Abstract: A pre-charging system for a capacitor in a voltage inverter for an electric motor is provided. The system includes a grounding contactor electrically coupled between a grounding terminal of a battery pack and a first end of the capacitor. The system further includes a pre-charging contactor and a resistor electrically coupled in series. The pre-charging contactor and the resistor are electrically coupled between a high voltage terminal of the battery pack and a second end of the capacitor. The microprocessor determines a total amount of energy supplied to the resistor and induces the pre-charging contactor to have an open operational position to electrically de-couple the high voltage terminal from the second end of the capacitor, if the total amount of energy is greater than a threshold amount of energy.

Abstract: A battery pack monitoring system is provided. The system includes a master microprocessor and a first microprocessor. The master microprocessor outputs a first signal from an output port thereof to induce an input port of the first microprocessor to have a first low logic voltage. The master microprocessor sends a message having a first binary ID from the communication bus port thereof through a communication bus after outputting the first signal. The first microprocessor receives the first binary ID at the communication bus port thereof and stores the first binary ID in a non-volatile memory of the first microprocessor when the input port of the first microprocessor has the first low logic voltage.

Abstract: A battery system having a cooling plate with a conduit therein is provided. The system further includes a battery module having first and second battery cells. The system further includes a compressor, and a condenser coupled between the compressor and the conduit of the cooling plate. The system further includes a microprocessor that determines a maximum temperature level of the first and second battery cells, and determines a target temperature level for the cooling plate based on the maximum temperature level. The microprocessor determines a temperature error value based on a difference between a temperature level and the target temperature level of the cooling plate, and determines a desired RPM value for the compressor based on the temperature error value.

Abstract: A battery pack monitoring system is provided. The system includes a master microprocessor and a first microprocessor. The master microprocessor outputs a first signal from an output port thereof to induce an input port of the first microprocessor to have a first low logic voltage. The master microprocessor sends a message having a first binary ID from the communication bus port thereof through a communication bus after outputting the first signal. The first microprocessor receives the first binary ID at the communication bus port thereof and stores the first binary ID in a non-volatile memory of the first microprocessor when the input port of the first microprocessor has the first low logic voltage.

Abstract: An equine oat-balancing feed supplement comprising a mix of substances including lysine, iodine, copper, magnesium, zinc and calcium is provided. The supplement further includes one or more of Folic Acid, Nicotinic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Cobalt, Selenium, Methionine, Threosine, Choline, Iron, Manganese, an inert material such as cereal wheat and Vitamins A, B12, D, C, E, K. The oat-balancing feed supplement is administered to horses in an amount dependent on the age of the animal, together with an oat-based diet. The health and condition of horses has been found to improve an commencement of the intake of the supplement and in particular, racing horses have been observed to have improved performance at races when on the supplement.

Abstract: A shelf assembly for use with a display rack is provided. The display rack has two lateral posts, each of which has a plurality of vertically spaced openings. The shelf assembly includes a shelf, a pair of braces and a clip corresponding to each brace. The braces and clips are capable of supporting the shelf at a predetermined height above the uppermost vertical spaced opening in the lateral post such that the shelf assembly is able to display articles higher than typical shelf assemblies. The braces may also be lowered such that the braces overlap the shelving structure below.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shelf assembly for use with a display rack. The display rack has two lateral posts, each of which has a plurality of vertically spaced openings. The shelf assembly includes a shelf, a pair of braces, and a clip corresponding to each brace. An important aspect of the present invention is that the braces and clips are capable of supporting the shelf at a predetermined height above the uppermost vertical spaced opening in the lateral post. This permits the shelf assembly to display articles higher than typical shelf assemblies. Another aspect of the present invention permits the brace to be lowered such that the brace overlaps the shelving structure below thereto, where the lower shelving structure is from the prior art.

Abstract: A propulsion system for amphibious track driven vehicles. The propulsion system includes a driven track having for example paddles extending therefrom and supported by a suspension framework. The track is driven by drive cogs of for example plastic or metal. A manifold partially encloses the track and includes a water collection chamber positioned at the forward end of the track for collecting water from the top portion of the track. One or more exhaust tubes are coupled to the collection chamber and extend from the chamber toward the back end of the track. A propeller is positioned in each of the exhaust tubes to boost the thrust of the water through the tubes and out the back end of the track. Directional control is enhanced by varying the power to each of the propellers.

Abstract: An equine oat-balancing feed supplement comprising a mix of substances including lysine, iodine, copper, magnesium, zinc and calcium is provided. The supplement further includes one or more of Folic Acid, Nicotinic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Cobalt, Selenium, Methionine, Threosine, Choline, Iron, Manganese, an inert material such as cereal wheat and Vitamins A, B12, D, C, E, K. The oat-balancing feed supplement is administered to horses in an amount dependent on the age of the animal, together with an oat-based diet. The health and condition of horses has been found to improve an commencement of the intake of the supplement and in particular, racing horses have been observed to have improved performance at races when on the supplement.

Abstract: A method for generating a treatment plan for a patient history information is provided to a physician in electronic form. Patient examination information is provided in electronic form. Patient diagnostic test results is provided in electronic form. A plurality of candidate diagnoses is automatically selected using the patient history information, patient examination information and patient diagnostic test information. A plurality of treatment plans is presented to the physician from a predefined list of treatment plans, wherein each of the plurality of treatment plans is comprised of at least one of a medical test, a medical procedure, a prescription, a pre-certification, a school excuse or a work excuse, and wherein each of the plurality of treatment plans corresponds to at least one of the plurality of candidate diagnoses. A treatment plan is selected from the plurality of treatment plans. At least a portion the selected treatment plan, is executed.

Abstract: A tray and method for packaging muffin pans and liners. The tray surrounds the outer bottom and side surfaces of the packaged muffin pans and muffin liners, protecting the same from damage. The tray includes an engagement portion with a lower surface and a lip, whereby rims defined by the packaged muffin pans are securely held therebetween. An integral hang tab extends outwardly from the packaging tray to enable the tray with packaged muffin pans and liners to be hung from a display rack. The muffin pans are snap-locked into the tray by pressing the rims against the lip, which flexes allowing the muffin pans to pass by and then snaps back to retain the muffin pans and muffin liners within the tray.

Abstract: A new and improved seat belt retractor system having an electronic control unit which is adapted to receive a signal from a sensor responsive to the buckling of the seat belt and causes an electric motor acting through a chain drive to drivingly rotate a reel in one direction for providing a predetermined seat belt loading on the seat occupant and that is responsive to the braking of the vehicle under emergency conditions to increase the tensioning of the seat belt to a level that exceeds the predetermined seat belt loading.

Abstract: A life preserver for use by a four-legged animal for supporting the animal in a generally horizontal, partially submerged state of floating equilibrium in a body of water. The life preserver includes an inflation chamber; and a harness system connected to the inflation chamber for attaching the life preserver to an animal, wherein when worn inflated, the life preserver maintains an animal at or near the surface of the water, with the animal's head out of the water. The harness system comprises at least one adjustable harness for encircling the chest and waist areas of an animal. The inflation system includes at least one of a manual inflation system, an automatic inflation system and an oral inflation tube. When uninflated, the inflation chamber is adapted to be folded over and packed within a shroud. The inflation system may be automatic CO2 inflation system or a manually activated CO2 inflation system.

Abstract: A life preserver for use by a four-legged animal for supporting the animal in a generally horizontal, partially submerged state of floating equilibrium in a body of water. The life preserver includes an inflation chamber; and a harness system connected to the inflation chamber for attaching the life preserver to an animal, wherein when worn inflated, the life preserver maintains an animal at or near the surface of the water, with the animal's head out of the water. The harness system comprises at least one adjustable harness for encircling the chest and waist areas of an animal. The inflation system includes at least one of a manual inflation system, an automatic inflation system and an oral inflation tube. When uninflated, the inflation chamber is adapted to be folded over and packed within a shroud. The inflation system may be automatic CO2 inflation system or a manually activated CO2 inflation system.

Abstract: A new and improved seat belt retractor system having an electronic control unit which is adapted to receive a signal from a sensor responsive to the buckling of the seat belt and causes an electric motor acting through a chain drive to drivingly rotate a reel in one direction for providing a predetermined seat belt loading on the seat occupant and that is responsive to the braking of the vehicle under emergency conditions to increase the tensioning of the seat belt to a level that exceeds the predetermined seat belt loading.

Abstract: A casing having substantially parallel side walls connected by a curved end wall receives a cathode electrode having substantially parallel opposed side walls connected by end walls. The cathode electrode is enclosed by a separator envelope that substantially conforms to an upper surface of the electrode. Accordingly, along the perimeter of the electrode the separator has a non-uniform spacing with respect to the edges of the electrode. The upper surface of the separator is disposed in a relatively closely spaced relationship with the electrode proximate the header and lid where welding takes place. At the opposite end of the cathode electrode there is space inside the casing that provides for electrode swelling. Since no welding operations take place there, the separator is provided in a relatively loose relationship with respect to the cathode to accommodate swelling during discharge.

Abstract: A common carrier that supports two or more current collectors in a horizontal planar array with geometric features providing datums for positioning tooling and other processes related to the fabrication of battery electrodes.