Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for a vehicle is configured to provide cool or heated air within the vehicle with the main engine off. The auxiliary power unit includes an auxiliary diesel engine that receives fuel from the fuel tank of the vehicle. The auxiliary diesel engine is connected to a hydraulic pump of a hydraulic power system by a first magnetic clutch to provide mechanical power. The hydraulic pump converts the mechanical power to hydraulic power. The hydraulic power system delivers the hydraulic power to a hydraulic compressor drive motor that converts it back to mechanical power. The hydraulic power system is connected to a compressor drive via a second magnetic clutch. The compressor drive provides power to an air conditioner (AC) compressor of the vehicle such that the AC compressor activates while the auxiliary power unit is operating.

Abstract: A linear electro-mechanical actuator assembly includes a linear actuator having an output rod end, and a bell crank assembly having a bell crank that is rotatable around a central axis and that has a rod connection opening for receiving the rod end. The bell crank further includes a tube opening along the central axis for receiving a torque tube. First and second bearing plates are positioned on opposite sides of the bell crank, whereby the bank crank rotates relative to the first and second bearing plates. A connection pin provides a hinge connection of the rod end to the bell crank such that linear motion of the rod end imparts rotational motion to the bell crank. The bell crank includes bearing supports positioned on opposite sides of the bell crank body. Circular bearings are positioned within the bearing plates, and around the bearing supports, to support the rotational motion of the bell crank.

Abstract: A linear electro-mechanical actuator assembly includes a linear actuator having an output rod end, and a bell crank assembly having a bell crank that is rotatable around a central axis and that has a rod connection opening for receiving the rod end. The bell crank further includes a tube opening along the central axis for receiving a torque tube. First and second bearing plates are positioned on opposite sides of the bell crank, whereby the bank crank rotates relative to the first and second bearing plates. A connection pin provides a hinge connection of the rod end to the bell crank such that linear motion of the rod end imparts rotational motion to the bell crank. The bell crank includes bearing supports positioned on opposite sides of the bell crank body. Circular bearings are positioned within the bearing plates, and around the bearing supports, to support the rotational motion of the bell crank.

Abstract: A control rod assembly is provided for moving a control surface of a flight vehicle. The control rod assembly includes a first connector for connecting to a first structure of vehicle, and a second connector for connecting to a second structure of the vehicle. A connecting rod may be operably coupled between the first and second connectors, and an actuator may be operably coupled to the connecting rod. The actuator may include a screw-and-nut assembly, and a motor that is configured to drive the screw-and-nut assembly. The actuator may be operable such that driving the screw-and-nut assembly via the motor causes the connecting rod to translate linearly along a longitudinal axis to thereby vary a distance between the first and second connectors. The actuators may be electromechanical actuators which may be controlled by a controller without pilot interaction. Two such actuators may be provided on opposite sides of the assembly.

Abstract: An engine control system for an engine includes: a pump control module configured to control a coolant pump; a block control module configured to control opening of a block valve; a fuel control module configured to control fueling of the engine; a coolant control module configured to control a position of a coolant valve; and an adjustment module configured to, when the coolant pump is pumping, the block valve is open, and the coolant valve is positioned such that an input is connected to an output, adjust the fueling of the engine such that fueling of the engine is fuel rich.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a combustion cylinder including a cylinder wall, engine oil and engine coolant. Control of the internal combustion engine includes estimating the cylinder wall temperature in a temperature state estimator, comparing the estimated cylinder wall temperature to a predetermined temperature threshold, and circulating the engine coolant in the engine when the estimated cylinder wall temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for management of a thermal system. A system for thermal management includes a thermal system with fluid conduits. A sensor is disposed to monitor an input parameter state of the thermal system. An actuator is configured to vary a flow in the fluid conduits. A controller is configured to receive a signal representative of the input parameter state; process an actuator state through a flow model of the thermal system to obtain an existing flow in the fluid conduits; process the existing flow through a thermal model of the thermal system to determine an input that reduces an error between a desired parameter state and the input parameter state; process the input through an inverse flow model to convert the input to a desired actuator state; and position the actuator in the desired actuator state.

Abstract: A method includes: (a) determining an engine speed of an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has an engine wall, and the engine wall has a wall temperature; (b) determining an engine load of the internal combustion engine; (c) determining a wall-reference temperature as a function of the engine load and the engine speed of the internal combustion engine; and (d) adjusting, using a cooling system, a volumetric flow rate of a coolant flowing through the internal combustion engine to maintain the wall temperature at the wall-reference temperature.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a combustion cylinder including a cylinder wall, engine oil and engine coolant. Control of the internal combustion engine includes estimating the cylinder wall temperature in a temperature state estimator, comparing the estimated cylinder wall temperature to a predetermined temperature threshold, and circulating the engine coolant in the engine when the estimated cylinder wall temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a temperature of a thermal system that includes fluid conduits. A sensor monitors a current state of the temperature. A controller receives a signal from the sensor that is representative of the current state; determines a flow in the fluid conduits; determines a noise covariance of the thermal system; processes a thermal model of the thermal system; predicts a next-step state of the parameter at a time after the current state; and corrects the next-step state based, at least in-part, on the noise covariance resulting in a corrected next-step state.

Abstract: A method includes: (a) determining an engine speed of an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has an engine wall, and the engine wall has a wall temperature; (b) determining an engine load of the internal combustion engine; (c) determining a wall-reference temperature as a function of the engine load and the engine speed of the internal combustion engine; and (d) adjusting, using a cooling system, a volumetric flow rate of a coolant flowing through the internal combustion engine to maintain the wall temperature at the wall-reference temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for management of a thermal system. A system for thermal management includes a thermal system with fluid conduits. A sensor is disposed to monitor an input parameter state of the thermal system. An actuator is configured to vary a flow in the fluid conduits. A controller is configured to receive a signal representative of the input parameter state; process an actuator state through a flow model of the thermal system to obtain an existing flow in the fluid conduits; process the existing flow through a thermal model of the thermal system to determine an input that reduces an error between a desired parameter state and the input parameter state; process the input through an inverse flow model to convert the input to a desired actuator state; and position the actuator in the desired actuator state.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that combusts an air/fuel mixture thereby generating exhaust gas containing particulate matter, and an exhaust after-treatment component that collects the particulate matter. A regeneration system burns off the collected particulate matter thereby regenerating the exhaust after-treatment component. A controller obtains a model of the combustion that is based on a kinetic controlled combustion phase and a mixing controlled combustion phase, and determines a point on the model with respect to current engine conditions that indicates an amount of the particulate matter in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a temperature of a thermal system that includes fluid conduits. A sensor monitors a current state of the temperature. A controller receives a signal from the sensor that is representative of the current state; determines a flow in the fluid conduits; determines a noise covariance of the thermal system; processes a thermal model of the thermal system; predicts a next-step state of the parameter at a time after the current state; and corrects the next-step state based, at least in-part, on the noise covariance resulting in a corrected next-step state.

Abstract: A control rod assembly is provided for moving a control surface of a flight vehicle. The control rod assembly includes a first connector for connecting to a first structure of vehicle, and a second connector for connecting to a second structure of the vehicle. A connecting rod may be operably coupled between the first and second connectors, and an actuator may be operably coupled to the connecting rod. The actuator may include a screw-and-nut assembly, and a motor that is configured to drive the screw-and-nut assembly. The actuator may be operable such that driving the screw-and-nut assembly via the motor causes the connecting rod to translate linearly along a longitudinal axis to thereby vary a distance between the first and second connectors. The actuators may be electromechanical actuators which may be controlled by a controller without pilot interaction. Two such actuators may be provided on opposite sides of the assembly.

Abstract: An emissions control system for treating exhaust gas containing NOx emissions from an internal combustion engine comprises a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device that stores reductant that reacts with the NOx emissions, a reductant supply system configured to inject the reductant according to a reductant storage model; NOx module(s) configured to generate an NOx concentration signal indicating an NOx concentration, temperature module(s) configured to generate a temperature signal indicating an SCR temperature of the SCR device, and a control module operably connected to the reductant supply system, the NOx module, and the temperature module. The control module is configured to determine an amount of the reductant that is parasitically oxidized based on the NOx concentration signal and the temperature signal, and to determine a correction factor based on the amount of parasitically oxidized reductant to modify the reductant storage model.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that combusts an air/fuel mixture thereby generating exhaust gas containing particulate matter, and an exhaust after-treatment component that collects the particulate matter. A regeneration system burns off the collected particulate matter thereby regenerating the exhaust after-treatment component. A controller obtains a model of the combustion that is based on a kinetic controlled combustion phase and a mixing controlled combustion phase, and determines a point on the model with respect to current engine conditions that indicates an amount of the particulate matter in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An emissions control system for treating exhaust gas containing NOx emissions from an internal combustion engine comprises a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device that stores reductant that reacts with the NOx emissions, a reductant supply system configured to inject the reductant according to a reductant storage model; NOx module(s) configured to generate an NOx concentration signal indicating an NOx concentration, temperature module(s) configured to generate a temperature signal indicating an SCR temperature of the SCR device, and a control module operably connected to the reductant supply system, the NOx module, and the temperature module. The control module is configured to determine an amount of the reductant that is parasitically oxidized based on the NOx concentration signal and the temperature signal, and to determine a correction factor based on the amount of parasitically oxidized reductant to modify the reductant storage model.

Abstract: Implementations of a toilet installation guide and methods for installing a toilet. Implementations of toilet installation guides may include a shaft including a bolt receiving portion configured to receive a portion of a bolt and align a length of the shaft with a length of the bolt, a taper configured to be passed through the installation hole of the toilet while lowering the toilet toward the floor, and a visual aid configured to be seen through a toilet installation hole as an installer attempts to lower the toilet onto the floor over the bolt. In implementations the shaft may selectively couple to and decouple from the bolt with threads located on an inner wall of a cylindrical opening in the shaft. In implementations the toilet installation guide may be configured to be installed and uninstalled by hand, before and after lowering the toilet to the floor, respectively, to be reused.

Abstract: Implementations of a toilet installation guide and methods for installing a toilet. Implementations of toilet installation guides may include a shaft including a bolt receiving portion configured to receive a portion of a bolt and align a length of the shaft with a length of the bolt, a taper configured to be passed through the installation hole of the toilet while lowering the toilet toward the floor, and a visual aid configured to be seen through a toilet installation hole as an installer attempts to lower the toilet onto the floor over the bolt. In implementations the shaft may selectively couple to and decouple from the bolt with threads located on an inner wall of a cylindrical opening in the shaft. In implementations the toilet installation guide may be configured to be installed and uninstalled by hand, before and after lowering the toilet to the floor, respectively, to be reused.