Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling an electric motor (36) having a plurality of motor phases includes a motor controller (32) that controls energization of each phase of the plurality of motor phases. A compensation circuit (56, 84, 104) is associated with each phase of the plurality of motor phases. The compensation circuit (56, 84) of one phase of the plurality of motor phases adjusts a control parameter of another phase of the plurality of motor phases an amount functionally related to an electrical characteristic of the one phase in response to determining a diminished operating characteristic of the one phase.

Abstract: An igniter unit for an inflator unit comprises a base in which electric contact pins are arranged and a plug for plugging into the base to contact the contact pins. The plug is provided with at least one key and the base is provided with at least one guide groove for the key.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly consisting of a steering shaft and a steering wheel secured thereto. The steering shaft is provided with a groove at an end associated with the steering wheel, and the steering wheel is provided with a holding part which may engage into the groove in order to secure the steering wheel to the steering shaft in an axial direction. The holding part is movable between a release position in which it does not engage the groove, and a holding position in which it engages into the groove. A blocking element is provided, adapted to hold the holding part in the release position, and an indicator element is provided, which is connected with the holding part and is adapted to display at an outside of the steering wheel whether the holding part is in its holding position.

Abstract: A cranial remodeling orthosis (10) for inducing directed growth and remodeling of an irregularly shaped skull (12). The orthosis (10) comprises a headpiece (14) having an outer wall (18) and an inner wall (16), the inner wall (16) being shaped to receive the skull (12) and having at least one recess (26) formed therein to provide a volume into which the skull (12) may be remodeled. The orthosis (10) further comprises a first expandable bladder (20) located on the inner wall (16) of the headpiece (14) whereby when the orthosis (10) is placed on the skull (12) and the bladder (20) is expanded, the recess (26) and the expanded bladder (20) cooperate to cause cranial remodeling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration isolator for isolating vibrations generated between units (2, 3) of which at least one unit is an electronic unit (3), wherein the vibration isolator (1) includes a first member (4) which cooperates with a first one of the units (2, 3) and a second member (5) which cooperates with a second one of the units (2, 3) and wherein a device (6) is provided for isolating vibrations between the units (2, 3). The isolating device (6) includes isolating structures (7) which are freely suspended between the first and the second members (4, 5) such that the structures (7) can spring in a vertical plane (VP) and a horizontal plane (HP) as well as in other directions relative to the units (2, 3), whereby the isolating structures (7) isolate vibrations between the units (2, 3) in the vertical plane (VP), the horizontal plane (HP) and other planes.

Abstract: An automatic draw-off grease interceptor 10 includes a separation tank 12 defining a chamber 40. An inlet 24 delivers an effluent stream of grease and water into the chamber which separates into a thicken layer of grease atop a water layer. A pump 70 is included for pumping grease from the chamber when the grease has reached a predetermined level 120. A conductive probe 90 extends vertically in the separation tank 12 from a location above the upper surface of the effluent to a location below the predetermined level 120. An R/C oscillator circuit 112 continuously measures the amount of water in the chamber by measuring the capacitance between the probe and a wall of the tank. A controller 116 actuates the pump in response to the R/C oscillator circuit measuring a capacitance corresponding to an amount of water in the tank when the grease layer reaches the predetermined level.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a power amplifier system is provided for amplifying an RF input signal. The system includes a signal modulator that receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified input signal. The system further includes a plurality of M sub-power amplifiers connected together in parallel with each receiving and amplifying a portion of the modified input signal. A combiner combines the amplified portions to provide a combined output signal. A power detector receives the combined output signal and provides therefrom an average output power signal representative of the average output power thereof. A controller monitors the operation of the M sub-power amplifiers to determine if any have failed and adjusts the magnitude of the output power signal to compensate for any failure. The controller controls the modulator in accordance with a function of the magnitude of the output power signal.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a frame structure (32) defining a deployment opening (40), an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) aligned with the deployment opening (40), and a deployment structure (24) extending across the deployment opening (40). The deployment structure (24) has first and second locking portions (70, 72) in releasably interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32) at locations spaced apart across the deployment opening (40). The deployment structure (24) is configured to undergo non-rupturing deflection under the influence of inflation fluid pressure forces applied by the protection device (14). Such non-rupturing deflection of the deployment structure (24) moves the first locking portion (70) partially out of interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32), and moves the second locking portion (72) fully out of interlocked engagement with the frame structure (32).

Abstract: An electric powered hydraulic steering system (10) for a vehicle comprises a power steering motor (12) having a housing (18) with an exterior surface (16) and an interior chamber (24). The power steering motor (12) further includes a rack bar (26) for turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle. The rack bar (26) extends through the interior chamber (24) of the housing (18). A piston (34) is attached to the rack bar (26) and divides the interior chamber (24) into two chamber portions (38 and 40) for receiving a fluid. The piston (34) moves the rack bar (26) linearly within the interior chamber (24) depending upon a pressure differential between the two chamber portions (38 and 40).

Abstract: A drive assembly is operable to move control surfaces on wings of an aircraft. The drive assembly may include a gear reduction assembly which is driven by a pair of motors. The drive assembly has output members which are connected with the control surfaces on the wings of the aircraft. Torque limiting brake assemblies are operable between an engaged condition in which they are effective to prevent rotation of output members and a disengaged condition in which the brake assemblies are ineffective to prevent rotation of the output members. Actuator assemblies are connected with the torque limiting brake assemblies. The actuator assemblies are operable to effect operation of the torque limiting brake assemblies from a disengaged condition to an engaged condition in response to transmission of predetermined torques through the actuator assemblies to the output members.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle having a release button for a latch slidably mounted on a frame, an ejector for an insert tongue and at least one connecting element. The connecting element is shiftable between a working position, in which it makes a connection between the ejector and the release button, and a resting position in which it breaks the connection between the ejector and release button. A dislocator is provided on the frame, which dislocates the connecting element from the resting position into the working position when the ejector is shifted out of place.

Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly for a vehicle, such as a lawn tractor, includes left and right drums rotatable with left and right drive axles of the vehicle. The assembly is responsive to vehicle steering input to resist rotation of one drum and, thereby, to slow the drive wheel associated with the one drum. Further steering input provides braking capabilities. The assembly has no differential action. The housing for the assembly is a split housing having a plurality of bearing supports aligned along transverse axes. On each one of the split housing pieces, all the bearing support surfaces are finished simultaneously with one punching operation.

Abstract: A system (10) protects a vehicle occupant. The system (10) includes an occupant protection device (24). A weight sensor (72) senses a weight value associated with an occupant (14). A portion (80) of a controller (34) determines a weight-based center characteristic (e.g., a center of gravity) associated with the occupant (14) using the sensed weight value. A distance sensor (e.g., 50) senses a distance to a surface associated with the occupant (14). A portion (46) of the controller (34) controls the protection device (24) utilizing the determined center characteristic and the sensed distance. The portion (46) of the controller (46) determines whether the sensed distance is to a surface of a head/thorax/torso of the occupant (14) utilizing the determined center characteristic.

Abstract: A belt reel for a belt retractor of a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a cylindrical spool adapted for accommodation of a belt webbing and at least a first collar arranged at a first axial end of the spool. The spool consists of at least one sheet-metal sleeve, and the collar is formed by a sheet-metal disk.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system has a gas bag, a gas generator being in flow connection with the gas bag, and at least one cover part adapted to cover the gas bag against a passenger compartment when the gas bag module is mounted in a vehicle. The cover part has a hinge portion which allows the cover part to pivot from a closed condition into an opened condition in which the gas bag is able to exit from the gas bag module, and further having an edge opposite the hinge portion. At least one traction transfer device is provided which has a first and a second end and is adapted to exert a tensile force on the cover part after activation of the gas generator. The first end of the traction transfer device is attached to the edge of the cover part so that the cover part opens in a direction towards the gas bag due to the tensile force exerted by the traction transfer device.

Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle occupant seat belt, comprising a belt reel (14) rotatably mounted in a housing (12), a torsion bar (21) extending in the interior of said belt reel (14) and connected by its first axial end (22) non-rotatably to said belt reel (14) and by its second axial end (26) non-rotatably to a ratchet disk (18) provided with a ratchet toothing (16), and a load-bearing ratchet pawl (42) capable of being brought into engagement with said ratchet toothing (16) to block said belt reel (14), is characterized in that said torsion bar comprises a first section (28) as well as a second section (30), the cross-section of which is smaller than that of said first section (28), that an arresting portion (24) is configured between said first and second sections (28, 30) and that a bypass element (34) is provided which can be transposed from a starting position connecting said arresting portion (24) non-rotatably to said second end (26) of said torsion bar (21) into a release position in which said arre

Abstract: A knee restraint device for vehicles has a base, a knee protector component which is movable toward the knees of a vehicle occupant, and a drive structure for driving the knee protector component toward the knees of a vehicle occupant. The drive structure is arranged between the base and the knee protector component. Further, a limiting- and positioning structure is provided for limiting the travel of the knee protector component towards the knees of a vehicle occupant and for positioning the knee protector component relative to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The limiting-and positioning structure is fastened to the base and is constructed in one piece with the knee protector component. The limiting-and positioning structure is deformable on activation of the drive structure and has a predetermined rigidity, this rigidity-being sufficient so as to prevent any change in shape of the limiting-positioning structure under its weight.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) has an opening (14) for ingress to and egress from a passenger compartment (12) in the vehicle. A door (16) has a closed position blocking the opening (14) and an open position enabling ingress and egress through the opening. A structure (22, 60) assists in maintaining the door (16) in the closed position. An actuatable device (30, 74), when actuated, renders the structure unable to assist in maintaining the door in the closed position.

Abstract: A gas generator for a safety system, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprises a combustion chamber filled with propellant, in which a hot gas is generated after igniting and burning of the propellant, a fluid chamber containing a fluid, a mixing chamber in which fluid and hot gas are mixed in a mixture ratio, and at least one control device which controls the mixture ratio of fluid and hot gas in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: The automotive electric power supply includes a rechargeable battery and a distributor comprising an input for one battery terminal and several outputs furnishing the battery voltage for various consumers. Arranged between the input for one battery terminal and the outputs are semiconductor switches driven by a digital controller. The controller has an input interface for sensor signals representing operating parameters. The power supply is smart in ensuring that electrical energy is furnished to the various consumers in the vehicle only as required.