Abstract: A universal joint comprises a first joint yoke having bearing bores at axially opposite yoke arms and being connected with the drive shaft, a first pin bearer being connected to the first joint yoke; a second joint yoke having bearing bores at axially opposite yoke arms and being connected with the driven shaft, a second pin bearer being connected to the second joint yoke; and an elastic coupling element connected to the cross member at each pin bearer. The first and second joint yokes are arranged radially at an angle of 90° in relation to each other to form an internal space. The first and second pin bearers each comprise an appendage such that each pin bearer extends through a respectively associated joint yoke and protrudes with its appendage over an outer side of the respective joint yoke opposite to the internal space.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making articles of semiconducting material and semiconducting material articles formed thereby, such as semiconducting material that may be useful in making photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: An occupant safety device for a motor vehicle having a roof. The safety occupant device comprises a support structure slidably mounted within the vehicle that, upon actuation, extends vertically upwardly within the vehicle to cooperate with the vehicle's roof to increase the amount of weight that the roof can support. The support structure includes an overhanging top portion having a length and a direction of overhang that, upon actuation of the support structure, provide early roof engagement in the event of roof crush.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for setting an occupant classification system threshold for a vehicle occupant detection system, the method comprising collecting occupant classification system data for a seat, the data being indicative of occupant weight, analyzing the data to determine where a separation exists between an occupant for which a restraint should be suppressed and an occupant for which the restraint should be deployed, and analyzing the data to determine a worst case child suppression weight and shape, which is based at least on where the separation exists. The worst case child suppression weight and shape define the occupant classification system threshold.

Abstract: A center section for a crossmember of a vehicle chassis comprises a driveshaft hoop, crossmember attachment areas extending generally from opposing sides thereof, and trailing arm mounts on either side of the driveshaft hoop for attachment of one or more trailing arms to the center section. The crossmember attachment areas have heights that allow attachment of crossmember portions to the center section at offset heights. A method of constructing a crossmember of a vehicle chassis comprises providing a center section having crossmember attachment areas of predetermined heights extending generally from opposite sides of a driveshaft hoop, and attaching crossmember portions within the crossmember attachment areas at heights that are offset from each other.

Abstract: A temporary mobility kit to minimize or prevent the inadvertent outflow of tire sealant is provided. The temporary mobility kit includes a switch-inflator assembly and a removable sealant assembly. The switch-inflator assembly includes a pump motor and an electrical plug assembly having a cord portion and a plug. The plug is adapted for use in the vehicle's power unit. The housing includes a peripheral channel about which the cord portion of the electrical plug assembly is wrapped when the electrical plug assembly is not in use. A plug-receiving aperture is provided to receive and retain the plug when not in use.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel processes for preparing anhydrous and hydrated forms of piperidine derivatives, polymorphs and pseudomorphs thereof of the formulas which are useful as antihistamines, antiallergic agents and bronchodilators.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel processes for preparing anhydrous and hydrated forms of piperidine derivatives, polymorphs and pseudomorphs thereof of the formulas which are useful as antihistamines, antiallergic agents and bronchodilators.

Abstract: A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to actively detect if one of the plurality of the driven wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. By comparing the change in wheel speed of a driven wheel to a change in wheel speed threshold the wheel lift status can be determined. The wheel speed change threshold may be dependent upon various vehicle operating conditions such as powertrain torque, braking torque and/or longitudinal force on the vehicle.

Abstract: Automobile steering linkage systems and methods are provided in the various embodiments of the present invention. Some embodiments of the present invention can be used in heavy-duty automobiles for steering linkage toe-adjustment systems, and other embodiments can be utilized in other automobiles. An automobile steering linkage system can comprise a first rod and a unitary second rod. The first rod can be coupled between a first point and a first wheel, and the length of the first rod can be altered. The second rod can be coupled to the first wheel and a second wheel, and an eccentric ball stud can couple the second rod to the second wheel to alter the distance between the first wheel and the second wheel thus providing an automobile toe-adjustment system. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity from fluid currents comprises a continuous loop structure and at least one blade movably mounted relative to the continuous loop structure and extending in a direction radially outward relative to the continuous loop structure, the at least one blade being configured to rotate about an axis of the continuous loop structure. The at least one blade may be configured to interact with fluid currents moving in a direction approximately parallel to the axis of the continuous loop structure to rotate the at least one blade about the axis of the continuous loop structure. At least a portion of the least one blade may intersect a plane of the continuous loop structure that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the continuous loop structure. Rotation of the at least one blade may generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A support structure comprises a first portion for sliding attachment to a seat having a front, a back, and two sides, and a second portion connected to the first portion at a substantially right angle. The first portion has a hollow cross-sectional shape with an asymmetrical material distribution through the plane of the cross section, the material distribution placing more of the material comprising the first portion toward the sides of the vehicle seat. The support structure is adapted for attachment to the seat and is adapted to be activated to extend in a substantially vertical direction upwardly from the seat. The first portion has an arc shape along its length so that when the support structure is activated the second portion is supported by the first portion at a desirable angle for bracing against an impact force direction that is typical of vehicle rollover.

Abstract: A device for measuring the coefficient of friction between a test surface and a test material, comprising a frame, a skid pad comprising the test material and attached to an underside of the frame to contact the test surface, a longitudinal force measuring device attached to the frame and having an axis, and a longitudinal pulling assembly exerting a longitudinal pulling force on the drag sled and the longitudinal force measuring device. The longitudinal force measuring device is capable of outputting data indicative of the longitudinal force applied to the device. The longitudinal pulling force is vertically aligned with the axis of the longitudinal force measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a parking brake tensioning apparatus, method, and system. Generally described, the device is for adjusting the tension cable of a parking brake in a vehicle. The device has an inner housing for receiving the handle of the parking brake. Also, the device has a deformable member attached to the housing, and is preloaded with a predetermined load. The device further has a force probe, or rod, having a first end connected to the deformable member and a second end in contact with a component of the vehicle. In addition, the device has a switch for generating a control signal when a predefined force value is applied to the deformable member by adjusting the tension of the tension cable through an adjustment tool. Furthermore, the device has a relay for transmitting the control signal to the adjustment tool once the predefined force value is reached, thus disabling the adjustment tool. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a vehicle 10 having a control system and a driveline comprises detecting driveline shudder and modifying the traction control system output in response to detecting driveline shudder to reduce the driveline shudder. The driveline shudder may be detected in various ways including determining the average driven wheel acceleration signal. Methods for controlling driveline shudder include changing the target slip and changing the engine output torque.

Abstract: A method of controlling a traction control system (30) includes continuously adapting a steady state driven wheel speed to reference wheel speed ratio, so that said traction control system can avoid unnecessary actuations (e.g., demanding torque reduction). The continuous adaptation methodology provides traction control robustness to vehicles equipped with a spare tire, or a different final drive such as in the use of aftermarket parts. The method includes a dual rate adaptation that allows both fast adaptation and fine tuning capabilities of the ratio. The method includes comparing the instant driven wheel speed to reference wheel speed ratio to the filtered driven wheel speed to reference wheel speed ratio, to obtain a ratio difference. When the difference is above a threshold, the first filter constant is selected and the first constant is applied to an adaptation filter, resulting in a first filtered and adapted ratio. The traction control system is controlled with the adapted ratio.

Abstract: Decoupler deflector devices and systems for automobile steering systems are provided. A decoupler deflector device in an automobile steering system can be connected to an upper intermediate shaft (“I-shaft”) portion or an I-shaft joint. The decoupler device can be adapted to contact a lower I-shaft portion and rotate the upper I-shaft portion downwardly such that the upper I-shaft portion does not interfere with a collapsing steering column when subjected to loading from an automobile driver during a front-end collision impact event. The decoupler device can comprise a first end portion coupled to an upper I-shaft portion and an I-shaft joint; and a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion to contact a lower I-shaft portion and rotate the upper I-shaft portion. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: An algorithm for use with a restraint control module that controls a signal output to a vehicle fuel pump. The algorithm deploys a fuel cutoff signal when crash sensors sense a vehicle crash condition that meets or exceeds a fuel cutoff threshold employed by the algorithm. The fuel cutoff threshold is generally elliptical.

Abstract: An automobile rollover detection system comprising a control module to receive a first set and a second set of signals, to determine a first threshold in response to the first set of signals, to determine a second threshold in response to the second set of signals, to provide a first signal in response to the first threshold, to provide a second signal in response to the second threshold, and to provide a control signal in response to the first and second signals. The control signal may activate an occupant restraint system in response to the detection of an automobile rollover event. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A universal joint for coupling a drive shaft and a driven shaft comprises a first joint yoke having axially opposite yoke arms; a second joint yoke having axially opposite yoke arms and arranged radially at an angle of 90 in relation to the first joint yoke to form an internal space; first and second connection elements, each connection element having a base web and at least one connection area extending from the base web toward the internal space; and an elastic coupling element configured to fit within the internal space and connected to the at least one connection area of each of the first and second connection elements such that the elastic coupling element is spaced from each of the first and second connection elements over a portion of the respective base webs to create an axial interspace.