Abstract: A method of fabricating a microchannel device is provided. The method includes determining, based on a plurality of design criteria, a microchannel vascular network design. The microchannel vascular network design includes a first channel network, a second microchannel network based on the first channel network, and a structure for providing fluidic communication through between the first channel network and the second channel network. The method includes receiving, in electronic form, the microchannel vascular network design at a fabrication system. The fabrication system comprises a pre-polymer solution. The method includes forming, based on the microchannel vascular network design, a microchannel vascular network device of a polymer material at the fabrication system using the pre-polymer solution, thereby fabricating the microchannel vascular network device.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component made of a nickel-based superalloy, the gas turbine engine component comprising a protective coating. The protective coating includes an inner diffusion barrier layer including any one or any combination of elements selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten, hafnium and iridium, and an outer layer of hard material formed of hard particles embedded in a matrix.

Abstract: A polynucleotide sequencing method comprises (i) removing a label and a blocking moiety from a blocked, labeled nucleotide incorporated into a copy polynucleotide strand that is complementary to at least a portion of a template polynucleotide strand; and (ii) washing the removed label and blocking moiety away from the copy strand with a wash solution comprising a first buffer comprising a scavenger compound. Removing the label and blocking moieties may comprise chemically removing the moieties. The first buffer may also comprise an antioxidant and may be used in a scanning buffer used during a nucleotide detection step.

Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle powertrain, the controller being configured to control the amount of torque generated by each of a plurality of drive torque sources in order to generate a net torque corresponding to a predetermined torque demand value, the predetermined torque demand value being determined at least in part by reference to a torque demand signal received by the controller, each drive torque source being coupled via a respective torque transfer arrangement to a respective group of one or more wheels, the controller being configured to cause at least one drive torque source to generate positive or negative torque in dependence on the predetermined torque demand value and to cause the drive torque source to undergo a torque reversal operation in which the direction of torque generated by the at least one drive torque sources changes from one direction to the other, the controller being configured wherein, during a torque reversal operation, the controller limits the rate of change of torque gene

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component includes a rotor blade having a squealer tip comprising a projecting lip, the rotor blade further having a raised rim running along both edges of each projecting kip of the squealer tip, and an abrasive coating formed of hard particles embedded in a retaining matrix covering a tip region of the rotor blade within an area bounded by the raised rim. The raised rim has a height of between 50% and 75% of a mean diameter of the hard particles.

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: The present disclosure relates to a controller for controlling operation of at least first and second traction machines in a vehicle. The controller includes a processor configured to predict an operating temperature of each of said at least first and second traction machines for at least a portion of a current route. The processor determines at least first and second torque requests for said at least first and second traction machines. The at least first and second torque requests are determined in dependence on the predicted operating temperatures of the at least first and second traction machines. The processor generates at least first and second traction motor control signals in dependence on the determined at least first and second torque requests. The present disclosure also relates to method of controlling at least first and second traction machines in a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controller for controlling at least first and second propulsion units to generate a combined torque at least substantially equal to a total requested torque. At least first and second torque ranges are determined for each of the at least first and second propulsion units. The at least first and second torque ranges are determined to maintain dynamic stability of the vehicle. A total power cost is determined in dependence on an estimated power loss of the at least first and second propulsion units within said at least first and second torque ranges and a minimum value of the determined total power cost identified. The torque to be generated by each of said at least first and second propulsion units corresponding to the identified minimum value of the total power cost is determined. At least first and second control signals are generated to control said at least first and second propulsion units to generate the determined torque.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide control system (140) for a vehicle (100) having at least one electric machine (123C) configured to cause torque to be applied to an input shaft of a transmission (124), the control system (140) being configured to: cause a net negative drive torque to be applied, at least in part by means of the electric machine (123C), to the input shaft of the transmission (124) in a direction opposing travel of the vehicle (100) in order to effect braking; determine when a transmission gear shift is about to take place requiring a non-negative torque to be applied at the input shaft of the transmission (124); and when a net negative drive torque is being applied to the input shaft of the transmission (124) and it is determined that a gear shift is about to take place requiring a non-negative torque to be applied, temporarily cause a net non-negative drive torque to be applied to the input shaft and cause brake force to be applied to one or more wheels (111, 112, 114, 115) o

Abstract: A controller is provided for a parallel hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle powertrain includes an engine, an electric propulsion motor powered by an energy storage device, and an electric generator driven by the engine to recharge the energy storage device. The controller receives one or more signals indicative of one or more operating modes in which the vehicle is to be operated; receives a signal indicative of demanded powertrain drive torque; and causes the engine and electric propulsion motor to deliver drive torque to one or more wheels to drive the vehicle. The controller causes the powertrain to operate in a parallel powertrain mode, where the amount of torque delivered by the electric propulsion motor is determined by the controller in dependence on the signal indicative of demanded powertrain drive torque and the one or more signals indicative of the one or more operating modes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, electric propulsion means powered by energy storage means and electric generator means operable to be driven by the engine to recharge the energy storage means, the controller being operable to: receive a signal indicative of a required hybrid driving mode; receive a signal indicative of a state of charge of the energy storage means; determine which of a plurality of powertrain operating modes is appropriate for vehicle operation at a given moment, the powertrain operating modes including an engine charging mode in which the engine drives the generator means to recharge the energy storage means and an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the engine is switched off and the electric propulsion means is operable to develop drive torque to drive the vehicle; and cause the powertrain to assume the appropriate powertrain operating mode and the required hybrid driving mode, wherein the controller is operable to d

Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle powertrain, the controller being configured to control the amount of torque generated by each of a plurality of drive torque sources, each drive torque source being coupled via a respective torque transfer arrangement to a respective group of one or more wheels, the controller being configured to cause a first of the drive torque sources, during acceleration, deceleration and substantially constant speed operation, substantially continually to apply a drive torque to a first group of one or more wheels to which the first drive torque source is coupled acting in a first direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and causes a second of the drive torque sources, during acceleration, deceleration and substantially constant speed operation, substantially continually to apply a drive torque to a second group of one or more wheels to which the second drive torque source is coupled, the direction of drive torque applied to the second group being in a second direction opp

Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle powertrain, the controller being configured to control the amount of torque generated by each of a plurality of drive torque sources in order to generate a net torque corresponding to a predetermined torque demand value, the predetermined torque demand value being determined at least in part by reference to a torque demand signal received by the controller, each drive torque source being coupled via a respective torque transfer arrangement to a respective group of one or more wheels, the controller being configured to cause at least one drive torque source to generate positive or negative torque in dependence on the predetermined torque demand value and to cause the drive torque source to undergo a torque reversal operation in which the direction of torque generated by the at least one drive torque sources changes from one direction to the other, the controller being configured wherein, during a torque reversal operation, the controller limits the rate of change of torque gene

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controller (27) for a braking system for a vehicle (10). The braking system has an independent generator (20, 22) on respective front and rear axles (16, 18). The controller (27) comprises an input (44) arranged to monitor a vehicle condition and an operating condition of the generators (20, 22). The controller (27) also comprises a processing means (46) arranged to determine a brake force distribution range between the front and rear axles (16, 18) based on the vehicle condition, and in response to a braking demand and the operating condition of the generators (20, 22), calculate a brake force distribution within the brake force distribution range. In addition, the controller (27) comprises an output (50) arranged to control the generators in accordance with the calculated brake force distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controller for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, electric propulsion means powered by energy storage means and electric generator means operable to be driven by the engine to recharge the energy storage means, the controller being operable to: receive a signal indicative of a required hybrid driving mode; receive a signal indicative of a state of charge of the energy storage means; determine which of a plurality of powertrain operating modes is appropriate for vehicle operation at a given moment, the powertrain operating modes including an engine charging mode in which the engine drives the generator means to recharge the energy storage means and an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the engine is switched off and the electric propulsion means is operable to develop drive torque to drive the vehicle; and cause the powertrain to assume the appropriate powertrain operating mode and the required hybrid driving mode, wherein the controller is operable to determine which of th

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a motor vehicle controller operable automatically to stop and subsequently to restart an engine of a vehicle according to a prescribed control methodology. The controller is operable automatically to adjust an engine stop delay parameter in dependence on the value of at least one vehicle endurance parameter. The engine stop delay parameter corresponds to a period for which the engine of the vehicle remains switched on when it is determined that a condition exists allowing the engine to be switched off during the course of a drive cycle. The value of the endurance parameter is responsive to stop/start operations being performed during the course of a drive cycle. The controller is operable to adjust the engine stop delay parameter to prevent the value of the endurance parameter exceeding a prescribed maximum endurance value before a prescribed time period elapses.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an object, the method comprising: receiving a first image of a first part of a first surface of the object from a camera arrangement; controlling relative movement between the camera arrangement and the object through a predetermined distance; receiving a second image of a second part of the first surface of the object from the camera arrangement, the second part being different to the first part; generating a third image using at least the first image and the second image; and determining a parameter associated with an abrasive surface coating on the object using the third image.

Abstract: The application relates to a method for stall-starting a hybrid vehicle comprising a combustion engine (12), an electric machine (14), a transmission (16) and two clutches (20, 22). In a first stall phase torque output of the combustion engine (12) is increased and compensated by the electric machine (14) operating as a generator. In the second start phase the method comprises configuring the electric machine (14) not to operate as a generator, in particular to operate as a motor. A further independent claim is directed to a stall-start apparatus. This avoids overheating the clutches (20, 22) and battery depletion, while at the same time providing high acceleration.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle is capable of direct drive by internal combustion engine, electric motor, or both. In order to provide a consistent overrun response, a torque controller determines an appropriate deceleration characteristic according to, for example, transmission speed ratio, vehicle gradient and vehicle mass, and commands the electric motor and the engine to contribute a negative torque which meets the required deceleration characteristic. A ‘tip’ function modifies the characteristic in the event of a change commanded by the vehicle driver, for example a change of speed ratio.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component made of a nickel-based superalloy, the gas turbine engine component comprising a protective coating. The protective coating includes an inner diffusion barrier layer including any one or any combination of elements selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten, hafnium and iridium, and an outer layer of hard material formed of hard particles embedded in a matrix.