Abstract: A vehicle resource management system for an electric vehicle includes programmable electronic controls integrated into the vehicle configured to consume resources during operation such as electricity, fossil fuels, and the like. Also included as part of the resource management system is an operational algorithm which communicates with the electronic controls to evaluate the driving range available for the available resources. The operational algorithm also receives and processes a plurality of trip variables, at least some of which may be entered by a user using a user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a projectile that is designed to be lethal to an average human for a predetermined time or a distance after being fired and then rendered less than lethal. The projectile can include a detonating charge and optionally a fuze wherein the detonating charge fragments the projectile to render the projectile less than lethal. The projectile can also include a mechanism to disable the fragmentation of the projectile after it strikes a target.

Abstract: Ignition systems, devices, and methods of using a resistive heating element to initiate combustion in internal combustion engines are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ignition system comprises a conductive member having a portion arranged for positioning within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and comprising at least two high-resistance portions separated by a low-resistance portion, the high-resistance portions arranged to reach a temperature sufficient to cause ignition within the engine. In some instances, a conductive member positioned within a combustion chamber and arranged to ignite an air/fuel mixture comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion comprising a heat removing portion arranged to remove heat from the outer portion sufficient to prevent pre-ignition. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DC electrical power generation system mounted on a rescue vehicle, the rescue vehicle having a prime mover controlled by a prime mover controller and a power take off operable to transfer rotational energy from the prime mover. The DC electrical power generation system comprises a DC electrical generator having a generator input connected to the power take off and operable to produce DC electrical energy at a target voltage when rotated at a target speed. The DC-DC converter has an input connected to the output of the DC electrical generator and is operable to convert a generator output voltage of the DC electrical generator to a voltage suitable for charging an electric vehicle when a battery pack of the electric vehicle is connected to the output of the DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A charging unit for an electric vehicle is disclosed which includes a charging circuit which is constructed and arranged for delivering on a selectable basis one of two Level 3 charges, the selection being made by the user by way of a selection switch. The selection switch being integrated with the corresponding circuitry for selecting either a SAE protocol for charging the electric vehicle or a CHAdeMO protocol for charging the electric vehicle.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with a heating element located near the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The heating element is adjacent an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. The induction driven ignition system causes the heating element to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The heating element may be positioned and arranged to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an AC electrical generator system for coupling a variable speed rotating power source to an AC electrical generator through a continuously variable transmission having a finite variable transmission ratio. A controller controls the continuously variable transmission to transform rotational energy from the variable speed power source into substantially constant speed rotation of the AC electrical generator to produce AC electricity with frequency variations within an acceptable range.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with a heating element located near the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The heating element is adjacent an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. The induction driven ignition system causes the heating element to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The heating element may be positioned and arranged to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an AC electrical generator system for coupling a variable speed rotating power source to an AC electrical generator through a continuously variable transmission having a finite variable transmission ratio. A controller controls the continuously variable transmission to transform rotational energy from the variable speed power source into substantially constant speed rotation of the AC electrical generator to produce AC electricity with frequency variations within an acceptable range.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 to 400 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 kHz to 500 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: An induction driven ignition system with an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber of a reciprocating internal combustion engine. The electrode is adjacent to but electrically insulated from an electrical conductor which receives current at frequencies between 100 to 400 kHz. Thermal insulation is also provided between the electrode and adjacent structure of the head. The induction driven ignition system causes the electrodes to rapidly and accurately heat up to very high temperatures. The electrodes may be formed in elongated edges throughout the combustion chamber to provide combustion initiation over a wide area.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted AC generator system having an AC generator mounted outside the engine/transmission compartment and connected by drive shaft with universal joints and a belt driven RPM ratio device. The ratio is set to provide accurate AC generator RPM at a preselected engine RPM. The AC generator is mechanically engageable when certain conditions are met and is disconnected when other conditions are present, including an operator emergency stop switch.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted AC generator system having an AC generator mounted outside the engine/transmission compartment and connected by drive shaft with universal joints and a belt driven RPM ratio device. The ratio is set to provide accurate AC generator RPM at a preselected engine RPM. The AC generator is mechanically engageable when certain conditions are met and is disconnected when other conditions are present, including an operator emergency stop switch.

Abstract: An first induction hardening coil assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a coil having a top surface, an underside surface, and an inner coil curvature disposed between the top surface and the underside surface. The inner coil curvature extends approximately 180 degrees around a coil axis. The coil further includes a first end section adjacent a first end of the inner coil curvature which extends between the top surface and the underside surface. A second end section adjacent a second end of the inner coil curvature extends between the top surface and the underside surface. A support arm is connected to the coil and is constructed and arranged for providing an electrical connection between the coil and a source of electrical current. The support arm includes a current-in portion connected to the underside surface adjacent the first end section and a current-out portion connected to the top surface at a location which is between the first and second end sections.

Abstract: An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. An important feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface.

Abstract: An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. One feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are prograrmned into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface.