Abstract: Air scrubbers and approaches for removing CO2, SO2, and other gaseous contaminates from gas emissions. An approach for removing a gaseous contaminant from a gas emission may include providing a supply of an ionic liquid. The gaseous contaminant may be absorbable in the ionic liquid. The approach may also include spraying the ionic liquid into the gas emission. The gaseous contaminant in the gas emission may be absorbed in the ionic liquid. The ionic liquid having the gaseous contaminant absorbed therein may be collected on a counter electrode and separated from the gas emission. Spraying the ionic liquid into a gas emission may include ultrasound agitation of the ionic liquid. The approach may also include venting the gas emission having the gaseous contaminant separated therefrom.

Abstract: A system includes an ultrasound wave generator, a fluid cavity coupled to the ultrasound wave generator, an array of micro-machined ultrasonic-assisted electrospray nozzles coupled to the fluid cavity, an electrode configured to impart a charge onto the fluid output of the electrospray nozzles, and a carbon dioxide release unit configured to receive the ionic liquid after absorption of carbon dioxide by the ionic liquid and to remove carbon dioxide from the ionic liquid such that the regenerated ionic liquid can be recycled for additional carbon dioxide capture.

Abstract: A method includes determining first and second communication paths from a leaf node of a plurality of leaf nodes to first and second gateway nodes, respectively, of a plurality of gateway nodes. The first and second communication paths may include first and second intermediate nodes, respectively, of a plurality of intermediate nodes. A wireless message is sent from the leaf node to the first and second gateway nodes via the first and second communication paths, respectively. Information in the wireless message is communicated from at least one of the first and second gateway nodes to a component of a process control system.

Abstract: A system includes an ultrasound wave generator, a fluid cavity coupled to the ultrasound wave generator, an array of micro-machined ultrasonic-assisted electrospray nozzles coupled to the fluid cavity, an electrode configured to impart a charge onto the fluid output of the electrospray nozzles, and a carbon dioxide release unit configured to receive the ionic liquid after absorption of carbon dioxide by the ionic liquid and to remove carbon dioxide from the ionic liquid such that the regenerated ionic liquid can be recycled for additional carbon dioxide capture.

Abstract: Air scrubbers and approaches for removing CO2, SO2, and other gaseous contaminates from gas emissions. An approach for removing a gaseous contaminant from a gas emission may include providing a supply of an ionic liquid. The gaseous contaminant may be absorbable in the ionic liquid. The approach may also include spraying the ionic liquid into the gas emission. The gaseous contaminant in the gas emission may be absorbed in the ionic liquid. The ionic liquid having the gaseous contaminant absorbed therein may be collected on a counter electrode and separated from the gas emission. Spraying the ionic liquid into a gas emission may include ultrasound agitation of the ionic liquid. The approach may also include venting the gas emission having the gaseous contaminant separated therefrom.

Abstract: A catalyst system that may regenerate while removing pollutants from an exhaust gas of an engine. The system may have a converter with multiple segments of chambers. At least one of the chambers may be regenerated while the remaining chambers are removing pollutants from the exhaust. The chambers may be rotated in turn for one-at-a-time regeneration. More than one chamber may be regenerated at a time to remove collected pollutants. The system may have plumbing and valves, and possibly mechanical movement of the chambers, within the system to effect the changing of a chamber for regeneration. The chambers connected to the exhaust may be in series or parallel. A particulate matter filter may be connected to the system, and it also may be regenerated to remove collected matter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling automotive powertrains using a distributed control architecture are disclosed. A distributed control system may include a supervisory control unit for controlling one or more powertrain subsystems, and one or more subsystem control units in communication with the supervisory control unit. The supervisory control unit can be configured to execute a central optimization algorithm that computes variables from across multiple powertrain subsystems, and then outputs a number of globally approximated command values to each associated subsystem control unit. In some embodiments, the central optimization algorithm can be configured to solve a global cost function or optimization routine. One or more of the subsystem control units can be configured to execute a lower-level algorithm or routine, which can comprise a higher-fidelity model than that used by the central optimization algorithm.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling cylinder to cylinder variations of undesirable emissions in exhaust gas of engines with exhaust gas recirculation. An engine model is used to predict the intake composition of the next cylinder firing based on the composition of the exhaust, as a function of time and applicable engine conditions. At least one engine parameter is adjusted to compensate for the predicted intake composition in order to minimize cylinder to cylinder variations.

Abstract: A multivariable controller that models the interaction between groups of sensors and groups of actuators during the operation of an engine. By accounting for the interactive effects that a group of actuators has on a sensor or group of sensors, improved system performance may be achieved. When emission sensors are used, such as NOX and/or PM sensors, the multivariable controller may help control the various engine actuators to reduce emissions of the engine.

Abstract: A method includes determining first and second communication paths from a leaf node of a plurality of leaf nodes to first and second gateway nodes, respectively, of a plurality of gateway nodes. The first and second communication paths may include first and second intermediate nodes, respectively, of a plurality of intermediate nodes. A wireless message is sent from the leaf node to the first and second gateway nodes via the first and second communication paths, respectively. Information in the wireless message is communicated from at least one of the first and second gateway nodes to a component of a process control system.

Abstract: Systems for active feedback and control of the steering response in a vehicle. More particularly, torque sensor based steering response systems for vehicles which allow for distinctive and customized driving feel characteristics through improved feedback of tire-surface interactions. The systems of the invention automatically translate the torque exerted on the vehicle wheels to a torque exerted on the vehicle steering wheel, achieving a human perception of a steering response as desired by the driver or as desired by the manufacturer. New advances in torque sensing based on surface acoustic waves enhance the active feedback systems of the invention with improved accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling cylinder to cylinder variations of undesirable emissions in exhaust gas of engines with exhaust gas recirculation. An engine model is used to predict the intake composition of the next cylinder firing based on the composition of the exhaust, as a function of time and applicable engine conditions. At least one engine parameter is adjusted to compensate for the predicted intake composition in order to minimize cylinder to cylinder variations.

Abstract: A network between customers generating service requests and vendors capable of electronically fulfilling the service requests includes a system for monitoring, controlling, and administering work flows associated with the service requests. A main controller creates and controls a first work flow record associated with a first service request for storage in a storage device. The main controller also receives work flow elements including messages, data files, software applications, and documents from a first customer and a first vendor associated with the first work flow, stores the work flow elements in the storage device, and transfers the work flow elements to the first customer and the first vendor. An accounting controller associated with the main controller identifies fees associated with the first work flow and stores fee data associated with the fees in the first work flow record.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an engine using feedback from one or more sensors are disclosed. An illustrative control system for controlling a diesel engine may include one or more post-combustion sensors adapted to directly sense at least one constituent of exhaust gasses emitted from the exhaust manifold of the engine, and a state observer for estimating the internal state of the diesel engine based on feedback signals received from the post-combustion sensors and from subsequent use of the estimated state in a controller that sends the actuator setpoints. The post-combustion sensors can be configured to directly measure emissions such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and/or particulate matter (PM) within the exhaust stream, and provide such information to a state observer that, in turn, updates an internal dynamical state based on these measurements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling automotive powertrains using a distributed control architecture are disclosed. A distributed control system may include a supervisory control unit for controlling one or more powertrain subsystems, and one or more subsystem control units in communication with the supervisory control unit. The supervisory control unit can be configured to execute a central optimization algorithm that computes variables from across multiple powertrain subsystems, and then outputs a number of globally approximated command values to each associated subsystem control unit. In some embodiments, the central optimization algorithm can be configured to solve a global cost function or optimization routine. One or more of the subsystem control units can be configured to execute a lower-level algorithm or routine, which can comprise a higher-fidelity model than that used by the central optimization algorithm.

Abstract: An aftertreatment system for an engine emissions trap or adsorber having a mechanism for increasing exhaust temperature of an engine to regenerate the trap or adsorber. The mechanism may include a cylinder cutout. The cylinder cutout may be actuated various ways including a use of cylinder valve control. Cutout of a cylinder or cylinders may be rotated among the cylinders of the engine. There may be sensors on the engine and in its exhaust system connected to a processor. The processor may provide an output indicating a degree of need for regenerating the trap or adsorber. An output of the processor also may be connected to the mechanism for increasing exhaust temperature so as to effect regeneration as needed. The emissions of concern may be NOx. The engine for example may be a diesel.

Abstract: A multivariable controller that models the interaction between groups of sensors and groups of actuators during the operation of an engine. By accounting for the interactive effects that a group of actuators has on a sensor or group of sensors, improved system performance may be achieved. When emission sensors are used, such as NOX and/or PM sensors, the multivariable controller may help control the various engine actuators to reduce emissions of the engine.

Abstract: A catalyst system that may regenerate while removing pollutants from an exhaust gas of an engine. The system may have a converter with multiple segments of chambers. At least one of the chambers may be regenerated while the remaining chambers are removing pollutants from the exhaust. The chambers may be rotated in turn for one-at-a-time regeneration. More than one chamber may be regenerated at a time to remove collected pollutants. The system may have plumbing and valves, and possibly mechanical movement of the chambers, within the system to effect the changing of a chamber for regeneration. The chambers connected to the exhaust may be in series or parallel. A particulate matter filter may be connected to the system, and it also may be regenerated to remove collected matter.

Abstract: An novel recipe that embodies a higher level description than currently used in the industry is described. The novel recipe is referred to herein as an “advanced recipe.” A traditional recipe consists of a general set of instructions called a ‘recipe’ which is used to make a product. An advanced recipe integrates the intent behind these set of instructions. A novel knowledge management system for capturing, integrating, and using broad knowledge is also described below. Some embodiments of the knowledge management system enable modification of recipes for maximizing the overall processing objectives. An example embodiment of the knowledge management system comprises a Knowledge Builder, a Structured Knowledge Repository, and a Decision Maker.

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in connection with a network that provides communications between customers generating service requests and vendors capable of electronically fulfilling the service requests, a system for monitoring, controlling, and administering role-based work flows associated with the service requests. Work flows may be controlled and performed through role-based collaboration, allowing anonymity of vendors and customers and providing a template by which a generic work flow can be reapplied. The system comprises: a main controller for creating a first work flow record used to control a first work flow associated with a first service request and for storing the first work flow record in a storage device associated with the main controller.