Abstract: Charging control systems and methods are provided for controlling noise emission levels when charging an electrified vehicle. The nose emission levels may be controlled based on one or more user-defined rules associated with a custom quiet zone. The charging control systems may include one or more user interfaces designed to allow users to establish the user-defined rules which bound the custom quiet zone.

Abstract: A compact steering mechanism for steering a vehicle having a steering input being a pinion shaft coupled to a pinion meshing with a rack, and a steering output member coupled to the rack. The pinion is positioned at a middle portion of the rack and the output member is positioned between opposing ends of a rack. The mechanism includes a compact steering housing supporting the pinion shaft and containing the rack-and-pinion. The pinion and pinion shaft have a center axis parallel to an axis of the output member. The output member, being a steering pin and rack carrier, a gear, or a flange, is coupled to left and right tie rod assemblies and wheels for steering the vehicle to improve handling.

Abstract: A compact steering mechanism for steering a vehicle having a steering input being a pinion shaft coupled to a pinion meshing with a rack, and a steering output member coupled to the rack. The pinion is positioned at a middle portion of the rack and the output member is positioned between opposing ends of a rack. The mechanism includes a compact steering housing supporting the pinion shaft and containing the rack-and-pinion. The pinion and pinion shaft have a center axis parallel to an axis of the output member. The output member, being a steering pin and rack carrier, a gear, or a flange, is coupled to left and right tie rod assemblies and wheels for steering the vehicle to improve handling.

Abstract: A three-phase faulted circuit indicator adjustable to accommodate a variety of three-phase power cables is disclosed. In one embodiment, faulted circuit indicator comprises a flexible holder that encircles the monitored conductor slightly more than one time. The flexible holder includes a plurality of magnetic sensors for monitoring the current within the internal conductors of the power cable, a logic circuit for determining the occurrence of a fault, and an output device for providing an indication of a fault. In a second embodiment, the faulted circuit indicator comprises a plurality of sensor compartments, each disposed about a central point, and each coupled to two other sensor compartments.

Abstract: A three-phase faulted circuit indicator adjustable to accommodate a variety of three-phase power cables is disclosed. In one embodiment, faulted circuit indicator comprises a flexible holder that encircles the monitored conductor slightly more than one time. The flexible holder includes a plurality of magnetic sensors for monitoring the current within the internal conductors of the power cable, a logic circuit for determining the occurrence of a fault, and an output device for providing an indication of a fault. In a second embodiment, the faulted circuit indicator comprises a plurality of sensor compartments, each disposed about a central point, and each coupled to two other sensor compartments.

Abstract: A packaging system, packaging method and method of depositing a thin layer of material at a desired location upon a substrate, and in particular a layer of thermally-conductive phase change material at the interface between a heat-dissipating component and heat sink coupled therewith. The packaging comprises a thin layer of material sandwiched between a first base liner and a second top liner. A segment of tape is adhesively bound to the top liner and preferably includes a graspable portion, such as a tab, to enable the same to pull the top liner away from the material to thus leave the layer of material deposited upon the substrate.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle for traveling over land includes a frame, an engine, a transmission, and a seating arrangement. The frame has a forward end and a rearward end. The vehicle includes a longitudinal axis extending from the forward end to the rearward end. A single or tandem seating arrangement is arranged along the longitudinal axis in certain embodiments. The engine is secured to the frame. The engine includes at least one cylinder and a crankshaft with a crankcase fastened generally beneath the cylinder. A transmission is coupled to the engine crankshaft. The transmission extends forwardly from the crankshaft toward the forward end of the frame along the longitudinal axis. A side-by-side seating arrangement is secured to the frame generally along an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. An air intake is provided at the forward side of the cylinder with an exhaust out the rearward side.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a muffler for attenuating exhaust noise from an internal combustion engine. The muffler includes a main chamber, an intermediate pipe, a diffuser chamber, a spark arrester, and an exhaust pipe. Exhaust gases from the engine enter the main chamber after which they flow through the intermediate pipe. The intermediate pipe extends back through the main chamber to the diffuser chamber. The spark arrester is a screen held within the exhaust muffler and removably coupled to the exhaust pipe. Gases flow through the screen to separate hot particles. The exhaust pipe extends within the main chamber, completing a 180° bend within the chamber before exiting the main chamber and the muffler. An outer enclosure may surround the muffler. A method of attenuating exhaust gas noise is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a glazed panel, such as a stained glass window, using a hot melt adhesive instead of a conventional, noisome, slow-drying putty, includes the provision of a glass pane, such as a leaded or stained glass pane, having a peripheral margin, a soft metal came, such as a lead came, having a U-shaped channel configured to receive the peripheral margin of the glass pane, and an elongated strip of a hot melt adhesive disposed in the channel of the came. The glass pane is heated, e.g., with a hot air gun, to a temperature above the melting point of the adhesive and its peripheral margin is then inserted into the channel of the came such that the heated peripheral margin of the glass causes the adhesive to melt and adhere the peripheral margin of the glass pane to the interior surface of the channel of the came.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle for traveling over land includes a frame, an engine, a transmission, and a seating arrangement. The frame has a forward end and a rearward end. The vehicle includes a longitudinal axis extending from the forward end to the rearward end. A single or tandem seating arrangement is arranged along the longitudinal axis in certain embodiments. The engine is secured to the frame. The engine includes at least one cylinder and a crankshaft with a crankcase fastened generally beneath the cylinder. A transmission is coupled to the engine crankshaft. The transmission extends forwardly from the crankshaft toward the forward end of the frame along the longitudinal axis. A side-by-side seating arrangement is secured to the frame generally along an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. An air intake is provided at the forward side of the cylinder with an exhaust out the rearward side.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a muffler for attenuating exhaust noise from an internal combustion engine. The muffler includes a main chamber, an intermediate pipe, a diffuser chamber, a spark arrester, and an exhaust pipe. Exhaust gases from the engine enter the main chamber after which they flow through the intermediate pipe. The intermediate pipe extends back through the main chamber to the diffuser chamber. The spark arrester is a screen held within the exhaust muffler and removably coupled to the exhaust pipe. Gases flow through the screen to separate hot particles. The exhaust pipe extends within the main chamber, completing a 180° bend within the chamber before exiting the main chamber and the muffler. An outer enclosure may surround the muffler. A method of attenuating exhaust gas noise is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal interface wafer for facilitating heat transfer from an electronic component to a heat sink. The wafer is formed from at least one elongate, vertically-oriented strip of thermally conductive material having a layer of conformable, heat-conducting material formed thereon. Preferably, the substrate comprises a metal foil, such as aluminum or some other thermally-conductive metal, that is formed as a flat, spiral-like coil. Such strip may further be configured to have a serpentine configuration, or may alternatively be formed from a multiplicity of strips. The present invention further provides for methods of transferring heat from an electronic component to a heat sink, as well as methods for fabricating the thermal interface wafers of the present invention.

Abstract: An improved, more durable heat conductive composition for transferring heat from a heat-dissipating component to a heat dissipater and method of producing the same. The composition preferably comprises a base consisting of paraffin and, optionally, paraffin and petrolatum having electrically-conductive particles suspended therein, which preferably include graphite diamond, or elemental metals such as silver. In the preferred embodiment, the composition further includes a resin polymer to increase durability. The composition is formulated to be solid in the range of normal room temperatures, but liquify once subjected to temperatures just below the range at which heat generating electronic semi conductor devices typically operate. The present invention further comprises processes for packaging the compositions of the present invention, as well as applying the heat conductive composition to an interface between a heat-dissipating component and a heat sink.

Abstract: A thermal interface wafer for facilitating heat transfer from an electronic component to a heat sink. The wafer is formed from at least one elongate, vertically-oriented strip of thermally conductive material having a layer of conformable, heat-conducting material formed thereon. Preferably, the substrate comprises a metal foil, such as aluminum or some other thermally-conductive metal, that is formed as a flat, spiral-like coil. Such strip may further be configured to have a serpentine configuration, or may alternatively be formed from a multiplicity of strips. The present invention further provides for methods of transferring heat from an electronic component to a heat sink, as well as methods for fabricating the thermal interface wafers of the present invention.