Abstract: Apparatus for low cost monitoring the level of signal at a test point in a system for susceptibility to electromagnetic fields. A probe, including a detector diode, and a non-metallic, electrically overdamped conductor, which is transparent to the electromagnetic field, is used to monitor the signal level at a test point as an amplitude modulated radio frequency carrier. The carrier is transmitted to a monitor outside of the range of the electromagnetic field using a transmission link, such as an optical waveguide transmitter, that is transparent to the electromagnetic field when the system under test fails. The system under test can then be removed from the electromagnetic field and, for each frequency at which the system failed, a voltage can be injected, using a voltage injection probe, into the system at another point to recreate the detected level of signal at the test point that was coupled into the system from the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A multi-channel electromagnetically transparent voltage probe transmission link system or method monitors a plurality of voltage signals at a plurality of test points of a device under test that is subject to a radiation field with at least two intensity levels. The system or method compares the monitored voltage signals at the first intensity level corresponding to the level at which the monitored voltage signals not being affected by the radiation field, and the second intensity level being greater than the first intensity level. The system or methods determines whether or not the device is affected by the radiation field by determining if the monitored voltage signals are affected by the radiation field at the second intensity level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery monitoring and charging system capable of determining when charging conditions are favorable, thereby adjusting the charging level to maximize fuel saving. In particular, the system increases the alternator field current to charge a battery during vehicle deceleration so that vehicle momentum, instead of engine power, is used to torque the alternator shaft. The system controls the alternator field current with a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator senses the charge level of the battery, the amplitude and direction of the battery current load, and vehicle operating conditions to provide the proper current into the alternator rotor for maximum fuel savings. The voltage regulator may be a non-microprocessor or a microprocessor controlled device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the state of charge of the battery having a shunt resistor connected in series with a battery and an integrating circuit connected across the terminals of the shunt resistor which includes a large capacitance element having the capability to store charge for long periods of time, so that the integration can be performed along the same curve even if power to the integrating circuit is interrupted during continuous or intermittent use. The apparatus and method are applicable to batteries for automotive vehicles. Temperature compensation schemes to adjust the state of charge monitoring circuit to correct for changes in battery performance characteristics with temperature are provided. A circuit for detecting the existence of a defective battery cell is provided. A system for monitoring charging and discharging of the battery over time and identifying various battery conditions and potential battery or battery charging system failures is provided.

Abstract: A multi-channel electromagnetically transparent voltage probe transmission link system for monitoring a plurality of voltage signals at a plurality of test points of a device under test that is subjected to a radiation field. Each channel includes two voltage probes, an electrical to optical signal transmitter, an optical signal transmission line and a receiver located out of the radiation field. The voltage probes contact and sense the voltage signals at the test point. The electrical to optical transmitters are removably mounted in a common base and are powered by either a common (or shared) power supply and/or by dedicated power supplies, such as rechargeable batteries. The receivers process the optical signals and provide display signals corresponding to the sensed voltage signal at the plurality of test points for evaluating the effect of the test radiation field.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for low cost monitoring the level of signal at a test point in a system for susceptibility to electromagnetic fields. A probe, including a detector diode, and a non-metallic, electrically overdamped conductor, which is transparent to the electromagnetic field, is used to monitor the signal level at a test point as an amplitude modulated radio frequency carrier. The carrier is transmitted to a monitor outside of the range of the electromagnetic field using a transmission link, such as an optical waveguide transmitter, that is transparent to the electromagnetic field when the system under test fails. The system under test can then be removed from the electromagnetic field and, for each frequency at which the system failed, a voltage can be injected, using a voltage injection probe, into the system at another point to recreate the detected level of signal at the test point that was coupled into the system from the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for low cost monitoring the level of signal at a test point in a system for susceptibility to electromagnetic fields. A probe, including a detector diode, and a non-metallic, electrically overdamped conductor, which is transparent to the electromagnetic field, is used to monitor the signal level at a test point as an amplitude modulated radio frequency carrier. The carrier is transmitted to a monitor outside of the range of the electromagnetic field using a transmission link, such as an optical waveguide transmitter, that is transparent to the electromagnetic field when the system under test fails. The system under test can then be removed from the electromagnetic field and, for each frequency at which the system failed, a voltage can be injected, using a voltage injection probe, into the system at another point to recreate the detected level of signal at the test point that was coupled into the system from the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A multi-battery charging system for reduced fuel consumption and emissions for an automotive vehicle. The system starts the vehicle with a start battery in a fuel saving manner, removing electrical torque from the alternator shaft, and allows a second (run) battery to provide all or some of the current required by the vehicle loads as a fuel savings measure. The start battery is recharged after start and switched out of the system fully charged for future vehicle starts. The run battery is recharged when its charge level drops below a predetermined level with an on board battery charging device powered from a 115 volt or 220 volt ac power line source external to the vehicle. The system also increases the alternator field current to charge the run battery during vehicle deceleration to use vehicle momentum to torque the alternator shaft, thus saving fuel. The system controls the alternator field current with a voltage regulator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring ground to earth impedance at frequencies above dc. A computer controlled instrument is provided for implementing a Three Point Measurement or a Fall of Potential method using three ground paths and a plurality of discrete frequencies in the range of from 5 Hz to 200 MHz. The complex impedance vector array, including absolute value and phase angle, and the real and complex components, for each frequency selected in the range may be determined. The acquired data is evaluated to identify antenna effects to improve the quality of the ground and to select the better ground path.

Abstract: A magnetic field and electric field shield having an electrically conductive layer and two layers of thin, soft magnetic material wrapped in opposite directions about a common axis. One layer of magnetic material is wrapped in a clockwise direction and the other layer of magnetic material is wrapped in the counter clockwise direction. The electrically conductive layer is grounded and provides a barrier to electric field penetration. The two layers of magnetic material oppositely wrapped provide a barrier to magnetic field penetration. An outer wrapping of material may be used to secure the magnetic wrappings in place. The shield is applicable to electric devices, in particular electrical wires and cables for automotive vehicles and other high current discharge operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in designing and evaluating filters to resolve undesired signal transmission in a device including, without limitation, EMI filters for suppressing an identified EMI in a device under test in a particular application. The complex impedance of the source impedance presented to the filter and the load impedance presented to the filter are separately determined over a frequency range of interest. The impedances are used to determine a complex power flow of the device under test without the filter. The power flow is used to identify frequencies corresponding to the undesired signal transmission. A filter is then designed or selected, based upon the complex impedances of the filter load impedance and filter source impedance at the identified resonant frequencies, to attenuate the identified resonances or undesired signal transmission over each frequency range of interest.

Abstract: A multi-channel electromagnetically transparent voltage probe transmission link system for monitoring a plurality of voltage signals at a plurality of test points of a device under test that is subjected to a radiation field. Each channel includes two voltage probes, an electrical to optical signal transmitter, an optical signal transmission line and a receiver located out of the radiation field. The voltage probes contact and sense the voltage signals at the test point. The electrical to optical transmitters are removably mounted in a common base and are powered by either a common (or shared) power supply and/or by dedicated power supplies, such as rechargeable batteries. The receivers process the optical signals and provide display signals corresponding to the sensed voltage signal at the plurality of test points for evaluating the effect of the test radiation field.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the state of charge of a battery having a shunt resistor connected in series with a battery and an integrating circuit connected across the terminals of the shunt resistor. The integrating circuit includes a memoriode having a large capacitance and the capability to store charge for long periods of time, so that the integration can be performed along the same curve even if power to the integrating circuit is interrupted.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the state of charge of a battery having a shunt resistor connected in series with a battery and an integrating circuit connected across the terminals of the shunt resistor is provided. The integrating circuit includes a Memoriode having a large capacitance and the capability to store charge for long periods of time, so that the integration can be performed along the same curve even if power to the integrating circuit is interrupted.

Abstract: The performance of a device under test is observed with and without the presence of controlled EMI fields. Voltage signals from the device under test are transmitted to an oscilloscope by overdamped conductors, a hybrid electrical/optical transmitter, a fiber optic cable, a receiver and a conductor cable. The overdamped conductors are transparent to the EMI fields and the current in those conductors is kept very small by the use of a very high input impedance in the transmitter. The hybrid transmitter may be an analog or a digital transmitter.

Abstract: To provide a nonvolatile alpha-numeric display, display segments comprising small electrets are arranged in a supporting panel in a desired format such as a conventional seven-segment display. Each electret segment is pivotably mounted in a window in the support panel and has opposite faces of contrasting colors so that the rotational position of the electret segment determines its appearance. Electrodes on opposite sides of each window are connected to a control circuit for applying an electrostatic field across the window effective to cause rotation of the segment from one state to another. Various alpha-numeric characters can be formed by selectively rotating the segments. A switch function on each segment allows the status of each segment to be electrically sensed to thereby provide a nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit actuable by a low power input signal for controlling the application of a power source to a load. The input signal is applied to a control circuit for biasing a gate controlled switch (GCS) on and off. The control circuit comprises a diode responsive to a positive input signal for conducting turn-on bias current from the input to the gate electrode of the GCS, and a pull-down transistor responsive to a ground potential input signal for conducting turn-off bias current from the gate electrode of the GCS to a ground potential. A power transistor responsive to the state of conduction of the GCS operates to conduct current from the power source to the load when the GCS is turned on and to disconnect the power source from the load when the GCS is turned off.

Abstract: A control and indicating circuit for an inflatable safety system in which oppositely poled diodes provide isolated firing and monitoring networks interconnected between single pole, double throw impact switches. In one embodiment the diode in the firing network is light activated.

Abstract: A portable infrared signal generator is actuatable by a motor vehicle operator at a distance from the vehicle to generate digitally coded infrared signal pulses in accordance with either a first or a second predetermined digital code. A receiver on the motor vehicle is effective to receive the infrared signal pulses, decode them and actuate apparatus responsive to the first digital code to unlock a power door lock and power a light effective to illuminate at least a part of the vehicle or responsive to the second digital code to actuate an alarm. Both the first and second digital codes contain a common identifying portion substantially unique to the particular motor vehicle, which portion may be permanently stored in the generator and receiver by the connections of the input/output terminals of a microprocessor chip mounted on a printed circuit board to one of two voltage sources on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber and indicating system including a hydraulic shock absorber having two electrically conductive, relatively movable portions which are electrically insulated from one another to form a capacitor whose capacitance changes with changing levels of hydraulic fluid in the shock absorber. The two relatively movable portions are secured to the vehicle through respective electrically insulating bushings whose deterioration varies the capacitance between the two relatively movable portions when secured to the vehicle. A capacitance responsive circuit is electrically coupled to the two relatively movable portions of the hydraulic shock absorber and generates a signal representative of the condition of the vehicle shock absorber.