Abstract: A method of controlling the charge current during charging of a lithium-ion battery. A battery charging controller is based on a Kalman filter, which uses estimated battery states to generate a feedback metric to continually adjust a battery cell model. The battery cell model then delivers data to an optimization process that generates the charge current.

Abstract: Superhydrophobic coatings to reduce deposit formation of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) within selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash assembly (HLA) for use in a valvetrain. The HLA preferably includes a first arm configured to transition a valve between a closed orientation and an open orientation. The first arm can include an engagement surface to receive a driving force from a timing member and to cause the valve to transition to the open orientation for a predetermined period. The HLA further preferably includes a second arm to receive a holding force from an actuator and a pivot section to couple to the first arm and displace the first arm based on the holding force from the actuator. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm form a lever arrangement whereby the pivot section of the second arm underlies and supports the first arm and allows for rotational movement of the first arm that is independent from the second arm.

Abstract: A laser beam alignment system includes at least one mirror with a surface pattern configured to receive and reflect a laser beam, at least one detector configured to detect a deflected portion of a laser beam from the mirror, and at least one controller configured to communicate with the at least one mirror and the at least one detector and to control the mirror position on the basis of the deflected portion of the laser beam.

Abstract: Combustion engines, and more particularly, integrating a supercritical fluid passageway into a cylinder head and/or cylinder block of an engine, and preferably, a combustion engine. Both a combustion engine system and a method of cooling a cylinder head in an internal combustion engine, utilizing supercritical fluid, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assisting ignition of a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (D-EGR) cylinder in a spark-ignited internal combustion engine. The spark igniter has an internal air passage that receives pressurized air and carries the pressurized air down to an exit port in the vicinity of the spark gap of the igniter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at the conversion of ammonium nitrate and related compounds upon reaction with methane into compounds such as ethyl acetate, ammonia, nitrogen and hydrogen. The reaction may proceed within a fluid-solid type reactor. The reaction may be facilitated in the presence of inert or catalytic solids.

Abstract: An improved SCRoF (selective catalytic reduction on filter) device for treating exhaust from an internal combustion engine. The filter has numerous entry and exit channels. Exhaust enters the entry channels and flows through side walls into the exit channels. Relative to the exhaust flow path, these side walls are coated on the downstream side with a ceria-based catalyst and on the upstream side with a Cu-zeolite catalyst. This allows the filter to optimally achieve both particulate matter oxidation and NOx reduction, respectively.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting properties of a gas, gas mixture, or a gas or gas mixture containing particles, all collectively referred to as a “gas”. A flow tube contains a pair of electrodes arranged such that at least a portion of the gas flows between the electrodes. A controller applies voltage to the electrodes and measures response data from the electrodes representing the voltage-current relationship and voltage breakdown between the electrodes while the gas is between the electrodes. Based on the response data, the controller determine a concentration of the gas or a concentration of particles within the gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at the integration of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) into the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine aided by the upstream injection of a fuel, such as a hydrocarbon fuel. The internal combustion engine may be advantageously operated in a lean condition while the SOFC receives the hydrocarbon fuel to promote and maintain optimized fuel cell operation.

Abstract: A longitudinal translatable seal includes a first compartment extending in a longitudinal direction; a second compartment extending in the longitudinal direction forming a sealing surface with the first compartment; and a carriage translatable longitudinally with respect to the sealing surface, and a port in the carriage to fluidly connect a first side of the seal with a second side of the seal.

Abstract: Described herein is a beads-free bioprocessor as an automated and cost-effective T cell processing and manufacturing platform. T cells are a core component in CAR T cell therapies for cancer treatment, but are difficult to manufacture to scale in clinically relevant quantities. The 3D bioprocessor provides an alternative device that is scalable, beads-free, easy-to-use, and cost-effective for using CAR T cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy. Besides CAR T cell application, this platform technology has potential for many other applications such as cancer cell isolation.

Abstract: A fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample positioned within a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. Furthermore, the lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration.

Abstract: An omnidirectional vertically polarized antenna. A number of antenna elements are each fabricated on a backing, such as a printed circuit board. The front of each antenna element has conductive strips and slots, arranged in an alternating pattern. The back of each antenna element has an antenna feed circuit. An electrically absorptive layer is attached to the back of each antenna element. The antenna elements are assembled together in a nonconductive housing with circumferentially arranged compartments that receive the antenna elements.

Abstract: A cylinder head is disclosed herein to allow for temperature control of exhaust gases exiting from an associated exhaust manifold. The cylinder head includes a combustion section that defines a plurality of combustion chambers and an exhaust manifold coupled to the combustion section. The combustion section fluidly couples to exhaust inlets defined by the exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold includes at least one exhaust passageway in fluid communication with the exhaust inlets and in fluid communication with an exhaust outlet to receive combustion gases from the combustion section and output the same via the exhaust outlet. The exhaust manifold further includes at least one coolant passageway that at least partially surrounds the at least one exhaust passageway to pass coolant therethrough in order to draw and reject heat from exhaust gases.

Abstract: A motion prediction system for predicting the motion of a random animate subject. A first neural network is a markerless motion capture network, trained to receive video data of the subject and to process the video data to generate a time sequence of musculoskeletal motion capture data. A second neural network is a motion prediction network, trained to receive the musculoskeletal motion capture data and to process the data to generate a prediction of the subject's location based on position change in position of joints and/or muscles.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston engine, comprising an engine block having a piston cylinder; a piston disposed in the piston cylinder; an intake port to the piston cylinder, an intake valve to open and close the intake port to the piston cylinder; a rotatable crankshaft; a flywheel connected to the crankshaft which is rotatable with the crankshaft, the flywheel having a circumferential profile; and a cam lobe forming a portion of the circumferential profile of the flywheel wherein, during rotation of the crankshaft, the cam lobe acts on the intake valve to open the intake valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the temperature of the charge air provided to a turbocharged internal combustion engine. A supercharger is installed on the air intake path, upstream the turbocharger's compressor. A secondary charge air cooler is installed between the supercharger and the main compressor. This over-compresses the intake air, so that an expansion turbine installed downstream the turbocharger's compressor can cool the charge air and still provide sufficient charge air pressure into the intake manifold.

Abstract: A method of generating an ROI profile for a fuel injector using machine learning and a constrained/limited training data set is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first plurality of measurement sets for a fuel injector when operating at a first target set point. Preferably, at least two measurement sets of the first plurality of measurement sets are selected to generate a first averaged ROI profile for the first target condition. The at least two selected measurement sets are then used to train a machine learning model that can output a predicted ROI profile for a fuel injector based on a desired pressure value and/or desired mass flow rate value. Training of the machine learning model preferably includes a predetermined number of iterations that induces overfitting within the model/neural network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design, fabrication and applications of three-dimensional (3D) bioreactor for cell expansion and cell secreted substance production. The bioreactors have relatively low levels of potentially cytotoxic compounds, can be coated with substituted or unsubstituted poly(p-xylene) type coatings and can also be separately formed from liquid crystal photopolymerizable monomers.