Abstract: In an energy storage and recovery system for a hybrid vehicle 1, the operating ratio range of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 10 which transfers drive between the vehicle's driveline 8 and a flywheel 9 is effectively extended by the use of an integrated starter-generator (ISG) 13 connected to the flywheel shaft 12. When there is a high mismatch of rotational speed between the propshaft 8 and the flywheel shaft 12, prior to connecting the two shafts by a clutch 11, the ISG 13 either spins up or decelerates the flywheel 9 until its speed is brought within the optimum operating range of the CVT 10. This measure reduces wear and tear on the clutch 11.

Abstract: A control unit 13 moves an engine throttle 15 to the wide open position whenever the driver wishes to decelerate. This maximizes the transfer of rotational energy from the vehicle wheels 6 to a flywheel 12 which is coupled to a drivetrain 7,8,9 because pumping losses in the engine 2 are much reduced due to the open throttle. The energy stored in the flywheel 12 can be used at a later time to supplement the engine's motive power. The control unit 13 also controls an electro hydraulic clutch 11 which couples and decouples the flywheel to and from the drivetrain through a continuous variable transmission (CVT) 10. The gear ratio of the CVT 10 is set by the ECU 13.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine 2 and a flywheel 9. Storage and release of energy by the flywheel 9 is enabled by a continuously variable transmission 10 and clutch 11 under the control of an electronic module 14. The amount of energy transferred from the vehicle one to the flywheel 9 during a deceleration manoeuvre is maximized by increasing the engine speed. As a result, the engine does more work against the braking force of the accelerating flywheel and causes the flywheel to spin up to a higher rotational speed.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle 1 incorporates a drivetrain having a flywheel-based energy storage and recovery system 10 which can drive or be driven by the input shaft 4 of an automatic manual shift gearbox 5. The arrangement minimises vehicle driveline lash and provides a large number of operating modes.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the mass of a hybrid vehicle having a prime mover, a secondary mover incorporating a flywheel, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) being connectable with a driveline of the vehicle and with the flywheel, the apparatus including a means for measuring a rate of change of CVT ratio during a transference of energy between the hybrid vehicle and the flywheel.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine 2 and a flywheel 9. Storage and release of energy by the flywheel 9 is enabled by a continuously variable transmission 10 and clutch 11 under the control of an electronic module 14. The amount of energy transferred from the vehicle one to the flywheel 9 during a deceleration manoeuvre is maximised by increasing the engine speed. As a result, the engine does more work against the braking force of the accelerating flywheel and causes the flywheel to spin up to a higher rotational speed.

Abstract: A control unit 13 moves an engine throttle 15 to the wide open position whenever the driver wishes to decelerate. This maximizes the transfer of rotational energy from the vehicle wheels 6 to a flywheel 12 which is coupled to a drivetrain 7,8,9 because pumping losses in the engine 2 are much reduced due to the open throttle. The energy stored in the flywheel 12 can be used at a later time to supplement the engine's motive power. The control unit 13 also controls an electro hydraulic clutch 11 which couples and decouples the flywheel to and from the drivetrain through a continuous variable transmission (CVT) 10. The gear ratio of the CVT 10 is set by the ECU 13.

Abstract: In an energy storage and recovery system for a hybrid vehicle 1, the operating ratio range of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 10 which transfers drive between the vehicle's driveline 8 and a flywheel 9 is effectively extended by the use of an integrated starter-generator (ISG) 13 connected to the flywheel shaft 12. When there is a high mismatch of rotational speed between the propshaft 8 and the flywheel shaft 12, prior to connecting the two shafts by a clutch 11, the ISG 13 either spins up or decelerates the flywheel 9 until its speed is brought within the optimum operating range of the CVT 10. This measure reduces wear and tear on the clutch 11.

Abstract: In an energy storage and recovery system suitable for a hybrid vehicle 1 and incorporating a flywheel 9, parasitic losses are minimised, thereby permitting a rotating flywheel to retain energy for a longer period of time. The flywheel is driven via an epicyclic gearset 13. An electro-hydraulic clutch 14 serves to decouple the annulus gear 21 so that it does not transmit any torque under certain vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for installation of a material having discrete elements. The apparatus includes: (a) a supply material having discrete elements; and (b) a transporter system downstream of the supply material having discrete elements. In the preferred embodiment, the transporter system includes (i) a vertical feed, inline blower and (ii) a material agitator upstream of the vertical feed, inline blower. The apparatus may further include an applicator assembly connected downstream to the transporter system. In the preferred embodiment, the material is installed without the use of water.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fibrous material is disclosed. The apparatus may include a fiber separator, a de-liquefier, a dry-to-wet blender and a flash dryer. The fiber separator may be a liquid-based fiber separator. The de-liquefier is for removing liquid from the fibrous material. The blender downstream, which may be a dry-to-wet blender, is for adding a dry material to the de-liquefied fibrous material. The de-liquefier and a dry-to-wet blender are downstream from the fiber separator and the dry-to-wet blender may be downstream from the de-liquefier. The flash dryer, which is even further downstream, is for drying the treated fibrous material.

Abstract: Various uses of fluoroalkenes, including tetrafluoropropenes, particularly (HFO-1234) in a variety of applications, including as blowing agents are disclosed.

Abstract: A substrate assembly is stuffed into a converter outer shell to form a catalytic converter having a desired gap bolt density (GBD) value. The substrate assembly is formed by wrapping and taping a mat around a catalytic substrate. A predetermined pressure is applied to the substrate assembly and an outer diameter of the substrate assembly is measured at this predetermined pressure. A GBD value is predicted based on this measurement and if the GBD value is acceptable the substrate assembly is stuffed into the converter outer shell.

Abstract: A catalytic converter comprises an outer tube, a pair of catalyzed substrates positioned in the outer tube, and a heat shield positioned in the outer tube between the catalyzed substrates. A method of assembling the catalytic converter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A washer and method for cleaning poultry pads or similar items includes a tub which rotates around a horizontal axis. The tub is mounted on a wheeled frame for towing by a car, tractor or other vehicle. Dirty, soiled pads are placed in the tub on-site and the door is then secured. As the tub rotates during its washing cycle the pads are sprayed by water jets positioned along the interior central water conduit. Water collected in a drain is discharged at each revolution through an open gate valve located on the bottom of the drain. Baffles inside the tub agitate the pads and water, thus improving the cleaning ability of the washer.

Abstract: An apparatus for installation of a material having discrete elements, such as loose fill insulation. The apparatus includes a supply of the material and an applicator assembly for activating a substantially water-free adhesive for providing structure to the material during installation. In the preferred embodiment, the applicator assembly includes: a nozzle having an inlet for receiving the material and an outlet for applying the material to a surface; and an adhesive applicator adjacent to the nozzle for activating the substantially water-free adhesive to provide structure to the material having discrete elements during installation. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a transporter system downstream of the supply of material for delivery of the material to the applicator assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fibrous material is disclosed. The apparatus may include a fiber separator, a de-liquefier, a dry-to-wet blender and a flash dryer. The fiber separator may be a liquid-based fiber separator. The de-liquefier is for removing liquid from the fibrous material. The blender downstream, which may be a dry-to-wet blender, is for adding a dry material to the de-liquefied fibrous material. The de-liquefier and a dry-to-wet blender are downstream from the fiber separator and the dry-to-wet blender may be downstream from the de-liquefier. The flash dryer, which is even further downstream, is for drying the treated fibrous material.

Abstract: A washer and method for cleaning poultry pads or similar items includes a tub which rotates around a horizontal axis. The tub is mounted on a wheeled frame for towing by a car, tractor or other vehicle. Dirty, soiled pads are placed in the tub on-site and the door is then secured. As the tub rotates during its washing cycle the pads are sprayed by water jets positioned along the interior central water conduit. Water collected in a drain is discharged at each revolution through an open gate valve located on the bottom of the drain. Baffles inside the tub agitate the pads and water, thus improving the cleaning ability of the washer.

Abstract: Disclosed are azeotrope-like compositions comprising 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and at least one C3 or C4 hydrocarbon, and optionally water, said compositions are environmentally desirable for use as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, metered dose inhalers, blowing agents for polymer foam, heat transfer media, and gaseous dielectrics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing the execution of a sequence of graphics pipelines is provided. For a representative embodiment a sequence of graphics pipelines are connected in a daisy-chain sequence. Each pipeline operation can be controlled to operated in one of two modes. The first is a local mode where the pipeline outputs its own digital video data. The second is a pass-through mode where the pipeline outputs digital video data received from preceding graphics pipelines. The pipelines are configured to allow an application executing on a host process to select the next pipeline that will enter local mode operation. The pipeline that is selected to enter local mode operation asserts a local ready signal when it is ready to begin outputting its digital video information. Each of the pipelines monitors the state of a global ready signal. When the global ready signal becomes asserted it means that the pipeline that is selected to enter local mode operation is ready.