Abstract: A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a platform having a first foot deck portion to substantially support a first foot of a rider, and a second foot deck portion to substantially support a second foot of the rider. A wheel assembly is positioned between the first foot deck portion and the second foot deck portion along a longitudinal axis of the platform, and comprises a wheel having a rotation axis that is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and a motor unit driving the wheel. An orientation sensor senses the orientation of the platform. A controller receives data from the orientation sensor and controls the motor unit in response to the received data. At least one suspension interface between the platform and the wheel assembly has a single degree of freedom generally orthogonal to the rotation axis of the wheel and to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and biases the platform towards a rest position.

Abstract: A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a platform having a first foot deck portion to substantially support a first foot of a rider, and a second foot deck portion to substantially support a second foot of the rider. A wheel assembly is positioned between the first foot deck portion and the second foot deck portion along a longitudinal axis of the platform, and comprises a wheel having a rotation axis that is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and a motor unit driving the wheel. An orientation sensor senses the orientation of the platform. A controller receives data from the orientation sensor and controls the motor unit in response to the received data. At least one suspension interface between the platform and the wheel assembly has a single degree of freedom generally orthogonal to the rotation axis of the wheel and to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and biases the platform towards a rest position.

Abstract: A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a platform having a first foot deck portion to substantially support a first foot of a rider, and a second foot deck portion to substantially support a second foot of the rider. A wheel assembly is positioned between the first foot deck portion and the second foot deck portion along a longitudinal axis of the platform, and comprises a wheel having a rotation axis that is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and a motor unit driving the wheel. An orientation sensor senses the orientation of the platform. A controller receives data from the orientation sensor and controls the motor unit in response to the received data. At least one suspension interface between the platform and the wheel assembly has a single degree of freedom generally orthogonal to the rotation axis of the wheel and to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and biases the platform towards a rest position.

Abstract: A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a platform having a first foot deck portion to substantially support a first foot of a rider, and a second foot deck portion to substantially support a second foot of the rider. A wheel assembly is positioned between the first foot deck portion and the second foot deck portion along a longitudinal axis of the platform, and comprises a wheel having a rotation axis that is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and a motor unit driving the wheel. An orientation sensor senses the orientation of the platform. A controller receives data from the orientation sensor and controls the motor unit in response to the received data. At least one suspension interface between the platform and the wheel assembly has a single degree of freedom generally orthogonal to the rotation axis of the wheel and to the longitudinal axis of the platform, and biases the platform towards a rest position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removing nitrogen during liquefaction of natural are provided. Methods of removing nitrogen include warming a predominantly methane stream in a methane cold box to provide a warmed predominantly methane stream; conducting at least a portion of the warmed predominantly methane stream from the methane cold box to a nitrogen removal unit comprising at least a first nitrogen removal column and a last nitrogen removal column, wherein the first nitrogen removal column is located upstream of the last nitrogen removal column; passing the warmed predominantly methane stream through the last nitrogen removal column to provide a refluxed warmed predominantly methane stream; and routing at least a portion of the refluxed warmed predominantly methane stream to the last nitrogen removal column.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, apparatus and system for processing services. The method includes: receiving a service processing request from a front-end equipment; determining a recommended service processing channel according to the information about the service to be processed, and acquiring content of the recommended service processing channel; sending the content of the recommended service processing channel to the front-end equipment such that the front-end equipment displays the content of the recommended service processing channel; and receiving a service acknowledgment from the front-end equipment, and processing the service to be processed according to the service acknowledgment. With these technical solutions, the number of service processing channels displayed by the front-end equipment is reduced, and thus the time required to process services is reduced and the probability of processing services successfully is increased.

Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes a mode control module and an actuator control module. The mode control module selectively initiates an engine startup event when an engine startup command is generated. The actuator control module cranks an engine during the engine startup event, provides fuel to a first cylinder of the engine while the engine is being cranked, and selectively disables fuel to a second cylinder of the engine while the engine is being cranked. The second cylinder is after the first cylinder in a firing order.

Abstract: An engine system of a vehicle includes an engine torque module. The engine torque module determines an engine output torque profile including predicted torque outputs based on an accelerator signal and an engine state variable. A load control module determines a dynamic transmission load profile based on the engine output torque profile and an engine speed profile. The dynamic transmission load profile includes transmission loads as a function of engine speed during an auto-start of an engine. A compensation module generates a torque compensation signal based on the dynamic transmission load profile. An actuator module compensates for a change in a transmission load based on the torque compensation signal and during a transition of the engine from a cranking state to an idle state.

Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes an auto-stop/start module and an actuator control module. The auto-stop/start module selectively generates an auto-stop command for shutting down an engine while an ignition is in an ON state. The actuator control module disables fuel to the engine when the auto-stop command is generated and closes a throttle valve to a predetermined throttle opening when the auto-stop command is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing heavy hydrocarbons are provided. Methods for liquefying a natural gas stream include: (a) cooling at least a portion of the natural gas stream in an upstream refrigeration cycle of a liquefaction process to produce a cooled natural gas stream; (b) separating via a first distillation column the cooled natural gas stream into a first top fraction and a first bottom fraction, wherein the first fraction does not freeze in a subsequent downstream step of the liquefaction process; (c) separating via a second distillation column the first bottom fraction into a second top fraction and a second bottom fraction, wherein the second top fraction at least a portion of a reflux stream; (d) optionally separating via a third distillation column the second bottom fraction into a third top fraction and a third bottom fraction, wherein the third top fraction forms a portion of the reflux stream; and (e) introducing the reflux stream into the first distillation column.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removing nitrogen during liquefaction of natural are provided. Methods of removing nitrogen include warming a predominantly methane stream in a methane cold box to provide a warmed predominantly methane stream; conducting at least a portion of the warmed predominantly methane stream from the methane cold box to a nitrogen removal unit comprising at least a first nitrogen removal column and a last nitrogen removal column, wherein the first nitrogen removal column is located upstream of the last nitrogen removal column; passing the warmed predominantly methane stream through the last nitrogen removal column to provide a refluxed warmed predominantly methane stream; and routing at least a portion of the refluxed warmed predominantly methane stream to the last nitrogen removal column.

Abstract: A control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes a transmission load module, a target engine speed module, and an actuator control module. The transmission load module determines a load imposed on an engine through a transmission. The target engine speed module selectively determines a target engine speed during an engine startup event based on the load. The actuator control module controls at least one engine actuator based on the target engine speed during the engine startup event.

Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle, comprising: an actuator control module, a correction determination module, and a spark adjustment module. The actuator control module determines a target spark timing for a first time that is between a second time when engine cranking begins and a third time when a measured engine speed becomes greater than a predetermined engine speed after the second time. The correction determination module determines a spark timing correction for the first time based on a target engine speed and a measured engine speed. The spark adjustment module sets a spark timing for the first time based on the target spark timing and the spark timing correction.

Abstract: An engine system includes a stop-start module that generates a shut down signal to shut down an engine. A friction module that generates a friction signal based on the engine shut down signal. The friction signal indicates an estimate of a sum of friction forces between components of the engine. A position module estimates a position of the engine and generates a position signal. An energy module estimates kinetic energy of the engine based on the friction signal and the position signal. A cylinder deactivation module stops the engine based on the kinetic energy in at least one of (i) a predetermined position and (ii) a predetermined range.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle that includes an engine includes an engine-stop module and a fuel control module. The engine-stop module determines whether to stop the engine based on at least one of input from a driver of the vehicle and vehicle operating parameters. The fuel control module stops the engine and controls a rate of engine speed decay by disabling fueling to cylinders of the engine according to a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: An engine system includes a first module that determines a cylinder of an engine to be in one of M prediction types and generates a distance from intake signal indicating a number of prediction steps the cylinder is away from an intake stroke. M is an integer greater than or equal to 3. A second module determines a cycle type of the cylinder. The cycle type indicates a number of combustion cycles the cylinder has experienced from a last restart of the engine. A cylinder air charge module estimates an air mass within the cylinder based on the distance from intake signal and the cycle type.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine. In an engine starting routine, flow control devices located proximate each combustion chamber in the engine initially restrict airflow into the cylinders to allow for a starter motor to rotate the engine at lower expansion and compression torque whereafter rotation of the engine is transitioned to the electric machine.