Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly for measuring the pressure between a windshield and a windshield wiper. The pressure sensor assembly includes a support structure, a strain gage and a bearing member. The support structure supports the wiper spaced apart from the windshield. The strain gage is coupled to the support structure for providing pressure measurement data corresponding to the amount of strain in the support wall due to the pressure applied by the wiper toward the windshield. The bearing member is fixedly secured to the support structure to minimize friction between the pressure sensor assembly and the windshield.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a metal telluride is provided that includes the dissolution of a metal precursor in a solvent containing a ligand to form a metal-ligand complex soluble in the solvent. The metal-ligand complex is then reacted with a telluride-containing reagent to form metal telluride domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers. NaHTe represents a well-suited telluride reagent. A composition is provided that includes a plurality of metal telluride crystalline domains (PbTe)1-x-y(SnTe)x(Bi2Te3)y ??(I) having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive where x is between 0 and 1 inclusive and y is between 0 and 1 inclusive with the proviso that x+y is less than or equal to 1. Each of the metal telluride crystalline domains has a surface passivated with a saccharide moiety or a polydentate carboxylate.

Abstract: The present invention affords an adjustable beverage container holder. The holder has an outer case, an actuator ring, a cover ring, at least one container holding arm and a dial. The outer case has a case axis and holds the actuator ring, the cover ring and the at least one holding arm. The at least one holding arm is rotateably attached to an inner flange of the outer case and the cover ring which is fixedly attached to the outer case. The actuator ring is engaged with the at least one holding arm and the dial. The dial is rotateably coupled to the outer casing and rotates relative to said casing about the case axis. With engagement of the dial to the actuator ring, and engagement of the actuator ring to the at least one holding arm, rotation of the dial affords for the extension and/or retraction of the holding arm towards or away from the case axis. In this manner, an adjustable beverage container holder is provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for avoiding a collision in a vehicle including the steps of: providing a transmitting vehicle, providing a receiving vehicle, creating data information in the transmitting vehicle, sending the data information to the receiving vehicle, and determining the relevancy of the data information to the receiving vehicle using a current position and heading of the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: A traffic light warning system and method for an automotive vehicle. The system receives a signal from a traffic light representative of the geographical area, state and operation of the traffic light. The system then determines at least one time period in which the traffic light indicates a stop command. The position of the vehicle during that time period is then predicted as a function of the current traveling parameters of the vehicle and a warning signal is generated to the vehicle occupant whenever the predicted position of the vehicle is within the geographic area of the traffic light during the time period.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material comprises core-shell particles having a core formed from a core material and a shell formed from a shell material. In representative examples, the shell material is a material showing an appreciable thermoelectric effect in bulk. The core material preferably has a lower thermal conductivity than the shell material. In representative examples, the core material is an inorganic oxide such as silica or alumina, and the shell material is a chalcogenide semiconductor such as a telluride, for example bismuth telluride. A thermoelectric material including such core-shell particles may have an improved thermoelectric figure of merit compared with a bulk sample of the shell material alone. Embodiments of the invention further include thermoelectric devices using such thermoelectric materials, and preparation techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of an object relative to a moving vehicle. While the vehicle is moving in a first direction, successive sensor pulses are transmitted from a vehicle sensor and toward the object. The echo or reflection from the sensor pulse is then received while a processor determines the transit time between the transmission of each pulse and the receipt of its echo. An angle factor is then calculated which represents the difference between the elapsed time of two sequential sensor pulses and the distance traveled by the vehicle between those two pulses. Whenever the absolute value of the angle factor exceeds a preset threshold, an angle is selected from a predefined lookup table contained in memory. Conversely, when the absolute value of the factor is less than the preset threshold, the angle is calculated as a function of the factor.

Abstract: An example apparatus for providing an audible signal representative of an environment comprises a sensor system, and an audio system providing an audible signal to a person. The audible signal has one or more audible signal variables from which the person can determine, for example, the location and relative velocity of one or more objects within the environment. The apparatus include an electronic circuit for converting environmental data into audible signal variables, for example using a mapping algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the safe operation of a vehicle comprises a sensor system, a sensor signal to object identifier, and a world model implemented using, for example, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) algorithm such as a spiking neuron algorithm. Alerts may be provided to the vehicle operator under several conditions, such as the identification of a collision risk between the vehicle and an object, identification of a vehicle risk due to excessive uncertainty in the predicted vehicle path, or identification of an object risk due to excessive uncertainty in a predicted object path.

Abstract: An electro-shaker vehicle test stand for vehicle evaluation includes a support frame, an electro-shaker mechanism and an interconnecting lever arm. The lever arm has an adjustable length. The test stand includes a spring table having a spring table plate and a spring table frame that is parallel to and spaced a predetermined distance below the spring table plate, a guide rod having a lower end attached to the spring table frame and an upper end attached to the spring table plate and a spring having an upper end attached to the frame and a lower end attached to the spring table frame. Activation of the electro-shaker mechanism induces an oscillatory movement of the spring in a vertical direction so that the spring table and vehicle are correspondingly displaced in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A wireless based sensor assembly incorporated within a sealed and pressurized vessel including an end plug secured against an inner surface of the vessel. Temperature and pressure sensors are mounted to inner exposed locations of the end plug and are capable of monitoring temperature and a pressure conditions existing within the sealed vessel. A power supply is communicated to the sensors within said vessel and such that the sensors communicate, in wireless fashion, information regarding the conditions existing internally within the vessel to an external location.

Abstract: The present invention affords a headrest airbag for reducing or preventing whiplash and/or head injuries related to vehicle collisions. The headrest airbag is comprised of a trim material that encloses a headrest member, a receiving means for receiving an exchangeable gas bag module and an exchangeable gas bag module at least partially inserted into the receiving means. The exchangeable gas bag module is comprised of an inflatable gas bag and a gas generator for inflating the gas bag. The gas bag maintains its location within the receiving means of the headrest airbag whether it is inflated or not. The inflated gas bag reduces the distance that a head of a driver or passenger is thrown in a rearward direction before coming into contact with a headrest, and reduces the force of such an impact.

Abstract: A process for forming a protective layer on a metal surface includes the steps of: providing a metal material having an oxygen containing layer; applying at least two compounds to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein a first compound applied is a molecularly large compound; and applying at least a second compound to the oxygen containing layer of the metal material wherein the second compound is molecularly small.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting a future position of a horizon time Th of an automotive vehicle. The method determines the position of the vehicle at time T0 using GPS and the speed, acceleration and angle of the steering wheel at time T0 from appropriate sensors on the vehicle. A nonlinear mathematical model utilizing these factors is then created while the position of the vehicle at time T0+Th is determined through numerical integration of the mathematical model using an adjustable step size Tstep. The step Tstep is modified adaptively in accordance with the accuracy requirements of the vehicle.

Abstract: A platform for use in establishing a load supporting surface upon a vehicle seat bottom. The platform includes at least one and typically a plurality of planar shaped panels, connected in either hinged or telescoping fashion, and which are displaceable from a stored to an extensible position covering a vehicle seat bottom, such that the upper surface of the platform is maintained in level fashion between front and rear locations of the seat bottom. The assembleable platform may be provided as a separate aftermarket item or may be incorporated into a vehicle interior console such that it is displaceable outwardly and across the vehicle seat.

Abstract: An anti-leak adaptor for use in a vehicle during an air conditioning system evaluation includes a cylindrically shaped adaptor body having a first end and a second end. A central passageway extends between an opening in the first end to an opening in the second end. The first end includes a guide portion and a threaded portion that is adjacent the guide portion. A knob is positioned on a mid-portion of the adaptor body, and the knob is operatively connected to a plunger disposed within the central passageway in the adaptor body and oriented longitudinally towards the opening in the first end. A fitting is connected to the second end of the adaptor body for receiving a sensing means.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a metal telluride is provided that includes the dissolution of a metal precursor in a solvent containing a ligand to form a metal-ligand complex soluble in the solvent. The metal-ligand complex is then reacted with a telluride-containing reagent to form metal telluride domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers. NaHTe represents a well-suited telluride reagent. A composition is provided that includes a plurality of metal telluride crystalline domains (PbTe)1-x-y(SnTe)x(Bi2Te3)y ??(I) having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive where x is between 0 and 1 inclusive and y is between 0 and 1 inclusive with the proviso that x+y is less than or equal to 1. Each of the metal telluride crystalline domains has a surface passivated with a saccharide moiety or a polydentate carboxylate.

Abstract: A vehicle crash test apparatus for conducting simulated automotive crash tests. The apparatus includes a pair of rails and a vehicle buck. A vehicle suspension system having characteristics analogous to an actual vehicle suspension system supports the buck above the rails. An actuator accelerates the rails with the attached vehicle buck at an acceleration rate corresponding to an actual vehicle crash.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly for a truck includes a seat cushion and a scat back. The seat cushion supports an occupant above the floor of the vehicle. The seat cushion has opposite and spaced apart front and rear ends. The seat back supports the back of the occupant while seated on the seat cushion. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion to allow selective angular adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of seating positions. The seat back is also movable between any one of the seating positions and a folded flat position overlying the seat cushion. The rear seat assembly is movable along the floor of the vehicle between a full rear position, where the rear end of the seat cushion is adjacent a rear wall, and a full forward position, where the front end of the seat cushion is spaced apart from the rear wall.

Abstract: Embodiment of the present invention relate to dendrimers useful for application as catalysts, in particular as improved electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs). Methods of preparing such catalysts are described. Examples include dendritic nanostructured metal catalysts, such as platinum and platinum-alloy catalysts.