Abstract: Tracking controller configuration is provided. Each ECU of a plurality of ECUs is queried for feature codes indicative of elements of functionality implemented by the respective ECU. Each of the feature codes corresponds to a target quantity of ECUs involved in implementing the functionality. An alert is indicated responsive to the querying returning a different quantity of ECUs implementing the functionality than the target quantity.

Abstract: A combined cycle engine is formed of a gas turbine cycle coupled with a fuel expansion cycle in which fuel for the gas turbine cycle is the working fluid of the fuel expansion cycle. The fuel expansion cycle comprises, in flow series, a fuel pump for pumping a cryogenic fuel for the gas turbine cycle, a first heat exchanger for heating the fuel, an expander to recover power by expansion of the fuel and to thereby drive a load, and a second heat exchanger to reheat the fuel. The gas turbine cycle comprises, in flow series, a compressor, a combustor for combustion of reheated fuel delivered from the second heat exchanger, and a turbine configured to drive the compressor. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are stationed downstream of the combustor and configured to transfer heat from combustion products to the fuel in the fuel expansion cycle.

Abstract: Tracking component configuration is provided. A central gateway is in communication with ECUs over one or more vehicle buses. The central gateway generates a first digest of first software updates installed to the ECUs, the first digest including a manifest of changes performed to the ECUs and a first hash of a subset of the first software updates. A signature is embedded into the first digest, the signature including a first digest hash of the first digest. The first digest is maintained to a non-transitory storage of the central gateway as a non-reputable record of the installation of the software updates.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for storing vehicle, vehicle owner, and vehicle operator data on a blockchain, the data including smart contracts that may be executed to control a usage of the vehicle via customizable permissions. In an embodiment, a vehicle management system comprises a blockchain; a streaming service configured to provide event data in real time to a contract executing virtual machine (VM) embedded in the blockchain; and a non-transitory memory storing instructions that when executed by a processor of the vehicle management system, cause the vehicle management system to generate a digital key for an operator of a vehicle of the vehicle management system, the digital key controlling access to the vehicle and/or a use of one or more functionalities of the vehicle by the operator, based on one or more smart contracts; and store data of the vehicle, the owner, and the operator on the blockchain.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing, tracking, and storing vehicle ownership data in a decentralized, distributed vehicle management system. In an embodiment, a decentralized, distributed vehicle management system comprises a blockchain; a streaming service configured to provide event data in real time to a contract executing virtual machine (VM) embedded in the blockchain; and a non-transitory memory storing instructions that when executed by a processor of the vehicle management system, cause the vehicle management system to manage ownership data of a vehicle of the vehicle management system, including changes in ownership of the vehicle, via smart contracts that execute automatically in response to real-time event data streamed by the streaming service, wherein the smart contracts are created by various users of the vehicle management system linked to or associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle determines that it is under use in a temporary-user state for which a temporary use period is defined. The vehicle, responsive to being under use in the temporary use state, engages a vehicle temporary use mode, including automatic capture of vehicle states when the mode is engaged. Further, the vehicle, responsive to the engagement of the temporary use mode, displays at least one of vehicle documentation or a selectable option to display vehicle documentation on a vehicle display. The vehicle additionally monitors the vehicle while use of the vehicle is performed during the temporary use period and notifies a driver, via the vehicle display, of vehicle use, determined by the monitoring, that does not conform to any restrictions defined by an agreement relating to the temporary use period.

Abstract: Tracking component configuration is provided. A central gateway is in communication with ECUs over one or more vehicle buses. The central gateway generates a first digest of first software updates installed to the ECUs, the first digest including a manifest of changes performed to the ECUs and a first hash of a subset of the first software updates. A signature is embedded into the first digest, the signature including a first digest hash of the first digest. The first digest is maintained to a non-transitory storage of the central gateway as a non-reputable record of the installation of the software updates.

Abstract: Tracking controller configuration is provided. Each ECU of a plurality of ECUs is queried for feature codes indicative of elements of functionality implemented by the respective ECU. Each of the feature codes corresponds to a target quantity of ECUs involved in implementing the functionality. An alert is indicated responsive to the querying returning a different quantity of ECUs implementing the functionality than the target quantity.

Abstract: A combined cycle engine is formed of a gas turbine cycle coupled with a fuel expansion cycle in which fuel for the gas turbine cycle is the working fluid of the fuel expansion cycle. The fuel expansion cycle comprises, in flow series, a fuel pump for pumping a cryogenic fuel for the gas turbine cycle, a first heat exchanger for heating the fuel, an expander to recover power by expansion of the fuel and to thereby drive a load, and a second heat exchanger to reheat the fuel. The gas turbine cycle comprises, in flow series, a compressor, a combustor for combustion of reheated fuel delivered from the second heat exchanger, and a turbine configured to drive the compressor. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are stationed downstream of the combustor and configured to transfer heat from combustion products to the fuel in the fuel expansion cycle.

Abstract: A system, method apparatus including a bimetallic mechanical pump diaphragm for fluid handling including two walls forming a chamber divided by a snap-acting bimetallic mechanical diaphragm which uses the rapid, concavity inversing, buckling transition of the diaphragm pump fluid as thermal energy in a first fluid is converted to mechanical energy to push a second fluid as the diaphragm moves from a first position to a second position in the chamber. Two sets of inlet and outlet passageways include one way valves to control the flow of the first and second fluids having different temperatures.

Abstract: There is a shaped charge for making an asymmetrical perforation into a casing. The shaped charge includes a case extending along a symmetry axis X and having a back wall and an open end; an explosive material located within the case; a liner located within the case, over the explosive material; a booster material; and an asymmetrical feature. The asymmetrical feature is selected to generate an asymmetrical perforation into the casing.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a processor programmed to validate, using a public key of a lender device, authenticity of a file including permissions for a borrower device signed using a private key of a lender device, and responsive to validating, using a public key of a borrower device, a session request from the borrower device signed with a private key of the borrower device, establish a secure connection with the borrower device over which access to the vehicle is granted per the permissions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller, programmed to, send a vehicle status report reflecting current status of the vehicle to a server; responsive to receiving a connection message from the server indicative of a predicted data transaction, wirelessly connect to a fleet vehicle using the connection message; and transmit a data block defined in the connection message to the fleet vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of real-time vehicle-based analytics are provided herein. An example method includes collecting at least one of images, video, or audio of a user when operating a vehicle; analyzing the at least one of the images, video, or audio to determine an emotion or sentiment of the user when interacting with one or more features of the vehicle; identifying user actions that precede a point in time where the emotion or sentiment of the user was detected, wherein the user actions relate to the one or more vehicle features; classifying at least one of the user actions and the one or more vehicle features with the emotion or sentiment; and storing the user actions, the one or more vehicle features, and the emotion or sentiment.

Abstract: A method for creating an augmented reality experience. The method includes receiving a value to associate with a stored value token, searching a database for one of products and services that are sold close to the value, matching at least one of a product and a service which is sold close to the value, and creating a record comprising a token identifier and a graphical item representing one of the product and service that is found during matching, receiving a request to initiate the augmented reality experience. The method further includes, in response to the request, preparing data comprising augmented reality information including a video file and the record. The method further includes sending the data over a computer network.

Abstract: A system, method apparatus including a bimetallic mechanical pump diaphragm for fluid handling including two walls forming a chamber divided by a snap-acting bimetallic mechanical diaphragm which uses the rapid, concavity inversing, buckling transition of the diaphragm pump fluid as thermal energy in a first fluid is converted to mechanical energy to push a second fluid as the diaphragm moves from a first position to a second position in the chamber. Two sets of inlet and outlet passageways include one way valves to control the flow of the first and second fluids having different temperatures.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor programmed to send an address range to a server corresponding to a capability of a controller to perform an update; responsive to receiving update data from the server, write the update data into the controller; and responsive to receiving a resume signal to resume the update from a paused state, send a new address range to the server based on a last-successfully-written address received from the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller, programmed to responsive to receiving a command from a non-customer party, send an authorization request based on the command and a predefined vehicle parameter to a server; and responsive to receiving a signed command from the server, execute the signed command.

Abstract: Leaching aids, for example, when present in a leaching solution, and methods of using the leaching aids. The leaching aids can include one or a combination of compounds. The method of using the leaching aids can include a process of recovering metal from ore, for example, a process involving heap leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning.

Abstract: A software update is downloaded from an update server responsive to an update trigger. A pre-installation bus traffic fingerprint is created responsive to completing the download. The software update is installed to the vehicle responsive to creating the pre-installation bus traffic fingerprint. A post-installation bus traffic fingerprint is created responsive to installing the software update. Success of the install is indicated to the update server based on comparing the pre-installation and post-installation bus traffic fingerprints.