Abstract: An electric power assisted steering system is disclosed in which a motor (1) is adapted to provide an assistance torque to an output shaft (12) through a worm gear (13) and wheel gear assembly (11) and a biasing means (14) is provided which biases the shaft carrying the worm gear (13) into engagement with the shaft carrying the wheel gear (11). The biasing means (14) may comprise a spring member provided between the gearbox housing and the bearing (9) supporting the free end of the worm gear shaft, or a torsion spring adapted to act upon the bearing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for correcting spinal deformity comprises at least one anchor (20) for implantation into a vertebral body (90). The anchor (20) includes a platform (24) having a first surface (38) for facing the vertebral body (90). The platform (24) includes a tunnel (40) and at least one passage (44) extending through the platform. The passage (44) extends transverse to and intersects the tunnel (40). The anchor (20) includes screw means (50, 52) for embedding into the vertebral body (90). A removable rod (70) extends into the tunnel (40) and has at least one opening (72) for receiving a cable (120) connected with another anchor (20) in another vertebral body (92). The cable (120) is tensioned to cause relative movement between the vertebral bodies (90 and 92) and thereby correct the spinal deformity. Additional cables (150, 170) may be connected to the anchors (20) and tensioned to achieve correction in multiple planes.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic steering system comprises a servo cylinder which has two chambers, an electric motor and a servo pump connected to the electric motor and being adapted to be driven in two different directions. The servo pump is directly connected to the servo cylinder and, depending on the driving direction, is able of pressurizing one or the other of the chambers of the servo cylinder with a volume flow of a hydraulic fluid. The system further comprises a control unit controlling the electric motor.

Abstract: An actuator for the change speed shaft of a motor vehicle automatic transmission comprises a housing, an actuating shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, an electric motor, a reversible, low-loss reduction gearing by which the rotor of the electric motor is directly coupled to the actuating shaft, a pretensioned spiral spring forming an energy storing means by which the actuating shaft may be driven into the parking position independently of the electric motor, an electronic controller for driving the electric motor as a function of control signals, a coupling means for coupling the actuating shaft to the change speed shaft of the automatic transmission. Rotation of the actuating shaft by the coupling means is converted into angles of rotation of the change speed shaft which correspond to the control signals. The actuator replaces a conventional gearshift lever on an automatic transmission.

Abstract: An assembly (20) is used with an anti-lock braking system (10) and is provided by an associated method. The assembly (20) includes a circuit board (30), a lead frame (40), and a plurality of solenoid coils (50). The lead frame (40) has a plurality of mechanical one-way connectors (42) for electrically connecting the circuit board (30) to the lead frame (40). The plurality of solenoid coils (50) is connected to the lead frame (50). Each of the plurality of solenoid coils (50) is electrically connected to the lead frame (40) such that each of the plurality of solenoid coils (50) is electrically connected to the circuit board (30).

Abstract: A system (11) and method determine a vehicle occupant characteristic. A plurality of sensors (50) sense a parameter and output a parameter indicative signal. The sensors (50) are arranged in a plurality of groups (e.g., A-F), with each sensor of a group sensing a similar parameter value. A controller (16) utilizing only a portion of the sensors within each group to make a determination regarding the occupant characteristic.

Abstract: A steering wheel has a metallic skeleton that comprises a hub, a rim and spokes interconnecting said hub and said rim, said skeleton being produced by casting in one piece with a U- or V-shaped cross-section. To achieve an optimum distribution of mechanical strength in a circumferential direction, with reference to a normal position of the steering wheel in a vehicle corresponding to a straightforward vehicle travel, the rim has upper and lower portions with a cross-section that is open towards the driver side of the steering wheel, and lateral portions with a cross-section that is open towards the rear face of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises an inflator housing (20). A gas generating material (18) is within the inflator housing (20). The gas generating material (18), when ignited, generates a gas for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). An autoignition material (24) is provided for igniting the gas generating material (18). The autoignition material (24) comprises an additive that has a ratio of absorptivity of incident radiation to emissivity of internal energy by radiation of at least about 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for a safety system, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a combustion chamber which contains propellant, a liquid chamber which contains liquid, and a mixing chamber in which a gas developed on burning of the propellant and the liquid mix with each other. The gas generator further comprises a liquid guide surface onto which the liquid when released is applied substantially tangentially, and a gas directing channel and a surface delimiting the gas directing channel. A flow break-off edge is provided in the mixing chamber, which flow break-off edge is defined on one side by the liquid guide surface and on the other side by the surface delimiting the gas directing channel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) and a inflator (12) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device (16). A non-azide gas generating material is in the inflator (12). The non-azide gas generating material when combusted produces inflation fluid, which comprises carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). A catalyst system, which contacts the inflation fluid, is also in the inflator. The catalyst system is reactive with the carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the inflation fluid. The catalyst system comprises a zeolite and a catalytic material. The catalytic material is supported by the zeolite.

Abstract: An antenna system is provided for receiving horizontal and vertical components of a transmitted RF signal and for minimizing the magnitude of one of the components prior to application to an RF utilization means, such as a TV receiver. The system includes a vertical antenna for primarily receiving the vertical components of the RF signal. A horizontal antenna serves to primarily receive the horizontal components of the RF signal. An adjustable time delay serves to adjust the time delay between the vertical and horizontal components. A combiner combines the components to obtain therefrom a combined RF signal for application to the RF utilization means.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle comprises a wheel skeleton with a hub, a plurality of spokes and a wheel body. The spokes interconnect the hub and the wheel body. A cover surrounds at least the wheel body and part of the spokes of the skeleton. The cover is assembled of a pair of complementary shells to define a wheel rim. An air duct is defined between the shells. The shells have multiple air outlet openings distributed in a circumferential direction and communicating with the air duct. The shells further define at least one air intake port communicating with the air duct. Alternatively, one of the shells is integral with and actually formed by the wheel body.

Abstract: An AM transmitter having feed forward correction to compensate for source impedance. A power supply source provides a DC operating voltage. N RF amplifiers are provided for amplifying an input signal. The amplifiers are connected to the power supply source. Each amplifier has an output circuit that, when the associated amplifier is on, supplies energy from the source to provide an output voltage at a load. Each the amplifier output circuit exhibits a source impedance that degrades the value of the output voltage. A source impedance corrector varies the value of the input signal prior to amplification by the amplifiers to compensate for any variations in the value of the output voltage caused by the source impedances.

Abstract: In a process for the irradiation of strand-shaped irradiated material (19; 19a-e), in particular cable insulation or sheathing (31) capable of being cross-linked by irradiation, or tubes, hoses, or profile elements capable of being cross-linked by irradiation, with electron beams impinging transversely to the longitudinal axis of the irradiated material (19; 19a-e), which strike the irradiated material (19; 19a-e) from two fixed irradiation directions (R1, R2), located at an angle to one another which is other than zero and for preference is a right angle, a uniform irradiation is achieved in a simple manner in that a scanned electron beam (17) is created from an electron beam (11) in a scanner (12) by means of a scan device (13), which by means of a temporally-actuated back-and-forth slewing movement in a prescribed angle range creates a radiation fan transversely to the longitudinal direction of the irradiated material, and that the scanned electron beam (17) is deflected by a deflection magnet (16, 16&prim

Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a wall, an inflation port configured therein, a deflection part arranged between the inflation port and a portion of the gas bag wall arranged opposite the inflation port, and a counterpiece which is arranged between the deflection part on the one hand and the inflation port as well as a portion of the gas bag wall surrounding the inflation port on the other hand. The deflection part and the counterpiece are stitched to each other such that a prechamber is formed which communicates with the interior of the gas bag by overflow ports formed between the deflection part and the counterpiece.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) comprises a spool (32) supported on a base (30) for rotation relative to the base about an axis (36) in a belt retraction direction and an opposite belt withdrawal direction. A length of belt webbing (16) wound on the spool (32) is extensible from the retractor (10) for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. The retractor (10) includes a spool locking mechanism (42) for blocking rotation of the spool (32) in the belt withdrawal direction. A sensor mechanism (44) is supported on the base (30). A cover (50) secured to the base (30) has a main body portion (52) covering the sensor mechanism (44). The cover (50) has a plurality of legs (70-76) projecting from the main body portion (52). The legs (70-76) are resiliently deformable to absorb energy of impact to the retractor (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable in a first direction away from a vehicle roof (18) into a position between a side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An elongated member (70) is connected to the side structure (16) and has a first end (72), an opposite second end (76) and a length measured between the first and second ends. An element (100) is connected to the protection device (14) and at least partially encircles the elongated member (70). The element (100) is slidable along the elongated member (70) in the first direction when the protection device (14) is inflated. The element (100) includes at least one portion (150, 212) that engages the elongated member (70) and blocks the element from sliding along the elongated member in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (10) includes a seat belt buckle (12) for receiving a seat belt tongue (16). A Hall effect device (62) is mounted on the seat belt buckle (12). The Hall effect device (62) has at least one electrical lead (72, 74). A magnet (68) is mounted on the seat belt buckle (12). The magnet (68) and the Hall effect device (62) are moveable relative to each other to first relative positions upon receipt of the seat belt tongue (16) in the seat belt buckle (12). The Hall effect device (62) provides a signal in response to the magnet (68) and the Hall effect device (62) being moved to the first relative positions. An electrical conductor (92, 94) has an electrical connection (110, 114) with the electrical lead (72, 74). The electrical connection (110, 114) is provided by melted portions (112, 116) of the electrical lead (72, 74) and the electrical conductor (92, 94) that are bonded together.

Abstract: A gas generator for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The gas generator comprises a housing, a filter chamber, and a combustion chamber which is filled with solid propellant and which has an outflow end. The gas generator further comprises at least one igniter unit which has an igniter and ignites the solid propellant, and comprises at least one filter which adjoins the solid propellant at the outflow end and delimits the combustion chamber. The filter has a central part which at least in sections has the shape of a cone and tapers in a direction towards an interior of the combustion chamber. The solid propellant laterally adjoins the conical section.

Abstract: In an electric power assisted steering system a power stage (2) is provided comprising at least a first conducting means (4), and a control stage (1) is provided comprising a second separate conducting means (5) adapted to carry one or more electrical components of a control circuit. Each conducting means comprising one or more conductive tracks or links (10) for carrying current to and/or from components of the electric power assisted steering system.