Patents Represented by Attorney Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

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  • Apparatus for sensing vehicle seat position
    Patent number: 6870366
    Abstract: A sensor (80) for sensing the position of a ferromagnetic target (82) relative to the sensor includes a Hall effect device (184) responsive to a change in a magnetic field (240) acting on the Hall effect device. A magnet (182) produces a magnetic field (240) that acts on the Hall effect device (184). The target (82) changes the magnetic field (240) acting on the Hall effect device (184) as the position of the target relative to the sensor (80) changes. First and second flux collectors (186 and 190) are located on one side (194) of the magnet (182) for concentrating the magnetic field (240) on the Hall effect device (184). A third flux collector (192) is located on a second side (196) of the magnet (182) opposite the one side (194) for reducing the reluctance of a magnetic flux path through the target (82).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: David L. Becker, Phillip J. Shandilis, Aaron M. Mills
  • Low invasive implantable cardiac prosthesis and method for helping improve operation of a heart valve
    Patent number: 6869444
    Abstract: An apparatus for helping improve operation of a heart valve includes a generally arcuate base and a buttress extending generally from at least a portion of the base. The apparatus can be deformable to facilitate its implantation. When the apparatus is when implanted at an annulus of a heart valve, the buttress thereof cooperates with one or more leaflets of the heart valve to help control blood flow relative to the apparatus and heart valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Shlomo Gabbay
  • Method of producing a steering wheel skeleton and vehicle steering wheel
    Patent number: 6862807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a skeleton for a steering wheel rim made of sheet metal, the method comprising the following steps: a flat metal blank is cut in such a way that it has a ring-shaped section, the ring-shaped section is deformed in such a way that it acquires a hollow profile which in cross-section encloses an angle of more than 180°, and the deformation is carried out at least partially in that the ring-shaped section is moved between two rotatable rollers. The invention further relates to a steering wheel produced by the method proposed. Such a steering wheel has a hollow steering wheel rim including a center channel for delivering cooling air. The channel is defined by the open hollow profile and by a shell part placed onto the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willi Wissel
  • Steering column
    Patent number: 6863305
    Abstract: A steering column (10) includes a support (24), through which a steering column member (12) extends, connected with a mounting bracket (66). The support (24) supports the steering column member (12) for rotation about a longitudinal axis (26) of the steering column member. The support (24) is movable in a first direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis (26) of the steering column member (12) relative to the mounting bracket (66). The support (24) is movable in a second direction extending transverse to the first direction and to the longitudinal axis (26) relative to the mounting bracket (66). The support (24) is also movable along the longitudinal axis (26) relative to the mounting bracket (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Hobaugh, II
  • Sensor assembly
    Patent number: 6864681
    Abstract: A code wheel (32) is rotatable with a vehicle steering wheel (12). A magnet (78) mounted on a rotatable driven component (34) indicates the number of revolutions of the code wheel (32). A sensing device (74) is provided to sense a flux field provided by the magnet (78). The magnetic flux field varies relative to the sensing device (74) as the driven component (34) is rotated by the code wheel (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Stephen J. Horner, Kevin P. Jokipii, John A. Barrs, David L. Becker, Jonathan R. Penvose
  • Air vent
    Patent number: 6863603
    Abstract: An air vent for ventilation installations in vehicles comprises a housing (10) which defines an air outlet channel (12), and a manual operating element (24) formed by a partial sphere to adjust direction and flow rate of air delivered by the vent. The operating element (24) is mounted in the housing to be rotatable about two axes perpendicular to each other. The air vent further comprises a first set of blades (18) that are pivotally mounted in the air outlet channel (12) and coupled with each other for joint motion, an actuating arm (28) connected with the operating element (24) and adapted to pivot about one of the two axes, and a coupling link (30) connecting the blades with the actuating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Demerath
  • Nitrocellulose gas generating material for a vehicle occupant protection apparatus
    Patent number: 6860208
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) and a gas generating material (18). The gas generating material (18), when ignited, produces a combustion gas that actuates the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The gas generating material (18) comprises a single-base nitrocellulose composition that includes greater than 2%, by weight of the single-base composition, stabilizer. The stabilizer is a urea of an aromatic amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Harold R. Blomquist
  • Vehicle steering device
    Patent number: 6860508
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device comprises a steering wheel. A sensor is disposed at the steering wheel, this sensor being adapted to detect in a contactless way data related to a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Keutz
  • Drive for a motor vehicle hood
    Patent number: 6860356
    Abstract: A drive for a hood on a motor vehicle, in particular an engine hood, which is movable between a closed position and a lifted position that is abruptly achieved in the case of an accident. The drive comprises a drive unit having an electric drive motor and being effective between a vehicle structure and the hood. The drive motor moves the hood into the lifted position in the case of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Cornelius Peter
  • System for time thresholding
    Patent number: 6859161
    Abstract: A system time thresholds dwells executed by an electromagnetic signal receiver. The system includes a detection module and a processing module. The detection module receives electromagnetic signals from a surrounding environment. The electromagnetic signals are chronologically segregated into a plurality of dwells each with a dwell time. The processing module controls the scanning of the surrounding environment. The processing module sets dwell parameters and determines whether to skip the execution of particular dwells. The processing module receives data about the signals from the detection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Bricker, Anthony J. Gounalis
  • Apparatus and method for controlling allocation of resources and task execution
    Patent number: 6859927
    Abstract: A distributed data processing system and method are presented herein for purposes of controlling allocation of resources and task execution. The system includes a communication network that passes messages between computers connected to the network. A plurality of computers are connected to the network and run programs thereon including a central authority and at least first and second autonomous agents. The central authority generates a graph associated with each agent and wherein each graph represents for the associated agent what resources that agent has and what task or tasks that agent may perform. Each agent employs the associated graph to determine what resource or resources are needed by that agent to carry out the task of tasks to be performed by that agent. The agents negotiate with each other for the resources needed to carry out the task or tasks to be performed by the agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John O. Moody, Ira Glickstein, Robert Szczerba
  • System for estimating receiver utilization
    Patent number: 6859160
    Abstract: A system estimates the utilization of an electromagnetic signal receiver. The system includes a detection module and a processing module. The detection module receives electromagnetic signals from a surrounding environment. The electromagnetic signals are chronologically segregated into a plurality of dwells each with an elapsed time. The processing module controls the scanning of the surrounding environment. The processing module receives data about the signals from the detection module. The processing module computes a plurality of utilizations by dividing each individual elapsed time by a predetermined sample interval. The processing module further determines a total utilization by adding the plurality of utilizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Gounalis
  • Vehicle steering apparatus with anti-steer security device
    Patent number: 6857496
    Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) comprises a steering feel motor (14) that is operatively connected to a steering shaft (16) of the vehicle (12). A sensor (20) detects operator applied steering inputs to the steering shaft (16) and outputs a steering signal indicative of the monitored operator applied steering inputs. A controller (28) receives the steering signal and, in response to the received steering signal, controls energization of the steering feel motor (14). A security device (38) is operatively connected to the controller (28) and is actuatable for providing a lock steering signal to the controller (28). The controller (28), in response to the lock steering signal, enters a lock steering mode in which the controller (28) controls energization of the steering feel motor (14) to counterbalance all operator applied steering inputs and thereby prevent steering of the vehicle (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Williams
  • Motor vehicle steering wheel
    Patent number: 6854356
    Abstract: The steering wheel for motor vehicles has a hub, a steering wheel rim and a plurality of spokes connecting the steering wheel rim with the hub. The hub comprises a hub core for fastening to a steering shaft and a base body which surrounds the hub core and is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The spokes are integrally and continuously molded with the base body of the hub from a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The steering wheel rim is integrally and continuously molded with the spokes from a fiber-reinforced plastic material. In this arrangement, the base body together with the spokes and the steering wheel rim forms a self-supporting shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Drefahl
  • Steering wheel rotary connector
    Patent number: 6854977
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering wheel (14), a device (220) mountable on the steering wheel, a rear cover (60) that at least partially covers the steering wheel, a rotary connector (100) including a housing (110) for providing an electrical connection with the device. A first electrical connector (210) includes a first connector piece (212) and a second connector piece (214). The first connector piece (212), housing (110) and rear cover (60) are molded as a single piece of plastic material. The second connector piece (214) is guided to interconnect with the first connector piece (212) when the device (220) is installed on the steering wheel (14). The first and second connector pieces (212 and 214) when interconnected provide, an electrical connection between the device (220) and a cable (150) of the rotary connector (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. DuRocher, Stephen J. Horner, Kevin P. Jokipii
  • Apparatus including an inflatable knee bag
    Patent number: 6854759
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14) having an instrument panel (34) by preventing a forceful impact between lower portions (48) of legs (50) of the occupant (12) and the instrument panel (34) during a vehicle collision. The apparatus (10) comprises an inflator (18) that is actuatable for providing inflation fluid and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) for receiving inflation fluid from the inflator (18). The protection device (20) inflates from a stored condition to an inflated condition (46) engaging the lower portions (48) of legs (50) of the occupant (12). The protection device (20), when in the stored condition, includes a rolled lower portion (176) and an upper portion (178) that is folded into a stack (180) of pleated sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Diane M. Schwark, Hector Javier Zarazua Mauleon
  • Assembly consisting of a housing and a flap unit
    Patent number: 6854711
    Abstract: An assembly consists of a housing and a flap unit. The housing and the flap unit are each one-piece injection-molded parts and the flap unit is mounted in the housing. The flap unit has at least two flap elements and a connection section arranged between each two flap elements. The connection section has a compensation element that can compensate for shrinkage-related length changes, in particular of the connection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Krause
  • Level shifted drive for clamp device
    Patent number: 6856523
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter device is provided that employs a clamp device to limit the peak voltage of a main power switch coupled to a primary winding of a transformer. The clamp device is driven employing a driver circuit coupled to a level shifter circuit. The level shifter circuit shifts the voltage level transitions of a clamp device drive signal from a first voltage level to a second voltage level range to drive the clamp device with a voltage that is outside a voltage range of an input supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph Griffin
  • MEMS variable inductor and capacitor
    Patent number: 6856499
    Abstract: A variable passive component is provided for fabrication on a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. A conductive portion is provided on a low-profile sliding dielectric sheet that cooperates with a conductive portion disposed on a substrate to provide a variable passive component. The passive component can be a variable inductor provided by moving a shorted spiral inductor formed on the dielectric sheet over a spiral inductor on the substrate with varying degrees of overlap causing varying inductance values. The passive component can be a variable capacitor that consists of a large conductive pad on a dielectric plate which slides over two adjacent pads on the substrate with varying overlap causing varying capacitance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Gurmman Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Stokes
  • Inflatable side curtain
    Patent number: 6851707
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable into a position between a side structure (16) of a vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (252). The protection device (14) includes a forwardmost inflatable chamber (122). The protection device (14) is rolled up in an outboard direction into a stored position. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14) for at least five seconds. The device (14) is adapted to inflate and unroll in a downward direction away from the vehicle roof (18). A first portion (270) is adapted to engage an occupant's head (250) positioned against the side structure (16). The first portion (270) moves the occupant's head (250) laterally in the vehicle (12) away from the side structure (16) and inflates between the side structure of the vehicle and the occupant's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Emam Bakhsh, Russell E. Stein, Ayad G. Nayef, Kevin J. Boxey