Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a device for balancing a flow of electrical energy from a vehicle to an external power source is provided. The device comprises a balance circuit being configured to receive an input current signal from the power source and to transmit an output current signal to the external power source for charging a element in a vehicle. A differential resistance causes the input current signal and the output current signal to be different. A current measuring device is configured to generate an output differential signal indicating a difference between the input and output current signals. A current generating device is configured to generate a compensated current signal in response to the output differential signal and to adjust the output current signal with the compensated current signal such that the input and output current signals are generally similar to one another.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for a vehicle that has a bumper and a frame. A receptacle is defined within the frame. A collapsible member is provided between the bumper and a recessed location spaced away from the bumper in the receptacle. The collapsible member may collapse at least partially into the receptacle in the event of a collision.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a remediation system for oxic water having transition metal ions includes a first chamber defining a first cavity having a first inlet and a first outlet. The first cavity includes oxic water having dissolved ions of reduced species of chalcogenides. The system also includes a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. The oxic water has a pH ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 when present in the first chamber.

Abstract: A device for measuring a vibration frequency of a mechanically vibrating string or rod, comprising a microwave transmitter for directing microwaves towards the vibrating string and a microwave receiver for receiving the microwaves amplitude modulated by the frequency of mechanical vibration. A member is arranged close to a vibration maximum of the vibrating string. The member is arranged on one side of the vibrating object and the microwave receiver is arranged on the other side thereof. The device is used for measuring temperature, pressure, torque, force or identity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tie-down device comprising a base member and a retaining member, the retaining member having a plate and a pin extending from the plate, the pin being engageable with a part of a channel or structure associated with the channel, the plate being engageable with another part of the channel or structure associated with the channel by pushing the retaining member to a distal position away from the base member and twisting the retaining member whilst in the distal position into engagement with the channel or structure associated with the channel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a trunk area, a seating area located forward in the vehicle with respect to the trunk area, and a high voltage traction battery packaged in the trunk area. An electric motor is powered by the traction battery. A forced air system includes an inlet duct/inlet plenum arrangement for receiving air and providing air to the high voltage traction battery, an outlet duct for directing exhaust air from the high voltage traction battery, and a fan. At least one of the inlet duct / inlet plenum arrangement and the outlet duct forms a cross brace for the vehicle. The cross brace is located in the trunk area and extends between opposite sides of the vehicle to function as a structural member to provide structure and protect the high voltage traction battery.

Abstract: Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.

Abstract: A vehicle seat air bag assembly (17) having an air bag module (18) includes an air bag guide (44) that is foldable from a flexible sheet (46) to provide both left and right hand embodiments with connection of distal ends of the flexible sheet to each other after the folding fabrication. The air bag guide (44) guides an air bag (40) of the air bag module (18) during inflation and movement to and through a trim cover deployment seam (34).

Abstract: An automotive vehicle seat back adapted for movement between an upright position and a lowered position has an air duct with an intake located adjacent an upper portion of the seat back and an outlet located adjacent a lower portion of the seat back. The air duct takes in ambient cabin air at its upper end and that air is directed to an electronics compartment located behind the seat in order to cool the electronics regardless of whether the seat back is in the raised or the lowered position.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is attached to an instrument panel frame, and an aperture is formed in an upper surface of an instrument panel housing in alignment with the bracket to provide a hardpoint for attaching an adapter module. The adapter module is removably secured to the mounting bracket and is provided with component mounting features for securing electrical components such as a radio or radar device. Vehicle electric wiring internal to the instrument panel housing is easily connected with wiring associated with the components. The apparatus allows cost-effective and efficient customization of electrical components mounted to a vehicle instrument panel.

Abstract: A fuel cell hydration system comprising a first reservoir is provided. The first reservoir is positioned between a cathode supply and a fuel cell stack. The first reservoir includes corrugated regions positioned axially along the first reservoir to accumulate water discharged from a first fluid stream. The first fluid stream absorbs the accumulated water when an amount of water within the first fluid stream is below a water level to hydrate the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An emission test system may include at least one controller configured to determine, directly or indirectly, a quantity of diluted exhaust sample in a container at the completion of an emissions test, and to cause additional diluent gas to be added to the container based on the determined quantity.

Abstract: Overrunning coupling and control assemblies, each of which includes control apparatus having a latching mechanism are provided. Each latching mechanism prevents an actuator arm of an overrunning coupling assembly from moving in a first direction substantially parallel to a shift direction of a control plate of the coupling assembly within a housing slot in a locked condition of the mechanism in a first position of the control plate. A control pressure signal within a bore of the housing changes the condition of the latching mechanism from locked to unlocked to unlock the actuator arm and causes the unlocked actuator arm to move along the first direction within the slot and the control element to move along the shift direction to a second position. The control pressure signal also causes a piston which has a groove formed in its outer surface to receive and retain a free end portion of the actuator arm to slide within the bore in the housing against the biasing force of the at least one biasing member.

Abstract: A remote keyless entry system is provided comprising a handheld remote keyless entry transmitter in selectable wireless communication with a car based entry system. The handheld remote keyless entry transmitter comprises an integrated electronic compass element and logic adapted to store a first compass direction when activated and directed towards a destination. The logic further is adapted to display a return compass direction and a return distance from the car based entry system when activated leaving the destination.

Abstract: A frame and comb foundation and method for controlling Varroa mites in a honeybee hive. In a first embodiment the invention is comprised of half portions of the frame and comb foundation in combination with a power supply, heating element, electronic control unit (ECU), temperature sensor and an optional diagnostic system. The ECU which may be mounted on the frame and comb foundation or, in a separate enclosure is comprised of a micro-controller and other circuitry. The temperature sensor is mounted adjacent to the heating unit. The power supply may mobile or stationary, such as a battery or line current. In a second embodiment, the frame and comb foundation is interconnected with similar frame and comb foundations in multiple hives that include individual ECU's and temperature sensors and individual wireless electronic communication systems, a single power source and individual heating elements. The multiple temperature sensors are mounted adjacent to the heating elements.

Abstract: A system and method for interactively optimizing shipping density of racked parts by a user is provided. The system includes a user computer system, a communications network, a remotely located computer system, a data storage device a computer-generated model of a component part; a computer-generated model of a container for transporting the component part and an executable shipping density optimization software program. The methodology includes the steps of the user selecting the component part model and container. The methodology also includes the steps of analyzing the shipping density of component parts within the container. The methodology further includes the steps of identifying a bottleneck feature and modifying the bottleneck feature and determining the optimized density of the modified component parts in the container.

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump connectable to a power source, a hydraulic motor, a fluid circuit, a pump displacement control, and a controller. The pump has an inlet for receiving fluid, an outlet for discharging pressurized fluid, and a pump displacement input. The motor has an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid and an outlet for discharging spent fluid. The fluid circuit includes a supply conduit for conducting fluid discharged by the pump to the motor and a return conduit for returning fluid discharged by the motor to the pump. The pump displacement control cooperates with the pump displacement input to vary pump displacement. The controller communicates with the pump displacement control to control the pump output such that the motor is driven at a constant speed to thereby drive a generator connected to the motor at a constant speed despite speed fluctuations of the power source.

Abstract: Silicon wafers polished on their front sides are individually placed on a susceptor in an epitaxy reactor and firstly pretreated under a hydrogen atmosphere, and secondly with addition of an etching medium with a flow rate of 1.5-5 slm to the hydrogen atmosphere, the hydrogen flow rate being 1-100 slm in both steps, and subsequently epitaxially coated on the polished front side, and then removed from the reactor. In a second method, gas flows introduced into the reactor by injectors are distributed into outer and inner zones of the chamber, such that the inner zone gas flow acts on a wafer central region and the outer zone gas flow acts on a wafer edge region, the inner/outer distribution of the etching medium I/O=0-0.75. Silicon wafers having an epitaxial layer having global flatness value GBIR of 0.02-0.06 ?m, relative to an edge exclusion of 2 mm are produced.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing front end structure for a motor vehicle includes a pair of frame rails, struts (crushable members) made movable relative to the frame rails along a longitudinal axis, a bumper beam supported by the struts, and a spring resisting rearward movement of each strut relative to the frame rail. An inertia-activated locking device inhibits rearward movement of the strut when the vehicle undergoes a longitudinal deceleration above a threshold level so that the strut may absorb crash energy in a high-speed collision. If the vehicle is involved in a lower energy collision, such as with a pedestrian, the deceleration experienced by the vehicle is below the threshold level and the strut remains in an unlocked condition in which it is able to move rearward against the spring to lessen the crash energy transmitted to the pedestrian.