Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor are disclosed, whereby the combination involves a mass-flow-air (MFA) throttle and a mass-flow-gas (MFG) throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine and other interventions as desired.

Abstract: A dual chemistry battery system is disclosed that preserves the voltage of the primary battery in a vehicle while connected in parallel to a secondary battery. The system utilizes batteries with different chemistry and voltage output characteristics to maintain at least the necessary charge in the primary battery for starting the vehicle. Preferred embodiments utilize a lithium-ion Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to preserve the charge of the vehicle's primary lead acid battery.

Abstract: A battery assembly including a housing sized to be replaceably installed within a battery assembly compartment of an electric vehicle. Where a plurality of battery modules are disposed within the housing. The battery assembly includes a battery module charging assembly electrically coupled with a negative module terminal and a positive module terminal of each of the plurality of battery modules and disposed within the battery assembly housing. The battery module charging assembly includes a power supply plug configured to deliver electrical energy from the plurality of battery modules to the electric vehicle, a power charging port configured to be coupled with and receive electrical energy from a power source for charging the plurality of battery modules. The charging assembly further includes control circuitry configured to control charging operations of the battery assembly and a switch configured to connect the plurality of battery modules in parallel or series.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor are disclosed, whereby the combination involves a mass-flow-air (MFA) throttle and a mass-flow-gas (MFG) throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine and other interventions as desired.

Abstract: A kit for assembling a forklift capable of being either electrically-powered or powered by an internal-combustion source. The kit includes a forklift shell including a chassis and a hydraulic system. The kit further includes an internal-combustion (IC) powertrain including an IC engine, a transmission coupled to the IC engine, a drivetrain coupled with the transmission, and an IC hydraulics pump powered by the IC engine and configured to be coupled with the hydraulic system. The kit further includes an electric powertrain including a battery assembly, an electric motor powered by the battery assembly, a drivetrain coupled with the electric motor, and an electric hydraulics pump powered by the battery assembly and configured to be coupled with the hydraulics system. Where one of the IC powertrain and the electric powertrain is configured to be coupled with the chassis and the hydraulics system for powering operation of the forklift.

Abstract: A system for determining properties of fuel supplied to an internal combustion (IC) engine and for adjusting operations of the IC engine based on the determined properties. The system includes an air-flow throttle configured to control the air supplied to the IC engine; a fuel-flow throttle configured to control the fuel supplied to the IC engine; and an engine control module (ECM) configured to receive readings from and control operation of the throttles. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel-air determination program where the ECM determines a percent-error air-to-fuel ratio (AF) based on a true AF ratio compared to an ideal AF ratio. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel property determination and adjustment program in which the ECM is configured to adjust operations of the IC engine based on a fuel property value determined using the percent-error AF ratio.

Abstract: A game scoring camera system is disclosed for capturing images of game animals for the purpose of scoring the antlers using an accepted scoring method. One or more cameras are used in a multiscopic arrangement for capturing two-dimensional (2-D) images which are then converted to three-dimensional (3-D) data models, the resulting 3-D data models being used for determining measurements of various antler structures for calculating a score for the set of antlers captured in the images, the score being based on existing antler scoring systems. Some embodiments include one or more cameras, each being mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone, for capturing images during an aerial survey of game animals located within a particular area. Other embodiments include at least two cameras mounted in a stationary configuration for capturing images of game animals located within a particular area.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor are disclosed, whereby the combination involves a mass-flow-air (MFA) throttle and a mass-flow-gas (MFG) throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine and other interventions as desired.

Abstract: A battery assembly including a housing sized to be replaceably installed within a battery assembly compartment of an electric vehicle. Where a plurality of battery modules are disposed within the housing. The battery assembly includes a battery module charging assembly electrically coupled with a negative module terminal and a positive module terminal of each of the plurality of battery modules and disposed within the battery assembly housing. The battery module charging assembly includes a power supply plug configured to deliver electrical energy from the plurality of battery modules to the electric vehicle, a power charging port configured to be coupled with and receive electrical energy from a power source for charging the plurality of battery modules. The charging assembly further includes control circuitry configured to control charging operations of the battery assembly and a switch configured to connect the plurality of battery modules in parallel or series.

Abstract: A game scoring camera system is disclosed for capturing images of game animals for the purpose of scoring the antlers using an accepted scoring method. One or more cameras are used in a multiscopic arrangement for capturing two-dimensional (2-D) images which are then converted to three-dimensional (3-D) data models, the resulting 3-D data models being used for determining measurements of various antler structures for calculating a score for the set of antlers captured in the images, the score being based on existing antler scoring systems. Some embodiments include one or more cameras, each being mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone, for capturing images during an aerial survey of game animals located within a particular area. Other embodiments include at least two cameras mounted in a stationary configuration for capturing images of game animals located within a particular area.

Abstract: A system for determining properties of fuel supplied to an internal combustion (IC) engine and for adjusting operations of the IC engine based on the determined properties. The system includes an air-flow throttle configured to control the air supplied to the IC engine; a fuel-flow throttle configured to control the fuel supplied to the IC engine; and an engine control module (ECM) configured to receive readings from and control operation of the throttles. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel-air determination program where the ECM determines a percent-error air-to-fuel ratio (AF) based on a true AF ratio compared to an ideal AF ratio. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel property determination and adjustment program in which the ECM is configured to adjust operations of the IC engine based on a fuel property value determined using the percent-error AF ratio.

Abstract: A system for determining properties of fuel supplied to an internal combustion (IC) engine and for adjusting operations of the IC engine based on the determined properties. The system includes an air-flow throttle configured to control the air supplied to the IC engine; a fuel-flow throttle configured to control the fuel supplied to the IC engine; and an engine control module (ECM) configured to receive readings from and control operation of the throttles. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel-air determination program where the ECM determines a percent-error air-to-fuel ratio (AF) based on a true AF ratio compared to an ideal AF ratio. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel property determination and adjustment program in which the ECM is configured to adjust operations of the IC engine based on a fuel property value determined using the percent-error AF ratio.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium-ion battery assembly configured to provide power to a forklift vehicle, the battery assembly including a plurality of battery modules integrated into the assembly, where each integrated battery module includes a plurality of battery cells within a module casing, with the cells being grouped and interconnected in both series and parallel to provide in combination an overall predetermined electrical potential between a positive terminal and a negative terminal for each module, and where each module uses two conductors within a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) as busbars, with the PCBA being disposed adjacent to a first end of each battery cell in the module and being electrically coupled by wire bonds with each battery cell, and the PCBA also having a processor (a battery management system, or BMS) for management control of the integrated module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor including a mass-flow-air throttle and a mass-flow-gas throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties, such as British Thermal Unit (BTU) content, can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine.

Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) gateway integrated into a real-time monitoring system for skid-mounted natural gas compression systems. The IoT gateway enables remote monitoring, troubleshooting, and diagnosing of natural gas compression systems by providing access to cellular and satellite communication networks for communicating operational data to one or more remote servers. The IoT gateway can be configured to select a communication network based on an order of priority and other various criteria. The order of priority and the selection criteria may be updated over the air. The IoT gateway can be further configured to receive and relay software and other updates to one or more components of the natural gas compression system. The IoT gateway is configured to meet various regulatory compliance standards and is explosion proof.

Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of the gaseous supplies (fuel and/or air) to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's ECM, especially for large (i.e., 30 liters or greater in size) spark-ignited internal combustion engines fueled by natural gas. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with tight control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are innovatively suited to be used for both MFG and MFA throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control even despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow.

Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.