Abstract: A vehicle engine system includes an internal combustion engine, an air induction system configured to supply intake air to the internal combustion engine, and an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system is configured to selectively supply purge fuel vapor to the EHC for subsequent combustion and rapid heating to a predetermined catalyst light-off temperature. The system additionally includes a booster configured to charge the intake air, and an engine bypass conduit fluidly coupled between the booster and the exhaust aftertreatment system. When the internal combustion engine is off, the booster selectively supplies a flow of intake air through the engine bypass conduit to the exhaust aftertreatment system. The flow of intake air draws purge fuel vapor from the EVAP system into the exhaust aftertreatment system.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions (EVAP) system for a vehicle includes a waste heat control valve configured to direct an exhaust gas from an exhaust treatment system, the waste heat control valve being positioned at a point downstream from a catalyst of the exhaust treatment system, a vapor canister configured to store a fuel vapor evaporated from a liquid fuel housed in a fuel tank of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger connected to (i) the fuel tank, (ii) the waste heat control valve, and (iii) the vapor canister, the heat exchanger being configured to (a) utilize the exhaust waste heat to evaporate the fuel vapor from the liquid fuel and (b) provide the evaporated fuel vapor to the vapor canister. A method of operating the EVAP system includes controlling the waste heat control valve and a fuel pump to provide the vapor canister with a desired amount of fuel vapor.

Abstract: A vapor canister of an evaporative emissions (EVAP) system is configured to store fuel vapor evaporated from a liquid fuel housed in a fuel tank of a vehicle. A boost line is connected between a high-pressure side of a boost system of an engine and the vapor canister, a boost pressure control valve is disposed in-line along the boost line and configured to control an amount of boost pressure provided to the vapor canister, and a set of purge lines are connected between the vapor canister and at least one of the engine, an induction system of the engine, and an exhaust treatment system of the engine. A controller is configured to control the boost pressure control valve to control the boost pressure provided to the vapor canister to control an amount of fuel vapor forced from the vapor canister through at least one of the set of purge lines.

Abstract: A seating structure includes a base, a seat, a backrest connected to the seat, and an electronic circuit supported by the base. The seat or the backrest includes a carrier and a suspension material secured to the carrier and spanning across an opening formed by the carrier. The suspension material includes a plurality of electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic circuit is coupled to the electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic circuit includes an electronic processor and a sensor. The sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of an electrical parameter of one of the electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic processor is configured to apply a drive signal to one of the plurality of electrostatic discharge fibers, receive the output signal from the sensor, and determine a state of the seating structure based on the output signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A vapor canister of an evaporative emissions (EVAP) system is configured to store fuel vapor evaporated from a liquid fuel housed in a fuel tank of a vehicle. A boost line is connected between a high-pressure side of a boost system of an engine and the vapor canister, a boost pressure control valve is disposed in-line along the boost line and configured to control an amount of boost pressure provided to the vapor canister, and a set of purge lines are connected between the vapor canister and at least one of the engine, an induction system of the engine, and an exhaust treatment system of the engine. A controller is configured to control the boost pressure control valve to control the boost pressure provided to the vapor canister to control an amount of fuel vapor forced from the vapor canister through at least one of the set of purge lines.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions (EVAP) system for a vehicle includes a waste heat control valve configured to direct an exhaust gas from an exhaust treatment system, the waste heat control valve being positioned at a point downstream from a catalyst of the exhaust treatment system, a vapor canister configured to store a fuel vapor evaporated from a liquid fuel housed in a fuel tank of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger connected to (i) the fuel tank, (ii) the waste heat control valve, and (iii) the vapor canister, the heat exchanger being configured to (a) utilize the exhaust waste heat to evaporate the fuel vapor from the liquid fuel and (b) provide the evaporated fuel vapor to the vapor canister. A method of operating the EVAP system includes controlling the waste heat control valve and a fuel pump to provide the vapor canister with a desired amount of fuel vapor.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system includes a control valve configured to control an amount of air drawn into an evaporative emissions (EVAP) system through an air filter and a vapor canister, and a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the EVAP system. The system also includes a controller configured to detect an engine idle-to-off transition and, in response to detecting the engine idle-to-off transition: receive a first pressure from the pressure sensor, fully open a purge valve connected between the vapor canister and an intake port of an engine, fully close the control valve, monitor one or more second pressures received from the pressure sensor, and detect a malfunction of the EVAP system based on the first pressure, at least one of the one or more second pressures, and a diagnostic threshold.

Abstract: A seating structure includes a base, a seat, a backrest connected to the seat, and an electronic circuit supported by the base. The seat or the backrest includes a carrier and a suspension material secured to the carrier and spanning across an opening formed by the carrier. The suspension material includes a plurality of electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic circuit is coupled to the electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic circuit includes an electronic processor and a sensor. The sensor is configured to generate an output signal indicative of an electrical parameter of one of the electrostatic discharge fibers. The electronic processor is configured to apply a drive signal to one of the plurality of electrostatic discharge fibers, receive the output signal from the sensor, and determine a state of the seating structure based on the output signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system includes a control valve configured to control an amount of air drawn into an evaporative emissions (EVAP) system through an air filter and a vapor canister, and a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the EVAP system. The system also includes a controller configured to detect an engine idle-to-off transition and, in response to detecting the engine idle-to-off transition: receive a first pressure from the pressure sensor, fully open a purge valve connected between the vapor canister and an intake port of an engine, fully close the control valve, monitor one or more second pressures received from the pressure sensor, and detect a malfunction of the EVAP system based on the first pressure, at least one of the one or more second pressures, and a diagnostic threshold.

Abstract: An electrostatic speaker is described that includes a curved diaphragm positioned between two electrically conductive plates. According to aspects, the curved diaphragm has an “S-shape” and is configured to electrostatically move between the conductive plates. In particular, the curved diaphragm may generally roll between the two conductive plates so as to move from left to right with respect to ends of the conductive plates and push air in a direction toward ends of the conductive plates, thus generating acoustic output. In some implementations, the configuration of the electrostatic speaker reduces a biasing voltage required for the conductive plates.

Abstract: A hip distractor includes a pair of distractor members and a support configured to be fastened to a surgical table. The support includes at least two mounts for coupling to a pair of joints that couple the distractor members to the support. Another hip distractor includes a pair of distractor assemblies that are configured to apply a distraction load to a patient. Each of the assemblies includes a joint for coupling the corresponding assembly to a surgical table. The joint permits vertical and horizontal angular adjustment of the corresponding assembly. A method of distracting a hip includes coupling a patient's legs to a pair of distractor assemblies and simultaneously adjusting a vertical angle and a horizontal angle of at least one of the distractor assemblies.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling and adjusting a low-frequency response of a MEMS microphone. The system comprising the MEMS microphone, a controller, and a memory. The MEMS microphone includes a membrane and a plurality of air vents. The membrane configured such that acoustic pressures acting on the membrane cause movement of the membrane. The plurality of air vents are positioned proximate to the membrane. Each air vent of the plurality of air vents are configured to be selectively positioned in an open position or a closed position. The controller determines an integer number of air vents to be placed in the closed positioned, and generate a signal that causes the integer number of air vents to be placed in the closed position and causes any remaining air vents to be placed in the open position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system which enables cooperative rich media content management, sharing, and publishing across a distributed set of Web sites, Web servers, and media servers based on control information in an online database. Media files are housed on any number of heterogeneous media repositories. The system of the present invention is used for managing, sharing, and publishing rich media content including video, images, animations, audio, etc. Authorized viewers access media files through dynamically generated content and media links embedded on Web sites. Content administrators publish media entries to any number of such distributed Web sites, and can set viewer permissions for individual video entries when published on specific Web sites. Content administrators can also dynamically establish media sharing and access relationships.

Abstract: An electrostatic speaker is described that includes a curved diaphragm positioned between two electrically conductive plates. According to aspects, the curved diaphragm has an “S-shape” and is configured to electrostatically move between the conductive plates. In particular, the curved diaphragm may generally roll between the two conductive plates so as to move from left to right with respect to ends of the conductive plates and push air in a direction toward ends of the conductive plates, thus generating acoustic output. In some implementations, the configuration of the electrostatic speaker reduces a biasing voltage required for the conductive plates.

Abstract: An electrostatic speaker is described that includes a curved diaphragm positioned between two electrically conductive plates. According to aspects, the curved diaphragm has an “S-shape” and is configured to electrostatically move between the conductive plates. In particular, the curved diaphragm may generally roll between the two conductive plates so as to move from left to right with respect to ends of the conductive plates and push air in a direction toward ends of the conductive plates, thus generating acoustic output. In some implementations, the configuration of the electrostatic speaker reduces a biasing voltage required for the conductive plates.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling and adjusting a low-frequency response of a MEMS microphone. The system comprising the MEMS microphone, a controller, and a memory. The MEMS microphone includes a membrane and a plurality of air vents. The membrane configured such that acoustic pressures acting on the membrane cause movement of the membrane. The plurality of air vents are positioned proximate to the membrane. Each air vent of the plurality of air vents are configured to be selectively positioned in an open position or a closed position. The controller determines an integer number of air vents to be placed in the closed positioned, and generate a signal that causes the integer number of air vents to be placed in the closed position and causes any remaining air vents to be placed in the open position.

Abstract: A speaker. The speaker includes a housing, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a diaphragm. The housing has a first end, the first end which includes an acoustic aperture. The first electrode is positioned in the housing a first distance from the first end, and is biased to a first voltage. The second electrode is positioned in the housing a second distance, which is greater than the first distance, from the first end. The second electrode is biased to a second voltage. The diaphragm is positioned in the housing between the first electrode and the second electrode, and is biased to a third voltage. The speaker includes a valve. The valve opens when the diaphragm is moving away from the first end and closes when the diaphragm is stationary or moving toward the first end. When the valve is closed, the diaphragm forms an air-tight seal between the first end and the second electrode.

Abstract: A speaker. The speaker includes a housing, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a diaphragm. The housing has a first end, the first end which includes an acoustic aperture. The first electrode is positioned in the housing a first distance from the first end, and is biased to a first voltage. The second electrode is positioned in the housing a second distance, which is greater than the first distance, from the first end. The second electrode is biased to a second voltage. The diaphragm is positioned in the housing between the first electrode and the second electrode, and is biased to a third voltage. The speaker includes a valve. The valve opens when the diaphragm is moving away from the first end and closes when the diaphragm is stationary or moving toward the first end. When the valve is closed, the diaphragm forms an air-tight seal between the first end and the second electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic device comprising an enclosed housing defining an inner volume and having a front and a back; an acoustic port penetrating the front of the enclosed housing; a first and second sense structure attached to the inside of the housing and defining a gap between the first and second sense structures; a front volume defined by the portion of the inner volume between the first sense structure and the front of the housing; a back volume defined by the portion of the inner volume between the second sense structure and the back of the housing; and at least one vent in the first sense structure operatively connecting the front volume and the gap, wherein the acoustic device has a cutoff frequency above approximately 100 Hz.

Abstract: A hip distractor includes a pair of distractor members and a support configured to be fastened to a surgical table. The support includes at least two mounts for coupling to a pair of joints that couple the distractor members to the support. Another hip distractor includes a pair of distractor assemblies that are configured to apply a distraction load to a patient. Each of the assemblies includes a joint for coupling the corresponding assembly to a surgical table. The joint permits vertical and horizontal angular adjustment of the corresponding assembly. A method of distracting a hip includes coupling a patient's legs to a pair of distractor assemblies and simultaneously adjusting a vertical angle and a horizontal angle of at least one of the distractor assemblies.