Abstract: A computerized method includes receiving signals from a particulate matter sensor relating to an amount of particulates at a point in time within a time period in a diesel engine exhaust stream, calculating one or more running statistical parameters relating to a particle mass in the diesel engine exhaust stream, determining an upper control limit for the amount of particulates, receiving a threshold for an allowable amount of particulates in the diesel engine exhaust stream, comparing the threshold to one or more of (a) a current instantaneous particulate reading from the particulate matter sensor and (b) the upper control limit for the amount of particulates, and generating an output signal when one or more of the current instantaneous particulate reading and the upper control limit for the amount of particulates are above the threshold.

Abstract: A system includes a count detector, a communication medium; and a processor coupled to the count detector. The processor continuously receives a plurality of pulses from the count detector. A pulse indicates a detection of a radiation unit emitted from a source material or a background. The processor determines a first period of time based on an expected range of speed of a carrier of the source material, and integrates the plurality of pulses over the first period of time, thereby yielding an integrated count associated with a time at a midpoint of the first period of time. The processor creates a continuous time series of count profiles from a plurality of integrated counts that are computed using a plurality of windows within the first period of time, and shifts each window over a second period of time. The second period of time is shorter than the first period of time.

Abstract: The electronic system includes an electronic device and a liquid holding section that is thermally coupled to the electronic device. The electronic system further includes an impermeable section that engages the liquid holding section. The impermeable section includes a channel and a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication between the liquid holding section and the channel. The electronic system further includes (i) a first fluid that flows through the channel in the impermeable section to facilitate heat transfer from the electronic device to the first fluid; and (ii) a second fluid that flows from the liquid holding section through the plurality of passages into the channel when the second fluid boils within the liquid holding section due to heat transfer from the electronic device to the second fluid. In some embodiments, the first and second fluids are different types of substances.

Abstract: A system includes a count detector, a communication medium; and a processor coupled to the count detector. The processor continuously receives a plurality of pulses from the count detector. A pulse indicates a detection of a radiation unit emitted from a source material or a background. The processor determines a first period of time based on an expected range of speed of a carrier of the source material, and integrates the plurality of pulses over the first period of time, thereby yielding an integrated count associated with a time at a midpoint of the first period of time. The processor creates a continuous time series of count profiles from a plurality of integrated counts that are computed using a plurality of windows within the first period of time, and shifts each window over a second period of time. The second period of time is shorter than the first period of time.

Abstract: A computerized method includes receiving signals from a particulate matter sensor relating to an amount of particulates at a point in time within a time period in a diesel engine exhaust stream, calculating one or more running statistical parameters relating to a particle mass in the diesel engine exhaust stream, determining an upper control limit for the amount of particulates, receiving a threshold for an allowable amount of particulates in the diesel engine exhaust stream, comparing the threshold to one or more of (a) a current instantaneous particulate reading from the particulate matter sensor and (b) the upper control limit for the amount of particulates, and generating an output signal when one or more of the current instantaneous particulate reading and the upper control limit for the amount of particulates are above the threshold.

Abstract: A system having a particulate matter sensor in an exhaust stream of an engine upstream from a particulate filter and another such sensor downstream from the filter. There may also be an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control on the engine. The amount of particulate matter in or loading of the filter may be determined by the upstream filter. The working condition of the filter may be determined by the downstream sensor. The filter may have a heater and control for providing operational and particulate matter burn-off temperatures to the filter. A processor may be connected to the sensors, the EGR control and the filter heater control.

Abstract: Sensor apparatus includes a housing, a probe mounted to the housing, the probe including an elongate first part and a helical coil second part conductively coupled to each in series with first and second terminals at opposite ends thereof, the probe to be inserted into an exhaust stream in an exhaust corridor; and a circuit coupled to the first and second terminals of the sensor probe, to selectively operate the probe as a temperature sensor in a first mode and as a PM sensor in a second mode.

Abstract: A system includes a filter, a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The filter can be coupled to an engine exhaust and can operate in an accumulating mode during which particulate matter (PM) from the engine is trapped and also operate in a regenerating mode during which PM in the filter is emitted. The sensor is coupled to a discharge port of the filter and has an output to provide a sensor signal based on a concentration of PM in the filtered exhaust. The processor is coupled to receive the sensor signal and operable to determine at least one of a base level for the sensor signal during the accumulating mode and a regenerate level for the sensor signal during the regenerating mode, and operable to determine a calibration value for the sensor using at least one of the base level and the regenerate level. The memory stores the calibration value.

Abstract: The electronic system includes an electronic device and a liquid holding section that is thermally coupled to the electronic device. The electronic system further includes an impermeable section that engages the liquid holding section. The impermeable section includes a channel and a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication between the liquid holding section and the channel. The electronic system further includes (i) a first fluid that flows through the channel in the impermeable section to facilitate heat transfer from the electronic device to the first fluid; and (ii) a second fluid that flows from the liquid holding section through the plurality of passages into the channel when the second fluid boils within the liquid holding section due to heat transfer from the electronic device to the second fluid. In some embodiments, the first and second fluids are different types of substances.

Abstract: The electronic system includes an electronic device and a liquid holding section that is thermally coupled to the electronic device. The electronic system further includes an impermeable section that engages the liquid holding section. The impermeable section includes a channel and a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication between the liquid holding section and the channel. The electronic system further includes (i) a first fluid that flows through the channel in the impermeable section to facilitate heat transfer from the electronic device to the first fluid; and (ii) a second fluid that flows from the liquid holding section through the plurality of passages into the channel when the second fluid boils within the liquid holding section due to heat transfer from the electronic device to the second fluid. In some embodiments, the first and second fluids are different types of substances.

Abstract: A particulate matter (PM) sensor includes an embedded self-calibrator. The PM sensor is to be installed in an exhaust corridor of an internal combustion engine. The PM sensor can self-calibrate by imposing a known potential across a protective housing in which the conductive probe is suspended. An image charge that is imposed upon the conductive probe is fed back and correlated to generate an updated calibration for the PM sensor.

Abstract: A system having a particulate matter sensor in an exhaust stream of an engine upstream from a particulate filter and another such sensor downstream from the filter. There may also be an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control on the engine. The amount of particulate matter in or loading of the filter may be determined by the upstream filter. The working condition of the filter may be determined by the downstream sensor. The filter may have a heater and control for providing operational and particulate matter burn-off temperatures to the filter. A processor may be connected to the sensors, the EGR control and the filter heater control.

Abstract: A system having a particulate matter sensor in an exhaust stream of an engine upstream from a particulate filter and another such sensor downstream from the filter. There may also be an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control on the engine. The amount of particulate matter in or loading of the filter may be determined by the upstream filter. The working condition of the filter may be determined by the downstream sensor. The filter may have a heater and control for providing operational and particulate matter burn-off temperatures to the filter. A processor may be connected to the sensors, the EGR control and the filter heater control.

Abstract: Sensor apparatus includes a housing, a probe mounted to the housing, the probe including an elongate first part and a helical coil second part conductively coupled to each in series with first and second terminals at opposite ends thereof, the probe to be inserted into an exhaust stream in an exhaust corridor; and a circuit coupled to the first and second terminals of the sensor probe, to selectively operate the probe as a temperature sensor in a first mode and as a PM sensor in a second mode.

Abstract: A system includes a filter, a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The filter can be coupled to an engine exhaust and can operate in an accumulating mode during which particulate matter (PM) from the engine is trapped and also operate in a regenerating mode during which PM in the filter is emitted. The sensor is coupled to a discharge port of the filter and has an output to provide a sensor signal based on a concentration of PM in the filtered exhaust. The processor is coupled to receive the sensor signal and operable to determine at least one of a base level for the sensor signal during the accumulating mode and a regenerate level for the sensor signal during the regenerating mode, and operable to determine a calibration value for the sensor using at least one of the base level and the regenerate level. The memory stores the calibration value.

Abstract: Method and system of onboard diagnostics in engine emissions monitoring, particularly for detecting anomalous cylinder behavior. In some embodiments, at least one sensor in the exhaust path measures electric charge that is indicative of particulate matter. In some embodiments, at least one sensor measures oxides of nitrogen. The indications of instantaneous emissions can be used to effect real-time adjustments in engine control, and can be logged for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A Laser Imaging, Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system that automatically adjusts laser output so that no eye damage occurs to human targets. In one example, a component automatically measures range to targets in a field of view and determines the closest targets based on the measured range. A laser device outputs a laser beam and a controller adjusts one of pulse repetition frequency, power, or pulse duration of the laser device based on the measured range of the closest target in order to comply with a predefined eye safety model.

Abstract: A fluid conveyance apparatus having more than one particulate matter sensing probe situated at two or more locations on the apparatus. Signals from the probes from at least two locations may indicate particulate matter flowing within a fluid through the conveyance apparatus. The times between signals may be indicated the rate of movement of the particulate matter in the conveyance apparatus and also a flow rate and direction of the fluid. The sensing probe signals may be processed into control signals that may go to a flow control mechanism. An example application of the flow control mechanism may be for an exhaust gas recirculation system of an engine.

Abstract: A particulate matter (PM) sensor includes an embedded self-calibrator. The PM sensor is to be installed in an exhaust corridor of an internal combustion engine. The PM sensor can self-calibrate by imposing a known potential across a protective housing in which the conductive probe is suspended. An image charge that is imposed upon the conductive probe is fed back and correlated to generate an updated calibration for the PM sensor.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system having a coded aperture as a gating device. Light of a Raman scattering may enter the system and encounter a mask gate. The mask may have a matrix of micro mirrors some of which pass light on to a diffraction grating when the gate is on. Some of the mirrors will not pass on light thereby resulting in coded light to the grating. If the gate is off, then no light is passed on to the grating. The grating may pass the coded and spectrally spread light on to a detector array. The array signals representing the light on the array may go to a processor so one can obtain information about the target that emanated the Raman scatter when impinged by a light beam.