Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a method and to a control system for a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a torque request for an internal combustion engine configured to mechanically couple to a first axle of the vehicle; determining a shortfall relative to the torque request, dependent on torque providable by the engine; and providing an output to control an electric machine to provide a compensation torque configured to compensate for the shortfall, wherein the electric machine is mechanically coupled to a second axle of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interface configured to be removably attached to a vehicle exterior surface is disclosed. The interface may include a sensor unit configured to receive user inputs associated with at least one of a vehicle longitudinal movement and a vehicle steering wheel rotation. The interface may further include an interface communication module communicatively coupled with the sensor unit. The interface communication module may be configured to communicatively couple with a vehicle communication module when the interface may be attached to the vehicle exterior surface. The interface communication module may further obtain the user inputs from the sensor unit when the interface communication module may be coupled with the vehicle communication module, and transmit the user inputs to the vehicle communication module to cause a vehicle movement based on the user inputs.

Abstract: A vehicle including a transceiver, a vehicle sensor unit and a processor is disclosed. The transceiver may be configured to receive interface information from an interface sensor unit associated with an external interface. The external interface may be configured to be removably attached to a plurality of connection ports disposed on the vehicle. The vehicle sensor unit may be configured to determine vehicle information associated with at least one of a vehicle movement and the plurality of connection ports. The processor may obtain the interface information and/or the vehicle information. The processor may further determine an interface location relative to the vehicle based on the interface information and/or the vehicle information. Further, the processor may control a vehicle speed and/or a vehicle steering wheel rotation based on the interface location.

Abstract: A vehicle including a transceiver and a processor is disclosed. The transceiver may be configured to receive a request to activate an external interface movement mode associated with the vehicle to enable a vehicle movement control via an external interface. The external interface may be configured to be removably attached to a vehicle exterior surface. The processor may be configured to obtain the request from the transceiver and determine that a predefined condition may be met responsive to obtaining the request. The processor may be further configured to activate the external interface movement mode responsive to determining that the predefined condition may be met. In addition, the processor may output a notification via a vehicle exterior light and/or a vehicle speaker responsive to activating the external interface movement mode.

Abstract: A controller is provided for a vehicle having front and rear axles, each axle having two wheels, and first and second propulsion units. The controller controls the first and second propulsion units to generate a combined torque with reference to a total requested torque. The controller is configured to: receive a torque request signal; receive traction signals indicating available traction at at least one wheel; determine a traction torque range defined by a maximum and minimum torque for at least one of the at least first or second propulsion units in dependence on one or more of the traction signals; determine a proposed distribution of torque between each of the at least first and second propulsion units with reference to the total requested torque; and determine a proposed torque to be generated by each of the at least first and second propulsion units in dependence on the proposed distribution of torque.

Abstract: A medical device may include a shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft may include a lumen therein. The medical device may include a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft and may include a mode selector. The mode selector may be adapted to transition between a first mode and a second mode of the medical device. The medical device may further include a compressed fluid source. In the first mode, the compressed fluid source may be fluidly coupled with the shaft so as to impart a negative pressure in at least a portion of the lumen. In the second mode, the compressed fluid source may be fluidly coupled with the shaft so as to impart a positive pressure in the at least a portion of the lumen.

Abstract: A control system is arranged to: receive energy information for a vehicle; divide route data into a plurality of route segments comprising first and second route segments; wherein each route segment is indicative of a portion of the route, a first route segment precedes a second route segment along the route, and the length of the first portion is smaller than the length of the second portion of the route; determine an energy requirement for each route segment in dependence on the energy information; and output the energy requirement for the plurality of route segments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means to receive a speed signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle, processing means arranged to determine a desired coupling state (525) of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle in dependence on the speed signal, wherein the processing means is arranged to determine the desired coupling state as coupled in dependence on the speed signal being indicative of a vehicle speed equal to or below a first low-speed threshold (910) and to determine the desired coupling state as no-request in dependence on the speed signal being indicative of a vehicle speed above a second low-speed threshold (920), wherein the second low-speed threshold repres

Abstract: A controller can be configured to receive an indication of a measured speed of a vehicle, and determine whether a gradient on which the vehicle is located is below a threshold gradient. The controller can also be configured to provide an output signal to cause a brake of the vehicle to be automatically applied to hold the vehicle stationary, based at least in part on: the received indication of the measured speed of the vehicle being below a threshold speed; and the determination that the gradient is below the threshold gradient.

Abstract: A control system (208) for controlling a power inverter (214) of a vehicle (10), the vehicle comprising a first torque source (202), the power inverter for an electric machine (216) coupled to the first torque source, and a second torque source (212), the control system comprising one or more controllers (300), wherein the control system is configured to: enable (412) the power inverter to transition from an active state to a standby state in dependence on the first torque source being inactive while the second torque source is active (400), wherein the standby state is configured to inhibit quiescent electrical current draw by the power inverter; receive information on which an activation condition depends, the activation condition configured to cause at least activation of the first torque source; determine (404, 408) that a predictive condition for a requirement of the activation condition is satisfied, in dependence on the received information; and request (410) the power inverter to transition from th

Abstract: An attachable closure device enables a housing to be positioned over a remote object, and then enables the housing to be closed over the remote object and locked in the close configuration to contain the object in the housing.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid-electric vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the control system is configured to: determine a predicted destination for the vehicle; determine an associated confidence value in dependence on the predicted destination; determine a route to be travelled by the vehicle in dependence on the predicted destination; and output a signal to control an energy storage means of the vehicle in dependence on the determined route and associated confidence value, such that the vehicle may travel a portion of the determined route in an electric-only mode.

Abstract: An electric machine control system for a vehicle having an electric machine arranged to be selectively couplable to provide torque to a wheel of an axle. An input receives a fault-derived coupling state request signal and a further coupling state request signal. Each coupling state request signal is indicative of a request for a coupling state of the electric machine to the wheel of the axle. A processor determines the coupling state of the electric machine to the wheel of the axle in dependence on the fault-derived coupling state request signal and the further coupling state request signal. The processor determines the coupling state of the electric machine in precedence on the fault-derived coupling state request signal over the further coupling state request signal. A coupling signal indicative of the determined coupling state is output to control coupling of the electric machine to the wheel of the axle.

Abstract: A method and a control system for controlling movement of a vehicle to provide vehicle creep, the vehicle having an engine and an electric traction motor, and the control system having one or more controllers. The control system is configured to: while a torque path between the engine and a first set of vehicle wheels is disconnected, control the electric traction motor to provide tractive torque to a second set of vehicle wheels to automatically move the vehicle to provide electric vehicle creep. The electric vehicle creep is controlled by a mathematical model of engine creep torque that would be provided by the engine when the torque path between the engine and the first set of vehicle wheels is connected.

Abstract: A controller (201) for a vehicle (100), a system (200), a vehicle (100), a method (600), a computer program (204) and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (203) are disclosed. The controller (201) comprises means to receive an indication of a user selected direction of travel and an indication of the direction of motion of the vehicle (100). The controller (201) is configured to determine a proposed torque value in dependence on the direction of motion being an opposite direction to the selected direction of travel. The controller (201) also includes means to provide an output signal (403) configured to cause a motor (102) to apply torque, in dependence on the proposed torque value, to oppose motion in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A method of producing a freestanding ceramic tile. The method involves: grit-blasting a substrate using a grit size in the range from 36 to 220 mesh; depositing a release layer of carbon or graphite from 2 to 10 microns thick on the grit-blasted surface of the substrate; applying ceramic over the release layer until a desired thickness of ceramic is achieved to form a ceramic layer; heating the substrate, release layer, and ceramic layer to a temperature of from 800 to 1000 degrees Celsius; keeping the substrate, release layer, and ceramic layer at a temperature from 800 to 1000 degrees Celsius for a time from 10 to 20 minutes to remove the release layer; and cooling the substrate and ceramic layer at a rate of at least 200 degrees Celsius per minute, such that the ceramic layer separates from the substrate to produce a freestanding ceramic tile.

Abstract: A controller is provided for a vehicle having front and rear axles, each axle having two wheels, and first and second propulsion units. The controller controls the first and second propulsion units to generate a combined torque with reference to a total requested torque. The controller is configured to: receive a torque request signal; receive traction signals indicating available traction at at least one wheel; determine a traction torque range defined by a maximum and minimum torque for at least one of the at least first or second propulsion units in dependence on one or more of the traction signals; determine a proposed distribution of torque between each of the at least first and second propulsion units with reference to the total requested torque; and determine a proposed torque to be generated by each of the at least first and second propulsion units in dependence on the proposed distribution of torque.

Abstract: A method (400) for coating a tip (106) of an aerofoil (100) is provided. The method (400) includes depositing a layer of nickel-based gamma/gamma prime chemistry (112) on the tip (106) of the aerofoil (100). The method (400) further includes depositing plurality of abrasive particles (114) on the layer of nickel-based gamma/gamma prime chemistry (112) to form a coating matrix (116). The method (400) further includes heating the tip (106) of the aerofoil (100) at a predetermined temperature in order to perform heat treatment of the coating matrix (116) and increase the strength of the coating (110) on the tip (106) of the aerofoil (100).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an electric machine control system for a vehicle, the electric machine control system comprising one or more controllers, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric machine arranged to be selectively coupleable to provide torque to at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, the control system comprising input means arranged to receive a speed signal (410) indicative of a speed of the vehicle and a status signal (470) indicative of a status of a coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of an axle of the vehicle, output means (340) arranged to output a coupling signal to control coupling of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle, and processing means arranged to determine (1210) a coupling state of the electric machine to the at least one wheel of the axle and to control the output means to output (1220) a coupling signal indicative of the determined coupling state, wherein the processing means is arranged, in dependence on the

Abstract: A control system (208) for controlling a power inverter (214) of a vehicle (10), the vehicle comprising a first torque source (202), the power inverter for an electric machine (216) coupled to the first torque source, and a second torque source (212), the control system comprising one or more controllers (300), wherein the control system is configured to: enable (412) the power inverter to transition from an active state to a standby state in dependence on the first torque source being inactive while the second torque source is active (400), wherein the standby state is configured to inhibit quiescent electrical current draw by the power inverter; receive information on which an activation condition depends, the activation condition configured to cause at least activation of the first torque source; determine (404, 408) that a predictive condition for a requirement of the activation condition is satisfied, in dependence on the received information; and request (410) the power inverter to transition from th