Abstract: Systems and methods implementing a frost sensor comprising a substrate (S); and sub-sensors disposed on the substrate. The sub-sensors comprising: a resistance-based sub-sensor (RSS) formed of a first trace disposed on S in a winding pattern and configured to measure a temperature; a capacitance-based sub-sensor formed of a second trace defining a first electrode and a third trace defining a second electrode (wherein (i) the first and second electrodes comprise interdigitated fingers or other interdigitated structures (including, but not limited to, round, spiral interdigitated electrodes, etc.

Abstract: An efficiency-based powertrain control system and method to provide real-time optimization of powertrain efficiency for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Abstract: A vibration apparatus comprising: a vibration assembly comprising a counterweight block, a first magnet group and an elastic member, the first magnet group is fixed on the counterweight block, the vibration assembly is suspended in the vibration apparatus through the elastic member; a stator assembly comprising a coil and a second magnet group, the second magnet group is installed in a winding hole of the coil; the first magnet group comprises at least two side magnets, magnetization directions of the two side magnets are perpendicular to a plane on which the coil is located, the side magnets are magnetized in opposite directions, a magnetization direction of the second magnet group is parallel to the plane, two poles of second magnet group are respectively attracted to poles of side magnets adjacent to the coil, the vibration assembly is configured to produce vibration relative to the stator assembly.

Abstract: An improved method and system for treating flue gases from a natural gas furnace are provided. The method and system include an acidic gas trap (AGT) adsorber which enables the continuous adsorption and storage of SOx, NOx redox, and formic acid/CO/HC/CH4 oxidation, with a negligible pressure drop. The AGT adsorber includes a catalyst coating having a nanotube structure (e.g., a uniform nanostructure forest coating) or a uniform porous nanostructure of various low-cost oxides through scalable low temperature solution processes, including oxides of Ti, Cu, Ba, Mn, Zr, Zn, Sr, Ca, Li, K, Na, Al, or Ce.

Abstract: A vibration apparatus comprising: a vibration assembly comprising a counterweight block, a first magnet group and an elastic member, the first magnet group is fixed on the counterweight block, the vibration assembly is suspended in the vibration apparatus through the elastic member; a stator assembly comprising a coil and a second magnet group, the second magnet group is installed in a winding hole of the coil; the first magnet group comprises at least two side magnets, magnetization directions of the two side magnets are perpendicular to a plane on which the coil is located, the side magnets are magnetized in opposite directions, a magnetization direction of the second magnet group is parallel to the plane, two poles of second magnet group are respectively attracted to poles of side magnets adjacent to the coil, the vibration assembly is configured to produce vibration relative to the stator assembly.

Abstract: An improved method and system for treating flue gases from a natural gas furnace are provided. The method and system include an acidic gas trap (AGT) adsorber which enables the continuous adsorption and storage of SOx, NOx redox, and formic acid/CO/HC/CH4 oxidation, with a negligible pressure drop. The AGT adsorber includes a catalyst coating having a nanotube structure (e.g., a uniform nanostructure forest coating) or a uniform porous nanostructure of various low-cost oxides through scalable low temperature solution processes, including oxides of Ti, Cu, Ba, Mn, Zr, Zn, Sr, Ca, Li, K, Na, Al, or Ce.

Abstract: An efficiency-based powertrain control system and method to provide real-time optimization of powertrain efficiency for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Abstract: A refrigerant charge meter and a method for determining the actual refrigerant charge in HVAC systems are described. The meter includes means for determining an optimum refrigerant charge from system subcooling and system component parameters. The meter also includes means for determining the ratio of the actual refrigerant charge to the optimum refrigerant charge. Finally, the meter includes means for determining the actual refrigerant charge from the optimum refrigerant charge and the ratio of the actual refrigerant charge to the optimum refrigerant charge.

Abstract: A refrigerant charge meter and a method for determining the actual refrigerant charge in HVAC systems are described. The meter includes means for determining an optimum refrigerant charge from system subcooling and system component parameters. The meter also includes means for determining the ratio of the actual refrigerant charge to the optimum refrigerant charge. Finally, the meter includes means for determining the actual refrigerant charge from the optimum refrigerant charge and the ratio of the actual refrigerant charge to the optimum refrigerant charge.