Abstract: A system is provided for balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage units that includes a power converter that selectively couples to an individual storage unit of the a string of electrical energy storage units and transfers energy by bidirectionally between the individual storage unit and the string of storage units.

Abstract: A system and method of balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage unit is provided. Individual storage units are selectively coupled by semiconductor switches for monitoring and balancing state of charge. When the state of charge of a selected unit is greater than a target state of charge, energy is transferred from the selected unit to the string of storage units, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge. Conversely, when the state of charge of a selected unit is less than a target state of charge, energy is transferred from the string of storage units to the selected unit, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge.

Abstract: A device and method used to indicate vehicle inclination and conditions indicative of a potential rollover is disclosed. The device and method may be embodied in original equipment or in an aftermarket product in a manner so that the driver may easily determine s the vehicle inclination. For example, the device and method may be embodied in a mirror assembly mounted in the vehicle. The device and method may also be used to detect the rate of change of inclination to provide a warning of adverse driving conditions. The device and method may also include a compass that indicates a corrected heading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device and system for indicating rapid deceleration to warn the operator and/or others of an urgent deceleration condition is provided. The device includes one or more sensors that are responsive to acceleration in the primary direction of vehicle motion. The controller communicates with the one or more sensors, corrects for gravitational effects, and initiates at least one warning indicator when the sensed acceleration exceeds a threshold value and thereby indicates an urgent deceleration condition.

Abstract: In a flame ionization sensor type gas combustion control apparatus, the sensor is provided with a power supply which will increase the voltage as contamination build up occurs on the in-flame sensor electrode thereby keeping a constant sensor current and enabling the sensor to perform as intended even though insulative contaminant build up is present on the electrode.

Abstract: A device and method used to indicate vehicle inclination and conditions indicative of a potential rollover is disclosed. The device and method may be embodied in original equipment or in an aftermarket product in a manner so that the driver may easily determine the vehicle inclination. For example, the device and method may be embodied in a mirror assembly mounted in the vehicle. The device and method may also be used to detect the rate of change of inclination to provide a warning of adverse driving conditions. The device and method may also include a compass that indicates a corrected heading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device and system for indicating rapid deceleration to warn the operator and/or others of an urgent deceleration condition is provided. The device includes one or more sensors that are responsive to acceleration in the primary direction of vehicle motion. The controller communicates with the one or more sensors, corrects for gravitational effects, and initiates at least one warning indicator when the acceleration exceeds a threshold value and thereby indicates an urgent deceleration condition.

Abstract: An improved position encoder system for providing an output signal representative of the position of a movable body, relative to a reference position, includes at least one magnetic element fixedly attached to the movable body. The system further includes a first spatially orthogonal fluxgate sensor pair and a second spatially orthogonal fluxgate sensor pair for detecting the magnetic field. The first sensor pair is disposed adjacent to the polar axis at a first predetermined distance, and the second pair is disposed adjacent to the polar axis at a second predetermined distance, preferably twice the first predetermined distance. The system further includes a signal processor for receiving a signal from the first sensor pair and a signal from the second sensor pair.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for cyclically driving an electrical current through at least one non-linear (i.e., saturable) inductor in alternating directions so as to produce a substantially periodic current waveform, and for producing an output signal representative of the current waveform. The system includes at least one capacitive node electrically coupled between a voltage source and a system ground, for storing electrical energy provided by the voltages source. The energy stored within the system is transferred as electrical current in alternating directions through the inductor via a switching network and a controller for configuring the switching network. The controller allows current to flow in each direction until the inductor saturates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting anomalies in ferrous pipe structures is presented. An electrical current is passed through the ferrous pipe structure so as to create a magnetic field in the pipe. A sensor having one or more sensor shoe members is placed in the interior of a ferrous pipe structure to be inspected. Each sensor shoe member has one or more magnetometer elements for detecting the magnetic fields in the region of the ferrous pipe structure adjacent to which the sensor shoe member is placed.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a magnetometer including a frame and a platform mounted for rotation within the frame. The magnetometer and one or more counterweights are mounted within the platform such that gravity acting on the counterweights maintains the magnetometer in a horizontal orientation. A first coil is coupled in parallel with the magnetometer and is wound around the perimeter of the platform. A second coil is wound around the perimeter of the frame such that the first and second coils form an air core transformer. The second coil terminates in two terminals which provide a communication port. A sensing circuit coupled to the port electrically communicates with the magnetometer via the inductive coupling provided by the transformer. In alternative embodiments, each of the first and second coils is implemented as two coils with associated diodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting anomalies in ferrous pipe structures is presented. A sensor having one or more sensor shoe members is placed in the interior of a ferrous pipe structure to be inspected. Each sensor shoe member has one or more magnetic field generating apparatus, with a three-axis fluxgate magnetometer for detecting magnetic fields in the region of the ferrous pipe structure adjacent to which the sensor shoe member is placed. Any magnetic fields in the pipe structure, whether imposed externally, or remnant, which are detected, are sensed and resolved into components in three mutually orthogonal directions for enhanced accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting anomalies in ferrous pipe structures is presented. An electrical current is passed through the ferrous pipe structure so as to create a magnetic field in the pipe. A sensor having one or more sensor shoe members is placed in the interior of a ferrous pipe structure to be inspected. Each sensor shoe member has one or more magnetometer elements for detecting the magnetic fields in the region of the ferrous pipe structure adjacent to which the sensor shoe member is placed.

Abstract: An improved fluxgate instrument for measuring heading as well and pitch and roll angles is disclosed. A plurality of fluxgate sensors are continuously energized with a DC feedback signal derived from the reading of each sensor so as to minimize magnetic cross-coupling between the sensors. In addition while two sensors are gimbally mounted to sense the horizontal components of the earth's magnetic field, the vertical field is sensed by two sensors strapped down relative to the instrument casing for sensing the earth's vertical magnetic field in order to compensate for latitude. Finally, sine and cosine coils surround the gimbally mounted sensors and generate AC fields which are sensed by the gimbally mounted sensors and are used to calculate the pitch and roll angles.