Abstract: A system for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine includes a controller configured to send signals for controlling at least one of air-fuel ratio, spark-ignition timing, and fuel injection timing to an internal combustion engine. The system further includes a sensor configured to send a signal indicative of exhaust gas temperature to the controller. The system is configured to control at least one of the air-fuel ratio, spark-ignition timing, and fuel injection timing based on a signal indicative of at least one of an operating condition of the internal combustion engine and load on the internal combustion engine, and a difference between a target exhaust gas temperature and the signal indicative of the exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one propulsion member and a power generation system. The power generation system includes a power source and a transmission configured to provide torque to the at least one propulsion member. The power generation system further includes a control apparatus comprising an input device and a processor. The processor is configured to receive signals indicative of a power output command, a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, and a plurality of detected power generation system parameters. The processor is also configured to determine a plurality of power generation system control settings for improving efficiency of the vehicle based on at least one of signals indicative of the power output command, the signals indicative of the plurality of detected ambient air conditions, and the signals indicative of a plurality of power generation system parameters.

Abstract: A system for determining the orientation of a fixture relative to the Earth includes at least one sensor configured to detect a celestial body and provide signals indicative of a plurality of positions of a detected celestial body relative to the sensor over a period of time. The system further includes a processor configured to receive information relating to a time and date associated with the period of time during which the celestial body is detected, and information relating to an expected relationship between the detected celestial body and the Earth at the time and date. The processor is further configured to determine the orientation of the fixture relative to the Earth based on signals from the at least one sensor, and the information relating to the time and date and the expected relationship between the detected celestial body and the Earth at the time and date.

Abstract: A system for creating a digital representation of a status of one or more air vehicles and of sensed external objects includes one or more air vehicles, one or more sensors coupled to each of the one or more air vehicles, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine navigation information associated with travel of each of the one or more air vehicles, and capture data associated with the sensed external objects sensed by the one or more sensors. The processor is further configured to identify and track the sensed external objects in the captured data, geo-locate the identified sensed external objects via dynamic landmarking, and dynamically update a landmark database. The processor is further configured to utilize the landmark database to control at least one or more functions in a respective air vehicle of the one or more air vehicles.

Abstract: A system for controlling power of a hybrid vehicle may include a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a commanded acceleration for the hybrid vehicle and determine a potential for each of a power source, a generator, and an energy storage device to supply energy to achieve the commanded acceleration. The controller may be further configured to determine a cost associated with using each of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration, and determine a combination of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device that achieves the commanded acceleration at a lowest total cost. The controller may also be configured to provide a signal to at least one of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration based on the determined combination.

Abstract: A system for creating a digital representation of a status of one or more air vehicles and of sensed external objects includes one or more air vehicles, one or more sensors coupled to each of the one or more air vehicles, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine navigation information associated with travel of each of the one or more air vehicles, and capture data associated with the sensed external objects sensed by the one or more sensors. The processor is further configured to identify and track the sensed external objects in the captured data, geo-locate the identified sensed external objects via dynamic landmarking, and dynamically update a landmark database. The processor is further configured to utilize the landmark database to control at least one or more functions in a respective air vehicle of the one or more air vehicles.

Abstract: A system for controlling power of a hybrid vehicle may include a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a commanded acceleration for the hybrid vehicle and determine a potential for each of a power source, a generator, and an energy storage device to supply energy to achieve the commanded acceleration. The controller may be further configured to determine a cost associated with using each of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration, and determine a combination of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device that achieves the commanded acceleration at a lowest total cost. The controller may also be configured to provide a signal to at least one of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration based on the determined combination.

Abstract: A system for determining the orientation of a fixture relative to the Earth includes at least one sensor configured to detect a celestial body and provide signals indicative of a plurality of positions of a detected celestial body relative to the sensor over a period of time. The system further includes a processor configured to receive information relating to a time and date associated with the period of time during which the celestial body is detected, and information relating to an expected relationship between the detected celestial body and the Earth at the time and date. The processor is further configured to determine the orientation of the fixture relative to the Earth based on signals from the at least one sensor, and the information relating to the time and date and the expected relationship between the detected celestial body and the Earth at the time and date.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine includes a controller configured to send signals for controlling at least one of air-fuel ratio, spark-ignition timing, and fuel injection timing to an internal combustion engine. The system further includes a sensor configured to send a signal indicative of exhaust gas temperature to the controller. The system is configured to control at least one of the air-fuel ratio, spark-ignition timing, and fuel injection timing based on a signal indicative of at least one of an operating condition of the internal combustion engine and load on the internal combustion engine, and a difference between a target exhaust gas temperature and the signal indicative of the exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the power output efficiency of a power generation system based on an operator input. A processor is coupled to the input means and (i) receives the generated operator command, (ii) receives a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, (iii) receives a plurality of detected engine. performance parameters, (iv) determines first and second engine control commands based on the received pilot thrust command, the detected ambient environmental conditions, and the engine performance parameters, and (v) outputs control commands to optimize the efficiency of the power generation system.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one propulsion member and a power generation system. The power generation system includes a power source and a transmission configured to provide torque to the at least one propulsion member. The power generation system further includes a control apparatus comprising an input device and a processor. The processor is configured to receive signals indicative of a power output command, a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, and a plurality of detected power generation system parameters. The processor is also configured to determine a plurality of power generation system control settings for improving efficiency of the vehicle based on at least one of signals indicative of the power output command, the signals indicative of the plurality of detected ambient air conditions, and the signals indicative of a plurality of power generation system parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the power output efficiency of a power generation system based on an operator input. A processor is coupled to the input means and (i) receives the generated operator command, (ii) receives a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, (iii) receives a plurality of detected engine performance parameters, (iv) determines first and second engine control commands based on the received pilot thrust command, the detected ambient environmental conditions, and the engine performance parameters, and (v) outputs control commands to optimize the efficiency of the power generation system.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the power output efficiency of a power generation system based on an operator input. A processor is coupled to the input means and (i) receives the generated operator command, (ii) receives a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, (iii) receives a plurality of detected engine. performance parameters, (iv) determines first and second engine control commands based on the received pilot thrust command, the detected ambient environmental conditions, and the engine performance parameters, and (v) outputs control commands to optimize the efficiency of the power generation system.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the power output efficiency of a power generation system based on an operator input. A processor is coupled to the input means and (i) receives the generated operator command, (ii) receives a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, (iii) receives a plurality of detected engine performance parameters, (iv) determines first and second engine control commands based on the received pilot thrust command, the detected ambient environmental conditions, and the engine performance parameters, and (v) outputs control commands to optimize the efficiency of the power generation system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a dynamic device having multi-inputs and operating in an environment having multiple operating parameters. A method of designing flight control laws using multi-input, multi-output feedback LTI'zation is also provided. The method includes steps of: (i) determining coordinates for flight vehicle equations of motion; (ii) transforming the coordinates for the flight vehicle equations of motion into a multi-input linear time invariant system; (iii) establishing control laws yielding the transformed equations of motion LTI; (iv) adjusting the control laws to obtain a desired closed loop behavior for the controlled system; and (v) converting the transformed coordinates control laws to physical coordinates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a dynamic device having multi-inputs and operating in an environment having multiple operating parameters. A method of designing flight control laws using multi-input, multi-output feedback LTI'zation is also provided. The method includes steps of: (i) determining coordinates for flight vehicle equations of motion; (ii) transforming the coordinates for the flight vehicle equations of motion into a multi-input linear time invariant system; (iii) establishing control laws yielding the transformed equations of motion LTI; (iv) adjusting the control laws to obtain a desired closed loop behavior for the controlled system; and (v) converting the transformed coordinates control laws to physical coordinates.

Abstract: A tool for removing retaining clips from a surface, and particularly from a horseshoe attached to an animal's hoof, that includes a first plier lever, a second plier lever, a pivot point at which the first and second plier levers are rotatably fastened, an upper jaw portion on the first plier lever where the upper jaw is a wedge, and a lower jaw portion on the second plier lever where the lower jaw has a face that contacts the wedge when the first and second plier levers are pivoted closed, thereby providing support for the surface from which the fastener is being removed. Also included are a method of removing retaining clips, particularly from a horseshoe attached to an animal's hoof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a dynamic device having multi-inputs and operating in an environment having multiple operating parameters. A method of designing flight control laws using multi-input, multi-output feedback LTI'zation is also provided. The method includes steps of: (i) determining coordinates for flight vehicle equations of motion; (ii) transforming the coordinates for the flight vehicle equations of motion into a multi-input linear time invariant system; (iii) establishing control laws yielding the transformed equations of motion LTI; (iv) adjusting the control laws to obtain a desired closed loop behavior for the controlled system; and (v) converting the transformed coordinates control laws to physical coordinates.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the power output efficiency of a power generation system based on an operator input. A processor is coupled to the input means and (i) receives the generated operator command, (ii) receives a plurality of detected ambient air conditions, (iii) receives a plurality of detected engine performance parameters, (iv) determines first and second engine control commands based on the received pilot thrust command, the detected ambient environmental conditions, and the engine performance parameters, and (v) outputs control commands to optimize the efficiency of the power generation system.

Abstract: A tool for removing retaining clips from a surface, and particularly from a horseshoe attached to an animal's hoof, that includes a first plier lever, a second plier lever, a pivot point at which the first and second plier levers are rotatably fastened, an upper jaw portion on the first plier lever where the upper jaw is a wedge, and a lower jaw portion on the second plier lever where the lower jaw has a face that contacts the wedge when the first and second plier levers are pivoted closed, thereby providing support for the surface from which the fastener is being removed. Also included are a method of removing retaining clips, particularly from a horseshoe attached to an animal's hoof.