Abstract: A method for manufacturing a structural component includes forming a groove in an outer surface of a fiber reinforced body. Molten metal is introduced to an exposed surface of the groove and to a predetermined portion of the outer surface of the body. The metal is cooled in a controlled manner to thermally alter sufficient resin to create a secure interconnection of the metal on the body. The metal adjacent the groove is sized so that it will fail prior to separation of the metal from the body under excessive tensile loads. A portion of the metal remains on the body so that elongation of the component significantly exceeds ultimate elongation of the fiber reinforced body and the cast metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing data, such as liquid level data in a motor vehicle containing a liquid storage tank, comprises a liquid level sensor for developing a signal indicative of instantaneous liquid level in the storage tank, circuitry for processing the instantaneous liquid level signal, including asymmetrical filtration of the instantaneous liquid level signal, to provide a process output signal, and a display apparatus for displaying an indication of the level of liquid in the storage tank in response to the process output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a current source, first and second wheels through which a current from the current source selectively flows, and a source of gas, wherein the first and second wheels receive first and second pieces of metal having overlapping portions, force the first and second pieces of metal together at said overlapping portions. The current from the current source flows through the first and second wheels in the overlapping portions of the first and second pieces of metal, generating heat in said first and second pieces of metal sufficient to melt a coating on the first and second sheets of metal where the first and second sheets of metal contact and overlap. The source of gas comprises removes said melted coatings away from the overlapping portions of metal to clean the metal surfaces in preparation for movement to a weld station where the pieces of metal are resistive seam welded or laser lap seam welded.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a structural component includes forming a groove in an outer surface of a fiber reinforced body. Molten metal is introduced to an exposed surface of the groove and to a predetermined portion of the outer surface of the body. The metal is cooled in a controlled manner to thermally alter sufficient resin to create a secure interconnection of the metal on the body. The metal adjacent the groove is sized so that it will fail prior to separation of the metal from the body under excessive tensile loads. A portion of the metal remains on the body so that elongation of the component significantly exceeds ultimate elongation of the fiber reinforced body and the cast metal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising, in combination, an AC motor, a solid state switch controlling the AC motor, the solid state switch switchable between an on state in which an electric current flows through the solid state switch and an off state in which electric current does not flow through the solid state switch, the solid state switch characterized by a turn off time such that, when the solid state switch is switched between the on state and the off state, at least a portion of the electric current flows through the solid state switch during the turn off time, a first switch circuit for switching off the solid state switch to prevent the electric current from flowing to the AC motor, a diode bridge coupled across the AC motor, a second switch circuit for controllably switching the diode bridge between an active state in which electric current may flow through the diode bridge and an inactive state in which electric current may not flow through the diode bridge, a control circuit for controlling the second switch

Abstract: A radio apparatus with a phase locked loop is disclosed. The apparatus contains a phase detector with first and second inputs, where the first input receiving a reference frequency signal and the second input receives a controllable frequency signal that is controlled by a tuning voltage. Also included is, a loop filter for filtering the output of the phase detector, circuitry for decoding when a phase difference at the inputs of the phase detector exceeds a predetermined value, and a filter bypass circuit. This circuit bypasses operation of the loop filter when the difference at the inputs of the phase detector exceeds a predetermined value, allowing fast voltage changes of the tuning voltage, and providing a short lock time for the phase locked loop.

Abstract: A method of measuring and indicating a level of natural gas fuel in a storage tank of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of determining a temperature of the natural gas, determining a pressure of the natural gas, retrieving from a look-up table, responsive to the determined temperature and pressure, a signal representative of a percentage that the tank is full of the natural gas, determining a gauge command responsive to the signal, and driving the gauge according to the determined command.

Abstract: A fan clutch includes a housing and a cover cooperating to contain a viscous fluid. A pump plate divides an interior of the fan clutch into a working chamber and a reservoir. A driven clutch plate, disposed in the working chamber, includes hub and disk portions. A wiper is mounted on the pump plate adjacent a discharge orifice so that a first clearance is provided between the wiper and a front surface of the disk portion. An annular blocking wall is formed on the front surface of the disk portion radially inbound of the wiper. The height of the blocking wall is such that a second clearance formed between the blocking wall and the pump plate is less than or substantially equal to the first clearance, thereby forming a dynamic seal.

Abstract: A method of terminating a wire comprises the steps of (i) winding the wire around a an end portion of a terminal, (ii) placing a plastic sleeve having a first cavity into a second cavity in an ultrasonic horn, (iii) inserting the portion of the terminal around which the wire is wound into the first cavity of the plastic sleeve while the plastic sleeve is within the second cavity in the ultrasonic horn, (iv) activating the ultrasonic horn causing the plastic sleeve to melt and flow around the terminal and wound wire, (v) deactivating the ultrasonic horn, and (vi) removing the terminal and coil from the horn.

Abstract: A circuit apparatus comprises interface circuitry between analog and digital circuitry. A multiple reference circuit provides a variety of reference voltage signals. The multiple reference circuitry is coupled to a selection circuit that selectively couples one of the reference voltage signals to a first reference input of the interface circuitry and selectively couples another of the reference voltage signals to a second reference input of the interface circuitry, whereby the first and second reference inputs may be selectively coupled to the reference voltages and the circuit maintains a ratiometric relationship between the digital and analog circuitry.

Abstract: A method of welding a noble metal tip to a spark plug center electrode comprises the steps of placing a plurality of spark plug center electrodes into a plurality of carriers so that each carrier carries one spark plug center electrode, one by one moving each carrier into a weld station, lifting the one spark plug center electrode carried in the carrier located in the weld station out of the carrier into a weld position, clamping the one spark plug center into the weld position with a single clamp located in the weld station, and welding the noble metal tip to the one spark plug center electrode, wherein the single clamp eliminates clamp-to-clamp process variations.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a bandgap reference voltage circuit with first and second current legs and circuitry for generating a bandgap reference voltage. A transistor is coupled to the first current leg for selectively providing current to the first leg of the bandgap reference voltage circuit. A control circuit controls the transistor to turn the transistor on when an external voltage supply is initially applied to the apparatus to provide a start up current to the bandgap voltage reference source and senses an output voltage developed by the bandgap reference current source. The control circuit turns off the transistor responsive to the sensed developed voltage when the sensed developed voltage rises above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling a brake system comprising the steps of: (i) receiving a brake command from a brake pedal; (ii) responsive to the received command, applying full power to the brake actuator for a first time period after the brake command is received; (iii) after the first time period, applying power to the brake actuator responsive to the brake command and a first gain factor for a second time period; (iv) after the second time period, applying power to the brake actuator responsive to the brake command and a second gain factor, wherein the second gain factor is less than the first gain factor, wherein the brake actuator is initialized responsive to the brake command.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric brake having an actuator controllable for moving brake pads against and away from a friction brake surface comprising the steps of (i) retracting a brake actuator after a braking operation; (ii) measuring a parameter indicative of work during the retraction; and (iii) moving the brake actuator to a position at which the brake actuator is ready for a next brake operation, wherein step (iii) is responsive to the measured parameter, wherein the brakes are rehomed adaptively to compensate for brake wear.

Abstract: An integrated circuit apparatus comprises a first stage amplifier and a second stage amplifier. The first stage amplifier is characterized by a cross-coupled integrated layout providing a rail-to-rail swing and a linear gain, A, substantially defined as A=g.sub.m r.sub.o '. The second stage amplifier is coupled to the output of the first stage amplifier and comprises a high-voltage integrated circuit transistor with an AC feedback circuit, the AC feedback circuit comprising, in series, a capacitor, a N+ resistor and an N-WELL resistor, wherein the output of the second stage amplifier is used to directly drive an inductive load.

Abstract: In a vehicle brake system having braking control responsive to a pressure signal from a pressure transducer in a hydraulic brake line, a method of operation comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether a brake pedal is depressed; (b) when the brake pedal is determined to be depressed: (i) controlling the brake system responsive to the pressure signal and a stored offset value for the pressure transducer, and (ii) resetting a timer; (c) when the brake pedal is determined to be not depressed: (i) cycling the timer, (ii) determining whether the timer has timed out, and (iii) if the timer has timed out, (iii.i) receiving the pressure signal from the pressure transducer, (iii.ii) comparing the pressure signal to a predetermined limit value indicative of an acceptable maximum sensor output when the pedal is not depressed, and (iii.iii) updating the stored offset value responsive to the pressure signal.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system including a compressed gas storage unit containing a compressed gas at a pressure and a two-state pressure switch attached to the compressed gas storage unit and responsive to the pressure of the compressed gas, the two-state pressure switch having a closed state in which current flows through the switch when the pressure of the compressed gas is above a threshold and an open state in which current does not flow through the switch when the pressure of the compressed gas is below the threshold includes a control circuit wherein a diode is connected in parallel with the pressure switch to form a parallel circuit with the pressure switch, an initiator is coupled in series with the parallel circuit of the diode and the pressure switch, a first electric line is connected to a first end of the series circuit and a second electric line is connected to a second end of the series circuit, wherein the series circuit has a first impedance when the pressure switch is closed, ind

Abstract: A method and apparatus of selectively applying a holding force to a vehicle door hinge, comprises the steps of (i) determining when a vehicle door is open and, when the vehicle door is open, thereafter (ii) sensing door movement to determine if the door has remained substantially stationary in an open position for a predetermined time period, (iii) if the door has remained stationary in an open position for a predetermined time period, activating a braking mechanism to provide a holding force for the door, (iv) if the braking mechanism is activated, determining if the door has moved a predetermined distance since activating the braking mechanism, (v) if the door has moved a predetermined distance since activating the braking mechanism, deactivating the braking mechanism, (vi) sensing whether the door is closed, and (vii) if the door is closed, deactivating the braking mechanism.

Abstract: An air core gauge method and apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus receives an input signal and comprises a gauge device and driver circuit for driving the gauge device. A detection circuit detects transitions in the input signal and provides a control output in response to detected transitions. A power control circuit, responsive to the control output, provides a 100% duty cycle power signal to the driver circuit during detected transitions and otherwise provides a power signal with a duty cycle less than 100% to the driver circuit so that the average power consumed by the gauge is reduced and the operating temperature of the gauge is reduced.

Abstract: A circuit apparatus for providing increased apparent resolution in digital signal processing systems includes a comparison circuit receiving an N bit digital input signal and the N most significant bits of an N+M bit output signal. The comparison circuit compares the two signals and provides a control output in response to the comparison. An N+M bit counter increases or decreases a count value which is the output signal in response to the comparison, whereby the output signal has an apparent resolution 2.sup.M better than the resolution of the input signal.