Abstract: Endothermic fuel compositions comprising 50% or more by volume decahydronaphthalene, including cis-decahydronaphthalene, trans-decahydronaphthalene or a mixture thereof, for use as endothermic fuels in hypersonic vehicles and particularly for use in dual-mode ramjet or supersonic combustion ramjet air breathing engines. Methods for operating a ramjet or scram jet engine wherein the endothermic fuel is used for cooling the combustor and for combustion in the combustor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a driveline disconnect clutch of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline disconnect clutch pressure is measured just prior to a request to close the driveline disconnect clutch and a time duration for driveline disconnect clutch boost pressure is adjusted in response to the measured driveline disconnect clutch pressure.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an electric machine, an engine selectively coupled to the electric machine by a disconnect clutch, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a change in the driver-demanded torque necessitating starting of the engine: determine a state of driving (SOD) based on the change in driver-demanded torque, wherein the SOD is indicative of a desired responsiveness of the vehicle, and the desired responsiveness increases as SOD increases; command a speed target to the engine equal to a predicted motor speed associated with the driver-demanded torque plus an offset that is based on the SOD; and command a capacity to the disconnect clutch at a rate and a magnitude based on the SOD.

Abstract: An orally ingestible contraceptive composition for a pig or rodent is provided. The exemplary composition comprises 0.005 to 1.4 wt. % free gossypol and non-free-gossypol matter. The non-free-gossypol matter comprises a bulk feed component, a pig attractant, a flavored component, or any combination thereof. An assembly may include an orally ingestible contraceptive composition for a pig or rodent and a package. A system for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig or rodent may include the composition and an apparatus configured to permit pigs or rodents to eat the composition and inhibit other animals from eating the composition. A method for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig or rodent includes making the composition available to the pig.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locking a detonating cord against a shaped charge.

Abstract: A multi-nodal supply chain system including multiple interconnected entities and a method for executing a supply chain workflow using transportable and continuously trackable, standardized storage bins is provided. The entities include a network of node facilities distributed throughout a geographical region, inter-nodal transport vehicles (INTVs), storage bins storable in indexed storage locations within the node facilities and the INTVs, and a computerized system. The computerized system stores bin identifiers of the storage bins and location identifiers of the indexed storage locations and dynamic storage locations of the storage bins. The computerized system also updates the location identifiers as the storage bins are transferred between the node facilities and the INTVs.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, a powerplant, an inertial measurement unit, and a controller. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft. The powerplant is configured to generate and deliver torque to the input shaft. The inertial measurement unit is configured to measure inertial forces exerted onto the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a demanded torque at the output shaft and a non-transient condition of the vehicle, control the torque at the output shaft based on a torque at the input shaft and a gear ratio of the step-ratio transmission. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the demanded torque at the output shaft and a transient condition of the vehicle, control the torque at the output shaft based on the inertial forces and a vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A multi-entity inventory management system including reassignable storage bins and a method for managing product inventory of different entities, for example, vendors, at one or more facilities including one or more storage structures served by robotic handlers, are provided. Each storage bin stores one or more caches of the products. A computerized inventory management system (CIMS) stores digital records including entity identifiers, product catalogues containing product identifiers of the products offered by each entity to customers, and unique bin identifiers assigned to the storage bins. The CIMS executes a digital transfer of ownership of inventory from a stocked entity to a needful entity, for example, based on an inventory shortfall, a complete absence of inventory of the needful entity, orders for the product inventory being received, etc. Along with an inventory swap through the storage bins, the CIMS executes commerce between the entities and implements inventory reservation.

Abstract: A method of producing a disconnect clutch includes producing a disconnect clutch, configured to selectively connect an engine and an electric machine, such that the disconnect clutch exhibits a clutch transfer function that causes a transmission output shaft torque variability that is less than a predetermined threshold during a simulated starting of the engine using the electric machine.

Abstract: An orally ingestible contraceptive composition for a pig is provided. The exemplary composition comprises 0.005 to 1.4 wt. % free gossypol and non-free-gossypol matter. The non-free-gossypol matter comprises a bulk feed component, a pig attractant, a flavored component or any combination thereof. In a second aspect, an assembly is provided. The assembly comprises an orally ingestible contraceptive composition for a pig and a package. In a third aspect, a system for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig is provided. The system comprises the composition and an apparatus. The apparatus is configured to permit pigs to eat the composition and inhibit other animals from eating the composition. In a fourth aspect, a method is provided for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig. The method comprises making the composition available to the pig.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft, an electric machine having a rotor, a disconnect clutch having an input secured to the crankshaft and an output secured to the rotor, a hydraulic pump mechanically powered via rotation of the rotor and configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the actuate the disconnect clutch, a torque converter having an impeller secured to the rotor, and controller. The controller is programmed to, responsive to a speed of the impeller decreasing to less than a first threshold, which is indicative of a subsequent shutdown of the hydraulic pump, and responsive to the disconnect clutch being open while the engine is shut down, advance the disconnect clutch to a touch point where opposing sides of disconnect clutch make contact but substantially zero power is transferred between the engine and the electric machine.

Abstract: A fuel-fired burner 100 includes a combustion air inlet 113 for receiving combustion air coupled to a combustion air nozzle 136 at an input to a second chamber 152 within a burner housing 110 spaced apart from a third chamber 168 within the second chamber. The combustion air nozzle 136 directs the combustion air 171 into the third chamber 168. A fuel inlet 111 coupled to a burner nozzle 167 secured to a burner mounting plate 161 has a recycle port 164 for receiving hot exhaust gas provided to an exhaust gas path 165. A jet pump located entirely inside the burner housing is configured to receive the hot exhaust gas from the exhaust gas path. The jet pump operates by flowing the combustion air through the combustion air nozzle 136 which suctions in the hot exhaust gas through the recycle port into the exhaust gas path then into a gas mixing zone 178 for mixing the hot exhaust gas and the combustion air.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method includes adjusting a pressure of the driveline disconnect clutch as a function of an engine pull-up torque minus a driver demand torque when the pressure of the driveline disconnect clutch is between a torque stroke pressure and a hydraulic stroke pressure.

Abstract: A method of coating an optical substrate with a transparent, electrically conductive coating includes depositing a semiconductor coating over a surface of an optical substrate, wherein the semiconductor coating has broadband optical transmittance. A doped semiconductor is applied in a pattern over the semiconductor coating. The doped semiconductor in the pattern is activated for electrical conductivity in the doped semiconductor.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an electric machine, an engine selectively coupled to the electric machine by a disconnect clutch, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to a change in the driver-demanded torque necessitating starting of the engine: determine a state of driving (SOD) based on the change in driver-demanded torque, wherein the SOD is indicative of a desired responsiveness of the vehicle, and the desired responsiveness increases as SOD increases; command a speed target to the engine equal to a predicted motor speed associated with the driver-demanded torque plus an offset that is based on the SOD; and command a capacity to the disconnect clutch at a rate and a magnitude based on the SOD.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, an engine, a disconnect clutch, an inertial measurement unit, and a controller. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft. The engine is configured to generate and deliver torque to the input shaft. The disconnect clutch is configured to connect and disconnect the engine from the input shaft. The disconnect clutch is also configured to crank the engine during an engine start. The inertial measurement unit is configured to measure inertial forces exerted onto the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to adjust a torque of the disconnect clutch to a desired value that is derived from the inertial forces and a vehicle velocity, drive the clutch actuator pressure to a value that corresponds to the desired value.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, a powerplant, an inertial measurement unit, and a controller. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft. The powerplant is configured to generate and deliver torque to the input shaft. The inertial measurement unit is configured to measure inertial forces exerted onto the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a demanded torque at the output shaft and a non-transient condition of the vehicle, control the torque at the output shaft based on a torque at the input shaft and a gear ratio of the step-ratio transmission. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the demanded torque at the output shaft and a transient condition of the vehicle, control the torque at the output shaft based on the inertial forces and a vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission, an engine, a disconnect clutch, an inertial measurement unit, and a controller. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft. The engine is configured to generate and deliver torque to the input shaft. The disconnect clutch is configured to connect and disconnect the engine from the input shaft. The disconnect clutch is also configured to crank the engine during an engine start. The inertial measurement unit is configured to measure inertial forces exerted onto the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to adjust a torque of the disconnect clutch to a desired value that is derived from the inertial forces and a vehicle velocity, drive the clutch actuator pressure to a value that corresponds to the desired value.

Abstract: A multi-entity inventory management system including reassignable storage bins and a method for managing product inventory of different entities, for example, vendors, at one or more facilities including one or more storage structures served by robotic handlers, are provided. Each storage bin stores one or more caches of the products. A computerized inventory management system (CIMS) stores digital records including entity identifiers, product catalogues containing product identifiers of the products offered by each entity to customers, and unique bin identifiers assigned to the storage bins. The CIMS executes a digital transfer of ownership of inventory from a stocked entity to a needful entity, for example, based on an inventory shortfall, a complete absence of inventory of the needful entity, orders for the product inventory being received, etc. Along with an inventory swap through the storage bins, the CIMS executes commerce between the entities and implements inventory reservation.

Abstract: A method for downshifting a vehicle having an automatic transmission is described. In one example, the method determines whether or not conditions are met for a power matching downshift. If conditions are met for a power matching downshift, output power of a powertrain propulsion torque source at an end of the power matching downshift is adjusted to an output power of the powertrain propulsion torque source at the beginning of the power matching downshift plus an offset power.