Abstract:
A vehicle includes an integrated drive module coupled to an axle thereof. The module includes a hydraulic motor configured to provide motive power at an output shaft, and a differential for distributing the motive power to right and left portions of the axle. The hydraulic motor and the differential are encased within a common housing. The vehicle may include a second integrated drive module having, within a housing, a second hydraulic motor (or multiple hydraulic motors), and a second differential coupled thereto and configured to distribute motive power to right and left portions of a second axle. The second module may also include a transmission within the same housing. The transmission may be a two speed or other multi-speed transmission. The second module is configured to operate in neutral while power demand is below a threshold, and to engage while the power demand exceeds the threshold. The second module may be configured to remain engaged for full-time four-wheel-drive operation.
Abstract:
Pervaporation membranes are used for removing volatile organic compounds from wastewaters. These pervaporation membranes are prepared by dispersing at least one hydrophobic adsorbent such as activated carbon uniformly into a polymer matrix.
Abstract:
A drive train for a vehicle having front and rear wheels includes a fluidic motor and a pump interconnected in a continuous loop, with one conduit connected to the inlet of the fluidic motor to the outlet of the pump and a second conduit connecting the inlet of the pump to the outlet of the fluidic motor. A gas/liquid fluid accumulator is in fluid communication with the first conduit and a low pressure reservoir is in fluid communication with the second conduit. An engine, sized to match the average torque demanded of the vehicle, is employed to drive the pump. Sensors are included for detecting the pressure within the accumulator and the power demanded of the vehicle by the driver and, optionally, vehicle speed. A motor controller controls displacement of the fluidic motor in accordance with the sensed power demand and a pump controller controls displacement of the pump responsive to the signal for detected pressure.
Abstract:
A virtual impactor that can remove essentially all of the particles from an airstream is disclosed. Disclosed are a method of separating particles from the airstream using this virtual impactor, a method of concentrating the particulate matter in an airstream, and the concentrated airstream.
Abstract:
A method of operation of an internal combustion engine to minimize NOx emission in exhaust gas involves detection of load on the vehicle engine as either a low load or a high load. While a low load is detected unthrottled air and a quantity of fuel providing for lean combustion are mixed with injection of fuel adjacent top dead center in the compression stroke. While a high load condition is detected, throttled air and a quantity of fuel governed by sensed oxygen content of the exhaust gas are mixed in an approximate stoichiometric ratio with injection of the fuel much earlier than injection at low load, preferably during the intake stroke.
Abstract:
A vehicular powertrain with regenerative braking includes a plurality of wheels and a brake pedal which, upon engagement, is activated first into a first zone of operation and then into a second zone of operation. A braking detector detects either a released state or an engaged state for the brake pedal and, if in the engaged state, detects if the pedal is in the first or the second zone of operation. Friction brakes brake a pair of the wheels, responsive to detection of the brake pedal within the second zone of operation. The hydraulic portion of the drivetrain includes an accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure and a reservoir for storing the hydraulic fluid at a lower pressure. A pump/motor is located in the high pressure line for operation as a motor to drive the drive wheels in a drive mode and for operation as a pump driven by the drive wheels in a braking mode. A prime mover has its inlet connected to the reservoir through a low pressure line and an outlet connected to the accumulator through a high pressure line and hydraulically drives said pump/motor in its motor mode. A controller switches the pump/motor into the braking mode responsive to detection of an engaged state for the brake pedal and into the drive mode responsive to detection of the released state of the brake pedal. A switch valve connects the high pressure line to the accumulator in the braking mode and to the reservoir in the drive mode.
Abstract:
Low temperature apparatus for the destruction of low volume time varying organic air toxins in air streams utilizing non-catalytic glass beads in parallel conduits heated by hot gas flow around the conduits and flowing the air stream through the conduits and controlling the hot gas flow in response to toxin levels in the air stream.
Abstract:
The cost-effectiveness of sulfur oxides and particulate matter removal is improved by placing a sulfur oxides or other acidic gases removal system and a multi-stage electrostatic precipitator within a single housing. The sulfur oxides or other acidic gas removal system works by spraying a neutralizing slurry or solution into incoming flue gas to form neutral salts which dry in a reaction zone provided between the sulfur oxides or other acidic gas removal system and the electrostatic filtration module. This system also provides for simple retrofitting of existing systems to include SO.sub.2 or other acidic gas removal systems.
Abstract:
A non-blocking hopper for solids comprising a downwardly convergent hollow frusto-conical bottom part having a maximum radius R and a discharge aperture of diameter D at the narrowest (bottom) end. At least two V-shaped notches are formed symmetrically around the bottom part with their widest ends of width b and open to the discharge aperture, their apices being remote from the periphery of the aperture at a distance r therefrom. The following relationships are observed r.gtoreq. 0.3R; b.gtoreq.0.5D, and the angle between the axis and wall of the frustum is no greater than the angle of repose of the solids.
Abstract:
Methods and reagents are used to determine the presence of human fecal contamination. These relate to detection of human crAssphage, a bacteriophage present in Bacteroides.