Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system includes a metering valve; and a piston arrangement hydraulically in parallel with the metering valve, the system configured to preferentially move the piston to precharge an end device with hydraulic fluid prior to supplying an actuation fluid volume to the end device and method for actuating a hydraulic end device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow accumulator and a clutch control system for an automatic transmission. The flow accumulator includes a dual area piston disposed in a complementary dual diameter cylinder. The small end of the piston is pressurized by fluid from a spool valve which supplies and exhausts fluid to the clutch. The large end of the piston displaces fluid into the clutch when the small end is pressurized. A flow restricting orifice is disposed in parallel with the flow accumulator between the spool valve and the clutch and a pair of check valves control fluid flow into and out of the larger diameter cylinder.

Abstract: An intake/exhaust system and a method of controlling intake air temperature and pressure for a dual-mode homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine is provided. The system may include an air compressor including at least two output air flow paths, an intercooler for cooling air from one of the air flow paths, and heat exchangers for heating air from another one of the air flow paths. Control valves may be provided for controlling the mass ratio of air through the air flow paths to thereby control temperature and pressure of air supplied to the engine. The first air flow path may direct air to the engine via the intercooler and the second air flow path may direct air to the engine via the heat exchangers, whereby, air at first and second controlled temperatures and pressures may be supplied to the engine for operation in SI and HCCI modes.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine is provided with at least one rotatable shaft and a multi-stage compressor. The multi-stage compressor includes a first compressor wheel carried by a corresponding shaft, an axially extending first inlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a radially extending first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a second compressor wheel carried by a corresponding shaft, an axially extending second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel, and a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel. An interstage duct fluidly interconnects in series the first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel with the second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel. At least one bypass duct is provided, with each bypass duct fluidly interconnecting the first outlet with the first inlet; the first outlet with an ambient environment; and/or the second outlet with the first outlet.

Abstract: Hydraulic Brake System with a Device for Active Braking In order to enable a hydraulic brake system which has a self-priming return pump (14) to quickly fill the wheel brakes (5) in an active braking operation, the present invention discloses the provision of a pressure-volume converter (20) on the pressure side of the return pump (14). The converter (20) causes a large pressure fluid volume to be conducted into the brake line (4) to the wheel brake (5) concerned at a small delivery volume of the return pump (14). This is possible because a return pump can generate high pressure and, thus, produce a sufficient amount of force to displace a stepped piston which can then displace a large quantity of pressure fluid. To permit the development of a sufficient back pressure on the pressure side of the return pump (14), a pilot pressure non-return valve (19) is arranged in the pressure line (18) which extends in parallel to the pressure-volume converter (20).

Abstract: An improved fluid transformer which is capable of controlling the position of the operating pistons within the apparatus so that pressure equilibrium is maintained and the movements of the pistons are limited to predetermined locations within the cylinders. The transformer is capable of operating in a contaminated environment by purging unwanted fluid contamination from the internal workings of the transformer. Dynamic piston and cylinder seals are positioned such that destructive pressure forces are counteracted by opposite frictional forces during operation, thereby allowing the seals to remain effective at high pressures for long periods of time.