Abstract: A method includes receiving a signal indicative of a change in an air-fuel ratio (AFR) for a mixture of air and fuel entering a first combustion chamber of a combustion engine, advancing firing timing of the first combustion chamber, receiving, from a knock sensor, a knock signal indicating that the combustion engine has begun to knock, determining a knock margin of the first combustion chamber based on when the combustion engine begins to knock, and storing the knock margin as associated with the knock timing and the AFR.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a signal indicative of a change in an air-fuel ratio (AFR) for a mixture of air and fuel entering a first combustion chamber of a combustion engine, advancing firing timing of the first combustion chamber, receiving, from a knock sensor, a knock signal indicating that the combustion engine has begun to knock, determining a knock margin of the first combustion chamber based on when the combustion engine begins to knock, and storing the knock margin as associated with the knock timing and the AFR.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling a combustion engine. In one embodiment, a system includes a controller configured to control operations of a combustion engine, to receive a signal from at least one knock sensor coupled to the combustion engine, to determine a knock margin value from the signal, and to estimate a fuel quality value of a fuel injected into the combustion engine based at least on a comparison between the knock margin value and a laboratory performance data set.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of methods and systems for operating an internal combustion engine over a range of operating condition are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes operating the engine at an initial O2 voltage setpoint; and automatically adjusting the O2 voltage setpoint to a new O2 voltage setpoint to reduce emissions. In certain embodiments a control system for controlling emissions in an internal combustion is provided. The control system includes at least one subsystem that controls an O2 voltage setpoint; at least one subsystem that measures NOx emissions in the engine exhaust; and at least one subsystem that initiates a lambda sweep to determine an optimal O2 voltage setpoint.

Abstract: A multiple pet leash includes an elongated handle portion having a loop at one end and a swivel at another end, which engages at least two pet tethers. Each of the tethers includes a swiveled, snap hook members located at the distal end for attaching the tether to a dog collar. The proximate end of each tether is permanently but slidably attached to a“D” shaped portion of the swivel, which helps avoid tangling of the tethers due to pets crossing paths. The length of the handle portion is adjustable to allow the handler adjustment of the handle portion The lengths of the pet tethers are adjustable, enabling pets of different sizes to walk around, over or under each other without requiring the handler to constantly disconnect, untangle and reconnect the leashes in order to resume orderly walking.

Abstract: A traction enhancing system detects and corrects wheel slip and enhances wheel traction in a railroad locomotive having a plurality of wheel pairs for engaging a pair of rails and a traction motor operatively associated with each wheel pair. The locomotive includes an electrical source responsive to an applied level of excitation and is operatively coupled to the traction motors for controlling the power applied thereto. The traction enhancing system includes a plurality of current measuring devices adapted to measure current drawn by each traction motor, and a plurality of voltage measuring devices adapted to measure a voltage of each traction motor. A computer receives the current and voltage measurements and is configured to detect wheel slip between the wheel pairs and the rails by calculating a change in the current and voltage measured over a predetermined period of time.