Abstract: A system includes an aerial drone. The aerial drone includes first and second electrically conductive end effectors. The first and second electrically conductive end effectors are electrically connected to a power source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting cylinder-to-cylinder air-fuel ratio (AFR) imbalance in engine cylinders. In one example, a method may include detecting an AFR imbalance of an engine cylinder based on an individual crankshaft acceleration of the cylinder relative to a mean crankshaft acceleration produced by all cylinders of the engine, and correcting a fuel amount of the cylinder via a fuel multiplier value, the fuel multiplier value selected from a plurality of fuel multiplier values based on an imbalance source. In this way, the AFR imbalance may be accurately detected and correcting using existing engine system sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling airflow of an accumulator of a motorized vehicle. In one example, a method includes storing pressurized gases within the accumulator by flowing intake air from a compressor of an engine of the vehicle to a pressure booster arranged upstream of the accumulator. Pressurized gases stored within the accumulator may be used to drive one or more pneumatic devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving efficiency of an exhaust gas after treatment system of a vehicle. In one example, a first group of engine cylinders is operated with a rich air-fuel ratio continuously while a second group of engine cylinders is operated with a lean air-fuel ratio continuously. The rich and lean exhaust gases from the two groups of engine cylinders may be oxidized within an exhaust gas after treatment system to improve catalyst efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying degraded exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor responses. In one example, a method may include cycling an engine between a higher temperature operating mode and a lower temperature operating mode while maintaining engine torque output across the higher temperature operating mode and the lower temperature operating modes, both the higher temperature operating mode and the lower temperature operating mode providing stoichiometric exhaust gas to a downstream catalyst, and characterizing a response behavior of an EGT sensor based on output of the EGT sensor during the cycling. In this way, stepwise exhaust gas temperature changes are produced for characterizing the EGT sensor response without disrupting emissions and torque control.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine knock. In one example, a method may include decreasing intake valve lift at a first set of cylinders where knock is indicated and increasing intake valve lift at a second set of cylinders where knock is not indicated. A stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio is thereby maintained.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling an internal combustion engine via flowing air through the internal combustion engine during select conditions are presented. In one example, lift of intake and/or exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature. In addition, opening and closing timings of intake and exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling an internal combustion engine via flowing air through the internal combustion engine during select conditions are presented. In one example, lift of intake and/or exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature. In addition, opening and closing timings of intake and exhaust poppet valves may be adjusted as a function of engine temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic fraud analysis platform system are disclosed which may be used to analyze tax returns for potential fraud. Analysis of tax return data using the tax return analysis platform computing systems and methods discussed herein may provide insight into whether a tax return may be fraudulent based on, for example, an initial screening component configured to filter tax returns which appear fraudulent due to missing or inaccurate information provided with the return; a device activity analysis component configured to identify whether a device used to submit a tax return or to provide further authentication information needed to complete processing of the return may have been used in other fraudulent activities; and a knowledge-based authentication component configured to identify potential fraudsters using dynamically generated questions for which fraudsters typically do not know the answers.

Abstract: An active downhole antenna located in a borehole receives electromagnetic (EM) telemetry transmissions from sources in adjacent boreholes. The antenna comprises a processor operable do decode and measure signal to noise ratio of received transmissions. Data received at the active antenna is transmitted to surface using a high-speed data communication network. The active antenna may handle data communications from multiple downhole EM telemetry transmitters.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to take images, in real-time, of a cylinder during combustion and estimate cylinder soot generation. If excess soot generation is determined, cylinder fueling is adjusted by varying an injection pressure, amount, and ratio. An air-fuel ratio of the cylinder is also adjusted in view of exhaust temperature constraints to reduce soot generation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving efficiency of an exhaust gas after treatment system of a vehicle. In one example, a first group of engine cylinders is operated with a rich air-fuel ratio continuously while a second group of engine cylinders is operated with a lean air-fuel ratio continuously. The rich and lean exhaust gases from the two groups of engine cylinders may be oxidized within an exhaust gas after treatment system to improve catalyst efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving completion rates for engine system diagnostics for hybrid electric vehicles. In one example, a method may include in response to fueling of the engine of a hybrid electric vehicle being discontinued, establishing an air flow from an intake to an exhaust of the engine by relying on an electric motor to rotate the engine unfueled, and conducting a plurality of diagnostic monitors that rely on the air flow prior to reactivation of fueling of the engine. In this way, diagnostic monitor completion rates may be improved for hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel economy may be improved by coordinating the plurality of diagnostic monitors to be conducted during times when the engine is not fueled.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting cylinder-to-cylinder air-fuel ratio (AFR) imbalance in engine cylinders. In one example, a method may include detecting an AFR imbalance of an engine cylinder based on an individual crankshaft acceleration of the cylinder relative to a mean crankshaft acceleration produced by all cylinders of the engine, and correcting a fuel amount of the cylinder via a fuel multiplier value, the fuel multiplier value selected from a plurality of fuel multiplier values based on an imbalance source. In this way, the AFR imbalance may be accurately detected and correcting using existing engine system sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a computer programmed to actuate a plurality of drones to first establish one or more electrical connections therebetween and then to provide a jump start to a vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cycle-to-cycle torque reductions under exhaust component temperature constraints. In one example, a method may include, responsive to a torque reduction request, introducing a lambda split between two sets of cylinders over a plurality of engine cycles while maintaining an average of stoichiometry between the two sets of cylinders, and, responsive to reaching a lambda split threshold, introducing differentially delayed ignition timing in both sets of cylinders. In this way, fast torque reduction may be provided while maintaining a globally stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, thereby decreasing vehicle emissions, and reducing heat-related degradation to exhaust components.

Abstract: A method for determining a linear density of a carbon fiber tow. The method includes providing a pulse of air directed toward the carbon fiber tow, determining, via a first sensor, an air pressure of the pulse of air, and measuring, via a second sensor, a displacement of the carbon fiber tow in response to the pulse of air directed toward the carbon fiber tow. The method further includes calculating, via a controller, a linear density of the carbon fiber tow based on the air pressure and the displacement, and outputting, via the controller, the linear density.

Abstract: A humidifier system for a vehicle passenger cabin includes an onboard humidifier, an onboard reservoir in fluid communication with the humidifier and adapted to collect a fluid from a vehicle heat exchanger, and a controller configured to determine at least a passenger cabin relative humidity value and a dew point value for at least one vehicle window. The controller is configured to actuate the onboard humidifier to provide a humidified airflow into the passenger cabin, and to actuate a window heating system to heat the at least one vehicle window sufficiently to prevent or remove fogging resulting from the humidified airflow. Methods for controlling the humidifier system are described.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery and a charge plate electrically connected with the battery. The vehicle also includes a control system that causes an association signal to be repeatedly transmitted during a battery charge procedure to maintain charging of the battery via the charge plate, and in response to an object being detected in the vicinity or predicted to enter the vicinity of the charge plate, causes the transmission of the association signal to be interrupted to stop charging of the battery.