Abstract: A sleeve and method are provided for protecting a splice of an optical fiber. The sleeve includes a support member and a plurality of optical fibers with the splice and being adjacent the support member. A heat deformable inner tube encompasses each of the plurality of optical fibers at the splice and a heat deformable outer tube encompasses at least partially the support member, the plurality of optical fibers at the splice, and each of the inner tubes. The method includes the acts of sliding the sleeve over a first free end of a plurality of optical fibers such that one of the inner tubes encompasses each of the fibers and then splicing the first free end of the plurality of optical fibers to a corresponding second free end of the plurality of optical fibers. Subsequently, the sleeve is slide over the splice of the first and second free ends and heat is applied to the sleeve to further strengthen the splice upon cooling.

Abstract: A disconnect box is provided in the present invention that has a rear wall and perimetrically bounding side walls connected thereto. A line wire and a load wire are received in the disconnect box, which comprises a line terminal mounted in the disconnect box and to which the line wire is connected, a load terminal mounted in the disconnect box and to which the load wire is connected, and a fuse releasably secured in the disconnect box. The fuse has an operational position wherein the fuse contacts the line terminal and the load terminal thereby creating mechanical and electrical connection between the line wire and first load wire, and a non-operational position such that when the fuse is disconnected from the line terminal and the load terminal the mechanical and electrical connection between the line wire and the load wire is broken.

Abstract: A multiple cable connector and method for electrically connecting and mechanically securing a first cable to a second cable. The connector includes a C-shaped member having a flange disposed therein, a first channel, and a second channel parallel to the first channel and spaced apart therefrom. The first and second channels are inwardly facing and connected by a web extending therebetween. An F-shaped member is also included in the cable connector that has a first arm for retaining the first cable within the first channel, a second arm for retaining the second cable within the second channel, and a projection for engaging the flange when the F-shaped member is press fit into the C-shaped member.

Abstract: A power outlet that has a moveable ground pin disposed in a receptacle and has a normal position with the pin extended and an inserted position. An actuator arm with a projection member is coupled to the ground pin and a rotational cam stop abuts the projection member. A pushrod is included that has a shaft, a lever member coupled to the shaft, and a notch for receiving at least part of the cam stop therein. A circuit breaker is disposed in the outlet and has a switch with an OFF position, and an ON position for activating the circuit breaker. The switch is coupled to the lever member. When the ground pin is actuated into the inserted position, the projection member slides away from the receptacle, rotating the cam stop such that it is clear of the notch and the pushrod thereby is enabled to throw the switch from the OFF position to the ON position.

Abstract: A junction box cover for installing in an access port. The access port has an outer member with an inner surface and an upper surface, an inner member with an inside surface, a support surface, and a keyway. The junction box cover includes a ring and a junction box lid. The lid includes a first disc with a contact surface and a resting surface. The contact surface abuts the inner surface of the outer member and the resting surface is supported by the upper surface of the inner member when the cover is installed in the access port. The lid also includes a second disc that is integrally formed with the first disc and has an outer surface that abuts the inside surface of the inner annular member when the cover is installed in the access port. The lid further includes at least one extension integrally formed with the second disc and protruding therefrom for insertion through the keyway such that the cover non-threadably engages the access port.

Abstract: A method for pulse width modulating a resistance element of an oxygen sensor. The method quickly heats the resistance element of the oxygen sensor soon after start of the engine with a relatively high duty cycle yielding wide pulse widths. During a mid oxygen sensor temperature range, the method decreasing the duty cycle and thereby the pulse width modulation. And, upon the oxygen sensor reaching peak operating temperature range, the method decreases the pulse width modulated voltage signal supplied to the oxygen sensor to relatively short duty cycled pulses.

Abstract: An improved panel mounting assembly for a vehicle antenna mast wherein the assembly is provided with an anchoring arrangement which eliminates the need for stamping a raised stiffening dimple in the panel design surface contour. A mounting assembly mast tubular holding section, which extends vertically through a panel aperture, is provided with a downwardly extending support tube uniquely coupled to and forming a part of the section lower end. The support tube is held in a subjacent body frame member opening by a snap-fitted rubber grommet permitting limited reciprocal travel of the support tube. The arrangement accommodates vehicle build tolerances between the panel and frame during assembly, while stabilizing the antenna structure against fore, aft and lateral movement relative to the panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a jounce plate fastener retention system and method of installation. A bushing is disposed within a cradle isolator of the fastener retention system. A plurality of radially spaced legs are formed from the bushing and extend outward therefrom. A fastener extends through a rigid fastener surround and a fastener retainer washer. Moreover, a jounce plate that is vertically spaced from the cradle isolator is also provided. The bore of the jounce plate is of a diameter that is less than the diameter of the fastener so that an interference fit is created between the jounce plate and the fastener when the fastener is inserted through the bore of the jounce plate.

Abstract: A retainer assembly for attaching a lock cylinder to a door panel, the lock cylinder having a length and a plurality of radially spaced flanges disposed on and raised outwardly therefrom. The retainer assembly comprises a retainer clip having at least two laterally spaced apart flanges, the at least two laterally spaced apart flanges preventing rotational movement of the lock cylinder when the lock cylinder is engaged with the retainer clip. A base is provided having a first side, a second side, and an open-ended slot. The base is connected to the retainer clip at the second side. The open-ended slot is provided for slidingly engaging the lock cylinder such that upon engagement of the lock cylinder, the base flatly abuts against the door panel on the first side and the retainer clip abuts against the plurality of radially spaced flanges of the lock cylinder.

Abstract: A side impact protection system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a side impact zone and further comprises laterally spaced apart sills extending longitudinally of the vehicle. The laterally spaced apart sills have sill sealing flanges projecting vertically therefrom. The side impact protection system includes a continuous, linearly extending cross member disposed laterally in the vehicle for transferring load and redistributing energy away from an impact side of the vehicle. The linearly extending cross member extends between, and is in abutment with, the laterally spaced apart sills and the corresponding sill sealing flanges thereby allowing the linearly extending cross member to transfer load and redistribute energy immediately upon side impact of the vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for heating a dual heater oxygen sensor. One resistance element is of relatively low resistance such that the oxygen sensor is heated quickly and the other element is of relatively high resistance such that the oxygen sensor is heated and maintained at an optimal operating temperature. The circuit and associated method turn on a low resistance start heater that is in communication with the oxygen sensor given start-up conditions. Once the oxygen sensor has reached an operating temperature range a high resistance operating temperature heater is turned on and the start heater is turned off.

Abstract: An ionization current sensing circuit providing a way to detect the combustion event in a spark ignited engine cylinder. The presence of an output signal from the proposed circuit indicates that a flame exists and that combustion has occurred in the cylinder. This signal is drastically changed if combustion is absent, the circuit providing viable engine misfire detection. The ionization current sensing circuit comprising a power source for providing voltage directly to the primary winding of the ignition coil, an integrator for integrating a spark plug ionization current and thereby providing a voltage output in proportion to the integral of the ionization current, and an ionization current sensing module for sensing a spark plug ionization current, the ionization means connected between the secondary winding of the ignition coil and the integrator means.

Abstract: A header alignment apparatus for a vehicle. The header alignment apparatus having a substantially vertically upright extension pole that moves upward during a contraction mode and remains in a set position during an expansion mode. An L-shaped upper actuator sleeve is provided that is movable in the axial direction of the vertically upright extension pole and includes an upper actuator clamp, integrally formed therewith, for engaging a header of the vehicle. An adjustable L-shaped lower actuator sleeve is attached to the vertically upright extension and is movable in the axial direction of the vertically upright extension pole and includes a lower actuator clamp, integrally formed therewith, for engaging a bumper of the vehicle.

Abstract: Automotive vehicles equipped with automatic or standard transmissions and having automatically extending and retracting radio antennas are equipped with an arrangement for automatically retracting the antennas upon shifting from drive to neutral. Many car washes are equipped with endless belts or chains which engage and tow automotive vehicles through car washes. Before being towed, the drivers must shift to neutral. Drivers are also advised to lower radio antennas. By causing automatic lowering of radio antennas upon shifting from drive to neutral, drivers need no longer remember to retract their antennas. In order to have the arrangement operate effectively, there is about a 10 second delay in retracting the antennas upon shifting to neutral and extension immediately upon shifting out of neutral. An over-ride is provided should the driver for one reason or another desire to leave the transmission in neutral for a period of time greater than 10 seconds.

Abstract: In an engine and associated ignition energy and breakdown voltage circuit, the engine having at least one spark plug and an associated ignition coil having a primary and secondary winding, the secondary winding in communication with at least one spark plug. The ignition energy and breakdown voltage circuit comprising the ability to sense an arcing current generated by the spark plug, and also includes the ability for probing a spark plug breakdown voltage. A multiplier is provided for multiplying the spark plug arcing current by the arcing voltage and thereby producing a power signal. The ability to store the breakdown voltage of the spark plug for a period of time is provided, and further the ability to produce an energy signal in proportional representation of an amount of energy delivered to the spark plug. A method is also provided for adaptively changing spark plug energy in response to feedback from the ignition energy circuit.

Abstract: A three element fastening assemblage comprising a nut formed with a head end and a collared end, a dished-shaped washer and a retaining strap having a circular aperture aligned on the strap longitudinal axis of symmetry. The washer central base has its seating surface axially depressed from a radially extending peripheral washer flange facing surface. The retainer strap has oppositely extending bifurcated ends defining pairs of washer retention prongs the distal ends of which are pre-bent to extend normally from a facing surface of the strap. The nut is initially positioned with its head end extending through the strap aperture with the nut collar providing a stop shoulder contacting the strap facing surface. With the strap facing surface in flush contact with the washer facing surface the prong distal ends are reverse bent about the washer flange circular edge thereby capturing the nut collar between the strap facing surface and the washer seating surface.