Abstract: A method and system for managing a battery system for a vehicle utilizes a hierarchy to disconnect electrical loads from the battery system. One embodiment of the method includes receiving an input signal representative of a condition of one of the components of one of the systems provided in a vehicle. The method also includes comparing the input signal with at least one parameter to determine whether the condition indicates that at least one of the plurality of electrical loads should be disconnected from the battery. The method also includes disconnecting at least one of the plurality of electrical loads from the at least one battery according to a predetermined hierarchy if the input signal when compared to the parameter indicates that at least one of the plurality of electrical loads should be disconnected from the at least one battery.

Abstract: The invention features a miniature, second-order, microcrystalline silicon microphone diaphragm formed using silicon microfabrication techniques. The diaphragm is composed of two or more rigid diaphragm elements hinged to one another providing second- or higher-order response depending on the number of diaphragm elements used. The response of the differential diaphragm has a response that is highly dependent on the direction of the incident sound. The diaphragms are useful for constructing highly innovative microphones that have far greater directionality, better sensitivity, wider frequency response, and lower noise than is achievable with current technology.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a ferroelectric material is processed by placing the material in an environment including metal vapor and heating the material to a temperature below the Curie temperature of the material. This allows the bulk conductivity of the ferroelectric material to be increased without substantially degrading its ferroelectric domain properties. In one embodiment, the ferroelectric material comprises lithium tantalate and the metal vapor comprises zinc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a ferroelectric material is processed by placing the material in an environment including metal vapor and heating the material to a temperature below the Curie temperature of the material. This allows the bulk conductivity of the ferroelectric material to be increased without substantially degrading its ferroelectric domain properties. In one embodiment, the ferroelectric material comprises lithium tantalate and the metal vapor comprises zinc.

Abstract: A method for programming an alternate instruction into the bank's computer 10, which is accessible only to an account owner, owning and operating a personalized account access security unit which can transmit a signal instruction 12 to the bank's computer so that no access can be granted to the owner's account while the signal is in process, to prevent the unauthorized use of an owner's account information in all avenues of the electronic transaction process wherever they can be made regardless of whether an owner's personal account information has fallen into the wrong hands.

Abstract: A lithium battery for use in a vehicle includes a container, a plurality of positive terminals extending from a first end of the lithium battery, and a plurality of negative terminals extending from a second end of the lithium battery. The plurality of positive terminals are provided in a first configuration and the plurality of negative terminals are provided in a second configuration, the first configuration differing from the second configuration. A battery system for use in a vehicle may include a plurality of electrically connected lithium cells or batteries.

Abstract: An optical switch comprises a substrate, first and second optical waveguide, and first and second conducting elements. The first optical waveguide is coupled to the substrate. The first conducting element is coupled to the first optical waveguide. The second optical waveguide is coupled to the substrate. The second conducting element is coupled to the second optical waveguide. In operation, a first electrical bias applied between the first and second conducting elements causes the first optical waveguide to not optically couple to the second optical waveguide. Further in operation, a second electric bias applied between the first and second conducting elements causes the first optical waveguide to optically couple to the second optical waveguide.

Abstract: A temperature control for a washing machine that includes a tub and hot and cold water valves is provided. The temperature control includes a first pressure sensor positioned to sense a full fill level in the tub and configured to generate a full fill signal when the tub is full and a second pressure sensor positioned to sense an intermediate fill level, less than full, in the tub and configured to generate an intermediate fill signal when the intermediate fill level is reached. A controller is operatively coupled to the first and second pressure sensors and the hot and cold water valves. The controller is operable to control the valves based on the fill signals from the pressure sensors to control a wash water temperature.

Abstract: A washing machine wherein a cold water valve is opened during a hot fill operation is described. In one embodiment, the washing machine comprises a cabinet, a tub and basket mounted within the cabinet, and an agitation element mounted within the basket. The machine also includes a cold water valve for controlling flow of cold water to the tub, and a hot water valve for controlling flow of hot water to the tub. A control coupled to the cold water valve controls opening and closing of the cold water valve during the hot fill operation.

Abstract: A new acoustic sensing device or directional microphone having greater sensitivity and reduced noise. The directional microphone or acoustic sensor has a rigid, one micron thick, polysilicon membrane having dimensions of about 1 mm×2 mm. The membrane is supported upon its center by rigid supports having torsional and transverse stiffness. The differential microphone is useful in hearing aids, telecommunications equipment, information technology and military applications.

Abstract: An air flow damper assembly is provided. The assembly includes a duct member comprising a first air flow opening therethrough, and a damper disposed within the duct member and including a substantially cylindrical rim for regulating air flow through the first opening.

Abstract: A basket for a washing machine includes a body comprising an outer wall and at least one rib extending radially inward from said wall, said rib comprising at least a first portion having a first cross section and a second portion having a second cross section, said second cross section different from said first cross section.

Abstract: An optical switch comprises a substrate, first and second optical waveguide, and first and second conducting elements. The first optical waveguide is coupled to the substrate. The first conducting element is coupled to the first optical waveguide. The second optical waveguide is coupled to the substrate. The second conducting element is coupled to the second optical waveguide. In operation, a first electrical bias applied between the first and second conducting elements causes the first optical waveguide to not optically couple to the second optical waveguide. Further in operation, a second electric bias applied between the first and second conducting elements causes the first optical waveguide to optically couple to the second optical waveguide.

Abstract: An air flow damper assembly is provided. The assembly includes a duct member comprising a first air flow opening therethrough, and a damper disposed within the duct member and including a substantially cylindrical rim for regulating air flow through the first opening.

Abstract: The wireless shipboard data coupler allows transmission of data through steel ship bulkheads and submarine pressure hulls without the need for special wiring penetrations. Shipboard sensing data with a 1.0 MHz current is injected into the steel plating adjacent to a ships bulkhead, or onto the pressure hull at any penetration providing an electrical path or discontinuity to the opposing side of the bulkhead or pressure hull through the use of copper-plated, threaded electrodes. The injected current flows as a surface, or "skin effect" current between the electrodes and in an indirect, spread, pattern wrapping around the edge of the penetration. This produces a pattern of surface currents on the opposite side of the ships bulkhead or submarine pressure hull. As the injected current is modulated, the data is received on the other side of the bulkhead or pressure hull using coupling loops to sensing the electrical field generated by the surface currents.