Abstract: A method for operating the internal combustion engine includes determining a first integrated thermal state parameter corresponding to engine environment factors affecting a combustion parameter during engine operation in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode. A difference in the first integrated thermal state parameter is determined corresponding to a difference between a monitored state for the combustion parameter and an estimated state for the combustion parameter. The first integrated thermal state parameter is corrected in response to the difference in the integrated thermal state parameter. Operation of the internal combustion engine is controlled in response to the corrected first integrated thermal state parameter.

Abstract: A system and method may identifying an overcharged cell from among a plurality of cells of a battery pack. An undercharged cell may be identified from among any of the plurality of cells of the battery pack. A switch may be operated to connect the overcharged cell to the undercharged cell via a direct current (DC)-DC converter. The DC-DC converter may be operated to transfer charge from the overcharged cell to the undercharged cell.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is selectably operable in one of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode with low lift intake and exhaust valve profiles and spark ignition (SI) mode with high lift intake and exhaust valve profiles. Transition from a current combustion mode to a desired combustion mode includes phase adjusting the one of the intake and exhaust valves exhibiting a greater effect upon an effective cylinder volume for a given phase adjustment in the desired combustion mode based upon a desired phasing for the desired combustion mode prior to lift adjusting the one of the intake and exhaust valves and adjusting the other of the intake and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A method for managing an exhaust aftertreatment system within a vehicle including a catalyst device includes monitoring a digital map device providing a predicted vehicle operating condition through a travel route, and determining a predicted exhaust gas temperature profile based upon the monitoring of the digital map device. Operation of the catalyst device is controlled based upon the predicted exhaust gas temperature profile.

Abstract: A method for controlling combustion in a spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine includes monitoring at least one combustion input parameter, and when the at least one monitored combustion input parameter deviates from a respective desired combustion input parameter, adjusting a combustion input mechanism associated with controlling the at least one monitored combustion input parameter to converge toward the respective desired combustion input parameter.

Abstract: Engine idle control includes commanding a preferred engine idle speed and operating the engine at a mean best torque spark timing, monitoring an engine speed and an engine air/fuel ratio, commanding an injected fuel mass corresponding to the monitored engine speed and the preferred engine idle speed, and commanding a cylinder intake air mass corresponding to the injected fuel mass, the engine air/fuel ratio and a preferred engine air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is operative in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. The operation includes monitoring engine operation, and globally adapting fueling for all the cylinders based upon an engine intake mass air flow and an air/fuel ratio. The fueling for each cylinder is individually adapted based upon states of a combustion parameter for all the cylinders.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is selectively operative in one of a plurality of combustion modes. A method for controlling the engine includes commanding the engine operation to transition from a first combustion mode to a second combustion mode. Engine valve operation is commanded to a desired valve overlap and valve overlap is monitored. Engine operation is changed to the second combustion mode when the engine valve overlap achieves a predetermined range or threshold.

Abstract: A mechanical device for transmitting a torque so as to generate a multi-degree-of-freedom rotation is provided. The mechanical device is used for clipping specimens during a vacuum sputtering process. The mechanical device includes an immovable frame, a first and a second shafts and a first and a second connecting elements. The immovable frame fastens the mechanical device, and includes a first hole and a first sleeve, which is disposed in the first hole and has a first transmission element. The first shaft is disposed inside the first hole and the first sleeve, and has a second hole. The second shaft is disposed in the second hole, and is perpendicular to the first shaft.

Abstract: Engine idle control includes commanding a preferred engine idle speed and operating the engine at a mean best torque spark timing, monitoring an engine speed and an engine air/fuel ratio, commanding an injected fuel mass corresponding to the monitored engine speed and the preferred engine idle speed, and commanding a cylinder intake air mass corresponding to the injected fuel mass, the engine air/fuel ratio and a preferred engine air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A novel surface acoustic wave device with a decreased velocity dispersion and a low insertion loss as well as the fabrication method therefore is provided. The surface acoustic wave device includes a substrate, an insulating layer with an indentation on the substrate, a silicon layer divided by an etched window with a first portion on the insulating layer and a second portion suspended above the indentation, a piezoelectric layer on the first and the second portions of the silicon layer, and at least an electrode on the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a controllable throttle and controllable engine valves and is selectively operative in one of a plurality of combustion modes. An engine control method includes monitoring engine operation, determining a desired air flow, estimating a cylinder air charge, and estimating an intake air partial pressure. The throttle control device and engine valves are controlled based upon the intake air partial pressure and the cylinder air charge to achieve the desired air flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for producing a two-dimensional patterned beam, e.g. a two-dimensional patterned and focused ion beam, for fabricating a nano-structure on a substrate with the precursor gas. In comparison with the conventional focused ion beam that is applied for fabricating a dot-like nano-structure the method is more simplified and easy to be achieved.

Abstract: A model-based estimation of mass airflow is provided which provides an accurate estimation of mass airflow without introducing undesirable time delays characteristic of filtered mass airflow signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control combustion in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine operating in a controlled auto-ignition mode with minimum combustion phasing error using a least amount of fuel reforming. This comprises monitoring combustion in each cylinder, and determining a target combustion phasing. Fuel delivery to each cylinder is selectively controlled effective to achieve the target combustion phasing, and, effective to achieve the target combustion phasing further comprises controlling the fuel delivery effective to equilibrate combustion phasing of the cylinders.

Abstract: A mechanical device for transmitting a torque to generate a multi-degree-of-freedom rotation is provided. The mechanical device is used for clipping the object body during a vacuum sputtering process. The effect of homogeneous film coating is achievable by multi-degree-of-freedom rotation of the specimen when performing a surface treatment, particularly for a cylinder specimen.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling engine valves of an internal combustion engine adapted to selectively operate at one of a first open position and a second open position, including controlling engine operation during a transition from a first to a second combustion mode. The method comprises determining a desired engine airflow based upon an operator torque request. A cylinder intake volume is determined for the desired engine airflow when operating at the first open position. A control scheme is determined to control the engine valves to attain the cylinder intake volume for the desired engine airflow when operating at the second open position. The control scheme is executed and the engine valve is transitioned to the second open position when the cylinder intake volume to operate at the second open position is within a range of authority of the engine valves.

Abstract: A method for managing an exhaust aftertreatment system within a vehicle including a catalyst device includes monitoring a digital map device providing a predicted vehicle operating condition through a travel route, and determining a predicted exhaust gas temperature profile based upon the monitoring of the digital map device. Operation of the catalyst device is controlled based upon the predicted exhaust gas temperature profile.

Abstract: The disclosure sets forth operating a spark-ignition, direct-fuel injection internal combustion engine, including transitioning the engine from operating in a stratified charge combustion mode to operating in a homogeneous charge combustion mode. External EGR flow is discontinued, and an in-cylinder trapped air mass and an in-cylinder EGR mass in an air intake system of the engine are estimated. Engine throttle position is controlled to achieve trajectories for air/fuel ratio and the in-cylinder EGR mass determined based upon the estimated in-cylinder trapped air mass and the in-cylinder EGR mass in the air intake system. A double-injection fueling strategy and a single-injection fueling are used during the transition.

Abstract: The disclosure sets forth operating a spark-ignition, direct-fuel injection internal combustion engine, including transitioning the engine from operating in a stratified charge combustion mode to operating in a homogeneous charge combustion mode. External EGR flow is discontinued, and an in-cylinder trapped air mass and an in-cylinder EGR mass in an air intake system of the engine are estimated. Engine throttle position is controlled to achieve trajectories for air/fuel ratio and the in-cylinder EGR mass determined based upon the estimated in-cylinder trapped air mass and the in-cylinder EGR mass in the air intake system. A double-injection fueling strategy and a single-injection fueling are used during the transition.