Abstract: A sense electrode (12) and a plurality of control electrodes (14) are located proximate to a region of space (18) for sensing an object (20) therein. A first signal (26) and a plurality of second signals (30) respectively applied to the sense (12) and control (14) electrodes generate an electric field (16) within the region of space (18). The capacitance of the sense electrode (12) is measured for various electric field configurations responsive to the second signals (30) and to the proximity of the object (20). A most likely proximity scenario from a priori proximity scenarios is determined from the plurality of capacitance measurements. A front driven shield (36) is provided between the sense electrode (12) and the region of space (18) for selectively shielding the sense electrode (12) from influence by objects (20) or grounds, so as to provide for calibrating the measurement circuit (32) to compensate for parasitic capacitance and gain drift.

Abstract: A removable volume control apparatus 140 for a pressurized water closet 10 comprises a generally right circular cylindrical 150 insert open at both ends having a plurality of slots 154 in the bottom edge 152 thereof. A flange 142 depending from an annular valve seat 108 of the water closet 10 has a plurality of tabs 144 depending therefrom that engage the slots 154 of the insert 150 whereby the insert 150 is disposed circumferentially around a flush valve 110 of the water closet, thereby preventing the flow of a portion of water in the system into the bowl.

Abstract: An airbag module (10) contains a gas generating inflator (18) containing a plurality of apertures (24) in radially spaced relation to an external annular filter (40) constrained by a retainer (42). The plurality of apertures (24) are each radially aligned with the filter (40). Gases produced from inflator (18) are thus cooled and dispersed with a minimum pressure drop, thereby providing a pressure sufficient to inflate an airbag (16).

Abstract: A Villari effect seatbelt tension sensor 10 comprises a sensor housing 50 having a plunger chamber 52 and a tongue head flange chamber 54 therein. The two chambers 52 and 54 are separated by a radial flange 58 extending therebetween defining a passage connecting the chambers. A Villari effect sensor 12 is disposed axially within the sensor housing 50 and is secured on one end 16 to a plunger 40 disposed within the plunger chamber 52 and secured on the opposite end 14 to a tongue head flange 20 disposed within the tongue head flange chamber 54. A tongue 24 connected by a shaft 28 to the tongue head flange 20 has a slot 26 therein for securing a seatbelt 80 thereto.

Abstract: A deep bed filter principally used for filtration of contaminated aqueous fluid comprises a layer of polymeric cylindrical particles in combination with a layer of anthracite particles and a layer of sand. The polymeric cylindrical particles are approximately 1.5 millimeters in diameter and in the range of 6-12 millimeters high, with a specific gravity of approximately 1.15. When the filter is backwashed particles of anthracite mix with a portion of the polymeric particle layer, thereby creating larger surface voids for penetration of larger contaminant particles into the filter.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprising a plurality of magnetic sensing elements and a means for generating an image signal from the plurality of the signals generated thereby is used i) to sense a magnetic field proximate to a body portion of a vehicle for adjusting a magnetic circuit thereof, ii) to sense an occupant in a seat of a vehicle, or iii) to sense from within a body portion of a vehicle magnetic-field-influencing objects proximate thereto. In another aspect, the magnetic field sensor further comprises a plurality of magnetic focusing elements proximate to the magnetic sensing elements for improving the clarity of the magnetic image.

Abstract: An occupant detection system (10) for controlling the activation of an air bag inflator (42) incorporates a transmitter/receiver subsystem (16) and a ranging subsystem (20) that respectively measure the distances from a point of reference to the upper seat back (22) and to the region in front of the upper seat back (22). If a normally seated occupant is detected from the difference of the respective distances, then the air bag inflator (42) is enabled. A range/proximity sensing subsystem (14) determines if an occupant is sufficiently close to an air bag inflator (42) to be at risk of injury by deployment thereof, and if so the air bag inflator (42) is disabled.

Abstract: A fastener retention apparatus 10 for retaining a fastener base 60 has first and second complementary half-channels 20 and 30, each having a plurality of holes 40 therein for acceptance of a fastener 50 to secure the half-channels in a nested arrangement. Each half-channel further has a plurality of slots 24, 34 therein for acceptance of a plurality of tabs 64 depending from the periphery of said fastener base 60, thereby providing for secure retention thereof.

Abstract: A recuperator for a gas turbine engine comprises a plurality of cells that are orientated in an annular array and attached to one another at only the radially inner edges thereof. Each cell comprises a high pressure plate having spaced integral ribs thereon defining a plurality of low temperature compressed air passages and a low pressure plate having a plurality of spaced ribs defining a plurality of high temperature exhaust gas passages.

Abstract: An occupant detection system (10) for controlling the activation of an air bag inflator module (16) incorporates radar module (12), the activation of which is responsive to an activation sensor responsive to either the likelihood of a crash or to the likelihood of injury from the air bag inflator module (16) as a result of proximity thereto. In one embodiment, responsive to a potential crash, the air bag inflator module activates the radar module (12) for a period of time to sense if an occupant is within the at-risk zone of the air bag inflator module. In another embodiment, the activation of the radar module (12) is responsive to a continuously active range/proximity sensor (22). The air bag inflator is disabled if an occupant is detected with in the at-risk zone of the air bag inflator module (16).

Abstract: A tape for sealing a package has a layer of adhesive on one side thereof with an adhesive attenuator superimposed along one edge portion thereof. The tape is initially bondable to the package in its entirety but the edge portion is relatively easily severable from the package to facilitate stripping of the entire tape from said package.

Abstract: A hydrostatic weight sensor comprises a bladder of flexible material that contains a fluid, preferably in an amount less than the capacity of the bladder when the bladder is unloaded, the pressure of which is sensed by a pressure sensor so as to provide a measure of weight upon the bladder. The bladder is mountable within a seat below the seat cushion and above the seat base, wherein seating loads are distributed across the bladder by the seat cushion and the seat base. In one embodiment, the bladder comprises a plurality of sheets of flexible material that are sealably connected to one another along a periphery, and are further connected to one another at one or more locations within the periphery so as to create a plurality of fluid containing zones that are in fluid communication with one another.

Abstract: An electric field sensor comprises at least one electrode mountable in a vehicle seat and a sensing circuit operatively coupled to the electrode, wherein the at least one electrode at least partially bounds at least one region that is proximate to an object such as an infant seat, a child seat, or a booster seat, for which the sensitivity of the sensor is preferably reduced. The at least one region without a conductive electrode may comprise a plurality of regions, and at least one of the regions may extend laterally across the seat. Furthermore, a plurality of electrodes may be incorporated, each having a different sensitivity to particular objects to be sensed, wherein an overall capacitance measurement that is dominated by the capacitance of the particular electrode that is most sensitive to the particular object can be used to indicate the presence of that object.

Abstract: In a seal assembly having a support member made of either metal or plastic, and an elastomeric sealing material bonded by an adhesive composition to said support member, said composition being an epoxy resin stabilized silane adhesive composition made up from the following materials in parts by volume, (a) 1 to 80 parts organosilane material, which also includes a silane coupling agent, and a hydrolyzing agent for the organosilane, (b) 0.5 to 70 parts epoxy resin material, which includes an amine curing agent for the epoxy resin, (c) 50 to 3000 parts of aqueous fluid carrier medium for the composition, (d) 0.05 to 20 parts of additive material selected from the group consisting of a surfactant material and a rust inhibitor material.

Abstract: A process for preparing a water resistant luminous pigment with durability, characterized in that a luminous pigment, in which an oxide matrix comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Zn and at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, Al, P and Ga is doped with at least one rare-earth metal element, is allowed to an acid treatment under the condition of pH of not more than 3 using at least one acidic compound selected from the group consisting of acids and acid generating compounds, and is subsequently allowed to an alkaline treatment under the condition of pH 4-9 using at least one alkaline compound selected from the group consisting of alkalis and alkali generating compounds.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the inflation of an air bag in a vehicle utilizes a seat weight sensor, a seat belt tension measurement sensor, and a capacitive position sensing sensor. The capacitive sensor is mounted at a point relative to an air bag inflator door and responsive to the proximity thereto of an object to be sensed. An air bag control processor operatively coupled to a plurality of air bag squibs is provided for controlling the inflation of the air bag responsive to the force exerted on the vehicle seat, the tension sensed in the seat belt, and the proximity of an object or occupant to the inflator door.

Abstract: An upper work tool mechanism for use in deep rolling operations and having a housing and a cover plate, as well as a cage system for operatively mounting the work rollers, with the cage being designed such that the cage and the cage retainer members have one or more uniquely positioned springs associated therewith to support the cage.

Abstract: An upper work tool mechanism for use in deep rolling operations and having a housing and a cover plate, as well as a cage system for operatively mounting the work rollers, with the cage being designed such that the cage and the cage retainer members have one or more pins associated therewith to uniquely support and strengthen the cage.

Abstract: A computer controlled die system which includes a plurality of sub-dies, and an input system. The die system also includes a motion system, and an air driven cam system. Furthermore, the die system includes a clamping system and an airlift system. The entire computer controlled die system is automatic. No manual adjustments have to be made in between different stampings for various parts in a manufacturing setting. Additional subsystems may be added to meet criteria of part.

Abstract: Temporally interlaced first and second sequential pluralities of image frames are displayed and alternately directed along respected first and second optical paths to distinct viewing locations, for example the left and right eyes of a viewer, wherein the image frames of one of the sequential pluralities represent mirror images of the object being imaged. In one aspect, both sets of sequential pluralities of image frames are simultaneously distributed to both optical paths and first and second shutters are controlled in synchronism with the image display so as to display the respective sequential pluralities of image frames only at the corresponding viewing locations. In another aspect, respective first and second sequential pluralities of image frames are switched between the first and second optical paths by synchronously switching the polarization state of the image display and by a polarizing beam splitter.