shell is attached to the core enclosing the covers and the core. In the pre-deployed configuration, the inflatable shell is folded over the covers and the covers provide a measure of protection for the shell. In the deployed state, the inflatable shell is filled with air and expands to its deployed configuration. The covers can be removed from core and attached to the inside of the shell. The covers then function as a platform to secure items in place.

Abstract: There are various pylons of wind power installations, primarily lattice mast pylons, tubular steel pylons or concrete pylons. In the case of pylons of concrete, there are various possible ways of producing same, inter alia also erecting pylons from ready-made reinforced concrete parts, wherein the individual ready-made reinforced concrete parts form respective segments which are laid one upon the other and which are then braced to each other._The object of the invention is to speed up construction of a pylon comprising segments disposed in mutually superposed relationship, with a bonding material between the segments._A pylon of a wind power installation, wherein the pylon comprises mutually superposed segments and there is a bonding material between the mutually superposed segments, and a heating element is provided in the upper region of the downwardly disposed segment and/or in the lower region of the upwardly disposed segment on the side of the segment, which is towards the oppositely disposed segment.

Abstract: A door assembly for a sign display is disclosed which may be readily configured to support graphic indicia of various sizes and shapes. The door assembly includes a door frame having a pair of side rails and a pair of end rails which supports a translucent door panel. The door frame further supports a diffusion panel in spaced relationship from the door panel. A plurality of support channels are releasably retained between the side rails. The support channels are captured between the door panel and the diffusion panel to define a display cell within which the graphic indicia are supported.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlocking masonry wall block having two spaced lugs or projections and a cooperating recess or channel that enable like-shaped blocks to be stacked in a staggered relation to form straight and serpentine walls that are particularly suited for landscaping applications. In one embodiment, the lugs are located proximal the sides of the block and extend from an upper surface of the block. The channel is formed in a lower surface of the block. In another embodiment, the lugs are located at the rear corners of the block and extend below the lower surface of the block. The recess is formed in the rear end of the block between the lugs. Like-shaped blocks are stacked in a staggered relation so that each block is stacked atop two immediately lower blocks. In each embodiment, the lugs and their cooperating channel or recess define a setback dimension.

Abstract: A portable structure from which hunters and wildlife observers can command elevated views of wildlife habitat. Commonly called a blind, it can be constructed as a stand-alone structure and transported intact to habitat sites on, for example a flat-bed truck. It can also be constructed as a trailer, or as a permanent or semi-permanent attachment to a motorized vehicle. The blind offers powered erection, powered access to and from the observation position, and wheelchair accessibility.

Abstract: The plant-on trim elements are trim elements attached to door and window openings or elsewhere on a building made of stucco or similar material. The plant-ons have a foraminous lath shell and a mating core, with the core having one or more (preferably a series of) reliefs formed therein, e.g. along the outer corners of the core. The reliefs allow stucco or other suitable material to flow completely through the foraminous lath and encapsulate the lath at the relief areas, thereby providing a much stronger bond between the coating material and the underlying lath shell. The foraminous material may be expanded metal or metal or plastic screen, while the core may be formed of foam plastic, wood, or other suitable material.

Abstract: An packaging apparatus and method to uncuff a package assembly is disclosed. The package assembly includes a container with at least one upstanding sidewall defining an open top. A bag is disposed within the container and a top portion of the bag is folded over the at least one sidewall at the open top to define a cuff. The packaging apparatus includes a first fluid jet directed substantially upward that is configured to uncuff the top portion of the bag from the container. An automatic bag closer gathers the top portion of the bag and applies a clip to close the bag. A second fluid jet is directed substantially downward and is configured to push the top portion of the bag substantially within the container.

Abstract: A flaps closing apparatus for closing full flap boxes is provided. The apparatus includes a flaps closing assembly with a first brake mechanism and closing bars with a second brake mechanism. The first brake mechanism controls the vertical motion of the flaps closing assembly with respect to the flaps closing apparatus. The second brake mechanism holds the closing bars in an angled configuration and at a first predetermined vertical position permits the bars to pivot to a horizontal configuration. A flap sealing assembly includes a pair of compression plates positioned outside the flaps closing assembly. A compression plate actuating mechanism draws the compression plates inwardly to urge side flaps of the full flap box into contact with sides of the full flap box at a second predetermined vertical position. A vertical movement mechanism lowers and raises the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for separating and collecting waste driven by an air stream, comprising an intake duct (52) emerging along a tangential direction in a waste separating chamber (53) defining an internal volume having substantially the shape of a cylinder, in the central part of said chamber (53) is arranged at least an opening (61, 63) emerging onto a duct connected to a suction unit, said chamber (53) having a channel (68) for evacuating waste along a radial direction, said channel (68) being connected to a sealed pan (76) collecting centrifuged waste, the air intake channel (52) and the waste evacuating channel (68) being arranged substantially at the same height in the waste separating chamber (53). The invention is characterized in that the diametrical section of the chamber (53) ranges between twice and ten times the smallest cross-section of the channel carrying waste from the nozzle.

Abstract: A dust collector includes an exhaust box and a support frame. The exhaust box consists of two housings, two intermediate half hoops and two annular bases. The two housings respectively have a flange to match with each other and two half hoops firmly keeps the combined two housings firmly combined together so the exhaust box is easily assembled together and quite air-tight, effectively upgrading assembling efficiency, lowering the cost, and having good air-tightness, a smooth and aesthetic appearance and collapsibility for reducing the size after collapsed.

Abstract: A vacuum bag media and associated method of production, which includes a first layer that includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane and at least one second layer that includes a first component having a first melting point and a second component having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, wherein the first layer is attached to the at least one second layer. The second layer can include cellulose material, spunbond, nonwoven fabric, and a thermal bond, nonwoven fabric. Attachment of the first layer of material to the at least one second layer of material can occur through thermobonding, e.g., heated gas, infrared heat and heated calender rolls. The application of adhesives and the use of ultrasonic energy can also bond the layers together. Approximately five percent (5%) to fifty percent (50%) of the first component can be selectively melted for superior airflow.

Abstract: A protective cover for a chrome vehicle assembly, wherein the lifespan of the chrome fixture can be increased via the regular utilization of the removable protective cover, wherein the potential for reflective heat transfer from the chrome assembly to surfaces and components located proximate thereto, including fiberglass body parts, is diminished via the insulative qualities of the device, and wherein an attractive outer display surface is provided and is suitable for display of licensed logos and marks, such as CHEVROLET CORVETTE.

Abstract: A breather valve device for a container for an electronic control unit, includes a support structure comprising, a substantially planar wall having first and second surfaces intended to face outwardly and inwardly of the container respectively, and in which is formed an aperture, and a projecting, essentially cylindrical, tubular wall extending from the first surface of the planar wall, substantially around the said aperture; an interceptor element having a smaller cross section than the passage cross section of the tubular wall and of the aperture; the interceptor element being disposed inside an axially intermediate portion of the tubular wall, spaced radially from the latter so as to define, with respect to said tubular wall, a narrow annular gap; the interceptor element being connected to the support structure by at least one connector formation. The support structure, the interceptor element and the said at least one connector formation are integrally formed in one piece of molded plastics material.

Abstract: A cap assembly is provided for a container that defines a reservoir for power steering fluid. The cap assembly has an outer cap adapted to be secured to an open mouth of the container and an inner cap secured to the outer cap and adapted to extend through the open mouth into a neck of the container. The inner cap has an O-ring adapted to seal against a neck of the container. A build-up of air in the reservoir is vented to the outside atmosphere through a passageway in the cap assembly. A filter in the passageway is adapted to pass the air but not to pass a mist emanating from the power steering fluid.

Abstract: The present invention refers to air filter holding trays, especially as used in air conditioner systems. The air filter holding tray frames include at least one sealing element. Preferably, the sealing element is held by longitudinal tray tracks with fibers or bristles on one side of the sealing element.

Abstract: An aluminum titanate-based ceramic body having a composition a formula comprising a(Al2O3.TiO2)+b(CaO.Al2O3.2SiO2)+c(SrO.Al2O3.2SiO2)+d(BaO.Al2O3.2SiO2)+e(3Al2O3.2SiO2)+f(Al2O3)+g (SiO2)+h(Fe2O3.TiO2)+i(MgO.2TiO2), wherein a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, and i are weight fractions of each component such that (a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i)=1, wherein 0.5<a?0.95; 0?b?0.5; 0?c?0.5; 0?d?0.5; 0<e?0.5; 0?f?0.5; 0?g?0.1; 0?h?0.3; 0?i?0.3; b+d>0.01. A method of forming the ceramic body is provided. The ceramic body is useful in automotive emissions control systems, such as diesel exhaust filtration.

Abstract: A modular vehicle system comprises an engine unit and an engine management controller associated with the engine unit. A throttle actuator is associated with the engine management controller to control a throttle setting of an engine unit. A mower unit is associated with mower electronics. A blade clutch actuator activates or deactivates a cutting blade of the mower unit. A transmission line supports communications between the engine management controller and the mower electronics to support remote control mowing or unmanned mowing activities.

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting stalky crops has an intake and conveying device having an endless conveyor provided with outwardly oriented cutting, holding, and conveying elements that form cutting planes and holding planes. The endless conveyor has a supply area for transferring crop to an inlet opening of a processing device. The supply area has a stripping device with clearing elements each having a stripping surface. The stripping surfaces of the clearing elements are remote from a holder and face forwardly in the traveling and working direction. The stripping surfaces are vertical in an end area pointing in the traveling and working direction and positioned in a common vertical plane. The stripping surfaces have a section extending from the end area in a direction of crop flow and diverge with increasing spacing from one another in the direction of crop flow.

Abstract: Repair of a broken finger of a harvester reel pickup tine is accomplished by positioning a repair finger having a cavity over the broken finger stub so that the broken finger stub of the harvester reel pickup tine is received in the cavity of the repair finger, and the repair finger is then fastened adjacent one end to the pickup tine when the broken finger stub is in the cavity.

Abstract: A convertible mower deck which, in one embodiment, encloses the blade when it is in a mulching mode is provided. In a discharge mode, the deck provides one or more gaps, troughs or ducts through which cut material clippings can escape. The deck is convertible convert to a rear discharge mode by removal of a plug or insert that extends along the rear of the cutting chamber walls of the deck. The plug or insert is configured to seat into a slot, windfoil or ridge provided in the deck. A quick connect fastener at one end secures the plug to the deck. The ridge, windfoil or slot is flared outwardly and/or downwardly to provide a discharge opening. Because the material clippings in a discharge mode are permitted to exit through the opening(s) before they impact a mulch ramp deflector (on the underside of the mower deck or on the blade) the clippings “leak” out the opening and onto the top of the lawn or into a bag.

Abstract: The harvester provides a self-propelled or towed base (2) on which a telescoping tower (3) is mounted on a gimbal (7), allowing angular flexibility of the tower relative to the base. The tower resists swaying movement by the stabilizing effects of hydraulic cylinders (34) that are connected to electrically-operated hydraulic control valves, e.g. servo valves, controlled by a programmable logic controller or the like, which receives input from two inclinometers (5). An extendable multi-jointed boom (8) is mounted at or near the upper end of the tower. Mounted at the distal end of the boom is a cut fruit holding basket (11) and a funnel (12) with a chute (13), mounted to a common platform (4) that pivots to provide access to all sides of a tree. Collected fruit may be discharged periodically into a collection bin, for example when the platform is at least partially lowered to move the base and tower from location to location.

Abstract: A deflector (10) for collecting and guiding harvested tree-fruit is implemented for resilient recovery from collisions with obstacles in the field. The deflector is coupled in cantilever to a boom harvester (4) mounted on a vehicle (2). The harvester has a telescopic boom (8) with a mobile portion (14) terminated by a clamp (6) able to move in horizontal and in vertical translation towards and along a tree trunk (T). The deflector is coupled to the mobile portion for slaved translation with the clamp. Implemented as an array of separate ribs (32) flexibly coupled together and made of flexible elastic plastic material such as fiberglass, the deflector is lightweight and flexes upon collision to resiliently recover shape after the collision. Being lightweight, the cantilever does not destabilize the vehicle. The structure and the materials of construction of the deflector prevent transmission of vibrations generated by the vibrator (12) used to shake the trunk when harvesting.

Abstract: A large round baler includes a device for introducing a wrapping web to the baling chamber for wrapping a bale with the wrapping web. During a wrapping procedure, the wrapping web is pulled off a supply roll and directed to a location in front of the baling chamber where it is engaged by a crop supply unit and introduced into the baling chamber where the rotating bale carries the wrapping web about it and becomes wrapped.

Abstract: A rubber reinforcing cord having high flexural fatigue resistance and high dimensional stability is provided and a rubber product such as a rubber belt employing the cord is provided. The cord includes a fibrous core and a plurality of subsidiary strands which are disposed around the fibrous core and each of which is twisted by a primary twist, in which the fibrous core and the subsidiary strands are twisted together by a final twist. The direction of the primary twist of the subsidiary strands and the direction of the final twist are the same and the fibrous core is twisted by a primary twist in a direction opposite to the direction of the primary twist of the subsidiary strands. A rubber product is reinforced with the rubber reinforcing cord.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ply-twisted yarn and cut-resistant fabric for use in articles of protective clothing. The fabric is cut resistant and form fitting by virtue of cut-resistant synthetic fibers, inorganic fibers and elastomeric fibers being combined in a particular manner.

Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly for use in a combustion tool including a combustion chamber, at least one combustion chamber plate disposed in the chamber, the at least one combustion chamber plate and the chamber members being configured for relative reciprocal movement, the combustion chamber assembly having at least one latch member associated with control of movement of at least one plate within the combustion chamber to divide the chamber into multiple volumes. The combustion chamber assembly further has a release for the latch member for permitting relative movement of the at least one combustion chamber plate and the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An air ejection assembly for unsteadying an exhaust plume discharged from an exhaust end of a turbine engine during operation. A turbine engine incorporating the air ejection assembly and a method of unsteadying an exhaust plume are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation system for a convergent divergent exhaust nozzle in a bypass turbojet comprising an afterburn chamber surrounded by an annular passage through which circulates a stream of cooling air, a convergent divergent axisymmetric nozzle arranged downstream of said afterburn chamber, each circle of flaps comprising alternately a plurality of controlled flaps, and a plurality of follower flaps, a circle of cold flaps arranged radially outside said nozzle and hinged at their upstream end to a conical shell linked to the downstream part of the casing.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine by introducing air, in which the air is conducted into the induction region of the internal combustion engine following shutoff of the internal combustion engine. If necessary, the intake valves and the exhaust valves of at least one cylinder are moved into a position in which at least one intake valve and one exhaust valve of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine are open simultaneously. The method may be used in for an internal combustion engine having an electric turbocharger for the introduction of air.

Abstract: A high precision deterioration determination device for an exhaust gas purifier of an engine is provided. The engine includes an exhaust gas purifier disposed in an exhaust pipe of the engine, and a downstream exhaust gas sensor disposed in the exhaust pipe on the downstream of the purifier for generating outputs corresponding to components of an exhaust gas. The electronic control unit controls an air/fuel ratio of the engine to a predetermined value based on the outputs of the downstream exhaust gas sensor. The control unit is programmed to perform a non-linear filtering to extract rectangle-shaped waveform components from the outputs of the downstream exhaust gas sensor. The control unit subtracts the rectangle-shaped waveform components from the sensor outputs to extract noise components representing a degree of the catalyst deterioration.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes first and second exhaust paths, and a first NOx adsorber located in the first exhaust path. A flow control valve controls the relative amounts of exhaust gas flowing through the first and second exhaust paths. A first injector injects a reductant into the exhaust gas stream. The injector is located so as to inject the reductant at a location adjacent to the flow control valve to cause mixing of the reductant and the exhaust gas and to allow regeneration of the first NOx adsorber.

Abstract: A system for effective NOx control in a diesel or other lean burn internal combustion engine is presented. The system includes a urea-based SCR catalyst having an oxidation catalyst coupled upstream of it and an ALNC coupled upstream of the oxidation catalyst. This system configuration results in improved NOx conversion due to faster SCR catalyst warm-up and higher operating temperatures. Additionally, placing the ALNC upstream of the oxidation catalyst prevents hydrocarbon slip into the SCR catalyst at low exhaust gas temperatures. Also, system reliability is improved by adding an auxiliary NOx aftertreatment device.

Abstract: A method and a system for improved reductant delivery to an exhaust gas aftertreatment device for a lean burn internal combustion engine exhaust is presented. The system includes a heated evaporator unit into which a mixture of reductant and air in injected, wherein the mixture is vaporized and introduced into the exhaust gas aftertreatment device. Introducing the reductant mixed with air into the heated evaporator unit prevents lacquering and soot deposits on the heated element housed inside the unit, and also speeds up the vaporization process due to better reductant distribution thus reducing system response delays and improving conversion efficiency of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device. The reductant delivery system is further improved by adding a catalyst to it, and by preventing the reductant and air mixture from coming into direct contact with the surface of the heating element.

Abstract: A low cost particulate filter pressure monitoring system and method are presented. The differential pressure across the filter is estimated based on an atmospheric pressure, a measured absolute exhaust gas pressure upstream of the first emission control device coupled to the engine and an estimated pressure drop across all other emission control devices.