Abstract: Systems and/or methods for charging electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are disclosed. In various embodiments, charging to the battery pack may dynamically be changed according to a characteristic of the external electrical source to which the vehicle is plugged. While monitoring the characteristics, the charging level may be changed up or down depending on the characteristic.

Abstract: Vehicles that are capable of connecting to the AC grid are described that comprise a prime mover and at least one motor generator. In one embodiment, a vehicle may be constructed as a plug-in hybrid system and using the powertrain under controller instruction to either place power on an AC power line (to service AC grids) or to draw power from the AC power line to add electrical energy to the batteries on the vehicle. In some aspects, vehicles may test whether the power needed to service the AC power line may be satisfied by the on-vehicle batteries or, if not, whether and how much power to extract from the prime mover. In some aspects, vehicles may have a thermal management system on board to dynamically supply desired heat dissipation for the powertrain, if the powertrain is using the prime mover to supply power to the AC grid.

Abstract: A headband is disclosed for supporting a head-worn device with a comfortable and non-intrusive fit. In examples, the headband includes first and second loops supporting the headband on a wearer's head, and an adjustment mechanism for tightening the first and second loops. The adjustment mechanism tightens down the loops to a desired fit, at which point further actuation of the adjustment mechanism has no effect on the loops.

Abstract: A headset is disclosed including optics supported on a headband by a pair of temple arm assemblies. The temple arm assemblies are positioned on either side of a wearer's head when the headset is worn. Each temple arm assembly may include one or more kinematic assemblies allowing pivotal and/or translational adjustment of the optics to optimize optical properties such as line-of-sight, pantoscopic tilt and/or eye relief. The one or more kinematic assemblies for each temple arm may have a variety of different pivots and/or slides enabling adjustment of the optics and optical properties.

Abstract: A head-worn assembly is disclosed including a head-worn device supported on a headband. The headband may include a first loop positioned around the head, and possibly a second loop affixed to the first loop and positioned over the head. Weight distribution and comfort of the head-worn assembly may be optimized by mounting the head-worn device at an approximate center (front to back) of the headband, and further balancing the weight of the head-worn device (front to back) over the mounting point. The weight distribution and comfort of the head-worn assembly may be further optimized by providing several user-customizable adjustments to the head-worn assembly.

Abstract: A see-through, near-eye mixed reality head mounted display (HMD) device includes left and right see-through display regions within which virtual images are displayable. These left and right see-through display regions each having a transmittance that is less than one hundred percent. The see-through, near-eye mixed reality HMD device also includes a see-through transmittance compensation mask that includes a left window through which the left see-through display region is visible and a right window through which the right see-through display region is visible. In accordance with various embodiments, the see-through transmittance compensation mask is used to provide a substantially uniform transmittance across the field-of-view of a user wearing the HMD device.

Abstract: Vehicles that are capable of connecting to the AC grid are described that comprise a prime mover and at least one motor generator. In one embodiment, a vehicle may be constructed as a plug-in hybrid system and using the powertrain under controller instruction to either place power on an AC power line (to service AC grids) or to draw power from the AC power line to add electrical energy to the batteries on the vehicle. In some aspects, vehicles may test whether the power needed to service the AC power line may be satisfied by the on-vehicle batteries or, if not, whether and how much power to extract from the prime mover. In some aspects, vehicles may have a thermal management system on board to dynamically supply desired heat dissipation for the powertrain, if the powertrain is using the prime mover to supply power to the AC grid.

Abstract: Vehicles that are capable of connecting to the AC grid are described that comprise a prime mover and at least one motor generator. In one embodiment, a vehicle may be constructed as a plug-in hybrid system and using the powertrain under controller instruction to either place power on an AC power line (to service AC grids) or to draw power from the AC power line to add electrical energy to the batteries on the vehicle. In some aspects, vehicles may test whether the power needed to service the AC power line may be satisfied by the on-vehicle batteries or, if not, whether and how much power to extract from the prime mover. In some aspects, vehicles may have a thermal management system on board to dynamically supply desired heat dissipation for the powertrain, if the powertrain is using the prime mover to supply power to the AC grid.

Abstract: Described herein are display devices, and methods for use therewith. Such a device can be used to display one or more virtual images within a first see-through portion of the device, adjacent to which is a second see-through portion that does not overlap with the first see-through portion. The first and second see-through portions of the device collectively cover a substantially entire field-of-view (FOV) of a user. A transmittance (and/or other optical characteristic(s)) corresponding to the first see-through portion of the device and a transmittance (and/or other optical characteristic(s)) corresponding to the second see-through portion of the device can be caused (e.g., controlled) to be substantially the same to provide a substantially uniform transmittance (and/or other optical characteristic(s)) across the substantially entire FOV of a user. More generally, optical characteristics of see-through portions of the device can be controlled, e.g., by a user and/or through feedback.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods for controlling dual motor-dual clutch powertrains for HEV and PHEV vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising: determining the state of charge (SOC) of said batteries; determining the speed of the vehicle; if the SOC is greater than a given first threshold, selecting a charge-depleting operational mode of said vehicle; during operation of said vehicle, if the SOC is less than a given second threshold, selecting a charge-sustaining operating mode of said vehicle. In another embodiment, a system having a controller that operates the powertrain according to various embodiments is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods for controlling dual motor-dual clutch powertrains for HEV and PHEV vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising: determining the state of charge (SOC) of said batteries; determining the speed of the vehicle; if the SOC is greater than a given first threshold, selecting a charge-depleting operational mode of said vehicle; during operation of said vehicle, if the SOC is less than a given second threshold, selecting a charge-sustaining operating mode of said vehicle. In another embodiment, a system having a controller that operates the powertrain according to various embodiments is disclosed.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include a drill rod guide configured to align a first drill rod and a second drill rod. The drill rod guide includes a cylindrical section and a tapered or frusta-conical section. The cylindrical section is sized and configured to concentrically surround a first drill rod. The tapered or frusta-conical section is sized and configured to guide a second drill rod into the cylindrical section and into alignment with the first drill rod. The drill rod guide may include first and second guide members that form symmetrical halves of the drill rod guide. The first and second guide members may be connected to first and second jaws of the clamp. The guide may include a window configured to allow a user to visually confirm that the first and second drill rods are aligned.

Abstract: Discussed generally herein are systems and methods for comfort level regulation in a building. A comfort level regulation system for a building can include a plurality of air intakes configured to draw air into the building, and a processor configured to open the one or more air intakes of the plurality of air intakes as a function of an orientation of the building, the location of the air intake relative to the orientation of the building, air temperatures inside and outside the building, and humidity inside and outside the building.

Abstract: Powertrain configurations for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are disclosed. One powertrain comprises: a prime mover; an electric motor-generator, said electric motor-generator mechanically coupled to said prime mover via a first clutch; a transmission, said transmission mechanically coupled to said electric motor-generator via a second clutch; a battery, said battery electrically coupled to said electric motor-generator, said battery capable of supplying electrical energy to said electric motor-generator; and a controller, said controller capable of supplying control signals to said prime mover, said first clutch, said electric motor-generator, said second clutch and said transmission such that said controller is capable of dynamically affecting a plurality of operating modes.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods for controlling dual motor-dual clutch powertrains for HEV and PHEV vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising: determining the state of charge (SOC) of said batteries; determining the speed of the vehicle; if the SOC is greater than a given first threshold, selecting a charge-depleting operational mode of said vehicle; during operation of said vehicle, if the SOC is less than a given second threshold, selecting a charge-sustaining operating mode of said vehicle. In another embodiment, a system having a controller that operates the powertrain according to various embodiments is disclosed.

Abstract: Powertrain configurations for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Four Wheel Drive (4WD) powertrain configurations for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to support a portion of the weight of a recreational product while riding on a lift. The apparatus includes a first element attachable to a recreational product user, and a second element fixedly supported relative to the recreational product. The first element includes a tether that can be secured to a recreational product user's limb at the first end of the tether; and a coupling fitting that is attached at or near the second end of the tether. The second element is fixed on the recreational product and includes a platform and a hook supported by the platform. A portion of the platform and the coupling fitting are configured to be magnetically attracted to each other. The hook is configured to engage the coupling fitting. When the hook and coupling fitting are fully engaged the platform and coupling fitting are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: In a thermostat having a plurality of demand circuits and a thermostat controller, a method of controlling devices connected to the demand circuits. One or more demand circuits in a thermostat are connected to devices in an HVAC system. The thermostat is configured to associate each connected demand circuit with the device to which it is connected and control signals are routed from the thermostat controller to the one or more demand circuits to control devices associated with the demand circuits.

Abstract: A thermostat method and apparatus has one or more demand circuits, an energy storage device; a DC regulator connected to the energy storage device, and a thermostat control connected to the DC regulator and to the energy storage device. Current is drawn from the one or more demand circuits when demand associated with the demand circuits is not active and the energy storage device is charged with the current drawn from the one or more demand circuits. If energy stored in the energy storage device is below the first predetermined threshold, activity in the thermostat is reduced and if energy stored in the energy storage device is above the second predetermined threshold, activity in the thermostat is allowed to increase.