A vehicle heater decoupling system that facilitates an automated decoupling of the vehicle heater with a power cord plug operably coupled thereto. The present invention includes a receptacle that is configured with a disconnection member. The disconnection member is operably coupled to electrical connection members that are electrically coupled to the power cord plug. A sensor is present to provide detection of the power cord plug. A controller is disposed within the passenger compartment of the vehicle and is coupled to the electrical system of the vehicle. The controller is configured to detect the operational status of the motor of the vehicle specifically whether the motor is running or idle. The controller detects the ignition of the motor and the state of the receptacle and upon detection of the ignition of the motor and the first state the controller transmits a signal to eject the power cord plug.

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.

After the vehicle is parked, when the SOC of the auxiliary battery becomes equal to or less than a threshold A, the ECU turns off the switch; when it is predicted that the engine will be started for the first time, the ECU turns on the switch; when the capacitor temperature is equal to or lower than a threshold B, the ECU turns on the heater and starts to charge the capacitor; when the engine is startable and when an engine start operation is performed by the user, the ECU supplies the electric power in the capacitor to the engine starter.

In a method for reducing particulate emissions of an internal combustion engine during a cold start of the internal combustion engine, the combustion chamber temperature and the ambient temperature are determined. A cold start condition is recognized when the combustion chamber temperature is below a first threshold temperature and the ambient temperature is below a second threshold temperature. In this case, the internal combustion engine is dragged by means of the starter, wherein air that is present in the combustion chambers is compressed and heated. This heat is discharged to the combustion chamber walls, which are likewise heated up. In this operating situation there is no fuel injection in the combustion chambers and no ignition, so that no combustion takes place in the combustion chambers and the internal combustion engine compresses solely fresh air. The combustion chambers heat up due to the compression work, thus achieving better evaporation of the fuel in the combustion chamber. An initially switched-off fuel injection into the combustion chambers is switched on when the combustion chamber walls of the combustion chambers have reached a sufficient temperature, so that the soot formation due to unburned fuel striking the cold combustion chamber walls is reduced.

An electronic control for engine block heater elements for heating an engine to an engine ready temperature includes a power input, a power output, and a controller. The controller includes a clock for keeping a time and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature. The controller is configured for controlling the power from the power input to the power output in at least two modes of operation for heating the engine to the engine ready temperature. The second mode of timed ready is where the power from the power input to the power output is connected at a pre-calculated time interval for the purpose of making ready the subject vehicle for starting at the desired start time as set by the user. The third mode of maintain ready is where the power from the electrical outlet to the engine block heater element is regulated to maintain the engine ready temperature.

An electronic control for engine block heater elements for heating an engine to an engine ready temperature includes a power input, a power output, and a controller. The controller includes a clock for keeping a time and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature. The controller is configured for controlling the power from the power input to the power output in at least two modes of operation for heating the engine to the engine ready temperature. The second mode of timed ready is where the power from the power input to the power output is connected at a pre-calculated time interval for the purpose of making ready the subject vehicle for starting at the desired start time as set by the user. The third mode of maintain ready is where the power from the electrical outlet to the engine block heater element is regulated to maintain the engine ready temperature.

Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.

Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.

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.

Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.