Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling transitions between engine operating modes in a four-cylinder engine. One method includes transitioning engine operation between two-cylinder, three-cylinder, and four-cylinder modes wherein the transitioning includes a sequence of firing events such that successive firing events are separated by at least 120 crank angle degree intervals.

Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed that is capable of operating in multiple combustion modes. A method is also disclosed of operating a dual fuel engine in conjunction with the fuel system. The method may include detecting a performance parameter of gaseous fuel in the fuel system. The method may also include selecting a combustion mode from a plurality of combustion modes based on the performance parameter. The method may further include injecting gaseous fuel and liquid fuel into at least one cylinder of the engine according to an injection timing corresponding to the selected combustion mode.

Abstract: An alternative fueling system configured to consume alternative fuels by renewable identification number (RIN) assignment to enforce neat consumption; or moreover and more specifically, to utilize that RIN assignment whenever neat consumption is possible, thereby lessening usage constraints upon the remaining stock(s) of renewable fuel as an example, and/or to provide purging of the alternative fuel from the engine on shutdown.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a fuel concentration in engine oil in an engine crankcase. In one example, an engine controller may adjust engine operation such as EGR flow and engine fueling based on the estimated fuel concentration in engine oil. The fuel concentration may be based on an output of an intake oxygen sensor when purge and EGR flow are disabled, engine oil temperature, and fuel composition.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling vibrations during transitions between engine operating modes in a four-cylinder engine. One method includes timing a transition in engine operation between two-cylinder, three-cylinder, and four-cylinder modes with a sequence of firing events such that successive firing events are separated by at least 120 crank angle degree intervals. Vibrations resulting from transitions may be countered by adjusting active mounts, the active mounts being adjusted in synchronization with a valvetrain switching solenoid.

Abstract: Provided is an engine power estimation apparatus for estimating an engine power at a gear shift completion time when making a speed change of a vehicle. The engine power estimation apparatus includes a gear shift detection unit configured to detect the speed change of the vehicle; an axle speed estimation unit configured to calculate a target axle speed at the gear shift completion time, using an axle speed and a gear shift time learning value, when the speed change of the vehicle is detected; and an engine power estimation unit configured to calculate a target engine power at the gear shift completion time, using the target axle speed and engine load information.

Abstract: Data is collected in a vehicle relating to a potential obstacle. Based at least in part on the collected data, an obstacle is identified. At least one characteristic of the obstacle is determined. At least one torque to be applied in a vehicle powertrain is determined based at least in part on the at least one characteristic of the obstacle.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for reducing engine oil dilution in a boosted engine. One method comprises, when engine oil dilution is higher than a first threshold and engine oil temperature is below a temperature threshold, adjusting a position of an air induction system (AIS) throttle, generating a vacuum, and providing the vacuum to a crankcase of the boosted engine to enhance fuel evaporation from engine oil. The providing of vacuum may be discontinued when engine oil dilution is lower than the first threshold and/or when engine oil temperature rises above the temperature threshold.

Abstract: A load management system for reducing engine lug during transient conditions is disclosed. The load management system may include a driven component, a power source configured to drive the driven component, and a controller in communication with the driven component and the power source. The controller may be configured to: monitor a current intake manifold pressure of the power source and a current load of the driven component, calculate a ratio based on the current intake manifold pressure and a steady state intake manifold pressure of the power source, and start a predetermined time period based on the ratio and the current load during which the power source builds up power to respond to the current load.

Abstract: An engine system with advance detection of detonation and/or pre ignition, the system comprising an engine, operative for propulsion of a vehicle by generating rotational motion, whose rotational velocity over time is monitored; and a detonation and/or pre ignition detector operative to provide an alert for impending detonation and/or pre ignition of the engine, if the rotational velocity fluctuates over time to an extent which is predetermined to be unsafe.

Abstract: A method to monitor an operating characteristic in a combustion engine: creating a monitoring matrix divided into a number of sections for storage of information, wherein each section is associated with specific intervals of engine speed ? and torque requested from the engine T1. When the engine is used during an operational time window with a pre-determined duration, measuring or estimating an operating characteristic and associating the characteristic with the monitoring matrix's respective section, associated with the current engine speed and the torque requested. For each section in the monitoring matrix, calculating at least one statistical parameter describing the operating characteristic associated with this section during the current operational time window; storing the statistical parameter(s) in the respective section.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a drive of a throttle valve of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes detecting whether the internal combustion engine is currently running or is not running. The method further includes activating the drive to displace the throttle valve into a target position if it is detected that the internal combustion engine is currently not running. The method further includes calibrating a characteristic at the target position. A correlation between a rotor position of the drive and an output voltage of a throttle valve angle transducer follows a characteristic.

Abstract: A method for determining a reference current curve for a fuel injector having a magnetic coil drive in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes: (a) applying a first voltage pulse to the magnetic coil drive to open the fuel injector, (b) applying a holding voltage to the magnetic coil drive to hold the fuel injector open, (c) switching off the holding voltage, (d) waiting for substantially no current to flow through the magnetic coil drive for a predetermined time period that is sufficiently short that the fuel injector remains open, (e) applying a second voltage pulse to the magnetic coil drive, and (f) recording a time-based curve of the current that flows through the magnetic coil drive during the second voltage pulse, which forms the reference current curve. This reference current curve is used for determining a time of a predetermined opening state of the fuel injector.

Abstract: An auto-ignition engine system is provided. The auto-ignition engine system includes a cylinder having an intake valve and an exhaust valve coupled thereto, an opening in a cylinder head defining a portion of the boundary of the cylinder, a glow plug heating element extending through the opening into the cylinder, an insert at least partially surrounding a glow plug heating element and coupled thereto, and an adjustment mechanism configured to alter the position of the glow plug heating element and the insert in the cylinder.

Abstract: An engine cover for covering an engine including: a cover body configured to cover the engine from above; and at least one fixing part projecting from the cover body toward an engine side and being configured to be attached to the engine side, wherein the cover body and the fixing part are integrally formed of an urethane foam, and the fixing part has an infirm portion formed at a periphery thereof so that the fixing part is configured to be deformed toward a specific direction due to the infirm portion upon input of a load to the cover body.

Abstract: A thermodynamic machine, comprising: a rotor, configured to rotate about a rotor axis, a working fluid circulation path and a coolant fluid path formed within the rotor, the coolant fluid path fluidically isolated from the working fluid circulation path, the working fluid circulation path spanning radially from the rotor axis to close to the periphery of the rotor; a working fluid circulation drive configured to drive the circulation of a working fluid about the working fluid circulation path; at least one working fluid cooler heat exchanger formed as part of the working fluid circulation path and the coolant fluid path, in use coolant fluid passing through the working fluid cooler heat exchanger to transfer heat from the working fluid to the coolant fluid, and; a working fluid heater in the working fluid circulation path configured to heat a working fluid circulating around the working fluid circulation path.

Abstract: A heat exchanger using Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) gas may include a cooling water line including cooling water flowing therein, an EGR line including EGR gas flowing therein and directly exchange heat between the EGR gas and the cooling water in the cooling water line, and an oil line including oil flowing therein and indirectly exchange heat between the oil and the EGR gas through the cooling water while directly exchanging heat between the oil and the cooling water in the cooling water line.

Abstract: A control device for a thrust reverser of a turbojet engine nacelle, which includes movable portions actuated by actuators, includes: a first blocking control acting on a motor-actuated system; and a second blocking control acting, mechanically, on the movable portions. The second blocking control may inhibit, when activated, a deployment of the movable portions. The control device further includes a device inhibiting disengagement of the first blocking control when a mechanical control is activated.

Abstract: A bypass housing receives a fan and defines a front end. An airflow path delivers air into an inlet duct over a limited circumferential extent of the bypass housing. An airflow path passes across a low pressure compressor rotor. An airflow path passes through a core engine, which includes a high pressure compressor rotor, a combustor, and a high pressure turbine rotor. Products of combustion downstream of the high pressure turbine rotor pass into an intermediate duct and then across a low pressure turbine rotor. The low pressure turbine rotor is positioned closer to the front end of the engine than is the high pressure turbine rotor. The low pressure turbine rotor is positioned axially intermediate the low pressure compressor rotor and the fan. The low pressure turbine rotor drives both the fan and the low pressure turbine rotor. An aircraft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A starting device for feeding a quantity of fuel from the fixed-quantity fuel chamber to an intake passage during start-up having a manually operated primary pump for suctioning/pumping fuel and arranged on a fuel introduction path connected along a fuel-feeding path; and a fixed-quantity fuel chamber for temporarily storing fuel delivered from the primary pump. An internal wall of the fixed-quantity fuel chamber undergoes elastic displacement, allowing its internal capacity to expand/shrink within a predetermined range; the fixed-quantity fuel chamber is connected to a fuel delivery path that communicates with the intake passage side and has a manually operated open/close valve; the valve is opened in a state in which, due to the primary pump being operated, the fixed-quantity fuel chamber is filled with a predetermined quantity of fuel while enlarging its internal capacity, whereby it shrinks due to an elastic contraction force and the fuel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing torque transients experienced when a dedicated EGR cylinder is transitioned in to or out of dedicated EGR mode. During a transition, each of an intake throttle and a wastegate is adjusted in opposing directions. Throttle and wastegate adjustments are coordinated with adjustments to spark timing and intake cam timing to provide sufficient torque reserve for the transition.

Abstract: An air induction system for a vehicle having an engine includes a housing, a filter and an acoustic resonator. The housing includes a first housing member, a second housing member, and an air flow path passing through the housing. The filter is located within the housing and disposed in the air flow path for removing debris from intake air. The acoustic resonator is integrally formed with the first housing member and is operative to reduce noise generated by the engine.

Abstract: A filter element of an air filter, including: a filter medium for filtering air, partially surrounding an element interior of the filter element with respect to an element axis; wherein the filter element replaceably arranged within an openable filter housing having at least one inlet for air to be purified and at least one outlet for purified air so that said filter element separates said inlet from said outlet; wherein the filter element has at least one element-side support element on an outer side facing away from the element interior on at least one end face which is axial with respect to the element axis; wherein the support element includes at least one element supporting portion, which, at least in the installed state of the filter element in the filter housing, has a surface contour deviating from a flat surface on its end face facing away from the element interior.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve needle and a first guiding element that axially guides the valve needle. The first guiding element is bottle shaped and is axially deformable at least in part. The first guiding element is fixedly coupled to the valve needle in a bottle neck section of the first guiding element, and coupled to the wall of the valve body in an axial end section of the first guiding element remote from the bottle neck section. Based on these features of the first guiding element, an axial displacement of the valve needle away from the closing position results in a widening of an outer shape of the first guiding element at least in a fixation section to press it against the wall of the valve body.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve includes a housing with a cavity, a valve needle, an actuator including a magnetic coil arranged in a coil casing, and an armature in the cavity. The housing includes a separation ring positioned between the armature and the coil casing and configured to lead the electromagnetic flux to the armature. The separation ring includes a first part and a second part. The first part is made of a first material and the second part is made of second material that differs from the first material. The first material and the second material are magnetic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a fuel piping arrangement in common rail type fuel supply systems, the supply system comprising at least one common rail and at least one respective injector, wherein the common rail is connected with the at least one injector directly, by means of only one joint.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and operating an engine with a fuel pump that supplies fuel to a fuel injector that may be temporarily deactivated are described. In one example, injection of fuel may commence in response to a level of lubrication of a fuel pump. The system and methods may extend fuel pump life in systems where fuel injection may be deactivated.

Abstract: A control system and strategy for starting power systems having a plurality of power modules. For example, a multi-engine generator set switcher locomotive has three power modules each of which have an engine associated therewith. Upon receiving a command from the locomotive indicating to the engine control module to start at least one power module, i.e., engine, the control strategy determines whether to start the engine with an air or electric start. The control strategy starts only a single engine at a time, thereby avoiding overloading the airflow capacity of the compressed air source or the electric power capacity of the electric source. The control strategy also implements a command to start ever engine with an air starter, if possible, to preserve the electric starter motor and the electric power capacity of the electric source.

Abstract: A power generation unit includes a motor generator having a rotor with magnet, and a stator with coils driven in a plurality of phases, the coils of the respective phases not being connected to each other; and a driving control part that performs control so that a coil of each phase of the stator is brought into any one of a first state in which torque is generated by the rotor, a second state in which both ends of the coil are electrically released, and a third state in which both ends of the coil are short-circuited.

Abstract: An engine pre-heating system includes a housing that houses a climate control heating element and a controller configured in the housing. The controller generates an energizing signal for controlling an amount of electrical power provided to multiple engine heating elements that are thermally coupled to the engines of multiple vehicles. The controller also generates a climate control signal for controlling the climate controlled heating element to maintain the controller inside the housing within a specified temperature range.

Abstract: There are provided a start determinator for determining whether or not the vehicle has started, an elapsed timer for measuring elapsed time since start of the vehicle determined by the start determinator; and a start controller for adjusting an engine output by changing the output in multiple stages until the elapsed time measured by the elapsed timer reaches a control time determined in advance if the start of the vehicle is determined by the start determinator.

Abstract: In an ignition device of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine that performs ignition with high energy efficiency while reducing power to be input to a spark plug, after a DC-voltage-pulse generation circuit that generates a DC voltage pulse between electrodes of a spark plug is operated by a control circuit, an AC-pulse generation circuit that generates an AC pulse between the electrodes of the spark plug is operated. Furthermore, the control circuit controls the AC-pulse generation circuit with a plurality of group pulses and quiescent periods between the group pulses are provided.

Abstract: An ignition control apparatus for engines is provided. The ignition control apparatus is designed to control a switch to release energy stored in a capacitor during spark discharge, thereby supplying a primary current to an other end side opposite a one end of a primary winding of an ignition coil connected to a dc power supply. This provides the ignition control apparatus which is capable of minimizing an increase in size or manufacturing cost and stabilizing the state of combustion of an air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A glow plug having a heater portion configured to generate heat by being energized; a center wire having electrical conductivity, connected to the heater portion; a feed terminal having electrical conductivity; a spring member having electrical conductivity and configured to elastically deform such that the heater portion and the center wire are movable along the axial direction relative to the feed terminal, the spring member connecting the center wire and the feed terminal; a wall surface defining a region for accommodating the spring member; and an elastic portion having electrical insulation property and lower elasticity than that of the spring member, the elastic portion covering at least a part of the spring member while being in contact with the wall surface.

Abstract: A rotary pump that utilizes falling water to produce useful energy. The pump is a conduit in a spiral form mounted on an axis that is set at an angle whereby when rotated, water flows into the inlet end of the conduit and is transported to an elevation. The conduit is powered by an impeller wheel that rotates by falling water.

Abstract: A blade for use in a wind turbine comprises a pressure side and suction side meeting at a trailing edge and leading edge. The pressure side and suction side provide lift to the turbine blade upon the flow of air from the leading edge to the trailing edge and over the pressure side and suction side. The blade includes one or more openings at the suction side, in some cases between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The one or more openings are configured to provide a pressurized fluid towards the leading edge of the blade, in some cases at an angle between about 0° and 70° with respect to an axis oriented from a centerline of the blade toward the leading edge.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor hub attachment that extends inside a one-piece two-bladed wind turbine rotor hub, and secures to its shear web(s). This isolates the attachment from the high strains on the hub exterior, and allows balanced loads to flow across the hub, so that only unbalanced air loads and torque, plus net rotor loads such as thrust and weight, are passed across from the rotor to the wind turbine main shaft. This solves the excess motion problem of central teeter hinges, is mechanically simpler, and reduces overall weight and cost compared to the conventional practice of using individual blades bolted to a separate central hub. A method for connecting a one-piece two bladed wind turbine rotor to a main shaft using a strain isolating attachment to the rotor hub shear web(s) is included.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine system is provided. The wind turbine system includes a power conversion assembly for converting electrical power into a converted electrical power. The method includes monitoring a power extraction parameter, wherein the power extraction parameter is indicative of the power extracted by the wind turbine system from the wind prior to being converted in the power conversion assembly. The method further includes controlling one or more operational variables of the wind turbine system in response to monitoring the power extraction parameter.

Abstract: An Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”) may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be tethered to a ground station with a tether that terminates at a tether termination mount. In one aspect, the tether has a core and at least one electrical conductor. The tether core may be terminated at a first location in a tether termination mount along an axis of the termination mount, and the at least one electrical conductor may be terminated at a second location in the tether termination mount along the same axis that the core is terminated. This termination configuration may focus tensile stress on the tether to the tether core, and minimize such stress on the at least one electrical conductor during aerial vehicle flight.

Abstract: A power generation device includes a main shaft rotated by an external force, a speed-up gear, a high-speed shaft, a rolling bearing, a power generator, and a one-way clutch disposed between the output gear and the high-speed shaft. In a state where the main shaft is rotating in a positive direction, the one-way clutch integrally rotatably connects the output gear and the high-speed shaft to each other if a rotational speed of the output gear exceeds a rotational speed of the high-speed shaft, and breaks connection between the output gear and the high-speed shaft if the rotational speed of the output gear becomes lower than the rotational speed of the high-speed shaft.

Abstract: A drive unit includes a base member having an operation base having operation recesses in a front surface, a movable member that is disposed to be opposite to the base member and has operation projections to be inserted into the operation recesses in an opposed surface, and a shape memory alloy member that is disposed between the base member and the movable member and shrinks by heat generated by passing an electric current. In conjunction with the shrinkage of the shape memory alloy member by the passage of the electric current, the movable member is moved in a direction away from the base member. The base member has a fixed portion in its middle in a core axial direction of the shape memory alloy member, to fix the middle on a support member.

Abstract: A piston pump includes a perforated disk as a throttle, in a central hole of which an outlet valve is arranged and its inner edge is fixed externally on a cylinder sleeve base of the piston pump and an outer edge of which lies with prestress on an annular support. Brake fluid displaced out of the piston pump lifts the perforated disk-shaped throttle off from the annular support, with which a dynamic throttle is formed. A throttle channel which negotiates the annular support in the perforated disk-shaped throttle also enables a throughflow in the case of a throttle lying on the annular support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metering pump having a hydraulic drive (12) for supplying a hydraulic fluid under pressure.

Abstract: A submersible well pump assembly has a pump and an electrical motor for driving the pump. The motor has an electrical receptacle with a base and a central bore containing a plurality of motor electrical terminals. An annular groove in the base encircles the central bore and has a closed bottom. A motor lead extends to the motor for supplying power to the motor. An electrical connector on an end of the motor lead has a rim that inserts into the groove. Either the forward edge of the rim or the bottom of the groove is conical, defining an annular void within the groove that is triangular in cross section when the rim is fully inserted into the groove. A seal ring is located in the void of the groove and is deformed by the forward edge of the rim into sealing engagement.

Abstract: A subsea device is configured to provide a pressurized fluid for a fluid activated consumer. The subsea device includes a pump body including an opening, a fluid accumulator in fluid communication with the opening, and a piston arranged within the opening and movable back and forth in a longitudinal direction of the opening. The subsea device includes furthermore a solenoid coupled to the piston and configured to move the piston in at least one of the back and forth directions.

Abstract: An improved air compressor includes a cylinder with a piston body and an air storage container. The air storage container can be detachably mounted to the cylinder to define a primary air chamber, and an auxiliary air chamber which can reduce the motion resistance of the piston body, so that the piston body can conduct reciprocating motion in the cylinder more smoothly. Furthermore, the cylinder has an open bottom that is divided into two halves according to a central vertical line (Y) of the cylinder, wherein one half of the open bottom is horizontal while the other half of the open bottom is slanted. When the piston body reaches the bottom dead center, the head of the piston body will be entirely within the cylinder and thus keep air-tight with the cylinder. Therefore, the performance of compressing air and the operational safety can be increased.

Abstract: A pump assembly for supplying negative pressure to a pneumatic brake booster, wherein the pump assembly has at least two elastic displacement elements which are moved by connecting rods, the connecting rods each being rotatably mounted on an eccentric element. The eccentric element has a bearing seat element and a force element. At least two eccentric elements are secured next to each other on a drive shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation and an interlocking anti-rotation device is provided that determines a defined angular position of the eccentric elements relative to each other about the axis of rotation. In order to improve the ease of assembly and simplify the manufacturability, the anti-rotation device is designed as shaped elements of the bearing seat element in such a way that they engage in each other in an interlocking manner when the eccentric elements are in a defined angular position relative to each other.

Abstract: A pump and a method of operating the pump at a duty-cycle based on the input voltage of the power source energizing the pump. The pump includes at least a first opto-coupler electrically coupled, to the power source. The method includes detecting at least a first opto-coupler state transition; determining a zero-crossing of the input voltage; determining an elapsed time between the zero-crossing and the first opto-coupler state transition; and operating the pump by energizing a power switch at a duty-cycle based on the elapsed time.

Abstract: A uniaxial eccentric screw pump for rotating a rotor about its axis and revolving the rotor without involving complicated operations and control is provided. The uniaxial eccentric screw pump includes a rotor drive mechanism capable of revolving a rotor while rotating the rotor about its axis. The rotor drive mechanism includes a rotation power transmission member rotatable about a predetermined center axis, and a revolution track formation member capable of revolving a proximal shaft portion of the rotor while allowing rotation of the proximal shaft portion about its axis. The rotor drive mechanism distributes power output from the same motor in parallel and transmit the power to the rotation power transmission member and the revolution track formation member, enabling the rotation power transmission member and the revolution track formation member to rotate about their axes while being synchronized mechanically, and enabling the rotor to revolve while rotating about its axis.

Abstract: A scroll compressor of the present invention includes a partition plate 20, a fixed scroll 30, an orbiting scroll 40, a rotation-restraining member 90 and a main bearing 60. An inner wall of a fixed spiral lap 32 of the fixed scroll 30 is formed up to a location close to an ending-end of an orbiting spiral lap 42 of the orbiting scroll 40, thereby differentiating, from each other, a containment capacity of one (50A) of compression chambers and a containment capacity of the other compression chamber 50B, the fixed scroll 30 can move in an axial direction of the fixed scroll between the partition plate 20 and a main bearing 60, and high pressure is applied to a discharge space 30H formed between the partition plate 20 and the fixed scroll 30. According to this, the fixed scroll 30 can be pressed against the orbiting scroll 40.