Abstract: An automatic battery fluid level monitoring system is provided. The automatic monitoring system includes a fluid consumption algorithm, programmed into a microprocessor based motor controller, connected through a communications link to a microprocessor based battery charger. The battery charger is electrically connected to a flooded type battery as well as a power connection such as being plugged into an outlet, the electrical connection from an alternator, or the like. Once the fluid consumption algorithm indicates that the fluid level is too low, a battery fluid indicator is activated utilizing a visual and/or audio display. After the battery is refilled, a fluid added reset is triggered, which deactivates the battery fluid indicator.

Abstract: An automatic battery fluid level monitoring system is provided. The automatic monitoring system includes a fluid consumption algorithm, programmed into a microprocessor based motor controller, connected through a communications link to a microprocessor based battery charger. The battery charger is electrically connected to a flooded type battery as well as a power connection such as being plugged into an outlet, the electrical connection from an alternator, or the like. Once the fluid consumption algorithm indicates that the fluid level is too low, a battery fluid indicator is activated utilizing a visual and/or audio display. After the battery is refilled, a fluid added reset is triggered, which deactivates the battery fluid indicator.

Abstract: A charging system is disclosed for charging a battery system of an electric vehicle. In one form, the charging system includes a first connector including a power control unit that is operable to selectively supply charging power from a power source. A second connector is connected with the first connector and includes a fault detection circuit. A controller is connected with the fault detection circuit and the power control unit. The controller is operable to control the power control unit to selectively supply charging power to a battery system if a fault is not detected from fault detection circuit. A cordset for use with the charging system is also disclosed that allows the cordset to perform certain electrical functions and connect the cordset to a connector of the vehicle in a breakaway manner.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery recharging system is disclosed that is capable of generating an audible sound to indicate that the battery system of the vehicle is being recharged. The system includes an audible indicator that is connected or otherwise associated with a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the audible indicator in response to a voltage or current of a battery system rising a predetermined amount after recharging is initiated so as to provide audible confirmation to a recharging operator that the battery system is being recharged.

Abstract: An AC cord/plug is “dead” while disconnected and goes “live” only when connected. The plug has a set of spring-loaded, normally-open contacts, each having two sets of fixed contacts and a single set of movable contacts. The movable contacts are in a spring-loaded assembly that has an iron core opposite the contacts, and the fixed contacts are in a hermetically sealed compartment shielding them from the plug's exterior. The AC plug inputs (L1, L2) are connected to one set of the normally open, fixed contacts, and the plug's socket terminals are connected to the other set of normally opened, fixed contacts. In the unplugged state, the plug's socket contacts are electrically isolated from the L1 and L2 inputs. When plugged-in, the plug's socket terminals go “live” when a magnetic circuit closes between the plug and socket that causes the plug's spring-loaded assembly to move to close the contacts.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery recharging system is disclosed that is capable of generating an audible sound to indicate that the battery system of the vehicle is being recharged. The system includes an audible indicator that is connected or otherwise associated with a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the audible indicator in response to a voltage or current of a battery system rising a predetermined amount after recharging is initiated so as to provide audible confirmation to a recharging operator that the battery system is being recharged.

Abstract: A charging system is disclosed for charging a battery system of an electric vehicle. In one form, the charging system includes a first connector including a power control unit that is operable to selectively supply charging power from a power source. A second connector is connected with the first connector and includes a fault detection circuit. A controller is connected with the fault detection circuit and the power control unit. The controller is operable to control the power control unit to selectively supply charging power to a battery system if a fault is not detected from fault detection circuit. A cordset for use with the charging system is also disclosed that allows the cordset to perform certain electrical functions and connect the cordset to a connector of the vehicle in a breakaway manner.

Abstract: A miniaturized pre-filled, single-use, disposable, small volume medication nebulizer unit for medicinal use that delivers a mist of properly sized aerosol particles of medicament to the patient with a very high level of efficiency. The nebulizer can be effectively used in conjunction with conventional tee and mouthpiece patient interface devices as well as with more sophisticated interface devices such as dosimetric/reservoir systems, or mechanical ventilator systems.

Abstract: A control circuit for a motor including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit. The snubber circuit includes a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit, a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit, a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, and a second a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports. The first sub-circuit includes a resistor and a first non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches, and the second sub circuit includes an energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.

Abstract: A speed control system for a utility vehicle that includes a motor driven drive system. The control system comprises a controller associated with the motor to control the speed of the vehicle up to a set maximum speed. The maximum speed is set to one of at least two different maximum speed values, including a default lower-speed and a high-speed. An input device is associated with the controller and is configured to change the set maximum speed value to the high-speed value only upon entry of a preset passcode.

Abstract: A control circuit for a motor including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit. The snubber circuit includes a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit, a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit, a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, and a second a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports. The first sub-circuit includes a resistor and a first non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches, and the second sub circuit includes an energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.

Abstract: An aerosol medication delivery apparatus which includes a novel particle generator for generating very small particles of medicament, a valving mechanism and an expansion chamber which permits medication to be delivered to the patient through a conventional inhalation mouthpiece or face mask. The apparatus also includes a filter unit for filtering the patient's exhaled breath and a unique baffling arrangement which functions to decrease average aerosol particle size for better targeting of the desired lung area. In one form of the invention, the particle or aerosol generator operates on a direct pressure technique wherein an elastomeric delivery tube is intermittently compressed and released to generate the very small particles of medicament.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in conjunction with a multi-dose inhaler which includes a novel valving mechanism and an expansion chamber which permits medication to be delivered to the patient without the need for precise timing of canister actuation. The apparatus also includes a filter unit for filtering the patient's exhaled breath and also includes a unique baffling arrangement which functions to decrease average aerosol particle size for better targeting the desired lung area. In one form of the invention, the valving mechanism comprises an apertured elastomeric valve member having a top pivot bar which uniquely pivots on a pair of pivot posts provided on proximate the upper margin of a novel valve member engaging, generally planar base.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in conjunction with a multi-dose inhaler which includes a novel valving mechanism and an expansion chamber which permits medication to be delivered to the patient without the need for precise timing of canister actuation. The apparatus also includes a filter unit for filtering the patient's exhaled breath and a unique baffling arrangement which functions to decrease average aerosol particle size for better targeting of the desired lung area. In one form of the invention a preset, breath-activated control mechanism is provided which aids in the prevention of both over and under dosing of patient.

Abstract: A patient mouthpiece apparatus which incorporates a removable covering, or protective shield, for maintaining cleanliness of the mouthpiece prior to patient use, and for containment of saliva or other body fluids which might be on or in the mouthpiece or associated breathing tube after patient use, thereby preventing possible contamination spread.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in respiratory diagnostic procedures and respiratory therapy in the field of medicine. The apparatus of the inventions generates sub-micron size radioactive particles for use in performing ventilation studies of the lungs in a novel manner using a nebulizer and a combination of baffles and a settling chamber which function to remove larger radioactive particles from the mist generated by the nebulizer through impaction, turbulence and sedimentation.

Abstract: An electronic device for rapidly determining the concentration (i.e. mCi/cc) of radioactivity in a closed container, and for determining the volume of material needed to be removed such that the removed volume will constitute a predetermined amount of radioactivity, is disclosed; the device further incorporating novel features so that said determinations, and actual withdrawal of the desired amount radioactivity material may be accomplished without removing the closed container from its leaded radiation shield. This device also has provision for determining the percentage relationship of Molybdenum impurities in Technetium .sup.99M, and further provided an electro-mechanical carrousel-type means for systematically positioning multiple source containers as desired by the user thereof.

Abstract: An electronic device for rapidly determining the volume of a radioactive gas needed to be removed from a closed container such that the removed volume will constitute a predetermined amount of radioactivity. Further, the device incorporates novel features including the use of a shielded valve assembly so that this determination, and actual withdrawal of the desired amount of radioactive gas may be accomplished without removing the closed container from its leaded radiation shield. The leaded radiation shield also serves as a shipping container for the multidose radioactive gas container, and is easily removed for periodic interchange with similarly shielded replacement radioactive source containers. The shielded valve assembly attaches to the top of the shielded closed container to facilitate withdrawal with minimum radiation exposure to the handling operator.