Abstract: A touch responsive user selection system including a plurality of touch pads on an insulated substrate and a logic circuit for responding to the change of impedance of any of the pads for setting or resetting a latch and thereby producing an output signal indicative of a user selection. A coincidence detector responds to the simultaneous change of impedance of two or more different touch pads by inhibiting the logic circuit from producing an output signal both during the coincidence and for a predetermined period of time after the coincidence has ceased. The logic circuit is made up of components that are arranged in a fashion that causes the circuit to respond to a ratio of signals that vary in proportion to supply voltage. In this manner, a touch-responsive system is provided that may be used with an unregulated power supply while functioning with extreme variations in supply voltage.

Abstract: A high DC voltage power supply includes a three-phase autotransformer and a three-phase full-wave rectifier applied to the usual motor vehicle electrical system of the low DC voltage type. The low three-phase AC voltage of the usual system is transformed by the autotransformer to obtain a high three-phase AC voltage which is then rectified by the rectifier to provide a high DC voltage. The load energized by the high DC voltage is ungrounded to reduce the voltage available for inadvertent discharge from either load terminal to ground. Switching apparatus is provided for selectively applying the low three-phase AC voltage to the autotransformer only when it is desired to energize the load thereby avoiding at all other times the energy losses that would otherwise be associated with energization of the autotransformer. In one embodiment, the load is windshield heater element and the autotransformer has multiple sets of input taps to provide deice and defog modes of operation, respectively.

Abstract: A high DC voltage power supply includes a three-phase autotransformer and a three-phase full-wave rectifier applied to the usual motor vehicle electrical system of the low DC voltage type. The low three-phase AC voltage of the usual system is transformed by the autotransformer to obtain a high three-phase AC voltage which is then rectified by the rectifier to provide a high DC voltage. The load energized by the high DC voltage is ungrounded to reduce the voltage available for inadvertent discharge from either load terminal to ground. Switching apparatus is provided for selectively applying the low three-phase AC voltage to the autotransformer only when it is desired to energize the load thereby avoiding at all other times the energy losses that would otherwise be associated with energization of the autotransformer. In one embodiment, the load is a windshield heater element and the autotransformer has multiple sets of input taps to provide deice and defog modes of operation, respectively.

Abstract: An engine powered water craft comprising a hull including a pair of spaced apart hull elements extending rearwardly therefrom configured to support the craft on the water in combination with a twin rudder system for directional control. The hull further comprises an upper and lower foil extending between the hull elements. The twin rudder system comprises a pair of rudders each including a substantially vertical rudder element having a super cavitating foil element attached to the outer side thereof. The super cavitating foil element comprises a knife-like member extending upwardly at an angle from the vertical rudder element. To counteract engine torque, the rudders are vertically offset relative to each other.