Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. Facing pistons eliminate a cylinder head, thereby reducing heat losses through a cylinder head. Facing pistons also halve the stroke that would be required for one piston to provide the same compression ratio, and the engine can thus be run at higher revolutions per minute and produce more power. An internal sleeve valve is provided for space and other considerations. A combustion chamber size-varying mechanism allows for adjustment of the minimum size of an internal volume to increase efficiency at partial-power operation. Variable intake valve operation is used to control engine power.

Abstract: Carburetor features, which can include but are not limited to varying slope angles in different sections of a multi-sectioned carburetor needle, can provide combustion mixtures to an engine that include a fuel-air ratio that is variable independent of the rate of air flow through the carburetor. Related methods, systems, articles of manufacture, etc. are described.

Abstract: Diesel opposed piston engines, optionally with variable compression ratio and/or turbocharging, can provide improved fuel efficiency by adapting a compression ratio of the engine in accordance with an engine load such that larger compression ratios are used for smaller loads and smaller compression ratios are used for larger loads. Turbocharging can provide improved efficiency at the smaller compression ratio operating conditions. Optionally, one or more current engine parameters can be modified to maintain a peak combustion chamber temperature below a threshold temperature at which an acceptable level of nitrogen oxide pollutants (NOX) is expected to be formed. One or more swirl inducing features can be included on piston crowns in an opposed piston engine. Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, etc. are described.

Abstract: A pillar-shaped memory cell is provided that includes a steering element, and a non-volatile state change element coupled in series with the steering element. Other aspects are also provided.

Abstract: A sleeve valve assembly. The assembly includes a valve seat, a sleeve valve and an oil path-defining piece. The sleeve valve includes a distal end with a cavity. The distal end contacts the valve seat when the sleeve valve is located in a closed position. The oil path-defining piece includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of cooling passages. The flange of the sleeve valve is slidably in contact with the oil path-defining piece such that cooling fluid travelling into the inlet port and through the cooling passages enters into the cavity before exiting out the exit port.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for fabricating and running an engine in two modes. The first mode is an efficiency mode having a high compression ratio and efficiency for low to medium loads. The second mode is a power mode having high power density for higher loads. The system may use a lean mixture in the efficiency mode, which mixture is made richer for more power in the power mode. The system may also use ignition timing to allow the efficiency mode and the high power mode to be at the same mixture.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for varying the compression ratio in opposed-piston engines are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an opposed-piston engine can include a first phaser operably coupled to a first crankshaft and a second phaser operably coupled to a corresponding second crankshaft. The phase angle between the crankshafts can be changed to reduce or increase the compression ratio in the corresponding combustion chamber to optimize or at least improve engine performance under a given set of operating conditions.

Abstract: A memory cell is provided that includes a steering element, and a non-volatile state change element coupled in series with the steering element. The steering element and state change element are disposed in a vertically-oriented pillar. Other aspects are also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. Facing pistons eliminate a cylinder head, thereby reducing heat losses through a cylinder head. Facing pistons also halve the stroke that would be required for one piston to provide the same compression ratio, and the engine can thus be run at higher revolutions per minute and produce more power. An internal sleeve valve is provided for space and other considerations. A combustion chamber size-varying mechanism allows for adjustment of the minimum size of an internal volume to increase efficiency at partial-power operation. Variable intake valve operation is used to control engine power.

Abstract: A die is formed with different and optimized critical dimensions in different device levels and areas of those device levels using photolithography and etch techniques. One aspect of the invention provides for a memory array formed above a substrate, with driver circuitry formed in the substrate. A level of the memory array consists of, for example, parallel rails and a fan-out region. It is desirable to maximize density of the rails and minimize cost of lithography for the entire memory array. This can be achieved by forming the rails at a tighter pitch than the CMOS circuitry beneath it, allowing cheaper lithography tools to be used when forming the CMOS, and similarly by optimizing lithography and etch techniques for a device level to produce a tight pitch in the rails, and a more relaxed pitch in the less-critical fan-out region.

Abstract: Based on one or more monitored operation parameters of an internal combustion engine, a set of engine operation conditions necessary to provide combustion stability in a combustion volume of the engine, optimized fuel efficiency, and minimized production of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons can be determined. The new set of engine operation conditions can be dynamically implemented in response to changing engine loads and changing engine speeds to maintain a combustion mixture and combustion conditions within a combustion chamber of the engine constrained flammability limits, pollutant generation rates, and fuel efficiency considerations. Related articles, systems, and methods are described.

Abstract: A die is formed with different and optimized critical dimensions in different device levels and areas of those device levels using photolithography and etch techniques. One aspect of the invention provides for a memory array formed above a substrate, with driver circuitry formed in the substrate. A level of the memory array consists of, for example, parallel rails and a fan-out region. It is desirable to maximize density of the rails and minimize cost of lithography for the entire memory array. This can be achieved by forming the rails at a tighter pitch than the CMOS circuitry beneath it, allowing cheaper lithography tools to be used when forming the CMOS, and similarly by optimizing lithography and etch techniques for a device level to produce a tight pitch in the rails, and a more relaxed pitch in the less-critical fan-out region.

Abstract: A memory cell is provided that includes a steering element, and a non-volatile state change element coupled in series with the steering element. The steering element and state change element are disposed in a vertically-oriented pillar. Other aspects are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a monolithic three dimensional array of charge storage devices which includes a plurality of device levels, wherein at least one surface between two successive device levels is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing.

Abstract: A memory cell is provided that includes a first conductor, a second conductor, a steering element that is capable of providing substantially unidirectional current flow, and a state change element coupled in series with the steering element. The state change element is capable of retaining a programmed state, and the steering element and state change element are vertically aligned with one another. Other aspects are also provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is operable in an efficiency mode providing a first power output range between zero and a transition power output and in a power mode providing a second power output range between the transition power output and a maximum power output. The efficiency mode can include a first ignition timing and a first air/fuel ratio of the mixture to avoid premature auto-ignition, and the power mode can include a second ignition timing and a second air/fuel ratio of the mixture to avoid premature auto-ignition of the mixture. To further enable knock free operation of such an engine, turbulence can be imparted to the mixture to promote a faster burn duration and high temperatures that may lead to premature auto-ignition of the mixture can be avoided.

Abstract: A cam can rotate on a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. A rocker arm that actuates a valve of the internal combustion engine can include a rocker pivot connection point located on a distal side of a valve component from a proximate end of the rocker arm that is deflected by action of the cam. The rocker arm can include a contact point located between the rocker pivot point and the proximate end. The contact point can act on the valve component to actuate the valve. The rocker pivot connection point can be translated such that it is closer to or further from the cam. This translation can be used to vary valve lift and/or valve timing. The cam can have a three-dimensional profile to provide different actuation distance of the rocker arm. Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture consistent with one or more of these features are described.

Abstract: Features relating to engine efficiency and emissions controls are described. Systems, methods, articles or manufacture and the like can include features relating to integrated muffler and emissions controls for engine exhaust, water-injected internal combustion engine with an asymmetric compression and expansion ratio, controlled combustion durations for HCCI engines, piston shrouding of sleeve valves, low element count bearings, improved ports, and premixing of fuel and exhaust.

Abstract: An amount of inlet air can be delivered to a combustion volume of an internal combustion engine via an air inlet port, and delivery of an amount of a fuel from a compressed fuel reservoir to the combustion volume can be controlled via a pressurized fuel inlet port positioned to the deliver the amount of the fuel directly into the combustion volume separately from the air inlet port. The amount of the fuel can be controlled relative to the amount of the inlet air to create an air-fuel mixture within the combustion volume having a target air/fuel ratio. In other aspects, a vehicle chassis can be designed to incorporate a compressed fuel reservoir as a structural part of the chassis. Methods, system, and articles of manufacture relating to these features are described.

Abstract: Various types of valve systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a positive control reciprocating sleeve valve system for use with an internal combustion engine includes opening and closing rockers controlled by corresponding opening and closing cam lobes. In one aspect of this embodiment, interference can be designed into the valve control system to provide additional “hold-closed” force to hold the valve against its seat during a portion of the engine cycle. In another aspect of this embodiment, positive control valve systems can include compliant components and systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and/or mechanical spring systems to control valve lash, facilitate sealing, etc.