Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle. The system comprises a controller configured to cause a net negative drive torque to be applied by an engine or an electric machine of the vehicle to the input shaft of a transmission in a direction opposing travel of the vehicle to effect braking, determine when a transmission gear shift is about to occur requiring a non-negative torque to be applied at the input shaft, and when the gear shift is about to occur, temporarily cause a net non-negative drive torque to be applied to the input shaft by causing the electric machine to apply a positive drive torque to the input shaft to compensate for negative torque applied by the engine, and cause brake force to be applied by a braking system to compensate for a reduction in negative drive torque applied to the input shaft, while the gear shift occurs.

Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle includes means for receiving information indicative of a current vehicle speed; means for receiving information indicative of an amount of brake force a braking system is developing or is capable of developing; means for receiving information indicative of a gradient of a driving surface on which the vehicle is driving; and torque transmission reduction means for causing a powertrain torque reduction operation to be performed in which the controller causes one or more components in a torque transmission path from a torque delivery device to driven wheels to assume a torque reduction condition in which torque transmission is reduced or substantially terminated. The controller is configured automatically to cause the torque reduction operation to be performed in dependence at least in part on the information indicative of current vehicle speed, information indicative of brake force amount and information indicative of driving surface gradient.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide control system (140) for a vehicle (100) having at least one electric machine (123C) configured to cause torque to be applied to an input shaft of a transmission (124), the control system (140) being configured to: cause a net negative drive torque to be applied, at least in part by means of the electric machine (123C), to the input shaft of the transmission (124) in a direction opposing travel of the vehicle (100) in order to effect braking; determine when a transmission gear shift is about to take place requiring a non-negative torque to be applied at the input shaft of the transmission (124); and when a net negative drive torque is being applied to the input shaft of the transmission (124) and it is determined that a gear shift is about to take place requiring a non-negative torque to be applied, temporarily cause a net non-negative drive torque to be applied to the input shaft and cause brake force to be applied to one or more wheels (111, 112, 114, 115) o

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a motor vehicle comprising: means for receiving information indicative of a current vehicle speed; means for receiving information indicative of an amount of brake force a braking system of the vehicle is developing or is capable of developing; means for receiving information indicative of a gradient of a driving surface on which the vehicle is driving; and torque transmission reduction means for causing a powertrain torque reduction operation to be performed in which the controller causes one or more components in a torque transmission path from a torque delivery device to driven wheels of the vehicle to assume a torque reduction condition in which torque transmission from the torque delivery device to the driven wheels is reduced or substantially terminated, the controller being configured automatically to cause the torque reduction operation to be performed in dependence at least in part on the information indicative of current vehicle speed, in

Abstract: The present invention relates to a launch control unit for selectively engaging a revised shift control strategy. The revised shift control strategy is operable to control an internal combustion engine and/or an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The launch control unit can be configured to receive a brake signal from a foot brake and a torque demand from a throttle pedal. In use, the launch control unit is operable to engage said revised shift control strategy upon receipt of a torque demand greater than or equal to an upper torque threshold within a predefined time period of receipt of a brake signal less than or equal to a lower brake threshold.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (100) comprising: a fuel powered engine (121) and electric motor means (123) operable to provide torque to drive the vehicle (100); energy storage means (150) operable to store electrical energy generated by generator means (123) for driving the electric motor means (123); and energy management means (140) for controlling the engine (121) and electric motor means (123) to provide torque to drive the vehicle and for controlling the generator means to generate electrical energy for storage in the energy storage means, wherein the vehicle comprises control means operable to monitor a value of one or more parameters associated with the vehicle, the control means being arranged automatically to identify a current driving style of a driver ranging from an economy-oriented driving style to a performance-oriented driving style responsive to the value of the one or more parameters, the energy management means being operable to control the engine, electric motor means and generator means respo

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (100) comprising: a fuel powered engine (121) and electric motor means (123) operable to provide torque to drive the vehicle (100); energy storage means (150) operable to store electrical energy generated by generator means (123) for driving the electric motor means (123); and energy management means (140) for controlling the engine (121) and electric motor means (123) to provide torque to drive the vehicle and for controlling the generator means to generate electrical energy for storage in the energy storage means, wherein the vehicle comprises control means operable to monitor a value of one or more parameters associated with the vehicle, the control means being arranged automatically to identify a current driving style of a driver ranging from an economy-oriented driving style to a performance-oriented driving style responsive to the value of the one or more parameters, the energy management means being operable to control the engine, electric motor means and generator means respo

Abstract: The present invention relates to a launch control unit for selectively engaging a revised shift control strategy. The revised shift control strategy is operable to control an internal combustion engine and/or an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The launch control unit can be configured to receive a brake signal from a foot brake and a torque demand from a throttle pedal. In use, the launch control unit is operable to engage said revised shift control strategy upon receipt of a torque demand greater than or equal to an upper torque threshold within a predefined time period of receipt of a brake signal less than or equal to a lower brake threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system comprising a genetic construct a riboswitch operably linked to a regulatory sequence, and a second genetic construct a coding sequence whose expression is capable of being regulated by a gene product of the first construct. Also provided is a genetic construct comprising one or more riboswitches for regulation of gene expression, wherein preferably a spacer sequence is provided downstream of the riboswitch to enhance expression of a coding sequence which is operably linked to a riboswitch. Ligands, kits, methods, host cells and expression systems are also provided.

Abstract: A leak detector for detecting and locating leaks in a water supply pipe of plastics, the leak detector comprising a first sensor at a first position arranged to detect a leak signal travelling along a pipe, a second sensor arranged to detect a leak signal travelling along the pipe at a second position spaced from the first position, and a processing device adapted to receive the signals from the first sensor and the second sensor. The processing device may be adapted to determine the velocity of the signals from characteristics of the leak signals. The processing device is adapted to use the velocity and distance between the first sensor and the second sensor to determine the location of a leak. The characteristics may be the relationship between the phase and frequency of the leak signals.

Abstract: A leak detector for detecting and locating leaks in a water supply pipe of plastics, the leak detector comprising a first sensor at a first position arranged to detect a leak signal travelling along a pipe, a second sensor arranged to detect a leak signal travelling along the pipe at a second position spaced from the first position, and a processing device adapted to receive the signals from the first sensor and the second sensor. The processing device may be adapted to determine the velocity of the signals from characteristics of the leak signals. The processing device is adapted to use the velocity and distance between the first sensor and the second sensor to determine the location of a leak. The characteristics may be the relationship between the phase and frequency of the leak signals.