Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, an engine controller that activates a heater of an exhaust gas sensor after an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after an engine is started.

Abstract: A system may convert a server into a reference server, create a clone of the reference server in a selected network, place the clone in a user network, and notify a user that the clone server is ready for use.

Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, an engine controller that activates a heater of an exhaust gas sensor after an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after an engine is started.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a heated gas sensor with a porous metal shield without perforations are disclosed. In one example, the gas sensor is used in an intake manifold of an engine. In another embodiment, the gas sensor is used in an exhaust passage of an engine. The porous metal shield without perforations allows gas to permeate the shield for measurement while retarding flame propagation if gases ignite in the vicinity of a sensing element of the heated gas sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this say, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a heated gas sensor with a porous metal shield without perforations are disclosed. In one example, the gas sensor is used in an intake manifold of an engine. In another embodiment, the gas sensor is used in an exhaust passage of an engine. The porous metal shield without perforations allows gas to permeate the shield for measurement while retarding flame propagation if gases ignite in the vicinity of a sensing element of the heated gas sensor.

Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, an engine controller that activates a heater of an exhaust gas sensor after an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after an engine is started.

Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.

Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, degradation of a particulate matter sensor is indicated after a temperature of a substrate of the particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold temperature and an output of the particulate matter sensor is below a threshold value.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a layered catalyst having an active area is provided. In at least one embodiment, the layered electrode includes a first catalyst layer having a first noble metal concentration and a first ionomer concentration, and a second catalyst layer disposed next to the first catalyst layer, the second catalyst layer having a second noble metal concentration different from the first noble metal concentration and a second ionomer concentration different from the first ionomer concentration. In at least another embodiment, the metallic alloy includes a metallic alloy of platinum, nickel, and cobalt.

Abstract: A system may receive parameters for provisioning a resource object and may select network resources that correspond to the resource object based on the parameters, inventory information, and configuration information. In addition, the system may configure the selected network resources in accordance with the parameters and may monitor the selected network resources to obtain information on the selected network resources. Further, the system may update the inventory information and the configuration information based on the obtained information to reflect changes in state and configuration of the selected network resources.

Abstract: A system may receive a request to create a virtual machine, create the virtual machine on a first physical server in response to the request, and receive parameters for configuring a second physical server. The system may also configure the second physical server in accordance with the parameters during an installation of an operating system on the second physical server, and notify a user that the second physical server is ready for use.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a booster, an exhaust gas sensor and a self-calibration arrangement for the exhaust gas sensor. When sensor calibration check is desired, a controlling unit opens a valve in order to subject a sensing element of the sensor to a supply of gas having a known gas concentration. Gas concentration signals from the sensor are compared with known concentration values, with the results being used to re-calibrate the sensor. The supply of gas can be received directly from the booster or from an optional reservoir. The invention is particularly applicable for use with a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor in a vehicle powered by a diesel engine.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor system for monitoring emissions includes locating first and second electrodes in a position to sense the emissions. At least one of the first and second electrodes is made of a dense electrode material. An ion-conductor material that acts as an electrolyte is operatively connected to the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is excited at a frequency f1, A response is received from the first electrode at frequency f1. A second signal is received base on the emissions and a response is produced indicating the emissions.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell employs an array of tubular flat plates that are sealed only at their extremities using compliant seals. The seals may be formed of talc and surround gas inlet and outlet openings in the tube extremities. Locating the seals remote from the higher temperature central areas of the tubes increases the service life of the seals and their tolerance to thermal cycling. The seals may incorporate an annular conductor for electrically interconnecting adjacent tubes into a common circuit.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell employs an array of tubular flat plates that are sealed only at their extremities using compliant seals. The seals may be formed of talc and surround gas inlet and outlet openings in the tube extremities. Locating the seals remote from the higher temperature central areas of the tubes increases the service life of the seals and their tolerance to thermal cycling. The seals may incorporate an annular conductor for electrically interconnecting adjacent tubes into a common circuit.

Abstract: A new and improved water wand apparatus includes a handle assembly which includes a tubular member which is adapted for conducting water flow in a first direction from a source end to a nozzle end in the tubular member. A nozzle assembly is connected to the tubular member and includes a nozzle-containing wall which includes a connection aperture for connecting to the tubular member. The nozzle-containing wall also includes a plurality of nozzle channels. The nozzle assembly also includes a truncated conical wall assembly connected to the nozzle-containing wall. An apex wall assembly is connected to a narrow end of the truncated conical wall assembly and serves to block water flow in the first direction causing pressurized water to exit from the nozzle channels in a second direction. The tubular member is substantially straight, and the tubular member and the nozzle assembly 16 are symmetrically disposed around a longitudinal axis. The nozzle-containing wall is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A metal to ceramic sealed joint which can withstand wide variations in temperature and maintain a good seal is provided for use in a device adapted to withstand thermal cycling from about 20 to about 1000 degrees C. The sealed joint includes a metal member, a ceramic member having an end portion, and an active metal braze forming a joint to seal the metal member to the ceramic member. The joint is positioned remote from the end portion of the ceramic member to avoid stresses at the ends or edges of the ceramic member. The sealed joint is particularly suited for use to form sealed metal to ceramic joints in a thermoelectric generator such as a sodium heat engine where a solid ceramic electrolyte is joined to metal parts in the system.

Abstract: An improved active metal braze filler material is provided in which the coefficient of thermal expansion of the braze filler is more closely matched with that of the ceramic and metal, or two ceramics, to provide ceramic to metal, or ceramic to ceramic, sealed joints and articles which can withstand both high temperatures and repeated thermal cycling without failing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microscreen radiation shield which reduces radiative heat losses in thermoelectric generators such as sodium heat engines without reducing the efficiency of operation of such devices. The radiation shield is adapted to be interposed between a reaction zone and a means for condensing an alkali metal vapor in a thermoelectric generator for converting heat energy directly to electrical energy. The radiation shield acts to reflect infrared radiation emanating from the reaction zone back toward the reaction zone while permitting the passage of the alkali metal vapor to the condensing means. The radiation shield includes a woven wire mesh screen or a metal foil having a plurality of orifices formed therein.