Systems and methods are provided for monitoring reverse flow of fuel vapors and/or air through a vehicle fuel vapor recovery system, the fuel vapor recovery system coupled to an engine intake of a boosted internal combustion engine. One example method comprises, intermittently adjusting a restriction in the fuel vapor recovery system during boosted conditions, and indicating degradation based on one or more of a change in a pressure value, or based on a change in flow in the fuel vapor recovery system.

Fuel vapor purging diagnostics

A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including a compressor and a boost tank selectably coupled to an intake manifold. The method includes varying a relative amount of engine exhaust in air pressurized in the boost tank based on engine operating conditions, and discharging the air pressurized in the boost tank to the intake manifold.

Stored Compressed Air Management for Improved Engine Performance

The present invention relates to an overall monitoring method allowing to calculate the autonomy of a lubrication system of an airplane engine and also allowing the diagnosis and prognosis of a plurality of problems and breakdowns of the engine and of its lubrication system by means of measurements taken by sensors arranged in said lubrication system, the method comprising the step of calculating the status of the lubrication system at a given moment and calculating its evolution over time in order to determine the remaining lifetime before a breakdown.

Method for monitoring the oil system of a turbomachine

An apparatus for dispensing liquid fuel comprises a plurality of inlet valves, each connected in-line with a respective inlet pipe in fluid communication with a respective source of a specific liquid fuel. A plurality of outlet valves are also provided, each connected in-line with a respective outlet pipe. A respective fuel hose is in fluid communication with each of the outlet pipes. The apparatus further comprises a coriolis flow meter located between the inlet valves and outlet valves, the coriolis flow meter providing a flow signal indicative of flow therethrough. A controller is operative to receive the flow signal and control the valves such that selected inputs of specific liquid fuels are dispensed to at least one of the fuel hoses. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the selected inputs of specific liquid fuels may include individual liquid fuels and blended combinations thereof. For example, the specific liquid fuels may include at least two of the following: a first octane gasoline, a second octane gasoline, diesel fuel, biodiesel and ethanol.

Dispensing equipment utilizing coriolis flow meters

A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including an intake manifold selectably coupled to a boost tank. The method comprises pressurizing and storing air in the boost tank, discharging some of the air stored in the boost tank to the intake manifold, and releasing condensate from the boost tank.

Condensate management for motor-vehicle compressed air storage systems

A fuel delivery system for use, for example in a gas turbine engine system, includes a fuel metering unit including a main fuel inlet. The fuel metering unit includes fuel pressure and temperature sensors. A cavitating venturi is in fluid communication with the main fuel inlet and includes venturi characteristics such as throat diameter. A fuel nozzle is in fluid communication with the venturi for delivering fuel to the gas turbine engine. A controller is connected to the pressure temperature sensors and is operable to calculate a flow rate of fuel through the nozzle based upon the signals from the pressure and temperature sensors and the fuel and venturi characteristics. A variable cavitating venturi may be arranged within the throat to vary the area and adjust the flow rate through the venturi. The cavitating venturi can also be used at the fuel nozzle to further simplify the fuel delivery system.

Pressure-based fuel metering unit

A fuel delivery system uses a volumetric flow sensor and a densiometer to measure a mass flow rate of the fuel. A densiometer may be a coriolis mass flow sensor etched into a small circuit chip. As fuel flows past the densiometer a density of the fuel and characteristic slope as a function of temperature is determined. At least one temperature sensor is also located on the circuit chip to provide accurate temperature of the fuel to correspond to the fuel density reading. Piezoelectric crystals in the volumetric flow sensor generate and receive a sound wave. By analyzing the sound wave signals the volumetric flow rate of fluid through the volumetric flow sensor can be calculated. At least one temperature sensor is also placed on the volumetric flow sensor to correct for any thermal expansion of an inner diameter of the volumetric flow sensor and for final mass flow calculation. The density and temperature information from the densiometer and the volumetric flow and temperature information from the volumetric flow sensor are used to determine the density of the fuel at the volumetric flow sensor. By using the density calculated at the volumetric flow sensor and using the volumetric flow information an accurate mass flow rate of the fuel at the volumetric flow sensor can be calculated.

Ultrasonic-densiometer mass flow sensor for use in flow metering units

A cyclone separator includes a wall, a first passage, a second passage, and an oil debris monitor. The wall defines a cyclone cavity. The first passage has a first passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a first passage outlet at an exterior of the cyclone separator. The second passage has a second passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a second passage outlet at the first passage. The oil debris monitor detects debris flowing through the second passage.

Combined oil filter and debris monitor

A fuel delivery system (10) for delivering fuel to a gas turbine engine includes a fixed critical flow nozzle (22), a variable critical flow nozzle (24), a first fuel nozzle (36) and a second fuel nozzle (38). The fixed critical flow nozzle (22) and the variable critical flow nozzle (24) are connected to a fuel source (14) in parallel. The fixed critical flow nozzle has an orifice throat (42) with a fixed effective cross-sectional area. The variable critical flow nozzle has an orifice throat (58) with a variable effective cross-sectional area. The first fuel nozzle (36) is connected to the fixed critical flow nozzle (22) for delivering fuel to the gas turbine engine, and the second fuel nozzle (38) is connected to the variable critical flow nozzle (24) for delivering fuel to the gas turbine engine.

Critical flow nozzle for controlling fuel distribution and burner stability

A magnetic flux position sensor includes a primary coil, a secondary coil, and a magnetic flux conductor. The primary coil generates a magnetic flux and the secondary coil senses magnetic flux. The primary and secondary coils are substantially concentric and spaced apart by an annular passage. The annular passage has first and second ends, and the magnetic flux conductor is slidable from the first end to the second end of the annular passage. The magnetic flux transferred from the primary coil to the secondary coil varies as a function of position of the magnetic flux conductor.

Bruce Paradise

Papers

Pressure-based fuel metering unit

Ultrasonic-densiometer mass flow sensor for use in flow metering units

Combined oil filter and debris monitor

Critical flow nozzle for controlling fuel distribution and burner stability

Magnetic flux oil level sensor for use in aircraft lubrication systems