Abstract: A towel drying system includes a housing that has a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall, a front wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The front wall has a primary air inlet extending therethrough and a primary air outlet extending therethrough. A blower is mounted in the housing and pulls air into the housing through primary air inlet and directs it outwardly through the primary air outlet. A towel support member is positioned in the housing. The front wall has at least one access door to access an interior of the housing and the towel support member. One or more towels may be placed on the towel support member. A dwelling return duct is fluidly coupled to the primary air outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials comprises a support and an oven pivotally mounted to the support. The oven has charging portion for receiving material to be treated and a changeover portion. Incorporated within the changeover portion is a heat treatment chamber through which a stream of hot gases can be passed. The oven is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the changeover portion is higher than the charging portion and a second position in which the charging portion is higher than the changeover portion. The arrangement is such that the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so that material within the oven falls from one portion to the other portion, passing through the stream of hot gasses in the heat treatment chamber. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for drying lumber in a short time with less use of energy. The method of drying lumber includes: enclosing lumber in a batch container having a pressure release valve; filling fluid into the batch container under pressure; maintaining a temperature and a pressure at or above a critical point of the fluid for a certain period of time; and then opening the pressure release valve of the batch container to reduce the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A fastening buckle adapted to bring a first side loser to a second side, including a cap fixed on the first side, a lever pivotally mounted about a first axis relative to the cap, a tie rod pivotally mounted on the lever about a second axis, the first axis being actuated, during tightening, by a translational movement with respect to the first side. An attachment rack is fixed on the second side; a latch is affixed to the tie rod, such that the latch, when closed, is engaged with one of the teeth of the rack. The cap includes two parallel side members in each of which an elongated opening is arranged. A slot is arranged in the lever between two legs; the first axis is defined by two rivets, each of the rivets fixing one of the legs to one of the side members by extending through the elongated opening so as to enable the translational movement of the lever with respect to the first side.

Abstract: An extensible snowplough blade comprises a fixed blade body (10), having a substantially linear conformation in a longitudinal direction and is provided, at a posterior surface (11) thereof, with means for support (12). It further comprises a raising structure (20) for defining a hinged connection between the blade body (10) and a vehicle (150). The raising structure (20) in turn comprises a frame (21) for fixing thereof to the vehicle (150) and coupling means (25) of the fixed frame (21) to the means for support (12). The extensible snowplough blade (100) further comprises a first extension (30), slidably mounted on the means for support (12) in a parallel position to the blade body (10) and destined to extend longitudinally with respect to the blade body (10) in a left-wards direction, and a second extension (40), slidably mounted on the means for support (12) in a parallel position to the blade body (10) and destined to extend longitudinally, with respect to the blade body (10), in a right-wards direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying printed media includes a base member, clamps for securing the base member to a restraint bar of a ski-lift chair, and a top panel coupled with the base member such that the printed media is viewable from the ski-lift chair through the panel. A method of advertising at a ski area includes integrating advertising displays with ski-lift chairs of the ski area. Each of the advertising displays has one or more places to secure printed media. The method also includes inserting printed media within each of the advertising displays. Another method of advertising at a ski area includes integrating printed media within viewable regions of at least one media display system, and integrating the media display system with a ski-lift chair of the ski area.

Abstract: The display device of the invention comprises a flexible display element that can be extended in rollable fashion between a first position and a second position. In the first position the element is present in a housing and in the second position it is at least partially visible. The display element is supported in its second position by foldable arms. According to the invention a foldable arm comprises means which facilitate the extension of the display from the first to the second position and from the second position to a further position. These means also counteract any tendency of the display to return by itself from the second or any further position to the first position.

Abstract: One aspect relates to generating a repeatably displaceable emanating element display that may display at least part of an at least one synchronously modifiable oriented image based at least in part on alterable vehicle-related information, wherein the repeatably displaceable emanating element display may be synchronously modified as perceivable by a viewer at least partially by synchronizing an at least one repeatably displaceable display emanating element based at least in part on an orientation of the repeatably displaceable emanating element display as synchronously modified as perceivable by the viewer.

Abstract: A frame for attachment to a truck panel or a wall for holding a banner having a top base plate, a left side base plate, a right side base plate, and a bottom base plate. After the top of the banner is aligned and duct taped to the top base plate, the banner can be accurately cut to size by simply inserting a blade through the banner and into cutting groove on the base plates which becomes guides for the blade. No math is required. At least one yieldable member having a high coefficient of friction is coupled to each base plate and a cap plate is located on top of each base plate to lock the edges of a banner to each base plate by pressing on the yieldable members on each base plate when the banner is located on top of the yieldable members.

Abstract: Gust Busters solves the problem of signs being blown over in the wind or being knocked down by the pedestrians or bicycle or the like, by preventing the inward collapsing and outward expansion of the legs of the sign and thus maintaining its ideal position for optimum readability.

Abstract: One example embodiment disclosed herein includes a sign substrate including a front side and a back side, a reflective traffic sign layer to reflect a light to display a traffic message to traffic, the reflective traffic sign layer coupled to the front side of the sign substrate, a light blocking layer masking the reflective traffic sign layer to prevent the light from reflecting a ghost image of the message through the light blocking layer to the traffic and a replacement reflective traffic sign layer disposed on top of the light blocking layer, the replacement reflective traffic sign layer to reflect the light to display a reflected replacement message to the traffic.

Abstract: A firearm having a barrel and a whistle, wherein when the firearm is discharged air is forced through the whistle to cause a whistle sound. In one particular embodiment, the whistle comprises a barrel port, a channel, and a whistle port and wherein when the firearm is discharged a bullet traveling down the barrel forces air through the barrel port, the channel, and the whistle port to cause a whistle sound. In another embodiment, the whistle is associated with a firearm attachment and the firearm attachment is removably couplable to the firearm. In a further embodiment, the whistle is modifiable and modification of the whistle is configurable to eliminate or change the whistle sound. In a further embodiment, the whistle sound is associated with a signal that is transmitted to another device or central location for analysis, wherein the signal comprises a firearm identification or locational information.

Abstract: A firearm including a barrel having a chamber and an integrally formed upper receiver having a passageway, an accessory rail extending the complete length of the upper receiver, and a guidance feature extending along the passageway. The firearm also includes an operating rod having an anti-bounce mechanism, a bolt that is rotated counter-clockwise to lock against the chamber, a bolt carrier having a safety extension disposed below the bolt that prevents a hammer from striking a firing pin until the bolt is locked against the chamber, a lower receiver, a recoil spring assembly, and a fire control group. The bolt includes a polymer spring that biases a sliding extractor against the base of a cartridge. The sliding extractor is disposed at an angle ranging from thirty degrees to fifteen degrees on the bolt face to provide a low ejection angle from the firearm.

Abstract: A muzzleloading firearm has a barrel with a bore on a bore axis, and the barrel has a muzzle end and a breech end. A frame is connected to the barrel, and has a breech face. The frame moves between an open position in which the breech face is away from the breech end of the barrel, and a closed position in which the breech face abuts the breech end of the barrel. A breech plug is removably attached to the barrel. The breech plug including a seal element closely received by the bore. The seal element may be a set of piston rings that are received in a circumferential groove about a forward end of the plug, or may be a cup at the forward end, with a forward rim that flares under pressure to provide a gas seal.

Abstract: A deployment unit for use with an electronic weapon includes a body, an electrode, an electrical interface and tether wire, and a cover. The body has a cavity with an opening. The electrode is stored in the cavity. The electrical interface and tether wire conduct a current from the electronic weapon through the electrode. The cover is coupled to the body over the opening. Activation of a provided propellant, in any order (a) provides a force that pushes the cover away from the body to open the cavity; and (b) deploys the electrode from the cavity through the opening toward a provided target for conducting the current through the target that interferes with locomotion by the target. Prior to pushing the cover away from the body, no portion of the electrode contacts the cover.

Abstract: A rifle recoil absorbing strap assembly for absorbing rifle recoil from a rifle, the strap assembly preventing the bruising of a shoulder when firing the rifle and without having to permanently mount the strap assembly on a target shooting bench, a table or a horizontal support member. The strap assembly includes an elongated, flexible, horizontal first strap member with adjustable and releasable fastener. The adjustable and releasable fastener is used for securing together a first end and a second end of the first strap member. Also, the strap assembly includes a flexible, vertical second strap member with a first end and an opposite second end. The first and second end of the second strap member are adapted for receipt around a front portion of the rifle and secured thereto for preventing upward movement of the rifle when firing. Further, the strap assembly includes a rifle butt cradle adapted for receiving and securing a rifle butt of the rifle therein.

Abstract: A live animal trap including an enclosure having an open end; a door for covering the forward opening; a hinge for door motions between first and second positions, the door covering the opening in the first position and opening the enclosure in the second position, the door pivoting toward the first position upon enclosure righting and upon inversion counter-pivoting to the second position; a slide shaft; a slide sleeve facilitating slide shaft motions between third and fourth positions, the slide shaft holding the door open while in the third position, the slide shaft releasing the door while in the fourth position, the slide shaft sliding toward the third position upon down tilting the enclosure and sliding toward the fourth position upon up tilting the enclosure; and having an animal contact member attached to the slide shaft's rearward rear end.

Abstract: A revolver with trigger mechanism for cocking a rotatable hammer. The revolver includes a frame, a barrel supported by the frame and defining a bore, at least one chamber aligned with the bore of barrel for holding a cartridge, a hammer pivotally mounted to the frame and moveable between a forward uncocked position and a rearward cocked position, and a trigger pivotally mounted to the frame. In one embodiment, the trigger includes a contoured camming surface configured and arranged to engage a protrusion extending outwards from the hammer for cocking the hammer in response to pulling the trigger. The protrusion may be a hammer dog pivotally coupled to the hammer in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the hammer may include a sear having a contoured camming surface for engaging the trigger.

Abstract: In an embodiment an adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly is provided. The adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly includes a base, a window holder and a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism. The base is configured for movement along a path. The base has an inboard side and an outboard side. The window holder is configured to receive and hold a vehicle window. The window holder is movably connected to the base. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism is operable by a cross-car orientation adjustment tool and is operatively connected to the window holder to control the cross-car orientation of the window holder. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism includes a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member configured to receive the cross-car orientation adjustment tool. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member is accessible from the inboard side of the base.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a double hung window assembly and methods of manufacturing the double hung window assembly. The window assembly includes upper and lower sash assemblies, opposing side jambs, and a pair of opposing jamb liners that each have a length generally equal to a length of the opposing side jambs. At least one jamb recess is located between sash tracks on each of the jamb liners. Each jamb recess retains a jamb filler having a length generally equal to the jamb liner length. Each jamb filler has outer and inner weather stripping recesses, and outer and inner weather stripping. The jamb filler may include a primary exposed surface that is substantially unobstructed by the inner and outer weather stripping. A portion of the outer and inner weather stripping may be compressively secured between the jamb filler and a portion of the jamb liner.

Abstract: A portable changing room that is inflatable. The portable changing room includes an inflatable skeleton, a valve, and a removable cover. A pump is used to inflate the inflatable skeleton. The changing room is used for privacy in outdoor environments.

Abstract: A health booth includes a telescopic and pivotal board including two telescopic units having one ends pivotably attached to a board; a seat assembly including two parallel columns mounted on the other side wall, a horizontal bar slidably put on the columns, a telescopic support post mounted between the horizontal bar and a bottom, and a collapsible seat secured to the horizontal bar, and a pivot assembly including a channel mounted onto one side wall, two torsion springs in the channel, two outer cylindrical members each together with one inner cylindrical member to dispose the other ends of the telescopic units therein, and two groups of a plurality of fasteners wherein each group of the fasteners are driven through the outer cylindrical member into the inner cylindrical member to fasten the other ends of the telescopic units.

Abstract: Systems are provided for use in balcony structures. The system includes a joist comprising an upper chord and a lower chord separated by a web. One end of the joist is supported by a supporting member and a cantilevered balcony extends generally perpendicularly from the supporting member. The cantilevered balcony comprises a cementitious balcony slab extending from a cementitious floor slab. The cementitious floor slab includes a backspan region extending from the top of the supporting member opposite the cementitious balcony slab. A portion of the joist in the backspan region comprises a decking supporting member coupled to the web between the upper chord and the lower chord. The joist in the backspan region supports decking using the decking supporting member; however, the joist beyond the backspan region supports decking above the upper chord. In this way, the cementitious floor slab in the backspan region is thicker than the cementitious floor slab beyond the backspan region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting node (10, 20) for constructing a three-dimensional framework (100), in particular a geodetic structure, wherein the connecting node (10, 20) has at least one connecting arrangement for connection by way of a definable number of (n) of basic structural elements (3) attached to the respective connecting node (10, 20) with other identical connecting nodes (10, 20). It is provided that the connecting node (10, 20) is formed as a disk (4, 6) having a predefinable number (n) of keyholes (1n), with each of the keyholes (1n) being penetrated by a connecting means (5) and engaging with a receiving element (3A) attached on the basic structural elements (3n), so that each basic structural element (3n) is rotatably supported in the formed first connecting arrangement (5, 3A) and can be pre-adjusted and subsequently attached at arbitrary predefinable angles.

Abstract: An edge-lift anchor for tilt-up lifting of a concrete component has, at a lower part of its head an element for anchoring the head against shear forces acting during the tilt-up phase of lifting. Such element comprises an aperture to receive concrete, an aperture to receive a reinforcing bar, or a shear plate welded to the lower edge of the head.

Abstract: A support assembly connectable to a base structure preferably disposed in an attic or other like location of a house, dwelling, and/or other building to provide or facilitate storage and or standing, walking, or crawling thereon. The support assembly comprising at least one or a plurality of mounting devices and at least one overlying member having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface is removably connectable to the mounting devices. The mounting devices comprising an upper portion and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism being removably connectable to the base structure.

Abstract: A barrier assembly for sealing the gap between the frame of a window and the rough opening of a building in which the window is received comprises an adaptor attached to the window frame and a sealing membrane providing an air and moisture barrier between the window frame and the framing members defining the building's rough opening. The flexible sealing membrane is formed from multiple membrane sections, at least one of which is formed from a flexible sheet and a projection integral with the flexible sheet, the projection being received in a channel defined by the adaptor to provide an air and moisture-proof barrier seal between the window frame and the associated building framing members.

Abstract: In a suspended ceiling segment known as a cloud, lengths of flat, flexible sheets form panels that are held on the main beams of the segment by flexible, plastic tracks adhesively fixed on the panels that engage plastic tracks hooked onto flanges of the main beams of the cloud. The flexible sheets bend to conform to the vertical contour of the main beams when the tracks on the sheets engage the tracks on the beams.

Abstract: A seismic construction system for a cavity wall is disclosed. The system is shown in three exemplary applications—a masonry backup wall with ladder—or truss-type reinforcement cooperating with a snap-in wire tie; a masonry backup wall with ladder—or truss-type reinforcement with a high-span wall anchor cooperating with a low-profile, snap-in wire tie; and a drywall backup wall with internal insulation, a sheetmetal wall anchor, and snap-in wire ties. The snap-in wire ties accommodate a continuous reinforcing wire for the outer wythe, which reinforcing wire snaps into the wire housings therefor with a predetermined force. With the interconnected wall and veneer anchors and the respective reinforcing elements a seismic construct is formed.

Abstract: The present invention is a plank precision spacing device comprised of a sheet component and a pluralty of clamp components with a flattened upper surface perpendicular to the sheet component, and a gripping component and protuberances which engage siding planks. The clamp component further includes a lip which is angled outward. The plank precision spacing device eliminates the need to measure and chalk a line for each siding plank, reducing installation time and labor costs.

Abstract: What is described is a lightweight structural panel which comprises a planarly extended outer skin of given thickness and stiffening elements which are connected to this outer skin and are arranged at a given distance from one another. According to the invention, the outer skin is formed by component layers which are each extended in the planar direction of the lightweight structural panel and complement one another in the direction of thickness to form the thickness of the outer skin and are interconnected, the stiffening elements being formed in one piece with one of the component layers.

Abstract: An easily-installed groutless wall tile plank backsplash system includes plural lower tile planks positioned edgewise spaced from each other in a horizontal direction of a wall in a lower plane. Plural upper tile planks have a decorative surface and edge finish, optionally three-dimensional, and are positioned edgewise spaced apart from each other in a second, upper plane. The lower and upper planks are configured such that facing inner edges of two nearest neighbor adjacent lower planks in the lower plane are covered by a single upper plank positioned over the inner edges of the adjacent lower planks in the upper plane. The planks are secured by an adhesive without mechanical fasteners, substantially reducing installation time. In order to custom fit a wall space, the spacing between adjacent upper planks and adjacent lower planks is variable. For emphasis, a lower tile plank can be a large decorative mural tile plank.

Abstract: A method for finishing an edge of an insulating concrete form wall constructed from insulating concrete form blocks having a cavity including covering a top surface of a side panel and a top portion of an exterior surface with an elongated member having two surface portions coupled together with an intermediate portion positioned between the two surface portions the intermediate portion being dimensioned and positioned for enclosing an end of the side panel and a portion of an opening to the cavity and attaching a plurality of wire ties positioned along the elongated member between the elongated member and rebar members positioned within the cavity, said coupling devices being attached before, during and after concrete being received within the cavity.

Abstract: A reverse molded fiberboard panel; a wainscot kit comprising a plurality of differently sized reverse molded panels, and a planar finishing or spacer panel, adapted to completely cover any size wall between a wall base board and a wall chair rail; and a method of reverse molding a loose cellulosic mat, in a single pressing step, to provide one or more relatively high density, raised panels without requiring preliminary pressing, or other pre-shaping step, such as scalping. The reverse-molded panels are molded in a conventional, multi-opening fiberboard press, in a single pressing step process, while achieving excellent transfer of mold detail (embossing fidelity) without visually noticeable fiber fracture.

Abstract: In a packaging machine, typically a cellophaner for overwrapping packets of cigarettes, each of the packets is enveloped by a wrapping unit in a heat shrinkable wrapper presenting at least two opposite faces disposed parallel one with another. The machine also comprises a unit by which heat is applied to the wrappers, equipped with a pair of belt conveyors that present two branches, facing one another and set in motion in such a way as to transport the packets by gripping the two opposite faces of each wrapper, and at least one heating head associated with each transport branch; the heating heads are faced with a leaf of lamellar graphite bonded to the head on one side and offered in direct contact on the other to the respective branch of the corresponding belt conveyor, so as to minimize friction between the belt and the head.

Abstract: An apparatus for encasing product in a tubular material with a handle is described. The apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a delivery conveyor, a ram located on a first side of the delivery conveyor, a product horn located at a side of the delivery conveyor opposite the ram, the product horn having a first end and a second end, the first end adjacent the delivery conveyor and the second end remote from the delivery conveyor, a sealer configured to form tubular seamed casing about the product horn, a printer in data communication with a scale, a clipper located at the second end of the product horn, and a plurality of tag handles feeding through the printer and to the clipper.

Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.

Abstract: A torque head assembly and method of capping effective to cap a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps to a spray bottle or container includes a drive roller mounted on a drive gear. The drive gear is in meshed gear communication with a plurality of train gears enclosed within a generally C-shaped driver housing wherein the a distal train gear engages a driven gear upon which a driven roller is mounted. An actuator allows the driver housing of torque head assembly to approach a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps within a plane generally horizontal thereto and at least partially co-planar therewith so as to capture the same between the dive roller and the driven roller and to thread mount the same onto the spray bottle or container.

Abstract: A variety of systems and methods are described which quickly and conveniently provide for the selective transmission of individual solid pharmaceutical products from a common location into individual blister package product cavities. In accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiments, an automated alignment mechanism alters the orientation of solid pharmaceutical products that are initially arranged randomly in a two-dimensional array into one or more linear transmission systems. Each linear transmission system is essentially a one-dimensional stack of solid pharmaceutical products, vitamins or other elements. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, after the solid pharmaceutical products have been arranged in one or more of the linear transmission systems or vertical stacks, the solid pharmaceutical products are selectively transmitted into individual product package blister cavities or into product package templates having locations corresponding to the blister package cavities.

Abstract: A harvesting header having a flexible cutterbar assembly utilizes draper belts behind the cutterbar assembly to gently consolidate the severed crop materials and deliver them to a point of discharge and delivery, such as to the feederhouse of a combine harvester. The cutterbar assembly is supported by pivotable support arms such that it is operable to flex along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header is advanced. One embodiment has draper assemblies and a central conveyor fixed relative to the flexible cutterbar assembly, while another has the draper assemblies and central conveyer flexible with the cutterbar assembly.

Abstract: An pickup comprising offset pickup tines for the feeding of balers or harvesters. The tines are mounted to a rotating tine bar and arranged such that a plurality of elongate tines are connected to the trailing edge of the tine bar at the end portions and a plurality of elongate spaced-apart rotor tines are connected to the leading edge of the tine bar at the central portion.

Abstract: General Wheel Rotation Power Motor(GWRPPM) systems, apparatus, devices and methods of using a pressure generation, storage and control element: a pressure conversion to rotational force unit with reverse and neutral capability and components to transfer said rotational force to a power accumulator/multiplier whereby useful rotational force can be applied to varied applications. Pressure can be generated from an internal combustion engine(ICE), a pressurized air source, and the like.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle assembly provides fluidic thrust vectoring of the primary stream to enhance aircraft maneuverability. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes a cooling air passage that supplies cooling air. A vector opening injects cooling airflow into the exhaust passage to the primary stream. A cover plate is movable to partially block the vector openings and adjust the location of injection of the cooling airflow into the exhaust passage.

Abstract: A plurality of hatches are distributed on the rear periphery of an engine cowl. The hatches are opened only when turbojet engine power is greater than cruising power. In an open position, the hatches draw hot air jets passing through an intermediate chamber before ejecting the jets through longitudinally-distributed communication components.

Abstract: A drive mechanism comprising a first sprocket encircled by a tensioned chain and an orbit sprocket arranged to orbit the first sprocket in response to a resynchronisation signal. The orbit sprocket is arranged to displace the tensioned chain relative to the first sprocket. The first sprocket is rotatable and is coupled to an output drive sprocket by the tensioned chain such that the first and output drive sprockets are rotatable in synchronicity, whereby the orbit of the orbit sprocket alters the relative angular orientation of the first and output drive sprockets.

Abstract: In-a vehicle energy management system engine belt or engine direct driven components are replaced with electrical motors. A main fan unit is replaced with smaller single function electrical components. The larger multipurpose heat exchangers such as the vehicle radiator are replaced with smaller single function heat exchangers associated with the smaller electric fans. The energy management system may involve a main vehicle engine crankshaft mounted generator. This generator creates high voltage DC electricity. In one embodiment, the converter is a closed loop converter that makes the conversion of DC to AC alternatively turning on and off at a varying frequency in order to produce a time averaged AC output.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an HCCI internal combustion engine effective for robust engine warm-up operation. The method includes selectively implementing ones of a plurality of operating modes in response to predetermined catalyst and engine temperature conditions.

Abstract: A system including a fuel cell and an internal-combustion engine, particularly for a motor vehicle. Preferably, exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine flows at least essentially around the fuel cell. Exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine may also flow around an afterburner for the fuel cell exhaust gas and/or around a reformer for processing fuel. The fuel cell and/or afterburner and/or reformer may be arranged downstream of a purification system for the internal-combustion engine exhaust gases and may be essentially inside a pipe or the like carrying the latter. The fuel cell and the reformer may also be arranged upstream of an exhaust gas purification system. Part of the fuel cell exhaust gas flow may be fed to the internal-combustion engine for combustion, and exhaust gases from the fuel cell and/or the internal-combustion engine may transfer heat with the air for the fuel cell.

Abstract: A control system comprising an ammonia (NH3) storage level determination module that determines a NH3 storage level in an exhaust system, a desired NH3 storage level determination module that determines a desired NH3 storage level based on an exhaust temperature, and a nitrogen oxide (NOx) mass flow rate control module that controls a NOx mass flow rate based on a difference between the NH3 storage level and the desired NH3 storage level. A method comprising determining a NH3 storage level in an exhaust system, determining a desired NH3 storage level based on an exhaust temperature, and controlling a NOx mass flow rate based on a difference between the NH3 storage level and the desired NH3 storage level.

Abstract: The reduction of a NOx trap upon engine shutdown is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises adjusting a timing of creating a reductive environment in the exhaust conduit upstream of the lean NOx trap based upon the determined engine stop position. The creation of a reductive environment in the exhaust conduit upstream of the lean NOx trap may help to at least partially reactivate the lean NOx trap during engine shutoff.