The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the start of an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine is equipped with an ignition device comprising a fuel-fed prechamber to ignite an air-fuel mixture in a main combustion chamber. In order to reduce the emissions of the internal combustion engine during engine start a prechamber heating operations is performed by injecting a predetermined amount of fuel into the prechamber and igniting an air-fuel-mixture therein, while the main fuel injector is deactivated during at least a first engine cycle after engine start request.

A method of improving cold starting of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with an on-board microwave generation system that generates and delivers microwaves into the combustion chamber of each cylinder via an antenna associated with each cylinder. The microwaves are delivered immediately prior to cold start of the engine, causing the combustion chamber and interior elements of the chamber to be warmed.

A power management system for a vehicle includes a first battery monitoring module configured to monitor a first state of charge (SOC) of a first battery of the vehicle. The first battery has a first nominal voltage. A second battery monitoring module is configured to monitor a second SOC of a second battery of the vehicle. The second battery has a second nominal voltage that is greater than the first nominal voltage. A control module is configured to, using a direct current (DC) to DC converter, selectively charge the second battery with power from the first battery until the second SOC of the second battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined SOC.

A power management system for a vehicle includes a first battery monitoring module configured to monitor a first state of charge (SOC) of a first battery of the vehicle. The first battery has a first nominal voltage. A second battery monitoring module is configured to monitor a second SOC of a second battery of the vehicle. The second battery has a second nominal voltage that is greater than the first nominal voltage. A control module is configured to, using a direct current (DC) to DC converter, selectively charge the second battery with power from the first battery until the second SOC of the second battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined SOC.

One embodiment includes an engine block heating system. The engine block heating system includes a battery bank. The battery bank is configured to supply at least 2.25 KWatt-hours of energy before needing to be recharged. The battery bank is configured to be mounted in a vehicle comprising an engine block heater. The system further includes interface configured to connect to electrical connections of the engine block heater. The interface comprises an inverter is configured to supply at least 1500 Watts of power to the engine block heater. The engine block heating system is configured to selectively supply power from the battery bank to the engine block heater. The system further includes control circuitry coupled to the interface. The control circuitry stores a user-defined schedule to selectively control when the interface electrically connects the battery bank to the engine block heater.

One embodiment includes an engine block heating system. The engine block heating system includes a battery bank. The battery bank is configured to supply at least 2.25 KWatt-hours of energy before needing to be recharged. The battery bank is configured to be mounted in a vehicle comprising an engine block heater. The system further includes interface configured to connect to electrical connections of the engine block heater. The interface comprises an inverter is configured to supply at least 1500 Watts of power to the engine block heater. The engine block heating system is configured to selectively supply power from the battery bank to the engine block heater. The system further includes control circuitry coupled to the interface. The control circuitry stores a user-defined schedule to selectively control when the interface electrically connects the battery bank to the engine block heater.

A power management system for a vehicle includes a first battery monitoring module configured to monitor a first state of charge (SOC) of a first battery of the vehicle. The first battery has a first nominal voltage. A second battery monitoring module is configured to monitor a second SOC of a second battery of the vehicle. The second battery has a second nominal voltage that is greater than the first nominal voltage. A control module is configured to selectively apply power to a heater of the second battery based on an estimated value of the second SOC of the second battery at a next startup of an engine.

A power management system for a vehicle includes a first battery monitoring module configured to monitor a first state of charge (SOC) of a first battery of the vehicle. The first battery has a first nominal voltage. A second battery monitoring module is configured to monitor a second SOC of a second battery of the vehicle. The second battery has a second nominal voltage that is greater than the first nominal voltage. A control module is configured to selectively apply power to a heater of the second battery based on an estimated value of the second SOC of the second battery at a next startup of an engine.

A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.

An engine system for an off-highway vehicle includes a diesel engine configured to drive a driveline of the vehicle; an after-treatment arrangement configured to reduce emissions from the engine system; an after-treatment heating element configured to raise an operating temperature of the after-treatment arrangement; an electric energy storage device; and a controller configured to direct energy from the electric energy storage device to the after-treatment heating element in order to raise the operating temperature of the after-treatment arrangement.