Abstract: A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry.

Abstract: A system and method for engine control and diagnostics are described. The engine system may include an engine having a catalyst in the exhaust system, the exhaust system further having an exhaust gas oxygen sensor upstream of the catalyst and downstream of the catalyst. In one example, the method may include during a first operating mode in which catalyst diagnostics are not carried out, adjusting air-fuel ratio based on both the upstream and downstream exhaust gas oxygen sensors, where air-fuel ratio adjustment responsiveness to the downstream sensor is reduced as the catalyst performance degrades; and during a second operating mode that includes catalyst diagnostics, adjusting air-fuel ratio based on at least the downstream exhaust gas oxygen sensor, where said air-fuel ratio adjustment responsiveness to the downstream sensor is temporarily increased from said reduction generated during the first operating mode.

Abstract: A method for an admixture producer to provide admixture formulations to a concrete producer, including inputting technical information, wherein the technical information is inputted into the computer control system by the concrete producer, determining types and levels of admixture raw materials that are needed to attain the desired performance characteristics, dispensing the types and quantities of admixture raw materials needed to produce an admixture formulation having properties needed to attain the desired performance characteristics, wherein the admixture raw materials are dispensed from an inventory of admixture raw materials that is maintained in proximity to a concrete mixing facility of the concrete producer, and invoicing the concrete producer for the admixture formulation.

Abstract: A fully adjustable masonry block tool for lifting, transporting, laying and leveling concrete block, webbed block corner block whether flat or rock faced with an attached leveling system. Tool is designed to center on and support a cement block of substantial weight, while giving more control to block layer. This invention in its entirety is a one piece unit which will be shown and described in further detail in claims, drawings and pictures of unit design.

Abstract: A valuation system determines a win probability, which is a measure of the likelihood a participant in a particular game is to win the game given a current game state. The valuation system may determine the win probability from an analysis of events that have occurred in actual games that have occurred over a predetermined time period in the past. The valuation system may then provide the win probability to various media outlets for display or broadcast, for example, within the context of the game. The valuation system may also display or broadcast the win probability through its own broadcast source, such as its web site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting degradation of a sensor in a vacuum brake booster coupled to a manifold of an internal combustion engine include measuring an engine or vehicle operating parameter to detect operating or control conditions and detecting degradation of the sensor based on the engine or vehicle operating parameter. In one embodiment the operating parameter is a measured or estimated manifold pressure. A pressure drop across a check valve disposed between the brake booster and the intake manifold may also be considered.

Abstract: A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for a fantasy sports application is provided. The GUI provides intuitive, easy-to-use user interface elements that enable the users to perform an extensive search of athletes based on a combination of one or more extensive and rich search criteria. Other GUIs provide users the ability to include interests in an athlete or multiple athletes in their fantasy teams or portfolios by performing a simple click-and-drag operation.

Abstract: A valuation system for measuring the value of an athlete is described. The system determines a market value for a share of a financial instrument in the athlete. The system also determines the performance points generated by the athlete as a result of the athlete's participation in real-life athletic competitions. The system then determines a value of the athlete as the combination of the market value of the financial instrument and the performance points.

Abstract: A valuation system determines in real-time values of plays occurring during games by identifying a play that occurred during a game. The system determines an expectation of scoring prior to the play occurring, and an expectation of scoring that results from the play occurring. The system then calculates a value of the play as the difference between the expectation of scoring that results from the play occurring and the expectation of scoring that existed prior to the play occurring, and any scoring generated by the play.

Abstract: An interactive fantasy cross-sport challenge that allows the participants to compete in the challenge by formulating a portfolio comprising shares of financial instruments in real-life athletes is provided. Each participant in the challenge is initially allotted a predetermined amount of fantasy money units with which to create a portfolio. The portfolio may be comprised of shares of financial instruments in real-life athletes from a plurality of sports, as specified by the challenge. During the course of the challenge, each participant is allowed to place market orders for the purchase and/or sale of shares of financial instruments in real-life athletes from the specified plurality of sports, and the participant receives dividends based on the shares of the financial instruments in real-life athletes contained in the participant's portfolio.

Abstract: An interactive fantasy single sport challenge that allows the participants to compete in the challenge by formulating a portfolio comprising shares of financial instruments in real-life athletes is provided. Each participant in the challenge is initially allotted a predetermined amount of fantasy money units with which to create a portfolio. During the course of the challenge, each participant is allowed to place market orders for the purchase and/or sale of shares of financial instruments in real-life athletes, and the participant receives dividends based on the shares of the financial instruments in real-life athletes contained in the participant's portfolio. The dividend generated by a share of a financial instrument in a real-life athlete is a measurement of the real-life athlete's on-field performance during real-life athletic competitions in which the real-life athlete participates.

Abstract: An improved freeze-thaw durability cementitious composition is provided that uses at least partially degradable polymeric particles that are blended directly into the cementitious composition mixture. The degradable polymeric particles provide void spaces in the cementitious material matrix, and such void spaces act to increase freeze-thaw durability of the cementitious material.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine for low emissions include an inner feedback control loop to control the engine fuel/air ratio with feedback provided by a first exhaust gas sensor and an outer feedback control loop that modifies the fuel/air ratio reference provided to the inner feedback control loop based on feedback signals provided by the first exhaust gas sensor and a second exhaust gas sensor. The fuel/air ratio reference signal controller adapts to the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst by modeling the catalyst as an integrator with an unknown gain and estimating the catalyst gain based on the first and second exhaust gas sensor signals. Using the estimated catalyst gain, an adaptive controller gain factor is determined and subsequently used to determine the fuel/air ratio reference signal provided to the fuel/air ratio controller of the inner feedback control loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting degradation of a sensor in a vacuum brake booster coupled to a manifold of an internal combustion engine include measuring an engine or vehicle operating parameter to detect operating or control conditions and detecting degradation of the sensor based on the engine or vehicle operating parameter. In one embodiment the operating parameter is a measured or estimated manifold pressure. A pressure drop across a check valve disposed between the brake booster and the intake manifold may also be considered.

Abstract: A configurable output circuit is disclosed. The output circuit comprises an analog output circuit capable of producing an analog output signal usable to control the output device, a binary output circuit capable of producing a binary output signal usable to control the output device, and means for configuring the output circuit to provide an analog output mode or a binary output mode so that the output signal is either the binary output signal or the analog output signal. A method of providing an output control signal to an output device comprises providing an output circuit having a binary output circuit and an analog output circuit, receiving a first output mode control signal, configuring the output circuit in either a binary output mode or an analog output mode, receiving a first device control signal, and providing the output control signal to the output device as either a binary signal or an analog signal.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery that rubbery polymers having a high vinyl content and a low degree of branching can be synthesized with an initiator system that is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator selected from the group consisting of allylic lithium compounds and benzylic lithium compounds, (b) a Group I metal alkoxide, and (c) a polar modifier; wherein the molar ratio of the Group I metal alkoxide to the polar modifier is within the range of about 0.1:1 to about 10:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the Group I metal alkoxide to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.01:1 to about 20:1. These high vinyl polymers offer reduced levels of hysteresis and better functionalization efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an oil extended rubber and composition comprising: a solution-polymerized elastomer derived from at least one conjugated diene monomer and at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, the elastomer coupled with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silicon and tin; and from about 5 to about 70 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a process oil having a glass transition temperature of from about ?80° C. to about ?40° C., a polycyclic aromatic content of less than 3 percent by weight as determined by the IP346 method, and an aromatic content of less than 20 percent by weight as measured by ASTM D2140.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an oil extended rubber and composition comprising: a solution polymerized elastomer derived from isoprene and optionally at least member of the group consisting of conjugated dienes and vinyl aromatic monomers; and from about 5 to about 70 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a process oil having a glass transition temperature of from about ?80° C. to about ?40° C. and a polycyclic aromatic content of less than 3 percent by weight as determined by the IP346 method.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine for low emissions include an inner feedback control loop to control the engine fuel/air ratio with feedback provided by a first exhaust gas sensor and an outer feedback control loop that modifies a reference fuel/air ratio provided to the inner feedback control loop based on feedback signals provided by a second exhaust gas sensor positioned downstream relative to a portion of the catalyst and a third exhaust gas sensor positioned downstream relative to the second exhaust gas sensor. Catalyst gains are determined by modeling the catalyst as an integrator with an unknown gain and estimating the catalyst gain based on the exhaust gas sensors with the gain used to monitor catalyst performance and/or modify the engine fuel/air ratio.