Abstract: A compact x-ray source includes an electron beam source with a metallic film on a diamond window. The metallic film, which may be copper or scandium, absorbs the electron beams and produces k-alpha x-rays. The diamond window is a single crystal of diamond with a crystallographic orientation to diffract the x-rays, thereby producing a monochromatic and well collimated x-ray beam. The orientation of the crystal lattice may be configured to produce multiple x-ray beams. A plurality of electron beam sources may also be used to generate multiple x-ray beams. A detector is used to receive the x-ray beam after it interacts with a sample to be measured.

Abstract: This invention includes a lubricant composition comprising a base oil and one or more additives, wherein the composition has an elevated pressure auto ignition temperature of at least about 500 K. This invention also includes a lubricant composition comprising a base oil and one or more additives, wherein the composition has an octane number ((R+M)/2) of at least about 80. This invention also includes a lubricant composition for reducing the propensity of end gas knock in a flame propagation engine, comprising: a base oil and one or more additives, wherein the composition has an average boiling point in excess of 200° C.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas passing through an aftertreatment device disposed in the exhaust system of a diesel engine provides an optimal environment for efficient conversion of NOx and undesirable emissions during transient and steady state engine operation. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve timing, either singly or in combination with fuel injection timing and selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.

Abstract: A fuel for a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine having a 95 V% distilled temperature by boiling point measurement in the range of about 35° C. to about 350° C., a cetane number in the range of about 2 to about 120, and an octane number in the range of 10 to about 110.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for laser ignition in an internal combustion engine. Laser radiation is directed to an ignition location within a combustion chamber with adaptive optics, and the position of the ignition location is adaptively adjusted during operation of the engine using the adaptive optics. Multiple ignition locations may be provided during a cycle of an internal combustion engine. A first pulse of laser radiation is directed to a first ignition location within a combustion chamber with adaptive optics, and a second pulse of laser radiation is directed to a second ignition location within the combustion chamber using the adaptive optics.

Abstract: An operating characteristic representative of a first stage reaction in HCCI combustion is sensed and used as a control event for injecting water into the combustion chamber to delay the start of combustion of the primary HCCI reaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus under software control for pattern recognition utilizes a neural network implementation to recognize two dimensional input images which are sufficiently similar to a database of previously stored two dimensional images. Images are first image processed and subjected to a Fourier transform which yields a power spectrum. An in-class to out-of-class study is performed on a typical collection of images in order to determine the most discriminatory regions of the Fourier transform. A feature vector consisting of the highest order (most discriminatory) magnitude information from the power spectrum of the Fourier transform of the image is formed. Feature vectors are input to a neural network having preferably two hidden layers, input dimensionality of the number of elements in the feature vector and output dimensionality of the number of data elements stored in the database. Unique identifier numbers are preferably stored along with the feature vector.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the utilization of a cache memory in an input/output controller in a computer system which also includes a central processing unit and a plurality of direct access storage devices. The optimizing system calculates a demotion time where the demotion time is an approximation of the length of time that a track of data will reside in the cache memory in the input/output controller after its last input/output request from the central processing unit. The optimizing system further intercepts an input/output request from the central processing unit for a requested track of data, determines an elapsed time between successive input/output requests from the central processing unit for the requested track of data, determines whether the elapsed time is greater than the demotion time and optimizes the requested track of data by inhibiting the requested track of data from being loaded into the cache memory if the elapsed time is greater than the demotion time.

Abstract: A pattern recognition method and apparatus utilizes a neural network to recognize input images which are sufficiently similar to a database of previously stored images. Images are first processed and subjected to a Fourier transform which yields a power spectrum. An in-class to out-of-class study is performed on a typical collection of images in order to determine the most discriminatory regions of the Fourier transform. A feature vector consisting of the (most discriminatory) information from the power spectrum of the Fourier transform of the image is formed. Feature vectors are input to a neural network having preferably two hidden layers, input dimensionality of the number of elements in the feature vector and output dimensionality of the number of data elements stored in the database. Unique identifier numbers are preferably stored along with the feature vector. Application of a query feature vector to the neural network results in an output vector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus under software control for pattern recognition utilizes a neural network implementation to recognize two dimensional input images which are sufficiently similar to a database of previously stored two dimensional images. Images are first image processed and subjected to a Fourier transform which yields a power spectrum. An in-class to out-of-class study is performed on a typical collection of images in order to determine the most discriminatory regions of the Fourier transform. A feature vector consisting of the highest order (most discriminatory) magnitude information from the power spectrum of the Fourier transform of the image is formed. Feature vectors are input to a neural network having preferably two hidden layers, input dimensionality of the number of elements in the feature vector and output dimensionality of the number of data elements stored in the database. Unique identifier numbers are preferably stored along with the feature vector.

Abstract: A vehicle heater cleaning and repair apparatus and method is provided in which the apparatus has a closed loop pipe system removably connectable to a vehicle heater input and output line which have been disconnected from the engine under the vehicle hood. The water inlet is connected to a water source for allowing the injection of water into the pipe system. A valve allows the water to be shut on or off. A pump is connected to the pipe system for pumping liquid therethrough and through the vehicle heater. Sealant solution and cleaning solution tanks are connected to the piping system for first injecting a cleaning solution for circulation through the vehicle heater core and later for circulating a sealing solution. An electrical heater is also connected to the pipe system for heating the liquids being circulated by the pump through the vehicle heater core.