Abstract: A longitudinal translatable seal includes a first inflatable compartment extending in a longitudinal direction; a second inflatable compartment extending in the longitudinal direction forming a sealing surface with the first inflatable 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: A method of operating a split intake D-EGR (dedicated exhaust gas recirculation) engine having at least one D-EGR cylinder and a number of non-EGR cylinders. If the engine is in a low load operating condition, either of two cylinder deactivation modes may be performed. In first cylinder deactivation mode, the D-EGR cylinder(s) are deactivated by disabling fuel delivery to the D-EGR cylinder(s), closing a D-EGR throttle, closing a D-EGR valve, and operating a three-way valve on the main exhaust line such that no exhaust from the D-EGR cylinder(s) is exhausted. In a second cylinder deactivation mode, the non-EGR cylinders are deactivated by disabling fuel delivery to the non-EGR cylinders, opening the D-EGR throttle, closing the D-EGR valve, and operating the three-way valve such that no exhaust from the main cylinders is exhausted.

Abstract: A dedicated exhaust gas recirculation configuration that provides reduced exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) backflow and reduced fresh air backflow. One-way valves are positioned in the EGR loop to reduce or avoid fresh-air backflow into the dedicated exhaust gas recirculating cylinder and/or positioned in the engine intake passage to reduce or avoid dedicated cylinder exhaust gas backflow into the intake passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical and vaccine formulations. More specifically, formulations which comprise an antigen comprising a mixture of oligopeptides loaded into liposome nanoparticles, optionally including an adjuvant, to provide an improved immune response.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic strip sensor for use in magnetostrictive testing of various structures. In its simplest form, the sensor has a ferromagnetic strip with an electrical coil winding. A permanent magnet is positioned atop the strip, aligned with but offset from, a center axis of the strip. The sensor is operable such that a time varying current in the coil results in a unidirectional guided wave. This guided wave travels within the structure, and is reflected from anomalies in the structure.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the engine having exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from at least one dedicated EGR (D-EGR) cylinder, with the other cylinders being main cylinders. The D-EGR cylinder(s) are run at a richer equivalence ratio than the main cylinders, with the goal of providing increased H2 and CO in the recirculated exhaust. The start of fuel injection to the D-EGR cylinder(s) is delayed as compared to the start of fuel injection to the main cylinders.

Abstract: A system and method for generating microwaves for microwave enhanced combustion (MEC) input to an MEC antenna of an internal combustion engine. The system uses a directional coupler to deliver the MEC input signal to the MEC antenna and to receive a reflected power signal from the MEC antenna. A first feedback path determines a desired frequency, based on the reflected power and using an impedance-matching controller that matches the reflected power to a desired frequency value. A second feedback path determines a power correction term. An open loop path determines a feedforward power term, as well as timing, for the MEC input signal, based on various engine conditions. The feedforward power term is corrected with the power correction term.

Abstract: A method of using a learning machine to provide a biomechanical data representation of a subject based on markerless video motion capture. The learning machine is trained with both markerless video and marker-based (or other worn body sensor) data, with the marker-based or body worn sensor data being used to generate a full biomechanical model, which is the “ground truth” data. This ground truth data is combined with the markerless video data to generate a training dataset.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a surface treating plasma. Gas is provided to a power conducting electrode and flows through the power conducting electrode. Power pulses are applied to the power conducting electrode in the range of 40 kW to 100 kW with a DC generator, at a frequency in the range of 1 Hz to 62.5 kHz, and with a pulse duration in the range of 0.1 microseconds to 3,000 microseconds. Peak currents in the range of 100 Amps to 400 Amps are produced and plasma is formed from the gas. A substrate surface may then be treated with the plasma.

Abstract: A system and method for particulate matter reduction. A diesel particulate filtration system includes an inlet, an outlet, an exhaust path between the inlet and the outlet, a diesel particulate filter positioned in the exhaust path between the inlet and the outlet, and a bypass valve, wherein the diesel particulate filtration system is configured to have a diesel engine operatively coupled to the inlet. The bypass valve being configured to open when a maximum allowable engine backpressure is exceeded. When the bypass valve is closed, exhaust gas including particulate matter passes through the diesel particulate filter. When the bypass valve is open, a portion of the exhaust gas passes through the diesel particulate filter and the remainder of the exhaust gas passes through the bypass valve and at least 40 percent of said particulate matter is removed from said exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method of determining the optimum vehicle gap distance for a vehicle in a platoon, the vehicle having a cooling fan and a coolant-based cooling system. The vehicle's vehicle control system determines a base gap distance, based on safety considerations related to platoon operation. A gap control process stores a fan turn-on threshold temperature, which is less than the coolant temperature that will result in the vehicle's cooling fan becoming activated. During vehicle operation, the gap control process receives a current coolant temperature value, and compares that value to the fan turn-on threshold temperature. If the coolant temperature is at or above the fan turn-on threshold temperature, the vehicle is operated to increase the base gap distance.

Abstract: A system of autonomous vehicles for forming a team of autonomous vehicles to perform a designated set of tasks. Each vehicle stores data representing its own capabilities that match the tasks, data representing needed capabilities for the team to perform the tasks, and data representing the capabilities of all current team members. Each of the vehicles is equipped with a communications system operable to send and receive join request messages and join response messages. All join request message contain the capabilities of the sending vehicle. All join response messages contain current team capabilities data. Upon receipt of a join request message, a vehicle compares needed capabilities data to the received capabilities data, and if there are matched capabilities, it updates the team capabilities data and transmits a join response message. Upon receipt of a join response message, if the message indicates the sending vehicle has joined the team, the receiving vehicle updates the team capabilities list.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine with dedicated exhaust gas recirculation and method of operating such engine, wherein the engine comprises a plurality of combustion cylinders including main cylinders and a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation cylinder, wherein each cylinder includes a piston; a crankshaft, which is rotatable in a direction, and defines a main crankshaft axis, and includes a plurality of crankpins. Each of the crankpins is coupled to at least one of the pistons. The crankpins affixed to the pistons of the main cylinders are spaced at an interval around the main crankshaft axis. The crankpin affixed to the piston of the dedicated exhaust gas recirculation cylinder is spaced at an offset of 5 to 50 degrees from the interval in either direction relative to the direction of crankshaft rotation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at a dosing method and apparatus for treatment of reductant urea solutions with water soluble organometallic catalyst precursors which convert to active catalyst compounds in diesel exhaust gas systems. The active catalysts then promote hydrolysis of isocyanic acid into ammonia and/or decomposition of relatively high molecular weight deposits which deposits may otherwise reduce selective catalytic reduction efficiency.

Abstract: Reinforcement systems for additive manufacturing are disclosed. In some embodiments, the reinforcement systems include a print head assembly including a print head that is configured to form a plurality of layers of an additively manufactured article, and a reinforcement head. The reinforcement head may be configured to form at least one reinforcement element on or within a working layer of the plurality of layers formed by the print head. Additive manufacturing systems including such reinforcement systems and methods of additive manufacturing using those reinforcement systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of magnetostrictive transducers (MsTs) for detecting defects in a tubular structure comprise one or more AC coils and one or more magnets. The transducer has a pair of coils (or two coil elements), which are spaced 180 degrees apart relative to the circumference of the tubular structure. Each MsT is selectively operable or configurable so that it may generate either torsional or flexural guided waves.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at aqueous suspensions of oxime compounds, such as 2-pyridine aldoxime methyl chloride (2-PAM Cl) for autoinjectors. The suspensions are able to provide 600 mg of 2-PAM Cl in one relatively small dose of less than or equal to 1.0 mL, and are particularly useful for placement in relatively small size autoinjectors.

Abstract: A method of filtering air entering the intake opening of a gas turbine engine. A straightening tube provides a straight channel for incoming air flow. A flow redirector provides a path for air flow that is at right angles to the channel provided by the straightening tube and that leads to the intake opening of the engine. A filter at the downstream end of the flow redirector has a pair of rollers for unrolling and re-rolling a roll of adhesive tape, with an exposed section of the adhesive tape blocking the downstream end of the flow redirector and capturing particles in the air flow. The rollers are activated as needed to expose fresh sections of tape.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure pulsed arc plasma source and method of using including a housing having a housing opening therein; an insulator tube having an insulator tube opening therein, retained within the housing opening; and a conductive tube, retained within the insulator tube opening. A nozzle is retained by the housing. A feed path is defined in the conductive tube and the nozzle and a gas feed port is operatively coupled to the feed path. Feedstock is provided in the feed path and electrically coupled to the conductive tube. A pulsed DC power source provides a pulsed voltage to the conductive tube. The plasma source emits a discharge stream having a temperature that is less than 50° C. from the nozzle and a coating is formed on a substrate.

Abstract: A Ti—Si—C—N coating for a piston ring and a method forming such coating, wherein the deposited coating exhibits a thickness in the range of 10.0 micrometers to 20.0 micrometers and exhibits a coefficient of friction of less than 0.15 and a wear rate of less than 10×10?6 mm3/N/m. The coefficient of friction being measured on a Plint TE77 and the wear rate being measured against an alumina ball of 0.25 inches in diameter at a load of 1 N at 100 rpm in a dry environment. The deposited Ti—Si—C—N coating includes nanocrystalline phases in an amorphous matrix.