Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a machine for generating electrical energy comprises a housing. A rotor has interior blades for rotation in response to receipt of material. The rotor has an outer surface and an inlet. A first magnet assembly is secured to the outer surface of the rotor. A first stator winding is in electromagnetic communication with the corresponding first magnetic assembly, such that if the rotor rotates a first electromagnetic signal energizes the first stator windings based on the flow of material into or through the inlet.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a machine for generating electrical energy comprises a housing. A rotor has interior blades for rotation in response to receipt of material. The rotor has an outer surface and an inlet. A first magnet assembly is secured to the outer surface of the rotor. A first stator winding is in electromagnetic communication with the corresponding first magnetic assembly, such that if the rotor rotates a first electromagnetic signal energizes the first stator windings based on the flow of material into or through the inlet.

Abstract: A capacitance-based moisture sensor may include a sleeve having an internal cavity, a container filled with soil or other material inserted into the internal cavity, and a pair of ring-shaped conductive bands around the exterior of the sleeve forming a capacitor and providing a frequency output. The rings positioned around a perimeter of the sleeve may be connected to a fixed inductor to form an oscillator with a variable frequency output. The sensor may be calibrated from the frequency output for each of a plurality of substances, measuring the volumetric water content for saturation of the material, and determining at least one fitting constant in an equation wherein volumetric water content is a function of the frequency output and a plurality of fitting constants.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel to an engine to minimize emissions in an exhaust of the engine. There may be a controller connected to an actuator, for example a fuel control actuator, of the engine and to emissions sensors, such as an NOx and/or PM sensor, proximate to an exhaust output of the engine. The controller, for example a speed controller, may have an input connected to an output of a pedal or desired speed setting mechanism. A speed sensor at a power output of the engine may be connected to an input of the controller.

Abstract: An assembly is provided comprising a member having a graduated edge that varies in radius with respect to an axis, and a sensor adjacent to the graduated edge, the member and the sensor are capable of rotating relative to one another. The sensor provides a signal level proportional to a distance between the sensor and the graduated edge, and the distance, between the sensor and the graduated edge, is indicative of a rotation angle of the member relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a chemical sample and modulating the chemical sample at a frequency greater than a drift frequency of a sensor. The method also includes determining at least one of a presence and a concentration of the analyte within the modulated chemical sample using the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could include alternately absorbing at least some of the analyte into a sorbent material and releasing at least some of the analyte from the sorbent material. Modulating the chemical sample could also include heating the sorbent material, absorbing part of the analyte into the sorbent material, and passing a remaining portion of the analyte into the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could further include stopping the heating of the sorbent material, releasing the part of the analyte from the sorbent material, and passing the sample with the released part of the analyte into the sensor.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel to an engine to minimize emissions in an exhaust of the engine. There may be a controller connected to an actuator, for example a fuel control actuator, of the engine and to emissions sensors, such as an NOx and/or PM sensor, proximate to an exhaust output of the engine. The controller, for example a speed controller, may have an input connected to an output of a pedal or desired speed setting mechanism. A speed sensor at a power output of the engine may be connected to an input of the controller.

Abstract: A system having a particulate matter sensor in an exhaust stream of an engine upstream from a particulate filter and another such sensor downstream from the filter. There may also be an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control on the engine. The amount of particulate matter in or loading of the filter may be determined by the upstream filter. The working condition of the filter may be determined by the downstream sensor. The filter may have a heater and control for providing operational and particulate matter burn-off temperatures to the filter. A processor may be connected to the sensors, the EGR control and the filter heater control.

Abstract: Sensor apparatus includes a housing, a probe mounted to the housing, the probe including an elongate first part and a helical coil second part conductively coupled to each in series with first and second terminals at opposite ends thereof, the probe to be inserted into an exhaust stream in an exhaust corridor; and a circuit coupled to the first and second terminals of the sensor probe, to selectively operate the probe as a temperature sensor in a first mode and as a PM sensor in a second mode.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel to an engine to minimize emissions in an exhaust of the engine. There may be a controller connected to an actuator, for example a fuel control actuator, of the engine and to emissions sensors, such as an NOx and/or PM sensor, proximate to an exhaust output of the engine. The controller, for example a speed controller, may have an input connected to an output of a pedal or desired speed setting mechanism. A speed sensor at a power output of the engine may be connected to an input of the controller.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel to an engine to minimize emissions in an exhaust of the engine. There may be a controller connected to an actuator, for example a fuel control actuator, of the engine and to emissions sensors, such as an NOx and/or PM sensor, proximate to an exhaust output of the engine. The controller, for example a speed controller, may have an input connected to an output of a pedal or desired speed setting mechanism. A speed sensor at a power output of the engine may be connected to an input of the controller.

Abstract: A system for controlling fuel to an engine to minimize emissions in an exhaust of the engine. There may be a controller connected to an actuator, for example a fuel control actuator, of the engine and to emissions sensors, such as an NOx and/or PM sensor, proximate to an exhaust output of the engine. The controller, for example a speed controller, may have an input connected to an output of a pedal or desired speed setting mechanism. A speed sensor at a power output of the engine may be connected to an input of the controller.

Abstract: A system having a particulate matter sensor in an exhaust stream of an engine upstream from a particulate filter and another such sensor downstream from the filter. There may also be an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control on the engine. The amount of particulate matter in or loading of the filter may be determined by the upstream filter. The working condition of the filter may be determined by the downstream sensor. The filter may have a heater and control for providing operational and particulate matter burn-off temperatures to the filter. A processor may be connected to the sensors, the EGR control and the filter heater control.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring NOx concentrations are disclosed. One method includes the steps of providing a gas stream having a NO concentration and a NO2 concentration, wherein a sum of the NO concentration and the NO2 concentration is a total NOx concentration; contacting the gas stream with a first zirconium oxide based oxygen sensor at a first temperature to achieve a first NO:NO2 equilibrium at the first temperature; contacting the gas stream with a second zirconium oxide based oxygen sensor at a second temperature to achieve a second NO:NO2 equilibrium at the second temperature; and determining the total NOx concentration by measuring a response of the first zirconium oxide based oxygen sensor to achieve the first NO:NO2 equilibrium and a response of the second zirconium oxide based oxygen sensor to achieve the second NO:NO2 equilibrium. The second temperature is different than the first temperature.

Abstract: A system having a particulate matter sensor in an exhaust stream of an engine upstream from a particulate filter and another such sensor downstream from the filter. There may also be an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control on the engine. The amount of particulate matter in or loading of the filter may be determined by the upstream filter. The working condition of the filter may be determined by the downstream sensor. The filter may have a heater and control for providing operational and particulate matter burn-off temperatures to the filter. A processor may be connected to the sensors, the EGR control and the filter heater control.

Abstract: A catalyst system that may regenerate while removing pollutants from an exhaust gas of an engine. The system may have a converter with multiple segments of chambers. At least one of the chambers may be regenerated while the remaining chambers are removing pollutants from the exhaust. The chambers may be rotated in turn for one-at-a-time regeneration. More than one chamber may be regenerated at a time to remove collected pollutants. The system may have plumbing and valves, and possibly mechanical movement of the chambers, within the system to effect the changing of a chamber for regeneration. The chambers connected to the exhaust may be in series or parallel. A particulate matter filter may be connected to the system, and it also may be regenerated to remove collected matter.

Abstract: Sensor apparatus includes a housing, a probe mounted to the housing, the probe including an elongate first part and a helical coil second part conductively coupled to each in series with first and second terminals at opposite ends thereof, the probe to be inserted into an exhaust stream in an exhaust corridor; and a circuit coupled to the first and second terminals of the sensor probe, to selectively operate the probe as a temperature sensor in a first mode and as a PM sensor in a second mode.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a chemical sample and modulating the chemical sample at a frequency greater than a drift frequency of a sensor. The method also includes determining at least one of a presence and a concentration of the analyte within the modulated chemical sample using the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could include alternately absorbing at least some of the analyte into a sorbent material and releasing at least some of the analyte from the sorbent material. Modulating the chemical sample could also include heating the sorbent material, absorbing part of the analyte into the sorbent material, and passing a remaining portion of the analyte into the sensor. Modulating the chemical sample could further include stopping the heating of the sorbent material, releasing the part of the analyte from the sorbent material, and passing the sample with the released part of the analyte into the sensor.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a housing including a dielectric portion, a particulate matter (“PM”) sensor fixed inside the housing such that the exhaust streaming through an exhaust system passes near and in electrical isolation from the PM sensor, the PM sensor including a terminal couplable to a PM sensing circuit to produce a PM sensor indication associated with sensed PM and a fastener coupled to the housing and mountable to the exhaust system to dispose the housing into the exhaust system such that exhaust streaming through the exhaust system passes outside the dielectric portion of the housing.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a housing including a dielectric portion, a particulate matter (“PM”) sensor fixed inside the housing such that the exhaust streaming through an exhaust system passes near and in electrical isolation from the PM sensor, the PM sensor including a terminal couplable to a PM sensing circuit to produce a PM sensor indication associated with sensed PM and a fastener coupled to the housing and mountable to the exhaust system to dispose the housing into the exhaust system such that exhaust streaming through the exhaust system passes outside the dielectric portion of the housing.