Abstract: A housing for electronic control devices in motor vehicles comprises a generally parallelepipedal frame of plastics and a metallic envelope with spaced parallel top and bottom walls interconnected by parallel side walls and at least one open face. The top, bottom and side walls define a space and the frame is fitted into such space. The control device includes a printed circuit board and electronic components connected to the printed circuit board and engaged in shaped holding structures of the frame. The printed circuit board is located between the bottom wall and the frame. The printed circuit board is rigidly connected to the metallic envelope by metallic fasteners extending from the top wall through the frame and to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A wireless telephone antenna system including at least one loop antenna (12) providing a directional antenna field pattern with superior gain performance in comparison to an omnidirectional antenna. The antenna system effectively rotates the loop antenna and selects the best gain in a direction of interest. The antenna system preferably also includes a conventional omnidirectional antenna (18), to which radio-frequency (RF) power is reduced when a better antenna gain is provided by the loop antenna, thereby reducing overall power consumption of the telephone. The loop antenna field pattern (14) is preferably selected to minimize RF radiation in the direction of the user's head (40).

Abstract: A method is provided for deriving a near-optimal fuzzy automaton for a given separation problem. The method includes the steps of: forming a first generation population (24) of fuzzy automata, where the first generation population of fuzzy automata includes a plurality of fuzzy automata; performing a mutation operation (28) on each fuzzy automaton in the first generation population of fuzzy automata; reproducing the first generation population of fuzzy automata using a survival of the fittest operation (30, 32, 34); and applying a cross-over operator (36) to the reproduced first generation population of fuzzy automata, thereby yielding a next-generation population of fuzzy automata. A near-optimal fuzzy automaton is identified by evaluating the performance (38) of each fuzzy automaton in the next-generation population; otherwise the methodology is repeated until a near-optimal fuzzy automaton is derived for the given separation problem.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation apparatus includes a load circuit, a signal switch, a shunt switch, and a resistor. The signal switch isolates the load circuit from a voltage source along a signal path. The shunt switch is connected to the signal path at a point between the signal switch and the load circuit. The shunt switch isolates the signal path from a ground voltage. A resistor is connected in series between the signal switch and the shunt switch.

Abstract: A housing (40) has a first passage (42) through which a longitudinal member (12) extends and a second passage (44) extending transverse to the first passage. A fastener (16) extends through an opening (50) in the housing (40) into the second passage (44). An axis (18) of the fastener (16) is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to an axis (46) of the second passage (44). A spacer (60) received in the second passage (44) engages the fastener (16) and the longitudinal member (12). A pin member (70) fixedly connected to the housing (40) extends into engagement with the spacer (60) to retain the spacer and the fastener (16) in the housing and maintain the spacer in frictional engagement with the fastener to prevent relative movement between the fastener (16) and the housing when the longitudinal member (12) is disengaged from the spacer. The fastener (16) and the housing (40) are manually movable relative to each other in opposition to the frictional engagement.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (30) for helping to protect an occupant (18) of a seat (10) of a vehicle (14) includes first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap portion of the occupant (18). The vehicle occupant protection device (30) also includes first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38) for extending over first and second shoulders, respectively, of the occupant (18). An end release buckle assembly (64) interconnects the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) and the first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38).

Abstract: A device and method for detection of buried objects (40) utilizing a down looking infrared array (140) having infrared detectors (170) positioned in a sensor array (30). This sensor array (30) may also contain ground penetrating radar (70) and EMI coils (80). All signals from the ground penetrating radar (70), EMI coils (80) and down looking infrared array (140) may be combined to generate alarms (1100). However, the down looking infrared array (140) may be utilized as a sole means of detecting buried objects (40). This device and method for detecting buried objects (40) utilizing down looking infrared array (140) reduces the cost of construction and maintenance of such a device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve device at dispensers which are adapted for dispensing portions of liquid or semi-liquid products (2), preferably foodstuff, from containers, and which have vacuum pumps (5) for generating a negative pressure in passage systems (6) through which the products (2) are dispensed from the containers. The valve device is a magnetic valve device (9) which is designed as a permanent magnet device with a valve body (9d) which automatically shifts or changes position when the vacuum pump (5) has emptied a container (e.g. 3), such that said vacuum pump (5) immediately thereafter can empty another container (e.g. 4).

Abstract: A ball joint includes a socket and a stud having a ball end portion received in the socket and a shank projecting from the socket. An annular seal has an intermediate portion extending between first and second end portions. The second end portion of the seal has an engagement portion in sealing engagement with the shank portion of the stud. A spring is molded in the second end portion of the seal and extends for 360 degrees around the circumference of the shank portion at a location radially outward of the engagement portion. The spring has a circular array of spring fingers that extend radially inward from a main body portion and exert a radially inward directed force on the engagement portion to maintain it in sealing engagement with the shank portion.

Abstract: A gas generator comprises a tubular housing of a pressure-resistant material and a propellant strand which is incorporated in the housing and provided with an envelope. At least one channel is provided between the envelope and the propellant strand so as to extend in an axial direction. The propellant strand has a substantially circular cross-section and the envelope has a polygonal cross-section.

Abstract: An assembly (10) is used in a vehicle having a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat (2). The assembly (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat (2), a sensor (79) for sensing the load of the vehicle occupant, and a housing (100) for transmitting the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The sensor (79) provides an output signal indicative of the amount of the load of the vehicle occupant. The housing (100) encloses the sensor (79) to protect the sensor (79).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a hydraulic fluid operated automatic transmission (20) for transmitting motive power from an engine (22) of a vehicle (16) to drive wheels (24) of the vehicle. The apparatus (10) also includes a hydraulic fluid power assisted steering gear (12) for effecting steering movement of steerable wheels (14) of the vehicle (16), the steering gear including a fluid motor (19). The apparatus (10) includes one body of hydraulic fluid (30) for operating both the transmission (20) and the steering gear (12), and one reservoir (32). A transmission pump (40) connected with the reservoir (32) pumps fluid (30) between the reservoir and the transmission (20). A power steering pump (34) connected with the reservoir (32) pumps fluid (30) between the reservoir and the motor (19). One of the pumps (40, 34) is operative to pump fluid (30) between the reservoir (32) and a cooler (50).

Abstract: A method of producing a vehicle steering wheel including a steering wheel rim comprises the following steps: A foaming mold with a top part and a bottom part is used; two different foam components, namely, a central carrier component as well as a soft component surrounding the latter, are injected into the bottom part which is not closed by the top part; the foaming mold is closed by closing the bottom part with the top part, and; the foaming mold is heated.

Abstract: An intermediate steering column (10) for a vehicle with a firewall (14) includes a first shaft (30) pivotally attached to a first U-joint (54) and rotatable about a longitudinal axis (32) of the first shaft upon rotation of the first U-joint. A second shaft (28) drivingly connected to the first shaft (30) has a slip joint connection (42) with the first shaft permitting relative axial movement of the first and second shafts while maintaining a rotary drive connection between the first and second shafts. The first shaft (30) includes first and second shaft parts (60 and 62) and a quick disconnect joint (64) between the first and second shaft parts permitting disconnection of the first and second shaft parts and pivoting of the first shaft part relative to the first U-joint (54) to a first out of the way position and pivoting of the second shaft part relative to a second U-joint (36) to a second out of the way position.

Abstract: A steering column (10) includes a steering column member (12). A mounting bracket (66) connects the steering column (10) to a vehicle frame. The mounting bracket (66) has a surface defining an aperture (77). A support (24), through which the steering column member (12) extends, is connected with the mounting bracket (66). The support (24) supports the steering column member (12) for rotation about a longitudinal axis (26) of the steering column member (12) and is movable relative to the mounting bracket. A locking mechanism (130) prevents movement of the support (24) relative to the mounting bracket (66). A first portion (42) is connected with the support (24) and is movable with the support (24) and the steering column member (12) relative to the mounting bracket (66). A follower pin (63) extends from the first portion (42) and into the aperture (77) in the mounting bracket (66).

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a container (30) in which inflation fluid is stored under pressure. The container (30) has an opening (40) through which inflation fluid flows in a given direction from the container. A rupturable closure member (60) is fixed to the container (30) and blocks flow of inflation fluid through the opening (40). The inflator includes an initiator (70) for, when actuated, rupturing the closure member (60) to enable inflation fluid to flow from the container through the opening (40). The inflator (10) also includes a retainer (90) for retaining the initiator (70) on the container (30). The retainer (90) comprises at least one part (94) having a passage (140) for directing gas that flows from the container (30) in the given direction. The inflator (10) also includes a support (150) for the rupturable closure member (60). The support (150) transmits force from the closure member (60) to said retainer (90).

Abstract: An apparatus for use in forming sheet material assemblages includes a pocket assembly having upper and lower grippers. The upper gripper is spaced a first distance from a sheet material support portion of the pocket assembly to engage an upper edge portion of a large cover section having a relatively large distance between a fold and an upper edge portion. The lower gripper is spaced a distance which is smaller than the first distance from the sheet material support portion of the pocket assembly to engage an upper edge portion of a small cover section having a relatively small distance between a fold and an upper edge portion of the cover section. Pressers are mounted on a movable side wall of the pocket assembly and are engagable with a side of a small cover section to press small the cover section toward the lower gripper.

Abstract: A communication system (10) has a portion (28) of a transmitter controller (14) that provides a message package. An encryption portion (36) of the controller (14) encrypts a first fraction of the message package (e.g., a first portion of the message package and a first part of a second portion of the message package) using a second fraction of the message package (e.g., a second part of the second portion of the message package) as an encryption key. Transmitter components (32 and 34) output a signal (18) that conveys the encrypted first fraction of the message package. Receiver components (56 and 58) receive the signal (18). A decryption portion (60) of a receiver/controller unit (16) decrypts the signal using a decryption key, and reassembles the message package using the decryption key as the second fraction of the message package. Preferably, the communication system (10) is a remote convenience system for remotely controlling a convenience function.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a motor vehicle comprises an ejection channel for a gas bag of a gas bag module. The ejection channel is constructed in one piece with the instrument panel. A mounting plate is provided on the instrument panel, the gas bag module being adapted to be fastened to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a gas bag module to a steering wheel includes two fastening arms and a fastener part. The fastening arms enter into a snap-action connection with the fastener part and clasp the fastener part in a connected condition.