Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailgate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailgate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailgate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.

Abstract: An access door for a vehicle including an open bed assembly including a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall. A door portion on one of the side walls of the liftgate opening on a substantially vertical hinged axis for providing side access to the truck bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling and coordinating the power generated by a combined system of thermal units and hydro plants. In particular, hydro generation is determined for each of the hydro plants of the system as they are distributed in a plurality of groups, each group corresponding to a given river system. Because the amount of water flowing down a river system is dependent upon the amount of water released into the river system, calculation of the power generated by the hydro plants disposed upon a single river is conducted based upon the water flowthrough and power generated by a single plant termed a control plant. Assuming a set of lambdas, for example the lambdas calculated for the previous day, the water allocaion of not only the control plant but the remaining or dependent plants is determined by multiplying the incremental water rate curve of the control plant by an artificial cost variable gamma.