Abstract: A motor system is described that sequesters ambient carbon dioxide to a removable carbonate salt by reacting ambient carbon dioxide with an alkali metal hydroxide. The carbon dioxide is aspirated by a turbo-generator that receives exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The turbo-generator produces electricity to form the hydroxide in situ from the electrolysis of water in a salt solution.

Abstract: A cover for protecting and covering at least an upper portion of a snowmobile, includes an upper weatherproof portion and a fastening strap for securing the upper weatherproof portion to the snowmobile. A lower lip of the upper weatherproof portion circumscribes an elongated lower opening and defines therein a passage which extends at least partially around the lower lip. Strap openings which communicate with the passage are disposed on each of opposed lateral sides of the lower lip. The fastening strap is disposed within the passage and has free ends which project out from the strap openings. Each of the free ends has a length which permits it to be crossed under the snowmobile and fastened to the lower lip on a lateral side thereof opposite from that of the strap opening from which the free end projects. Fastening members removably attach the free ends to the lower lip.

Abstract: A portable device for transporting a spool of cable includes a stationary handle and a movable handle movable between raised and lowered positions. The invention further includes a housing positionable into a spool opening. The housing has pistons mounted within it and has apertures formed around the pistons. Advantageously, latching members are connected to the pistons and are movable between retracted and extended positions through a plurality of corresponding apertures as the movable handle is lowered and raised. The plurality of pistons engage a spool opening and allow an operator to lift a spool and transport it while the movable handle is at a raised position. The latching members are disengageable from a spool when the movable handle is released to a lowered position.

Abstract: A cover for protecting and covering at least an upper portion of a snowmobile, comprises an upper weatherproof portion and a fastening strap for securing the upper weatherproof portion to the snowmobile. A lower lip of the upper weatherproof portion circumscribes an elongated lower opening and defines therein a passage which extends at least partially around the lower lip. Strap openings which communicate with the passage are disposed on each of opposed lateral sides of the lower lip. The fastening strap is disposed within the passage and has free ends which project out from the strap openings. Each of the free ends has a length which permits it to be crossed under the snowmobile and fastened to the lower lip on a lateral side thereof opposite from that of the strap opening from which the free end projects. Fastening members removably attach the free ends to the lower lip.

Abstract: A cover assembly for covering an object subjected to an airstream due to transportation of the object in open air. The cover comprises a flexible cover adapted to fit over the object so as to conceal a portion of the object. An aperture is provided in the cover. A deflector is provided on an exterior surface of the cover and forward of the aperture with respect to a direction of transportation. The deflector is positioned such that a low pressure zone is created proximate to the aperture during transportation of the object in the direction by an airstream being deflected by the deflector, whereby air located between an interior of the cover and the object being transported exhausts through the aperture to an exterior of the cover to cause the cover to at least partially conform to the object.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device includes a number of solid-state thin-film electrochemical cells which are selectively interconnected in series or parallel through use of an integrated interconnect board. The interconnect board is typically disposed within a sealed housing which also houses the electrochemical cells, and includes a first contact and a second contact respectively coupled to first and second power terminals of the energy storage device. The interconnect board advantageously provides for selective series or parallel connectivity with the electrochemical cells, irrespective of electrochemical cell position within the housing. Fuses and various electrical and electromechanical devices, such as bypass, equalization, and communication devices for example, may also be mounted to the interconnect board and selectively connected to the electrochemical cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved electrochemical energy storage device. The electrochemical energy storage device includes a number of solid-state, thin-film electrochemical cells which are selectively interconnected in series or parallel through use of an integrated interconnect board. The interconnect board is typically disposed within a sealed housing which also houses the electrochemical cells, and includes a first contact and a second contact respectively coupled to first and second power terminals of the energy storage device. The interconnect board advantageously provides for selective series or parallel connectivity with the electrochemical cells, irrespective of electrochemical cell position within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating the charge voltage of a number of electrochemical cells connected in series is disclosed. Equalization circuitry is provided to control the amount of charge current supplied to individual electrochemical cells included within the series string of electrochemical cells without interrupting the flow of charge current through the series string. The equalization circuitry balances the potential of each of the electrochemical cells to within a pre-determined voltage setpoint tolerance during charging, and, if necessary, prior to initiating charging. Equalization of cell potentials may be effected toward the end of a charge cycle or throughout the charge cycle. Overcharge protection is also provided for each of the electrochemical cells coupled to the series connection.

Abstract: The trailer including a main towing device movable by articulation and sliding, from top to bottom, from front to rear and from right to left to facilitate hitching the trailer to the back of a motor vehicle using a conventional ball-type trailer hitch in conformity with international road regulations. The towing device includes a flexible fixing device to fasten the front part of the trailer to the roof of the motor vehicle through a transverse and vertical centering device which slides from front to rear through sliding rails mounted on a roof-rack, or, as an alternative, through sliding rails mounted underneath the front part of the trailer. The combination of the devices enables rapid coupling and uncoupling of the trailer and the motor vehicle, the locking of the sliding motion of the main towing device in road-ready position being automatically performed by means of locks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Doppler tracking processor and time of closest approach detector for use in active or semi-active radar-guided missiles. A known processor uses a fractional Doppler gate (FDG) to process the Doppler signal to activate the warhead detonation properly at time of closest approach (TCA); it indicates when the Doppler energy has rolled off to, for example, one-half the pre-intercept Doppler frequency. The present invention uses a Doppler tracking processor and TCA detector. The tracking filter can extract the instantaneous value of the Doppler frequency even during roll-off. The system processes the Doppler from the pre-intercept frequency up to an appropriate fractional frequency occurring at TCA, at which time it provides a signal for use in warhead detonation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Doppler tracking processor and time of closest approach detector for use in active or semiactive radar-guided missiles. A known processor uses a fractional Doppler gate (FDG) to process the Doppler signal to activate the warhead detonation properly at time of closest approach (TCA); it indicates when the Doppler energy has rolled off to, for example, one-half the pre-intercept Doppler frequency. The present invention uses a Doppler tracking processor and TCA detector. The tracking filter can extract the instantaneous value of the Doppler frequency even during rolloff. The system processes the Doppler from the preintercept frequency up to an appropriate fractional frequency occurring at TCA, at which time it provides a signal for use in warhead detonation.