Abstract: A torsion shaft for a vehicle includes an elongated inner shaft, and an outer sleeve attached to the inner shaft which fits over the inner shaft. A torsion cap is further attached to the inner shaft and outer sleeve. Another embodiment of the present invention includes an elongated inner shaft and an outer casing attached to the inner shaft which fits over the inner shaft. A torsion cap is further attached to the inner shaft and outer sleeve. A method for making a torsion shaft is also provided. An inner shaft and a magnetized outer sleeve are provided. The inner shaft is inserted into the outer sleeve, and the two are joined together.

Abstract: A process is described for the fabrication of submicron interconnect structures for integrated circuit chips. Void-free and seamless conductors are obtained by electroplating Cu from baths that contain additives and are conventionally used to deposit level, bright, ductile, and low-stress Cu metal. The capability of this method to superfill features without leaving voids or seams is unique and superior to that of other deposition approaches. The electromigration resistance of structures making use of CU electroplated in this manner is superior to the electromigration resistance of AlCu structures or structures fabricated using Cu deposited by methods other than electroplating.

Abstract: There is provided a torsion shaft for a vehicle. This torsion shaft includes an elongated inner shaft, and an outer sleeve attached to the inner shaft which fits over the inner shaft. A torsion cap is further attached to the inner shaft and outer sleeve. Another embodiment of the present invention includes an elongated inner shaft and an outer casing attached to the inner shaft which fits over the inner shaft. A torsion cap is further attached to the inner shaft and outer sleeve. A method for making a torsion shaft is also provided. An inner shaft and a magnetized outer sleeve are provided. The inner shaft is inserted into the outer sleeve, and the two are joined together.

Abstract: There is provided a torsion shaft for the electronic power-assisted steering (“EPAS”) system of a vehicle. The torsion shaft designed for the EPAS system is made up of a shaft, where a first portion of the shaft is magnetized, and a second portion of the shaft is non-magnetized. The torsion shaft further includes a torsion cap attached to the shaft. Also provided is a torsion shaft for an EPAS system made up of a discreet first shaft portion and a discreet second shaft portion operatively joined together, where the first shaft portion is magnetized, and a second shaft portion is non-magnetized. The torsion shaft further includes a torsion cap attached to the shaft. Further provided is a method for making a torsion shaft where at least two portions of a torsion shaft are provided. At least one portion is magnetized, and at least one portion is left free of magnetization. The portions are then joined.

Abstract: A scintillator for a radiation detector includes a substantially cylindrical scintillating element mounted in a substantially cylindrical housing; and a gamma ray source substantially enclosed within the scintillating element.

Abstract: A magnetoelastic torque sensor assembly is provided for sensing torsion load of a shaft, such as an automotive steering column. The assembly includes a molded plastic body that defines an axial channel and includes an axial opening. The assembly also includes a U-shaped lead frame that is embedded within the molded plastic body and includes side portions that extend within side sections of the molded plastic body about the channel. Magnetic flux sensors are embedded in the side sections of the molded plastic body and connected to the lead frame. For use, the shaft is radially received through the axial opening in the molded plastic body and coaxially positioned within the channel. The magnetic flux sensors are positioned about the shaft in a predetermined and fixed arrangement. The sensor array preferably includes sensors that are disposed in a plane through the axis, either diametrically opposed or axially spaced.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine rotor disk assembly includes a disk having an annular hub circumscribed about a centerline. An annular web extends radially outwardly from the hub to an annular rim. A plurality of dovetail slots extend generally axially through the rim. A plurality of cooling air slots extending generally radially through the rim and are skewed circumferentially with respect to the centerline and slanted axially aftwardly with respect to a normal radius perpendicular to the centerline. In the exemplary embodiment, each cooling air slot has parallel side walls skewed circumferentially with respect to the centerline and an aft wall extending between the side walls and slanted axially aftwardly with respect to the normal radius. The side walls are skewed circumferentially about 5 degrees with respect to the centerline and the aft wall is slanted axially aftwardly about 18 degrees with respect to the normal radius.

Abstract: A magnetoelastic torque sensor assembly is provided for sensing torsion load of a shaft, such as an automotive steering column. The assembly includes a molded plastic body that defines an axial channel and includes an axial opening. The assembly also includes a U-shaped lead frame that is embedded within the molded plastic body and includes side portions that extend within side sections of the molded plastic body about the channel. Magnetic flux sensors are embedded in the side sections of the molded plastic body and connected to the lead frame. For use, the shaft is radially received through the axial opening in the molded plastic body and coaxially positioned within the channel. The magnetic flux sensors are positioned about the shaft in a predetermined and fixed arrangement. The sensor array preferably includes sensors that are disposed in a plane through the axis, either diametrically opposed or axially spaced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conveying information over a communication network such as a Digital Loop Carrier (DLC) network free of in-band signaling information for at least a portion of an established communication between at least two users so as to reduce the information error rate associated with the established communication. For communication links that support robbed-bit signaling (RBS), the RBS signaling is disabled to allow the communication link to be operated in a clear channel mode. When appropriate, operations can be switch from the clear channel mode back to the RBS mode. Embodiments are described for one-stage DLC systems having a local digital switch (LDS) connected to a remote terminal (RT) by a communication link conforming to either the TR-303 protocol or the TR-008 protocol. In addition, embodiments are described for two-stage DLC systems that also have a distance terminal (DT) connected to the RT by a second communication link.

Abstract: An sensor for sensing electrical current flowing in a conductor includes a housing for retaining a toroidal core formed of a ferric material and having a slot defining an air gap, and a Hall Effect sensor integrated circuit chip positioned in the air gap for sensing electrical current flowing in a conductor received in a central aperture of the core. The central aperture is defined by an annular portion of the housing formed by inner and outer walls joined by a floor and retaining the core. A tab in the annular portion extends into the core slot to limit movement of the core and protect the integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A process is described for the fabrication of submicron interconnect structures for integrated circuit chips. Void-free and seamless conductors are obtained by electroplating Cu from baths that contain additives and are conventionally used to deposit level, bright, ductile, and low-stress Cu metal. The capability of this method to superfill features without leaving voids or seams is unique and superior to that of other deposition approaches. The electromigration resistance of structures making use of Cu electroplated in this manner is superior to the electromigration resistance of AlCu structures or structures fabricated using Cu deposited by methods other than electroplating.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine rotor disk assembly includes a disk having an annular hub circumscribed about a centerline. An annular web extends radially outwardly from the hub to an annular rim. A plurality of dovetail slots extend generally axially through the rim. A plurality of cooling air slots extending generally radially through the rim and are skewed circumferentially with respect to the centerline and slanted axially aftwardly with respect to a normal radius perpendicular to the centerline. In the exemplary embodiment, each cooling air slot has parallel side walls skewed circumferentially with respect to the centerline and an aft wall extending between the side walls and slanted axially aftwardly with respect to the normal radius. The side walls are skewed circumferentially about 5 degrees with respect to the centerline and the aft wall is slanted axially aftwardly about 18 degrees with respect to the normal radius.

Abstract: An improved TAB circuit is provided for use with ink jet printer cartridges, which carries electrical signals to an array of nozzles on a heater chip. The TAB circuit eliminates bent or broken electrical circuit traces before being bonded to the heater chip by creating a chip window that partially overlaps the edges of the heater chip, and by bringing the electrical circuit traces to the chip window and terminating these circuit traces at a PI (polyimide) edge, which defines the inner perimeter of the chip window. The circuit traces thus are not unsupported at their ends before being assembled to the heater chip, and are automatically correctly positioned to make contact with bond pads of the heater chip when the overall TAB circuit is in correct registration therewith. The TAB circuit also provides an improved tolerance for a covercoat placement that will tend to prevent corrosive ink from coming into contact with these metal traces.

Abstract: An sensor for sensing electrical current flowing in a conductor includes a housing for retaining a toroidal core formed of a ferric material and having a slot defining an air gap, and a Hall Effect sensor integrated circuit chip positioned in the air gap for sensing electrical current flowing in a conductor received in a central aperture of the core. The central aperture is defined by an annular portion of the housing formed by inner and outer walls joined by a floor and retaining the core. A tab in the annular portion extends into the core slot to limit movement of the core and protect the integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: An inner shell of a steam turbine has discrete arcuate steam outlet ports through an axial face. In axial opposition is a nozzle ring including a pair of nozzle ring segments joined at a horizontal midline. At the midline joint, split partitions are employed to provide a full 360° discharge through the nozzle ring. The split partitions are split in an axial direction to define discrete partition portions in each of the nozzle ring segments adjacent the midline joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing electrical current flowing in a conductor includes a toroidal core formed of a ferric material and having a slot defining an air gap, a Hall Effect sensor integrated circuit positioned in the air gap for sensing electrical current flowing in a conductor received in a central aperture of the core, and a housing enclosing the core and the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit can be programmed to set functions such as output offset, gain, temperature compensation and a current sensing range.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for detecting a potentially locked axle on a vehicle propelled by an AC motor. The method includes conducting a speed test by estimating axle speed and comparing estimated axle speed to measured vehicle speed. The existence of a potential locked axle condition is determined based on the comparing of estimated axle speed to measured vehicle speed. Additional tests are disclosed for determining a potential locked axle condition and a sensor fault condition.

Abstract: The system and method maximize available rail adhesion between the rails of a track and the wheels of a rail vehicle so that the vehicle is better able to accelerate up to operating speed and to decelerate to a stop condition under poor rail conditions. The system implements a control logic function which relies on a measured variable that is different than the controlled error signal utilized to affect control of the vehicle. The control system is enabled based on creep speed while the parameter used to effect control is wheel acceleration.

Abstract: An improved TAB circuit is provided for use with ink jet printer cartridges, which carries electrical signals to an array of nozzles on a heater chip. The TAB circuit eliminates bent or broken electrical circuit traces before being bonded to the heater chip by creating a chip window that partially overlaps the edges of the heater chip, and by bringing the electrical circuit traces to the chip window and terminating these circuit traces at a PI (polyimide) edge, which defines the inner perimeter of the chip window. The circuit traces thus are not unsupported at their ends before being assembled to the heater chip, and are automatically correctly positioned to make contact with bond pads of the heater chip when the overall TAB circuit is in correct registration therewith. The TAB circuit also provides an improved tolerance for a covercoat placement that will tend to prevent corrosive ink from coming into contact with these metal traces.

Abstract: A flexible circuit on an ink jet print head cartridge provides electrical connection between a control circuit in an ink jet printer and electrical contacts on a print head integrated circuit. During operation of printer, the contacts and the flexible circuit are exposed to a corrosive ink contained in the cartridge. The flexible circuit includes a first conductor for electrically connecting to a contact on the print head integrated circuit. The first conductor carries a first voltage when the flexible circuit is connected to the control circuit. A second conductor is disposed adjacent the first conductor for electrically connecting to another contact on the print head integrated circuit. When the flexible circuit is connected to the control circuit the second conductor carries a second voltage which is different from the first voltage. Thus, a voltage difference exists between the first conductor and the second conductor.