Abstract: A steering system comprises a steering linkage and two positioners capable of positioning the steering linkage in unison. Each positioner comprises an electronic control circuit, a servomotor and a position sensor for sensing a position of the servomotor.

Abstract: An RF power amplifier system is presented herein and it includes an RF source that provides an RF carrier signal having a given RF carrier frequency. An RF amplifier module amplifies the carrier signal and this module includes first and second RF amplifiers having a common input to receive a turn on signal that turns on both amplifiers and wherein the outputs of the amplifiers are coupled together in parallel. A controller supplies a turn on signal to the common input to turn on the first and second amplifiers. A first AC to DC supply provides a first DC operating voltage obtained from a first multiphase AC supply and applies this to the amplifier module and wherein the first DC voltage exhibits a ripple frequency dependent upon the number of phases in the first multiphase supply.

Abstract: A golf green brush assembly (10) comprises a tubular first handle portion (20) having an inner end portion (30, 46) adapted to be manually gripped by the hand of a person and having an opposite outer end portion (34). The first handle portion (20) has an elongate central passage (28) terminating in a terminal opening (36) in the outer end portion (34) of the first handle portion. The brush assembly (10) also includes a second handle portion (50, 70) having opposite inner and outer end portions (58, 80). The second handle portion (48) extends through the terminal opening (36) in the outer end portion (34) of the first handle to portion (20). The inner end portion (58) of the second handle portion is telescopically received in the central passage (28) in the first handle portion (20). The brush assembly (10) further includes a brush (90) for sweeping engagement with the golf green. The brush (90) is disposed on the outer end portion (80) of the second handle portion.

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle. The system (10) comprises a steering gear (12) including a hydraulic motor and a steering valve. The steering gear is susceptible to pressure fluctuations that cause noise during steering. The system (10) further comprises a pressure relief valve (14) having an unactuated condition and actuated conditions. The pressure relief valve (14), in the unactuated condition, restricts fluid flow through the pressure relief valve (14). In an actuated condition, the pressure relief valve (14) permits fluid flow through the pressure relief valve (14). The pressure relief valve (14) progressively is operable from the unactuated condition to an actuated condition as a pressure differential between the inlet (38) and the outlet (40) of the steering gear (12) increases.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lockable element (16) and a buckle (12) that includes a base (28), a latch (42), a Hall effect device (60), and a pair of magnets (68) and (74). The base (28) defines a passage (32) into which the lockable element (16) is insertable. The latch (42) is made of a ferromagnetic material and is movable from a non-locking position to a locking position in which it engages the lockable element (16). The Hall effect device (60) is disposed between the magnets (68) and (74). The magnetic fields of the magnets (68) and (74) oppose each other. In the locking position, the magnets (68) and (74) provide a net magnetic field of a first magnitude that acts on the Hall effect device (60). In the non-locking position, the magnets (68) and (74) provide a magnetic field of a second magnitude acting on the Hall effect device (60) that is different than the net magnetic field of a first magnitude.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (10) comprises first and second planetary gear sets (20 and 30). Each of the first and second planetary gear sets (20 and 30) includes a sun gear member (22, 32), a ring gear member (24, 34), at least one planet gear (26, 36) meshing with the sun gear member and with the ring gear member, and a planet gear carrier member (28, 38). The at least one planet gear (26, 36) is rotatably mounted to the planet gear carrier member (28, 38). A first drive (40) drivingly connects a first one (22) of the members of the first planetary gear set (20) and a first one (32) of the members of the second planetary gear set (30). A second drive (50) drivingly connects a second one (24) of the members of the first planetary gear set (20) and a second one (34) of the members of the second planetary gear set (30). A third drive (60) is drivingly connected with a third one (28) of the members of the first planetary gear set (20).

Abstract: A plasma spraying apparatus is provided comprising a plasma gun shaft member and a plasma gun head member, connected to the plasma gun shaft member and adapted to create a plasma torch escaping radially from the head member. In order to enable the plasma gun head member and, thereby, those parts and elements thereof that are subject to wear quickly and easily, the plasma gun head member is of modular design. For fixing the plasma gun head member to the plasma gun shaft member, the electrical contact elements provided for transmitting electrical power on the plasma gun head member are used. These electrical contact elements tower above that front face of the plasma gun head member that is intended to be connected to the plasma gun shaft member. Clamping the head member to the shaft member is accomplished by means of quick release lever members provided on the shaft member. That lever members are provided with eccentric portions engaging recesses provided on the electrical contact elements.

Abstract: A digital television transmitting system is presented having a recovery circuit for recovering non-return to zero (NRZ) data pulses and transport clock pulses from a biphase-mark serial data pulse stream and wherein the recovered NRZ data pulses and the recovered transport clock pulses are applied to modulation and amplifying circuits for broadcasting by an antenna. The recovery circuit includes a first circuit for receiving the biphase-mark serial pulse stream and providing therefrom a train of first clock pulses wherein the rising edge of each the biphase-mark pulse corresponds with a rising edge of one of the first clock pulses. A second circuit receives the biphase-mark serial data pulses and the first clock pulses for providing therefrom a train of de-serialized data pulses each having a rising edge corresponding with a rising edge of one of the first clock pulses.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a boot seal for use in sealing a joint. The joint comprises first and second relatively movable parts. The boot seal is configured in the form of a sleeve to extend between and around the vehicle relatively movable parts. The sleeve has a laminate wall which comprises at least two layers of thermoplastic elastomeric material which are bonded together. At least one of the layers is a stretch-toughenable polyester thermoplastic elastomer which has been diametrically stretched in an amount effective to increase the toughness of said one layer. The laminate wall has a percent elongation to rupture of at least 100, and a flexural modulus which is less than 100,000 psi. The laminate wall preferably has a puncture resistance of at least 50 Newtons/mm wall thickness.

Abstract: A flashlight includes a source of power, a source of light, and switching circuitry connected with the source of power and the source of light. The source of light may be a semiconductor diode capable of emitting white light when energized. Touch-sensitive switch apparatus includes first and second terminals which are engagable by an operator of the flashlight to increase intensity of light emitted by the semiconductor diode. Third and fourth terminals are engagable by the operator to decrease intensity of the light emitted by the semiconductor diode.

Abstract: A low carbon high strength steel consists essentially of, by weight, about 0.07% to about 0.12% carbon, about 0.70% to about 1.60% manganese, up to about 0.020% phosphorous, up to about 0.015% sulfur, about 0.06% to about 0.35% silicon, about 0.25% to about 1.20% chromium, up to about 0.65% nickel, about 0.20% to about 0.70% molybdenum, up to about 0.35% copper, about 0.02% to about 0.06% aluminum, up to about 0.05% vanadium, up to about 0.25% residual elements, and the balance iron.

Abstract: A multiple switch includes a pair of switch units arranged in a row and forming a common actuating surface. The switch units are provided with uniform module housings (12). The adjoining module housings (12) are mechanically rigidly coupled to each other by a connecting element (14).

Abstract: A switch (10) comprises a printed circuit board (12). The printed circuit board (12) has a plurality of electrical contacts. The switch (10) further comprises a carrier (18) having an electrical conductor (102) for connecting at least two of the plurality of electrical contacts. The carrier (18) is movable relative to the printed circuit board (12). The carrier (18) further has a surface (92) having a plurality of undulations (96). The switch (10) further comprises at least one flexible plastic cantilever portion (56, 58) of a plastic member housing the carrier. The cantilever portion contacts the plurality of undulations (96). The undulations (96) and the cantilever portion (56, 58) comprise a detent mechanism to restrain the carrier (18) in a position to which the carrier (18) is moved.

Abstract: A housing for a gas bag restraint system for the protection of a vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact has at least one end face for the emergence of components of the restraint system from the housing. The end face has at least one flap. This flap serves for fixing the components emerging from the housing.

Abstract: A remote convenience system (10) includes a portable transmitter unit (14) and a receiver unit (18), and by a method, permits remote control of performance of a function, via a signal (16). Preferably, the system (10) is a remote convenience system for a vehicle (12). The transmitter unit (14) has a microcomputer (90) that provides a message that contains a function request. First and second signals are transmitted from the transmitter unit (14). Each signal is provided by a transmitter portion (70) at a different frequency and conveys the complete message. The receiver unit (18) has a detector (e.g., 190) tuned to receive the signal (16) for both the first and second frequencies, and can discern the complete message provided via both frequencies or either frequency. Thus, if the transmitter unit (14) is in a frequency dependent “dead spot”, communication is not prevented.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device (34) comprises a vessel (12) containing stored gas (54) and ignitable material (62). The vessel (12) has a portion (30) that provides a first opening for fluid to flow from the vessel when the pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined pressure. The inflator (10) also comprises an igniter (72) for igniting the ignitable material (62) and increasing the pressure in the vessel (12). The inflator (10) also comprises a control part (40) upstream of the portion (30) for controlling fluid flow to the first opening. The control part (40) defines a second opening (46) that increases in size as the pressure in the vessel (12) increases.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision comprises a steering wheel (11) including a steering wheel armature (12). The steering wheel armature (12) has a centrally located hub portion (20), a circumferentially extending rim portion (22), and at least one spoke (24, 46) extending between the rim portion and the hub portion. At least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (122, 132, 134) is mounted on the steering wheel armature (12). An actuatable inflator (100), when actuated, inflates the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (122, 132, 134). The inflator (100) forms at least a portion of the at least one spoke (24, 46) of the steering wheel armature (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for turning the steerable wheels (17) of a vehicle in response to the turning of the steering wheel (12). The apparatus (10) includes a drive mechanism (16), a first motor (24), a second motor (74), a sensor (78) for sensing that the first motor (24) is inoperative, and a torque sensor (80). In response to the turning of the steering wheel (12), the drive mechanism (16), is actuated, resulting in a turning the steerable wheels (17). The first motor (24), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism (16), is hydraulically powered. The second motor (74), for inputting motion to the drive mechanism (16), is electrically powered. The sensor (78) for sensing that the first motor (24) is inoperative produces an enabling signal and communicates the enabling signal to the second motor (74) to enable the operation of the second motor (74). The torque sensor (80) responds to the turning of the steering wheel (12) and controls the second motor (74) when the second motor (74) is enabled.

Abstract: A system (10) for monitoring an operating parameter of a tire (12) on a vehicle (14) includes an identification (72) connected to a vehicle rim (50) that conveys a rim identification code. A tire-based unit (20) senses an operating parameter of the tire (12) and provides a radio frequency signal (24) indicative of a sensed operating parameter of the tire and an identification code of the tire-based unit. A rim identification sensor (30) detects the identification (72) and provides a rim identification signal (32) indicative of the rim identification code and the position of the rim (50) on the vehicle (14). The system also includes electronics (40) for receiving the radio frequency signal (24) and the rim identification signal (32). The electronics (40) correlate the radio frequency signal (24) with the rim identification signal (32) to associate the radio frequency signal with the position on the vehicle (14) where the tire (12) is mounted.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus (10) includes a conduit (50) through which a flow of power steering fluid is conducted and a housing (22) having a chamber (25) which holds power steering fluid. A connector assembly (60) connects the conduit (50) with the housing (22). The connector assembly (60) includes a base (64) which is fixedly connected with the housing (22) and a clip (66) which interconnects the base and the conduit (50). The clip (66) has a pilot portion (76) with cam surfaces (88 and 90) which engage a projection (68) on the conduit (50) to press the conduit into an opening (78) in the base (64) during connection of the conduit with the base. The clip (66) has a retainer portion (74) which cooperates with the base (64) and the projection (68) on the conduit (50) to compress a seal (70) between the projection on the conduit and the base when the conduit is connected with the housing (22).