Abstract: A method for correcting packet errors in a combined stream including steps of receiving a combined and re-packetized transport stream comprising program information for at least two transport streams (A and B), wherein each transport stream (A and B) comprises program information associated with respective distinctive packet IDs (PIDs), detecting an invader packet associated with the combined and re-packetized transport stream A does not belong in the combined and re-packetized transport stream A, offering the invader packet to combined and re-packetized transport stream B in which a gap is detected, and de-combining combined and re-packetized transport stream B such that information from a de-combined version of the invader packet fills a gap in a de-combined version of combined and re-packetized transport stream B.

Abstract: An activation control device for clutch packs of a hydraulic double clutch is described and illustrated, and in some embodiments comprises a first pressure line having a filling valve and leading from an oil pressure source to the first clutch pack; a second pressure line having a filling valve and leading from the oil pressure source to the second clutch pack; and first and second draining valves coupled to the first and second pressure lines, respectively, the first draining valve located between the filling valve of the first pressure line and the first clutch pack, and the second draining valve located between the filling valve of the second pressure line and the second clutch pack.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly (10) comprises a socket (12) with a chamber (18), an opening extending through a first axial end (20) of the socket (12), and electrically conductive structure (60) closing the second axial end (22) of the socket (12). An electrically conductive ball stud (30) has a head portion (32) that is received in the chamber (18) and a shank portion (34) that extends through the opening. An electrically conductive bearing member (40) is received in the chamber (18) and provides an electrical connection between the structure (60) and the ball stud (30). An electrically non-conductive biasing member (50) is interposed between the structure (60) and the bearing member (40) and urges the bearing member away from the structure such that, in response to a predetermined amount of wear, the electrical connection between the structure (60) and the ball stud (30) is discontinued.

Abstract: A system for providing the identification and tracking of motor vehicles that includes a probe device that transmits a radio frequency modulated signal to a transponder unit that is located within a vehicle registration tag of a vehicle. The transponder unit responds to the probe unit's request by transmitting its own radio frequency modulated signal containing any information requested by the probe device.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for determining the location of a vehicle occupant (20) in a vehicle interior includes a light source (40) for projecting at least one structured light beam (42) onto an area of interest (44) to form a light pattern on the area of interest. A beam divergence control device (50) alters the apparent location of the light source (40) with respect to the area of interest (44). An imager (60) detects the light reflected from the area of interest (44). A characteristic of the reflected light is measured, and the distance between the imager (60) and the area of interest (44) is measured, based on the measured characteristic of the reflected light.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprises a container (12) for storing a supply of gas. A gas (26) is stored in the container (12) at an elevated pressure. The gas comprises an oxygen rich oxidizer gas. A gas generating material (84) is stored in the container (12) and is exposed to the oxidizer gas at the elevated pressure. The gas generating material (84) comprises a cellulose based binder blended with an anti-oxidant material. An igniter (52) is provided for igniting the gas generating material (84).

Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16) includes first and second pistons (42, 44) which cooperate with a housing (46) to define first and second chambers (38, 40). A rotatable screw member (84) extends from one of the chambers (38) into one of the pistons (84). A valve (22) is connected with the screw member (84) and is operable between an unactuated condition and either one of two actuated conditions directing fluid pressure to the chambers. A steering linkage (18) is connected with the pistons (42, 44) at a location between the pistons. Upon operation of the valve (22) from the unactuated condition to the actuated condition, the pistons (42, 44) move in the chambers (38, 40) and turn the steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16). As the pistons (42, 44) move, a ball nut (86) connected with one of the pistons (42) effects rotation of the screw member (84) to operate the valve (22) toward the unactuated condition.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a belt pretensioner with a belt pretensioner housing, a belt link element with a housing, a tension transmission element coupling the belt pretensioner and the belt link element with each other, a tubular body which encompasses the tension transmission element outside the belt pretensioner housing, and a stationary counterpart. The stationary counterpart has a curved guide. The belt pretensioner displaces the belt link element via the tension transmission element in the event of a collision upon actuation of the belt pretensioner, so that the tubular body penetrates into the a curved guide and is bent.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator, in particular for vehicle occupant restraint systems, has at least one combustion chamber containing propellant and at least one igniter for igniting the propellant. The igniter comprises an igniting material and is spaced from the combustion chamber and from the propellant. The gas generator further has a pressure chamber filled with compressed gas, a common outflow opening for the compressed gas and hot gas generated on deflagration of the propellant, and a bursting disc closing the outflow opening and being able to be destroyed on activation of the gas generator. The igniter is arranged upstream of the bursting disc. The igniter and the bursting disc are arranged relative to each other in such a manner and are adapted to each other in their physical and chemical characteristics such that the destruction of the bursting disc is exclusively effected by a deflagration of the ignition material.

Abstract: A steering mechanism has an input shaft 2, a steering valve 1, an output shaft 3, and a torsionally elastic element 5. The input shaft 2 has a first longitudinal axis about which the input shaft 2 is rotatable, the input shaft 2 being rotatable about the first longitudinal axis to effect the steering of a vehicle. An end of the input shaft 2 is located in the steering valve 1. The output shaft 3 has a second longitudinal axis coaxial with the first longitudinal axis and a first end adjacent the end of the input shaft 2. The torsionally elastic element 5 flexibly connects the first end of the output shaft 3 and the end of the input shaft 2 such that the input 2 and output 3 shafts are able to rotate relative to each other about the first and the second longitudinal axes, respectively, during vehicle steering. The torsionally elastic element 5 includes a plurality of separately arranged strips 8, 9, 10 & 11 located in the steering valve 1.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for covering an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) comprises a cover (70) movable from a closed condition to an open condition upon inflation of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40). The cover (70) includes first and second portions (100, 110). The first cover portion (100) is movable relative to the second cover portion (110). A membrane switch (130) in an electric circuit for actuating an electrically actuatable device (132) of the vehicle includes a first switch portion (140) underlying the first cover portion (100) and a second switch portion (142) underlying the second cover portion (110). The first cover portion (100) is manually engageable to operate the first switch portion (140) and thereby to actuate the electrically actuatable device (132). The second cover portion (110) is manually engageable to operate the second switch portion (142) and thereby to actuate the electrically actuatable device (132).

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering gear (10) comprises first and second relatively rotatable valve members (40 and 42). The first valve member (40) includes a radially extending passage (64). The second valve member (42) has an arcuate cam surface (184). A detent member (220) acts between the first and second valve members (40 and 42). The detent member (220) has a curved outer surface (252). A spring (240) biases the detent member (220) radially outward against the cam surface (184). The spring (240) is disposed in the radially extending passage (64) in the first valve member (40). The detent member (220) is disposed in the arcuate cam surface (184) in the neutral condition and provides a physically perceptible indication to a driver of the vehicle of operation of the steering gear (10) between the neutral condition and the actuated condition.

Abstract: An air bag module (80) mounted in a vehicle seat back (22) includes a single air bag (90) which has a thorax portion (110), a neck portion (120), and a head portion (100). The head portion (100) of the air bag (90) is mounted on a support tube (260) for sliding movement relative to an inflator (240). Upon actuation of the inflator (240), the thorax portion (110) of the air bag (90) inflates first, in a forward direction out of the seat back (22). The head portion (100) of the air bag (90), and the support tube (260), move upward out of the top of the seat back (22). The head portion (100) then inflates in a forward direction after the thorax portion (110) inflates, into a position to protect the head of the occupant. The neck portion (120) of the air bag (90), when inflated, has a relatively small width as compared to the head portion (100) and the thorax portion (110).

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided to control a flow of liquid through a drain conduit from a sink in an aircraft. When the aircraft is in an inactive condition on the ground, a fluid motor presses a main valve member lightly against a main valve seat. At this time, liquid in the drain conduit can leak past the main valve member. However, at this time, the main valve member is effective to block a reverse flow of odors through the drain line into the cabin of the aircraft. When the aircraft is operating in the air above the ground, the motor presses the main valve member against the main valve seat with sufficient force to seal the drain conduit and prevent the leakage of fluid past the main valve seat. When a predetermined amount of liquid has accumulated in the drain conduit upstream from the main valve seat, a motor control assembly effects operation of the motor to move the main valve member away from the main valve seat to allow the liquid to flow through the drain conduit past the main valve seat.

Abstract: A retaining wall includes a fore-structure including a material supporting member, at least one abutment on the material supporting member, and at least one solid body anchor member. A bulk material filling is disposed rearward of the fore-structure and has a portion acting with a forwardly-directed force on the fore-structure. A flexible sheet material member interconnects the fore-structure and the bulk material filling for resisting forward movement of the fore-structure under the influence of the forwardly-directed force. The solid body anchor member is disposed forward of an abutment surface on the abutment, and the abutment surface blocks rearward movement of the solid body anchor member relative to the material supporting member. The sheet material member has a loop section extending at least partially around the solid body anchor member. At least a portion of the loop section extends between the solid body anchor member and the abutment surface.

Abstract: In bearing structures which can be converted from a rest shape to an operational shape of larger volume and have at least one flat bearing part (1) and at least one support part (2) movable with and/or detachable therefrom, the problem consists in achieving good shape retention and in particular high resistance to bending without affecting the geometrical adaptability. The solution is achieved through three features: (a) the flat bearing part (1) is essentially resistant to bending in the first normal plane (NE1) and comparatively flexible in at least a second normal plane (NE2) at an angle to the first normal plane; (b) the bearing part (1) has an at least sectionally-curved functional shape; (c) when the bearing structure is in its operational shape the support part (2) is connected in a push-resistant manner with at least one region of the bearing part (1) which extends at an angle to the first normal plane (NE1).

Abstract: An improved printing apparatus and method includes plate and blanket cylinders which are rotated at different surface speeds during printing on material. Since the plate and blanket cylinders are rotated at different surface speeds, the area on a blanket cylinder which engages a given portion of the surface on a plate cylinder is changed on each revolution of the blanket cylinder. Therefore, the area of a blanket cylinder which is engaged by the gap in the plate cylinder changes during a printing operation. In addition, the area where an image is applied to the blanket cylinder is moved relative to the surface of the blanket cylinder is tend to minimize build up of ink on the blanket cylinder during printing. The plate and blanket cylinders are driven at different surface speeds by a drive assembly which includes a harmonic drive unit.