The all-new 2013 Honda Accord Sedan and Honda Accord Coupe mark the
beginning of the ninth generation of Honda's best-selling midsize car.
More luxurious, more sophisticated, better performing and better
equipped than any other model in the Accord's 37-year history, the 2013
models remarkably advance the sense of luxury and craftsmanship, vehicle
dynamics and the range of standard equipment to the highest levels in
their class. Built in two locations in Ohio, launch of the all-new
models celebrates 30 continuous years of Accord production in the United
States.
The exterior length and wheelbase of both the Accord
Sedan and Coupe are slightly more compact than the prior generation
Accord while still providing improvements in key interior dimensions
including rear legroom and trunk volume. The result is a spacious
all-new Accord that boasts a sportier appearance, more responsive
handling and improved driving dynamics.
From the tip of the front
bumpers to the end of the exhaust finishers, literally nothing was left
unexamined when redesigning the Honda Accord. This includes major
elements like the unit-body, sheet metal, glass and aerodynamics, along
with interior features and electronic systems, the engines and
transmissions, the chassis components, and the many safety systems.
Despite the complete generational changes, however, the 2013 Accord
Sedan and Coupe are still tightly focused on providing the same
long-established blend of unbeatable Honda safety and security, value
for money, fun-to-drive performance and handling, and passenger comfort
and convenience.
Fuel efficiency is also improved, with EPA
estimated highway mileage ratings up to 36 mpg for the 4-cylinder Accord
and 34 mpg for the V-6 Accord Sedan. Not only does Accord advance the
state of the art in its segment, but the new Honda Accord models also
introduce a host of new technologies to Honda - while serving as the
first vehicle to use Honda's new Earth Dreams technology, which is
dedicated to enhancing fuel efficiency and minimizing the company's
environmental footprint.
In addition to the upcoming hybrid
versions of the Accord, the all-new 2013 Accord Sedan 4-door is
available in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, EX-L V6 and new Touring trim levels,
while the 2-door Accord Coupe comes in LX-S, EX, EX-L and EX-L V6 trim
levels. Standard features on the new Accord include Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink with audio streaming, USB/iPod integration, rearview
camera and an audio/information screen and an Eco Assist driving system.
As in previous EX-trim Accords, a choice of fabric or leather seating
upholstery is available.
Other standard Accord features include
dual-zone climate control, Pandora internet radio integration and an SMS
text messaging function. Available features include a hard disc drive
(HDD)-based Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice
Recognition and FM Traffic, and Adaptive Cruise Control. New visibility
technologies include an expanded-view driver's mirror and Honda's new
LaneWatch feature - along with available features such as LED
headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and brake lights.
Two
Earth Dreams powertrains are available initially, including an all-new
2.4-liter 4-cylinder with Honda's first use of direct injection in North
America, and a 3.5-liter V-6 with revised VTEC + VCM functions. In
early 2013, the Accord lineup will see the first application of a new
Earth Dreams 2.0-liter 4-cylinder/two-motor plug-in hybrid system in the
Honda Accord PHEV Sedan.
The Honda two-motor hybrid system will
operate continuously through three modes - all-electric,
gasoline-electric and direct-drive - to maximize fuel efficiency. The
2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid will also serve as the basis for a
conventional hybrid version of the Accord Sedan, which will join the
Accord lineup in the summer of 2013. Accord 4-cylinder models will offer
a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that helps the Accord
achieve outstanding fuel-efficiency, along with a new fun-to-shift
6-speed manual transmission on selected models.
2012年10月19日 星期五
2012年10月10日 星期三
Efficient LED lighting is Deeply impressive green choice for submarium
The Deep's Lagoon of Light display, which features vivid colours and 66 species of animals, is floodlit by a light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which have been supplied by Hull firm Bonus Electrical.
The environmentally friendly lights at the landmark centre offer a more sustainable way of lighting the lagoon, lasting up to ten times longer than the lamps they replaced and offering an 80 per cent reduction in energy use.
Aquarists at The Deep said the new lights, which run in two lines above the water tank, help recreate a tropical habitat common to the species in the lagoon.
Andrew Mcleod, assistant curator at The Deep, said: "The Lagoon of Light is a tropical fish display, where bright, light conditions are needed.
"These advanced LEDs provide a very intense, vivid type of light that recreates the environment you find on a tropical island where there is a great deal of sunshine."
The intensity of the 14 LED floodlights means the light is able to penetrate the surface of the water and properly illuminate the 200,000-litre tank.
It allows visitors looking through the tank's glass walls to see in great detail the lagoon's coral reef and the colours of 1,100 fish, such as surgeonfish and lipstick tangs.
The LEDs have a life-span of several years, compared with 12 months for the halide lamps the technology has replaced.
Given the power of the LEDs, which are a fraction of the wattage of a traditional light bulb, fewer bulbs are needed. And as LEDs produce a negligible amount of heat, The Deep is no longer required to reduce the temperature in the areas using the lights by air conditioning – saving yet more energy.
The Deep calculates the individual LED installations are already offering a 50 per cent cost reduction on the previous halide lamps.
Mr Mcleod said: "We have considered LEDs before but have been waiting for the technology's development and progress.
"Now, the designs have become a lot more advanced and these particular high-power floodlights offer the type of intensity we need."
Bonus Electrical is now working with The Deep on further applications for the LEDs, from installation in the car parks to being used to grow coral in captivity.
Rob Carter, sales manager of Bonus Electrical, said: "As the use at The Deep shows, there is no downside to advanced LED technology, which offers a sustainable, energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional lighting.
"This is particularly important at The Deep, where the lights are on for 12 hours every day and have to be reliable, environmentally friendly and not impact on the marine life.
"We're delighted to have supplied to such an iconic attraction and look forward to working with The Deep on rolling out the LEDs to more areas and applications."
The environmentally friendly lights at the landmark centre offer a more sustainable way of lighting the lagoon, lasting up to ten times longer than the lamps they replaced and offering an 80 per cent reduction in energy use.
Aquarists at The Deep said the new lights, which run in two lines above the water tank, help recreate a tropical habitat common to the species in the lagoon.
Andrew Mcleod, assistant curator at The Deep, said: "The Lagoon of Light is a tropical fish display, where bright, light conditions are needed.
"These advanced LEDs provide a very intense, vivid type of light that recreates the environment you find on a tropical island where there is a great deal of sunshine."
The intensity of the 14 LED floodlights means the light is able to penetrate the surface of the water and properly illuminate the 200,000-litre tank.
It allows visitors looking through the tank's glass walls to see in great detail the lagoon's coral reef and the colours of 1,100 fish, such as surgeonfish and lipstick tangs.
The LEDs have a life-span of several years, compared with 12 months for the halide lamps the technology has replaced.
Given the power of the LEDs, which are a fraction of the wattage of a traditional light bulb, fewer bulbs are needed. And as LEDs produce a negligible amount of heat, The Deep is no longer required to reduce the temperature in the areas using the lights by air conditioning – saving yet more energy.
The Deep calculates the individual LED installations are already offering a 50 per cent cost reduction on the previous halide lamps.
Mr Mcleod said: "We have considered LEDs before but have been waiting for the technology's development and progress.
"Now, the designs have become a lot more advanced and these particular high-power floodlights offer the type of intensity we need."
Bonus Electrical is now working with The Deep on further applications for the LEDs, from installation in the car parks to being used to grow coral in captivity.
Rob Carter, sales manager of Bonus Electrical, said: "As the use at The Deep shows, there is no downside to advanced LED technology, which offers a sustainable, energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional lighting.
"This is particularly important at The Deep, where the lights are on for 12 hours every day and have to be reliable, environmentally friendly and not impact on the marine life.
"We're delighted to have supplied to such an iconic attraction and look forward to working with The Deep on rolling out the LEDs to more areas and applications."
LEDs winning light race to save energy
"The light-emitting diode lamp is a rapidly evolving technology that, while already energy efficient, will become even more so in just a few short years," said Marc Ledbetter, who manages PNNL's solid-state lighting testing, analysis and deployment efforts. "Our comprehensive analysis indicates technological advancements in the near future will help people who use these lamps to keep shrinking their environmental footprints."
The report examines total environmental impact, including the energy and natural resources needed to manufacture, transport, operate and dispose of light bulbs. Fifteen different impacts were considered when evaluating environmental footprints, including the potential to increase global warming, use land formerly available to wildlife, generate waste and pollute water, soil and air. The report examines the complete life cycles of three kinds of light bulbs: light-emitting diodes, also called LEDs, compact fluorescents, or CFLs, and traditional incandescent light bulbs.
Completed for the Solid-State Lighting Program of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, this is the first public report to examine the environmental impact of LED manufacturing in depth. Manufacturing processes contribute substantially to a light bulb's overall environmental impact, but companies generally keep manufacturing information private. The research team was able to gather manufacturing data with the help of industry consultants and some companies on the condition that the final report would not reveal individual company data.
To do the analysis, the team chose specific bulbs that best represent what's most typical and widely available for each of the three types of lights they studied. They then used a database to calculate the resources needed to produce the various components of the three light bulbs. That analysis revealed both LEDs and CFLs are substantially more environmentally friendly then traditional incandescents, which consume far more electricity. For example, the specific incandescent light bulb the team studied consumes 60 watts of electricity, while the LED model they studied uses just 12.5 watts and the representative CFL only uses 15 watts to create about the same amount of light.
"By using more energy to create light, incandescent bulbs also use more of the natural resources needed to generate the electricity that powers them," Ledbetter said. "Regardless of whether consumers use LEDs or CFLs, this analysis shows we could reduce the environmental impact of lighting by three to 10 times if we choose more efficient bulbs instead of incandescents."
The energy consumed by lights when they're turned on makes up the majority of their environmental impact. But, with power consumption being similar between LEDs and CFLs when they are lit, the research team found the difference between those two bulbs' overall environmental performance is largely determined by the energy and resources needed to make them.
CFLs were found to cause slightly more environmental harm than today's LED lamp in all but one of the 15 impact areas studied. The one standout area was generating hazardous waste that must be taken to a landfill. This is because LED lights include a component called a heat sink, a ribbed aluminum segment that is attached to the bottom of LED bulbs. Aluminum heat sinks absorb and later dissipate heat that's generated by the light bulb, preventing it from overheating. The process to mine, refine and process the aluminum in heat sinks is energy-intensive and creates several byproducts such as sulfuric acid that must be taken to a hazardous waste landfill.
The report examines total environmental impact, including the energy and natural resources needed to manufacture, transport, operate and dispose of light bulbs. Fifteen different impacts were considered when evaluating environmental footprints, including the potential to increase global warming, use land formerly available to wildlife, generate waste and pollute water, soil and air. The report examines the complete life cycles of three kinds of light bulbs: light-emitting diodes, also called LEDs, compact fluorescents, or CFLs, and traditional incandescent light bulbs.
Completed for the Solid-State Lighting Program of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, this is the first public report to examine the environmental impact of LED manufacturing in depth. Manufacturing processes contribute substantially to a light bulb's overall environmental impact, but companies generally keep manufacturing information private. The research team was able to gather manufacturing data with the help of industry consultants and some companies on the condition that the final report would not reveal individual company data.
To do the analysis, the team chose specific bulbs that best represent what's most typical and widely available for each of the three types of lights they studied. They then used a database to calculate the resources needed to produce the various components of the three light bulbs. That analysis revealed both LEDs and CFLs are substantially more environmentally friendly then traditional incandescents, which consume far more electricity. For example, the specific incandescent light bulb the team studied consumes 60 watts of electricity, while the LED model they studied uses just 12.5 watts and the representative CFL only uses 15 watts to create about the same amount of light.
"By using more energy to create light, incandescent bulbs also use more of the natural resources needed to generate the electricity that powers them," Ledbetter said. "Regardless of whether consumers use LEDs or CFLs, this analysis shows we could reduce the environmental impact of lighting by three to 10 times if we choose more efficient bulbs instead of incandescents."
The energy consumed by lights when they're turned on makes up the majority of their environmental impact. But, with power consumption being similar between LEDs and CFLs when they are lit, the research team found the difference between those two bulbs' overall environmental performance is largely determined by the energy and resources needed to make them.
CFLs were found to cause slightly more environmental harm than today's LED lamp in all but one of the 15 impact areas studied. The one standout area was generating hazardous waste that must be taken to a landfill. This is because LED lights include a component called a heat sink, a ribbed aluminum segment that is attached to the bottom of LED bulbs. Aluminum heat sinks absorb and later dissipate heat that's generated by the light bulb, preventing it from overheating. The process to mine, refine and process the aluminum in heat sinks is energy-intensive and creates several byproducts such as sulfuric acid that must be taken to a hazardous waste landfill.
2012年9月27日 星期四
Levee system prevailed but suffered damage
A year after rising floodwaters battered the levees along the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is gearing up to repair the damage.
The Army Corps actually started the repair job last month by replacing four relief wells along a levee in Wilkes-Barre. More significant repair work to fix sand boils, cracks in concrete and damaged flood gates will start after contracts from bids are awarded by the end of the month, Army Corps spokesman Christopher J. Augsburger said.
A week after last year's flood, the Army Corps determined damage to the 15-mile levee system was minor and the levees could still hold back floodwaters. The federal government is providing all funding for the repairs, which are expected to cost between $2 million and $3 million.
"All relief wells are installed and in working condition," Augsburger said.
The levee system currently has 128 relief wells. A relief well allows for the orderly discharge of seep water through a controlled mechanism without the displacement of material from under the levee.
"Efforts on the levee will be complete by the end of March 2013, if not sooner," Augsburger said.
The flood put intense pressure on the levees, and the stress caused some damage and forced emergency reinforcement measures to stop water from seeping underneath. Various county employees were involved in "flood fighting," which cost about $200,000 in wages and equipment, said Jim Brozena, director of the county flood protection authority.
The flood authority is seeking reimbursements of the "flood fighting" cost from Tropical Storm Lee disaster assistance. The authority expects to get almost $600,000 in reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to cover costs of the emergency response, clean-up efforts and property repairs.
The authority has received $240,000 in reimbursements to date, including $10,000 to cover the cost of repairing the fountain in the River Common recreation area, Brozena said.
The floodwaters damaged the lighting system along the pedestrian trail atop levees in Kirby Park and Nesbitt Park, Brozena said. Those repairs will cost about $100,000.
Some of the disaster assistance provided to the flood authority is going to the county to cover county personnel costs. The county is also expecting about $1 million in Lee disaster reimbursements to pay for repairs to two county bridges - one in Lake Township and the other in New Columbus, Luzerne County engineer Joe Gibbons said.
Repairs to damaged county properties along the river, including the courthouse, parkade and domestic relations building, cost more than $750,000, Gibbons said. The county is waiting to see how much flood insurance policies will provide, and the balance will come from disaster assistance, Gibbons said, adding that property insurance coverage provided $115,000.
"I requested the meeting because I wasn't getting any reimbursements," he said. "It's like pulling teeth. You need to keep good records. I have it spelled out on spreadsheets."
Repairing damages associated with the county redevelopment authority's office building on Luzerne Avenue in West Pittston exceeded $750,000. Flood insurance provided about $440,000, and the balance will come from disaster assistance, said Andrew Reilly, director of the county office of community development and the redevelopment authority director.
The Army Corps actually started the repair job last month by replacing four relief wells along a levee in Wilkes-Barre. More significant repair work to fix sand boils, cracks in concrete and damaged flood gates will start after contracts from bids are awarded by the end of the month, Army Corps spokesman Christopher J. Augsburger said.
A week after last year's flood, the Army Corps determined damage to the 15-mile levee system was minor and the levees could still hold back floodwaters. The federal government is providing all funding for the repairs, which are expected to cost between $2 million and $3 million.
"All relief wells are installed and in working condition," Augsburger said.
The levee system currently has 128 relief wells. A relief well allows for the orderly discharge of seep water through a controlled mechanism without the displacement of material from under the levee.
"Efforts on the levee will be complete by the end of March 2013, if not sooner," Augsburger said.
The flood put intense pressure on the levees, and the stress caused some damage and forced emergency reinforcement measures to stop water from seeping underneath. Various county employees were involved in "flood fighting," which cost about $200,000 in wages and equipment, said Jim Brozena, director of the county flood protection authority.
The flood authority is seeking reimbursements of the "flood fighting" cost from Tropical Storm Lee disaster assistance. The authority expects to get almost $600,000 in reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to cover costs of the emergency response, clean-up efforts and property repairs.
The authority has received $240,000 in reimbursements to date, including $10,000 to cover the cost of repairing the fountain in the River Common recreation area, Brozena said.
The floodwaters damaged the lighting system along the pedestrian trail atop levees in Kirby Park and Nesbitt Park, Brozena said. Those repairs will cost about $100,000.
Some of the disaster assistance provided to the flood authority is going to the county to cover county personnel costs. The county is also expecting about $1 million in Lee disaster reimbursements to pay for repairs to two county bridges - one in Lake Township and the other in New Columbus, Luzerne County engineer Joe Gibbons said.
Repairs to damaged county properties along the river, including the courthouse, parkade and domestic relations building, cost more than $750,000, Gibbons said. The county is waiting to see how much flood insurance policies will provide, and the balance will come from disaster assistance, Gibbons said, adding that property insurance coverage provided $115,000.
"I requested the meeting because I wasn't getting any reimbursements," he said. "It's like pulling teeth. You need to keep good records. I have it spelled out on spreadsheets."
Repairing damages associated with the county redevelopment authority's office building on Luzerne Avenue in West Pittston exceeded $750,000. Flood insurance provided about $440,000, and the balance will come from disaster assistance, said Andrew Reilly, director of the county office of community development and the redevelopment authority director.
Litepanels Croma
You might not have heard of Litepanels, unless you happen to be a professional videographer or photographer. The firm specialises in all manner of lighting systems, but for most people these solutions are far too expensive. But now, the firm is launching some entry level devices that should appeal to a broader audience.
For a bit less than 400 you get an LED light, with some handy accessories. Of course, 400 is quite a lot of money, and this does sit quite firmly in the entry-level and prosumer categories of LED lighting. The question is, does it do enough, well enough, to warrant this price tag?
In the old days, simple lighting for video cameras was done with a halogen light, and a massive battery. These arrangements were heavy, drank power and didn't produce evenly lit results. Happily, technology has moved on, and LEDs allow a lot more flexibility.
Crucially though, this is about more than power consumption. LEDs are a lot more flexible, especially when it comes to colour. LEDs allow you to mimic either sunlight, with its more blue tint, or indoor, artificial lighting with its orange hue.
In the case of the Croma, it's even better, because on the side is a dial that allows you to select the colour light you want, and even mix the two different tones. This means, with a sharp eye, you can match the light in your shooting environment very precisely. So outdoor shoots look natural, but so too do those indoors.
In the box in which the Croma comes, you'll find a soft bag, in which you can carry the light without having to worry about it getting broken. There are also two mounts, one which allows you to attach the light to the camera, and another which allows connection to a light stand or other pole.
Happily, on the hot shoe mount there's also the option to screw the light on to a standard tripod mount. This is incredibly handy, as it allows you to set the light up just about anywhere.
There's also a power adaptor, which is a very welcome addition when you get sick of putting six AA batteries into the light. They don't last an especially long time, and if you're using non-rechargeable cells, you'll spend a lot of cash keeping it juiced-up.
Also provided is a diffusing filter. This is critical, because LED lights are, somewhat obviously, made up of a lot of LEDs. This can mean that you get bright spots on close-up shots. The diffuser should help with that, at least a little bit, while meaning you don't have to go further away from your subject.
Litepanels says the power output of this light is equivalent to 50 watts. It's not super-bright, but for close up work it will make a real difference. For photos, this can make a handy fill light in normal light, or a full-on source of illumination in darker conditions.
The single best accessory you can buy for a camera is a decent flash. Everything you know about the flashes, based on those dreadful built-in things, is wrong and you soon see that when you use a proper speedlight or similar. The Croma can't replace a flash, and isn't really designed to, but what it does do is give you some options.
For example, if you're shooting in very dark conditions, but close up, a flash can be a little overwhelming - most are adjustable, but even so it is a very harsh light that comes from a flash gun. So the Croma allows you to easily, and quickly adjust the amount of light to suit your environment.
But more useful, when photographing or videoing people, is that the light from the Croma is constant. That should mean no red-eye effect, as the subject's pupils will be more dilated, which prevents the effect from being as much of a problem.
For a bit less than 400 you get an LED light, with some handy accessories. Of course, 400 is quite a lot of money, and this does sit quite firmly in the entry-level and prosumer categories of LED lighting. The question is, does it do enough, well enough, to warrant this price tag?
In the old days, simple lighting for video cameras was done with a halogen light, and a massive battery. These arrangements were heavy, drank power and didn't produce evenly lit results. Happily, technology has moved on, and LEDs allow a lot more flexibility.
Crucially though, this is about more than power consumption. LEDs are a lot more flexible, especially when it comes to colour. LEDs allow you to mimic either sunlight, with its more blue tint, or indoor, artificial lighting with its orange hue.
In the case of the Croma, it's even better, because on the side is a dial that allows you to select the colour light you want, and even mix the two different tones. This means, with a sharp eye, you can match the light in your shooting environment very precisely. So outdoor shoots look natural, but so too do those indoors.
In the box in which the Croma comes, you'll find a soft bag, in which you can carry the light without having to worry about it getting broken. There are also two mounts, one which allows you to attach the light to the camera, and another which allows connection to a light stand or other pole.
Happily, on the hot shoe mount there's also the option to screw the light on to a standard tripod mount. This is incredibly handy, as it allows you to set the light up just about anywhere.
There's also a power adaptor, which is a very welcome addition when you get sick of putting six AA batteries into the light. They don't last an especially long time, and if you're using non-rechargeable cells, you'll spend a lot of cash keeping it juiced-up.
Also provided is a diffusing filter. This is critical, because LED lights are, somewhat obviously, made up of a lot of LEDs. This can mean that you get bright spots on close-up shots. The diffuser should help with that, at least a little bit, while meaning you don't have to go further away from your subject.
Litepanels says the power output of this light is equivalent to 50 watts. It's not super-bright, but for close up work it will make a real difference. For photos, this can make a handy fill light in normal light, or a full-on source of illumination in darker conditions.
The single best accessory you can buy for a camera is a decent flash. Everything you know about the flashes, based on those dreadful built-in things, is wrong and you soon see that when you use a proper speedlight or similar. The Croma can't replace a flash, and isn't really designed to, but what it does do is give you some options.
For example, if you're shooting in very dark conditions, but close up, a flash can be a little overwhelming - most are adjustable, but even so it is a very harsh light that comes from a flash gun. So the Croma allows you to easily, and quickly adjust the amount of light to suit your environment.
But more useful, when photographing or videoing people, is that the light from the Croma is constant. That should mean no red-eye effect, as the subject's pupils will be more dilated, which prevents the effect from being as much of a problem.
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