Abstract: The sectional skirt includes multiple panels that are secured together in an easily detachable manner to form a skirt. At least four panels or sections are employed to form the skirt. Zippers or the like are utilized to detachably secure the panels together. By interchanging a panel(s) with a panel of a different color or design, the wearer can create a different look without resorting to another entire skirt.

Abstract: A multiple battery system and method for starting internal combustion engines, such as on a boat or vehicle, and for powering auxiliary functions that operate primarily when the engine is not running is disclosed. A first battery is used for starting the engine. A second battery is used to power the auxiliary features associated with the boat or vehicle primarily when the engine is not running. The first battery, referred to as the starter battery, is a high output battery that produces high bursts of energy for limited amounts of time. The second battery, referred to as the auxiliary battery, has a low power output over a fairly long period of time, is capable of being completely drained without harming the battery, and is capable of being fully recharged. The starter battery and the auxiliary battery are connected by a circuit that has an on/off switch controlled by an electronics control module. The auxiliary battery is always on line in the circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system that disables a vehicle engine upon detection of an unauthorized vehicle start-up, after the engine is running, by disconnecting the vehicle battery and draining the vehicle electrical system voltage to ground through a resistor. When the system is armed, it monitors whether the engine is running and has been recently started by detecting vibrations, fluctuations in the VES voltage, and the actual VES voltage. The system includes an electro-mechanical switch that has a battery internal contact, a vehicle electrical system, the standard battery external terminal, contact and a disconnect contact. When the switch is connected to the battery contact, the vehicle battery is connected in the circuit. When the switch is connected to the vehicle electrical system contact, the system is connected to ground through a resistance and the battery is disconnected from circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system that disables a vehicle engine upon detection of an unauthorized vehicle start-up, after the engine is running, by disconnecting the vehicle battery and draining the alternator voltage to ground through a resistor. A fob transmitter transmits a coded frequency signal that is received by a receiver associated with the anti-theft system to arm the system. When the system is armed, it monitors whether the engine is running and has been recently started using a combination of vibration detection, voltage fluctuations in the battery voltage and the actual battery voltage. If the system determines that the engine is running and has been recently started, the system will issue a first command that opens a relay switch to disconnect the battery and a second command that closes a switch to connect the alternator to ground through the resistor.

Abstract: A magnetometer comprises a magnetic field pickup coil and a magnetic field detector that receives electrical signals from the pickup coil and produces an electrical detector output responsive thereto. The pickup coil and detector, which are preferably made of high temperature superconductors, are enclosed in an insulated enclosure having no vacuum insulation structure. Preferably, the enclosure is made of a foamed polymer material such as styrofoam. A coolant is provided to the interior of the enclosure, to cool the pickup coil and detector to a temperature below their superconducting transition temperature. A number of such modular magnetometers may be connected together to form an array.

Abstract: A biomagnetometer includes a magnetic field sensor including a magnetic field pickup coil and a detector of small electrical currents flowing within the pickup coil. A vacuum-tight enclosure surrounds the sensor. The enclosure has a concavely upwardly curved first wall, with the magnetic field pickup coil located adjacent to the first wall. A vented reservoir of liquefied gas is located within the enclosure, and a solid thermal conductor extends from the sensor. There is a vacuum-tight thermal feedthrough by which the solid thermal conductor passes between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure. Electronic circuitry for filtering and amplifying the signals of the detector is also provided. Such a biomagnetometer is placed below the body of a reclining subject, and a second portion of the biomagnetometer can be placed above the body.

Abstract: A biomagnetometer comprises an array of biomagnetic sensors, the array comprising a first plurality of magnetic field pickup coils, and a second plurality of detectors, each of which receives a pickup coil output from a pickup coil. There is a third plurality of signal processors, each of which receives an output from a detector, the third plurality of signal processors being fewer in number than the first plurality of pickup coils. The biomagnetometer further includes a selector that selects a subset of pickup coils, equal in number to the third plurality of signal processors, from the first plurality of pickup coils for signal processing by the signal processors. This biomagnetometer permits the placement of a very large array of relatively inexpensive pickup coils adjacent to a subject, and then processing information from subsets of that large array selected to optimize the gathering of data, while maintaining the cost of the signal processing electronics at a more economical level.

Abstract: A biomagnetometer includes a magnetic field sensor unit having a magnetic field pickup coil. A vessel contains the sensor unit. The vessel includes a flexible contact face with the magnetic field sensor unit mounted in the interior of the vessel adjacent to the flexible contact face. Insulation at the flexible contact face of the vessel prevents excessive heat flow through the flexible contact face. Pickup units using this structure can be connected together into flexible or rigid arrays. In operation, the pickup coil is cooled to a temperature of less than its superconducting transition temperature. A detector measures the magnitude of magnetic fields sensed by the sensor unit.

Abstract: A battery thermal control system including a casing for the battery and a cover for enclosing the battery in the casing, the casing being provided with a number of ribs for supporting the battery in a spaced relation to the bottom of the casing and to the side walls of the casing, a fan connected to discharge air into the casing for circulation through the spaces between the battery and the casing and a bypass duct for connecting the fan to a warm air source for heating the battery in the winter. A timer circuit is provided for continuing the operation of the fan after the engine is turned off. The timing circuit including a temperature switch for activating the timer circuit when the temperature is above a preset minimum.

Abstract: A battery thermal control system including a casing for the battery and a cover for enclosing the battery in the casing, the casing being provided with a number of ribs for supporting the battery in a spaced relation to the bottom of the casing and to the side walls of the casing, a fan connected to discharge air into the casing for circulation through the spaces between the battery and the casing and a bypass duct for connecting the fan to a warm air source for heating the battery in the winter. A timer circuit is provided for continuing the operation of the fan after the engine is turned off. The timing circuit including a temperature switch for activating the timer circuit when the temperature is above a preset minimum.

Abstract: A battery module for insulating a battery from the heat of the engine of a motor vehicle, the module including a battery compartment, an air inlet and an air outlet, a first air flow path connecting the air inlet to the air outlet and a second air flow path around the outside of the battery compartment connecting the air inlet to the air outlet, a damper positioned in the housing for movement between a first position wherein the first air flow path is open and the second air flow path is closed and a second position wherein the first air flow path is closed and the second air flow path is open, a shape memory alloy member for moving the damper from the first position to the second position when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined minimum and a spring for biasing the damper to the first position when the ambient temperature is less than the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A 24/12 volt battery power supply for a vehicle includes two 12 volt batteries connected in series, and having first and second 24 volt terminals to the opposite ends of the batteries and a 12 volt terminal to the center common connection of the batteries. The 12 volt loads are divided into equal right and left side vehicle loads and the right side is connected across one battery and the left side is connected across the second battery. A three phase wye-connected alternator has the winding connected to a full wave three phase rectifier, the D.C. output of which is connected to the 24 volt terminals. The center common connection of the winding is connected directly to the 12 volt terminal. The system operates with balanced currents and charges on the two 12 volt batteries so long as the 12 volt loads remain balanced.

Abstract: There are described apparatus for detecting the presence of a defective cell in a lead-acid storage battery. The apparatus is included as a part of a larger apparatus for analyzing the condition of the battery and its suitability for further use in automobile lighting, starting, and ignition applications. The apparatus measures the terminal potential of the battery when it is subject to a constant resistance load. If that potential is found to increase more than a predetermined amount during a time interval following the application of the load, the battery is known to have at least one defective cell.

Abstract: A dry-state bioelectrode having a self-sealing receptacle for receiving electrolyte and/or medicament fluid contents. The receptacle is attached at its opening to a sheet-like flexible base member having an opening in common with the receptacle opening, the bottom of the base member being adapted for fixation at a skin surface. A portion of the skin surface is exposed to the fluid contents of the receptacle through the common opening. An injection site communicates through the wall of the receptacle and provides controlled access for filling. Upon completion of filling, the receptacle self seals, retaining the fluid contents therein for application of iontophoresis treatment or other procedures requiring use of a potential gradient. An electrode plate is supported at an interior surface of the receptacle for supplying the desired electric potential.