Abstract: Methods and systems for assisting operation of a road vehicle with an aerial drone are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for assisting operation of a road vehicle with an aerial drone includes flying the aerial drone on a route ahead of the road vehicle and sensing an object at a location on the route ahead of the road vehicle with the aerial drone. Further, the method includes communicating data associated with the object and/or the location to the road vehicle. Also, the method includes utilizing the data to operate the road vehicle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a method for operating including, determining, using an accelerator pedal position sensor, an operator request for power and determining an engine operating point based upon the operator request for power. A motored-cylinder temperature is determined based upon the engine operating point, and a knock-limited combustion phasing point is determined based upon the motored-cylinder temperature and the engine operating point. Engine operating parameters associated with achieving the knock-limited combustion phasing point are selected. Operation includes controlling, by a controller, engine control states in response to the engine operating parameters associated with achieving the knock-limited combustion phasing point and the operator request for power.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing particularized encryption of confidential information within real-world data files that are subsequently stored within a cloud environment are described. Specific rules/logic are executed in a local computing environment to identify the type(s) and/or magnitude(s) of confidential information contained within each real-world data file. The identified type(s) and/or magnitude(s) of confidential information is thereafter specifically encrypted using various encryption processes. Once encrypted, the data is packaged and stored within a cloud environment without the need for further encryption at either the local computing or cloud environments.

Abstract: A landing gear assembly includes a leg assembly including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first and second portions of the leg assembly telescopingly engage one another, a gear assembly operably coupled to the first and second leg portions and configured to telescopingly move the first and second leg portions with respect to one another, and a drive assembly operably coupled to the gear assembly, and including a planetary gear arrangement configured to drive the gear assembly at a first speed and at a second speed that is different than the first speed, and a motor configured to drive the planetary gear assembly.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating write-protected virtual access to a target computing device, wherein the use and inspection of the computer device may occur without altering the digital data thereon, are disclosed. In an aspect, a user inserts a virtualization media device, which will boot the computer system in a write-protected mode. The computing device will operate through an operating system on the target computing device and instantiate the subject computer through a virtual machine environment. Such virtualization will protect target computing device files from accidental alteration during, for example, investigatory searches of the target computing device storage device.

Abstract: A system tool merges different load forecasts for power grid centers. A plurality of load forecast engines are coupled to a load forecast interface and a relational data base that saves load forecast engine data as an input through the load forecast interface. A comprehensive operating plan is coupled to the load forecast engines and the relational database. The comprehensive operating plan is configured to integrate individual load forecasts into a composite load forecast to present a comprehensive, synchronized and harmonized load forecast. A program interface provides access to the composite load forecasting schedule.

Abstract: A device to read data stored on a memory device of a printed circuit board (PCB) while the memory device is installed on the PCB is disclosed, including, a microcontroller to control acquiring memory data from the memory device when a processor on the PCB is in an idle state, and a resistance measurement and signal driver to measure the resistances of the signals controlling a memory device and to read the memory data from the memory. A method and system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing particularized encryption of confidential information within real-world data files that are subsequently stored within a cloud environment are described. Specific rules/logic are executed in a local computing environment to identify the type(s) and/or magnitude(s) of confidential information contained within each real-world data file. The identified type(s) and/or magnitude(s) of confidential information is thereafter specifically encrypted using various encryption processes. Once encrypted, the data is packaged and stored within a cloud environment without the need for further encryption at either the local computing or cloud environments.

Abstract: A method is provided for merging different load forecasts for power grid centers. Area load forecasts are accepted from load forecast engines. A relational database saves load forecast engine data. A comprehensive operating plan integrates individual load forecasts into a composite load forecast to present a comprehensive, synchronized and harmonized load forecast.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for performing particularized encryption of confidential information within real-world data files that are subsequently stored within a cloud environment are described. Specific rules/logic are executed in a local computing environment to identify the type(s) and/or magnitude(s) of confidential information contained within each real-world data file. The identified type(s) and/or magnitude(s) of confidential information is thereafter specifically encrypted using various encryption processes. Once encrypted, the data is packaged and stored within a cloud environment without the need for further encryption at either the local computing or cloud environments.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block that defines a cylinder and a cylinder head mounted to the cylinder block. A reciprocating piston is arranged inside the cylinder for compressing an air and fuel mixture at a geometric compression ratio of at least 10:1. A crankshaft is arranged in the cylinder block and rotated by the piston. An intake valve is operatively connected to the cylinder head and controls delivery of air to the cylinder for combustion therein. A mechanism provides a constant peak lift of the intake valve over an angle of rotation of the crankshaft that is at least 5 degrees, i.e., an extended dwell at peak lift. A multi-stage boosting system having first and second gas compressors is selectively controlled to pressurize air that is received from the ambient for delivery to the cylinder. A vehicle having such an engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system tool that provides dispatchers in power grid control centers with a capability to manage changes. Included is a user interface and a plurality of scheduler engines. Each scheduler engine is configured to look ahead at different time frames to forecast system conditions and alter generation patterns within the different time frames. A comprehensive operating plan holds schedules generated by the plurality of scheduler engines. A relational database is coupled to the comprehensive operating plan. Input data is initially received from the relational database for each scheduling engine, and thereafter the relational database receives data from the scheduling engines relative to forecast system conditions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a method for operating including, determining, using an accelerator pedal position sensor, an operator request for power and determining an engine operating point based upon the operator request for power. A motored-cylinder temperature is determined based upon the engine operating point, and a knock-limited combustion phasing point is determined based upon the motored-cylinder temperature and the engine operating point. Engine operating parameters associated with achieving the knock-limited combustion phasing point are selected. Operation includes controlling, by a controller, engine control states in response to the engine operating parameters associated with achieving the knock-limited combustion phasing point and the operator request for power.

Abstract: A method is provided for merging different load forecasts for power grid centers. Area load forecasts are accepted from load forecast engines. A relational database saves load forecast engine data. A comprehensive operating plan integrates individual load forecasts into a composite load forecast to present a comprehensive, synchronized and harmonized load forecast.

Abstract: A system tool that provides dispatchers in power grid control centers with a capability to manage changes. Included is a user interface and a plurality of scheduler engines. Each scheduler engine is configured to look ahead at different time frames to forecast system conditions and alter generation patterns within the different time frames. A comprehensive operating plan holds schedules generated by the plurality of scheduler engines. A relational database is coupled to the comprehensive operating plan. Input data is initially received from the relational database for each scheduling engine, and thereafter the relational database receives data from the scheduling engines relative to forecast system conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating operational and financial performance for dispatchers in power grid control centers associated with utility systems. A comprehensive operating plan is provided that applies after the fact analysis for performance metrics, root-cause impacts and process re-engineering. after the fact analysis of past events and practices is performed. Actual system and resource conditions are captured. the system and resource conditions are supplied to a relational database. A scheduler engine receives the actual system and resource conditions from the relational database and processes it to calculate system performance.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block that defines a cylinder and a cylinder head positioned relative to the cylinder block. A reciprocating piston is arranged inside the cylinder for compressing an air and fuel mixture at a geometric compression ratio of at least 10:1. A crankshaft is arranged in the cylinder block and rotated by the piston. An intake valve is operatively connected to the cylinder head and controls delivery of air to the cylinder for combustion therein. A mechanism provides late intake valve closing via constant peak lift of the intake valve over at least 5 degrees of crankshaft rotation. A multi-stage boosting system, having a turbocharger, a supercharger, and a continuously variable transmission for varying the supercharger's rotating speed, is regulated by a controller to selectively pressurize air being received from the ambient for delivery to the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of isolating hidden data in a solid state memory system is disclosed including obtaining a logical block address (LBA) image from the memory system, obtaining a physical block address (PBA) image, determining whether an error exists in the PBA image and correcting the error, calculating an ETCRC on each sector of the LBA image and building a search tree indexed on the ETCRC value. For each sector in the PBA image, the method also includes computing an error tolerant cyclic redundancy check (ETCRC) value and searching for the ETCRC value in the LBA search tree. If the ETCRC value is found, also included is comparing the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the LBA and PBA sectors, and outputting to an output file the PBA sector as hidden data if either the ETCRC value is not found in the LBA search tree or the CRC comparison fails.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block that defines a cylinder and a cylinder head positioned relative to the cylinder block. A reciprocating piston is arranged inside the cylinder for compressing an air and fuel mixture at a geometric compression ratio of at least 10:1. A crankshaft is arranged in the cylinder block and rotated by the piston. An intake valve is operatively connected to the cylinder head and controls delivery of air to the cylinder for combustion therein. A mechanism provides late intake valve closing via constant peak lift of the intake valve over at least 5 degrees of crankshaft rotation. A multi-stage boosting system, having a turbocharger, a supercharger, and a continuously variable transmission for varying the supercharger's rotating speed, is regulated by a controller to selectively pressurize air being received from the ambient for delivery to the cylinder.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating operational and financial performance for dispatchers in power grid control centers associated with utility systems. A comprehensive operating plan is provided that applies after the fact analysis for performance metrics, root-cause impacts and process re-engineering. after the fact analysis of past events and practices is performed. Actual system and resource conditions are captured. the system and resource conditions are supplied to a relational database. A scheduler engine receives the actual system and resource conditions from the relational database and processes it to calculate system performance.