Abstract: Cyclic variation in combustion of a lean burning engine is reduced by detecting an engine combustion event output such as torsional acceleration in a cylinder (i) at a combustion event (k), using the detected acceleration to predict a target acceleration for the cylinder at the next combustion event (k+1), modifying the target output by a correction term that is inversely proportional to the average phase of the combustion event output of cylinder (i) and calculating a control output such as fuel pulse width or spark timing necessary to achieve the target acceleration for cylinder (i) at combustion event (k+1) based on anti-correlation with the detected acceleration and spill-over effects from fueling.

Abstract: A method for determining the actual frequency of an inaccurate clock signal then using the actual frequency to generate a compensation factor to correct calculations using the clock signal. The method includes counting the number of clock pulses in the clock signal over a predetermined and programmable period of time, and based on the clock pulse count, determining the actual frequency of the clock signal. Once the actual frequency of the clock signal is determined, this value is used to generate the compensation factor based on the expected or rated frequency of the clock signal to compensate for the calculations using the clock signal. The method has a particular application for use in a powertrain control module incorporating a low frequency resonator and a high frequency system clock, where the resonator generates an inaccurate clock signal which is highly stable for short periods of time and the system clock is relatively stable over long term but suffers from short term jitter.

Abstract: Linearity of an RF/microwave power amplifier is enhanced by an amplitude and phase distortion correction mechanism based upon signal envelope feedback, that operates directly on the RF signal passing through the power amplifier. A phase-amplitude controller responds to changes in gain and phase through the RF/microwave power amplifier signal path caused by changes in RF input power, DC power supply voltages, time, temperature and other variables, and controls the operation of a gain and phase adjustment circuit, so as to maintain constant gain and transmission phase through the RF/microwave power amplifier.

Abstract: A directed, high-velocity stream of compressible fluid is produced and put to use (as in a turbine) by adding heat to such fluid as it flows through and expands within an elongate nozzle prior to discharge therefrom but following passage through a throat of such nozzle. The fluid is supplied to the nozzle at pressure greater than the atmosphere into which the high-velocity stream is directed and discharged. Apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention comprises one or more elongate nozzles, each having a throat and constructed with means for adding heat to fluid flowing from such throat toward the nozzle outlet through an elongate discharge portion of the nozzle having flow passage of effective cross-sectional area that gradually increases from the nozzle throat to the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: Linearity of an RF/microwave power amplifier is enhanced by an amplitude and phase distortion correction mechanism based upon signal envelope feedback, that operates directly on the RF signal passing through the power amplifier. A phase-amplitude controller responds to changes in gain and phase through the RF/microwave power amplifier signal path caused by changes in RF input power, DC power supply voltages, time, temperature and other variables, and controls the operation of a gain and phase adjustment circuit, so as to maintain constant gain and transmission phase through the RF/microwave power amplifier.