Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) having an electric drive system including an electric traction motor (11) and an energy storage device (13). The vehicle (1) also has an adjustable-height suspension (7) to allow the height (h) of the vehicle (1) to be adjusted. A monitor (21) is provided for monitoring charging of the energy storage device (13) from an external electrical supply. A control unit (27) is provided for adjusting the height of the suspension (7) in dependence on the monitor (21). Aspects of the present invention also relate to a charging indicator system (3); and a method of indicating the charging status of a vehicle energy storage device (13).

Abstract: A battery pack system module may include a module bypass switch for allowing charge current to bypass the battery pack system module. The module bypass switch may be activated to divert charging current from the battery pack system module to other battery pack system modules. The charging current may be diverted to bring other battery pack system modules into balance with the battery pack system module. That is, to bring the state of charge of all battery pack system modules into coarse balance. When the module bypass switch is activated, charging current through the module bypass switch may be monitored by a current sensing device such as a current sensing resistor. A microprocessor may receive information about the bypass current level and use the information to determine when to de-activate the module bypass switch. Sensing current through a module bypass switch allows more accurate and quicker inter-module balancing.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for wirelessly receiving power. In one aspect, a coil is configured generate a voltage in response to magnetic field generated by a transmitter. The coil comprises a conductive material wound into at least three non-overlapping loop portions. The coil further includes a first loop portion, a second loop portion, and a third loop portion. The second and third loop portions at least partially enclosed by the first loop portion, the second and third loop portions non-circumscribing each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are zirconium-based alloys and methods of fabricating nuclear reactor components, particularly fuel cladding tubes, from such alloys that exhibit improved corrosion resistance in aggressive coolant compositions. The fabrication steps include a late-stage ?-treatment on the outer region of the tubes. The zirconium-based alloys will include between about 1.30 and 1.60 wt % tin; between about 0.06 and 0.15 wt % chromium; between about 0.16 and 0.24 wt % iron, and between 0.05 and 0.08 wt % nickel, with the total content of the iron, chromium and nickel comprising above about 0.31 wt % of the alloy and will be characterized by second phase precipitates having an average size typically less than about 40 nm. The final finished cladding will have a surface roughness of less than about 0.50 ?m Ra and preferably less then about 0.10 ?m Ra.

Abstract: A battery pack system module may include a module bypass switch for allowing charge current to bypass the battery pack system module. A charge switch and a discharge switch may be coupled with the module bypass switch. When other battery pack system modules are coupled in series with the module, balancing between modules may be achieved by allowing charge current to bypass the unbalanced modules and charge other modules. For example, when an unbalanced module is at a higher level of charge than other modules, a charge switch and a discharge switch in the unbalanced module de-activate and a module bypass switch activates to allow charge current to rapidly bring other modules into balance. The discharge switch and the charge switch allow the charging current to bypass the unbalanced module creating little or no additional heat dissipation.

Abstract: Internal shorts and other failures in lithium-ion battery cells may be detected during balancing of the battery cells. A counter may be used to detect when a battery cell is behaving differently than other battery cells by balancing more or less frequently. The counter may increment each time a battery cell is balanced to the other battery cells. A misbehaving battery cell may be flagged, when the counter exceeds a threshold value, for safety checks before an overheating event occurs. This misbehaving battery cell may be faulty due to an internal short. If the faulty battery cell is not corrected by replacement with a different battery cell or corrected by a user resetting the counter, the misbehaving battery cell may be disconnected to prevent the overheating event.

Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises a vehicle body, an engine compartment housing an engine, a bonnet movably coupled to the body and arranged to provide a closure member for the engine compartment, the bonnet being movable between open and closed conditions to allow access to the engine compartment, and an engine air intake duct having an orifice through which Intake air may be drawn into the engine. The vehicle is provided with first and second air flaw paths whereby air may be supplied to the air intake duct. The first flow path comprises an air inlet aperture disposed at a front portion of the vehicle for receiving ram air and an air outlet aperture aft of the air inlet aperture, the air outlet aperture being provided in fluid communication with the air intake duct orifice. The second flow path is provided by a gap between a side edge of the bonnet and the body of the vehicle, whereby ambient air may be drawn through the gap to the air intake duct.

Abstract: In an embodiment, in response to receiving from a client computer a client request to connect to a server: processing the client request in a network protection device including applying one or more translations and one or more security checks, generating a server acknowledgment to the client computer as if the server acknowledged receiving the client request from the client computer, processing the server acknowledgement in the network protection device including applying one or more translations and one or more security checks and sending the server acknowledgment to the client computer; in response to receiving a client acknowledgment of receiving the server acknowledgment, determining that a first path between the client computer and the network protection device is operational; generating a server request to the server; processing the server request in the network protection device, determining that a second path between the network protection device and the server is operational.

Abstract: A system for assessing combustor health during operation of the combustor includes a combustor, a sensor configured to sense combustion dynamics pressure data from the combustor, and a computing device that is in communication with the sensor and configured to receive the combustion dynamics pressure data from the sensor. The computing device is programed to extract a feature from the combustion dynamics pressure data and generate feature values for the feature over a period of time. The computing device is also programmed to generate a cumulative form of the feature that is based on the feature values over a time series and to compare the cumulative form to a historical cumulative form.

Abstract: A system for detecting an at-fault combustor includes a sensor that is configured to sense combustion dynamics pressure data from the combustor and a computing device that is in electronic communication with the sensor and configured to receive the combustion dynamics pressure data from the sensor. The computing device is programmed to convert the combustion dynamics pressure data into a frequency spectrum, segment the frequency spectrum into a plurality of frequency intervals, extract a feature from the frequency spectrum, generate feature values for the feature within a corresponding frequency interval over a period of time, and to store the feature values to generate a historical database. The computing device is further programmed to execute a machine learning algorithm using the historical database of the feature values to train the computing device to recognize feature behavior that is indicative of an at-fault combustor.

Abstract: A device for occluding body lumens such as fallopian tubes which has an occluder element which has a lumen and a fixation element located in the lumen of the occluder element. The fixation element has at least one looped wire which has a proximal region which is biased radially outwardly and be constrained prior to deployment of the device.

Abstract: A space frame having a high torsional strength comprising a first square bipyramid and two planar structures extending outward from an apex of the first square bipyramid to form a “V” shape is disclosed. Some embodiments comprise a plurality of edge-sharing square bipyramids configured linearly, where the two planar structures contact apexes of all the square bipyramids. A plurality of bridging struts, apex struts, corner struts and optional internal bracing struts increase the strength and rigidity of the space frame. In an embodiment, the space frame supports a solar reflector, such as a parabolic solar reflector. Methods of fabricating and using the space frames are also disclosed.

Abstract: A writing instrument with a safety cap is disclosed which comprises a tubular body with a grip body having one end securing a writing tip or nib, and disposed within the tubular body, an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the writing tip or nib. The tubular body comprises a barrel detachably secured to a grip body with a writing tip or nib holder. The barrel may include a retention feature to which the user may safely detachably secure the safety cap while using the instrument. The barrel may include one or more tabs protruding from the barrel body which act to prevent the writing instrument from uncontrolled rolling when the instrument is set down on a surface. A safety cap with one or more vents formed inside the periphery of the cap provide for the bi-directional flow of air or other fluids axially through the cap in the event a user ingests the cap.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a reclined seating position and a fold flat position. A recliner assembly is coupled between the seat back and the seat cushion to provide pivotal movement of the seat back. A riser assembly is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and pivotally latched to the floor to allow pivotal movement of the seat cushion between a horizontal seating position and a forwardly upright tumbled position. A release mechanism is coupled between the seat back and the riser assembly for automatically synchronizing actuation of the recliner assembly and the riser assembly to provide movement of the seat assembly to the tumbled position in response to the pivotal movement of the seat back to the fold flat position.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for protecting a satellite reception system from strong terrestrial signals. A high Q tunable trap is used to help reject strong ATSC signals or other signals that may be present on the input coaxial cable of a satellite receiver that operates in a single-wire multi-switch (SWM) environment.

Abstract: The present invention allows for a robust design using manufacturability models. A method, system and/or computer usable medium may be provided in an integrated circuit design to track sensitivity to a variation of process from wafer to wafer and/or fab to fab in order to assist the designers to anticipate the variations to improve the final yield of the products.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a reclined seating position and a fold flat position. A recliner assembly is coupled between the seat back and the seat cushion to provide pivotal movement of the seat back. A riser assembly is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and pivotally latched to the floor to allow pivotal movement of the seat cushion between a horizontal seating position and a forwardly upright tumbled position. A release mechanism is coupled between the seat back and the riser assembly for automatically synchronizing actuation of the recliner assembly and the riser assembly to provide movement of the seat assembly to the tumbled position in response to the pivotal movement of the seat back to the fold flat position.

Abstract: Provided herein are solar collectors having reflective sheets which are slidably insertable and/or removable for quick installation, construction, removal, repair, and/or replacement. Also provided are solar collectors having reflective sheets under tension. Further provided are methods for constructing solar collectors. In another aspect, provided herein are guide rails for guiding and/or retaining slidably removable reflective sheets and holding the reflective sheets in a prescribed shape.

Abstract: The device is used to slice, store, display or transport cakes. It is primarily composed of four elements; a cutter, a holder, an alignment tray and a holder tray which combine for performing various features of the invention. The device is useful for birthdays, general storage, restaurants or parties.

Abstract: A collapsible shopping cart includes a collapsible support assembly having a support frame with a vertical frame member and a horizontal frame member. The vertical support member is pivotally secured to the horizontal support member allowing the support frame to be selectively folded. A plurality of wheels are coupled to the horizontal support member. The plurality of wheels are coupled to the horizontal support member for movement between a use orientation and a storage orientation, wherein when the plurality of wheels are in the use orientation they extend from the horizontal support member in a manner permitting engagement with a horizontal support surface such that the support assembly may roll thereupon. First and second storage receptacles shaped and dimensioned for selective attachment to the support assembly are provided.