The disclosure relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a cylinder and a piston, which runs in the cylinder, together delimiting a working chamber. The working chamber is supplied with fresh air from an intake section via an inlet valve and is connected to an exhaust manifold via exhaust valves. The internal combustion engine includes a variable valve actuation system for the actuation of the inlet valves, controlling the opening time and/or the closing time and/or the lift. A strategy for shutting down the internal combustion engine includes controlling the inlet valves of individual or all working chambers in such a way that the transfer of fresh air from the intake section to the exhaust manifold is reduced or avoided and that the drag torque of the intake combustion engine is reduced.

Methods and systems are provided for reducing emissions and improving fuel economy for vehicles participating in car-sharing models. In one example, a method comprises while a vehicle is stationary with an engine deactivated, actively raising a temperature of an exhaust catalyst positioned in an exhaust system of the engine to maintain the temperature of the exhaust catalyst above a threshold temperature until a subsequent request for engine torque to propel the vehicle is requested. In this way, cold-starts of engines for vehicles participating in car-sharing models may occur less frequently, and accordingly release of undesired emissions to the environment may be reduced.

An electric starter system for an internal combustion includes a pinion gear, a pinion solenoid coupled to the pinion gear, a starter motor that is selectively connectable to the flywheel of the engine via the pinion gear, and a controller in communication with the pinion solenoid and the starter motor. In response to an engine auto-stop signal, the controller is configured to translate the pinion gear into contact with the flywheel and the motor, and cause rotation of the engine crankshaft to a predetermined crank angle. In response to an engine auto-start signal, the controller is configured to command delivery of motor torque from the starter motor, through the pinion gear, and to the flywheel for a duration sufficient for starting the engine.

A battery and supercapacitor system of a vehicle includes a lithium ion battery (LIB) disposed within a housing. The LIB includes: an electrolyte including lithium; and first and second electrodes disposed in the electrolyte. A supercapacitor is disposed within the housing and includes: the electrolyte; and third and fourth electrodes disposed in the electrolyte.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a turbocharger system (10) fluidly connected to an exhaust manifold (102) of a combustion engine (100). The turbocharger system comprises a tank (40) with pressurized gas, and a turbocharger turbine (22) operable by exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold. The tank is fluidly connectable to the turbocharger turbine. The method comprises the steps of: determining a first operational mode in which zero fuel, or only a predetermined low amount of fuel, is injected to the combustion engine, for a predetermined time period; and, after the predetermined time period, injecting pressurized gas from the tank to drive the turbocharger turbine, such that the turbocharger turbine is activated by the pressurized gas.

A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.

A battery pack includes a housing, rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells enclosed in the housing, terminals, a processing circuit, and a communications interface. The processing circuit is configured to control a supply of electrical power from the rechargeable lithium-ion battery cells to a positive terminal and a negative terminal in response to receiving signals from data terminals. The signals from the data terminals include operational information that includes at least a condition of an electric motor on power equipment coupled with the data terminals. The communications interface is configured to communicate over a wireless communication protocol to receive an identification of a type of power equipment coupled with the plurality of terminals. The processing circuit is configured to adjust one or more functions of the battery pack based upon identification data received from the communications interface, which includes the type of power equipment that is coupled with the plurality of terminals.

A method for operating a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started is described. In one example, the method includes starting an engine via expansion stroke combustion in response to a request to urgently start the engine. In addition, the method includes adjusting a position of a compression relief valve in response to a predicted urgency of an engine start.

A vehicle control apparatus for a vehicle includes a catalyst deterioration diagnosing unit, an engine controlling unit, and a diagnosis start determining unit. The catalyst deterioration diagnosing unit executes a deterioration diagnosis of a catalyst included in an exhaust system of an engine provided in the vehicle. The engine controlling unit controls an air-fuel ratio of the engine to a lean side and thereafter to a rich side during the deterioration diagnosis of the catalyst. The diagnosis start determining unit prohibits the deterioration diagnosis of the catalyst from being executed when a deceleration rate upon deceleration of the vehicle is high, and permits the deterioration diagnosis of the catalyst to be executed when the deceleration rate upon deceleration of the vehicle is low.

A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, staples, and a sled is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises a longitudinal slot separating the cartridge body into a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The cartridge body further comprises a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the first lateral side and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the first lateral side. The staple cavities of the first longitudinal row of staple cavities are angled toward the longitudinal slot. Gaps are present between the staple cavities in the first longitudinal row of staple cavities. The staple cavities of the second longitudinal row of staple cavities are angled toward the longitudinal slot. The staple cavities of the second longitudinal row of staple cavities are laterally aligned with the gaps. The staples are removably stored in the first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities.