Author: claimsbot

1. A stop lamp lighting control device for an electric Vehicle having an electric regenerative braking system, comprising:
a calculation unit that converts a previously-defined first deceleration threshold value for turning on a stop lamp or a previously-defined second deceleration threshold value for turning off the stop lamp to a first regenerative torque threshold value for turning-on the stop lamp or a second regenerative torque threshold value for turning-off the stop lamp at each vehicle speed by calculation assumed that a weight of the electric vehicle is a curb weight or a gross vehicle weight; and
a determination unit that performs a comparison between a regenerative torque value generated by the electric regenerative braking system during a regenerative braking and the first regenerative torque threshold value or the second regenerative torque threshold value at each vehicle speed and controls the stop lamp to be turned on or turned off based on the comparison result.
2. The stop lamp lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit includes:
a first calculation unit that converts the first deceleration threshold value to the first regenerative torque threshold value at each vehicle speed by calculation assumed that the weight of the electric vehicle is the curb weight; and
a second calculation unit that converts the second deceleration threshold value to the second regenerative torque threshold value at each vehicle speed by calculation assumed that the weight of the electric vehicle is the gross vehicle weight,
wherein the determination unit controls the stop lamp to be turned on when the regenerative torque value is larger than the first regenerative torque threshold value, and
wherein the determination unit controls the stop lamp to be turned off when the regenerative torque value is equal to or smaller than the stop lamp turn-off regenerative torque threshold value.
3. The stop lamp lighting control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is configured:
to keep the stop lamp turned on when the regenerative torque value is changed to he equal to or smaller than the first regenerative torque threshold value while the stop lamp is at a turned on state; and
to keep the stop lamp turned off when the regenerative torque value is changed to exceed the second regenerative torque threshold value while the stop lamp is at a turned off state.
4. The stop lamp lighting control device for an electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit is configured:
to keep the stop lamp turned on when the regenerative torque value is changed to be equal to or smaller than the first regenerative torque threshold value while the stop lamp is at a turned on state; and
to keep the stop lamp turned off when the regenerative torque value is changed to exceed the second regenerative torque threshold value while the stop lamp is at a turned off state.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A rotatable drive mechanism for driving an electrical generator, which mechanism provides a substantially constant speed rotational output for driving the generator from a variable speed rotatable input, the mechanism including a variable speed input, geared differential transmission for receiving power from the variable speed input, the differential transmission having two power sharing paths, a first of the paths in rotational communication with an output for driving the generator and a second of the paths in rotational communication with an electric machine operable to provide a variable reaction torque in the second path, the mechanism including a torque monitor for monitoring dynamic torque at the input and a controller for altering the reaction torque in the second path in response to changes in the monitored torque, by means of operating the electric machine as a motor or a generator, and thereby permitting the substantially constant speed rotation of the output, characterised in that the monitor monitors the dynamic torque at the input and the controller operates the electric machine to negate at least some of the inertia of the electric machine andor of the second of the paths.
2. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input includes a shaft and a step-up gearbox for increasing the rotational speed delivered to the geared transmission.
3. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said dynamic torque monitor monitors the substantially stationary reaction torque of the step-up gearbox.
4. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said differential transmission comprises a planetary gear arrangement having a planet gear carrier for being driven by the input, a sun wheel which forms part of the first power path and a ring gear which forms part of the second power path.
5. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein, when the input speed is below a predetermined value the electric machine is operable as a motor and provides a variable reaction torque in the second path such that a driving torque is provided to the gear transmission via the second power path and in so doing maintains the rotational speed of the first power path substantially at a predetermined speed.
6. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein, when the input speed is above the predetermined value the electric machine operable as a generator and provides a further variable reaction torque and accepts power from the gear transmission via the second power path and in so doing maintains the rotational speed of the first power path substantially at the predetermined speed.
7. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second power path includes a further gearing for changing the rotational speed of the second power path.
8. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first or second power path includes a clutch or brake for disengaging or braking the respective path when rotation of the is rotor is inhibited but the generator is still in motion.
9. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electric machine is a switched reluctance machine (SRM).
10. A rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 9 wherein, the angular position of the SRM is used, in part, to control the reaction torque.
11. A method of controlling the rotational speed of a generator drive mechanism to provide a substantially constant rotational speed for the generator resulting from a variable speed input, the method employing a mechanism which provides a substantially constant speed rotational output for driving the generator from a variable torque rotatable input, the mechanism including a variable speed input, geared differential transmission for receiving power from the variable torque input, the differential transmission having two power sharing paths, a first of the paths in rotational communication with an output for driving the generator and a second of the paths in rotational communication with an electric machine operable to provide a variable reaction torque in the second path, the method including the following steps, to be performed in any suitable order, of: a) monitoring the dynamic torque of the input; b) controlling the reaction torque in the second path in response to the monitored dynamic input torque, by means of operating the electric machine as a motor or a generator, and thereby permitting the substantially constant speed rotation of the output; and the method being characterised by the step of: c) operating the electric machine to substantially negate the effects of inertia in the second path andor in the electric machine.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the monitored dynamic input torque is the reaction torque of the geared differential transmission.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 including the further steps of: d) in addition to step a), measuring the input speed and generator load; and e) controlling the reaction torque in the second path in response to the input speed and generator load, as well as in response to the monitored input torque, by means of operating the electric machine as a motor or a generator.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13 including the further steps of: f) operating the electric machine as a motor, at a first predetermined input speed range; and g) operating the electric machine as a generator at a second predetermined input speed range which second range is higher than the first range.
15. A rotatable drive mechanism for driving an electrical generator, which mechanism provides a substantially constant speed rotational output for driving the generator from a variable speed rotatable input, the mechanism including a variable speed input, geared differential transmission for receiving power from the variable speed input, the differential transmission having two power sharing paths, a first of the paths in rotational communication with an output for driving the generator and a second of the paths in rotational communication with an electric machine operable to provide a variable reaction torque in the second path, the mechanism including a torque monitor for monitoring dynamic torque at the input and a controller for altering the reaction torque in the second path in response to changes in the monitored torque, by means of operating the electric machine as a motor or a generator, and thereby permitting the substantially constant speed rotation of the output, characterised in that the dynamic input torque is monitored by means of measuring the stationary reaction torque of the geared differential transmission.
16. A wind or water driven turbine, having a rotatable drive mechanism as claimed in claim 1.
17. A wind or water driven turbine including a variable speed wind or water drivable rotor, a generator, and a differential gearbox providing rotary communication between the rotor and the generator, the generator being drivable, via the gearbox, at substantially constant speed by the variable speed rotor, the gearbox providing a variable torque reacting against the rotor torque for allowing said substantially constant generator speed and for allowing said rotor to increase or decrease in speed with increased or decreased wind or water speed characterised in that the dynamic input torque applied to the gearbox by the rotor at a reaction point of the gearbox is measured to provide said variable torque reacting against the rotor.
18. A wind or water turbine as claimed in claim 17 wherein the variable reaction torque is providable by a further generator having further rotary communication with the gearbox, the further generator being operable as a further generator or as a motor, and being further operable to substantially negate its own inertia andor the inertia of said further rotary communication.
19. A wind or water turbine as claimed in claim 18 wherein the further generator is a switched reluctance machine.
20. A wind or water driven turbine, having a drive mechanism operable according to the method of claim 11.

What is claimed is:

1. An oxygen sensor comprising
a sensor device having a detection electrode,
an electrode protection layer formed on the surface of the detection electrode and a contamination preventive layer formed on the surface of the electrode protection layer,
wherein the contamination preventive layer includes a composite powder having a ceramic powder having a large grain diameter (referred to hereinafter as coarse powder) covered therearound with a ceramic powder having a small grain diameter (referred to hereinafter as fine powder), and hollows not filled with the fine powder are scattered in gaps among such composite powders.
2. The oxygen sensor according to claim 1 wherein the grain size distribution of primary particles of the ceramic powder has at least two peaks with the peak on the side of the small grain size being 10 m or less and the peak on the side of the large grain size being 0.1 m or more.
3. The oxygen sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrode protection layer is formed by spray coating.
4. The oxygen sensor according to claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the ceramic powder is an oxide powder.
5. The oxygen sensor according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the ceramic powder contains two or more kinds of ceramic powders of different compositions.
6. An oxygen sensor comprising
a sensor device having a detection electrode,
an electrode protection layer formed on the surface of the detection electrode and a contamination preventive layer formed on the surface of the electrode protection layer,
wherein the contamination preventive layer includes a titania powder and a non-titania ceramic powder, and the grain size distribution of primary particles of the titania powder has a peak at 1 m or less, and the grain size distribution of primary particles of the non-titania ceramic powder has a peak at 10 m or more.
7. The oxygen sensor according to claim 6, wherein the titania powder is an anatase type titania powder.
8. The oxygen sensor according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the ceramic powder other than titania is a powder of a composite oxide containing aluminum atoms.
9. The oxygen sensor according to claims 6 to 8, wherein the grain size distribution of primary particles of the titania powder has a peak from 0.003 to 0.5 m and the grain size distribution of primary particles of the ceramic powder oxides other than titania has a peak from 15 to 50 m.
10. An oxygen sensor comprising
a sensor device having a detection electrode,
an electrode protection layer formed on the surface of the detection electrode and a contamination preventive layer formed on the surface of the electrode protection layer,
wherein the contamination preventive layer includes two or more kinds of ceramic powders identical in the composition but different in the crystal phase, and the ceramic powder in one crystal phase is a coarse powder having a large grain diameter and the ceramic powder in another crystal phase is a fine powder having a small grain diameter.
11. The oxygen sensor according to claim 10, wherein the ceramic powder is an anatase type titania powder and a rutile type titania powder.
12. The oxygen sensor according to claim 8, wherein the grain size distribution of primary particles of the anatase type titania powder has a peak at 0.5 m or less and the grain size distribution of primary particles of the rutile type titania powder has a peak at 1 m or more.
13. The oxygen sensor according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the grain size distribution of primary particles of the anatase type titania powder has a peak from 0.003 to 0.5 m and the grain size distribution of primary particles of the rutile type titania powder has a peak from 3 to 8 m.
14. A method of manufacturing a sensor device including a detection electrode, an electrode protection layer formed on the surface of the detection electrode and a contamination preventive layer formed on the surface of the electrode protection layer, comprising
kneading one or more kinds of a first ceramic powder with a peak of 10 m or less in grain size distribution of primary particles thereof, one or more kinds of a second ceramic powder with a peak of 0.1 m or more in grain size distribution of primary particles thereof
being on the side of a large grain diameter than the peak of a grain size distribution of primary particles of the first ceramic powder whereupon the difference between the maximum grain diameter of 10% particles on the side of a small grain diameter (referred to hereinafter as 10% grain diameter) and the maximum grain diameter of 90% particles on the side of a small grain diameter (referred to hereinafter as 90% grain diameter) is not more than twice of the grain diameter as the peak value of the grain size distribution,
an organic binder and a solvent to prepare a contamination preventive layer forming paste,
coating the contamination preventive layer forming paste on the surface of the electrode protection layer to form a coating and
subsequently heating and drying the coating to form the contamination preventive layer.
15. The method of manufacturing a sensor device according to claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the first ceramic powder and the second ceramic powder is an oxide powder.
16. The method of manufacturing a sensor device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first ceramic powder is a titania powder having a specific surface area from 2 to 500 m2g and the second ceramic powder is a powder of a composite oxide having a specific surface area of from 0.1 to 100 m2g.
17. The method of manufacturing a sensor device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first ceramic powder is a anatase type titania powder having a specific surface area from 2 to 500 m2g and the second ceramic powder is a rutile type titania powder having a specific surface area from 0.1 to 10 m2g.
18. The method of manufacturing a sensor device according to claims 14 to 17, wherein the contamination preventive layer forming paste is prepared so as to contain the first ceramic powder and the second ceramic powder each by 15 to 50 mass parts based on 100 mass parts of the contamination preventive layer forming paste.
19. The method of manufacturing a sensor device according to claims 14 to 18, wherein the mass ratio between the first ceramic powder and the second ceramic powder is from 1:2 to 2:1.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A self-extending flexible hose, for use in applications requiring a conduit to convey fluids or certain solids using negative pressure or suction, said hose comprising:
(a) a reinforcement member, said reinforcement member being formed generally into a series of flexible turns about a longitudinal axis each with a spacing from an adjacent one of said series of flexible turns to create an interstitial area;
(b) a cover, said cover being formed of layers of thermoplastic material, said thermoplastic layers being formed to overlay said interstitial area between said turns and at least a portion of said reinforcement member, said thermoplastic material forming an inner surface and an outer surface; said inner surface and said outer surface of said cover in the region of said interstitial area being formed to have a fold with first and second sides, said first side contacting said second side of said fold at an angle and forming an apex, said fold extending outward and away from said longitudinal axis of said reinforcing member, said cover having a first end and a second end, said cover being generally impermeable to fluids; and
(c) a plurality of lines, said plurality of lines disposed between said layers of thermoplastic material, said plurality of lines also being formed into a series flexible turns so as to be disposed adjacent to said reinforcing member and separated therefrom by one or more of said layers of said cover, said plurality of lines being disposed to one side of said reinforcing member.
2. A flexible hose according to claim 1 wherein said flexible turns of said reinforcing member are formed using an elastic material, said turns of said reinforcing member having a spring rate capable of biasing said hose cover.
3. A flexible hose according to claim 2 wherein said spring rate of said reinforcing member permits retraction of said hose upon application of negative pressure at said first end of said hose while said second end of said hose is blocked.
4. A flexible hose according to claim 3 wherein said thermoplastic material of said fold expands outward when said hose retracts.
5. A flexible hose according to claim 4 wherein said inner surface of said cover maintains a generally constant diameter during said hose retraction.
6. A flexible hose according to claim 4 wherein said first and second sides of said folds contact each other in a retracted position to provide cushioning to prevent damage to said cover.
7. A flexible hose according to claim 4 wherein said spring rate of said reinforcing member permits said hose to self-extend from said retracted position upon removal of said negative pressure from said first end of said hose.
8. A flexible hose according to claim 4 wherein said spring rate of said reinforcing member is such that said hose self-extends from a retracted position upon unblocking of said second end of said hose.
9. A flexible hose according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of lines are comprised of electrically conductive wire, said electrically conductive wire being insulated by a thermoplastic jacket.
10. A flexible hose according to claim 9 wherein said electrically conductive wire is comprised of stranded copper wire.
11. A flexible hose according to claim 10 wherein said stranded copper wire has a gauge is in the range of about 10 to about 30.
12. A flexible hose according to claim 11 wherein said copper conducting wire is utilized for line voltage.
13. A flexible hose according to claim 11 wherein said copper conducting wire is utilized as a second lead for remote unit activation.
14. A flexible hose according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said plurality of lines comprises a fiber optic bundle.
15. A flexible hose according to claim 2 wherein said series of flexible turns of said reinforcing member have a constant pitch over the length of said hose.
16. A flexible hose according to claim 15 wherein said reinforcing member is steel wire.
17. A flexible hose according to claim 16 wherein said steel wire is a copper-clad.
18. A flexible hose according to claim 17 wherein said copper-clad steel wire is used as a lead for remote unit activation.
19. A flexible hose according to claim 1 wherein said turns of said reinforcement member generally form a helical shape.
20. A flexible hose according to claim 19 wherein said helix is from the group consisting of a left-handed helix and a right-handed helix.
21. A flexible hose according to claim 1 wherein said layers of said cover are in the range of about 10 mil thick to about 50 mil thick.
22. A flexible hose according to claim 8 wherein said blocking and unblocking of said second end is by a valve.
23. A flexible hose according to claim 22 wherein said retraction of said hose is into a constraining hose, and wherein said constraining hose has a diameter greater than said folds of said retracted flexible hose.
24. A flexible hose according to claim 23 wherein said constraining hose has a length in a range of about ten percent to about seventy percent of said length of said self-extending hose.
25. A flexible hose comprising:
(a) a reinforcement member, said reinforcement member being formed into a series of turns about an axis with each being spaced from an adjacent one of said series of turns to create an interstitial area;
(b) a cover, said cover being formed of a plurality of plies with one or more plies being positioned to overlay at least a portion of said interstitial area and at least a portion of said reinforcement member; said cover and said reinforcement member creating a nominal length of said hose having a first end and a second end and having an inner surface and an outer surface; said cover at said interstitial area being formed to have a flat portion extending laterally from said reinforcement member and transitioning into a first side of a fold, said first side connecting at an angle to a second side of said fold at an apex, said fold extending away from said axis to form an outward fold;
(c) one or more lines, said one or more lines being formed into a series of flexible turns adjacent to one side of said reinforcing member but separated therefrom by one or more of said plies of said cover; and
(d) said turns of said covered reinforcement member thereafter being elastically deformable relative to said formation axis.
26. A flexible hose according to claim 25 wherein a compressive force causes said hose to retract by overcoming a spring rate of said series of turns of said reinforcement member; and wherein said retraced hose length is less than said nominal length.
27. A flexible hose according to claim 26 wherein said retraction of said hose is by said first side and said second side of said fold moving toward each other to reduce said angle.
28. A flexible hose according to claim 27 wherein retraction further comprises said transition point moving from an initial position on one side of said apex to a second side of said apex.
29. A flexible hose according to claim 28 wherein said compressive force comprises application of negative pressure at said first end of said hose while said second end of said hose is blocked.
30. A flexible hose according to claim 29 wherein said spring rate biases said hose to said nominal length when said first end of said hose is unblocked.
31. A flexible hose according to claim 30 wherein said blocking and unblocking of said second end is by a valve.
32. A flexible hose according to claim 31 wherein said retraction of said flexible hose is into a constraining hose, said constraining hose having a length in a range of about ten percent to about seventy percent of said nominal length of said flexible hose.
33. A flexible hose according to claim 32 wherein said apex comprises a curved surface.
34. A flexible hose according to claim 25 wherein a tensile force causes said hose to extend by overcoming a spring rate of said series of turns of said reinforcement member; and wherein said extended hose length is greater than said nominal length.
35. A flexible hose according to claim 34 wherein said spring rate biases said hose to said nominal length when said tensile force is removed.
36. A flexible hose according to claim 25 wherein said one or more lines are comprised of conducting wire.
37. A flexible hose according to claim 36 wherein said conducting wire is comprised of stranded copper wire.
38. A flexible hose according to claim 37 wherein said reinforcement member comprises copper-clad steel wire.
39. A flexible hose according to claim 38 wherein said plies of said cover are comprised of thermoplastic material.
40. A flexible hose according to claim 39 wherein said thermoplastic material is generally impermeable to fluids.
41. A flexible hose according to claim 25 wherein said outward fold provides a cushioned surface to prevent damage to objects during use of said hose.
42. A flexible hose according to claim 25 wherein at least one of said one or more lines comprises a fiber optic bundle.
43. A flexible hose comprising:
(a) a reinforcement member, said reinforcement member being formed into a series of turns with each being spaced from an adjacent one of said series of turns;
(b) a cover, said cover being formed of a plurality of plies with one or more plies being positioned to overlay at least a portion of said spacing and at least a portion of said reinforcement member; said cover having an inner surface and an outer surface; said cover at said spacing between said series of turns being formed to have a fold, said fold comprising a first side and a second side, said second side being longer than said first side, said fold extending away from said inner surface;
(c) one or more lines, said one or more lines being formed into a series of flexible turns and disposed adjacent to said reinforcing member but separated therefrom by one or more of said plies of said cover, said one or more lines being disposed in said second side of said fold; and
(d) said turns of said covered reinforcement member thereafter being elastically deformable.
44. A flexible hose according to claim 43 wherein a compressive force causes said hose to retract, and wherein said retraction comprises said first side and said second side moving toward each other.
45. A flexible hose according to claim 44 wherein said retraction further comprises said second side causing said first side to rotate so as to face an opposite direction of said hose.
46. A flexible hose according to claim 45 wherein at least one of said one or more lines comprises electrically conductive wire.
47. A flexible hose according to claim 46 wherein said electrically conducting wire comprises stranded copper wire, said stranded copper wire being insulated by a thermoplastic jacket.
48. A flexible hose according to claim 45 wherein at least one of said one or more lines comprises a fiber optic bundle.