Author: claimsbot

1. A battery module, comprising:
a housing having a non-conductive oil disposed therein;
a battery cell disposed in the housing; and
a cooling manifold disposed in the housing that contacts the non-conductive oil, the cooling manifold configured to receive a fluid therethrough and to conduct heat energy from the non-conductive oil into the fluid to cool the battery cell.
2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive oil comprises mineral oil.
3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a coolant.
4. The battery module of claim 3, wherein the coolant comprises at least one of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.
5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises a refrigerant.
6. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the cooling manifold defines an interior region and has an inlet port and an outlet port.
7. The battery module of claim 6, wherein the cooling manifold is constructed from at least one of aluminum, copper, silver, and gold.
8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the housing is constructed from plastic.
9. A battery system, comprising:
a battery module having a housing, a battery cell, and a cooling manifold, the housing having a non-conductive oil disposed therein that contacts the cooling manifold, the battery cell and the cooling manifold being disposed in the housing, the cooling manifold configured to receive a refrigerant therethrough and to conduct heat energy from the non-conductive oil into the refrigerant to cool the battery module;
a condenser fluidly coupled to the battery module, the condenser configured to receive the refrigerant from the battery module and to extract heat energy from the refrigerant; and
a compressor fluidly coupled to the condenser and configured to receive the refrigerant from the condenser, the compressor further fluidly coupled to the battery module, the compressor configured to pump the refrigerant from the condenser into the battery module.
10. The battery system of claim 9, further comprising:
a temperature sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a temperature of the non-conductive oil; and
a microprocessor operably coupled to the temperature sensor, the microprocessor configured to generate a second signal to induce the compressor to pump the refrigerant into the cooling manifold when the first signal indicates the temperature of the non-conductive oil is greater than a threshold temperature level.
11. The battery system of claim 9, wherein the non-conductive oil comprises mineral oil.
12. The battery system of claim 9, wherein the cooling manifold defines an interior region and has an inlet port and an outlet port.
13. The battery system of claim 12, wherein the cooling manifold is constructed from at least one of aluminum, copper, silver, and gold.
14. The battery system of claim 9, wherein the housing of the battery module is constructed from plastic.
15. A battery system, comprising:
a battery module having a housing, a battery cell, and a cooling manifold, the housing having a non-conductive oil disposed therein that contacts the cooling manifold, the battery cell and the cooling manifold being disposed in the housing, the cooling manifold configured to receive a coolant therethrough and to conduct heat energy from the non-conductive oil into the coolant to cool the battery module;
a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the battery module, the heat exchanger configured to receive the coolant from the battery module therein and to extract heat energy from the coolant flowing therethrough;
a cold plate fluidly coupled to the heat exchanger, the cold plate configured to extract heat energy from the coolant flowing therethrough;
a reservoir fluidly coupled between the cold plate and a pump, the reservoir configured to receive the coolant from the cold plate and to route the coolant to the pump; and
the pump further fluidly coupled to the battery module, the pump configured to pump the coolant from the reservoir into the battery module.
16. A method for cooling a battery module, the battery module having a housing, a battery cell, and a cooling manifold, the method comprising:
conducting heat energy from the battery cell into a non-conductive oil disposed in the housing; and
receiving fluid in the cooling manifold and conducting heat energy from the non-conductive oil into the fluid to cool the battery cell in the housing.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fluid is a refrigerant.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
generating a first signal indicative of a temperature of the non-conductive oil utilizing a temperature sensor; and
generating a second signal to induce a compressor to pump the refrigerant through the cooling manifold when the first signal indicates the temperature of the non-conductive oil is greater than a threshold temperature level utilizing a microprocessor.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the fluid is a coolant.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
generating a first signal indicative of a temperature of the non-conductive oil utilizing a temperature sensor; and
generating a second signal to induce a pump to pump the coolant through the cooling manifold when the first signal indicates the temperature of the non-conductive oil is greater than a threshold temperature level utilizing a microprocessor.
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 closure for a fluid container that dispenses product through a container opening by the application of hand pressure, comprising: an annular collar for attachment to the container about its opening; a plurality of stiff planar triangular leaflets attached by linear hinges to the collar; a plurality of flexible and foldable webs attached to and extending between adjacent pairs of leaflets; said leaflets extending adjacent one another in an essentially flat surface in the closed position of the closure with the webs folded like pleats beneath the adjacent leaflets; said leaflets upon product dispensing being pivotable upwardly at their hinges by fluid pressure to separate from one another in the open position of the closure, with said web members unfolding and extending between the separated leaflets to form with the leaflets the closure dispensing opening; said leaflets in the absence of product dispensing being pivotable downwardly to return to their closed closure position adjacent one another with said webs folded beneath the leaflets.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the collar, leaflets, webs and hinges comprise a one-piece integrally molded plastic closure.
3. The closure of claim 1, wherein said triangular leaflets each have two long sides that converge in a direction away from a third side of the triangle, that respectively lie adjacent the long sides of adjacent leaflets in the closed position of the closure, and that are separated from the long sides of the adjacent leaflets when the closure opens.
4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the webs are attached to the long sides of the triangular leaflet members, and the linear hinges are attached to the short sides of the triangular leaflet members.
5. The closure of claim 1, having a cap for extending over the closure when closed and attached to the collar by an integral hinge.
6. The closure of claim 5, said closure having a central axis and said leaflets each extending from its respective linear hinge radially inward toward said central axis, said cap having a central pin and a surrounding surface for holding said leaflets in a closed position upon closing the cap, said radially innermost portions of said leaflet members contacting and sealing against said pin when the cap is closed.
7. The closure of claim 5, wherein the integral hinge is a snap-action bow-tie hinge.
8. A method of forming a plastic closure for a fluid container, said closure having an annular collar, a plurality of leaflets, a plurality of flexible and foldable webs and a cap, comprising: molding said closure with said leaflet members attached by hinges to the collar and said webs attached to and extending between adjacent pairs of leaflets, further comprising initially molding said closure in the open position with said leaflets extending upwardly at an angle and separated from one another, with said webs unfolded and extending between the separated leaflets, and with said cap in an open position; thereafter pivoting said leaflets, while said hinges are warm, downwardly to a position where said leaflets extend adjacent one another in an essentially planar surface and said webs fold beneath the adjacent leaflets; closing said closure cap; and annealing said closed closure with its closed cap to break the as-molded open positional memory to establish a closed closure positional memory when product is not being dispensed through the closure by the user.
9. The method of claim 8, including molding the closure as an integral one-piece closure.

1. A remote control device for at least three propulsion devices of a watercraft, comprising a pair of operating levers, a detection device configured to detect positions of the operating levers, a remote control-side ECU configured to control the watercraft propulsion devices in accordance with signals from the detection device, the remote control-side ECU comprising a plurality of respective ECUs corresponding to said watercraft propulsion devices, said detection device comprising a plurality of respective detection devices, at least one respective detection device corresponding to each of said watercraft propulsion devices disposed toward sides of a stern of a hull of the watercraft and at least one respective detection device corresponding to each one of said watercraft propulsion device disposed between said watercraft propulsion devices disposed toward the sides of the stern, wherein each of the detection devices is connected to a respective ECU.
2. The remote control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein respective ECUs comprise at least a left remote control-side ECU connected to the watercraft propulsion device disposed at a left side of the stern of the hull, at least a right remote control-side ECU connected to the watercraft propulsion device disposed at a right side of the stern of the hull, and at least a center remote control-side ECU connected to the watercraft propulsion device disposed between the left and right sides of the stern of the hull;
wherein said at least one respective detection device corresponding to each of said watercraft propulsion devices disposed toward sides of a stern comprises a left side detection device and a right side detection device;
wherein said at least one respective detection device corresponding to the watercraft propulsion device disposed between said watercraft propulsion devices comprises at least first and second center detection devices, and wherein said pair of levers comprises at least first and second levers;
wherein said left detection device and said first center detection device are configured to detect a position of the first lever, said left detection device being connected to said left remote control-side ECU, and said first center detection device being connected to said center remote control-side ECU; and
wherein said right side detection device and said second center detection device are configured to detect a position of said second lever, said right detection device being connected to said right remote control-side ECU, and said second center detection device connected to said center remote control-side ECU.
3. The remote control device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the center remote control-side ECU is configured to calculate a mean value of different detection values input into the center remote control-side ECU from said first center detection device and said second center detection device and to control said center watercraft propulsion device based on the mean value.
4. The remote control device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said plurality of respective ECUs are connected for communication to each other.
5. The remote control device as set forth in claim 3, wherein connections between said plurality of respective ECUs and said detection devices corresponding to the respective ECUs, each have a circuit structure in which an independent power source and independent ground are provided.
6. The remote control device as set forth in claim 3 in combination with a watercraft.
7. The remote control device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plurality of respective ECUs are connected for communication to each other.
8. The remote control device as set forth in claim 2, wherein connections between said plurality of respective ECUs and said detection devices corresponding to the respective ECUs, each have a circuit structure in which an independent power source and independent ground are provided.
9. The remote control device as set forth in claim 2 in combination with a watercraft.
10. The remote control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the watercraft includes first, second, third and fourth watercraft propulsion devices, wherein the remote control device comprises first, second, third, and fourth respective ECUs, each being connected to a respective one of said first, second, third and fourth watercraft propulsion devices, wherein said at least one respective detection device corresponding to each of said watercraft propulsion devices disposed toward sides of a stern comprises a first detection device and a fourth detection device, wherein said at least one respective detection device corresponding to the watercraft propulsion device disposed between said watercraft propulsion devices comprises at least second and third detection devices, and wherein the first and second detection devices are connected to first and second remote control-side ECUs and are configured to detect a position of a first of said pair of operating levers, and wherein third and fourth detection devices are connected to said third and fourth remote control-side ECUs and are configured to detect a position of a second lever of said pair of operation levers.
11. The remote control device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said plurality of respective ECUs are connected for communication to each other.
12. The remote control device as set forth in claim 10, wherein connections between said plurality of respective ECUs and said detection devices corresponding to the respective ECUs, each have a circuit structure in which an independent power source and independent ground are provided.
13. The remote control device as set forth in claim 10 in combination with a watercraft.
14. The remote control device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the first and fourth propulsion devices are disposed towards the lateral sides of the hull and the second and third propulsion devices are disposed between the first and fourth propulsion devices.
15. The remote control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of respective ECUs are connected for communication to each other.
16. The remote control device as set forth in claim 15 in combination with a watercraft.
17. The remote control device as set forth in claim 1, wherein connections between said plurality of respective ECUs and said detection devices corresponding to the respective ECUs, each have a circuit structure in which an independent power source and independent ground are provided.
18. The remote control device as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a watercraft.
19. A remote control device for at least three propulsion devices of a watercraft, comprising first and second operating levers, the remote control device configured to control the power output of all three propulsion devices with the first and second operating levers, at least first, second, and third remote control-side ECUs, at least first, second, and third detection devices, the first detection device being configured to detect positions of at least one of the pair of operating levers, the second detection device being configured to detect positions of at least one of the pair of operating levers, and the third detection device being configured to detect positions of at least one of the pair of operating levers, the first, second, and third detection devices being connected to the first, second, and third control-side ECUs.
20. The remote control device as set forth in claim 19, wherein the first detection device is configured to detect a position of the first lever, the second detection device being configured to detect a position of the second lever, and the third detection device being configured to detect positions of both the first and second levers.
21. The remote control device as set forth in claim 20, wherein the third detection device comprises first and second position sensors, the first position sensor being configured to detect a position of the first lever, the second position sensor being configured to detect a position of the second lever.
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 flow cell comprising:
a first aperture configured to allow a medium to flow into a reservoir portion of the flow cell;
a second aperture configured to allow the medium to flow out of the reservoir portion of the flow cell; and
the reservoir portion, wherein:
the reservoir portion is configured to contain therein at least a portion of the medium;
the reservoir portion contains at least a portion of a sensing surface of a piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PEMC) sensor;
the PEMC sensor comprises:
a piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end;
a non-piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to at least a portion of the non-piezoelectric layer such that the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer are not coextensive;
a base portion coupled to the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer, wherein the base portion is not attached to the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer; and
electrodes operatively associated with the piezoelectric layer;

at least a portion of the medium in the reservoir portion is exposable to the sensing surface of the PEMC sensor; and
exposure of the medium to the sensing surface of the PEMC sensor is enhanced under flow conditions as compared to the medium being static within the flow cell.
2. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a plurality of apertures configured to allow the medium to flow into the reservoir portion of the flow cell.
3. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a plurality of apertures configured to allow the medium to flow out of the reservoir portion of the flow cell.
4. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the first aperture is positioned on a side of the reservoir portion of the flow cell;
the second aperture is positioned on an opposite side of the reservoir portion of the flow cell; and
the sensing portion of the PEMC sensor is positioned between the first aperture and the second aperture.
5. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the first aperture is positioned on a side of the reservoir portion of the flow cell;
the second aperture is positioned on a bottom of the reservoir portion of the flow cell; and
the PEMC sensor is positioned between the first aperture and the second aperture.
6. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein a length of the non-piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm.
7. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein a length of the piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm.
8. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein a width of the non-piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 4.0 mm.
9. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein a width of the piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 4.0 mm.
10. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein the medium comprises at least one of a liquid and a gas.
11. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flow cell and the PEMC sensor form a single integrated entity.
12. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, wherein the PEMC sensor is detachable from the flow cell.
13. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one baffle within the reservoir portion.
14. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a stirrer configured to stir the medium.
15. A flow cell in accordance with claim 1, the flow cell further configured to receive a plurality of PEMC sensors.
16. A flow cell in accordance with claim 15, wherein:
at least one of the plurality of PEMC sensors is configured to attract a first target material;
at least one of the plurality of PEMC sensors is configured to attract a second target material; and
the first target material differs from the second target material.
17. A flow cell in accordance with claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of PEMC sensors is configured as a control sensor.
18. A method for detecting a target material, the method comprising:
causing a medium to flow in a reservoir portion of a flow cell configured to receive a piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PEMC) sensor, the flow cell comprising:
a first aperture configured to allow the medium to flow into a reservoir portion of the flow cell;
a second aperture configured to allow the medium to flow out of the reservoir portion of the flow cell; and
the reservoir portion, wherein:
the reservoir portion is configured to contain therein at least a portion of the medium;
the reservoir portion contains at least a portion of a sensing surface of the PEMC sensor;
the PEMC sensor comprises:
a piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end;
a non-piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to at least a portion of the non-piezoelectric layer such that the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer are not coextensive;
a base portion coupled to the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer, wherein the base portion is not attached to the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer; and
electrodes operatively associated with the piezoelectric layer;

at least a portion of the medium in the reservoir portion is exposable to the sensing surface of the PEMC sensor; and
exposure of the medium to the sensing surface of the PEMC sensor is enhanced under flow conditions as compared to the medium being static within the flow cell measuring a resonance frequency of the PEMC sensor;
comparing the measured resonance frequency with a baseline resonance frequency;
when the measured resonance frequency differs from the baseline resonance frequency, determining that a target material is present in the medium.
19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the resonance frequency of the PEMC sensor is measured under flow conditions.
20. A method in accordance with claim 18, further comprising:
stopping flow of the medium; and
measuring the resonance frequency of the PEMC sensor while the flow of the medium is stopped.
21. A method in accordance with claim 18, further comprising determining an amount of target material accumulated on the sensor in accordance with a difference between the measured resonance frequency and the baseline resonance frequency.
22. A method in accordance with claim 18, further comprising rotating the PEMC sensor about a longitudinal axis of the PEMC sensor for causing target material to attach to the sensing surface.
23. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the flow cell comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow the medium to flow into the reservoir portion of the flow cell.
24. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the flow cell comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow the medium to flow out of the reservoir portion of the flow cell.
25. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein:
the first aperture is positioned on a side of the reservoir portion of the flow cell;
the second aperture is positioned on an opposite side of the reservoir portion of the flow cell; and
the sensing portion of the PEMC sensor is positioned between the first aperture and the second aperture.
26. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein:
the first aperture is positioned on a side of the reservoir portion of the flow cell;
the second aperture is positioned on a bottom of the reservoir portion of the flow cell; and
the PEMC sensor is positioned between the first aperture and the second aperture.
27. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein a length of the non-piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm.
28. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein a length of the piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm.
29. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein a width of the non-piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 4.0 mm.
30. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein a width of the piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 4.0 mm.
31. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the medium comprises at least one of a liquid and a gas.
32. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the flow cell and the PEMC sensor form a single integrated entity.
33. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the PEMC sensor is detachable from the flow cell.
34. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the flow cell further comprises at least one baffle within the reservoir portion.
35. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the flow cell further comprises a stirrer configured to stir the medium.
36. A method in accordance with claim 18, the flow cell further configured to receive a plurality of PEMC sensors.
37. A method in accordance with claim 36, wherein:
at least one of the plurality of PEMC sensors is configured to attract a first target material;
at least one of the plurality of PEMC sensors is configured to attract a second target material; and
the first target material differs from the second target material.
38. A method in accordance with claim 36, wherein at least one of the plurality of PEMC sensors is configured as a control sensor.