Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively disabling a stop-start function of a vehicle based on a predicted anxiety of a driver of the vehicle upon merging into transverse traffic. In one example, selectively disabling the stop-start function of a vehicle based on a predicted anxiety of the driver of the vehicle includes, when approaching an intersection having a first traffic pattern, disabling a stop-start function responsive to an estimated merging acceleration for the intersection exceeding a threshold acceleration rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for engine braking in a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, in response to an engine braking request: deactivating fueling to at least one engine cylinder, decreasing an effective flow area of a turbine inlet of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), and adjusting an intake valve of the at least one engine cylinder based on a requested braking torque of the engine braking request and the effective flow area of the turbine inlet. In this way, increased exhaust backpressure may be generated to increase engine pumping losses while the intake valve adjustment increases in-cylinder pumping losses, thereby increasing an amount of engine braking torque.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for user controlled engine revving. In one example, the engine may be revved to a peak speed according to a target revving sequence in response to a user-initiated command. A revving sound may be provided in response to an input device, without demanding manual depression of an accelerator pedal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel economy and reducing undesired emissions. In one example, a method may include in response to an engine speed being within a first threshold speed of an engine idle speed during a speed reduction request with engine cylinders unfueled, maintaining the cylinders unfueled, and controlling the engine to a desired stopping position responsive to the engine speed being greater than a second threshold speed lower than the idle speed. In this way, fuel usage and emissions may be reduced and engine restart requests may be conducted at least in part via vehicle inertia.

Abstract: A system receives information for a plurality of invoices having invoice amounts owed by a debtor-buyer to a plurality of creditor-suppliers, a cash pool amount for a cash pool available by the debtor-buyer for early payment of at least some of the invoice amounts, and a desired return rate, receives a plurality of offers, each offer from a corresponding creditor-supplier and comprising an offer return rate, determines whether each of the plurality of offers is eligible for acceptance based on each offer return rate from each offer and the desired return rate for the buyer and selects one or more invoices each having an invoice amount, and transmits award information to the debtor-buyer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger of a hybrid vehicle. In one example, a method comprising spinning a turbine in a reverse direction during an engine off event to execute a diagnostic test.

Abstract: A system receives information for a plurality of invoices having invoice amounts owed by a debtor-buyer to a plurality of creditor-suppliers, a cash pool amount for a cash pool available by the debtor-buyer for early payment of at least some of the invoice amounts, and a desired return rate, receives a plurality of offers, each offer from a corresponding creditor-supplier and comprising an offer return rate, determines whether each of the plurality of offers is eligible for acceptance based on each offer return rate from each offer and the desired return rate for the buyer and selects one or more invoices each having an invoice amount, and transmits award information to the debtor-buyer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling vehicle speed control without overfilling a system battery. In one example, braking energy is applied (or recuperated) by applying a negative torque from BISG until a system battery has been sufficiently charged. Thereafter, the electrical power generated by the BISG is used to operate an electric boost assist motor, and the energy is recuperated in the form of stored compressed air.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel economy and reducing undesired emissions. In one example, a method may include in response to an engine speed being within a first threshold speed of an engine idle speed during a speed reduction request with engine cylinders unfueled, maintaining the cylinders unfueled, and controlling the engine to a desired stopping position responsive to the engine speed being greater than a second threshold speed lower than the idle speed. In this way, fuel usage and emissions may be reduced and engine restart requests may be conducted at least in part via vehicle inertia.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system after confirming that specific conditions are met including that an exhaust tuning valve is not degraded. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a gasoline particulate filter in an engine exhaust passage. A pressure-flow relationship of the filter is learned in a low engine speed and high engine speed range. Degradation of the filter is identified based on a substantial separation between the curve fits at the high and low speed range.

Abstract: A coated glass article includes a glass substrate. A coating is formed on the glass substrate. The coating includes a first coating layer. The first coating layer includes fluorine doped tin oxide. A second coating layer is provided between the glass substrate and the first coating layer. The second coating layer includes silicon dioxide and at least one of phosphorus and boron. The coated glass article exhibits a haze of 2.0% or less.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition process for forming a silicon oxide coating includes providing a moving glass substrate. A gaseous mixture is formed and includes a silane compound, a first oxygen-containing molecule, a radical scavenger, and at least one of a phosphorus-containing compound and a boron-containing compound. The gaseous mixture is directed toward and along the glass substrate. The gaseous mixture is reacted over the glass substrate to form a silicon oxide coating on the glass substrate at a deposition rate of 150 nm*m/min or more.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detection of cylinder-to-cylinder air fuel ratio imbalance in engine cylinders. In one example, a method may include indicating air fuel ratio imbalance in an engine cylinder based on a comparison of an estimated cylinder acceleration for the cylinder and a calibrated cylinder acceleration for each of the engine cylinders. The indication of imbalance may be further confirmed based on one or more of an exhaust air-fuel ratio, an exhaust manifold pressure, and an individual cylinder torque weighted by respective confidence factors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for hermetic sealing of a wireline and a termination housing. The primary electrical connection of a wireline termination is sealed within a fluid-filed packoff bore of a termination housing. Wireline release strength can be selected upon wireline connection. A sealed termination housing has an uphole mechanical structure or support for transferring wireline armor tensile loads to the sub, a packoff bore for housing the wireline electrical conductor at a primary electrical connection, and a downhole closure. An inherent leak path of pressurized well fluids into termination housing is blocked by a dielectric fluid pad therein that fills the packoff bore from the downhole closure end and to a location at or uphole of the electrical connection made between the wireline and a hermetically sealed electrical connection exiting the downhole closure.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically discounting trade debt through the use of a forward auction is provided. In one example, a system that allows a seller to auction inventory to a plurality of bidders. According to this embodiment, the system may determine eligibility for acceptance of bids submitted by the bidders and a plurality of bids may be determined to be eligible for acceptance. Further, a margin by which the bids are acceptable may be determined and a representation of the margin may be communicated. In another example, a method is provided for discounting debt using an auction system. According to this embodiment, a seller may configure an auction event with auction parameters, such as hurdle rates, that will best serve the goals of the auction. The seller may alter event parameters while the event is ongoing, thus further enhancing the ability of the seller to meet auction objectives.

Abstract: A method and equipment for extracting dissolvable solids from small particles using a staged, counter-current battery of centrifuges is described. The advantages gained by working with particles having a mean diameter smaller than 50 microns and doing the extraction with the particles dispersed in a non-flowing liquid are (1) a significant reduction in the concentration gradient of the dissolvable solids across the diameter of the particles and throughout the body of particles being extracted in a comparable standard column battery and (2) higher overall yields because extraction can be conducted to a uniform limit rather than being constrained by a local (surface or column position) limit. As regards coffee extraction, the equipment and method are intended for the production of high quality concentrated coffee extracts rather than the production of soluble or instant coffee.

Abstract: Methods are provided for optimizing usage of water harvested or generated on-board a vehicle. An amount of water selected for injection or spraying purposes, as well as an order of water injection responsive to various vehicle operating conditions, is varied based on the amount of water to be delivered, as well as a current water level relative to a predicted future water level. The method allows water usage benefits to be maximized particularly when water availability is limited.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a bladeless radiator cooling fan. In one example, a system may include a plurality of bladeless entrainment discs surrounded by a shroud, each bladeless entrainment disc including a hollow central opening that enables unrestricted ambient airflow through the cooling fan, and a source fan for providing airflow to the bladeless entrainment that is encased by a housing. In this way, airflow through the bladeless radiator cooling fan may be increased, decreasing powered fan usage and decreasing fan noise.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heating an exhaust particulate filter (PF) to enable filter generation. In one example, a method may include adjusting engine air fuel ratio and injecting secondary air flow upstream of the PF to increase PF temperature. The level of engine air fuel ratio adjustment and the amount of secondary air injection upstream of the PF may be adjusted to account for enrichment induced cooling at a three-way catalyst (TWC) positioned upstream of the PF.