Abstract: A fluid power steering gear (10) comprises a housing (16). A power steering fluid (34) is disposed within the housing (16). A seal (50) contains the power steering fluid (34) within said housing (16). A member (20) extends through the housing (16) and the seal (50). The member (20) is movable relative to the housing (16) and the seal (50) in response to a change in the fluid pressure in the housing (16). The power steering fluid (34) comprises a base oil and a metal-free lubricant additive. The metal-free lubricant additive is soluble in the base oil and modifies the interfacial surface tension between the base oil and the member (20) and the base oil and the seal (50). The weight percent of the metal-free lubricant additive is about 0.1% to about 5.0%, by weight of the power steering fluid (34).

Abstract: A method of using a neck brace to move a neck of a person or stabilize the neck includes connecting a vest of the neck brace to a torso of a person. A support member of the neck brace is connected to the vest. A chin support of the neck brace is connected to a chin of the person. Force is applied between the support member and the chin support to move the chin support relative to the support member. A cam member of the neck brace guides movement of the chin support relative to the support member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering system comprising a steering linkage, a control hydraulic motor and a control hydraulic circuit, a steering wheel connected to the control hydraulic motor, and a control hydraulic cylinder connected to the control hydraulic motor by the control hydraulic circuit. The vehicle steering system further comprises a servohydraulic cylinder, a servopump, a servohydraulic circuit connecting the servopump to the servohydraulic cylinder, and an electronic control circuit which controls the servohydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A digitally modulated RF amplifier system is presented having improved adjacent sideband distortion reduction. This system includes the provision of a first RF carrier signal at a first frequency within a first frequency channel having adjacent channels. A modulator receives a digital information signal and modulates the first RF carrier signal with the digital information signal to provide a digitally modulated RF signal within the first RF channel. A second RF carrier signal is provided having a second frequency spaced from the first frequency channel by a frequency that is greater than the bandwidth of the first channel. The digitally modulated RF signal is combined with the second RF carrier signal to provide a combined RF signal which is then amplified resulting in an amplified RF signal having reduced adjacent sideband distortion products.

Abstract: A system (10) and associated method for tire condition communication for a vehicle (12). The system (10) includes a sensor (18), associated with a tire (14), to sense at least one tire condition. Transmitter components (22, 24 and 30), associated with the tire (14) and operatively connected to the sensor (18), provide for transmission of a signal (32) that has a data rate and that indicates the sensed tire condition. A receiver unit (40), associated with the vehicle (12), receives the signal (32). The receiver unit (40) includes a plurality of antennas (42A-42N), each for receiving the transmitted signal (32), and a switching device (46) among the plurality of antennas at a rate that is quicker than the data rate of the transmitted signal (32).

Abstract: In a digital broadcast transmission system (60), a power amplifier (66) amplifies an information signal to a power level suitable to excite an antenna to emit a broadcast signal. Prior to, an subsequent to, the amplification processing circuitry (68, 70) processes the signal. In particular, the information signal is bandpass filtered. The power amplifier (66) causes non-linear distortion to the information signal. The processing circuitry (68, 70) causes linear distortions to the information signal. A single, memoryful filter (76) pre-distorts the information signal to compensate for all of the linear and non-linear distortions. Preferably, the memoryful filter (76) is a volterra filter. In another embodiment, a memoryful filter (112) pre-distorts an information signal to compensate for linear distortion from a power amplifier (102) and non-linear distortion from pre-amplification processing circuitry (104).

Abstract: A tubular anchor may have a polygonal cross-sectional configuration with flat outer side surfaces areas connected by a plurality of outer corner portions. A passage through the anchor may be formed by flat inner side surfaces interconnected by inner corner portions. A suture is inserted through the passage. A concentrated force may be applied against a limited area on a trailing end of the anchor to rotate the anchor to move an outer corner portion of the anchor into engagement with body tissue. The suture may engage an inner corner portion of the anchor. The suture may be inserted through a plurality of anchors and the anchors moved through a tubular member into the body tissue under the influence of force transmitted from a trailing anchor to a leading anchor. When the leading anchor is moved into the body tissue, it is rotated under the influence of force applied against a trailing end of the leading anchor. If desired, two anchors may be interconnected.

Abstract: A reflective surface positioning apparatus (10) includes first locating device (21), second locating device (22), first utilizing device (51), and second utilizing device (52). The first locating device (21) locates part (32) of an occupant (30) of a vehicle (6) and produces a first location signal (41) indicative of the location of the part (32) of the vehicle occupant (30). The second locating device (22) locates an object (71) external to the vehicle (6) and produces a second location signal (42) indicative of the location of the external object (71). The first utilizing device (51) utilizes the first location signal (41) to cause positioning of a first reflective surface (61) to a first default position. The second utilizing device (52) utilizes the second location signal (42) to reposition the first reflective surface (61) to a first temporary position for providing a view of the external object (71) to the part (32) of the vehicle occupant (30) for a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising a steering wheel skeleton encased in foam and consisting of a steering wheel rim, a hub and at least one spoke connecting the hub with the steering wheel rim. The steering wheel further comprises a panel which is visible from outside on the steering wheel rim. A clip is provided which is constructed as a separate part and engages on the steering wheel rim. the panel is fastened to the steering wheel rim by means of the at least one clip and the panel together with the clip completely surround the steering wheel rim.

Abstract: An arrangement (10), for a vehicle (12) that has an actuatable occupant protection device (14), includes a vehicle seat (16) for a vehicle occupant (22). The arrangement (10) includes sensors (42 and 44) located within the seat (16) for sensing a characteristic that is indicative of a condition for which the protection device (14) is to be actuated. A controller (32) of the arrangement (10) is located within the seat (16) and processes sensory information from the sensors (42 and 44) to determine the occurrence of the condition for which the protection device (14) is to be actuated. A signal (36) indicative of the determination is output from the controller (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for sensing angular rotation includes a rotor (102) that is rotatable about an axis (104). The rotor (102) has an outer periphery (e.g., cylindrical outer sidewall 106) with a plurality of reflective facets (e.g., 108A-108J). Each juncture between each adjacent pair of the facets (e.g., 108A and 108B) defines a vertex (e.g., 125A). A light source (118) emits a light beam (120) onto the rotor (102). The light beam (120) is reflected by the facets (e.g., 108B) and occasionally bifurcated by the vertices (e.g., 125A). A light detector (126) detects light from the reflected light (124). The light detector (126) provides a detector signal (116) indicative of the angular rotation of the rotor (102). Compensation circuitry (134, 138) compensates for bifurcation of the reflected light (124) and provides a compensated output signal (140) indicative of angular rotation of the rotor (102).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel which comprises a steering wheel skeleton consisting of a steering wheel rim having an interior space, and of a hub and at least one spoke connecting the hub with the steering wheel rim. The vehicle steering wheel further comprises at least one additional mass fastened to the steering wheel skeleton and constructed as a separate part. The at least one additional mass is intended for reducing vibration and is provided in the interior space of the steering wheel rim. At least one flexible clip is provided which engages on the additional mass and holds the additional mass against the steering wheel skeleton.

Abstract: In a folded gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system the folded gas bag comprises two superimposed walls of the gas bag laid in folds and the folded gas bag is delimited by imaginary first and second fold edge regions. The fold edges of the folds extend in a straight line and parallel to one another. The folds have fold heights measured from one of the fold edge regions and at least two differing fold heights are provided.

Abstract: A sensor (10) for sensing stress applied to an object (12), wherein the sensor includes a first core member (e.g., 100) aligned substantially parallel to the direction of applied stress and a second core member (e.g., 200) aligned substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied stress. A central core portion (18) connects the first and second core members (e.g., 100 and 200). An excitation coil (20) is operatively associated around the central core portion (18). The excitation coil (20) produces magnetic flux within the object (12) and the first and-second core members (e.g., 100 and 200). A first detection coil (e.g., 104) is operatively associated around the first core member (e.g., 100). A second detection coil (e.g., 204) is operatively associated around the second core member (e.g., 200). The first and second detection coils (e.g., 104 and 204) detect changes in the magnetic flux as affected by applied stress.

Abstract: A steering device for a motor vehicle includes an actuating member for the introduction of the steering movement and a steering linkage to transfer the steering movement to the vehicle wheels. The actuating member consists of a steering wheel (1) which is rotatable about a small angle and of a measured value transmitter (2) to generate an electrical or electronic position signal. The steering linkage is actuated by an adjustment drive which is controllable by an electrical regulating device as a function of the position signal.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel (10) comprises a central hub portion (22), a rim portion (24), and at least one spoke (26) that connects the hub portion (22) to the rim portion (26). The steering wheel (10) further comprises a self-regulating electric heating element (12).

Abstract: A housing for an electronic control device in vehicles comprises a bottom part (10) which has a metallic baseplate (12), and a cover part (14) made of plastic. The bottom part (10) has a front wall (16) made of plastic that rises up from the baseplate and to which a plug collar (18) is integrally molded. The plug collar (18) defines an accommodation for a contact pin carrier (28) formed as a flat strip with through holes for passing contact pins (32). The contact pin carrier (28) can be inserted into the plug collar (18) from inside of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating a steering signal for controlling an actuating drive for an adjustment of steerable wheels on motor vehicles, in particular passenger vehicles. The device comprises a non-rotatable frame having an axis of symmetry and curved guiding portions, as well as a pair of handles intended for transmitting actuating forces and being coupled with each other. The handles are mounted on the guiding portions so as to be displaceable in same direction and are able to be displaced along the guiding portions and relative to the axis of symmetry to a limited extent. The device further comprises a measurement transducer for generating one of an electrical and electronic signal for determining a position of the handles relative to the frame.

Abstract: A kit that can be assembled to make a moving toy comprises a container having at least one wall portion movable between a closed position closing an opening in the container and an open position allowing access to the inside of the container through the opening. A shaft supported for rotation relative to the container has a first portion disposed within the container. A plurality of mechanical parts are selectively locatable on the first portion of the shaft to be supported for rotation with the shaft relative to the container. A plurality of design parts are provided for location outside the container. The kit includes structure for connecting at least one of the mechanical parts on the shaft to at least one of the design parts thereby to transfer rotational force from the shaft to the design parts to move the design parts relative to the container.

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.