Abstract: Methods and systems for an extensible, universal ledger. One of the methods includes receiving at a journal manager engine a register transaction type request for a first transaction type, the journal manager engine reading and writing to a journal that stores a history of object state and of code by which object state is changed, wherein the register transaction type request is based at least in part on a template and specifies at least one action that can be performed as part of the first transaction type; writing the transaction type request to the journal including an operation definition for the first transaction type; receiving a transaction request of the first transaction type; obtaining the operation definition from the journal; executing an operation in response to the transaction request to produce a transaction result; and recording the transaction result in the journal.

Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying degradation in components of a compressor recirculation valve (CRV). One method may include inferring degradation of the CRV based on adaptation of a compressor surge line outside an expected range.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing vehicle maneuverability when operating on sand, snow, or rocky terrain, as well as while performing cornering and sliding maneuvers. Boost path actuators are held in positions that enable manifold pressure to be held above barometric pressure as torque demand changes, including when torque demand drops. Engine torque is reduced or raised via adjustments to one or more of fuel delivery, spark timing, and intake throttle opening.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing vehicle maneuverability when operating on sand, snow, or rocky terrain, as well as while performing cornering and sliding maneuvers. Boost path actuators are held in positions that enable manifold pressure to be held above barometric pressure as torque demand changes, including when torque demand drops. Engine torque is reduced or raised via adjustments to one or more of fuel delivery, spark timing, and intake throttle opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating and deactivating cylinders of an engine that may activate and deactivate one cylinder independent of other cylinders are presented. In one example, an engine cylinder firing fraction and a remainder value that is based on the engine cylinder firing fraction are a basis for activating and deactivating engine cylinders. The systems and methods also provide for transitioning between different cylinder firing fractions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure in a staged engine system comprising a turbocharger and an upstream electric supercharger. In one example, a method may include coordinating the operation of the electric supercharger and an electric supercharger bypass valve and to open the electric supercharger bypass valve to reduce the extent and duration of electric supercharger overboost.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing the electrical efficiency of an electric supercharger staged upstream of a turbocharger. During idling conditions, a step-wise incremented signal may be commanded to an electric motor driving the supercharger compressor and changes in compressor speed and total vehicle current may be measured at each step. Degradation of electrical efficiency of the supercharger may be inferred based on deviations between the actual change in compressor speed and total vehicle current relative to the change expected for the given step, and mitigating actions may be accordingly performed.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a portable metal working robot system includes a metal working tool configured to perform a metal working process on one or more metal parts. In addition, the portable metal working robot system includes communication circuitry configured to receive control signals from a control system located remotely from the portable metal working robot system. The portable metal working robot system also includes control circuitry configured to control operational parameters of the portable metal working robot system in accordance with the received control signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for a vehicle based on an occupancy level of the vehicle. The occupancy level is inferred based on a number of occupants and their position within a vehicle, and further based on a degree of interaction of a primary occupant with vehicle controls. As the occupancy level decreases, NVH constraints for operating the vehicle are reduced and one or more vehicle operating parameters nay be based on the reduced NVH constraints.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of an engine are presented. In one example, a position of a throttle is adjusted along with other actuators to improve engine starting.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure in a staged engine system comprising a turbocharger and an upstream electric supercharger. In one example, a method may include accelerating an electric supercharger to choke the flow of air to the engine in the event of turbocharger overboost.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a portable metal working robot system includes a metal working tool configured to perform a metal working process on one or more metal parts. In addition, the portable metal working robot system includes communication circuitry configured to receive control signals from a control system located remotely from the portable metal working robot system. The portable metal working robot system also includes control circuitry configured to control operational parameters of the portable metal working robot system in accordance with the received control signals.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, inductive heating is added to a metal working process, such as a welding process, by an induction heating head. The induction heating head may be adapted specifically for this purpose, and may include one or more coils to direct and place the inductive energy, protective structures, and so forth. Productivity of a welding process may be improved by the application of heat from the induction heating head. The heating is in addition to heat from a welding arc, and may facilitate application of welding wire electrode materials into narrow grooves and gaps, as well as make the processes more amenable to the use of certain compositions of welding wire, shielding gasses, flux materials, and so forth. In addition, distortion and stresses are reduced by the application of the induction heating energy in addition to the welding arc source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating and deactivating cylinders of an engine that may activate and deactivate one cylinder independent of other cylinders are presented. In one example, an engine cylinder firing fraction and a remainder value that is based on the engine cylinder firing fraction are a basis for activating and deactivating engine cylinders. The systems and methods also provide for transitioning between different cylinder firing fractions.

Abstract: In certain embodiments described herein, a heated line forming system includes a heating coil system configured to produce a heated line on a surface of a metal part. The heated line forming system also includes an air knife cooling system configured to maintain a dry area for the heated line, and to direct a coolant (e.g., cooling water, liquified gases such as liquid argon, solidified gases such as carbon dioxide snow, and so forth) around the heated line via a spray mechanism such that the coolant does not flow or splash into the heated line on the metal part. In certain embodiments, the heated line forming system includes multiple induction coils arranged along a line and spaced a short distance apart, but which, when operated simultaneously together, form a heated line on a surface of a metal part.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing engine torque using spark retard. In one example, a method may include calculating a spark timing for each firing event of a plurality of firing events individually in order to achieve a desired amount of reduced torque as an average torque over the plurality of firing events. An occurrence of random misfire may be reduced by rounding the spark timing for each firing event of the plurality of firing events to a stable region or a misfire region.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, inductive heating is added to a metal working process, such as a welding process, by an induction heating head. The induction heating head may be adapted specifically for this purpose, and may include one or more coils to direct and place the inductive energy, protective structures, and so forth. Productivity of a welding process may be improved by the application of heat from the induction heating head. The heating is in addition to heat from a welding arc, and may facilitate application of welding wire electrode materials into narrow grooves and gaps, as well as make the processes more amenable to the use of certain compositions of welding wire, shielding gasses, flux materials, and so forth. In addition, distortion and stresses are reduced by the application of the induction heating energy in addition to the welding arc source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating and deactivating cylinders of an engine that may activate and deactivate one cylinder independent of other cylinders are presented. In one example, an engine cylinder firing fraction and a remainder value that is based on the engine cylinder firing fraction are a basis for activating and deactivating engine cylinders. The systems and methods also provide for transitioning between different cylinder firing fractions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring torque delivery in a variable displacement engine using air flow metered via a throttle body model. During conditions when air flow estimation can be inaccurate, such as at wide open throttle, an induction ratio applied to the engine is constrained to 1.0, even if the operator torque demand is low. VDE degradation is inferred based on the commanded induction ratio relative to an actual induction ratio estimated based on the torque delivery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for a vehicle based on a number of occupants in the vehicle. In one example, a method may include responsive to detecting zero occupants, reducing NVH constraints for operating the vehicle and adjusting one or more vehicle operating parameters based on the reduced NVH constraints.