Why North Americans will like clean diesel vehicles – Range.
Posted By RichC on October 1, 2014
Bureaucratic pet peeve – selecting Ohio utility energy providers
Posted By RichC on September 30, 2014
Residents and businesses in Ohio “choose” which companies provide the energy used by their utility company, which can in most cases reduce their bills. This competition should be a good thing, one would think, but each year consumers go through a multi-step process to confirm our energy provider choice … and each year it is getting more and more cumbersome and time consuming. In my case, I call for each utility account or bill received and “waste” time making the same selection. This last natural gas selection took 23 minutes to renew with the same company I used in the previous few years.
Here was my 2014 process:
I opened a computer browser window and navaigated to the Ohio Apples To Apples website in order to compare offers from different energy suppliers after receiving a contract expiring letter (below). 
This should be done for both your electric and natural gas energy supplier otherwise by default the energy cost will be high (in my case the current Duke GCR rates are nearly 20% higher). Once a rate, term and promotion is mentally calculated, the selection process begins. In my case, I’ve been choosing yearly to stick with the same 1 year contracts and same supplier … unfortunately that decision needs to be confirmed each time – BY PHONE (or in the case of this last selection, 6 month term – rate was lower than a 1 year contract). On one bill alone this required a 12 minute phone call to select I wanted to stay with the same supplier … then a “hold the line” so another person can come on the line to read the company’s legal pages and verify the terms again while recording my “yes” selection. My “verifier” read clear and slow as if I was writing down every phone number in which to cancel within 30-days, another for asking a supplier a question and others. Then finally after requiring a “YES” to all the questions (repeated because I said “CORRECT” instead of “YES”), a 10 digit, plus backslashes, confirmation number was issued. All in all it took a total of 22 minutes to RENEW the energy supplier with the same company again … and I’m expected to do this with every utility bill.
Hmm… and I thought the federal government held the prize for the procedural bureaucratic waste of time. Come on people… there are better ways … who’s in charge? LINK
A busy and productive weekend ended with a beautiful sunset
Posted By RichC on September 28, 2014
I hate thinking it is an Indian summer, but the weather in SE Ohio has been beautiful. Besides working around our yard (many projects) I was up to Sidney and helping my brother work on dad’s out-building. The combination workshop/garage/barn is showing its age with a few areas under the rear west-facing eves decaying. Ron and I scabbed a few truss ends and screwed in place 60 feet of new pressure treated fascia board. My sister-in-law made a delicious and I still made it home as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Learn to read books again – slow down to pre-gadget habits
Posted By RichC on September 27, 2014
The WSJ printed an interesting article by Jeanne Whalen earlier this month listing the benefits of s-l-o-w-e-r reading. A Wellington, New Zealand book club calling itself the Slow Reading Club consists of members who “miss old-school reading” and may be on to something. They get together at a café and spend an hour reading in silence, with their electronics or cellphones turned off. The goal for them is to get back to reading for enjoyment ; the benefits for all of us, besides pleasure, is that reading slower “improves ability to concentrate, reduces stress levels and deepens ability to think, listen and empathize,” this according to advocates of slower reading.
Screens have changed our reading patterns from the linear, left-to-right sequence of years past to a wild skimming and skipping pattern as we hunt for important words and information.
More academics and writers are advocating a return to absorbing, uninterrupted reading—slow reading, as they call it. WSJ’s Jeanne Whalen discusses with Tanya Rivero. Photo: Getty
One 2006 study of the eye movements of 232 people looking at Web pages found they read in an "F" pattern, scanning all the way across the top line of text but only halfway across the next few lines, eventually sliding their eyes down the left side of the page in a vertical movement toward the bottom.
None of this is good for our ability to comprehend deeply, scientists say. Reading text punctuated with links leads to weaker comprehension than reading plain text, several studies have shown. A 2007 study involving 100 people found that a multimedia presentation mixing words, sounds and moving pictures resulted in lower comprehension than reading plain text did.
Slow reading means a return to a continuous, linear pattern, in a quiet environment free of distractions. Advocates recommend setting aside at least 30 to 45 minutes in a comfortable chair far from cellphones and computers. Some suggest scheduling time like an exercise session. Many recommend taking occasional notes to deepen engagement with the text.
TechFriday: Contemplating an iPad2 to iPad Air2 upgrade
Posted By RichC on September 26, 2014
As a iPhone, iPad and iMac Apple customer, it is challenging to know what products to upgrade and at what time. As much as I would like an iPhone6 or 6plus, I’ve opted to stick with the current iPhone 5s (and 5) in order to save a few dollars on our cellphone plan as we will most likely be switching to Ting, as
mentioned previously. My son called and asked me if I thought he should get the offered “free with a contract extension” upgrade and since only two carriers cover Williston ND, my answer was “yes” unless he wanted or was planning to leave Verizon.
My current desktop Mac is just fine and after a Parallels Desktop 10 update, which runs Windows 7 Pro on the iMac ($50), I’m ready for the new Yosemite OSX.
The more challenging decision is whether to update my much enjoyed and much used aging iPad2 to the soon to be released iPad Air2, or to hold off for a new lightweight notebook to replace my almost 8 year old Gateway. I’m still shocked that I’m comfortable using this hefty PC … and still relatively happy with it after the SSD drive and memory update. The other option is to pick up a second hand iPad Air “if” I can find one?
Below is video review of what seems to be a rumored photo comparison of the current fourth generation iPad Air (4?) and possible “Air2” due out this fall. Even though his conclusion is that “he wants” the larger screen model, I’m pretty satisfied with the current iPad screen size (I’m not sure where the iPad Mini comes in … one might as well get the iPhone 6plus)?
Video: The Apple iPhone 6 plus and #bendgate
Posted By RichC on September 25, 2014
One can help but chuck at the excessive talk and coined term #bendgate regarding damage being hyped in the media regarding bending iPhones (there were 6 user complaints officially reported to Apple). The video below has been used around the world on news programs … who does this with their phones?
Anyway, after the 23+ million hit viral YouTube video by Unbox Therapy, another iPhone, the iPhone 6 (not “plus”) was put to the test along with a few competitors (below). Short answer … the larger iPhone 6 plus seems to be the most susceptible to bending IF someone uses significant force.
Giphy.com or Gfycat and an emergency carry technique
Posted By RichC on September 25, 2014
Here’s another Giphy.com test after using it for a Facebook share yesterday. I’ve found it a little be better than gfycat.com that I’ve used before since the purpose was to post to a social network. Besides, I thought this was an interesting demo: A technique for carrying a person/body quickly in an emergency.
Sailing knives and using animated GIFs on Facebook
Posted By RichC on September 25, 2014
I posted a question on a Facebook group today for liveaboard sailors regarding sailing knives using Giphy.com’s animated GIF to Facebook posting. I’m not sure how many other GIF hosting services are out there for Facebook but Giphy worked well.
There are times on a rolling sailboat where using both hands to open a folding knife is not possible. The other hand may be needed to to hang on or to keep an something from getting away … like a mutineer [smiley]. I have a nice SS Myerchin folding knife with marlin spike, but it would be nice to have a sheepsfoot sailor’s knife that opens with one-hand like a tactical knife. Thoughts (see animated GIF below)?
Westport $WPRT poised for growth when energy prices rise
Posted By RichC on September 24, 2014
With the lower cost of domestic natural gas here in North America, the next couple of decades will continue opening the doors of opportunity for innovative companies who finding better ways to utilize this domestic and abundant clean fuel. Westport Technologies (WPRT), a leader in advanced natural gas engines and vehicles, has fallen flat as of late due to plentiful crude oil and lower fuel prices partially do to the falloff in demand of China and India. It is reasonable to believe that as the economy picks up in the U.S. that our increased consumption will stimulate the economies of our trading partners, including China and India, and increase demand (and price) for energy once again. Westport’s advanced natural gas internal combustion technology will be well positioned when this happens.
On Tuesday the company announced advancement which offers Proprietary Enhanced Spark-Ignited Natural Gas System Targeting Medium-Duty Trucks.
8:00a ET September 23, 2014 (PR NewsWire)
~ Up to 10% Improvement in Power and Torque over Diesel; Targeted at Medium-Duty Truck Applications ~
Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT) (NASDAQ:WPRT), engineering the world’s most advanced natural gas engines and vehicles, today is unveiling its newest proprietary technology, the first generation of enhanced spark-ignited (ESI) natural gas system. Westport’s new revolutionary approach to natural gas combustion technology is designed to provide vehicle and engine original manufacturers (OEMs) with a "downsized" natural gas solution that is cost competitive while providing similar levels of power, torque, and fuel economy to a larger diesel engine. Using 100% dedicated natural gas as fuel, Westport’s new technology optimizes the combustion and thermal efficiencies of the engine by taking advantages of the positive properties of natural gas.
Developed to meet the highest level of OEM quality standards, Westport’s new combustion system and components have been undergoing testing and offer ready integration into OEM applications globally. Its durability and reliability levels are expected to meet an OEM’s extensive engine development program. The Westport™ ESI combustion system is targeted at sub 9L engines for Class 6 and 7 trucks applications and is also adaptable for sub 2L applications for use in automotive and non-automotive applications.
"As gasoline and diesel engines progress, it is critical that OEMs offer natural gas engines that retain their expected performance while providing the environmental and economic benefits of natural gas," said Jack Keaton, Westport VP of Global Spark Ignited Direct Injection. "Westport is taking its technology leadership to the next level by introducing a long term technology solution that allows improvements in engine performance and fuel economy, thus offering highly attractive operating costs and low emissions profile. As the ESI technology continues to be developed, Westport will incorporate competitive performance upgrades to support the longevity of this system."
Key Features of Westport ESI Natural Gas System
— Optimized for spark ignited engines – Improvements in combustion and thermal management compared to typical spark-ignited natural gas engines ultimately enhance the engine’s reliability.
— Designed to provide up to 10% improvement in power and torque over the base diesel engine – Higher performance from a spark-ignited natural gas engine compared to a diesel engine potentially allows a 4L natural gas engine to replace a 6L diesel engine, which results in substantial mass reduction.
— Comparable fuel economy to diesel engine – By taking advantage of the positive properties of natural gas—for example, natural gas has less calorific energy compared to diesel—Westport believes that it is able to improve the fuel economy of a typical spark-ignited natural gas engine. In addition, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is applied, which is a well known mechanism for improving fuel efficiency, used extensively in passenger vehicles.
— Designed to provide up to 40% brake thermal efficiency – Brake thermal efficiency measures how much fuel is converted to useful energy. Typical spark ignited natural gas engines have approximately 25-30% brake thermal efficiency and diesel engines have approximately 41% brake thermal efficiency.
— Designed to provide up to 5% weight reduction compared to the base diesel engine – Weight is a critical element for truck fleets, so any reduction in engine weight equals an increase in payload.
— Fuel injection – The current system utilizes port injection providing better cylinder to cylinder control of the air fuel ratio. However, it is designed for upgrades to future technologies.
— Incorporates key Westport engine components – This includes Westport WP580 Engine Management System and Westport fuel system components.
— Stoichiometric operation and three-way catalyst (TWC) aftertreatment – TWCs are effective, simple devices, packaged as part of the muffler, that provide consistent emissions control performance and are maintenance-free. By using 100% natural gas, there is no requirement for diesel particulate filter (DPF) or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. This allows cost and weight reduction over base diesel engine.
— Expected to meet the most rigorous emissions levels – Westport ESI is designed to meet the latest emission regulations including Euro VI and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2014 standards.
— Compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) capability – Every natural gas engine burns CNG. Ultimately, the customer will decide which form of natural gas they wish to carry—either high pressure CNG or cold cryogenic LNG—based on a number of variables including but not limited to: weight of the load; weight of the fuel storage system; range required by the vehicle; and availability of CNG and LNG.
Westport is currently in various stages of development and negotiation with several vehicle and engine OEMs for ESI applications in medium-duty truck and automotive applications.
About Westport Westport engineers the world’s most advanced natural gas engines and vehicles. More than that, we are fundamentally changing the way the world travels the roads, rails and seas. We work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide from design through to production, creating products to meet the growing demand for vehicle technology that will reduce both emissions and fuel costs. To learn more about our business, visit westport.com, subscribe to our RSS feed, or follow us on Twitter @WestportDotCom.
Note: This document contains forward-looking statements about Westport’s business, operations, technology development or the environment in which it operates, which are based on Westport’s estimates, forecasts and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, or are beyond Westport’s control. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. Westport disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Westport Innovations Inc.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.