Abstract: A method of estimating a temperature of a material being heated is described. The method may comprise supplying electrical power to a heating element in dependence on a measured temperature, calculating a rate at which the amount of electrical power supplied changes over time, comparing the calculated rate with a plurality of known values in order to determine the value of a parameter relating to thermal properties of the material being heated, and calculating an estimated temperature based on the determined value of said parameter. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise detecting a drop in temperature of the material being heated, by detecting a change in the calculated rate at which the amount of electrical power supplied changes over time.

Abstract: A method of estimating a temperature of a material being heated is described. The method may comprise supplying electrical power to a heating element in dependence on a measured temperature, calculating a rate at which the amount of electrical power supplied changes over time, comparing the calculated rate with a plurality of known values in order to determine the value of a parameter relating to thermal properties of the material being heated, and calculating an estimated temperature based on the determined value of said parameter. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise detecting a drop in temperature of the material being heated, by detecting a change in the calculated rate at which the amount of electrical power supplied changes over time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for unidrectional or bi-directional signal transmission between at least two elements (E1, E2), which constitute components of an electric power supply and signal transmission system (EVS) of vehicles. According to the invention, one of the elements (E1) is connected to at least one Bluetooth radio module (B1) and one of the other elements (B2) is connected to at least one Bluetooth radio module (B2). The unidirectional or bi-directional signal transmission between the elements (E1) and (E2) and to the Bluetooth radio modules (B1, B2) takes place via an electric cable, but is wireless between the Bluetooth radio modules (B1, B2). Several elements (E1, E2) that are connected to Bluetooth radio modules (B1, B2) can be combined to form a Bluetooth pico-network. The Bluetooth radio modules (B1, B2) permit bi-directional signal transmission. A maximum of eight Bluetooth radio modules (B1, B2) can transmit signals to each other in a Bluetooth pico-network.