Abstract: A method for creating and a device for a rotary switchable multi-core element, permanent magnet-based apparatus, for holding or lifting a target, comprised of two or more carrier platters, each containing a plurality of complementary first and second core elements. Each core element comprises permanent magnet(s) with magnetically matched soft steel pole conduits attached to the north and south poles of the magnet(s). Core elements are oriented within adjacent carrier platters such that relative rotation allows for alignment in-phase or out-of-phase of the magnetic north and south fields within the pole conduits. Aligning a first core element “in-phase” with a second core element, that is, north-north/south-south, activates that core element pair, allowing the combined magnetic fields of the pole conduits to be directed into a target. Aligning the core element pair “out-of-phase,” that is, north-south/south-north, deactivates that core element pair by containing opposing fields within the pole conduits.

Abstract: A method for producing a switchable core element-based permanent magnet apparatus, used for holding and lifting a target, comprised of two or more carrier platters containing core elements. The core elements are magnetically matched soft steel pole conduits attached to the north and south magnetic poles of one or more permanent magnets, inset into carrier platters. The pole conduits contain and redirect the permanent magnets' magnetic field to the upper and lower faces of the carrier platters. By containing and redirecting the magnetic field within the pole conduits, like poles have a simultaneous level of attraction and repulsion. Aligning upper core elements “in-phase,” with the lower core elements, activates the apparatus by redirecting the magnetic fields of both pole conduits into the target. Anti-aligning upper core elements “out-of-phase,” with the lower core elements, deactivates the apparatus resulting in pole conduits containing opposing fields.

Abstract: A method and device for a switchable core element-based permanent magnet apparatus, for holding and lifting a target, comprised of two or more carrier platters containing core elements. The core elements are magnetically matched soft steel pole conduits attached to the north and south magnetic poles of one or more permanent magnets, inset into carrier platters. The pole conduits contain and redirect the permanent magnets' magnetic field to the upper and lower faces of the carrier platters. By containing and redirecting the magnetic field within the pole conduits, like poles have a simultaneous level of attraction and repulsion. Aligning upper core elements “in-phase,” that is, north-north/south-south with the lower core elements, activates the apparatus by redirecting the combined magnetic fields of the pole conduits into the target.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the locking and unlocking of a vehicle's seat belt retractors in response to detection of the state of the vehicle's doors and the state of the vehicle's ignition switch.

Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch for an air conditioner compressor having an armature and a rotor separated by an air gap width powered by an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft includes the steps of receiving a signal to engage the clutch, moving the armature to the rotor over a predetermined time to reduce the air gap width to zero, measuring rotational acceleration of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, and changing the predetermined time to reduce the air gap width to zero such that subsequent movement of the armature reduces the changes in the rotational acceleration of the crankshaft.

Abstract: An overcenter latch for securing a closure to a body panel includes a panel bracket disposed opposite a closure striker block with a rubber link pivotally connecting the bracket and an operating handle. The block has spaced apart outwardly opening recesses each having a transverse raceway providing opposed inboard and outboard pivot sockets. A pair of depending handle prongs, each terminating in an arcuate cam, are adapted to snap overcenter on an associated raceway for pivotal reception between respective inboard and outboard pairs of sockets. The cams are readily positioned in their associated inboard sockets without the link being tensed. During latching, the handle cams are initially rotated about an inboard socket axis to an overcenter point, wherein the link is tensed to a predetermined dimension less than the links theoretical latching overcenter length.

Abstract: A fiber reinforcing mat is used proximate a through hole in an automotive structural element in order to reinforce the element in the area approximate the through hole. The fiber reinforcing mat is comprised of a warp having a plurality of radially extending loops and a weft which is woven through the loops in a spiral fashion. Since the weft is configured as a spiral, weft material is more dense in the area close to the through hole than in the area distal of the through hole. Consequently, the stiffness of the structural element decreases gradually in radial directions away from the through hole.

Abstract: A fiber reinforcing mat is used proximate a through hole in an automotive structural element in order to reinforce the element in the area approximate the through hole. The fiber reinforcing mat is comprised of a warp having a plurality of radially extending loops and a weft which is woven through the loops in a spiral fashion. Since the weft is configured as a spiral, weft material is more dense in the area close to the through hole than in the area distal of the through hole. Consequently, the stiffness of the structural element decreases gradually in radial directions away from the through hole.

Abstract: An arrangement for indicating that an electrical connection is not established between first and second electrical circuit components includes a shorting contact which is disengaged upon first and second electrical connectors establishing a connection. As long as the shorting contact is engaged, current flows to an indicator lamp indicating that the first and second connectors are disengaged. This arrangement is utilized to notify the operator of a motor vehicle that a connector is disengaged from an air bag system diagnostic module and needs to be reconnected so that an igniter disposed within an air bag in the vehicle is connected to an inertia sensor which energizes the igniter in order to cause a gas expansion to inflate the air bag. When the connector is connected to the module, the lamp is not illuminated.

Abstract: A die casting vacuum valve system with mating vent blocks which include lands and grooves defining a serpentine path enabling overflow of molten material. The path restricts, stops and prevents further flow of the molten material in the case of an electrical or mechanical malfunction.

Abstract: Rocker buttons for devices such as automotive audio systems are mounted in escutcheons of the audio systems by using rocker frame members. Light dams, unitary with the rocker frame members shield LEDs used to illuminate indicia in the rocker buttons so that the light is not transmitted through gaps between the rocker buttons and the edges of openings through the escutcheons which receive the rocker buttons. Trunions extend laterally from the rocker buttons and are received within bearings formed by grooves in the escutcheons. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the rocker frames retain trunions in the bearings and in accordance with another embodiment of the invention peripheral display lenses overlie the trunions to hold the trunions in the bearings.

Abstract: A link apparatus in a node of a multinode, collision-resolution, multiplexing communications system connected between a microcontroller (MCU) that receives measurand data from an input device such as a sensor and an integrated driver and receiver (IDR) for assuming some of the functions of the MCU in delivering and receiving messages to and from a single-wire bus communications network. The MCU contains firmware for converting the measurand data into data bytes, the link apparatus and the MCU contain circuits for effecting a SPI transfer and the link apparatus contains additional circuits for converting each bit of the message bytes into variable pulse width modulated (VPWM) bits. The VPWM bits get converted into J1850 symbols before being placed on a single- wire communications bus. Circuits are provided in the link apparatus for checking arbitration of the protocol and data symbols communicated over the bus.

Abstract: There is illustrated and described herein a modular carpet arrangement for use on a vehicle underbody, including a pair of vapor barriers, each with a plurality of projections formed thereon and mountable on opposite sides of the underbody, a longitudinal carpet segment mountable on the center section of the underbody, a pair of longitudinal carpet segments mountable on oppositely disposed longitudinal edges of the underbody, and four reversible carpet segments, each with a plurality of holes formed therein and mountable in fore and aft pairs on the respective vapor barriers, with the holes fitted around the respective projections.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for monitoring usage of current immediately available from the traction batteries (12) of an electric vehicle includes a means (18) for generating a signal representative of the current being drawn from the batteries (12); a means (20) for generating a signal representative of the maximum current available from the batteries (12) for immediate use; and a means (22) responsive to the drawn-current signal and the maximum-available-current signal for generating a usage signal representing the ratio of drawn current to maximum-available current. A display, such as an analog meter (24) responsive to the usage signal and calibrated from zero-percent to one-hundred-percent available current usage, displays the transitory current usage as a percentage of maximum-available current.

Abstract: In a vacuum fluorescent display tri-compatible dimming system, a dimming signal can be sent in the form of a multiplex bus message, an analog DC voltage signal, or a pulse width modulated signal. Each form of dimming is accepted by a microprocessor of a lighted automotive module, such as a radio, however, the multiplex bus message takes priority. The microprocessor then sends a dimming signal to the vacuum fluorescent display via a vacuum fluorescent display driver IC.

Abstract: Rocker buttons for devices such as automotive audio systems are mounted in escutcheons of the audio systems by using rocker frame members. Light dams, unitary with the rocker frame members shield lamps used to illuminate indicia in the rocker buttons so that the light is not transmitted through gaps between the rocker buttons and the edges of openings through the escutcheons which receive the rocker buttons. Trunions extend laterally from the rocker buttons and are received within bearings formed by grooves in the escutcheons. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rocker frames retain trunions in the bearings and in accordance with another embodiment of the invention peripheral display lenses overlie the trunions to hold the trunions in the bearings.

Abstract: A female electrical connector element for connecting a wire lead to a male contact pin has a first end which is crimped to the wire lead and a second end in the form of a socket. The socket includes a cantilevered contact floor and a separate spring contact in opposed relation to the cantilevered contact floor. The male contact pin is inserted between the spring biased contact surface and the cantilevered contact floor to establish an electrical connection. In accordance with the method of fabricating the connector, the cantilevered contact floor is supported sequentially by a series of forming surfaces at a bight portion thereof while the contact floor is being bent through 180.degree.. The side flanges of the female component are then folded over the contact for making an enclosure for defining the socket that retains the unitary spring contact.

Abstract: A gauge, system and method are disclosed for determining the accuracy and performance of a gauge by determining the angular deflection of the gauge needle in response to a known input signal. A frequency generator supplies a predetermined frequency signal or a controller supplies an input signal to a gauge motor which causes deflection of the gauge needle. A video camera is used to capture a video frame corresponding to the visual data indicating the needle deflection. The needle includes a head portion and a remote portion, such as a hub or tail, which show up as high intensity values against the low intensity background in the video frame. The pixel intensity values around the perimeter of a selected portion of the frame are scanned to determine the location of maximum intensity pixels which correspond to either the head or the remote portion of the needle. Alternatively, the image is scanned in terms of color.

Abstract: Development of worst case operating environment, interfering parameters of a test item, is effected by a decoupling device. The device includes a series of resonators configured and interconnected in a particular manner along with a shunt capacitance. Each resonator has a torroidal core formed from a ferrite composition. When connected between the test item and its support system, the device provides such an impedance to signals other than those needed for normal operation, that the highest noise voltage levels emit from the test item. These levels permit developing repeatable worst case interference parameters which provide a guide for modifying the test item circuit components and connectors so as to minimize the effects of generating EMI sources or to immunize susceptible receptors within the test item.

Abstract: A vacuum valve includes a first and second die block both adapted to be secured to a die of a die pair. A slot is in one of the die blocks in fluid communication with a mold cavity. A valve member is movable between a first position permitting fluid flow through the slot in a second position inhibiting fluid flow through the slot. A power operated actuator includes a reciprocal movable output member. A gear drive mechanism is coupled with the output member and with the valve for changing movement of the actuator into movement of the valve member. A controller controls the reciprocation of the actuating member.