Abstract: A system and method for stereo photography is provided. The system comprises a first light source, a second light source and a photodetector. The first light source is configured to illuminate one or more first non-white colors on an object. The second light source is configured to illuminate one or more second non-white colors that are different from the first non-white colors on the object. The photodetector is configured to detect a three dimensional representation of the object at a single moment in time in response to the first light source illuminating the first non-white colors and the second light source illuminating the second non-white colors on the object.

Abstract: An electric machine made from kinetically sprayed permanent magnet material and a binder material form a composite admixture having microstructure of permanent magnet material embedded in the binder material. The admixture has a permanent magnetic moment. The magnets of the present invention may be integrally formed atop carriers to form electrical machines such as motors, generators, alternators, solenoids, and actuators. The manufacturing techniques used in this invention may produce highly defined articles that do not require additional shaping or attaching steps. Very high-purity permanent and soft magnetic materials, and conductors with low oxidation are produced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electric machines comprised of geometrically patterned arrays of permanent magnets, soft magnetic materials, and electrical conductors deposited by kinetic spraying methods directly atop a carrier. The magnets and planar coils of the present invention may be integrally formed atop carriers to form electrical machines such as motors, generators, alternators, solenoids, and actuators. The manufacturing techniques used in this invention may produce highly defined articles that do not require additional shaping or attaching steps. Very high-purity permanent and soft magnetic materials, and conductors with low oxidation are produced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a permanent magnet by the steps of preparing an admixture of magnetic material and binder material, the admixture material having a particle size of less than 325 mesh. Then heating a carrier gas to a temperature substantially below the melting point of either component of the admixture. The admixture is introduced into the carrier gas and the admixture is sprayed atop a ductile carrier. The admixture adheres to the carrier and forms a solid permanent magnet. An electric field is applied to the sprayed admixture to create a permanent magnetic moment.

Abstract: A programmable seat belt damper assembly for a seat belt in a motor vehicle. The programmable seat belt damper assembly includes a retractor operatively connected to the seat belt for winding and unwinding the seat belt. The programmable seat belt damper assembly also includes a rotary damper operatively connected to the retractor and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein. The programmable seat belt damper assembly further includes a controller electrically connected to the rotary damper to control an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid to increase and decrease a damping torque of the rotary damper for the unwinding of the seat belt.

Abstract: A variable inertia flywheel and clutch assembly having a primary flywheel mass rotationally fixed to an engine crankshaft and a secondary flywheel mass selectively engageable with a clutch disc, which is rotationally fixed to a transmission input shaft. A radial spring assembly is coupled between the primary mass and the secondary mass, as well as a latching assembly that can latch to selectively prevent relative rotation between the primary mass and the secondary mass. Preferably, the latching assembly is also employed as a variable damper between the primary mass and the secondary mass when the latching assembly is not latched.

Abstract: A variable inertia flywheel and clutch assembly having a primary flywheel mass rotationally fixed to an engine crankshaft and a secondary flywheel mass selectively engageable with a clutch disc, which is rotationally fixed to a transmission input shaft. A radial spring assembly is coupled between the primary mass and the secondary mass, as well as a latching assembly that can latch to selectively prevent relative rotation between the primary mass and the secondary mass. Preferably, the latching assembly is also employed as a variable damper between the primary mass and the secondary mass when the latching assembly is not latched.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electric machines comprised of geometrically patterned arrays of permanent magnets, soft magnetic materials, and electrical conductors deposited by kinetic spraying methods directly atop a carrier. The magnets and planar coils of the present invention may be integrally formed atop carriers to form electrical machines such as motors, generators, alternators, solenoids, and actuators. The manufacturing techniques used in this invention may produce highly defined articles that do not require additional shaping or attaching steps. Very high-purity permanent and soft magnetic materials, and conductors with low oxidation are produced.

Abstract: A programmable seat back damper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a generally horizontal seat cushion portion and a generally upright back portion operatively connected to the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly includes a recliner for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly also includes a damper for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein. The programmable seat back damper assembly further includes a controller electrically connected to the damper to control an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid to increase and decrease damping of the damper for adjusting an angle of the seat back portion relative to the seat cushion portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electric machines comprised of geometrically patterned arrays of permanent magnets, soft magnetic materials, and electrical conductors deposited by kinetic spraying methods directly atop a carrier. The magnets and planar coils of the present invention may be integrally formed atop carriers to form electrical machines such as motors, generators, alternators, solenoids, and actuators. The manufacturing techniques used in this invention may produce highly defined articles that do not require additional shaping or attaching steps. Very high-purity permanent and soft magnetic materials, and conductors with low oxidation are produced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electric machines comprising the steps of kinetically spraying a powdered admixture of magnetic material and ductile binder material on to a substrate and applying a concentrated magnetic field to the sprayed admixture to cause magnetic dipole alignment in the sprayed admixture. The magnets of the present invention may be integrally formed atop carriers to form electrical machines such as motors, generators, alternators, solenoids, and actuators. The manufacturing techniques used in this invention may produce highly defined articles that do not require additional shaping or attaching steps. Very high-purity permanent and soft magnetic materials, and conductors with low oxidation are produced.

Abstract: An electric machine made from kinetically sprayed permanent magnet material and a binder material form a composite admixture having microstructure of permanent magnet material embedded in the binder material. The admixture has a permanent magnetic moment. The magnets of the present invention may be integrally formed atop carriers to form electrical machines such as motors, generators, alternators, solenoids, and actuators. The manufacturing techniques used in this invention may produce highly defined articles that do not require additional shaping or attaching steps. Very high-purity permanent and soft magnetic materials, and conductors with low oxidation are produced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a permanent magnet by the steps of preparing an admixture of magnetic material and binder material, the admixture material having a particle size of less than 325 mesh. Then heating a carrier gas to a temperature substantially below the melting point of either component of the admixture. The admixture is introduced into the carrier gas and the admixture is sprayed atop a ductile carrier. The admixture adheres to the carrier and forms a solid permanent magnet. An electric field is applied to the sprayed admixture to create a permanent magnetic moment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electric machines comprised of geometrically patterned arrays of permanent magnets, soft magnetic materials, and electrical conductors deposited by kinetic spraying methods directly atop a carrier. The magnets and planar coils of the present invention may be integrally formed atop carriers to form electrical machines such as motors, generators, alternators, solenoids, and actuators. The manufacturing techniques used in this invention may produce highly defined articles that do not require additional shaping or attaching steps. Very high-purity permanent and soft magnetic materials, and conductors with low oxidation are produced.

Abstract: A programmable seat back damper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a generally horizontal seat cushion portion and a generally upright back portion operatively connected to the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly includes a recliner for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly also includes a damper for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein. The programmable seat back damper assembly further includes a controller electrically connected to the damper to control an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid to increase and decrease damping of the damper for adjusting an angle of the seat back portion relative to the seat cushion portion.

Abstract: A programmable seat back damper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a generally horizontal seat cushion portion and a generally upright back portion operatively connected to the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly includes a recliner for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly also includes a damper for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein.

Abstract: A method of determining seal failure is implemented in a ball joint including a stud having a ball embedded in grease within a sealed socket assembly. A dielectric characteristic of the grease is measured to determined if the sealed socket assembly has failed based upon a substantial variation of the measured dielectric characteristic from a predetermined value.

Abstract: A vehicle door sealing system includes a flexible weatherstrip containing magnetizable particulate material. Selected areas of the weatherstrip are magnetized to enhance the sealing action at hard-to-seal zones, such as curved corner areas along the door perimeter. The magnetic action is confined to the hard-to-seal areas so that the magnetic action will not make it excessively difficult for a person to open the vehicle door.

Abstract: A method allows the rapid evaluation of physical properties of chassis elastomeric devices in a motor vehicle. A parametric controller (26) provides a parametric state signal to a elastomer control module (24), which in turn generates an appropriate electrical current signal which is communicated to a variable elastomeric device (22) which includes a magnetorheological elastomer having iron particles embedded therein and a coil operatively associated therewith. When the coil is energized by electrical current signal provided from the elastomer control module (24), a magnetic field is generated which provides predetermined variability in the physical properties of the elastomeric device (22), allowing the rapid evaluation of vehicle performance for given physical properties of the elastomeric device (22).

Abstract: A variable stiffness suspension bushing (18) that is useful in a suspension of a motor vehicle to reduce brake shudder includes a shaft or rod (40) connected to a suspension member (12), an inner cylinder (42) fixedly connected to the shaft or rod (40), and an outer cylinder (44) fixedly connected to a chassis member (16). A magnetorheological (MR) elastomer (48), having iron particles embedded therein, is interposed between the inner (42) and outer (44) cylinders, and a coil (54) is disposed about the inner cylinder (42). When the coil (54) is energized by electrical current provided from a suspension control module (20), a variable magnetic field is generated so as to influence the magnetorheological (MR) elastomer (48) whereby variable stiffness values of the elastomer (48) are obtained to provide the bushing (18) with variable stiffness characteristics in order to eliminate compromises heretofore necessary when using single, fixed rate bushings.