Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle, comprises: an elongate steering column mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and configured for attachment to a steering wheel at one end; a first gear connected to the steering column at a location spaced from the one end to which the steering wheel is attached and configured to rotate with the steering column; first and second motors, each having an output shaft; first and second worm screws directly connected to and rotatable with the output shaft of the first and second motors respectively and engaged with the first gear; a control arrangement configured to operate the first and second motors; and a motor position sensor arrangement for sensing the rotational position of the motor output shafts, each sensor arrangement comprising a target member fixedly mounted to a respective motor output shaft on the opposite side of the worm screw from the motor and a sensor for detecting the target member.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprises an elongate steering column mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and configured for attachment of a steering wheel at one end. A first gear is connected to the steering column at a location spaced from where the steering wheel is attached and is configured to rotate with the steering column. The assembly has first and second motors, each having an output shaft and first and second worm screws directly connected to and rotatable with the output shaft of the first and second motors, respectively and engaged with the first gear, and a control arrangement is configured to operate the first and second motors. A motor position sensor arrangement senses the rotational position of the motor output shafts, each sensor arrangement comprising a target member fixedly mounted to a respective motor output shaft on an opposite side of the worm screw from the motor and a sensor for detecting the target member.

Abstract: This invention provides means and a method to eliminate emissions from an internal combustion engine during cold-starts and warm-starts. An oxidizer intake valve external to the engine head and an exhaust valve following the after-treatment system and condensing heat exchanger are closed, thus sealing all gasses inside the engine and the exhaust after-treatment system before starting the engine. Oxygen and hydrogen are used as the oxidizer and fuel to start this engine and operate this engine until the exhaust after-treatment systems have reached their required operating temperatures. This emissions-free startup system works equally well on two, four, six, or eight stroke engines, one or multiple cylinder engines, and spark or compression ignition engines. This invention also provides a means and method to clean the interior of an engine and the after-treatment systems of soot, particulate, and the catalytic surfaces without disassembling the engine or the after-treatment systems.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to clean the inside surfaces of an exhaust after-treatment system each time the engine is shut down. This cleaning is accomplished without disassembly of the engine and without involvement of the engine's operator. This cleaning includes the exhaust ports, particulate filters, catalytic after-treatment processes, and exhaust conduits. This is accomplished by leaving the exhaust after-treatment systems in an oxygen rich atmosphere, with the engine shut down, where oxidation of the hydrocarbons on the inside surfaces continues.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to clean the inside surfaces of an engine and its exhaust after-treatment system each time the engine is shut down. This cleaning is accomplished without disassembly of the engine and without involvement of the engine's operator. This cleaning includes the combustion chamber, valves, intake and exhaust ports, particulate filters, catalytic after-treatment processes, and exhaust piping. This is accomplished by leaving the shut down engine and its exhaust after-treatment systems in an oxygen rich atmosphere where oxidation of the hydrocarbons on the inside surfaces continues.

Abstract: A six stroke high thermal efficiency engine and a method for operating such an engine are disclosed. Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is used as the oxidizer, heat is recovered from the two exhaust strokes, superheated steam is used in the second power stroke, and high levels of exhaust gas from stroke four are recirculated. Lean burn combustion is utilized to produce an oxygen rich exhaust which results in very low levels of particulates, unburned hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. Due to high thermal efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced per unit of power output. Use of oxygen or oxygen-enriched air as the oxidizer produces an exhaust containing very low levels of nitrogen oxides. The engine is insulated to conserve heat, resulting in reduced engine noise. An engine with high thermal efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions is the result.

Abstract: A six stroke high thermal efficiency engine and a method for operating such an engine are disclosed. Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is used as the oxidizer, water may or may not be used to mitigate and control the temperature of combustion, heat is recovered from the two exhaust strokes, superheated steam is used in the second power stroke, and high levels of exhaust gas from stroke four are recirculated. Lean burn combustion is utilized to produce an oxygen rich exhaust which results in very low levels of particulates, unburned hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. Due to high thermal efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced per unit of power output. Use of oxygen or oxygen-enriched air as the oxidizer produces an exhaust containing very low levels of nitrogen oxides. The engine is insulated to conserve heat, resulting in reduced engine noise. An engine with high thermal efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions is the result.

Abstract: A six stroke high thermal efficiency engine and a method for operating such an engine are disclosed. Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is used as the oxidizer, heat is recovered from the two exhaust strokes, superheated steam is used in the second power stroke, and high levels of exhaust gas from stroke four are recirculated. Lean burn combustion is utilized to produce an oxygen rich exhaust which results in very low levels of particulates, unburned hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. Due to high thermal efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced per unit of power output. Use of oxygen or oxygen-enriched air as the oxidizer produces an exhaust containing very low levels of nitrogen oxides. The engine is insulated to conserve heat, resulting in reduced engine noise. An engine with high thermal efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions is the result.

Abstract: MFI aluminosilicate molecular sieve catalysts are prepared from tetra-functional orthosilicates [e.g., Si(OR1)(OR2)(OR3)(OR4), wherein R1R2R3R4 is each independently a C1-10alkyl or aryl.] as the silicon source. Such catalysts are useful for hydrocarbon conversion reactions including isomerization of xylenes in C8 aromatics feed stocks to produce p-xylene. Advantageously, it has been found that the MFI aluminosilicate molecular sieve catalysts of the invention are more selective than conventional commercial MFI catalysts, resulting in reduced formation of transmethylation byproducts (C7 and C9 aromatics) while simultaneously providing a high degree of xylene isomerization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus diagnoses a correct operation of a phase or star point isolation relay in an electric power steering system of the kind including a motor drive circuit and at least one phase isolation relay which connects a part of the drive circuit to a phase of the motor. The relay is opened during shutdown to isolate the motor phase from the part of the drive circuit and is normally closed during operation of the motor to connect the phase to the part of the drive circuit.

Abstract: A mattress for a baby or infant is provided that includes a base section and at least a first insert, wherein the first insert has an anatomically shaped surface for receiving the head of the baby or infant. The first insert is positionable at multiple positions and/or orientations with respect to the base section, whereby at each position the anatomically shaped surface is disposed at a different distance from a foot end of the base section.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024059. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024059. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024059 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024059 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024181. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024181. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024181 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024181 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus diagnoses a correct operation of a phase or star point isolation relay in an electric power steering system of the kind including a motor drive circuit and at least one phase isolation relay which connects a part of the drive circuit to a phase of the motor. The relay is opened during shutdown to isolate the motor phase from the part of the drive circuit and is normally closed during operation of the motor to connect the phase to the part of the drive circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024059. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024059. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024059 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024059 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024181. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024181. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024181 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024181 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating an eight-stroke internal combustion engine having higher thermal efficiency than a four-stroke engine is disclosed. The strokes comprise intake (FIG. 1), compression (FIG. 2), combustion for a first power stroke (FIG. 3), exhaust (FIG. 4), vapor or water injection for a second power stroke (FIG. 5), exhaust (FIG. 6), vapor injection for a third power stroke (FIG. 7), and exhaust (FIG. 8). Heat from each exhaust is recovered and recycled to a subsequent stroke. Consequently, an engine with much higher thermal efficiency and thus lower fuel consumption is achieved.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for facilitating the exchange of reciprocal deposits are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a system for facilitating the exchange of reciprocal deposits. The system includes a first bank for participating in an exchange of reciprocal deposits and a control center for implementing an exchange of reciprocal deposits between the first bank and a second bank for receiving deposits. The control center is configured to receive, from the first bank, a first request for placement of reciprocal deposits, the request defining a first set of requirements, and receive, from the second bank, a second request for placement of reciprocal deposits, the request defining a second set of requirements. The control center determines whether the first set of requirements matches the second set of requirements, which include maturity and interest rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5213471. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5213471. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5213471 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5213471 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5898941. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5898941. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5898941 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5898941 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.