Abstract: Electronic control for a hydraulic system to drive an auxiliary power source is provided, with an application as a system for controlling the operation of a hydraulically driven AC generator. The system includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor drivably connected to the generator, and a fluid circuit for circulating fluid from the pump to the motor and back. The feedback circuit contains a feedback conduit to feedback the motor. The system also includes a proportional servo control valve assembly for controlling the fluid conduits and a control circuit for controlling the control valve assembly to thereby control the flow of fluid to the motor. Sensors for measuring the operating parameters of the system and an operator interface module are both able to influence the operation of the system.

Abstract: SOI wafers are manufactured by forming on a silicon substrate a monocrystalline first, cubic 1a-3 metal or mixed metal oxide layer whose lattice constant differs from that of the substrate by 5% or less; forming a second cubic 1a-3 mixed metal oxide layer having a lattice constant within 2% of the lattice constant of the first metal or mixed metal oxide layer, and having a graded metal content to vary the lattice content in the second mixed metal oxide layer from that of the first layer, and thermally treating the layered product in an oxygen atmosphere to form an amorphous interlayer between the substrate and the first metal or mixed metal oxide layer.

Abstract: An automotive knee bolster system includes a cross-car beam, and a variable stiffness member attached to the cross-car beam and configured to absorb occupant knee impact energy. The member includes a plurality of nested panels each having a different length and substantially the same radius of curvature.

Abstract: A control system and method for an electromagnetic clutch brake, including an electromagnetic clutch brake actuator coil surrounding a power input shaft for a multiple-ratio transmission in a vehicle powertrain. A protective circuit of the control system normally monitors data inputs from a databus that may indicate conditions that are not favorable for clutch brake actuation. The protective circuit prevents actuation of the clutch brake under such conditions. In the event the data inputs are not available from the databus, the protective circuit permits operation in a fall-back mode in which a brake ON timer is checked prior to clutch brake actuation. A primary counter is incremented with each normal clutch brake actuation and a secondary counter is incremented with each fall-back clutch brake actuation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gasification boiler for the combustion of solid fuels, in particular bales of straw, for heating purposes and for the production of hot water. The inventive boiler is characterized by optimal combustion and ash separation. The aim of the invention is to carry out the combustion of small particles in the most complete manner possible and to achieve an almost total separation of the ashes from the combustion gas upstream of the heat exchangers. To achieve this, according to the first feature of claim 1, the combustion and gasification chamber comprises lateral depressions that are configured next to the central grating and combustion chamber. Coarse particles collect in said depressions, leaving the fine particles to be carried with the combustion gas into the combustion chamber. According to the second feature of said claim, a cylindrical combustion chamber, configured as an additional component, is connected to the outlet of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A pulse charging profile for a vehicle battery is synchronized with driver or vehicle demanded current disturbances by phase tracking the fundamental frequency of the desired pulse charging profile to those driver or vehicle demanded current disturbances. When these driver or vehicle demanded disturbances are not active, the tracked charging profile is honored.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a palladium-containing oxidation catalyst is provided. In one embodiment, the palladium-containing oxidation catalyst includes a first zone having a first PGM catalyst loading with a platinum (Pt) to palladium (Pd) weight ratio of no greater than 10.0; and a second zone disposed next to the first zone. In another embodiment, the second PGM catalyst loading has a palladium (Pd) to platinum (Pt) weight ratio of no greater than 4.0.

Abstract: An electronic device fastener (EDF) to protect a portable device that is placed in a holder which may be a case, belt clip, holster, cradle, or the like worn or carried by the user that uses a release sensor, proximity sensor, shock sensor, and clip sensor to protect a portable device such as a cell phone, portable media player, personal digital assistant (PDA), two-way radio, GPS device, headset, or earpiece from loss and misplacement. The system can provide up to five modes of protection against loss and misplacement of a portable device.

Abstract: Triblock copolymers useful for forming ion conductive membranes are provided. The triblock copolymers are characterized by having either a hydrophobic-hydrophilic -hydrophobic or a hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic polymer sequence that induces a microphase separated morphology. Variations in which the hydrophilic polymer sequence component includes either acid groups or salts of acid groups are also disclosed. Methods for forming an ion conductive membrane from the triblock copolymers are provided.

Abstract: A method and system for clear signal capture comprehend several individual aspects that address specific problems in improved ways. In addition, the method and system also comprehend a hands-free implementation that is a practical solution to a very complex problem. Individual aspects comprehended related to echo and noise reduction, and divergence control.

Abstract: A library has a physical cartridge access port (PCAP) for receiving cartridges which are to be entered/ejected into/out of the library. The library is partitioned into partitions each having a set of the library cells such that the library appears to a host as multiple libraries with each partition appearing to the host as a respective one of the multiple libraries. Some cells are reserved for use by the partitions as virtual cartridge access ports (VCAPs) which appear to the host as being the PCAP such that cartridges, which are to be ejected out of the partitions, are exported from the cells of the partitions to the VCAPs for subsequent transfer from the VCAPs to the PCAP, and such that cartridges, which are to be entered into the partitions, are imported from the VCAPs to the cells of the partitions after having been moved from the PCAP to the VCAPs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric potential sensor for the measurement of potentials non-invasively. The sensor comprises at least one detection electrode arranged for capacitive coupling with a sample under test and for generating a measurement signal, and a sensor amplifier adapted to receive the measurement signal as input and to supply an amplified detection signal as output. Input impedance enhancing means are included for providing a high input impedance to the sensor amplifier for increasing the sensitivity of the electrode to reduced electric potentials, and a discrete pre-amplifier stage is arranged to co-operate with the sensor amplifier to reduce the input capacitance of the amplifier.

Abstract: A method of measuring at least one property including a magnetic property of target material is provided. A pump pulse train having one or more pump pulses is generated. The target material is irradiated with at least a portion of the one or more pump pulses so as to cause transient perturbation in the target material. At least one probe pulse train is generated having one or more probe pulses. The target material is irradiated with at least a portion of the one or more probe pulses to obtain one or more reflected probe pulses which are modulated based on the transient perturbation. A time interval between a time at which the target material is irradiated by each of the pump pulses and a time at which the target material is irradiated by each of its corresponding probe pulses is controlled. Each modulated probe pulse is detected.

Abstract: A cover has an aperture through which an accessory gains access to the interior side of the cover and a cavity. The accessory may be any kind of sensor or actuator. To secure the accessory to the cover, an adapter coupled to the cover is provided. In one example, the adapter has a cylindrical connection section that is spin welded into place in the cavity. In another example, the adapter has self-tapping threads that engage with the surface surrounding the cavity. The adapter also has tabs extending outwardly from the cover, the tabs having a proximate section and an engagement section. The accessory has a retaining orifice that couples with the tabs in a snap-fit relationship to secure the accessory to the cover.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a device for controlling one or more vehicle features for a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The device comprises at least one controller that is configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of the driver being one of the primary driver and the secondary driver and to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is the one of the primary driver and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is further configured to control one or more vehicle features and to prevent the one or more vehicle features from being disabled in response to determining that the at least one driver status signal indicates that the driver of the vehicle is the secondary driver.

Abstract: For conveniently storing items aboard an automotive vehicle, a storage tray is movable between a stowed position housed within a bumper and an access position wherein it extends through an opening in a rear surface of the bumper. A door is attached to the bumper by a hinge connected to a lower edge of the door and is movable relative to the bumper between a closed position closing off the opening when the tray is in the stowed position and an open position permitting movement of the tray to the extended position. The door includes a guide feature that engages the tray when the tray is moved toward the extended position to stabilize movement of the tray.

Abstract: A cylinder head has at least three cylinders each coupled to at least one exhaust port, individual exhaust ducts coupled to each of the exhaust ports, and a combined exhaust duct coupling all individual exhaust ducts. The combined exhaust duct emerges from the cylinder head at a location displaced longitudinally from a center of the cylinder head.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an ambient lighting system comprising a lighting module and a controller is provided. The lighting module is configured to drive a light emitting device (LED) arrangement to display a desired ambient color in response to a lighting control signal and to transmit a lighting status signal providing diagnostic information for one of the lighting module and the LED arrangement. The controller is configured to transmit the lighting control signal including first digital data indicative of the desired ambient color and a feed signal for powering the lighting module on a bi-directional data communication bus between the controller and the lighting module. The controller is further configured to receive the lighting status signal on the bi-directional data communication bus.

Abstract: Particles having a relative viscosity or thickening effect ?relof more than 2, measured in a liquid medium having a viscosity of 1 Pas at a temperature of 25° C. and measured at a shear gradient of 10 s?1. The particles can form beds having a porosity ?>0.5 in a dry form.

Abstract: A hydraulically-applied mulch matrix comprising non-porous particles, porous particles and mixtures thereof combined with a mechanically and or chemically bonded fiber mulch mixed within a high viscosity slurry to keep the particles in suspension for dispersion onto soil surfaces with mulch spraying equipment for enhanced erosion control and higher level plant establishment.