Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a target torque module that determines a target torque output of an engine based on at least one driver input. A target air per cylinder (APC) module determines a target APC for the engine based on the target torque. A target mass airflow (MAF) module determines a target MAF through a throttle valve of the engine based on the target APC, a number of activated cylinders of the engine, and a total number of cylinders of the engine. A throttle control module determines a target throttle opening based on the target MAF and controls opening of the throttle valve based on the target throttle opening.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a two-stage turbocharger system having low-pressure and high-pressure turbochargers in line, sequentially, with an engine. The turbochargers include a low-pressure (LP) turbine and an LP compressor, and a high-pressure (HP) turbine and an HP compressor. The LP compressor feeds the HP compressor, which feeds the engine intake. The engine exhaust feeds the HP turbine, which feeds the LP turbine. The method determines a total boost pressure, which provides combustion reactant for the engine. The method calculates an LP compressor power from the determined total boost pressure, and an LP turbine flow from the LP compressor power. The low-pressure turbocharger operates at the calculated LP turbine flow. The method calculates an HP compressor power from the determined total boost pressure, and an HP turbine flow from the HP compressor power. The high-pressure turbocharger operates at the calculated HP turbine flow.

Abstract: A controller opens or closes a valve in response to the ambient temperature crossing a threshold value, for example to prevent the continued supply of water to pipes that might have frozen and burst. An output shaft (4) acts on a stem of the valve to rotate it between the open and closed positions. A clock spring (8) biases the output shaft towards one of those positions but is restrained by a latch (28) until a thermal actuator (30) operates mechanically to release the latch in response to a change in temperature. The latch may be a pawl (28) acting on a ratchet gear (22) that allows the output shaft (4) to rotate in one direction but not the other. The ratchet gear (22) may be mounted on an input shaft (14), which is connected to the output shaft (4) through a gear train (16-19) to give a mechanical advantage when turning the output shaft (4) against the force of the spring (8).

Abstract: A computer-implemented position-centric personnel modeling apparatus, system, and method may be provided. A nodal hierarchy may be created to correlate with the personnel structure of a business enterprise, wherein each node may be a cyberspace representation of an individual within the personnel structure of the business enterprise. Attributes correlating to individual personnel in the business enterprise may be mapped to a respective node. Objectives may subsequently be tasked within the model and the nodal hierarchy may be rearranged based on the results. Results from the model may optionally be reflected by a business enterprise.

Abstract: A screen system having a first screen sub including a first base pipe wrapped with a first screen section; a second screen sub including a second base pipe wrapped with a second screen section; and a pipe coupling assembly joining the first and second base pipes. A section of filter material extends between the first and second screen sections, and extends over the pipe coupling assembly, thereby forming an annular flow path from the first screen section to the second screen section over the pipe coupling assembly.

Abstract: A computer-implemented position-centric personnel modeling apparatus, system, and method may be provided. A nodal hierarchy may be created to correlate with the personnel structure of a business enterprise, wherein each node may be a cyberspace representation of an individual within the personnel structure of the business enterprise. Attributes correlating to individual personnel in the business enterprise may be mapped to a respective node. Objectives may subsequently be tasked within the model and the nodal hierarchy may be rearranged based on the results. Results from the model may optionally be reflected by a business enterprise.

Abstract: A control system for a recirculation valve of a turbocharger includes a target boost module, a close request module, and a close delay module. The target boost module determines a target boost for the turbocharger based on a torque request. The close request module selectively generates a close request to close the recirculation valve based on the target boost. The close delay module, in response to the generation of the close request, delays closing of the recirculation valve.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium may comprise instructions configured to display a virtual joystick, a virtual control pad, or a combination thereof and to derive control data based on a manipulation of the virtual joystick, the virtual control pad, or the combination thereof. The instructions may be further configured to communicate the control data to control a component of a non-destructive testing (NDT) device.

Abstract: A system includes an injector control module and an SCR optimization module. The injector control module controls an amount of ammonia (NH3) stored in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst to maintain a first storage level. The SCR optimization module determines whether the first storage level maximizes a conversion efficiency of the SCR catalyst at a first temperature and minimizes a probability of NH3 slip when the temperature of the SCR catalyst transitions from the first temperature to a second temperature. The injector control module controls the amount of NH3 stored in the SCR catalyst to maintain a second storage level when the second storage level maximizes the efficiency of the SCR catalyst relative to the first storage level and minimizes the probability of NH3 slip relative to the first storage level.

Abstract: A rotary surface cleaning machine for cleaning floors, including both carpeted floors and uncarpeted hard floor surfaces including but not limited to wood, tile, linoleum and natural stone flooring. The rotary surface cleaning machine has a rotary surface cleaning tool mounted on a frame and coupled for high speed rotary motion relative to the frame. The rotary surface cleaning tool has a substantially circular operational surface that performs the cleaning operation. The rotary surface cleaning tool is driven by an on-board power plant to rotate at high speed. The rotary surface cleaning tool is coupled to a supply of pressurized hot liquid solution of cleaning fluid and a powerful vacuum suction source.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for efficiently storing metadata of partitioned data (e.g., directed to a specific individual/user). A first subset of data is identified from the set of partitioned data. The first subset of data comprises data that has a high frequency of access, and may be identified, at least in part, by frequency of access metadata that is associated with the data in the set. Metadata, such as discovery information, permissions, version info, etc., that is associated with the data in the first subset can be stored in low latency (e.g., fast) storage, proving more efficient access. Metadata associated with data from the set of partitioned data that is not in the first subset (e.g., that is not accessed frequently) can be stored in higher latency (e.g., slower, less expensive) storage.

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: Vehicle mass is estimated in a hybrid motor vehicle. Upon determination of a significant change in vehicle mass, adjustments are made to control of the regenerative braking systems and to energy storage levels to improve fuel efficiency. Upon determination of an increase in vehicle mass, the amount of braking force applied to the vehicle by the regenerative braking system in response to brake pedal movement is increased in order to capture more braking energy before friction braking is used.

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: Methods of determining levels of activity of bacteria in the lungs of patients are described, in which levels of a marker of a bacterial iron scavenging processes (for example, siderophores) and levels of a secreted bacterial protein are measured over time. Changes in the measured levels over time allow levels of bacterial activity to be determined, and exacerbations of bacterial infection to be predicted and/or monitored. Additional markers may also be used. The methods of the invention may also be used for monitoring effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of lung infection. The invention is particularly useful for monitoring P. aeruginosa levels in lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. Kits for use in the methods are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a two-stage turbocharger system having low-pressure and high-pressure turbochargers in line, sequentially, with an engine. The turbochargers include a low-pressure (LP) turbine and an LP compressor, and a high-pressure (HP) turbine and an HP compressor. The LP compressor feeds the HP compressor, which feeds the engine intake. The engine exhaust feeds the HP turbine, which feeds the LP turbine. The method determines a total boost pressure, which provides combustion reactant for the engine. The method calculates an LP compressor power from the determined total boost pressure, and an LP turbine flow from the LP compressor power. The low-pressure turbocharger operates at the calculated LP turbine flow. The method calculates an HP compressor power from the determined total boost pressure, and an HP turbine flow from the HP compressor power. The high-pressure turbocharger operates at the calculated HP turbine flow.

Abstract: A handset for inspecting a target object with a sensor in an inspection module is disclosed. The handset includes a housing having a grip portion adapted to be held by a person, the housing adapted to selectively mechanically engage with the inspection module, a handset interface on the housing adapted to exchange signals with the inspection module, a handset processor, a user input interface accessible to the person gripping the grip portion and adapted to provide a control signal to the handset processor, and a user output interface responsive to the handset processor to display the data transmitted by the handset processor about the target object.