Abstract: A long chain battery, particularly for an electric vehicle, comprises a plurality of series connected cells or battery modules. To control the operation of the electrical functions, including discharge while the vehicle is being driven, charging when it is at a charging station, or regenerative charging during braking, a main control module and a plurality of battery monitoring modules are provided. The electric motor and a traction controller therefor are connected in series across the long chain battery, and other vehicle electrical loads are in parallel with the motor and controller. Each battery monitoring module will monitor a number of batteries, and the current carrying wire between them, so that incipient problems may be detected before failure or significant damage occurs. A serial communications bus is provided between the main control module and the battery monitoring modules, and data transmitted over that bus is generally digitally encoded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging the traction battery of an electric vehicle are provided. Charging energy is delivered from a charging station at a predetermined voltage and at a delivery frequency in the range of from 10 kHz up to 200 kHz, The charging energy is transferred to the vehicle through an inductive coupler, having a primary side connected to the charging station and a secondary side mounted within the vehicle. A rectifier is mounted in the vehicle and interposed between the secondary side and the battery. When the vehicle is connected to a charging station, it is interrogated to determine the nature of the charge controller that is on board the vehicle; and logic decisions invoking the particular mode for charging the vehicle are made depending on the nature and type of charge controller that is on board the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging the battery of an electric vehicle are provided. When the electric vehicle is connected to a charging station, it is interrogated to determine the nature of the charge controller that is on board the vehicle; and logic decisions invoking the particular mode for charging the vehicle are made depending on the nature and type of charge controller that is on board the vehicle. Thus, delivery of charging energy to the battery in the vehicle may be entirely under the control of a charge controller on board the vehicle; or if the control module in the vehicle is less sophisticated then delivery of charging energy will be under the control of a charging module within the charging station.

Abstract: A knee brace is provided with support members that are securely fastened to the thigh and calf of the wearer. A pair of rigid arms, which are pivotally connected together are mounted on the support members on opposite sides of the knee joint, such that the support members after being attached to the leg can be spread apart with respect to the rigid arms.

Abstract: Hard or soft wood of veneer-like thickness, and having the form of footwear insoles, fillers, liners, midsoles, outsoles, and of inserts, is incorporated as a structural component of boots, overshoes, shoes, slippers, and sneakers. These wooden component may extend for the full length of the footwear, or be just an insert disposed at the toe portion thereof, or at the toe and instep. These wooden components may or may not be treated with elastic sealants, or strengthened with heat-bonded thermoplastics, and they may be disposed in footwear with their grains extending laterally or longitudinally of the footwear.

Abstract: Shoes are provided with outsoles having molded protrusions which diminish wear and negate the slippages, interlocks and stickages that so frequently cause injuries to wearers of previous types of shoes and damage to turf or other surfaces on which the shoes are used. The shoes are especially intended for sportswear, by football and baseball players, for instance, and in a preferred design the treads or outsoles are made flexible and provided with integral, spaced, flexible protrusions of cylindrical or tapered, conical configuration. These protrusions interengage, for instance, with natural or artificial turf to provide a sure grip so that the wearer can make quick turns without falling or twisting an ankle.