Abstract: A method of aspirating a sample includes moving a sample needle downward to a first position so a tip of the sample needle touches a bottom of the sample container, determining that the tip of the sample needle is in the first position where the sample needle is in contact with the bottom of the sample container, after the determining that the tip of the sample needle is in contact with the bottom of the sample container, incrementally moving the sample needle upward from the first position, determining the sample needle has moved a predetermined distance upward from the first position and then aspirating a sample in the sample container.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detection of a closing time for a solenoid valve. In one example, a method may include monitoring a current of the solenoid valve, filtering the current, and determining the closing time of the solenoid valve based on each of the current and the filtered current. In some examples, the solenoid valve may be an electrically-actuated fuel injection valve. In some examples, determining the closing time may include using the filtered current to determine an inflection point of the current.

Abstract: A wave-powered floating water pump apparatus comprises a housing operatively connected to a piston capable of reciprocating therein, and an exterior float. The housing interior defines a compression chamber including a compression chamber back valve. The compression chamber back valve opens when the apparatus descends in the ocean, and closes when the float lifts the apparatus. The piston comprises a piston shaft with a piston back valve therein, constructed and arranged to permit water which enters the piston shaft in response to water pressure from the compression chamber only to exit the top of the piston shaft at a higher elevation. A floating generator system for harnessing energy from ocean waves to produce usable electrical energy may include the pump, a water storage reservoir and a hydro-turbine. A system for purifying and desalinating water may include the pump, a semi-permeable membrane for reverse osmosis and a reservoir for purified water.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for health assessments of a fuel system. In one example, a method for an inlet metering valve (IMV) includes reducing electrical driving of the IMV, monitoring a response time of the IMV in real-time responsive to the reducing, and determining if the IMV is degraded based on a response of IMV current over a duration, the duration beginning after an initial decrease in current caused by the reducing.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling emissions. In one example, a controller is configured to respond to a sensed exhaust oxygen concentration by changing a fuel injection timing to maintain particulate matter (PM) within a range, and then adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount based on NOx sensor output and based on the change in fuel injection timing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detection of a closing time for a solenoid valve. In one example, a method may include monitoring a current of the solenoid valve, filtering the current, and determining the closing time of the solenoid valve based on each of the current and the filtered current. In some examples, the solenoid valve may be an electrically-actuated fuel injection valve. In some examples, determining the closing time may include using the filtered current to determine an inflection point of the current.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for health assessments of a fuel system. In one example, a method for an inlet metering valve (IMV) includes reducing electrical driving of the IMV, monitoring a response time of the IMV in real-time responsive to the reducing, and determining if the IMV is degraded based on a response of IMV current over a duration, the duration beginning after an initial decrease in current caused by the reducing.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling emissions. In one example, a controller is configured to respond to a sensed exhaust oxygen concentration by changing a fuel injection timing to maintain particulate matter (PM) within a range, and then adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount based on NOx sensor output and based on the change in fuel injection timing.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling emissions. In one example, a controller is configured to respond to a sensed exhaust oxygen concentration by changing a fuel injection timing to maintain particulate matter (PM) within a range, and then adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount based on NOx sensor output and based on the change in fuel injection timing.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for estimating fresh intake air flow. In one example, a system comprises an engine having an intake manifold to receive fresh intake air and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to supply EGR to the intake manifold, where flow of EGR through the EGR system is controlled by one or more exhaust valves. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust a position of the one or more exhaust valves based on an estimated fresh intake air flow rate, where during a first set of operating conditions, the fresh intake air flow rate is estimated based on a total gas flow rate into the engine and further based on a current position of the one or more exhaust valves, intake manifold pressure, air-fuel ratio, and fuel flow to one or more cylinders of the engine.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for calibrating one or more exhaust valves. In one example, a system comprises an exhaust valve configured to control flow of exhaust gas exiting an engine and a controller configured to calibrate the exhaust valve by commanding the exhaust valve to a fully closed position with a first driving current and measuring a first position of the exhaust valve at the first driving current, commanding the exhaust valve to a fully open position with a second driving current and measuring a second position of the exhaust valve at the second driving current, and generating a map based on a linear function determined from the first driving current, the second driving current, the measured first position, and the measured second position. The controller is further configured to adjust a position of the exhaust valve based on the map.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using positions of detected, real object boundaries to enable user interaction with a virtual object are disclosed. A system can include one or more sensors or trackers configured to detect boundaries of a transparent, real object within a three-dimensional coordinate system. A computing device configured to track positions of the detected boundaries of the real object within the three-dimensional coordinate system. The computing device may also track a position of a virtual object within the three-dimensional coordinate system. The computing device may determine whether the position of the virtual object is within the positions of the detected boundaries of the real object. The computing device may also enable user interaction with the virtual object via user interface and receive input for interacting with the virtual object in response to determining that the position of the virtual object is within the positions of the detected boundaries.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling emissions. In one example, a controller is configured to respond to a sensed exhaust oxygen concentration by changing a fuel injection timing to maintain particulate matter (PM) within a range, and then adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount based on NOx sensor output and based on the change in fuel injection timing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using positions of detected, real object boundaries to enable user interaction with a virtual object are disclosed. A system can include one or more sensors or trackers configured to detect boundaries of a transparent, real object within a three-dimensional coordinate system. A computing device configured to track positions of the detected boundaries of the real object within the three-dimensional coordinate system. The computing device may also track a position of a virtual object within the three-dimensional coordinate system. The computing device may determine whether the position of the virtual object is within the positions of the detected boundaries of the real object. The computing device may also enable user interaction with the virtual object via user interface and receive input for interacting with the virtual object in response to determining that the position of the virtual object is within the positions of the detected boundaries.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling emissions. In one example, a controller is configured to respond to a sensed or estimated intake oxygen fraction by controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount supplied to an engine to maintain a level of particulate matter (PM) in a determined PM range and a level of NOx in a determined NOx range, and adjusting a target intake manifold oxygen fraction or target intake manifold EGR fraction in response to a NOx sensor feedback signal.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for estimating fresh intake air flow. In one example, a system comprises an engine having an intake manifold to receive fresh intake air and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to supply EGR to the intake manifold, where flow of EGR through the EGR system is controlled by one or more exhaust valves. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust a position of the one or more exhaust valves based on an estimated fresh intake air flow rate, where during a first set of operating conditions, the fresh intake air flow rate is estimated based on a total gas flow rate into the engine and further based on a current position of the one or more exhaust valves, intake manifold pressure, air-fuel ratio, and fuel flow to one or more cylinders of the engine.

Abstract: An engine system includes a plurality of cylinders including one or more donating cylinders and one or more non-donating cylinders. A control module controls an operation of the one or more donating cylinders relative to, or based on, the operation of the one or more non-donating cylinders.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for estimating fresh intake air flow. In one example, a system comprises an engine having an intake manifold to receive fresh intake air and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to supply EGR to the intake manifold, where flow of EGR through the EGR system is controlled by one or more exhaust valves. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust a position of the one or more exhaust valves based on an estimated fresh intake air flow rate, where during a first set of operating conditions, the fresh intake air flow rate is estimated based on a total gas flow rate into the engine and further based on a current position of the one or more exhaust valves, intake manifold pressure, air-fuel ratio, and fuel flow to one or more cylinders of the engine.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust gas recirculation in an engine. One embodiment for a system comprises an engine having first and second cylinder groups, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage coupled between the first cylinder group and an intake manifold of the engine, flow of EGR through the EGR passage controlled by one or more EGR exhaust valves, and a controller configured to maintain a target intake gas concentration by adjusting the one or more EGR exhaust valves and adjusting fuel injection amounts to the first cylinder group differently than the second cylinder group.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling emissions. In one example, a controller is configured to respond to a sensed or estimated intake oxygen fraction by controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) amount supplied to an engine to maintain a level of particulate matter (PM) in a determined PM range and a level of NOx in a determined NOx range, and adjusting a target intake manifold oxygen fraction or target intake manifold EGR fraction in response to a NOx sensor feedback signal.