Abstract: A battery control system and method for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery for supplying electrical power to a plurality of loads of the vehicle and a controller that receives a battery signal representative of a condition of the battery, an ignition key signal representative of a state of an ignition key of the vehicle, and an engine signal representative of a state of an engine in the vehicle. The controller selectively electrically connects/disconnects the plurality of loads of the vehicle and the battery based on at least one of the battery signal, the ignition key signal, and the engine signal. An interface provides information on at least one of the battery and a connection state between the plurality of loads and the battery.

Abstract: An advanced method for processing a solid feedstock such as coal and a liquid feedstock such as bitumen wherein gases produced from such fossil fuel feedstocks are divided in a way as to polygenerate various by-products which includes the conversion of a waste gas (flue gas) containing nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) generated from the combustion of said gases to produce an intermediate made of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N2) in the form of cyanogen which in turn is converted to a fertilizer such as oxamide. This approach obviates the necessity of CO2 capture and storage in a geologic formation. Besides the making of a fertilizer from a waste gas containing N2 and CO2, the other by-products can be power in the form of electricity and/or steam from a lean gas and liquid transportation fuel like methanol/gasoline, or chemicals from a hydrogen rich gas. The method is applicable to utility as well as to industry.

Abstract: A method of protecting a battery is provided in a vehicle having a battery that selectively supplies electric power for starting an engine of the vehicle and that selectively supplies electric power to a plurality of electric loads of the vehicle. The method includes: obtaining a temperature; determining a state of charge (SOC) of the battery; determining a first threshold based on the obtained temperature; determining a second threshold based on the obtained temperature, the second threshold being different than the first threshold; taking a first remedial action if the SOC is below the first determined threshold; and taking a second remedial action if the SOC is below the second determined threshold, the second remedial action being different from the first remedial action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying a solid fuel within a pressurized gasifier without a lockhopper, a slurry or pulverization comprising the feeding of said fuel into a charging chamber having a first section equipped with a ram through which a mandrel is disposed, and a second section within which an impervious seal is formed from the solid fuel by the compressive forces generated by said ram and a third section into which the seal is advanced while said ram forms a successive seal in said second section. The seal from said third section is reduced in size and charged into the pressurized gasifier where it is gasified without loss of pressure. The gases produced are utilized to polygenerate products such as transport fuels and electric power, and a fertilizer from waste gas resulting from the combustion of one of the produced gases.

Abstract: A battery protection system is provided in a vehicle having an ignition system for selectively starting and stopping an engine of the vehicle and an electrical system including an electrical load and a battery that selectively delivers electric current to said load via a first device that protects said load from receiving excessive current. The battery protection system includes: a second device that selectively connects and disconnects the load from the battery; and a controller that controls said second device in response to a detected number of ignition cycles.

Abstract: In a vehicle having an electrical system including a ground circuit that provides an operative connection from the electrical system to an electrical ground and an electric power generator driven by an engine of the vehicle, the generator arranged to selectively provide electric power to an electrical load of the vehicle and to selectively charge a battery of the vehicle, a fault detection system is provided for detecting an open circuit or high resistance fault in the ground circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination, such as a combined preparation or pharmaceutical composition, respectively, which comprises nateglinide (I) or repaglinide and at least one other antidiabetic compound selected from the group consisting of thiazolidinedione derivatives (glitazones), sulfonyl urea derivatives and metformin for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the prevention, delay of progression or treatment of diseases, especially metabolic disorders and in particular type 2 diabetes and diseases and conditions associated with diabetes; to a composition, respectively, which comprises nateglinide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and to a process of making such composition; the use of such combination or composition for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention, delay of progression or treatment of metabolic disorders; a method of prevention, delay of progression or treatment of diseases in warm-blooded animals; the use of such combination or composition for the cosmetic t

Abstract: An advanced method for processing a solid feedstock such as coal and a liquid feedstock such as bitumen wherein gases produced from such fossil fuel feedstocks are divided in a way as to polygenerate various by-products which includes the conversion of a waste gas (flue gas) containing nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) generated from the combustion of said gases to produce an intermediate made of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N2) in the form of cyanogen which in turn is converted to a fertilizer such as oxamide. This approach obviates the necessity of CO2 capture and storage in a geologic formation. Besides the making of a fertilizer from a waste gas containing N2 and CO2, the other by-products can be power in the form of electricity and/or steam from a lean gas and liquid transportation fuel like methanol/gasoline, or chemicals from a hydrogen rich gas. The method is applicable to utility as well as to industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of modulating cellular functioning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of modulating B cell functioning, for example B cell proliferation, utilising an IDO-mediated tryptophan metabolite as herein defined (particular examples of such IDO-mediated tryptophan metabolites include 3-hydroxykynurenic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, picolinic acid, quinolinic acid and tranilast). The method of the present invention is useful, inter alia, in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions characterised by aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate B cell functioning such as antibody production, autoimmune conditions and B cell proliferation and neoplasias. In a related aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of therapeutically and/or prophylactically treating rheumatoid arthritis via the administration of the above-mentioned compounds.

Abstract: A method of repairing a utility pole in place. The method comprises excavating soil from around the utility pole to expose a portion of the pole surface below the ground line, and adhering a plurality of prefabricated sleeve segments to the surface of the utility pole to form a circumferential sleeve. The plurality of sleeve segments are positioned to extend above and below the ground line and have side edges that each overlap an edge of an adjacent sleeve segment. The hole around the pole is then filled, such as with a slurry of soil, water and sodium silicate. This method may be beneficially used on wooden utility poles that have experienced decay, in order to restore strength to the pole.

Abstract: A turbomachine system comprises a first turbocharger comprising an exhaust gas flow first turbine for location in an exhaust path and a first compressor driven by said first turbine; a turbomachine for location in the exhaust path upstream or downstream of said first turbocharger and comprising an exhaust gas flow second turbine and a second compressor driven by said second turbine. The first turbine has an outlet that is in fluid communication with an inlet of the second turbine. One of said first and second turbines is a radial outflow turbine. The arrangement provides for a relatively compact package. The radial outflow turbine may have a particular structure in which there is provided a deflector member at or near its inlet for directing the gas outwards, a stator for introducing swirl and a downstream turbine rotor. A shroud is fixed to blades of the turbine rotor to prevent leakage and to provide additional structural rigidity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the area of pain management and more particularly, to a method of analgesia and agents useful for same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of analgesia utilising a compound of formula (I). The method of the present invention is useful, inter alia, in the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of pain, including acute pain, chronic non-malignant pain and chronic malignant pain. Also provided are compounds for use in the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of protecting a battery is provided in a vehicle having a battery that selectively supplies electric power for starting an engine of the vehicle and that selectively supplies electric power to a plurality of electric loads of the vehicle. The method includes: obtaining a temperature; determining a state of charge (SOC) of the battery; determining a first threshold based on the obtained temperature; determining a second threshold based on the obtained temperature, the second threshold being different than the first threshold; taking a first remedial action if the SOC is below the first determined threshold; and taking a second remedial action if the SOC is below the second determined threshold, the second remedial action being different from the first remedial action.

Abstract: A battery protection system is provided in a vehicle having an ignition system for selectively starting and stopping an engine of the vehicle and an electrical system including an electrical load and a battery that selectively delivers electric current to said load via a first device that protects said load from receiving excessive current. The battery protection system includes: a second device that selectively connects and disconnects the load from the battery; and a controller that controls said second device in response to a detected number of ignition cycles.

Abstract: A battery control system and method for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery for supplying electrical power to a plurality of loads of the vehicle and a controller that receives a battery signal representative of a condition of the battery, an ignition key signal representative of a state of an ignition key of the vehicle, and an engine signal representative of a state of an engine in the vehicle. The controller selectively electrically connects/disconnects the plurality of loads of the vehicle and the battery based on at least one of the battery signal, the ignition key signal, and the engine signal. An interface provides information on at least one of the battery and a connection state between the plurality of loads and the battery.

Abstract: A generator control system is provided in a vehicle having an engine that drives an electric power generator arranged to selectively provide electric power to an electrical load of the vehicle and to selectively charge a battery of the vehicle. The generator control system includes: a sensor that detects a state of charge (SOC) of the battery; and, a controller that controls a voltage output mode of the generator in response to the SOC detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A system provides generator control for a power system within a vehicle. The system includes a battery, a generator that outputs power to charge the battery. A sensor detects a state of charge (SOC) value, a health value, a voltage, a current, a temperature, and a charging voltage of the battery. A controller controls a voltage output mode of the generator in response to at least one of a state of charge (SOC) value, a health value, a voltage, a current, a temperature, and a charging voltage of the battery detected by the sensor, the voltage output mode is in response to the SOC and the temperature of the battery.

Abstract: An engine idle control system is provided in a vehicle having an engine that drives an electric power generator arranged to selectively provide electric power to an electrical load of the vehicle and to selectively charge a battery of the vehicle. The engine idle control system includes: a sensor that detects a state of charge (SOC) of the battery; and a controller that controls an idle speed of the engine in response to the SOC detected by the sensor, wherein the controller is provisioned to skip at least one specific engine idle speed that has been identified as a cause of at least one of: unwanted noise in the vehicle; unwanted vibrations in the vehicle; undesirable emissions control; or undesirable driveline torque.

Abstract: A magneto rheological (MR) fluid damper system for use in a vehicle suspension system can include a twisted pair of conductors integrated into a hollow piston rod of the MR damper. The twisted pair of conductors provide a supply path for current to reach the actuating coil of the MR damper while also providing the current return path to an electric source. The twisted pair of conductors facilitates a reduction in capacitance in the operating circuit, and thus minimizes electromagnetic interference affecting other electrical systems in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying a solid fuel within a pressurized gasifier without a lockhopper, a slurry or pulverization comprising the feeding of said fuel into a charging chamber having a first section equipped with a ram through which a mandrel is disposed, and a second section within which an impervious seal is formed from the solid fuel by the compressive forces generated by said ram and a third section into which the seal is advanced while said ram forms a successive seal in said second section. The seal from said third section is reduced in size and charged into the pressurized gasifier where it is gasified without loss of pressure. The gases produced are utilized to polygenerate products such as transport fuels and electric power, and a fertilizer from waste gas resulting from the combustion of one of the produced gases.