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.

Abstract: A packaging method and packaging material are disclosed. In accordance with one aspect, a method for forming, filling, sealing and flash freezing a liquid extract or concentrate in a continuous ribbon format is described. The packaging material uses a continuous ribbon of a cold-formed foil base with multiple pockets arrayed in a pattern and a heat-sealed foil cover. Following sealing, the continuously formed strip of product is passed through a freezing medium, optionally perforated alongside the pockets to facilitate separation of individual pockets from a sheet, and then cut to size for convenient and space efficient final packaging, storage and transportation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing collection, usage, and processing of water on-board a vehicle. Water is harvested from various locations of the vehicle including from engine operation, surface condensation, and via dehumidification. Water is processed differently based on the source of the water as well as the intended use.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting emission control device heating. In one example, a method may include flowing air from an intake of an engine to one or more emission control devices via an air injection system while operating a turbocharger via an electric motor to maintain a desired airflow to the engine in response to an emission control device heating condition. In this way, fresh air is provided to the one or more emission control devices without degrading engine performance or increasing engine speed.

Abstract: A CVD process for depositing a silica coating is provided. The process includes providing a float glass ribbon in a float glass manufacturing process. The process also includes forming a gaseous mixture including a silane compound, oxygen, a fluorine-containing compound, and a radical scavenger. The gaseous mixture is directed toward and along the float glass ribbon and is reacted over the float glass ribbon to form the silica coating thereon. The silica coating comprises silicon dioxide.

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 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: Methods are disclosed for educating a patient about a medical condition. A healthcare provider (HCP) may collect information about a medical condition of the patient and may transmit the information to a server. The HCP may also take one or more specimens, such as hard or soft tissue, and send them to a medical laboratory. The medical laboratory may retrieve the information from the server, create a medical report based on the information and the one or more specimens, and transmit the medical report to the server. The HCP may retrieve the medical report from the server and deliver it to the patient. Based on the medical report, the HCP or the medical laboratory may recommend one or more educational videos for the patient to view which may educate the patient on the medical condition.

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: Methods and systems are provided for expediting emission control device heating. In one example, a method may include flowing air from an intake of an engine to one or more emission control devices via an air injection system while operating a turbocharger via an electric motor to maintain a desired airflow to the engine in response to an emission control device heating condition. In this way, fresh air is provided to the one or more emission control devices without degrading engine performance or increasing engine speed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a continuous monitoring system and method for monitoring the loads in a support leg of an offshore drilling rig through a remote unit mounted to the climbing pinion shaft of a jacking drive system when the brake is engaged.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a source of degradation in an exhaust system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include actuating an electric turbocharger to rotate in a first direction to evaluate integrity of an exhaust pipe of the exhaust system and rotation the turbocharger in a second direction to assess an exhaust manifold of the exhaust system, after an engine of the vehicle is turned off. Pressures generated in the exhaust system are compared to thresholds based on barometric pressure and/or turbocharger speed.

Abstract: Methods are described for creating shapes for the frozen liquid contents stored within single-serve pods used in dispensing machines for products such as coffee. Shapes may include freezing a liquid held statically in the pod in various orientations. Methods may include freeze/thaw/refreeze strategies, freezing the liquid while the pod is spinning or tumbling, use of preforms from molds, preforms made with probes, and/or use of preforms that have been formed by extrusion or pressing. In some embodiments, a shape is produced that does not interfere with the entrance of entrance or exit needles projected into the pod by the dispenser and shapes that do not interfere with the flow of a melting/diluting liquid during its transit from entrance to exit needle.

Abstract: Methods are provided for optimizing generation of water on-board a vehicle with reduced impact on fuel economy. Regenerative braking energy, and/or solar energy, in excess of what is required for charging a system battery, is used to operate a water extractor and save the captured energy as stored water. A proportion of the braking energy used to charge the battery versus operate the water extractor is adjusted as a function of operating conditions including a water level in a water reservoir on-board the vehicle.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of a coiled tubing bottom hole assembly system adapted for insertion into a borehole and determining parameters of interest within the borehole. The bottom hole assembly comprises a pressure sensor array for providing differential pressure measurements across the milling assembly, at least one accelerometer for providing acceleration measurements near the bottom hole assembly indicative of at least one of vibration, bit condition, rotational speed and translational parameters and a sensor assembly for providing a measurement of weight-on-bit and applied torque. A data processor adapted to receive inputs from the pressure sensor array, the at least one accelerometer and the sensor assembly.

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.

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 diagnosing a source of degradation in an exhaust system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include actuating an electric turbocharger to rotate in a first direction to evaluate integrity of an exhaust pipe of the exhaust system and rotation the turbocharger in a second direction to assess an exhaust manifold of the exhaust system, after an engine of the vehicle is turned off. Pressures generated in the exhaust system are compared to thresholds based on barometric pressure and/or turbocharger speed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for optimizing generation of water on-board a vehicle with reduced impact on fuel economy. Regenerative braking energy, and/or solar energy, in excess of what is required for charging a system battery, is used to operate a water extractor and save the captured energy as stored water. A proportion of the braking energy used to charge the battery versus operate the water extractor is adjusted as a function of operating conditions including a water level in a water reservoir on-board the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing collection, usage, and processing of water on-board a vehicle. Water is harvested from various locations of the vehicle including from engine operation, surface condensation, and via dehumidification. Water is processed differently based on the source of the water as well as the intended use.