In an effort to recreate the May test, NHTSA conducted three tests last week on the Volt's lithium-ion battery packs that intentionally damaged the battery compartment and ruptured the vehicle's coolant line. Following a test on November 16 that did not result in a fire, a temporary increase in temperature was recorded in a test on November 17. During the test conducted on November 18 using similar protocols, the battery pack was rotated within hours after it was impacted and began to smoke and emit sparks shortly after rotation to 180 degrees. NHTSA's forensic analysis of the November 18 fire incident is continuing this week. Yesterday, the battery pack that was tested on November 17 and that had been continually monitored since the test caught fire at the testing facility. The agency is currently working with DOE, DOD, and GM to assess the cause and implications of yesterday's fire. In each of the battery tests conducted in the past two weeks, the Volt's battery was impacted and rotated to simulate a real-world, side-impact collision into a narrow object such as a tree or a pole followed by a rollover.
So in short, NHTSA is crashing Volts with very specific protocol--a narrow pole, which will cause severe deformation/penetration of the body structure, followed by a rotation to simulate a rollover.
The batteries aren't catching on fire right away, rather they seem to take some time to build up heat.
I don't think there is anything to worry about, yet. First, this is a very specific and severe type of crash, and second, it takes hours or days before the battery self-heats to the point of fire. As NHTSA and GM both point out, no on-the-road accidents are known to have caused battery fires.
However, GM apparently was late to the game, by not developing beforehand a procedure to discharge (and render safer) the Volt battery. They are now rolling this procedure out to first responders, who need to know how to neutralize a charged lithium ion battery after a severe accident.
Piano is one of the wonderful instruments to keep in your home. This instrument cannot be simply picked up and moved. Since it can incur severe damage, much care has to be taken while moving a piano. Even a slight damage can be too costly in having the piano fixed. In some cases, severe damage might lead to replacement of the piano. The only solution for this would be by hiring a professional piano mover who knows the difficulties in moving a piano. Lets have a look at the various things which are to be considered while moving a piano.
How to choose a professional piano mover?
Lot of people might have the doubt of why to choose a professional piano mover for moving a piano when lot of home movers are available. The main reason is that most of the home movers wouldn't have sufficient knowledge and experience in moving a piano properly. Piano's are available in different sizes and their value depends mainly on their model, make, condition and age. Most of the times, the piano need to be moved through a small space and in few other cases, it has to be disassembled and moved. Its always better to choose a mover near your location to minimize the charges you incur. Hence for moving your belongings in Chicago, its always good to hire a Chicago Mover to reduce your costs.
How should pianos be moved?
When hiring a professional Chicago mover, you can expect atleast 2-3 people arriving at your home with all the necessary equipments in order to move your prized piano safely. Special techniques has to be employed to move your instrument and once the piano is moved to the truck, it will be fastened inside to avoid damage during its transit. When you choose someone who is not a professional piano mover, the necessary safety guards might not be applied. Preferring a professional piano mover might not completely stop your piano from getting damaged but it will reduce the chance of getting damaged.
Just remember to choose the best piano mover and ensure that they have all the information to offer 100% satisfaction .
Professional movers are often not considered because they are expensive. You should be smart enough while choosing a moving company. You can still receive professional help and lower your costs by concentrating on three important tips.
To the extent that City law prohibits the erection of structures, the use of gas or other
combustible materials, and the accumulation of garbage and human waste in public places,
enforcement of the law and the owner's rules appears reasonable to permit the owner to maintain its
space in a hygienic, safe, and lawful condition, and to prevent it from being liable by the City or others
for violations of law, or in tort. It also permits public access by those who live and work in the area
who are the intended beneficiaries of this zoning bonus.
The movants have not demonst rated that they have a First Amendment right to remain in
Zuccotti Park, along with their tents, structures, generators, and other installations to the exclusion
of the owner's reasonable rights and duties to maintain Zuccotti Park, or to the rights to public access
of others who might wish to use the space safely. Neither have the applicants shown a right to a
temporary restraining order that would restrict the City's enforcement of law so as to promote public
health and safety.
It's now time for the Opera.2 which is launched by the Tuscany-based operation. This is not a replacement for the Opera.1 but it offers a different design from the hideous cartoon-bunny front end in the Opera.1. Now, it looks like a Chinese Concept Car.
The mechanical details has been borrowed from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Its reported that the turbo four is available with 300, 350 or 420 horsepower, propelling this 3,500-lb mess to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds and on to a 155 mph top end.
The pricing starts at $192,000. You'll also be thrilled to know that a third design is apparently in the works with a broader range of style choices.
BMW launches a special M3 Competition Edition to celebrate its 40 years. Only 40 Coupes will be shipped to U.S. This edition will feature with a Frozen Silver exterior paint, black M3 GTS 19-inch wheels, dark chrome exterior trim and dark exhaust tips with its interior complemented with Black Novillo leather upholstery with Palladium Silver accents, an Alcantara M steering wheel and M logos.
It's also more expensive than the standard M3. The Competition Edition M3 cost $81,060 with destination and handling, or a hefty $20,000 more than the base car. Since BMW is has dubbed this M3 the "Competition Edition," the automaker is also encouraging its U.S. dealer body to compete for the chance to sell one of them.
The battle, as you may recall, involves two outfits - neither of them directly owned by Lotus. One is based in Malaysia and licensed the name from Lotus' parent company, Proton, before subsequently "acquiring" the name from a third party that laid claim to it. The issue was further complicated when Lotus itself teamed with the Renault F1 team, resulting in two squads called Lotus-Renault.
The two operations have now reached a compromise. The green-and-yellow Malaysian outfit known until now as Team Lotus be named Caterham in 2012, while the Renault team will be cleared to use the Lotus name.
Source: http://www.autoblog.com/
What are you looking at? Uh!?
What are you looking at?! (slap)
Are you undressing me with your eyes?
Poor guy…you can't help it?
Is your heart beating? Is your head spinning?
Do you feel lost thinking that I could be yours forever?
(by the way has a slightly non-italian accent)