Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively cooling the battery pack of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off, thereby limiting the adverse effects of temperature on battery life, are provided. Different battery pack cooling techniques are provided, thus allowing the cooling technique used in a particular instance to be selected not only based on the thermal needs of the battery pack, but also on the thermal capacity and energy requirements of the selected approach.

Abstract: A multi-driver, in-ear monitor is provided that is coupleable to an external audio source, for example via a source input cable or a wireless receiver. A circuit, for example comprising a passive or active crossover circuit, receives the electrical signal from the external audio source and provides separate input signals to the drivers contained within the in-ear monitor. A plurality of sound delivery tubes acoustically couple the audio output from each of the drivers to the acoustic output surface of the in-ear monitor. The in-ear monitor may be configured as a custom fit IEM or configured to accept a removable eartip. The plurality of sound delivery tubes may be comprised of a pair of concentric tubes; a pair of concentric tubes and a discrete tube; or three concentric tubes.

Abstract: An omnidirectional electret condenser microphone element with improved low frequency background ambient acoustical noise rejection is provided. The omnidirectional electret condenser microphone element includes a plurality of passageways in acoustic series that couple at least one acoustic aperture of the microphone element to an acoustic cavity formed within the microphone element. At least one of said plurality of passageways is of a predefined size that is determined to provide the desired response roll-off within a predefined frequency range. In at least one preferred configuration, the roll-off resulting from the plurality of passageways is greater than 2.0 dB between 300 and 100 Hz. In at least one alternate preferred configuration, the roll-off resulting from the plurality of passageways is greater than 3.0 dB between 300 and 100 Hz.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a particular vehicle function, for example the adjustment of a vehicle seat, using a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided. The GUI is activating by toggling a control, switch intuitively linked to the particular vehicle function. The control switch is separate from, and not proximate to, the GUI. When the GUI is activated by toggling the control switch, a control screen specific to the particular vehicle function is displayed on the GUI.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses an optical fiber mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A source of light is optically coupled to the input facet of the optical fiber and a detector optically coupled to the output facet of the optical fiber. Battery health is determined by monitoring the light transmitted through the optical fiber.

Abstract: A simplified cell design is provided for a battery utilizing the 18650 form-factor in which the CID and PTC elements are eliminated, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and battery weight. To reduce the risk of shorting between the battery case and the battery terminal, the battery terminal is recessed relative to the top of the cell case and the insulating gasket positioned between the cell case and the cap assembly is designed to cover a large portion of the outer surface of the terminal element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the adverse effects of temperature on the electrical energy storage system (ESS) of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off are provided. In general, whether or not coolant is circulated through a coolant loop coupled to the ESS depends on the difference between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature, the preset temperature typically corresponding to the temperature of the ESS.

Abstract: A visual feedback system that activates a visual display when the sound pressure level from a headset attached to the system exceeds a preset level is provided, along with a method of using the same. The visual feedback system is interposed between the audio source and the headset and is either integral to a specific headset or coupleable to any of a variety of headsets. If a non-integral headset is used with the visual feedback system, the system is matched to the characteristics of the selected headset, for example using a selector switch or via a calibration process. During operation, the visual feedback system illuminates a display (e.g., an LED) whenever the sound pressure level from the attached headset exceeds the preset level. The visual feedback system can be implemented using analog or digital circuitry.

Abstract: A method for configuring and personalizing a vehicle user interface is provided, the user interface utilizing a touch screen display mounted within the vehicle. User configurable aspects of the user interface include the number of zones within the touch screen display, the size of each zone, the subsystem interface assigned to each zone, the style and information contained within each subsystem interface, display brightness levels for the overall display or per zone, and the assignment and location of persistent soft buttons.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-phase, four pole motor is provided utilizing a dual-layer winding insertion technique. The first and second winding layers are each comprised of the coil groups for six individual poles, two per phase. Within each layer, the two poles per phase are members of a pole pair. In one configuration, each winding layer is comprised of six concentric coil groups in which there is no coil overlap; alternately, each coil group may be comprised of five coils with either the first or second or both outermost coils of each group being double-turn coils; alternately, each coil group may be comprised of five coils with no coil doubling, although there are overlapping coils from different coil groups; alternately, each coil group may be comprised of five coils with no coil doubling and no overlap between different coil groups, although the coils within each coil group are completely lap wound.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a battery mounted to a vehicle, with a charge state circuit located in the electric vehicle and coupled to the battery, the charge state circuit configured to provide a charge state signal indicative of the charge state of the battery. The embodiment includes a charging coupler port located proximate to a user accessible exterior of the electrical vehicle and coupled to the battery, the charging coupler port to conduct charging energy to the battery and to provide a charger connection signal indicative of a connection to an external power source. The embodiment also includes a lighting circuit coupled to the charging coupler port and the charge state circuit to control the brightness and color of an illuminated indicator responsive to the charge state signal and the charger connection signal.

Abstract: A simplified cell design is provided for a battery utilizing the 18650 form-factor, the simplified cell design reducing manufacturing cost, battery weight and the risk of shorting between the battery case and the battery terminal. In the cap assembly of the disclosed battery, the safety vent element, which is recessed relative to the top of the cell case, also serves as the battery terminal. Additionally, the insulating gasket positioned between the cell case and the cap assembly is designed to cover a large portion of the outer surface of the safety vent/battery terminal.

Abstract: An augmented kinesthetic control system for use with a lift platform, the lift platform comprising first and second longitudinally-spaced thrust generating means, is provided. The first and second lift planes defined by the first and second thrust generating means are positioned below the lift platform center of gravity. The kinesthetic control means are coupled to means for aerodynamically altering the air flow from the first and second thrust generating means such that the intuitive and balancing movements of the pilot are magnified to allow kinesthetic control of a vehicle of greater size and utility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the level of battery charging required by an electric vehicle is provided. The system includes an interface for the user to input various travel parameters, such as a travel itinerary, which is then used by the battery charging system during charge optimization. In addition to a travel itinerary, the system may be configured to take into account departure times, road conditions, traffic conditions and weather conditions in determining miles to be traveled as well as the electrical energy per mile conversion factors to be used during optimization.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle, a power supply coupled to the rechargeable battery pack, the power supply operable to provide a charge voltage to perform charging operations on the rechargeable battery pack, a heater to heat a fluid to be circulated through the rechargeable battery pack, the fluid thermally coupled to a plurality of battery cells within the rechargeable battery pack, a switching circuit, the switching circuit coupled to the heater and to the power supply, the switching circuit operable in a first mode to couple the source of electrical power to the heater without coupling the source of electrical power to the rechargeable battery pack, the switching circuit operable in a second mode to couple a source of electrical power external to the electric vehicle to the power supply to form a recharging circuit in order to perform charging operations on the rechargeable battery pack.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing battery voltage misreporting is described. According to various embodiments, battery voltage may be monitored with respect to a state of charge and/or time. Based on this monitored information, battery charge state data may be generated by computing time derivatives of the monitored battery voltage across a voltage range. This battery charge state data may be compared with an expected set of charge state data if substantial differences exist, an error may be generated. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An electrolysis system (100) and method of using same is provided. In addition to an electrolysis tank (101) and a membrane (105) separating the tank into two regions, the system includes at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (115/116) of a first type, at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (117/118) of a second type, and at least one pair of high voltage electrodes (121/122). The low voltage applied to the low voltage electrodes (115/116/117/118) and the high voltage applied to the high voltage electrodes (121/122) is pulsed with the pulses occurring simultaneously with the same pulse duration. Low voltage is also applied to the low voltage electrodes (115/116/117/118) during part, or all, of the period of each cycle occurring between pulses.

Abstract: An eartip that includes at least one acoustic material filled port is provided. The port and the acoustic material contained therein provide the eartip with a controlled acoustic leakage path, thus allowing the user to tailor the performance of the earphones to which the eartips of the invention are attached. The provided eartip is attachable to a standard, generic earpiece, for example through the use of interlocking members (e.g., channel/lip arrangement). At least one port, in addition to the central opening by which the eartip is attached to the earphone, extends through the eartip. The port can have a circular cross-section, arcuate cross-section, or other shape. If desired, for example to increase the port area, the eartip can be designed with multiple ports surrounding the central opening. Within the port is an acoustic material with the desired acoustic impedance. The eartip can be coded to allow identification of the acoustic qualities of a particular eartip.

Abstract: A motor winding arrangement that is capable of delivering relatively flat torque over a wide range of speeds, thus achieving increasing power throughout its operating range, is provided. In a multi-phase, e.g., three-phase, motor utilizing the winding arrangement of the invention, each winding layer corresponds to one phase of the motor and occupies every slot of the stator. The poles for each winding layer consist of concentric and non-overlapping coils.

Abstract: A triple-winding layer arrangement for a three-phase, four pole motor is provided as well as a method of manufacturing the same.