Abstract: A multi-channel wheel speed sensor having a custom integrated interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured with voltage programmable threshold adjustment allowing the circuit sensitivity to be specially tuned to detect wheel speeds in very specific ranges for a variety of applications. This feature can be implemented in ABS and/or traction control systems wherein in ABS mode a lower sensitivity adjustment can be used since wheel speeds below 5 mph do not need to sensed and processed precisely and in traction control mode very low wheel speeds, 1-1.5 mph are sensed and processed especially at non-drive wheels which provide speed reference for slipping or spinning drive wheels. The interface circuit is also configured with a test circuit for testing the integrity of the speed sensors and for providing information to the controller about the sensor/tone wheel gap.

Abstract: An improved Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) semiconductor device having a first and second asymmetric transistor, each having a source, a body, a gate, and a drain. The respective gates and drains of the asymmetric transistors are connected together such that a transistor pair is formed which is operable as a single symmetric transistor. An NMOS transistor pair may be connected in parallel with a PMOS transistor pair so as to form a symmetric Pass Gate.

Abstract: An improved relay valve (10) having a supply port (16), a delivery port (18), an exhaust port (20), a control port (17), a relay piston (14) controlling communication between the supply port (16), the delivery port (18), and the exhaust port (20) in response to a pneumatic signal applied to the control port (17) and including a passage (40) extending through the piston (14) to the exhaust port (20) for draining to atmosphere moisture and other contaminants which build up on the top of the piston (14). A diaphragm element (30) having a cylindrical protrusion portion (36) is disposed in the piston (14) above the passage (40) to act as a check valve and seal the passage (40) when a pneumatic signal is applied to control port (17). The diaphragm element includes a top resilient portion (32) which serves as a spring to open the drain passage when no signal is applied to control port (17).

Abstract: An air filtration or fluid treatment system includes a nonwoven filter media or mat (10) formed from a plurality of elongated generally hollow fibers (20) each having an internal cavity (22) which has an opening (24) to the fiber surface and each retaining within the internal cavity a large number of relatively small solid particles (18) which interact with the air or other fluid stream to be treated. The solid adsorbent particles (18), such as activated carbon, are permanently entrapped within the longitudinal cavities (22) of the fibers (20) without the use of an adhesive or without being embedded onto or within the polymer fiber.

Abstract: An interband prediction method for image data decomposition and reconstruction in which a coder decomposes image data using pyramid subband image data decomposition. The resulting DC subband is further decomposed and is used to generate first predictors for various allowed geometries. The method then generates a predictor set for each pixel in the decomposed image in which the predictors for each pixel are ranked. The method further generates a message identifying the predictor in each predictor set to be used in the reconstruction of the data. In the reconstruction of the image data, the DC subband image data is used to generate a second predictor set identical to the first predictor list. The desired predictor for each pixel identified by the messages is used in conjunction with the DC subband image data to generate estimated next-level DC subband image data. This process is repeated until the estimated next-level DC subband image data is a predicted estimate of the original image data.

Abstract: A nonwoven filter media or mat (10) formed from a plurality of elongated generally hollow fibers (20) each having an internal cavity (22) which has an opening (24), smaller than the cavity width, to the fiber (20) surface and each retaining within the internal cavity (22) a large number of relatively small solid particles (18). The small solid particles (18), which can be an adsorbent such as activated carbon, are permanently entrapped within the longitudinal cavities (22) of the fibers (20) without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a wheel speed sensor signal conditioning circuit is provided for conditioning sensor output signals received from a variable reluctance wheel speed sensor. The conditioning circuit includes filtering circuitry and peak detecting circuitry that detects the positive and negative voltage peaks of a sensor output signal irrespective of the sensor output signal crossing a reference voltage level. When the sensor output signal exceeds a predetermined peak to peak voltage level, the peak detecting circuitry limits the amplitude of the output signal and forms a dynamic high pass filter. A comparator circuit is coupled to the peak detecting circuitry and outputs a first signal when the peak detecting circuitry detects a positive voltage peak and outputs a second signal when the peak detecting circuitry detects a negative voltage peak of the sensor output signal.

Abstract: An electronic interface custom integrated circuit which provides interfacing between micro-controller devices and field effect transistors in truck or car anti-lock braking systems for controlling solenoid valves to modulate the pressure in the brake chambers or brake cylinders. The interface circuit includes built-in diagnostic and safety features including fault protection interlock, safety interlocks, status indication outputs and a special purpose analog output for enhancing the performance of anti-lock braking system electronic control units.

Abstract: An oil filter (10) includes a colloidal suspension (12) of PTFE particles less than 2 microns in size retained by capillary forces within the intricacies of the filter media (26) until the filter (10) is installed and engine oil flows at first engine start up following installation. The PTFE colloidal suspension (12) is completely and immediately released into the engine lubricating system when oil flow is initiated. The PTFE colloidal suspension (12) is introduced into the oil filter (10) as one of the last manufacturing steps. Oil filter (10) is disposed vertically with its outlet port (14) at the top. A quantity of the PTFE colloidal suspension is introduced into the outlet port (14) to initially fill a portion of the volume defined by a centertube (18) and a retainer (16). The PTFE colloidal suspension passes through openings (20,24) into contact with filter media (26).

Abstract: A filter device and technique are described which rely on absorption rather than adsorption for the removal of gas phase contaminants. A filter media is composed of a plurality of wicking fibers each of which comprising a strand with a hollow region impregnated with any of a variety of liquid phase absorbing systems made from the combination of a carrier liquid and soluble complexing/degrading agent or agents. Each strand has a slot which connects the interior hollow region with an external surface. Capillary forces act on the carrier liquid such that the external surface is substantially dry and no appreciable adsorption of contaminates occurs on the external surface which would restrict the flow of an air stream through the filter media even after an extended period of use. The wicking fibers may be connected to an external reservoir which can be used to supply fresh absorbing fluid to the filter media giving them a potentially inexhaustible capacity.

Abstract: A unique filtration method and device (10) which continuously removes several gas phase contaminants from an air stream through the use of partially hollow wicking fibers (20) impregnated with a selected liquid which can capture the gas phase contaminants. The wicking fibers (20) are generally disposed parallel and are formed into a filter element (12) which extends from the air stream to be cleaned into another air stream which can strip and carry away the unwanted gas phase contaminants. The gas phase contaminants are conveyed to the stripping air stream by a concentration factor induced molecular migration. The air stream to be cleaned is directed through a compartment (16) across which the filter element (12) extends so the complete air flow is through filter element (12). Filter element (12) also extends into another compartment (18) through which the stripping air stream flows.

Abstract: A filter element is assembled by first fixturing the parts together so that the assembly may be manipulated by automated assembly equipment before the end cap sealant is fully cured in an oven which is off-line from the automated assembly equipment. In one embodiment, a plastisol sealant is used, which is "kiss-gelled" by rapidly increasing the temperature of the sealant for a few seconds to cure the sealant sufficiently to permit the assembly to be handled but without fully curing the sealant. The end cap on the other end of the assembly is then installed and kiss-gelled before the completed (but uncured) assembly is transferred to a curing oven where the plastisol at both ends of the assembly is fully cured at the same time.

Abstract: A spark plug (11) having a center conductive path (21) with a cylindrical body having a tip (33, 51, 77) at one end and a terminal (23) near the other end has an insulator (41, 45) radially surrounding the center electrode and a substantially cylindrical body with at least first and second diameter sections separated by a shoulder (29). A ground shield (37) surrounds the insulator first diameter section and including near one end a frustoconical section (31) juxtaposed with the insulator shoulder. There is a ground electrode (55, 57, 73) near the other end having a portion thereof (53, 75) aligned with the center electrode tip to form a spark gap. An annular retainer (59) surrounds the insulator second diameter section and including a threaded portion (61) threadedly engaging the threaded portion (17) of a generally cylindrical opening in the head of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A surface guidance system for guiding aircraft equipped with Instrument Landing Systems along taxiways which utilizes two inductive loops (14,16) installed around the right half and the left half of the taxiways. Audio amplifiers (18,20) drive one loop (14) with an 90 Hz signal and the other loop (16) at 150 Hz. A sensor (22) mounted on the aircraft detects the composite magnetic field induced by the surface loops (14,16). The detected signal is conditioned and supplied to the ILS system to provide left/right lateral guidance to the pilot. Longitudinal aircraft position is determined by using dipole marker antennas (52) embedded near the taxiway center line. Each marker antenna (52) has a unique code identifier. Existing ILS equipped aircraft can sense the marker signal and transmit the aircraft position to the ATC facility. Additional pairs of loops (14,16) and marker antennas (52) are used for different taxiway or runway sections.

Abstract: A unique cylindrical filter assembly (10) having a flow path in one end (31) through a filter media (18) and out the other end with the inlet (12) and the outlet (14) disposed on the longitudinal center line of the cylindrical filter assembly (10) and with the filter media (18) having an elongated annular shape and being disposed around a center chamber (34). Filter assembly (10) includes a pressure relief valve (22) positioned in the center chamber (34) near the inlet port (12) so when the pressure relief valve (22) opens liquid flows directly into the center chamber (34). A housing member (40) can be provided which covers the outlet end (14) and includes louvers (42) for dispersing the liquid as it exits the filter (10).

Abstract: A pilot operated relay valve (10) for an air pressure braking system includes a relay piston (16) which is responsive to the pressure at a control port (20) to open the valve (10) so that it's inlet port (38) is in free communication with it's outlet port (24). The relay piston (16) includes a balance orifice (26) which permits the outlet port (24) to communicate with the control port (20) to equalized or balance the pressure differential therebetween. A shut off valve arrangement (80,82) or a check value (90 or 92) is provided to shutoff or control flow through the balance orifice during rapid release modulation of the pressure signal for braking applied to the control port (20).

Abstract: A filter of the type having first annular filter media comprising a generally columnar stack of annular filter media lamina for providing filtration for one circuit, a harness for retaining the filter media lamina in stacked columnar alignment comprising a generally circular end piece having a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of the filter media lamina engaging one end lamina, an annular portion engaging the opposite end lamina, a plurality of elongated strips integral with and extending from the periphery of the annular portion with the end piece receiving and retaining the free ends of the elongated strips. There is a second filter media providing filtration for another circuit. The two filter media are housed adjacent to one another in a hollow cylindrical shell closed at one end. An annular retainer is integral with the shell near the other shell end for engaging the second media and retaining both media axially within the shell.

Abstract: A desiccant cartridge for an air dryer of the type used for compressed air supply systems. The desiccant cartridge incorporates an internally disposed particulate filter element which functions to provide particulate filtration for air coming into the desiccant cartridge. The filter element further acts to apply a compressive loading against internal components within the desiccant cartridge insuring that these parts are firmly coupled and providing sealing engagement between components despite manufacturing tolerance variations in the component parts.

Abstract: A desiccant type air dryer assembly having an integral purge volume with a body assembly and a removable desiccant cartridge. A retention bolt is provided in the body assembly which serves the two-fold function of retaining the cartridge and body assembly in an assembled condition as well as providing a flow passageway for air moving through the air dryer.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system in the form of a mechanically interengagable electronic key and lock includes stored key and vehicle identifiers in both the key and in the lock. A random number is generated in the lock each time the vehicle ignition switch is closed and that random number is used to encode one of the identifiers for transmission to the key. The key uses the corresponding stored identifier to recover the random number. The other stored identifier is then encoded using the recovered random number and the encoded other identifier is returned to the lock. The lock uses the generated random number to recover the second identifier for comparison to its stored value. If the comparison fails, vehicle operation is prevented. The system may effect several trials, each using a new random number before refusing further attempts. The lock electronics is preferably disposed in the vehicle fuel tank and controls operation of the vehicle fuel pump.