Abstract: The present invention is a wireless HVIL system and method using RFID-enabled Electrical Connector with connector position assurance (“CPA”) features. Each RFID-enabled Electrical Connector has an RFID tag that is only readable after the CPA features of the RFID-enabled Electrical Connector have been fully deployed. If a CPA feature has not been fully deployed, electrically conductive material will obscure the RFID tag so that it cannot be read. At least one RFID reader is distributed so that all of the RFID tags are within its effective range. When system power is cycled on, the at least one RFID reader emits a digital pulse and reads all of the non-obscured RFID tags. If the at least one RFID reader detects all of the expected RFID tags, an HVIL processor will shut an HVIL switch, and power will be supplied to all HV devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connector assembly for use in a high-power application, such as with motor vehicle electronics, that exposes the connector assembly to elevated temperatures and thermal cycling. The connector assembly includes a first electrically conductive connector formed from a first material, an internal spring member formed from a second material residing within the first connector, and a second electrically conductive connector with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the first connector and the spring member to define a connected position, wherein the connector assembly withstands the elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power application. To maintain the first and second connectors in the connected position, the spring arm of the spring member exerts an outwardly directed force on the contact beam of the first connector to outwardly displace the contact beam into engagement with an inner surface of the receptacle of the second connector.

Abstract: The present invention is an RFID-enabled electrical connector with connector position assurance (“CPA”) features. The RFID tag is only readable after the CPA features have been fully deployed. The electrical connector is comprised of at least two parts, a socket and a plug. In the illustrated embodiment, a connector housing is positioned between the socket and plug, with both the socket and plug connecting to the connector housing. Until the CPA feature has been fully deployed, the RFID tag is covered by an electrically conductive material, preferably an electrically conductive plastic. The RFID tag can only be properly read after the CPA feature has been fully deployed. To prevent signal leakage, the RFID tag can alternately be placed inside a five-sided box fabricated from electrically conductive material, preferably electrically conductive plastic.

Abstract: The present invention is a wireless HVIL system and method using RFID-enabled Electrical Connector with connector position assurance (“CPA”) features. Each RFID-enabled Electrical Connector has an RFID tag that is only readable after the CPA features of the RFID-enabled Electrical Connector have been fully deployed. If a CPA feature has not been fully deployed, electrically conductive material will obscure the RFID tag so that it cannot be read. At least one RFID reader is distributed so that all of the RFID tags are within its effective range. When system power is cycled on, the at least one RFID reader emits a digital pulse and reads all of the non-obscured RFID tags. If the at least one RFID reader detects all of the expected RFID tags, an HVIL processor will shut an HVIL switch, and power will be supplied to all HV devices.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector system for electrically and mechanically connecting a component to a power source is disclosed. The connector system includes a male connector assembly with a male terminal, a non-conductive internal male housing that receives the male terminal, and a conductive external male housing that receives an extent of the internal male housing. This terminal includes a receiver and side walls with a contact arm that extends across an aperture in the side wall. An internal spring member with at least one spring arm resides within the male terminal receiver. A female connector assembly includes a female terminal with a receptacle that receives both the male terminal and the spring member. A non-conductive internal female housing receives the female terminal and an extent of the male connector assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for electrically and mechanically connecting a component to a power source is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a male terminal with side walls defining a receiver. The side wall includes a contact arm that extends across an aperture in the side wall. The assembly also includes an internal spring member dimensioned to reside within the receiver of the male terminal. The spring member has at least one spring arm that extends from a base portion. The assembly further includes a female terminal with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the male terminal and the spring member residing within the receiver of the male connector to define a connected position. In the connected position, the spring arm exerts an outwardly directed biasing force on the contact arm of the male terminal to outwardly displace it into engagement with an inner surface of the receptacle to ensure connectivity.

Abstract: An electrical connector system for electrically and mechanically connecting with a component in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The connector system includes a motor vehicle component and a male connector assembly with a male housing that receives a male terminal. This terminal includes a receiver and side walls with a contact arm that extends across an aperture in the side wall. An internal spring member with at least one spring arm resides within the male terminal receiver. A female connector assembly includes a female terminal with a receptacle that receives both the male terminal and the spring member. A female housing receives the female terminal and an extent of the male connector assembly.

Abstract: This invention is a method for making a bipolar plate by selecting at least one resin from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyphenylsulfone, a polymer resistant to sulfuric acid, and combinations of any thereof. The method may include adding conductive fibers in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by volume, to the bipolar plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connector assembly for use in a high-power application, such as with motor vehicle electronics, that exposes the connector assembly to elevated temperatures and thermal cycling. The connector assembly includes a first electrically conductive connector formed from a first material, an internal spring member formed from a second material residing within the first connector, and a second electrically conductive connector with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the first connector and the spring member to define a connected position, wherein the connector assembly withstands the elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power application. To maintain the first and second connectors in the connected position, the spring arm of the spring member exerts an outwardly directed force on the contact beam of the first connector to outwardly displace the contact beam into engagement with an inner surface of the receptacle of the second connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connector assembly for use in a high-power application, such as with motor vehicle electronics, that exposes the connector assembly to elevated temperatures and thermal cycling. The connector assembly includes a first electrically conductive connector formed from a first material, an internal spring member formed from a second material residing within the first connector, and a second electrically conductive connector with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the first connector and the spring member to define a connected position, wherein the connector assembly withstands the elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power application. To maintain the first and second connectors in the connected position, the spring arm of the spring member exerts an outwardly directed force on the contact beam of the first connector to outwardly displace the contact beam into engagement with an inner surface of the receptacle of the second connector.

Abstract: This invention is a method for making a bipolar plate by selecting at least one resin from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyphenylsulfone, a polymer resistant to sulfuric acid, and combinations of any thereof. The method may include adding conductive fibers in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by volume, to the bipolar plate.

Abstract: Dynamic characterization of complex high-order nonlinearity in transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) signal chains of transceiver systems can be efficiently and accurately performed. A loopback connection may be used to facilitate self-characterization. Appropriate RX and TX configuration settings may be developed to facilitate de-coupling of individual RX and TX nonlinearities from measured cascade nonlinearity. The system's high-order response to a two-tone signal generation may be measured, and complex mathematical analysis may be performed to identify and isolate passband nonlinear components to extract a high-order memory-less model for the system. The extracted system model may be used in the corrective and non-iterative pre-distortion of generated signals and in the post-distortion of received signals to improve linearity performance of the transceiver.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connector assembly for use in a high-power application, such as with motor vehicle electronics, that exposes the connector assembly to elevated temperatures and thermal cycling. The connector assembly includes a first electrically conductive connector formed from a first material, an internal spring member formed from a second material residing within the first connector, and a second electrically conductive connector with a receptacle dimensioned to receive both the first connector and the spring member to define a connected position, wherein the connector assembly withstands the elevated temperatures and thermal cycling resulting from the high-power application. To maintain the first and second connectors in the connected position, the spring arm of the spring member exerts an outwardly directed force on the contact beam of the first connector to outwardly displace the contact beam into engagement with an inner surface of the receptacle of the second connector.

Abstract: The present invention is a high-power, spring-actuated connector device. The device has a male terminal and a female connector. The male terminal has a metallic tubular member that provides a contact surface for the female connector. The female connector fits inside the male terminal, when making an electrical connection. The female connector has a contact element, with a plurality of contact beams. A spring actuator is nested inside the contact element. The spring has spring arms that map, one-to-one, to the contact beams. The spring-actuator spring arms force the contact beams into electrical contact with the inner surface of the metallic tubular member of the male terminal. Thermal expansion and residual material memory create a more secure connection in this configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is a high-power, spring-actuated connector device. The device has a male terminal and a female connector. The male terminal has a metallic tubular member that provides a contact surface for the female connector. The female connector fits inside the male terminal, when making an electrical connection. The female connector has a contact element, with a plurality of contact beams. A spring actuator is nested inside the contact element. The spring has spring arms that map, one-to-one, to the contact beams. The spring-actuator spring arms force the contact beams into electrical contact with the inner surface of the metallic tubular member of the male terminal. Thermal expansion and residual material memory create a more secure connection in this configuration.

Abstract: A tactile communication apparatus that includes a signal receiver configured to decode data received via a wireless signal a plurality of electro tactile pads on one side, each pad configured to respectively activate and deactivate to form a plurality of pad combinations based on a plurality of activation signals, and a communication processor configured to generate the plurality of electro tactile pad activation signals based on the received data so as to convey the data to a user through the plurality of pad combinations of the tactile communication apparatus.

Abstract: Dynamic characterization of complex high-order nonlinearity in transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) signal chains of transceiver systems can be efficiently and accurately performed. A loopback connection may be used to facilitate self-characterization. Appropriate RX and TX configuration settings may be developed to facilitate de-coupling of individual RX and TX nonlinearities from measured cascade nonlinearity. The system's high-order response to a two-tone signal generation may be measured, and complex mathematical analysis may be performed to identify and isolate passband nonlinear components to extract a high-order memory-less model for the system. The extracted system model may be used in the corrective and non-iterative pre-distortion of generated signals and in the post-distortion of received signals to improve linearity performance of the transceiver.

Abstract: A fuse holder for an electrical fuse includes a first housing portion which has first and second electrical terminals disposed therein. A second housing portion is pivotally attached to the first housing portion, and is configured to carry the electrical fuse. Pivoting the first and second housing portions together automatically and sequentially connects the fuse carried by the second housing portion to the terminals disposed within the first housing portion. This provides a convenient mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the fuse, and facilitates the use of a fuse without its own insulating material.

Abstract: An integrated power module conditions and distributes electrical power from a high voltage source in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes an electrically-driven traction motor. A common primary DC-to-DC converter stage for coupling to the high voltage source produces an intermediate DC voltage on an intermediate voltage bus. The primary DC-to-DC converter stage comprises a plurality of phases including respective secondary circuits selectably coupled to the intermediate voltage bus. A plurality of power conditioners are each coupled to the intermediate voltage bus for transforming the intermediate DC voltage to respective power outputs, wherein the power outputs including a first AC output for driving the traction motor.

Abstract: A fuse circuit assembly having a power distribution bar for distributing power from a power input and an electrical terminal integral with the power distribution bar. The electrical terminal has a fuse element that is configured to open at an over current threshold in order to prevent current flow therethrough. The electrical terminal portion also has a female terminal portion.