Abstract: A battery cell monitoring and conditioning circuit is disclosed to facilitate low cost manufacture of battery modules comprising any number of series connected cells. A battery management system utilizing a plurality of series connected cell monitoring and conditioning circuits is disclosed. Methods are provided for operating the disclosed circuits.

Abstract: A battery cell monitoring and conditioning circuit is disclosed to facilitate low cost manufacture of battery modules comprising any number of series-connected cells. A battery management system utilizing a plurality of series-connected cell monitoring and conditioning circuits is disclosed. Methods are provided for operating the disclosed circuits.

Abstract: A battery module is disclosed having a plurality of series-connected battery cells contained in, and electrically isolated from, an enclosure, with a first internal relay to control connection between cells and a positive terminal, and a second internal relay to control the connection between cells and a negative terminal. A control signal input is provided to control the relays. An embodiment is disclosed having an internal battery management system which controls the relays in response to a digital message. A modular battery pack is disclosed consisting of a plurality of modules connected in parallel, which can be individually and independently activated and deactivated. A method is provided for activating an individual module.

Abstract: A battery module is disclosed having a plurality of series-connected battery cells contained in, and electrically isolated from, an enclosure, with a first internal relay to control connection between cells and a positive terminal, and a second internal relay to control the connection between cells and a negative terminal. A control signal input is provided to control the relays. An embodiment is disclosed having an internal battery management system which controls the relays in response to a digital message. A modular battery pack is disclosed consisting of a plurality of modules connected in parallel, which can be individually and independently activated and deactivated. A method is provided for activating an individual module.

Abstract: A method of distributing intention signaling messages for a vehicle. The vehicle having a plurality of directional radio antennas oriented to transmit radio signals in predetermined and distinct directions. Responsive to the intended change in the vehicle motion, at least one of a plurality of directional radio antennas is selected. The selected directional radio antenna facing in the direction of surrounding traffic which would be affected by the intended change in motion is selected. An intention signaling message is formed and transmitted. The intention signaling message corresponds to the intended change in the vehicle motion by means of the selected directional radio antenna.

Abstract: An electronic beacon placed stationary in a known location. The beacon includes a map, stored therein, pertaining to a covered area. The map includes coordinates of the known location with reference to the map. The electronic beacon is configured to transmit at least a navigational signal. The electronic beacon has a radio transmitter to communicate the map to at least one moving device in the covered area.

Abstract: Methods for geolocation utilizing electronic distance measurement equipment. The methods select a small subset of available data that is most trustworthy, and then mathematically treats the subset of data (preferably bilateration or trilateration) to compute one or more new measured position candidates. One measured position candidate may be chosen among the measure position candidates based on confidence metrics, relative position geometry, and the comparison with history-based predicted position and its respective confidence metric. In a case where no measured position candidates of sufficient confidence are available, the predicted position is taken as the new position.

Abstract: A method of determining a new position for a node. The node having a distance measuring radio. A list of positions of a plurality of neighboring nodes is obtained. The geometric relationship of the positions in the list and the predicted position of node is analyzed. A subset of the nodes is selected from the list that is less than the total number of modes in the list. Electronic distance measurements from the node to each of the subset of nodes are performed. A new position of the node is determined utilizing the measured distances.

Abstract: An assembly is provided combining a low power light source, a distance measuring radio, an electrical storage and an adapter compatible with an existing socket for a light unit. The unique configuration of the assembly enables deployment of distance measuring radios in buildings, vehicles and outdoor venues without the need to install dedicated infrastructure such as electrical grid connections. A method is further disclosed of automatically determining the location of a newly installed assembly by first learning the locations of already installed neighboring assemblies, measuring the distances to such known assemblies, and using the measured distances to determine the location of the newly installed assembly.

Abstract: An Automobile having a Suspension with a highly Progressive linkage is disclosed. Method for configuring such a linkage to achieve desired performance is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical boom with articulated arms and a base cabinet designed to accommodate modular equipment and utility racks that include video processing, computer, and electronic, and other utility equipment that can be easy inserted and removed from the base cabinet, as well as a method of manufacturing and using the same. The boom includes a stationary base that is configured to be installed into an operating room and one or more boom arms supported by the stationary base and configured to extend over an operating table in the operating room. The structural base includes one or more bays configured to receive a modular rack of electrical equipment. In various embodiments, the structural base cabinet further incorporates wiring to connect the equipment installed in the modular racks to video monitors and other equipment mounted on the articulated booms. The modular racks are preconfigured with a variety of electronic equipment such as computers, video processors and the like.

Abstract: A a robust weight plate of a size similar to industry-standard components integrated with a retaining mechanism capable of engaging an industry-standard weight bar to form a barbell or a dumbbell assembly.

Abstract: A modular charging system for series-connected battery packs is disclosed. An individual isolated charging module is connected across each cell in the pack. A battery cell and its corresponding charging module form a battery module assembly, a plurality of which are connected in series to form a complete battery pack of desired characteristics. A common input power input bus is shared between all charging modules and is connected in a daisy-chain fashion to a single input power source. A common isolated communications bus, which may be isolated CAN bus, is similarly shared and daisy-chained between all modules, connecting them to a monitoring processor. The monitoring processor is primarily intended to report the condition of each cell to the pack user or operator and need not actively control the charging of any individual cell. Each cell in a pack is optimally charged by the corresponding charging module. The overall system is readily scaled to any desired pack voltage and is well suited to mass production.

Abstract: A kit for enabling rapid and efficient installation of cast-in shear wall anchors is disclosed. The kit comprises a pre-manufactured base plate, a threaded rod segment of a predetermined length, a threaded coupler and a plug with a marker feature. The threaded rod segment is installed into the base plate and a threaded coupler is installed onto the threaded rod segment. The plug is installed into the threaded coupler. The plug features a marker feature that is preferably flexible, intended to protrude above the poured concrete surface to aid in locating the anchor after the concrete is cured, while the rest of the assembled anchor remains below the surface. The flexible nature of the marker feature prevents it from interfering with finishing equipment. The threaded rod segment is of a length predetermined to position the top of the threaded coupler just below the poured concrete surface in a typical installation.

Abstract: A simple, convenient, contaminant-resistant padding system for adding protective padding to a wide variety of hospital operating room and non-hospital related equipment is disclosed. The padding system includes an anchor having a first surface configured to be affixed to a mounting surface of an object to be protected and a second surface. The anchor also includes a protruding element formed on the second surface. The protruding element extends outward from the second surface. The system also includes a pad having a deformable recess configured to form-fit over the protruding element to hold the pad in place adjacent the mounting surface of the object to be protected. In various embodiments, the protruding element consists of one of the following shapes: hook-shaped, round, ball, oval, square, or rectangular. The deformable recess in the pad has a complementary shape. In various other embodiments, the pads can be shaped to fit over and protect one or multiple sides of an object to be protected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical boom with articulated arms and a base cabinet designed to accommodate modular equipment and utility racks that include video processing, computer, and electronic, and other utility equipment that can be easy inserted and removed from the base cabinet, as well as a method of manufacturing and using the same. The boom includes a stationary base that is configured to be installed into an operating room and one or more boom arms supported by the stationary base and configured to extend over an operating table in the operating room. The structural base includes one or more bays configured to receive a modular rack of electrical equipment. In various embodiments, the structural base cabinet further incorporates wiring to connect the equipment installed in the modular racks to video monitors and other equipment mounted on the articulated booms. The modular racks are preconfigured with a variety of electronic equipment such as computers, video processors and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical boom with articulated arms and a base cabinet designed to accommodate modular equipment and utility racks that include video processing, computer, and electronic, and other utility equipment that can be easy inserted and removed from the base cabinet is disclosed. The boom includes a stationary base that is configured to be installed into an operating room and one or more boom arms supported by the stationary base and configured to extend over an operating table in the operating room. The structural base includes one or more bays configured to receive a modular rack of electrical equipment. In various embodiments, the structural base cabinet further incorporates wiring to connect the equipment installed in the modular racks to video monitors and other equipment mounted on the articulated booms. The modular racks are preconfigured with a variety of electronic equipment such as computers, video processors and the like.

Abstract: An Electric Vehicle is equipped with a plurality of Electric Motors, with at least one motor optimized for operation in one vehicle speed range and at least another motor optimized for operation in a different vehicle speed range. Under acceleration, at any instance in time a majority proportion of power is directed to the motor that is best optimized for the current vehicle speed. Under deceleration, at any instance in time a majority proportion of regenerative braking is drawn from the motor that is best optimized for the current vehicle speed. Motors may be mechanically coupled to the same driven axle or to different driven axles.

Abstract: A simple, convenient, contaminant-resistant padding system for adding protective padding to a wide variety of hospital operating room and non-hospital related equipment is disclosed. The padding system includes an anchor having a first surface configured to be affixed to a mounting surface of an object to be protected and a second surface. The anchor also includes a protruding element formed on the second surface. The protruding element extends outward from the second surface. The system also includes a pad having a deformable recess configured to form-fit over the protruding element to hold the pad in place adjacent the mounting surface of the object to be protected. In various embodiments, the protruding element consists of one of the following shapes: hook-shaped, round, ball, oval, square, or rectangular. The deformable recess in the pad has a complementary shape. In various other embodiments, the pads can be shaped to fit over and protect one or multiple sides of an object to be protected.