Abstract: A power conversion system including a triple active bridge (TAB) is provided. The system includes a power factor correction (PFC) module and a three port converter (TPC) module, with no post-regulation or additional stages required. The TPC module includes an OBC full-bridge and an APM full-bridge, each being inductively coupled to the output of the PFC full-bridge, thereby forming the TAB. The OBC full-bridge is adapted to convert an AC input into a high-voltage DC output for a high-voltage battery, and the APM full-bridge is adapted to convert an AC input into a low-voltage DC output for a low-voltage battery. The power conversion system can accept a single-phase AC input and a three-phase AC input, has a lower current stress as compared to prior art TPCs, and freely transfers power from among any ports.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring signal output from a high-resolution torque sensor configured to monitor engine torque during ongoing operation, monitoring states of engine operating and control parameters associated with engine input parameters, and estimating a mass air charge for each cylinder event corresponding to the signal output from the high-resolution torque sensor and the states of engine operating and control parameters associated with the engine input parameters.

Abstract: Operating an engine includes monitoring engine crank position, a corresponding engine torque, and an engine operating point. A state of an engine control parameter is adjusted in response to a difference between an identified location of peak torque and a preferred location of peak torque.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring signal output from a high-resolution torque sensor configured to monitor engine torque during ongoing operation, monitoring states of engine operating and control parameters associated with engine input parameters, and estimating a mass air charge for each cylinder event corresponding to the signal output from the high-resolution torque sensor and the states of engine operating and control parameters associated with the engine input parameters.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes two-step variable lift control mechanisms configured to control magnitude of valve lift of intake and exhaust valves to one of two discrete steps including low-lift valve open positions and high-lift valve open positions. A method for operating the engine includes commanding a transition from a first combustion mode to a second combustion mode. Upon commanding the transition, closing of a plurality of secondary throttle valves configured to control intake airflow to a plurality of intake runners upstream of a plurality of intake valves is initiated. Positions of the plurality of secondary throttle valves are then adjusted to achieve a preferred air charge. The two-step variable lift control mechanisms are then commanded to switch from a first of the two discrete steps to a second of the two discrete steps.

Abstract: Operation of an internal combustion engine selectively operative in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode is monitored. The engine is equipped with a pressure sensing device operative to monitor in-cylinder pressure. An analog signal output from the pressure sensing device is monitored during a combustion cycle. A peak cylinder pressure and a corresponding crank angle are detected and captured during the combustion cycle. A state for a combustion parameter for the cylinder for the combustion cycle is determined based upon the peak cylinder pressure and the corresponding crank angle.

Abstract: Operating an engine includes monitoring engine crank position, a corresponding engine torque, and an engine operating point. A state of an engine control parameter is adjusted in response to a difference between an identified location of peak torque and a preferred location of peak torque.

Abstract: Operation of an internal combustion engine selectively operative in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode is monitored. The engine is equipped with a pressure sensing device operative to monitor in-cylinder pressure. An analog signal output from the pressure sensing device is monitored during a combustion cycle. A peak cylinder pressure and a corresponding crank angle are detected and captured during the combustion cycle. A state for a combustion parameter for the cylinder for the combustion cycle is determined based upon the peak cylinder pressure and the corresponding crank angle.

Abstract: A generic technique for the detection of air-fuel ratio (or torque) imbalances in a 4-cylinder engine equipped with either a production oxygen sensor or a wide-range A/F sensor (or a crankshaft torque sensor) is developed. The method is based on a novel frequency-domain characterization of pattern of imbalances and its geometric decomposition into four basic templates. Once the contribution of each basic template to the overall imbalances is computed, templates of opposite direction are imposed to restore air-fuel ratio (or torque) balance among cylinders. At any desired operating condition, elimination of imbalances is achieved within few engine cycles. The method is applicable to current and future engine technologies with variable valve actuation, fuel injectors and/or individual spark control.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a central area of an eye by generally lamellar lighting during eye surgery. Basically, a support fixture carrying a light emitter is adapted to be placed adjacent to the surgical field. The support fixture, when in place on an eye, directs light from the light emitter toward the surgical field tangentially to the cornea, at an angle of from about 0.degree. to 90.degree. to the plane of the eye iris. The light entering the eye travels along the lamellae of the cornea in the manner of a light pipe. Very little, if any light reaches the back of the eye, avoiding patient discomfort, or is directed toward the surgical microscope as glare. This generally lamellar lighting combines scleral scatter and retro illumination. In preferred embodiments, the light emitter may be mounted on, or incorporated in, a conventional eyelid speculum or a fixation ring.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a central area of an eye by lamellar lighting during eye surgery. Basically, a support fixture carrying a light emitter is adapted to be placed adjacent to the surgical field. The support fixture, when in place on an eye, directs light from the light emitter toward the surgical field tangentially to the cornea, at an angle of from about 0 to 45.degree. to the plane of the eye iris. The light entering the eye travels along the lamellae of the cornea in the manner of a light pipe. Very little, if any light reaches the back of the eye, avoiding patient discomfort, or is directed toward the surgical microscope as glare. This lamellar lighting combines scleral scatter and retro illumination. In preferred embodiments, the light emitter may be mounted on, or incorporated in, a conventional eyelid speculum or a fixation ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for custom cutting clip-on sunglasses includes a first holder for securely holding eyeglasses and a second holder for securely holding clip-on sunglasses. A first locator assists in positioning the eyeglasses on the first holder. A second locator is used for positioning the sunglasses on the second holder. A support carries a guide for tracing the perimeter of the eyeglasses and a cutter for cutting the clip-on sunglasses. To custom cut the clip-on sunglasses, the eyeglasses are positioned on the holder and each lens of the eyeglasses is marked at a point aligned with a respective locator on the holder. The clip-on sunglasses are then clipped onto the eyeglasses, and the points on the sunglasses positioned over the marks on the eyeglasses are marked. The clip-on sunglasses are then positioned on a second holder. The guide is then moved around the perimeter of the eyeglasses. The cutter moves with the guide such that the cutter cuts the sunglasses into the shape of the eyeglasses.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a nucleus splitter adapted to crack a hard nucleus of an eye after the nucleus has been sculpted by a pair of crossed grooves which set-off four quadrants of the nucleus. The nucleus splitter includes a pair of arms having first and second end portions united at a pivot with each end portion terminating in a relatively elongated narrow member having a laterally projecting nucleus splitting tip. The second end portions of the arms are generally resilient and normally urge the narrow members and tips into abutment with each other along the plane through an axis of the pivot. Finger and thumb pressure is applied to the medial portion of the arms causing the elongated narrow members to rock, pivot or spread apart and in doing so define an acute angle opening away from the pivot. In this position the elongated narrow members and the entirety of the first and second arms remain on the same side of the plane as in the unstressed condition of the medial portion.

Abstract: A surgical staple is made from highly flexible material and has at least two piercing projections or points spaced from each other a first predetermined linear distance in a generally unstressed, neutral and inoperative condition of the staple. The staple is stressed in a selected fashion causing the piercing projections to be spaced from each other a second predetermined linear distance greater than the first predetermined linear distance. While the piercing projections are spaced from each other, the second predetermined linear distance under the induced forces, the staple is implanted by penetrating the skin with the piercing projections at opposite sides of an associated wound or incision. The forces are then removed from the surgical staple which inherently rebounds to its generally unstressed condition which in turn automatically draws opposite margins of the wound toward each other.

Abstract: A surgical staple is made from highly flexible material and has at least two piercing projections or points spaced from each other a first predetermined linear distance in a generally unstressed, neutral and inoperative condition of the staple. The staple is stressed in a selected fashion causing the piercing projections to be spaced from each other a second predetermined linear distance greater than the first predetermined linear distance. While the piercing projections are spaced from each other, the second predetermined linear distance under the induced forces, the staple is implanted by penetrating the skin with the piercing projections at opposite sides of an associated wound or incision. The forces are then removed from the surgical staple which inherently rebounds to its generally unstressed condition which in turn automatically draws opposite margins of the wound toward each other.

Abstract: A split lamp applanation tonometer includes a tonometer tip for contacting a corneal surface of an eye, a mechanism for moving the tonometer tip to applanate and vary the degree of applanation of the corneal surface, an optical viewing axis along which the applanated corneal surface can be viewed, and an electrical and/or optical system for transforming the degree of applanation to an ocular pressure value and displaying the ocular pressure value at a location at which it is visible when a user views along the optical viewing axis whereby both the applanated corneal surface and the ocular pressure value thereof can be viewed simultaneously.

Abstract: An inflatable toy simulating the mouth of an insect which includes a tubular mouthpiece, a sound-generating mechanism, a juncture between the mouthpiece and a pair of hollow arms, the arms being defined by first, medical and second terminal ends, the arms normally being folded with the second ends in end-to-end opposing relationship, and the material of the toy being so constructed as to maintain the arms in the latter position, and return the same from an inflated position at which the second ends of the arms project generally in opposite directions to each other with the overall effect thereof being that of the mouth of an insect.