Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130091694 | Conversion kit for a hybrid electric drive vehicle - A Conversion kit apparatus for converting a hydrocarbon fuel drive vehicle into a Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicle is disclosed wherein electric motors, a battery and a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) are used to replace the mechanical components of a standard hydrocarbon fuel drive vehicle, and wherein these replacement units are within the weight and size constraints of the vehicle to be converted. Also disclosed is a conversion kit comprising a two motor electrical generator and drive motor system designed to replace conventional hydrocarbon fuel powered mechanical drive system components, and a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) electronically coupled to the engine, battery system, and the two motor electrical generator and drive motor system, for controlling the converted vehicle in a manner whereby hydrocarbon fuel consumption is minimized with respect to distance and time traveled and converted vehicle performance is not impaired. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096745 | Method and apparatus for a vehicle control unit (VCU), Using current and historical instantaneous power usage data, to determine optimum power settings for a hybrid electric drive system - A Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) apparatus and method for controlling the elements of a Hybrid Electric Drive Powered Vehicle are disclosed, wherein the VCU uses Current and Historical Route Data to determine Instantaneous Power required by each of the elements, and wherein the VCU controls the Instantaneous Power used by each of the elements to minimize an amount of hydrocarbon fuel used while the vehicle is being driven, while also maintaining an acceptable battery state of charge and providing vehicle drive power as needed. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096746 | Method and apparatus for a two electric motor tandem drive system - A Conversion kit apparatus for converting a hydrocarbon fuel drive vehicle into a Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicle is disclosed wherein electric motors, a battery and a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) are used to replace the mechanical components of a standard hydrocarbon fuel drive vehicle, and wherein these replacement units are within the weight and size constraints of the vehicle to be converted. Also disclosed is a two electric tandem motor apparatus for use in a Hybrid electric drive vehicle. Described is the selective use of two electric machines “coupled” to one another for maximum power or uncoupled for steady state and limited acceleration driving. Also described is the dual nature of the generator portion that can be coupled/uncoupled from the engine but also coupled/uncoupled from the drive motor, as well as used to supply power to auxiliary equipment. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096747 | Method and apparatus for a hybrid electric drive train vehicle control unit (VCU) system - A Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) apparatus for controlling the elements of a Hybrid Electric Drive Powered Vehicle is disclosed, wherein the elements comprise a hydrocarbon fuel powered engine, an electric battery system, one or more electric motors for use as both generator and drive power motors, and wherein the VCU controls the power used by each of these elements to minimize an amount of hydrocarbon fuel used while the vehicle is being driven, while also maintaining an acceptable battery state of charge and providing vehicle drive power to the electric motors as needed. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096748 | Method for a vehicle control unit (VCU) for control of a drive motor section of a two electric motor tandem drive system - What is disclosed is a method for controlling the Drive Motor Section of a two electric tandem motor apparatus for use in a Hybrid electric drive vehicle. Described is the method used in an exemplary embodiment by a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) which uses one or more special purpose CPUs to control the selective use of two electric machines “locked” to one another for maximum power needed during acceleration or unlocked for steady state and limited acceleration driving. Also described and claimed is the VCU control of the dual nature of the Drive Motor portion of the system that can be locked to/unlocked from the generator motor to supply power to the vehicle wheels for acceleration and capture energy during deceleration using regenerative braking techniques, while minimizing any start/stop commands to the hydrocarbon fuel powered engine. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096749 | Method for a vehicle control unit (VCU) for control of the engine in a converted hybrid electric powered vehicle - What is disclosed is a method for controlling a two electric tandem motor apparatus for use in a Hybrid electric drive vehicle. Described is the method used in an exemplary embodiment by a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) to control the selective use of two electric machines “locked” to one another for maximum power or “unlocked” for steady state and limited acceleration driving. Also described is the VCU control of the dual nature of the generator portion that can be locked/unlocked from the engine but also locked/unlocked from the drive motor. | 04-18-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080258681 | IMPLEMENT RACK AND SYSTEM FOR ENERGIZING IMPLEMENTS - An inductive charging rack for providing electrical power to an implement includes a back, an inductive primary attached to the back, and a hanger for holding the implement. The rack may include a control for energizing the inductive primary and a transceiver for providing communication to and from the implement. The inductive primary could be attached to the surface of the charging rack or it could be incorporated within the rack. | 10-23-2008 |
20100096246 | CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY - An illuminated control button with an eccentric switch and a button spring configured to substantially balance the mechanical resistance of the switch when the button is depressed. The switch may be a conventional push-button switch having a stem directly contacting a portion of the control button. The button spring may include an integral reflector and may have a rim that defines a surface engaging the button. The control button may include a fixed light source and the reflector may move about the light source when the control button is depressed. The present invention also provides a control button with a light source at least partially contained within an integrating sphere. In one embodiment, the integrating sphere includes a somewhat cup-shaped diffusely reflective surface that cooperates with a diffusely reflective surface on the back surface of the button to substantially evenly distribute light from the light source throughout the integrating sphere. | 04-22-2010 |
20100116369 | FAUCET VALVE SYSTEM - A valve system enables use of a standard single line faucet with a water treatment system. The valve system may include a housing having ports for receiving untreated supply water, supplying water to a water treatment system, receiving treated water from the water treatment system and supplying treated water to a dispenser. The valve system includes an automatic shutoff device that prevents water from flowing into the water treatment system when the dispensing faucet is closed and allows water to flow into the water treatment system when the faucet is open. The valve system may include a pressure relief mechanism that removes pressure from the water treatment system when the faucet is closed and a check valve for maintaining a desired amount of pressure within the valve system. | 05-13-2010 |
20100139779 | VALVE SYSTEM - A valve system enables use of a standard single line faucet with a water treatment system, protects water treatment systems and other fluid flow devices from unnecessary fluid pressure, and regulates or prevents fluid flow to a dispenser or outlet in response to a particular event, such as a leak. The valve system includes a housing having ports for: (1) receiving a supply fluid, (2) supplying the fluid to a device, such as a water treatment system, (3) receiving the fluid from the device and (4) supplying fluid to a dispenser. The valve system also includes an automatic shutoff device within the housing that prevents water from flowing into the housing and the water treatment system when the dispensing outlet is closed and that allows water to flow through the housing and into the water treatment system when the outlet is open. The valve system may also include a second actuator connected to the automatic shutoff that is capable of moving the automatic shutoff to a partially or fully closed position. | 06-10-2010 |
20110042280 | Bag Path Fluid Filter Assembly - A fluid filter assembly including a flexible and formable enclosure so as to be useable in many filter applications. The enclosure defines a portion of a fluid flow path residing entirely within the filter assembly, eliminating any fluid contact within the remaining portions of the filter assembly. This flow path is advantageous to reduce the possibility of contamination and to ease in cleaning and maintenance of a device utilizing the filter assembly. The enclosure may be formed of UV-transparent material to allow for UV treatment of fluid passing though the filter assembly. Electronic controls may be combined with the filter assembly to control and monitor fluid flow. Check valves or other closure devices also may be included with the filter assembly to facilitate easy filter changes. | 02-24-2011 |
20110303589 | GRAVITY FEED WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM - A portable water treatment system includes at least one sub-system to treat water including a flocculation system, a chlorination system, and a bio-sand filter system. The water treatment system may include multiple sub-systems for treating water that feed into one another. The sand filter system may include a mini bio-sand filter, a foam filter, or a pressed block filter. The flocculation system may include a tank bottom that urges settling particles toward a sump and a ladle that removes settled particles. A manual pump or siphon may be included in the water treatment system. | 12-15-2011 |
20120132573 | POINT-OF-USE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM - A water treatment system is capable of meeting the particular needs of a variety of water treatment system applications. For instance, the water treatment system may include a customizable display, multiple interchangeable filters and disinfection systems. In one embodiment, a vessel containing the filters and disinfection assembly can be easily removed from a base that supplies water to the vessel. In another embodiment, the water treatment system includes a plate that includes at least one electrical connection. One or more electronics bricks with sensors, displays and the like can be removably attached to the plate such that each electronics brick is in electrical communication with said brick. In another embodiment, the water treatment system incorporates one or more stackable and interchangeable filter blocks that direct water flowing into the vessel through each filter media. | 05-31-2012 |
20120145618 | GRAVITY FEED WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM WITH OXIDATION AND DISINFECTION STEPS - A portable water treatment system includes at least one sub-system to treat water including a primary disinfection system and a residual disinfection system. The water treatment system may include multiple sub-systems for treating water that feed into one another. The residual disinfectant may be administered to the water at a level below the taste threshold to prevent backgrowth of bacteria while leaving the taste of the water unaffected. The portable water treatment system may be designed to dispense water at a high-flow rate. | 06-14-2012 |
20120179519 | MAILABLE ITEM WITH PRODUCT INFORMATION - A method for product information retrieval with a mailable item. The method includes providing a mailable item with a communication system and memory, transferring product usage information from the product to the mailable item, and mailing the mailable item to a recipient who can retrieve and analyze the product information. Incentives can be offered to entice a user to obtain the mailable item and/or to return the mailable item. | 07-12-2012 |
20120186658 | WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM - A water treatment system is provided including a disinfection system, a filter and a turbine generator. A manual pump is positioned downstream of the filter to create negative pressure to draw water through the filter. The manual pump also creates positive pressure to dispense treated water from the outlet of the system. The movement of the water through the system powers the turbine generator. The power generated can be used to monitor a characteristic of the water treatment system. | 07-26-2012 |
20130044459 | INTERCHANGEABLE DISPLAY ASSEMBLY - A lighted display assembly for an appliance includes interchangeable display screens. Multiple light sources flash, turn on and turn off to indicate a status of the appliance by illuminating a selected one of the display screens. A display grid extends between the light sources and the selected display screen and defines light passages that are each uniquely associated with a corresponding light source. Light emitted by each light source is confined to a discrete area of the display screen by the corresponding light passage. The discrete areas of the interchangeable display screens may include any of a variety of markings, for example, markings in a different language. The assemblies may be tailored to the needs of a particular customer by selecting an appropriate display screen. | 02-21-2013 |
20140086565 | SELECTIVE WATER TEMPERATURE COMPONENT FOR USE WITH WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS - A water heating system is provided. The water heating system includes an inlet connectable to a supply of untreated water, supply and return lines connectable to a point-of-use water treatment system, and an output for dispensing a supply of treated and optionally heated water. An internal heating element is adapted to heat the treated water to one of a plurality of pre-selected temperature settings. Temperature control can be achieved by cycling the power applied to the heating element and/or controlling the flow rate of treated water through the heating element. The water heating system includes additional improvements in electrical compatibility, energy consumption, and remote failure detection. | 03-27-2014 |
20140326348 | FLUID FLOW DIRECTOR - A fluid flow director for use in a water treatment system is provided. The fluid flow director is defined by a plastic sheet made up of a plastic substrate with a protective coating. The plastic substrate has fasteners disposed along two parallel edges thereof and the protective coating is substantially opaque to UV light. The plastic sheet is configured to be helically rolled such that the fasteners align and sealingly mate to form a tube. The fasteners are sized, constructed, and arranged to sealingly mate to form a substantially water-tight seam therebetween. In one embodiment, the plastic substrate is polyethylene and the UV opaque coating is polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”). | 11-06-2014 |