Equity investments	6 Months Ended
Equity investments	Apr. 30, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity investments	Equity investments Versa Power Systems, Inc. (“Versa”) is one of our sub-contractors under the Department of Energy's (“DOE”) large-scale hybrid project to develop a coal-based, multi-megawatt solid oxide fuel cell (“SOFC”) based hybrid system. Versa is a private company founded in 2001 that is developing advanced SOFC systems for various stationary and mobile applications. We have a 39 percent ownership interest and account for Versa under the equity method of accounting. We recognize our share of the income or losses as income/(loss) from equity investments on the consolidated statements of operations. The carrying value of our investment in and loans to Versa was approximately $9.9 million as of April 30, 2012 and $10.5 million as of October 31, 2011.

The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group.

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