Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor vehicle controller comprising a computing device, the controller being configured to command a first releasable torque transmitting device of a drive-line to switch between a released condition in which a first releasable torque transmitting device substantially prevents transmission of torque from an input to an output portion thereof, and an engaged condition in which a releasable torque transmitting device allows torque transmission from an input portion to an output portion thereof. The controller may be configured to receive information indicative of: a speed of wheels of a first axle; a speed of wheels of a second axle; and a terrain over which a vehicle is driving.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a motor vehicle comprising: means for detecting a side-slope condition in which a vehicle is traversing a side-slope; and means for controlling an amount of torque applied to one or more wheels to induce a turning moment on a vehicle, the system being configured to cause a turning moment to be induced in a direction opposing side-slip of a trailing axle in a down-slope direction relative to a leading axle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a motor vehicle comprising: means for detecting a side-slope condition in which a vehicle is traversing a side-slope; and means for controlling an amount of torque applied to one or more wheels to induce a turning moment on a vehicle, the system being configured to cause a turning moment to be induced in a direction opposing side-slip of a trailing axle in a down-slope direction relative to a leading axle.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system being operable to receive an input signal corresponding to a rate of change of an angle of pitch of the vehicle, pitch rate, the system being operable to command a change in an amount of torque applied to at least one of the plurality of wheels in dependence on the pitch rate.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle operable to control a driveline of a vehicle to vary and amount of torque coupling between first and second groups of one or more wheels, the control system being operable automatically to cause application of brake torque to a wheel of the first or second groups of one or more wheels in response to detection of loss of traction of one or more wheels, wherein if the amount of brake torque or brake pressure of a braking system employed to apply the brake torque exceeds a threshold value in response to the detection of loss of traction, the control system is operable to cause the driveline to reduce the amount of torque coupling between the first and second groups of wheels.

Abstract: A motor vehicle control system operable in a steering assist mode in which the system is configured to: detect steering angle; and control a distribution of torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle in dependence on the detected steering angle thereby to induce a turning moment in the direction of turn indicated by the steering angle.

Abstract: An audio apparatus including a housing and a piezoelectric transducer mounted in the housing so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna. The transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear. The apparatus further including a coupler coupling the transducer to the housing with the coupler approximating to a simple support for the transducer.

Abstract: Audio apparatus comprising a housing and a piezoelectric transducer (12) mounted in the housing (10) so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna whereby the transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear characterised by comprising a coupler (14) coupling the transducer (12) to the housing (10) with the coupler (14) approximating to a simple support for the transducer (12).

Abstract: An exhaust system for treating an exhaust gas composition having NO2 in a first NO2 concentration. The exhaust system includes a first catalyst that contacts a first portion of the exhaust gas composition converting it into a first oxidized exhaust mixture that includes NO2 in a second NO2 concentration that is greater than the first NO2 concentration. The system further includes a bypass that receives a second portion of the exhaust gas composition and a recombination section positioned downstream of the first catalyst. The first oxidized exhaust mixture is combined with the second portion of the exhaust gas composition to produce a first combined exhaust gas mixture. A second catalyst converts the first combined exhaust gas mixture to a second combined exhaust gas mixture having a third NO2 concentration that is less than the second NO2 concentration. The method used by the exhaust system is also provided.

Abstract: An system for controlling vehicle movement includes a brake assembly configured to selectively resist movement of the vehicle. A controller selectively controls a brake force applied by the brake assembly. The controller is configured to determine a drive torque condition when the vehicle is stationary on an inclined surface. The controller selectively controls a rate of automatically reducing the brake force dependent on the determined drive torque condition to allow the vehicle to accelerate.

Abstract: An system for controlling vehicle movement includes a brake assembly configured to selectively resist movement of the vehicle. A controller selectively controls a brake force applied by the brake assembly. The controller is configured to determine a drive torque condition when the vehicle is stationary on an inclined surface. The controller selectively controls a rate of automatically reducing the brake force dependent on the determined drive torque condition to allow the vehicle to accelerate.

Abstract: Audio apparatus comprising a housing and a piezoelectric transducer (12) mounted in the housing (10) so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna whereby the transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear characterised by comprising a coupler (14) coupling the transducer (12) to the housing (10) with the coupler (14) approximating to a simple support for the transducer (12).

Abstract: An inertial force transducer having an operative frequency range comprises a resonant element having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range of the transducer and a coupler for mounting the resonant element to a site to which force is to be applied. The resonant element is a piezoelectric device comprising a layer of piezoelectric material and a substrate layer on the layer of piezoelectric material. The substrate layer has a region extending beyond the piezoelectric layer, with the coupler mounted to the extended region whereby the low frequency performance of the transducer is extended.

Abstract: Ultrasonic detection of flaws in ceramic monoliths such as are commonly used in diesel particulate filters is made possible by beaming ultrasound into the monolith from an inlet or outlet face thereof and analyzing the reflected ultrasound from the same face. The monolith is preferably rotated during the scan, or the scan may be repeated from several rotational positions relative to the face of the monolith. Even small flaws which are hard to detect may be identified.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an inclinometer to determine the steepness of the slope upon which the vehicle stands, brakes and a driver brake pedal for generating a braking effort in the brakes. The brakes are also controlled by a brake hydraulic control unit and an electronic control unit. The brake hydraulic control unit is arranged to control the release of the braking effort generated to stop the vehicle on a slope by the brake pedal at a release rate which varies as a function of the steepness of the slope determined by the inclinometer following operation of the brake pedal to release the brakes. The vehicle thus achieves controlled descent of a hill after a stationary position. Such a brake control system is particularly advantageous to a motor vehicle having a hill descent mode.

Abstract: A method of providing magnetised particles at a location using particles which can be switched between magnetic and non-magnetic states by exposure to a suitable magnetic field. The method comprises conveying the particles in their non-magnetic state to the location; and then exposing the particles to the suitable magnetic field so that they switch to their magnetic state.

Abstract: Ultrasonic detection of flaws in ceramic monoliths such as are commonly used in diesel particulate filters is made possible by beaming ultrasound into the monolith from an inlet or outlet face thereof and analyzing the reflected ultrasound from the same face. The monolith is preferably rotated during the scan, or the scan may be repeated from several rotational positions relative to the face of the monolith. Even small flaws which are hard to detect may be identified.

Abstract: The present invention describes the encapsulation of water insoluble oils by coacervation and the subsequent reduction in oxidative degradation of these oils in microencapsulated forms. Water insoluble oils useful in the process of the invention include food oils such as PUFA, flavor oils, and agriculturally and pharmaceutically active oils.

Abstract: An exhaust system for treating an exhaust gas composition having NO2 in a first NO2 concentration. The exhaust system includes a first catalyst that contacts a first portion of the exhaust gas composition converting it into a first oxidized exhaust mixture that includes NO2 in a second NO2 concentration that is greater than the first NO2 concentration. The system further includes a bypass that receives a second portion of the exhaust gas composition and a recombination section positioned downstream of the first catalyst. The first oxidized exhaust mixture is combined with the second portion of the exhaust gas composition to produce a first combined exhaust gas mixture. A second catalyst converts the first combined exhaust gas mixture to a second combined exhaust gas mixture having a third NO2 concentration that is less than the second NO2 concentration. The method used by the exhaust system is also provided.

Abstract: An electromechanical force transducer comprises at least two adjacent resonant elements and a damping layer coupled between their adjacent faces. The damping layer is selected so that the output is increased in the region of internal cancellation in the transducer. The adjacent resonant elements are beam-like and have substantially the same length. The resonant elements may be supported on a stub of low rotational stiffness whereby the fundamental resonance of the transducer becomes less dependent on bending motion of the transducer and more rigid body-like. The transducer may also include a member for increasing the rotational impedance of the transducer.