Abstract: A method of calculating traction torque of a tire of a vehicle includes calculating a parameter vector using a first extended Kalman filter, calculating a state vector using a second extended Kalman filter, and calculating the longitudinal stiffness as a function of the parameter vector and the state vector. A method for computing traction torque of a vehicle includes computing the longitudinal stiffness of the tire using the first and second extended Kalman filters, and computing the traction torque as a function of the longitudinal stiffness of the tire and a linear speed difference between a tire speed of the tire and a vehicle longitudinal speed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a glass fiber sizing composition. The glass fiber sizing composition comprises effective components and water, and has a solid content of 4.0% to 6.0%; and the effective components comprise a silane coupling agent, a film former, a lubricant, a surfactant, a leveling agent, an interfacial reinforcing agent, a wetting agent, a defoaming agent, and a pH regulator. A glass fiber produced by the sizing composition has desirable strand integrity properties, softness and high dispersibility after a certain tension; the glass fiber also has high permeation velocity and complete permeation effect in the epoxy resin. The glass fiber shows excellent interfacial compatibility with the resin, and is suitable for weaving technology, especially for producing a heavy wind blade fabric. A composite formed by vacuum infusion of the fabric and the epoxy resin has desirable static mechanics and fatigue properties.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the ground state energy of a quantum Hamiltonian. The disclosed algorithm may run on any hardware and is suited for early fault tolerant quantum computers. The algorithm employs low-depth quantum circuits with one ancilla qubit with classical post-processing. The algorithm first draws samples from Hadamard tests in which the unitary is a controlled time evolution of the Hamiltonian. The samples are used for evaluating the convolution of the spectral measure and a filter function, and then inferring the ground state energy from this convolution. Quantum circuit depth is linear in the inverse spectral gap and poly-logarithmic in the inverse target accuracy and inverse initial overlap. Runtime is polynomial in the inverse spectral gap, inverse target accuracy, and inverse initial overlap. The algorithm produces a highly-accurate estimate of the ground state energy with reasonable runtime using low-depth quantum circuits.

Abstract: A method of controlling a component of a powertrain of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises calculating an estimated clutch surface friction coefficient as a function of an initial clutch surface friction coefficient, a temperature of the clutch, and a rotational speed difference between a driving part and a driven part of the clutch; and adjusting a command signal to the component of the powertrain based upon the estimated clutch surface friction coefficient. A method of controlling a component of a powertrain of a vehicle comprises: estimating a clutch touchpoint xct of a clutch controlled by a clutch actuation system including a ballramp system, based on the variables of the system to determine the translation of the ball for which the clutch will transmit torque; and adjusting a command signal to the component of the powertrain based upon the estimated clutch touchpoint xct of the clutch.

Abstract: A diesel engine employs a turbulent jet ignition system and method. In another aspect, diesel fuel and air are premixed prior to introduction of the mixture into a main engine combustion chamber. A further aspect employs a turbocharger compressor to boost air pressure into a main piston combustion chamber and/or an ignition pre-chamber for missing with a heavy fuel, such as diesel.

Abstract: A diesel engine employs a turbulent jet ignition system and method. In another aspect, diesel fuel and air are premixed prior to introduction of the mixture into a main engine combustion chamber. A further aspect employs a turbocharger compressor to boost air pressure into a main piston combustion chamber and/or an ignition pre-chamber for missing with a heavy fuel, such as diesel.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a pre-chamber. In another aspect, pressure within a pre-chamber is equal to or greater than pressure within a main combustion chamber at least prior to ignition in the main combustion chamber. In yet another aspect, internal combustion engine control software automatically controls pressure within a turbulent jet ignition pre-chamber, controls a valve-actuator to admit a fuel-air charge into the pre-chamber, and causes an igniter to initiate combustion in the pressurized pre-chamber. This also permits the rate of combustion to be controlled in the primary chamber regardless of the air-fuel ratio or the diluent fraction in the main chamber. Another aspect employs a pre-chamber purge pump with separate air and fuel injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sector-shaped section of a continuous casting machine for heavy reduction of a solidified terminal of a continuously cast slab and a heavy reduction method.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a pre-chamber. In another aspect, pressure within a pre-chamber is equal to or greater than pressure within a main combustion chamber at least prior to ignition in the main combustion chamber. A further aspect provides a supplemental piston creating pressure and supplying a fuel-air mixture into a pre-chamber, and a spark or glow plug has an end located within the pre-chamber for ignition of the mixture therein. In yet another aspect, internal combustion engine control software automatically controls pressure within a turbulent jet ignition pre-chamber, controls a valve-actuator to admit a fuel-air charge into the pre-chamber, and causes an ignitor to initiate combustion in the pressurized pre-chamber. This also permits the rate of combustion to be controlled in the primary chamber regardless of the air-fuel ratio or the diluent fraction in the main chamber. Another aspect employs a pre-chamber purge pump with separate air and fuel injection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a variable valve time control system and method. The variable valve time control system comprises an actuator, an actuation switch valve, an electronic control unit and a displacement sensor. The electronic control unit controls the actuation switch valve. The displacement sensor detects the engine valve displacement signal. The electronic control unit calculates the engine valve opening and closing times based on the displacement signal from the engine valve displacement sensor, and translates the engine valve opening and closing times into the corresponding switch times of the actuation-switch-valve power output.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a pre-chamber. In another aspect, pressure within a pre-chamber is equal to or greater than pressure within a main combustion chamber at least prior to ignition in the main combustion chamber. A further aspect provides a supplemental piston creating pressure and supplying a fuel-air mixture into a pre-chamber, and a spark or glow plug has an end located within the pre-chamber for ignition of the mixture therein. In yet another aspect, internal combustion engine control software automatically controls pressure within a turbulent jet ignition pre-chamber, controls a valve-actuator to admit a fuel-air charge into the pre-chamber, and causes an ignitor to initiate combustion in the pressurized pre-chamber.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, the fuel injection system including a plurality of injectors, wherein each of the injectors is adapted to inject at least one of an alternative fuel and a fossil fuel over a full range of operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling an ignition coil charge duration are disclosed, wherein the system includes an ignition coil in electrical communication with a control unit and at least one of an ionization detection circuit and at least one sensor. The control unit controls the ignition coil charge duration to facilitate detection and militate against an undesirable interruption of an ionization output signal during the combustion process.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting the data content of an ionization feedback signal is disclosed. An ignition system monitors both the ionization signal and ignition coil dwell data. The ignition system outputs either the ionization signal or the ignition coil dwell data on the ionization feedback line, depending on what information is desired by the powertrain control module. In one embodiment, the ionization signal is only output during the before ignition period when the operating condition of the engine indicates possible pre-ignition conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for pre-processing an ionization signal to amplify knock information and combining the amplified knock information with the ionization signal to create a knock-enhanced ionization signal is disclosed. In one embodiment, an on-plug integrated ionization detection circuit detects the ionization signal, processes the ionization signal to produce a knock-amplified ionization signal and then combines the original ionization signal with the knock-amplified ionization signal to create a knock-enhanced ionization signal. The step of processing the ionization signal to produce a knock-amplified ionization signal may comprise any singular step, or combination, of amplifying, band-pass filtering, AC-coupling, and offsetting said in-cylinder ionization signal.

Abstract: A device to control the charging rate of an ignition coil for an internal combustion spark ignition engine. The device controls the turn-on rate of the primary coil by slew-rate limiting using switching devices and a Miller-effect capacitor in order to reduce secondary oscillation magnitudes originated by a sharp transition of the controlling switch.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel injection parameters of a diesel engine is provided. The system includes an engine cylinder, a fuel injector, a glow plug, an ionization sensor and a controller. The fuel injector provides fuel to the engine cylinder and initiates the combustion process within the engine cylinder. The ionization sensor senses ionization during the combustion process and generates an ionization signal provided to the controller. Based on the ionization signal the controller is configured to control the fuel injection parameters, such as the number of injections, quantity and timing of each fuel injection events and the maximum rate of engine exhaust gas recirculation.

Abstract: An engine exhaust treatment system using a control system is described. In one form of the present invention, engine exhaust gas contaminates are passed through a selective reduction catalyst and a contaminate reducing agent is injected into the catalyst. The amount of contaminates present in the exhaust proximate to the selective reduction catalyst are sensed using at least one sensor. In one embodiment, input signals are sent to a control system from the sensor or sensors and a feedforward control combined with a feedback loop is used to transform these signals and a predetermined catalyst output contaminate value into an output signal. The output signal instructs a provider to inject contaminate reducing agents in a manner to efficiently track the desired predetermined catalyst output contaminate value.

Abstract: A robust multi-criteria minimum timing for the best torque (MBT) timing estimation method and apparatus utilizes different ionization signal waveforms that are generated under different engine operating conditions. The MBT timing criteria is calculated based upon both ionization and analog derivative ionization. Multiple MBT timing criteria are determined and combined to increase the reliability and robustness of MBT timing estimation based upon spark plug ionization signal waveforms. In a preferred embodiment, a combination of the MBT timing estimation criteria comprises a maximum flame acceleration location, a 50% burn location, and a second peak location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dual charge rate power supply circuit and method for ionization detection. The circuit includes a first diode, first and second capacitors, and first and second current paths. The first diode includes an anode operably connected to a first end of a primary winding. The first capacitor has a second end operably connected to ground and the second capacitor has a first end operably connected to the cathode of the first diode as well as a second end operably connected to ground. The first and second current paths are operably connected between the first and second capacitors and include a second diode, a parallel combination of a first resistor and a third diode, and a second resistor. The first diode is operably connected in parallel with the first capacitor.