Abstract: A method of using a smart device includes providing a smart device including a microprocessor and a database, the database including one or more electronic description files including information about the smart device; providing a generic interface software application usable with different smart devices; configuring the generic interface software application to work specifically with the smart device using the information about the smart device from the database of the smart device; and interacting with the smart device using the interface software application configured to work specifically with the smart device.

Abstract: A horizontal rooftop engine cooling system includes one or more radiator units horizontally mountable to the rooftop of a bus and including a radiator interconnected to one or more passages of an engine of the bus to allow coolant to flow between the engine and the rooftop cooling system to cool the engine. The cooling system can incorporate a fan mounting shroud, a ram-air aerodynamic shroud, and/or an ornamental aesthetic appearance shroud.

Abstract: A reverse current protection device for a fuel cell of a power circuit protects the fuel cell from damage caused by reverse current into the fuel cell caused by a faulty diode. The reverse current protection device includes a contactor for opening the power circuit to prevent current from flowing therethrough and for closing the power circuit to allow current to flow therethrough, means for measuring the voltage across the diode to determine if the diode is in a good condition or a fault condition, means for causing the contactor to be closed if the diode is in a good condition and open if the diode is in a fault condition so that current does not flow through the contactor, protecting the fuel cell from damage caused by reverse current through the diode and into the fuel cell.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor energy storage cell pack includes an ultracapacitor mounting assembly having a circuit board, a cooling assembly connected to the ultracapacitor mounting assembly and adapted to supply a cooling air stream therein, and a plurality of capacitors including a pair of terminals and an exterior casing, the plurality of capacitors mounted to at least the circuit board of the ultracapacitor mounting assembly with the pair of terminals, allowing the exterior casing to be in the path of the cooling air stream.

Abstract: A system and method for providing parallel power in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The system includes a compact motor coupled to the input shaft of the vehicle's transmission. Advantageously, the compact motor and the engine use the same drivetrain. Both the compact motor and the engine are able to apply power to the portion of the drivetrain from the transmission to the wheels. Since the motor is compact and does not require a separate drivetrain, the parallel power system can be installed in an otherwise conventional vehicle without packaging difficulties.

Abstract: A system and method for providing parallel power in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The system includes a compact motor coupled to the input shaft of the vehicle's transmission. Advantageously, the compact motor and the engine use the same drivetrain. Both the compact motor and the engine are able to apply power to the portion of the drivetrain from the transmission to the wheels. Since the motor is compact and does not require a separate drivetrain, the parallel power system can be installed in an otherwise conventional vehicle without packaging difficulties.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring heat from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine to a fuel container storing compressed gas fuel, using a gaseous heat transfer medium. The heat transferred to the fuel container assists expansion and/or vaporization of the compressed gas fuel. The expanded and/or vaporized compressed gas fuel may be delivered to the internal combustion engine for use by the engine.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor energy storage cell pack includes an ultracapacitor mounting assembly having a circuit board, a cooling assembly connected to the ultracapacitor mounting assembly and adapted to supply a cooling air stream therein, and a plurality of capacitors including a pair of terminals and an exterior casing, the plurality of capacitors mounted to at least the circuit board of the ultracapacitor mounting assembly with the pair of terminals, allowing the exterior casing to be in the path of the cooling air stream.

Abstract: An active voltage limiting and failure detection system for an energy storage cell of a multiple energy storage cell pack includes a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit connected to the energy storage cell. The first electrical circuit is powered by the energy storage cell and includes means for drawing a significant amount of power from the energy storage cell when a cell voltage Vcell reaches a maximum voltage Vmax to reduce the cell voltage Vcell, means for stopping the drawing of the significant amount of power to reduce the cell voltage Vcell when the cell voltage Vcell reaches a minimum voltage Vmin, and means for drawing no power when the cell voltage Vcell reaches a shutdown voltage Vshutdown. The second electrical circuit includes means for indicating a cell active condition when the cell voltage Vcell is above a threshhold active voltage Vactive, and means for indicating a cell inactive condition when the cell voltage Vcell drops below the threshhold active voltage Vactive.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention involves a system and method for providing parallel power in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The system includes a compact motor coupled to the input shaft of the vehicle's transmission. Advantageously, the compact motor and the engine use the same drivetrain. Both the compact motor and the engine are able to apply power to the portion of the drivetrain from the transmission to the wheels. Since the motor is compact and does not require a separate drivetrain, the parallel power system can be installed in an otherwise conventional vehicle without packaging difficulties.