Abstract: The figures illustrate an apparatus (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) for a vehicle (100) comprising: first energy storage means (12) for storing electrical energy; second energy storage means (14) for storing electrical energy; and control means (16) arranged to transfer electrical energy from the second energy storage means (14) to the first energy storage means (12) when the level of electrical energy stored in the first energy storage means (12) is below a first electrical energy threshold level and the level of electrical energy stored in the second energy storage means (14) is above a second electrical energy threshold level.

Abstract: A vehicle system 100, for controlling charging of a traction battery 110 of a vehicle 400, comprising: means 130 for, when a next vehicle journey 10 requires charging of a traction battery 110, automatically controlling a charging level 14 of charging the traction battery 110, in dependence upon the next vehicle journey 10, and a timing 12 of charging of the traction battery 110.

Abstract: A connector for providing both a fluidic and electrical connection is disclosed, said connector having a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated body in between, characterized in that the elongated body has an inner cavity spanning throughout its length, and the distal end comprises: a) an inner body portion comprising a first inner electrical contact and b) an outer body portion comprising a second outer electrical contact having a spring element. The connector is easily adaptable to many kind of fluidic actuators and particularly to pipette instruments usually found in laboratory practice and developed to adapt fluidic actuators and pipette instalments to work according to the Coulter principle in every working condition, in particular to adapt the electrical and fluidic connection between a sensing tip and an instrumented pipette.

Abstract: A connector for providing both a fluidic and electrical connection is disclosed, said connector having a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated body in between, characterized in that the elongated body has an inner cavity spanning throughout its length, and the distal end comprises: a) an inner body portion comprising a first inner electrical contact and b) an outer body portion comprising a second outer electrical contact having a spring element. The connector is easily adaptable to many kind of fluidic actuators and particularly to pipette instruments usually found in laboratory practice and developed to adapt fluidic actuators and pipette installments to work according to the Coulter principle in every working condition, in particular to adapt the electrical and fluidic connection between a sensing tip and an instrumented pipette.

Abstract: A controller and a control method for activating temperature control of a device of a vehicle, the controller configured to, in a first mode, activate temperature control of the device of the vehicle when a measured temperature of the device passes a first threshold temperature; determine when a condition dependent on a journey of the vehicle is satisfied, and switch from the first mode to a second mode; and, in the second mode, activate the temperature control of the device when the measured temperature of the device passes a second threshold temperature, different to the first threshold temperature, wherein in the second mode, the measured temperature of the device passes the first threshold temperature without activation of the temperature control of the device before passing the second threshold temperature activating the temperature control of the device.

Abstract: The figures illustrate an apparatus (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) for a vehicle (100) comprising: first energy storage means (12) for storing electrical energy; second energy storage means (14) for storing electrical energy; and control means (16) arranged to transfer electrical energy from the second energy storage means (14) to the first energy storage means (12) when the level of electrical energy stored in the first energy storage means (12) is below a first electrical energy threshold level and the level of electrical energy stored in the second energy storage means (14) is above a second electrical energy threshold level.

Abstract: A control system or controller (190) for a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising: at least one energy-consuming subsystem (180), such as a battery cooling system (180), for controlling a or a respective first vehicle operating parameter, e.g. the battery operating temperature, and actuation means for the subsystem (180) for activating or deactivating it in accordance with vehicle operational requirements; wherein the control system (190) is configured to: determine a value of a or a respective second vehicle operating parameter which is dependent on a location of the vehicle (100), such as a distance (x, y) between a current location of the vehicle and a reference location, e.g. a driver's home or workplace, and control the actuation means of the subsystem (180) so as to deactivate the subsystem (180), optionally for a prescribed period of time, in dependence on the value of the determined vehicle location-dependent second vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle comprising drive means operable to provide motive power to the vehicle, the vehicle operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the drive means during a drivecycle thereby to reduce a value of one or more prescribed operating parameters, wherein the vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by driver-operated brake means in which the vehicle is held stationary and the drive means is off, the vehicle being operable automatically to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means, the vehicle comprising means for detecting departure of the driver from the vehicle, in the event that departure of the driver is detected when the vehicle is in the eco-stop condition the vehicle being arranged not to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means.

Abstract: A vehicle system 100, for controlling charging of a traction battery 110 of a vehicle 400, comprising: means 130 for, when a next vehicle journey 10 requires charging of a traction battery 110, automatically controlling a charging level 14 of charging the traction battery 110, in dependence upon the next vehicle journey 10, and a timing 12 of charging of the traction battery 110.

Abstract: A controller and a control method for activating temperature control of a device of a vehicle, the controller comprising: means for, in a first mode, activating temperature control of the device of the vehicle when a measured temperature of the device passes a first threshold temperature; means for determining when a condition dependent on a journey of the vehicle is satisfied, and switching from the first mode to a second mode; and means for, in the second mode, activating the temperature control of the device when the measured temperature of the device passes a second threshold temperature, different to the first threshold temperature, wherein in the second mode, the measured temperature of the device passes the first threshold temperature without activation of the temperature control of the device before passing the second threshold temperature activating temperature control of the device.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a device (150), e.g. a battery, within a vehicle (100), especially a hybrid electric vehicle, the cooling system comprising: a first cooling subsystem (180) for cooling the device (150) and having a relatively low rate of energy consumption, e.g. an ambient air-based cooling apparatus, a second cooling subsystem (182) for cooling the device (150) and having a relatively high rate of energy consumption, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipette tip comprising a thin holed membrane at its distal end, which is designed to be adapted with a system comprising at least an impedance analyser and a fluidic actuator to perform the dispensing and analysis of particles comprised within a conductive medium by exploiting the Coulter counter principle. The pipette tip can comprise attached or floating electrodes at its internal or external side for creating an electrical circuit. Also disclosed therein is a dispensing and analysis system, methods of using thereof and pipette tip's manufacturing methods.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) comprises an engine and at least one electric machine. The vehicle is operable in an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the electric machine develops torque to drive the vehicle whilst the engine is switched off. In an embodiment, the vehicle is operable when in EV mode automatically to cause engine turnover without starting the engine when a prescribed one or more conditions are met.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle comprising actuator operable to provide motive power to the vehicle, the vehicle being operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the actuator thereby to reduce an amount of time the actuator is on, wherein the vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by a driver-operated brake in which the vehicle is held stationary and the actuator is off, the vehicle being operable automatically to perform an eco-start operation in which the actuator is restarted when the driver releases the brake, wherein when an eco-start is performed the vehicle is arranged automatically to be held stationary by the brake whilst the actuator is restarted, if the actuator fails to restart the vehicle being further arranged automatically to assume a failed start condition in which the vehicle continues to be held stationary.

Abstract: A control system or controller (190) for a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising: at least one energy-consuming subsystem (180), such as a battery cooling system (180), for controlling a or a respective first vehicle operating parameter, e.g. the battery operating temperature, and actuation means for the subsystem (180) for activating or deactivating it in accordance with vehicle operational requirements; wherein the control system (190) is configured to: determine a value of a or a respective second vehicle operating parameter which is dependent on a location of the vehicle (100), such as a distance (x, y) between a current location of the vehicle and a reference location, e.g. a driver's home or workplace, and control the actuation means of the subsystem (180) so as to deactivate the subsystem (180), optionally for a prescribed period of time, in dependence on the value of the determined vehicle location-dependent second vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a device (150), e.g. a battery, within a vehicle (100), especially a hybrid electric vehicle, the cooling system comprising: a first cooling subsystem (180) for cooling the device (150) and having a relatively low rate of energy consumption, e.g. an ambient air-based cooling apparatus, a second cooling subsystem (182) for cooling the device (150) and having a relatively high rate of energy consumption, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine (121) and first (123C) and second (123B) electric machines operable as propulsion motors. The second electric machine is arranged to be drivably coupled to the engine, the engine being arranged to be drivably coupled to a driveline of the vehicle by clutch means (122).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powertrain control system (1) for a motor vehicle. The vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine (5) and an adjustable suspension system (9) operable in accordance with first and second ride height settings, said settings being associated with respective first and second vehicle ride heights. The powertrain control system (1) comprises a stop/start controller (11) for issuing an engine stop request signal and an inhibitor (15) for inhibiting operation of the stop/start controller (11) in dependence on a selected ride height setting.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an engine (100), the engine (100) having a first mode and a second mode, the engine (100) comprising: a first battery (101); a second battery (102); a first charge level monitoring device (106) attached to the first battery (101); and a control unit (105). The control unit (105) is arranged to: measure the charge level of the first battery (101) using the first charge level monitoring device (106) when the engine (100) is in the second mode; and cause the second battery (102) to charge the first battery (101) if the charge level of the first battery (101) is beneath a first threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine (121) and first (123C) and second (123B) electric machines operable as propulsion motors. The second electric machine is arranged to be drivably coupled to the engine, the engine being arranged to be drivably coupled to a driveline of the vehicle by clutch means (122).