Abstract: The invention provides a process that comminutes fuel solids in a steam-driven shear field, with controlled water content and optionally a catalyst, with gasification of the free-standing or slurry particulate outputs. Unlike conventional gasification methods the invention requires no dioxygen to be present, and produces dry friable ash that has significant marketable value as a material in its own right.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for comminuting coal or other fuel solids in a shear field, and for optionally coating the solids with catalysts for combustion, liquefaction, and or gasification during the milling process. The process further provides for control of water content in the solids may be controlled before, during and after the milling in order to obtain micronized solids with fine hydration layers. The output fuel solids from the process can burn at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and they also have improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquefaction process using comminuted fuel solids from a steam-driven shear field, with controlled water content and optionally coated with a catalyst. The method allows fuel solids to be liquefied efficiently during comminution or when they are supplied in the form of a slurry or as free-standing solids.

Abstract: The invention provides a process that comminutes fuel solids in a steam-driven shear field, with controlled water content and catalyst, with gasification of the particles entrained in the vented steam. Unlike conventional gasification methods the invention requires no dioxygen to be present, and produces dry friable ash that has significant marketable value as a material in its own right.

Abstract: The invention provides a micronized form of coal particles with improved characteristics for porosity, hydration and preservation of pristine surfaces. The coal of the invention can burn at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and also has improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of matter comprising coal body surfaces having improved characteristics for hydration and preservation of pristine surfaces, and which are compatible with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic liquid media. The coal body surfaces of the invention facilitate burning at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and also have improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for comminuting coal or other fuel solids in a shear field, and for optionally coating the solids with catalysts for combustion, liquefaction, and or gasification during the milling process. The apparatus further provides for control of water content in the solids may be controlled before, during and after the milling in order to obtain micronized solids with fine hydration layers. The output fuel solids of the apparatus can burn at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and they also have improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle includes a control and a global positioning system. The control may receive a user input and may download directional information from an external service provider to the control in response to the user input and an initial geographic position of the vehicle. The directional information may comprise at least two instructions coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location. The control may provide an output corresponding to each of the instructions in response to a current actual geographic position of the vehicle. The control may provide each instruction only when the then current actual geographic position of the vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location associated with the instruction. Driver instructions may be provided audibly and/or may be displayed on a display screen visible to the driver, preferably at an interior mirror assembly of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror element having a partially reflective, partially transmissive coating, and a video display positioned behind the mirror element such that a display image is viewable through the partially reflective, partially transmissive coating. The video display may have an output intensity such that the viewable display image has an intensity of at least 250 cd/m2. The rearview assembly may include a housing having an opening with curved edges. The video display may be positioned in the housing, and the video display may generate a display image that extends along and abuts at least a portion of the curved edges of the housing.

Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle comprises an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element that has a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle and that has a rear portion that is generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector that preferably is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident at the rear portion of the reflective element, and that preferably is at least about 60 percent reflective to visible light incident at the front portion. A video display screen is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigational mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror having a reflective element. A display, optionally a video display, is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing a front portion of the reflective mirror element. A user input comprising a destination address is provided from a driver of the vehicle when the vehicle is at an initial geographic location. The display displays driving instructions that provide instructions to the destination address. The driving instructions are viewable by a person viewing the front portion of the reflective element. A particular instruction of the driving instructions is preferably displayed when it is appropriate to display the particular instruction to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A video mirror system for a vehicle comprises an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element that has a front portion that faces generally towards the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle and that has a rear portion that is generally opposite the front portion. The reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflector that preferably is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident at the rear portion of the reflective element, and that preferably is at least about 60 percent reflective to visible light incident at the front portion. A video display screen is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle includes a control and a global positioning system. The control may receive a user input and may download directional information from an external service provider to the control in response to the user input and an initial geographic position of the vehicle. The directional information may comprise at least two instructions coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location. The control may provide an output corresponding to each of the instructions in response to a current actual geographic position of the vehicle. The control may provide each instruction only when the then current actual geographic position of the vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location associated with the instruction.

Abstract: A vehicular video mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes a reflective element having a transflective mirror reflector that is at least about 15 percent transmitting to visible light incident at the rear of the reflective element, A video display is disposed to the rear of the reflective element and emits light when actuated that passes through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element to be visible to a driver of the vehicle viewing the front of the reflective element. The video display is back lit by at least one light source and is operable to exhibit a display intensity as viewed by the driver of at least about 400 candelas per square meter when the interior rearview mirror assembly equipped the reflective element is mounted and is viewed in the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation system for a vehicle includes a vehicle-based telematics system, a vehicle-based global positioning system and a control. The telematics system is operable to receive a user input from a driver of the vehicle and to download directional information from an external service provider to the control in response to the user input and an initial geographic position of the vehicle. The directional information comprises at least two instructions with each of the instructions being coded or associated with or linked to a respective geographic location. The control is operable to provide an output corresponding to each of the instructions in response to a current actual geographic position of the vehicle. The control is operable to provide each instruction only when the then current actual geographic position of the vehicle at least generally corresponds to the particular geographic location associated with the instruction.

Abstract: A safety sensing and/or release system for a closed compartment of a vehicle is operable to detect an occupant within the vehicle compartment. The system may be operable to sense ambient conditions in the vehicle compartment, and may generate a control signal in response to the sensed conditions. The system may actuate indicators to notify operators of the vehicle that there is a person or animal detected in the compartment. Optionally, the system may open the vehicle compartment in response to a detection of an occupant and the sensed conditions. The safety system includes a false trigger protection means that limits or reduces false detections of a person or animal within the compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle-based door opening system for opening a door at a building includes a vehicle-based transmitting unit, a control and an actuating device. The transmitting unit is positioned at the vehicle and operable to transmit a first signal, and the actuating device is positioned at the building and receives the first signal from the vehicle-based transmitting unit. The control is operable to control at least one vehicle-based accessory, such as a door lock mechanism, in response to the first signal. The actuating device receives a domestic hand held garage door opener transmitting unit associated with a door opening device at or near the door and actuates the domestic hand held garage door opener transmitting unit in response to the first signal. The domestic hand held garage door opener transmitting unit transmits a second signal to actuate the door opening device to open or close the door.

Abstract: The method and device for locating underground utilities within an area includes traversing the area with a plurality of underground utility sensors and obtaining area location data to locate the area traversed. The sensor data and area location data are used to map the location of one or more utilities within the area traversed.

Abstract: A vehicle-based door opening system for opening a door at a building includes a vehicle-based transmitting unit, a control and an actuating device. The transmitting unit is positioned at the vehicle and operable to transmit a first signal, and the actuating device is positioned at the building and receives the first signal from the vehicle-based transmitting unit. The control is operable to control at least one vehicle-based accessory, such as a door lock mechanism, in response to the first signal. The actuating device receives a domestic hand held garage door opener transmitting unit associated with a door opening device at or near the door and actuates the domestic hand held garage door opener transmitting unit in response to the first signal. The domestic hand held garage door opener transmitting unit transmits a second signal to actuate the door opening device to open or close the door.

Abstract: A system for detecting and locating an underground object having stationary RF transmitter receivers that define a coordinate system for an area of interest, a sensor adapted to detect presence of an underground object and to provide a presence data, and a mobile RF transmitter receiver that is movable with the sensor, and is adapted to receive and/or transmit location data indicative of location of the mobile transmitter receiver in the coordinate system. A method is also provided for detecting and locating underground object including the steps of establishing a coordinate system for an area of interest, detecting presence of an underground object and providing a presence data upon detection of the underground object, and transmitting and/or receiving location data in a radio frequency, the location data being indicative of location of the underground object in the established coordinate system.