Abstract: A control system and method for controlling position of a device by replacing the combination of a feedforward term, a calibrated step, and an integration term in a control scheme with an adaptive feedforward term. An embodiment is provided including a flow control valve on an internal combustion engine. The invention includes characterizing the flow control valve, and determining an error term, based upon monitored position and commanded input to the flow control valve. The adaptive feedforward term is determined based upon the monitored position, the characterization of the flow control valve, and the error term. The flow control valve is controlled to a position, based upon the adaptive feedforward term and the error term. When an absolute value of a derivative term, i.e. a time-rate change of the monitored position, is less than a preset value, the control system updates the characterization of the flow control valve.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling position of a device by replacing the combination of a feedforward term, a calibrated step, and an integration term in a control scheme with an adaptive feedforward term. An embodiment is provided including a flow control valve on an internal combustion engine. The invention includes characterizing the flow control valve, and determining an error term, based upon monitored position and commanded input to the flow control valve. The adaptive feedforward term is determined based upon the monitored position, the characterization of the flow control valve, and the error term. The flow control valve is controlled to a position, based upon the adaptive feedforward term and the error term. When an absolute value of a derivative term, i.e. a time-rate change of the monitored position, is less than a preset value, the control system updates the characterization of the flow control valve.

Abstract: An improved cruise control which produces a desired throttle position that is based in part on a selectively updated integral term. The integral term is only updated when the magnitude of the speed error exceeds a predefined value, thereby eliminating changes in the integral term when the speed error is smaller than the predefined threshold. In other words, the integral term is dynamic and responsive to a current error condition when the speed error magnitude exceeds the threshold, and static when the speed error is within the threshold. In this way, the operational advantages of the integral term are retained while avoiding its disadvantages, and the transition between the static and dynamic states of the integral term are smooth and seamless.

Abstract: A circuit for a combustible gas sensor comprising: a bridge circuit having first and second legs; a first node at a first midpoint in the first leg of the bridge circuit; a second node at a second midpoint in the second leg of the bridge circuit; a first temperature responsive resistive sensor element coupled between the first node and a bottom of the bridge circuit and located in a flow of combustible gas; a second temperature responsive resistive sensor element coupled between the bottom of the bridge and ground and located in the flow of combustible gas; and a voltage control circuit coupled to the first and second nodes and to the top of the bridge circuit for maintaining closed loop control of first and second node voltages at the first and second nodes by varying a bridge voltage at the top of the bridge circuit wherein one of the first and second sensor elements includes a catalyst for stimulating reactions of reactive constituents in the flow of combustible gas.

Abstract: A molded single service food container adapted to permit eating the food directly from the container, comprising a formed tray portion generally wedge shaped having a planar top edge which is angularly disposed with respect to the bottom. A cover portion having substantially similar characteristics may be hinged to the tray by a continuous hinged member. Both tray and cover are preferably thermoformed plastic, either vacuum or pressure formed. The shallow end is provided with food elevating means to prevent food which overhangs the shallow end from contacting an unsanitary surface.