Abstract: Uniform and concentrated radio broadcast signals are obtained employing an antenna structure which uses separate antenna conductors on opposite sides of a radio reception area. The antenna conductors perform similarly to the plates of a capacitor. Highly efficient antenna performance results. In a preferred embodiment wherein the antennas are used for radio testing inside a vehicle assembly plant, the track or carrier structure of the vehicle assembly line provides one of the antenna conductors.

Abstract: An instrument pointer illuminating apparatus for illuminating instrument pointers includes a light conductive member (24) having a first shaft aperture (22) and an instrument face (28) disposed on a front surface of the light conductive member and having a second shaft aperture (26) therein. A pointer shaft (20) extends through the first and second shaft apertures beyond the front surface of the light conductive member and includes an instrument pointer (30) disposed on the pointer shaft. A light blocking hub cap (34) is mounted on the hub portion (43) of the instrument pointer and includes a center portion (50) and a cylindrical wall portion (52) extending from the center portion of the hub cap toward the instrument face where it terminates at a first end (54) below the instrument pointer.

Abstract: A louvered plastic heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold, and a plurality of louvered panels extending laterally between and in fluid communication with the first manifold and the second manifold. The louvered panels are spaced longitudinally and vertically and positioned at an angle off a direction of airflow therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for splicing flexible circuit boards, particularly those having one or more flexible strip extensions with conductor runs. The splice clamp of the present invention has two hinged plates that clamp over unconnected ends of two flexible circuit board segments. The splice clamp includes alignment guides for aligning the segments in the clamp so that one or more jumpers contact and provide an electrical bridge between the conductors of the segments when the plates are clamped together. The jumpers contact conductive pads of larger size than the conductor runs to ensure electrical coupling between the flexible circuit board segments. The jumpers may have pointed tips that cut through insulation. The clamp includes flexible clasps on one plate that engage with catch surfaces on the other plate to lock the flexible circuit board segments spliced together.

Abstract: A method of establishing a baseline filter for an air quality sensor in a motor vehicle includes the step of providing an air quality sensor for intake air into an occupant compartment of the motor vehicle. The method also includes the step of establishing a moving baseline for a background signal level from the air quality sensor. The method further includes the step of shutting off intake air into an occupant compartment of the motor vehicle when the background signal level exceeds a certain threshold above the moving baseline, thereby preventing undesired gases in the intake air from reaching occupants in the occupant compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for introducing a leak detection dye into an air conditioning system includes a cradle, a leak detection dye held by the cradle and a mechanism for securing the cradle into a component of the air conditioning system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for invoking and monitoring of tests executed by multiple, diverse control systems/algorithms on a main controller which allows a single monitor system to be used to monitor the test results without requiring the monitor system to be programmed or individually tailored to process each unique output from the different possible tests. The present invention achieves independence between the monitor system and each of the specific test applications on the main controller by normalizing the unique results of each of the tests to a common value, thereby allowing the monitor system to generate expected results that can be used with any of the possible tests.

Abstract: A signal quality indicator for frequency modulated or phase modulated communication signals is obtained using a full-complex detector. The noise detector looks at the actual signal of interest and not other outside indicators such as high frequency content. Signal quality is measured accurately and efficiently. The resulting measure is used to control subsequent processing such as stereo blend, noise blanking, diversity antenna switching, and others in an FM radio receiver.

Abstract: A variable displacement swash plate type compressor (10) incorporates a swash plate (48) slidably mounted on a drive shaft (32), with at least one pin (70, 72) disposed between the swash plate (48) and drive shaft (32). The pin (70, 72) provides a bearing surface between the swash plate (48) and the drive shaft (32) during relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch (10) for an air conditioning compressor includes a generally cylindrical pulley (11) rotatably mounted on a compressor housing (16) and having an annular friction surface (21b), a driven member (12) mounted on a compressor shaft (13) and having an annular friction surface (21a) positioned radially adjacent the first friction surface to form an annular space (21c) therebetween. A quantity of flowable magnetic material (27) is provided in the annular space (21c) and a magnetic coil (34) is fixed on the housing adjacent thereto. A control (40,46,46′) connected to the magnetic coil (34) supplies electrical power from a power supply (47) to energize the magnetic coil and create magnetic flux in the annular space (21c) polarizing the magnetic material and frictionally coupling the first and second friction surfaces (21a,21b) to cause the pulley (11) to rotate the driven member (12).

Abstract: A block assembly for a lehr includes a plurality of blocks extending longitudinally, each of the blocks having a seal surface for mating and overlapping with an adjacent one of the blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a button carrier and display backlight (5) that may be used in an electronic device such as a motor vehicle cassette radio unit. The carrier (5) comprises a button portion (4,6) and a display portion (2) integrally molded in a substantially uniform translucent plastics material. The button portion (4,6) has at least one button backlight arranged to shine through the translucent material, preferably through integrally moulded buttons (30-36). The display portion (2) has at least one backlight arranged to illuminate a display backlight area (8) by light surface-scattered from the area (8) to provide a diffuse back illumination for a display. The button portion (4,6) may have an opaque surface coating over part of the translucent material, so that the button portion (4,6) is not backlit through the coated part.

Abstract: In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system for controlling vehicle deceleration are provided. The method includes determining a speed of the vehicle, and setting a maximum allowed vehicle deceleration based on the vehicle speed determined. The system includes a receiver capable of receiving an input signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle, and a controller capable of setting a maximum allowed vehicle deceleration based on the vehicle speed.

Abstract: In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system for automatically adjusting a selected following interval for the vehicle based on driving conditions is provided. The method includes determining a driving surface coefficient of friction based on a driven wheel speed of the vehicle, and adjusting the selected following interval for the vehicle based on the driving surface coefficient of friction. The system includes a receiver capable of receiving a signal indicative of a driven wheel speed of the vehicle, and a controller capable of determining a driving surface coefficient of friction based on the driven wheel speed, and capable of adjusting the selected following interval for the vehicle based on the driving surface coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for connecting fiber optic light cables together includes a light housing for connection to a first fiber optic light cable and a coupling for connection to a second fiber optic light cable. The coupling includes a cage having a spring for locking the light housing to the coupling to connect the first fiber optic light cable and second fiber optic light cable together into a single light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of closely spaced, parallel grooves having a web between them in a thin-walled tube is described. The apparatus includes a tube holding mechanism, a rotating cutting tool and a device for driving the cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a single insert form cutter for forming the grooves. The insert includes a plurality of cutting blades and chip relief members which prevent chips from building up in the tool. The chip relief members are generally triangle-shaped and are disposed on the cutting edge of the insert form cutter.

Abstract: A method of making a spray formed rapid tool includes the steps of making a model of a desired tool and directly constructing a sand pattern as the inverse of the model. The method also includes the steps of thermally spraying metal material against the sand pattern to form the desired tool.

Abstract: In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system are disclosed for providing a headway function to an adaptive speed control activation switch. The method includes determining whether the adaptive speed control activation switch has been actuated, and, if the adaptive speed control activation switch has been actuated, determining whether the adaptive speed control system is active. The method also includes, if the adaptive speed control system is active, controlling a headway function of the adaptive speed control system in response to the actuation of the adaptive speed control activation switch. The system includes a receiver capable of receiving an input signal indicative of the actuation of the adaptive speed control activation switch, and a controller capable of determining whether the adaptive speed control system is active if the adaptive speed control activation switch has been actuated.

Abstract: A continuous corrugated heat exchanger and method of making same includes a plurality of contiguous plates and a plurality of tabs disposed between adjacent plates. The plates include a plurality of refrigerant plates having a plurality of beads and at least one blank plate at each end of the refrigerant plates forming an end sheet. The refrigerant sheets are folded bellows-like to form a stack and the end sheet is folded on a top and bottom of the stack and connected thereto.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a side support with a variable compression tab member is disclosed. The tab member engages a brazing fixture used in manufacturing the core and prevents damage to the fins of the core form the brazing fixture.