Abstract: A single machine configured to manufacture a wire cable assembly including an twisted wire pair and a drain wire having a conductive tape and an insulative tape spirally wrapped about said wire pair. The machine includes a first clamp that secures an end of the wire pair and a second clamp that secures the other end of the wire pair. The second clamp rotates while the first clamp is fixed thereby twisting the wires of the wire pair one about the other. The second clamp can also rotate synchronously with the first clamp thereby rotating the wire pair without twisting. The machine also has a tape reel configured to move parallel to the clamps as they rotate, wrapping tape around the wire pair. The apparatus can be configured to apply the tapes simultaneously to electromagnetically shield and insulate the cable assembly. A method of operating the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for voice and data interlacing in a system having a shared antenna. In one embodiment, a voice and data communication system has a shared antenna for transmitting and receiving information in time slots, wherein the antenna can only be used for transmit or receive at a given time. The system determines timing requirements for data transmission and reception and interrupts data transmission for transmission of speech in selected intervals while meeting the data transmission timing and throughput requirements. The speech can be manipulated to fit with the selected intervals, to preserve the intelligibility of the manipulated speech.

Abstract: A single machine configured to manufacture a wire cable assembly including an twisted wire pair and a drain wire having a conductive tape and an insulative tape spirally wrapped about said wire pair. The machine includes a first clamp that secures an end of the wire pair and a second clamp that secures the other end of the wire pair. The second clamp rotates while the first clamp is fixed thereby twisting the wires of the wire pair one about the other. The second clamp can also rotate synchronously with the first clamp thereby rotating the wire pair without twisting. The machine also has a tape reel configured to move parallel to the clamps as they rotate, wrapping tape around the wire pair. The apparatus can be configured to apply the tapes simultaneously to electromagnetically shield and insulate the cable assembly. A method of operating the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for voice and data interlacing in a system having a shared antenna. In one embodiment, a voice and data communication system has a shared antenna for transmitting and receiving information in time slots, wherein the antenna can only be used for transmit or receive at a given time. The system determines timing requirements for data transmission and reception and interrupts data transmission for transmission of speech in selected intervals while meeting the data transmission timing and throughput requirements. The speech can be manipulated to fit with the selected intervals, to preserve the intelligibility of the manipulated speech.

Abstract: A wiring harness clip has a concave elongate base for taping the wiring harness clip to a bundle of cables and an attachment ear with a hole for attaching the bundle of wires to a support panel or the like. The wiring harness clip is manufactured from an extruded blank that preferably includes two parallel channels for providing the concave elongated bases and a web between the channels for providing attachment ears. Successive attachment ears are stamped with part of one channel to form a wiring harness clip and then with part of the other channel to form another wiring harness clip.

Abstract: A wiring assembly fixture and system, and a method for assembling wiring assemblies, are disclosed. A wiring assembly fixture includes at least two fixture blocks that are operable to retain wire adjacent a connector or a wire termination position to define lengths of wire extending between the fixture blocks. At least one of the fixture blocks is further operable to receive a wire cutting tool to cut the lengths of wire to form wire leads adjacent one of the connectors or wire termination positions. A method for assembling a wiring assembly may include positioning first and second wiring assembly connectors and weaving wire about the first and second wiring assembly connectors to define lengths of wire extending therebetween. The method may further include cutting the lengths of wire adjacent at least one of the wiring assembly connectors to form wire leads adjacent the wiring assembly connector.

Abstract: An extrudable wiring harness clip has an elongate base for taping the wiring harness clip to a bundle of cables and an integral self expanding head for attaching the bundle of cables to a support panel or the like. The extrudable wiring harness clip has a constant cross section extending from a front face to a rear face that are preferably parallel to each other. The bottom surface of the elongate base is preferably flat or at least not curved in a direction that is parallel to the length of the elongate base. The extrudable wiring harness clip is made by slicing a portion from an extrusion strip.

Abstract: An electrical splice assembly includes a bus plate having a plurality of coplanar, spaced male blades extending from the bus plate in cantilever fashion, a plurality of female terminals attached to the male blades, and a generally U-shaped housing of extrudable shape. The housing has an elongate open end portion defining a terminal receiving cavity, a closed end portion and an intermediate portion defining a slot that communicates with the terminal receiving cavity. The bus plate is at least partially disposed in the slot and the spaced male blades are at least partially disposed in the terminal receiving cavity along with the female terminals attached to them. The bus plate is a sheet metal stamping and the housing is an extrusion. The female terminals are attached to selected ones of the male blades to form a sub-assembly that is inserted laterally into the housing so the bus plate is at least partially disposed in the slot and the female terminals are disposed in the terminal receiving cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for improving the useful life of sorbent beds, such as activated carbon filter beds. It is known that breakthrough in carbon filter beds first occurs at the low gas velocity regions of the filter bed, i.e., at the filter's edges. A recirculation jacket filter system diverts already filtered air from the downstream side of the filter bed toward the peripheral region of the upstream side of the filter bed so that contaminants near the filter's edges are reduced and filter life is improved.

Abstract: An anti-rotation terminal connection assembly wherein the stud, nut and terminal components thereof are co-configured so as to prevent rotation of the terminal as the nut is threaded onto the stud. The nut is provided with a central recess defined by an annular lip so that the nut tightens only against the terminal.

Abstract: A fastener having a head and a cylindrical shank, the shank having a first set of opposed wings extending from two opposed longitudinally extending segments and a second set of opposed wings extending from the two other opposed longitudinally extending segments. Wings in opposing segments are identical. Wings in the first set have a larger radial diameter than wings in the second set. Wings in adjacent segments are offset a distance longitudinally. There is a longitudinally extending spacing between one radial edge of each wing in the first set and one radial edge of each wing in the second set. Each of the wings in the second set has a flattened portion on a distal edge that extends to a radial edge. The fastener is particularly useful for maintaining a high ratio of disengage force to engage force over a range of aperture sizes, shapes, and panel thicknesses.

Abstract: A fastener having a head and a cylindrical shank, the shank having a first set of opposed wings extending from two opposed longitudinally extending segments and a second set of opposed wings extending from the two other opposed longitudinally extending segments. Wings in opposing segments are identical. Wings in the first set have a larger radial diameter than wings in the second set. Wings in adjacent segments are offset a distance longitudinally. There is a longitudinally extending spacing between one radial edge of each wing in the first set and one radial edge of each wing in the second set. Each of the wings in the second set has a flattened portion on a distal edge that extends to a radial edge. The fastener is particularly useful for maintaining a high ratio of disengage force to engage force over a range of aperture sizes, shapes, and panel thicknesses.

Abstract: An anti-rotation terminal connection assembly wherein the stud, nut and terminal components thereof are co-configured so as to prevent rotation of the terminal as the nut is threaded onto the stud. The nut is provided with a central recess defined by an annular lip so that the nut tightens only against the terminal.

Abstract: A fastener comprising a T-shaped plastic planar member has a base which can be taped to a wiring assembly or harness and a normally extending trunk which has a pressure sensitive adhesive pad secured to a portion thereon adjacent the base and which has a releasable cover overlying the adhesive pad to protect the same during handling, but which can be unfolded to expose the adhesive pad to enable the pad to be fastened to a panel of the vehicle by merely pressing it onto the panel.

Abstract: A universal connector including a housing of molded thermoplastic having a pair of slots in a side thereof for receiving therein plugs or wires of various shapes and sizes for connection with the connector and a slot for receiving therethrough a stud. A pair of copper blocks are positioned adjacent each other with a pair of beryllia washers and a temperature sensor therebetween. One block includes a pair of plain apertures extending entirely through the block. The other block includes a pair of threaded apertures extending entirely through that block. These apertures are aligned with the washers. The blocks also include opposing grooves which, together, form an aperture. A pair of nylon screws are threaded into the threaded apertures to secure the blocks into tight frictional engagement against the washers and the temperature sensor. A copper wire is secured to the block and a copper wire is secured to the block to provide electrical connection between the blocks and an external device.

Abstract: A method is set forth for forming conductive contacts to first, second and third regions of a substrate. The substrate is covered with an insulating layer having a slot with an island therein. The island is covered with a first sacrificial layer. The substrate is covered with a conformal coating of a dielectric material. The coating is etched off with retention of sacrificial portions of the dielectric material between the island and the insulating layer. The first sacrificial layer is removed from the island while the sacrificial portions remain. A conductive layer is deposited upon the substrate. A second sacrificial layer is laid down upon the conductive layer. The second sacrificial layer is etched away along with the sacrificial portions of the dielectric material while the conductive layer is not significantly removed. Highly conductive contacts are provided with the conductive material self-aligned on the source, drain and gate.