Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing emissions of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, an electric heater and a passive NOx absorber or other emissions control device are positioned in a passage downstream of a combustor so as to process emissions from the combustor before an engine is started.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a cooler. In one example, a system includes a dual poppet valve assembly arranged in a primary chamber of the cooler. The cooler further includes a plurality of ribs arranged between the dual poppet valve assembly and a plurality of tubes of the cooler. The ribs configured to distribute EGR to the plurality of tubes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. In one example, a fuel injector includes a body having a flange shaped to seat within a shoulder of a passage of a cylinder head. The shoulder is positioned at an inner side of the cylinder head such that the fuel injector is coupled to the cylinder head at the inner side by the flange.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fuel post injection for diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration. In one example, a method may include, responsive to a request for generating exotherms in an exhaust system of an engine while combustion is discontinued in at least one cylinder of the engine, injecting fuel into a cylinder within a threshold crank angle range around top dead center (TDC) of a compression stroke of the cylinder and also within the threshold crank angle range around top dead center of an exhaust stroke of the cylinder, the threshold crank angle range extending from no more than 40 crank angle degrees before TDC to no more than 40 crank angle degrees after TDC. In this way, fuel post injections may be injected +/?40 crank angle degrees after TDC of the compression and exhaust strokes to increase exhaust temperature while avoiding wall wetting and oil-in-fuel dilution.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fuel post injection for diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration. In one example, a method may include, responsive to a request for generating exotherms in an exhaust system of an engine while combustion is discontinued in at least one cylinder of the engine, injecting fuel into a cylinder within a threshold crank angle range around top dead center (TDC) of a compression stroke of the cylinder and also within the threshold crank angle range around top dead center of an exhaust stroke of the cylinder, the threshold crank angle range extending from no more than 40 crank angle degrees before TDC to no more than 40 crank angle degrees after TDC. In this way, fuel post injections may be injected +/?40 crank angle degrees after TDC of the compression and exhaust strokes to increase exhaust temperature while avoiding wall wetting and oil-in-fuel dilution.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving catalyst function during an engine cold-start. In one example, at key-off, a duration elapsed till a subsequent key-on is predicted based on drive history and spatial awareness data. Then, based on the duration, an identity and order of operating one or more catalyst heating devices is selected.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calculating a fuel aging of fuel in a fuel tank. In one example, a method may include alerting a vehicle operator and/or adjusting engine operating parameters in response to a fuel aging being greater than a threshold aging.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a direct fuel injector of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, a nozzle needle is moved in two directions to maintain fuel flow through the direct fuel injector and to reduce the possibility of the nozzle needle impacting a piezoelectric actuator. The method and system may permit long fuel injection times without causing undesirable impacts between components of a fuel injector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a piston. In one example, a system may comprise a plurality of first protrusions and a plurality of second protrusions working in tandem to confine an injection to a radial zone defined by the protrusions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a piston. In one example, a system may comprise a plurality of first protrusions and a plurality of second protrusions working in tandem to confine an injection to a radial zone defined by the protrusions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving catalyst function during an engine cold-start. In one example, at key-off, a duration elapsed till a subsequent key-on is predicted based on drive history and spatial awareness data. Then, based on the duration, an identity and order of operating one or more catalyst heating devices is selected.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. In one example, a fuel injector includes a body having a flange shaped to seat within a shoulder of a passage of a cylinder head. The shoulder is positioned at an inner side of the cylinder head such that the fuel injector is coupled to the cylinder head at the inner side by the flange.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calculating a fuel aging of fuel in a fuel tank. In one example, a method may include alerting a vehicle operator and/or adjusting engine operating parameters in response to a fuel aging being greater than a threshold aging.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a direct fuel injector of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, a nozzle needle is moved in two directions to maintain fuel flow through the direct fuel injector and to reduce the possibility of the nozzle needle impacting a piezoelectric actuator. The method and system may permit long fuel injection times without causing undesirable impacts between components of a fuel injector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing fuel economy of a vehicle including a SCR catalyst are presented. In one example, an amount of EGR provided to an engine is decreased in response to performance of the SCR being within a predetermined range of performance. The methods and systems may increase vehicle fuel economy while vehicle tailpipe emissions are achieved.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a plurality of fuel injections supplied to a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder are described. In one example, fuel amounts are moved between fuel injections in response to combustion phase. Engine feedgas hydrocarbons and/or carbonaceous particulate matter may be reduced when cetane of combusted fuel changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing an EGR system are presented. The method provides for indicating EGR system degradation in response to a temperature at an outlet of an EGR cooler. The method may require less calibration effort than a model based diagnostic.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a glow plug are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to a glow plug can be controlled to promote combustion stability of a cylinder after an engine start. Engine feedgas hydrocarbons may be reduced during conditions where combustion stability may be otherwise reduced to reduce tailpipe emissions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electroconductive paste useful in the manufacture of silicon solar cells and solar cell modules, especially for the backside of the silicon wafer. The electroconductive paste comprises metallic particles, glass frit, organic vehicle, and an adhesion enhancer. The adhesion enhancer comprises a metal or a metal oxide, or any other metal compound that will convert to metal or metal oxide at firing temperature. The adhesion enhancer comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of tellurium, tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, nickel, antimony, magnesium, zirconium, silver, cobalt, cerium, and zinc, or oxides thereof. Preferably, the adhesion enhancer is tellurium or tellurium dioxide, and may be present in an amount of about 0.01-5 wt. % (based upon 100% total weight of the paste). The glass frits can be leaded or lead-free and may be present in an amount of about 1-10 wt. %.

Abstract: Methods and systems for regenerating an after treatment device are disclosed. In one example, the possibility of introducing fuel to oil during after treatment device regeneration is reduced. The methods and systems may reduce engine degradation and improve engine emissions.