Abstract: A brake and communication system to remotely control the braking of a towed vehicle from a towing vehicle comprising a towing vehicle module including a microcontroller having logic and circuitry to generate a braking signal in response to braking of said towing vehicle fed through an automotive vehicle self-diagnostic device port and vehicle control unit interface to the brake system of the towed vehicle and the towed vehicle includes a microcontroller having logic and circuitry to generate a brake control signal fed to the brake system of the towed vehicle through a vehicle control unit interface and automotive self-diagnostic port to electronically actuate the towed vehicle brakes and to transfer data between said towing vehicle and the towed vehicle including information of selected vehicle control network operating parameters generated in the towed vehicle through said microcontroller to a remote monitor or display in said towing vehicle to show and to alert the driver of said towing vehicle of the statu

Abstract: A battery power management system for vehicles and vessels requiring switching devices to disconnect mounted batteries from unit loads utilizing rules based logic. The battery power management system controls the switching devices to prevent over-discharging and over-charging of the batteries and to prevent excessive current drain. The battery power management system utilizes various timing parameters to coordinate connection and disconnection attempts and provides status information regarding the current state of protection of the batteries.

Abstract: A brake controller, for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle, having a control module and a power module is provided. The control module is mounted in the cab of a vehicle used for towing, in such a manner that it can be easily seen and accessed by the driver. The control module is provided with an accelerometer, which can read acceleration forces in at least two axes, and a microprocessor which polls the accelerometer and sends braking information to the power module. The control module is also provided with a gain control, to adjust the amount of brake force information, a manual braking lever and a display panel. The power module, which may be mounted in a convenient location, preferably on the towed vehicle, receives the braking information from the control module and secures power from the towed vehicle to engage its brakes.

Abstract: A brake controller, for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle, having a control module and a power module is provided. The control module is mounted in the cab of a vehicle used for towing, in such a manner that it can be easily seen and accessed by the driver. The control module is provided with an accelerometer, which can read acceleration forces in at least two axes, and a microprocessor which polls the accelerometer and sends braking information to the power module. The control module is also provided with a gain control, to adjust the amount of brake force information, a manual braking lever and a display panel. The power module, which may be mounted in a convenient location, preferably on the towed vehicle, receives the braking information from the control module and secures power from the towed vehicle to engage its brakes.

Abstract: A sensing device to detect contaminants of known dielectric value such as hydrocarbons when present in a medium with a different dielectric value such as water comprising a plurality of capacitive members electrically connected to a sensor signal generator including a plurality of sensor channels corresponding to the plurality of capacitive members to generate a sensor signal corresponding to the dielectric value of the medium surrounding each of the plurality of capacitive members and a detect signal generator including a plurality of detect channels corresponding to the plurality of sensor channels to receive the sensor signal of the corresponding sensor channel and to generate a contaminant detection signal when each sensor signal from each sensor channel is within a predetermined range of the dielectric value of the contaminant to be monitored.

Abstract: A tracking buoy including a sensor to detect the presence of hydrocarbons in a body of water and a communication system to transmit data to a remote monitoring center when the hydrocarbons are detected to indicate the direction and speed of travel of the hydrocarbons in the body of water.

Abstract: A dynamic temperature control to selectively generate one of a plurality of discrete voltage level temperature control signals for use with a fluid circulating system operable in a heating or cooling state including a control panel to select the system operating parameters including operating temperature of the fluid and at least one temperature sensor, the dynamic temperature control comprises logic circuitry to receive temperature input signals from the control panel and temperature sensor and to generate one of the plurality of discrete voltage level temperature control signals proportional to the difference between the input signals from the control panel and the temperature sensor to control the operating temperature of the fluid circulated through the fluid circulating system.

Abstract: A dynamic temperature control to selectively generate one of a plurality of discrete voltage level temperature control signals for use with a fluid circulating system operable in a heating or cooling state including a control panel to select the system operating parameters including operating temperature of the fluid and at least one temperature sensor, the dynamic temperature control comprises logic circuitry to receive temperature input signals from the control panel and temperature sensor and to generate one of the plurality of discrete voltage level temperature control signals proportional to the difference between the input signals from the control panel and the temperature sensor to control the operating temperature of the fluid circulated through the fluid circulating system.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensor for use with a fluid circulating system to indicate a predetermined rate of fluid flow therethrough, fluid flow sensor comprises a hollow fluid flow sensor body including a lower flow detection chamber and an upper fluid flow chamber formed therein and a float movable between a lower and upper position disposed within the hollow fluid flow sensor body, a float position sensing device including logic circuitry to selectively generate a first and second signal disposed adjacent the lower portion of the lower flow detection chamber and a float limit disposed within the upper fluid flow chamber, the float being disposed adjacent the float position sensing device when in the first position when fluid flow through the fluid flow sensor is less than the predetermined rate of fluid flow whereby the float position sensing device generates the first signal to indicate fluid flow of less than the predetermined rate and when the fluid flow through the fluid flow sensor equals or exceeds the predetermi

Abstract: A temperature control system for use with a fluid circulating system operable in a heating or cooling state to monitor and control the temperature and flow of fluid circulated through a remote liquid circulation manifold comprising a display/control panel to select the system operating parameters and provide a visual indication of the system status including operating temperature and fluid flow and a micro control including logic circuitry to receive input signals from the display/control panel and fluid circulating system and to generate system control signals to control the operation of the fluid circulating system and system indicator signals to provide the visual indication of system operations.

Abstract: A temperature control system for use with a fluid circulating system operable in a heating or cooling state to monitor and control the temperature and flow of fluid circulated through a remote liquid circulation manifold comprising a display/control panel to select the system operating parameters and provide a visual indication of the system status including operating temperature and fluid flow and a micro including logic circuitry to receive input signals from the display-control panel and fluid circulating system and to generate system control signals to control the operation of the fluid circulating system and system indicator signals to provide the visual indication of system operations.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device operable in a gas purge mode, liquid flow mode or backflow restriction mode for use with a fluid circulating system to selectively control the direction of fluid flow through the fluid circulating system, the fluid flow control device comprises a valve body including a lower fluid chamber and an upper float chamber formed therein and a spherical float movable disposed within the upper float chamber to control the direction of fluid flow through the fluid flow control device, the valve body includes a gas outlet, a fluid outlet, a liquid outlet and a fluid inlet such that fluid entering the upper float chamber controls the position of the spherical float therein to cause gas to flow through the gas outlet and liquid to flow through the liquid outlet and prevent backflow of gas or liquid through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A fluid circulating system primarily designed for use with a thermal blanket or pad and being temperature controlled so that both heating and cooling effects may be produced through the preheating or precooling of fluid in a reservoir tank or like container which, wherein the fluid is in turn forced through the thermal blanket to provide the proper heating or cooling as desired. A standby switching mode is included to prevent circulation of the fluid through the thermal blanket by a pump structure until the fluid reaches a preselected temperature has been reached. Heating and cooling transfer elements are disposed to the fluid within the reservoir tank thereby eliminating the need for condensor structures and the like and allowing for a compact overall unit to provide the required fluid circulating throughout the thermal blanket.

Abstract: An encoder for transmission of a digital deactivation code at the end of a variable length message transmission. The encoder adds a deactivation code to the end of an operator's transmitted message in order to inform the designated message receiving device that the message has concluded and thereby enable transmission of additional information immediately. Preferrably, the encoder transmits a digital deactivation code immediately following a variable length voice message transmission.

Abstract: The encoder which preferably produces a transmitted digital word which serves as an activation code for a single receiver or a group of receivers. The activation code effects only the receiver(s) that have previously detected their digital address and are therefore prepared to enter a message receive state. The activation code transmitted by the encoder will cue the receiver(s) simultaneously thereby allowing the encoder to send a single message to a plurality of receivers. The activation code also allows the encoder to interleave messages to receivers by utilizing the customary transmitter down time in a single message transmission. During this down time, the activation code allows the transmitter to begin transmission of a second message to a second receiver. The use of the activation code to interleave messages is especially important in tone and voice transmissions since it significantly increases the efficiency of a heavily loaded system.

Abstract: A decoder for receiving a transmitted message followed by a digital deactivation code is described. To prevent unnecessary utilization of a broadcast channel, the decoder responds to a digital deactivation code received at the end of a variable length analog or digital message.