Abstract: A diffuser element for the underside of a vehicle comprises in longitudinal vertical section, in sequence from front to rear, a first smoothly and monotonically rising panel, and a second panel, and a gap between the first and second panels, wherein the edge of the second panel adjacent the gap comprises a substantially flat planar section which is offset from and below the plane of the first panel ahead of the gap. This type of gap in the diffuser serves to bleed off the boundary layer from the airflow passing through the diffuser, thus enhancing its effectiveness and improving the downforce that is generated as a result. The gap is preferably located in the front half of the diffuser and can form the entrance to a duct leading to an exit on the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for generating synthesized speech from detected speech articulator movement and to methods and systems for generating models for generating synthesized speech from detected articulator movement.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; an openable door having an outer skin and an inner skin defining a cavity there between and a relay mechanism mounted in the cavity; a moveable aerodynamic device attached to the door for generating down force when in a deployed position relative to the vehicle; and an actuator mounted to the vehicle body; the vehicle being configured so that (i) the door can be opened, leaving the actuator mounted to the body, and (ii) when the door is closed, the actuator can engage the relay mechanism and drive the aerodynamic device via the relay mechanism to cause the aerodynamic device to extend to the deployed position.

Abstract: A method for densifying the LO2 propellant of a vehicle (10) includes providing a heat exchanger (16) including a chamber (22), and an isolated heater (24) and cooler (26) located within the chamber (22). The method further includes the step of pumping propellant (LO2) (with pump 14) from the vehicle (10) to the first port (24i) of the path of the heater (24), to thereby create a flow of propellant (LO2) through the heater (24) path, and from the second port (24o) of the path of the heater (24). In conjunction with the pumping, propellant (LO2) is coupled from the second port (24o) of the heater (24) back to the vehicle (10), to thereby establish a recirculating flow of propellant (LO2). The chamber (22) of the heat exchanger (16) is filled with at least sufficient cryogenic liquid (LN2) to cover at least a portion of the path of the cooler (26), and preferably the entirety of the path of the cooler (26).