Abstract: A method for rapidly transitioning from a lean combustion mode to a rich combustion mode, such as often required for the regeneration of aftertreatment devices, is provided by abrupt intake air reduction and a concurrent abrupt increase in fuel injection quantity with accompanying retardation of fuel injection timing. The abrupt increase in fuel quantity is to a maximum value sufficient to immediately provide a defined initial rich air/fuel ratio for a coexistent oxygen concentration in the cylinder. The fuel quantity is then proportionally reduced from the maximum value to a target fuel quantity to maintain a target air/fuel ratio during the transition. Simultaneously, injection timing is abruptly retarded to a value sufficient to avoid torque increase as a result of the increased injected fuel. The injection timing is subsequently proportionally advanced from the abruptly retarded timing value when the target fuel quantity and air/fuel ratio values are achieved.

Abstract: A biometric verification system for controlling access is provided that does not rely on a non-biometric discriminator, such as a PIN or magnetic card, to convert a one-to-many verification task to a one-to-one verification task. The system enrolls authorized users by obtaining digitized fingerprint templates from them and storing them in a database. Video cameras and fingerprint sensors are provided for use in authenticating persons seeking access. Software compares a digital representation of a captured human facial image with stored facial images in a database of facial images, generating a match confidence therefrom and rank-ordering the database from highest to lowest match confidence. The software then compares captured human fingerprints with stored fingerprint templates associated with the rank-ordered database to verify the identity of the person and provide an output signal indicative of recognition.

Abstract: A microparticle retention aid for use in papermaking containing a high performance purified natural zeolite pigment is disclosed. Use of the pigment facilitates manufacture of papers with improved quality and economics. When used as filler, the novel zeolite pigment is readily retained and eliminates print-through in uncoated papers. The novel zeolite pigment is low in abrasion and provides improved coefficient of friction.

Abstract: High exhaust gas temperatures whereby sulfur is removed from a lean NOx traps simultaneously with regeneration of a Diesel particulate filter is provided by alternating engine operation in respectively defined lean and rich combustion modes. The duration and frequency of the respective lean and rich operating modes, as well as the air/fuel ratio during the respective modes, are preferably controlled by the sensed temperature of the lean NOx trap substrate.

Abstract: A method of controlling the shifting of an automatic manual transmission is based on observer-based timing of different phases of the shift process. The observer-based control strategy includes simultaneous management of the engine throttle and transmission actuators. The torque characteristics of the transmission are also taken into consideration during control of the engine throttle, thereby minimizing shift time and wear on transmission components. The control strategy uses mathematical models called observers to monitor the value of inherent properties attributable to specific actuators and to provide signals used to implement parallel task execution.

Abstract: The present invention contains a one-way standing valve holder and a one-way traveling valve holder. Contained within a shell of the standing valve holder are a nipple at the upper end and an intake tube at the lower end. A piston rod extends down from the earth's surface to the traveling valve holder. At the lower end of the release tube is a piston. The piston end of the traveling valve holder is inserted into the nipple end of standing valve holder aligning the piston with piston stop. An elastic ball within the shell creates a one-way standing valve, and a hard ball within the piston creates a one-way traveling valve. Surface equipment connected to traveling valve holder is used to reciprocate the pump up and down opening and closing the one-way valves at alternating intervals. Water fills into the riser pipe and additional pumping allows collection of water.

Abstract: A combustion control method for the rich pulse control of Diesel engines with Lean NOX Trap systems includes identifying areas within a Diesel engine operating regime in which reduced recirculated exhaust gas and air with increased pre-mixed combustion is effective in providing fuel rich combustion, and a second, lower load, region in which low temperature combustion is particularly desirable.

Abstract: A method for locating leaks in nonmetallic pipes on the principal of measuring and graphing the intensity of electric fields. Leaks are located by creating a closed circuit with a negatively charged metallic electrode submersed in water inside a manhole connected to the nonmetallic pipe and several positively charged metallic electrodes placed in several reference holes in the ground above the nonmetallic pipe. A leak is determined by finding segments of nonmetallic pipe that corresponds with greater electric field intensity measurements.

Abstract: A gutter retaining system for affixing a gutter under the eaves of a building. The gutter retaining system incorporates a gutter clip with a gutter and retaining member. The retaining member is placed along the eaves. The gutter clip has an L-portion and a back portion. The back portion includes an upper u-portion with a hanger used to slip the gutter clip over the gutter to secure it to the gutter clip. The gutter clip has a nib end with a locking tip. Nib end fits within retaining member to secure gutter clip and gutter in place along the eaves. L-portion fits between the gutter and building where an additional piece of board is included in the construction. The gutter clip is scored between the back portion and L-portion allowing separation, such as when no additional piece of board is found along the eaves.

Abstract: A storage device for sterilizing and storing dental appliances, oral hygiene devices or dental brushes is shown. A vase type container has an opening for receiving dental appliances or oral hygiene devices therein. A sterilization bath container is suspended in the opening. Holes around the opening allow oral hygiene devices or dental brushes to be suspended therearound. Dental appliances, oral hygiene devices or dental brushes are dipped in the sterilization bath and placed inside the vase-type container. Oral hygiene devices or dental brushes are dipped in the sterilization bath prior to being suspended in the holes or placed in the vase-type container. A top is placed over the opening for sealing the sterilization bath and covering dental appliances, oral hygiene devices or dental brushes while allowing fresh air access thereto.

Abstract: A locomotive engine having an engine cooling system, a compressor for compressing engine intake air, and an aftercooler for cooling the compressed intake air prior to introduction into an intake manifold of the engine. The locomotive also has a dynamic brake system that includes a dynamic brake grid and one or more cooling fans. The engine cooling system includes an engine cooling circuit having coolant passages internally disposed in the engine, and a radiator and radiator fans configured to receive coolant exiting the engine and return cooled coolant to the engine. An enhanced aftercooler cooling circuit is disposed in fluid communication with the engine cooling circuit and includes a heat exchanger arranged to receive coolant exiting the engine coolant passages, cool the coolant passing therethrough, and return cooled coolant to the aftercooler.

Abstract: An NMR teaching method and apparatus incorporating pieces representative of chemical fragments. Each piece has the number of sides corresponding to the number of bonds present around the central atom. Bonds to hydrogen are curved while bonding sides are flat. The presence of concavities and convex tabs on the bonding sides indicates bonding of the respective piece to a mating piece that causes splitting of the NMR peak. The shape of concavities on each piece is indicative of the chemical fragment of the respective piece while the shape of the convex tab of the respective piece is indicative of the chemical fragment of the mating piece. First and second bonding indicators can be used to replace the convex tabs. When presented with a spectrum, a student user can select the necessary pieces using data from the spectrum. Once selected, the student user can then assemble the pieces to determine the identity of the unknown molecule in the NMR spectrum.

Abstract: A system and method for managing and processing stored-value debit, check card, signature debit, PIN based card or automatic teller machine (ATM) cards and bill payment from a variety of access points. Enrollment occurs between a card issuer and a card holder resulting in issuance of the card. When using the card, the cardholder will input the card into an input device. Cardholder information is routed to an initial network and then to the ATM/debit network. The information is then sent to the issuer. The issuer verifies the transaction to the input device and prompts the cardholder with options. For bill payment, the cardholder is provided a list of billers. The cardholder selects the appropriate biller and inputs all necessary information. A transaction is created to debit the cardholder's electronic account and credit the biller's account. This information is then routed to biller and confirmation is provided by the input device.

Abstract: Fuel temperature management is used to control the penetration distance of liquid-phase fuel into the combustion chamber of direct injection engines. Fuel temperature management enables the alteration of liquid-phase penetration distance to compensate for real-time changes in fuel composition, injector geometry, injection pressure, combustion mode, or combustion chamber thermodynamic conditions during engine operation. Alteration of the liquid-phase penetration distance prevents or reduces undesirable liquid fuel impingement on combustion chamber surfaces.

Abstract: An LED light apparatus and methodology that can produce a collinear beam of light. The apparatus has a housing with three sets of LED light assemblies each having several LED lights of the same color, being red, blue or green. A dichroic bandpass filter and a dichroic notch filter are incorporated along with a power supply. In one embodiment both filters intersect forming an x-pattern. Red light passes through both filters. The resulting light from the bandpass filter combines with blue light and passes through the notch filter. This combined light stream then combines with green light to form a collinear beam of white or colored light. The resulting light from the red light passing through the notch filter combines with green light and passes through the bandpass filter. This combined light stream then combines with the blue light to form a collinear beam of white or colored light.

Abstract: A fuel injector timing tool has an elongated tubular member on which a measurement device may be mounted. A lower end of the tubular member is attached to a base member disposed perpendicularly to the tubular member and has an open end that only partially circumscribes a plunger follower slidably disposed on a retainer element of the fuel injector. The timing tool permits ready access to an adjustable ball stud and associated lock nut mounted in a plunger actuator end of an injector rocker arm so that accurate plunger position can be set while the timing tool remains in place on the retainer element of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A catalyst bed temperature of an aftertreatment device is maintained and the operational regime for stable and smokeless rich combustion is expanded by use of a dual loop exhaust gas recirculation system. Under light load conditions, at least a portion of the exhaust gas is recirculated through a relatively high pressure exhaust gas recirculation loop, wherein there is no substantial reduction in recirculated exhaust gas temperature or pressure. When operating in relatively medium or higher load operating regimes of the engine, at least a portion of the exhaust gas is passed through a relatively low pressure recirculation mode in which work is extracted from the recirculated gas by the turbine stage of a turbocharger and an exhaust gas recirculation cooler prior to reintroduction into the intake manifold of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention is for a simple, reliable and inexpensive method to calibrate a defect signal to determine the size of a defect in a pipe. A first reflected signal is received from the test area of the pipe. After attaching a clamp, a second reflected signal is received from the test area of the pipe. If defects are in the test area, by appropriate calculations using the first reflected signal and the second reflected signal, the size of the defect can be determined.

Abstract: An LED light apparatus and methodology that can produce a collinear beam of white or colored light. The apparatus has a housing which incorporates three sets of LED light assemblies each set having a plurality of LED lights arranged in an a x a, a x b or other suitable geometric pattern. Each set contains LED lights of the same color, being either red, blue or green. A dichroic bandpass filter and a dichroic notch filter are also incorporated. The apparatus is attached to a power driver which connects to a microcontroller, being a DMX controller, TC/IP controller, or the like. When the apparatus is turned on, red light from the red LED lights passes through the dichroic bandpass filter. The resulting light then combines with the blue light from the blue LED lights and passes through dichroic notch filter. This next light stream then combines with the green light from the green LED lights to form a collinear beam of white or colored light.