Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper plug and internal drop ball mechanism that may be used in conjunction with a downhole surge reduction tool to run, hang, and cement casing liners in a wellbore. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a wiper plug assembly removably attached to the drill string within the casing liner, a drop ball sub attached below the wiper plug assembly which releases a float valve actuator ball having a diameter larger than the drill string, and float equipment having a plurality of flapper valves. The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a diverter tool connected between the drill string and the casing liner.

Abstract: A tubular scraper which can be assembled so that the blades will be either rotating or non-rotating, as desired. If the tubular scraper is assembled in the non-rotating configuration, and the blades becomes stuck in the casing, the drill string can be pulled upward to engage a clutch. Once the clutch is engaged, the scraper is converted to a rotating scraper, so that the drill string can be rotated to assist in dislodging the stuck scraper blades.

Abstract: An indexing mechanism is disclosed that can put a tool in a variety of positions while downhole in the face of high static and dynamic loads. In the preferred application, the mechanism controls a movable sleeve on a downhole choke. It contains an indexing feature comprising a pin movable in a series of slots. A piston restrained to move longitudinally engages and rotates an index sleeve to allow the pin to advance into the next J-slot track. A separate lug on the piston engages a radial face on the index sleeve to take the shock load and position the choke instead of allowing the pin to load against the closed end of the slot.

Abstract: A load cell for sensing deformation in a drill collar is provided. The load cell comprises a disc member having one or more arcuate apertures and a deformation sensing element disposed on a side surface of the arcuate apertures. The load cell is capable of sensing such drilling parameters as weight and torque on a drill bit during the drilling operation.

Abstract: A method and a system for treating seawater to facilitate secondary recovery of petroleum from a location below a body of saline water by flooding a permeable stratum with the treated water. The system utilizes a spirally-wound cross flow semipermeable membrane cartridge incorporating a three layer membrane arrangement preferably having nanofiltration characteristics which facilitates treatment of open ocean water by a single pass without any chemical or mechanical pretreatment to result in a liquid stream of desired character that can have greater ionic strength than the input seawater, e.g. at least about 18,000 ppm of chloride ion and less than 50 ppm of sulfate ion. This surprising objective is obtained even at high operating temperatures, e.g. as high as about 70° C., through the combination of the construction of the feed spacer and the nanofiltration character of the three layer membrane arrangement.

Abstract: A float apparatus for use in a casing string. The float apparatus includes an outer case having a check valve positioned therein. A body portion which may be comprised of high compressive strength cement affixes the check valve to the outer case. The check valve includes a valve body and a valve element. The valve body defines a valve seat and the valve element is deformable so that it will conform to the shape of the valve seat and seal against flow in the casing.

Abstract: Cementing compositions for oil wells or the like comprise between 30% and 100% (by weight of cement) of rubber particles, with grain size in the 40-60 mesh range. Adding rubber particles in accordance with the invention produces a low density slurry while keeping the cement permeability low. Compositions of the invention are particularly advantageous for cementing zones subjected to extreme dynamic stresses such as perforation zones and the junctions of branches in a multi-sidetrack well.

Abstract: Bypass valve for use in wellbores, particularly during the setting of hydraulic anchor packers, a bypass valve is provided with a body (4) incorporating a wall provided with at least one opening (20) and a piston (30) slidably mounted and having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough. The piston (30) is movable between a first position, in which the bore of the piston (30) is substantially isolated from the exterior of the body (4), and a second position in which a passage is provided from the bore of the piston (30) to the exterior of the body (4). Constraining means (42, 52) prevent movement of the piston (30) from the first to the second position. Overriding means are provided to permit movement to the second position.

Abstract: A tool lands a flowline connector on a base and soft land the connector to a mandrel. After the tool lands on the base, the tool locks to the base and then pushes the connector the mandrel until it abuts locks to the member. The tool has at least one ring assembly with a number of dogs per ring assembly. Each dog moves in unison with a follower relative to a cam ring in a slot. The movement along the slot moves the dogs radially and circumferentially relative to the cam ring. An actuator moves a follower ring that slides relative to the cam ring which moves the follower. Each dog remains in contact with the cam ring after moving radially inward because of protuberances on each dog that slide from a recess as the dog moves circumferentially and radially inward.

Abstract: Fluid is transferred between surface facilities and a subsurface reservoir formation through a well, which is equipped with a well lining having a permeability of less than 50 Darcy and preferably a lower permeability than at least part of the reservoir formation in the vicinity of the well lining so that fluid transfer into or from the formation is equalized even if the formation comprises strata having different permeabilities.

Abstract: A method of coupling first and second tubulars (12,14) comprises providing a first tubular having a first yield strength and a second tubular having a higher second yield strength. A portion of the first tubular is located within and overlapping a portion of the second tubular and the first tubular is expanded sufficient to expand the second tubular, at least the first tubular being expanded beyond its yield point. Following expansion, a degree of elastic contraction of the tubulars is permitted, sufficient to provide interference between the tubulars.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of locking out a subsurface safety valve (SSV) in a hydrocarbon wellbore. A lockout tool is provided that is dimensioned to be received within the housing of the safety valve. The lockout tool generally comprises an elongated housing, and an expander mandrel slidably received within the housing. Together, the housing and expander mandrel are run into the wellbore and landed into the housing of the SSV such that the end of the expander mandrel opens the flapper valve. A portion of the lockout tool housing shoulders against the flow tube in the SSV to drive the flow tube downward, thereby maintaining the flapper of the SSV in its open position. As the expander mandrel moves downward through the hard seat of the SSV, the mandrel engages the flow tube and expands it against the hard seat. In this manner, the flow tube is expanded into permanent, frictional engagement with the hard seat.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method useful for discouraging the extrusion of at least one deformable member of a device into a space adjacent to the deformable member when the device is disposed within a borehole and the deformable member extends from the device to the borehole wall involves at least one expandable member disposed upon the device. The expandable member is expandable into the annulus to reduce the width thereof and retractable therefrom to allow movement of the device within and out of the borehole and redeployment of the expandable member. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly suited for limiting the extrusion of packer elements.

Abstract: Seaweed is picked up from the surface of a beach with general purpose earth moving machinery by installing a series of fingers extending forwardly and downwardly from the blade or bucket of the machine. By driving the machine forwardly along the beach, the fingers pass through the sand and seaweed on the beach travels up the incline of the fingers. The fingers accordingly act as a separator to separate most of the seaweed from most of the sand. Several embodiments of each moving machines are adapted for seaweed handling or removal.

Abstract: A walk-behind working machine includes a motive power source, right and left transmission shafts, and a clutch for transmitting motive power from the source to the shafts. The transmission shafts are disposed in alignment with their respective ends butting against each other. The clutch includes a driving cylindrical member rotationally mounted around the transmission shafts. The transmission shafts have first grooves formed on their outer peripheral surfaces while the cylindrical member has second grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The clutch further includes balls disposed between a space defined by the first and second grooves. The first groove is of substantially V-shaped configuration. The first groove has a leading end positioned between the ends of the transmission shafts.

Abstract: A weeder includes an elongated shaft having a predetermined length and a longitudinal bore, a gripping mechanism provided at an upper end portion of the elongated shaft, a chuck mechanism provided at a lower end portion of the elongated shaft for pinching weeds, an operating lever mechanism for actuating the chuck mechanism, the operating lever mechanism provided at an axial portion of the elongated shaft which is adjacent the gripping mechanism, and a towing wire inserted in the longitudinal bore of the elongated shaft and coupling the chuck mechanism and the operating lever mechanism.

Abstract: The invention comprises retrofit kits for power impact tools. The retrofit kits adapt modular control apparatuses to power impact tools that where not originally manufactured to receive a modular control apparatuses. The retrofit kits comprise a modular control apparatus and at least one fastener. The modular control apparatus may be specially manufactured to adapt retrofit tools or an adapter may be included in the kit. Adapters intercept the energy flow to the motor of the tool and re-channels the energy flow through a modular control apparatus, which then controls the flow of energy to the motor. The retrofit kit may include instruction sheets describing and illustrating the methods of using the retrofit kit.

Abstract: A wire collection box includes a lower plate, four lateral plates and a wire plate. Each of the four lateral plates has a side thereof being joined to the lower plate and at least one lateral plate has a plurality of vertical wire passages with an upper opening at each of the wire passages. The wire plate is disposed on the lower plate and provides an extension receptacle for taking external electricity. The extension receptacle has at least a set of outlets. Further, the wire plate is attached with a plurality of wire take-in parts, which at least form a wire take-in group for the wire being located at one of the take-in parts and wound around the wire take-in group and passing through one of the wire passages for supplying electricity or transmitting signals.

Abstract: A rack for mounting electronic equipment includes a pair of vertical support members having a regular pattern of mounting apertures that repeats linearly at a regular interval and a vertically-oriented cable guide, disposed generally adjacent one of the support members, having a plurality of outwardly-extending projections forming cable rings. The cable rings are disposed along the length of the cable guide at a second regular interval that is a whole number multiple of the first regular interval.

Abstract: A drainage structure of an electric parts accommodation box includes a drainage port formed on a bottom wall of the box, a cut-out portion that is continuous with the drainage port, a tip of which tapers off to form an acute angle, and a water-leading groove that is continuous with the tip, formed on an outer surface of the bottom wall. With this, a droplet that sticks to the water-leading groove disposed on the outer surface of the bottom wall is brought into contact with a droplet that sticks to the tip of the cut-out portion disposed on an inner surface of the bottom wall to flow out a droplet that sticks to a peripheral edge of the drainage port to the outer surface of the bottom wall. This more effectively drains liquid droplets that would otherwise remain within the box to reduce current leaks caused by such droplets coming into contact with electrical components in the box, such as closely spaced bus bars.

Abstract: A fuse box is mounted on an upper surface of a battery. A battery fuse accommodated inside the fuse box and a battery post projected from the battery are electrically connected to each other through a battery terminal and bus bars. A plurality of drainage holes are formed on a lower case of the fuse box. A droplet-dividing rib having a certain height projects from a bottom wall of the case of the fuse box at a position between adjacent drainage holes to divide and isolate the gap between the drainage holes to prevent current leaks or shorts between the bus bars due to liquid drained from the drainage holes.

Abstract: A fuse box is placed on an upper surface of a battery box through a supporting plate. Through-holes into which battery posts are inserted are formed at predetermined positions of the supporting plate. A positioning emboss portion is projected from the supporting plate. A fit-on portion is formed at a position corresponding to the emboss portion of the supporting plate of the fuse box. The fuse box is mounted on an upper surface of the supporting plate, with the battery posts in penetration through the through-holes of the supporting plate. A circular arc portion of a battery terminal is fixedly fitted on the battery post. The emboss portion is fitted on the fit-on portion.

Abstract: Improved thermal conductivity in printed wiring boards can be achieved without resorting to the use of dedicated thermally conductive components such as thermal vias and heat sinks. Instead, electrically functional vias, through holes, pads, and traces are modified to improve their thermal conductivity. Such modifications include thickly plating the walls of through holes or vias, possibly to the point where the via or through hole is completely filled, and also include de-planarazing the surfaces of pads and traces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for displacement of at least a small volume of liquid (5) under the effect of an electrical control, including a substrate (1) provided with first electrically conducting means (2), the device also comprising second electrically conducting means (3) arranged facing the first electrically conducting means (2), the first electrically conducting means and the second electrically conducting means possibly being connected to electrical power supply means to enable the application of electrostatic forces to the small liquid volume (5). The second electrically conducting means include at least one conducting wire (3) arranged parallel to the substrate and at a fixed distance from the substrate to enable displacement of the small volume of liquid (5) along said conducting wire (3) under the effect of the applied electrostatic forces.

Abstract: A floor stand for mounting an electrical box and for supporting a conduit extending downwardly to the electrical box has a conduit-supporting flange projecting backwardly from an upper portion of the upright member and is adapted to mount the electrical box so as to bear against a back face of the floor stand, beneath the conduit-supporting flange, which has three apertures, each adapted to pass a conduit extending downwardly through the aperture, to the electrical box. In one contemplated embodiment, each aperture is surrounded by a collar, which is adapted to receive a fastener for fastening the conduit to the collar. In an alternative embodiment, each aperture is associated with a tab having a distal end, which is adapted to engage the conduit.

Abstract: In an electrical junction box, a first board part and a second board part are arranged substantially in parallel while opposing to each other. An electric wire extends along both of the first board part and the second board part, and has a bent portion extending across a gap defined between the first board part and the second board part. An electronic unit is disposed in the gap.

Abstract: A slack-based method for determining fastener placement tolerances for a wire harness relative to a vehicle mounting point layout. The method uses a determination of maximum permissible slack between pairs of adjacent mounting points to calculate tolerances for each point-to-point segment of the wire harness. The determination of maximum permissible slack is made by inspection of the vehicle mounting point layout between each set of mounting points, and in particular is based on real-life slack-limiting factors found to exist between the mounting points. The point-to-point tolerances are easily summed to determine an overall harness length sufficient to create the desired slack and tolerances. The overall length can be optimized for the greatest number of fastener placement options with the least amount of excess harness.

Abstract: A trace wire is placed alongside an underground utility for long distance transmission of locating tones. The trace wire has a conductive core. There is an electrically insulating sheath on the core. The sheath has an inner layer in the form of a solid foam of dielectric material. An outer layer of the sheath is a solid dielectric material surrounding the inner layer. This combination of a core conductor with insulating materials in a multi-layered design provides significantly improved properties over current commercially available insulated conductors when used as trace wires. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the trace wire construction includes a. 1.6 mm (14 AWG) hard drawn copper conductor to provide low resistance along with high break strength. The inner layer of the sheath is gas injected foamed polyethylene (PE) insulation applied to an overall diameter of 7 mm. The outer layer is solid, medium or high density PE applied over the first layer to an over all outer diameter of 8.

Abstract: A lithographic process employing a resist for masking a substrate includes additional steps for limiting creep of the resist. The process is suitable for chemical amplification resists incorporating substrate protection agents sensitive to the same inactivation treatment as dissolution inhibitors of the resist. The additional steps are carried out after the development of the resist by dissolution. The steps include an additional step of sensitizing the residual resist on the substrate after the development, followed by a step of bringing the residual resist into contact with neutralization compounds.

Abstract: A package for mounting a semiconductor device has a surface exposed to an atmosphere. The exposed surface is covered with a covering material such as a paint, a tape or a seal.

Abstract: In an electronic device which realizes high-temperature-side solder bonding in temperature-hierarchical bonding, a bonding portion between a semiconductor device and a substrate is formed of metal balls made of Cu, or the like, and compounds formed of metal balls and Sn, and the metal balls are bonded together by the compounds.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having at least one layer of conductive traces on an external surface has at least one preformed solder element placed on a conductive trace area of the printed circuit board requiring a greater than standard amount of solder. The at least one preformed solder element is reflowed to form a connection with the layer of printed solder.

Abstract: A printed circuit board comprises a substrate with a conductor pattern thereon. The conductor pattern is composed of a plurality of traces in a specific layout. The conductor pattern has first sections where adapt to let current flowing through and second sections electrically connected with the first sections respectively. The first sections of the conductor pattern have plating portions for providing connecting layers thereon, and a solder mask is provided on the substrate. The solder mask shelters the conductor pattern but exposes the connecting layers on the plating portions of the first sections of the conductor pattern. The solder mask has apertures at where relate to the second sections of the conductor pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for probing, sensing, testing penetrating and sampling a medium generally includes an actuator (12) for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies and a horn (14) coupled to the actuator (12) for amplifying the actuator vibrations along with a non-rotating coring and drilling bit (16) for penetrating the medium. A bit (16) includes a drill stem (20) attached to the horn (14) and a bore (26) extends through the bit (16), horn (14) and actuator (12) for withdrawal of samples. A free mass (36) is disposed between the horn (14) and the drill stem (20) for oscillating therebetween in response to the actuator vibration for causing migration of medium debris around and through the actuator bore for effectively self-cleaning of the bit (16). The hammering action of the free mass (36) is used for penetration of the medium and for analysis of the medium though the use of spaced apart accelerometers (92 and 94).

Abstract: A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the drive axis of the drive head.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for drilling wellbores includes drilling a main wellbore and disposing a casing string in the main wellbore. The casing string has a deflecting member and a sealing member coupled thereto. The method further includes disposing a drill string having a drill bit coupled at a lower end thereof in the casing string and drilling, from the main wellbore, a first lateral wellbore at a first depth with the drill bit. The method further includes removing the drill bit from the first lateral wellbore, transferring the casing string and the drill bit to a second depth that is higher than the first depth, drilling, from the main wellbore, a second lateral wellbore at the second depth with the drill bit, and preventing, using the sealing member, a fluid from the first lateral wellbore from flowing above approximately the second depth while drilling the second lateral wellbore.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method for drilling wellbores includes drilling a main wellbore, disposing a casing string having a deflecting member at a lower end thereof in the main wellbore, disposing a drill string having a drill bit at a lower end thereof in the casing string, and drilling, with the drill bit, a first lateral wellbore at a first depth in the main wellbore. The method further includes transferring the casing string to a second depth in the main wellbore that is less than the first depth, disposing a first temporary plug in the main wellbore at the second depth to prevent gas from flowing up the main wellbore past the second depth, transferring the casing string to a third depth in the main wellbore that is less than the second depth, and drilling, with the drill bit, a second lateral wellbore at the third depth.

Abstract: Apparatus for boring a hole from an inside of a casing outwardly at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the casing comprises a drill shoe having a longitudinal axis and being positionable in the casing, the shoe having first and second passageways which converge into a third passageway exiting the shoe, a torsional load transmitting element and a cutting element connecting to one end of the torsional load transmitting element, the torsional load transmitting element and cutting element being positioned in the first passageway during non-use and in the third passageway during use, and a fluid conduit and a nozzle connected to one end of the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit and nozzle being positioned in the second passageway during non-use and in the third passageway during use.

Abstract: A sub-sea mud pump system includes a plurality of pump units, and each pumping unit includes a plurality of pumping elements. Each pumping element includes a pressure vessel with a first and a second chamber, a separating member between the first and second chambers, a measurement device adapted to measure the volume of at least one of the first and second chambers, a hydraulic inlet control valve and a hydraulic outlet control valve coupled to the first chamber, a mud suction valve and a mud discharge valve coupled to the second chamber. The first chamber is hydraulically coupled to receive and discharge a hydraulic fluid, and the second chamber is hydraulically coupled to receive and discharge a drilling fluid. The separating member is adapted to move within its the pressure vessel in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers. The pump system also includes a hydraulic control unit adapted to control the plurality of pump units.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond cutter and method of manufacturing a polycrystalline diamond cutter is disclosed. The method of manufacture comprising assembling a first substrate component, a second substrate component and diamond crystals into a desired configuration. The assembly is subjected to high temperature and high pressure conditions to cause the diamond crystals to bond to one another and to the first and second substrate components. The method forms a cutter having a single body of polycrystalline diamond bonded to the substrate components.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond cutter and method of manufacturing a polycrystalline diamond cutter is disclosed. The method of manufacture comprising assembling a first substrate component, a second notched substrate component and diamond crystals into a desired configuration. The assembly is subjected to high temperature and high pressure conditions to cause the diamond crystals to bond to one another and to the first and second substrate components. The method forms a cutter having a single body of polycrystalline diamond bonded to the substrate components.

Abstract: A method and method for fast weighing of items such as mailpieces with variable accuracy. The method includes a scale method having a platform connected to a load cell that provides an output signal to an analog-to-digital converter. The resulting digital output signal is processed by a low pass filter and analyzed by a microprocessor to determine weights of items on the platform. The microprocessor also determines postage amounts of items on the platform. The microprocessor also determines postage amounts as functions of the weights and outputs these postage amounts to a postage meter. The microprocessor determines the weights as the average of a sequence of digital output signal values if the average id not closer than D to any weight break, where D is the difference between a maximum output value and a minimum output value.

Abstract: An electronic fish scale comprising a molded housing having upper and lower portions for supported hand grasping. An electronically controlled weight-sensing member and a viewable digital output screen are mounted within the housing. The output screen is electronically connected to the weight-sensing member whereby a weight held by gravity causes a digital numeric display on the output screen equal to the fish weight. A fish-engaging assembly extends downwardly from the weight-sensing member through an aperture formed in the bottom of the housing, and includes a pair of opposed c-shaped jaws. A longitudinally moveable jaw actuator is operably connected through a jaw control member via a rotation pin through diagonally extending aligned slots in the jaws whereby the jaws are opened when the jaw actuator is manually moved upwardly. A lower lip of a fish securely held and unhurt between the closed jaws will produce a digital display of the weight of the fish on the output screen.

Abstract: A force transducer (2) for sensing the weight introduced into the mounting of a motor vehicle seat and comprises a force introduction element (4) that is connected to the motor vehicle seat, a force transfer element (7) that is connected to the mounting, and an extension member (5) that is arranged between the force introduction element (4) and the force transfer element (7) is disclosed which makes it possible to accurately determine the weight introduced into the mounting of the motor vehicle seat independently of other influencing forces by the fact that the force transfer element (4) or the force transfer element (7) surrounds the extension member (5) in a plane that extends parallel to the effective direction of the weight, and that at least one wire strain gauge (9) for sensing a shearing force parallel to the weight is arranged on the extension member (5).

Abstract: A class of transporters for carrying an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. Various embodiments have a motorized drive, mounted to the ground-contacting module that causes operation of the transporter in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered. Methods of controlling the transporter are described that allow the dynamic behavior of the transporter to more closely match preferences of a rider. These methods include providing preferential responsiveness to change in pitch angles and pitch rates.

Abstract: A device and method for equalizing the charge among a plurality of batteries redundantly driving a motor. The batteries are coupled to the motor through isolated windings and to each other through the drive shaft. The device senses the charge of the batteries and then controls the current from each of the batteries to its respective winding to equalize the charge. Related methods are provided to maximize the speed limit of a balancing transporter.

Abstract: A detachable transmission mechanism for a wheel chair includes a control unit, an engaging unit, a battery unit and a transmission device. The original front wheels of the wheel chair can be detached and the hub and the pivot part are mounted to both the upper and lower frames of the wheel chair. The battery unit can be fixed to the wheel chair under the seat thereof. When a control switch is turned on, the driving wheel can rotate in a forward or a reversed direction with the wheel chair being capable of moving forward or backward. By turning the handle, a follower wheel at the bottom of the wheel chair can be rotated to allow the wheel chair making a turn.

Abstract: A detachable transmission mechanism for a wheel chair includes a control unit, two support frames, a suspension frame and a driving device. The channel clamps of the two support frames can be connected to two lower transverse rods of an existing wheel chair and the joining tubes at two sides of the battery unit is connected to the joining pipe so that the battery unit can be fixed beneath a seat of the wheel chair; furthermore, the control unit is positioned on one side of one of armrest of the wheel chair so that in case of the handle being rotated, the vertical shaft, rotary plate and the connecting rod can move relatively and in turn rotate the suspension frame as well as the driving device; and when a control switch is turned on, the driving wheel can be rotated in either forward or reversed direction and thus move the wheel chair forward or backward.

Abstract: A powering device or power transferring device having an engine, frame, handle arms, first and second handles, wheels, support member, control panel, safety shutoff handle, power shaft and coupling for transferring power to various working attachments.

Abstract: When a starter switch is switched from OFF to ON, a hybrid ECU determines that a driver intends to start driving a vehicle, reads a temperature of each of items (engine coolant, injectors, lubricating oil, and the like), and makes a determination on the necessity of preheating depending on whether each of the items has reached a corresponding one of suitable temperatures. If preheating is required, the hybrid ECU sets an engine start permission flag so as to prohibit the engine from being started, and instructs an engine ECU to preheat the item requiring preheating. On the other hand, if every one of the items has reached the suitable temperature range of its own, the hybrid ECU determines that preheating is not required, and sets the engine start permission flag so as to permit the starting of the engine.