Abstract: An assembly for an air bag (56) adapted to fit within an opening (22) of a vehicle part (20) including: a housing (44) including: a first wall (100) and an opposite second wall (102), a flexible wall member (106) secured to the first wall (100) defining a space (150) therebetween, one of the first wall (100) and flexible wall member (106) including a plurality of first tabs (112) extending into the space (132), the second wall (102) including a plurality of locating tabs (120) and latching tabs extending outwardly therefrom; a deployment door or cover (30, 40, 42) for enclosing the housing including a hinge portion (40), received in the space, engagable with the first tabs (112) to provide a snap connection therebetween and a seam portion (42) including seam flange (76) engageable with the locating tabs, the seam flange being latched in place by the latching tabs (122) to secure the seam portion (42) to the housing.

Abstract: A sensor (10) is disclosed for measuring the specific force and angular rotation rate of a moving body and is micromachined from a silicon substrate (16). First and second accelerometers (32a and b) are micromachined from the silicon substrate (16), each having a force sensing axis (38) and producing an output signal of the acceleration of the moving body along its force sensing axis (38). The first and second accelerometers (32a and b) are mounted within the substrate (16) to be moved along a vibration axis (41). The first and second accelerometers (32a and b) are vibrated or dithered to increase the Coriolis component of the output signals from the first and second accelerometers (32a and b). A sinusoidal drive signal of a predetermined frequency is applied to a conductive path (92) disposed on each of the accelerometers.

Abstract: Azeotrope-like compositions comprising trifluoromethane and carbon dioxide or trifluromethane, hexafluoroethane and carbon dioxide are stable and have utility as refrigerants for heating and cooling as well as fire extinguishing compositions.

Abstract: Carbon-containing black glass compositions of matter having the empirical formula SiC.sub.x O.sub.y and derived from the precursor polymers obtained by reacting (a) cyclo siloxanes and (b) non-cyclic siloxanes, each of the reactants having either or both of hydrogen and an unsubstituted vinyl group whereby a polymer is formed by a hydrosilylation reaction.

Abstract: The improved apply and relief valve mechanism (111, 112, 115, 117, 119, 120, 130, 132) for a fluid power apparatus (10) comprises a valve rod (112) having at one end (114) an integral, enlarged diameter spring retainer section (119), at a second end (113) a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves or passageways (132) in the valve rod (112) and a circumferential groove (111), a generally cylindrically shaped seal/reaction piston (120, 130) attached to the second end (113) of the valve rod (112) by way of a snap ring (115) received within the circumferential groove (111), and a spring mechanism (117) disposed around the valve rod (112) to abut the spring retainer section (119) and bias the reaction piston (120, 130) into engagement with the snap ring (115). The passageways (132) in the second end (113) of the valve rod (112) provide for improved fluid flow so that the fluid power apparatus (10) will not experience self actuation.

Abstract: A vibrating beam force transducer is comprised of an oscillating sensing element having a frequency output indicative of the force applied to the sensing element. The sensing element has a variable electrical resistance which can vary in accordance with temperature fluctuations over the operating range of the transducer.A drive circuit is electrically coupled to the sensing element for causing the sensing element to oscillate at a resonant frequency that is a function of the force applied to the sensing element. The drive circuit includes a source of DC voltage, which is utilized for altering the electrical characteristics of the drive circuit in response to variations in the electrical resistance of the sensing element.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesive compositions which include a base polymer constituent, a tackifying constituent, a wax constituent, and which further includes a low molecular weight polyethylene copolymer constituent which includes ketone functional moieties and/or hydroxyl functional moieties wherein the hot melt adhesive composition may be further characterized as providing improved adhesive strength to polar and non-polar substrates.

Abstract: Fe-Ni based soft magnetic alloys having nanocrystalline particles substantially uniformly distributed throughout an amorphous matrix are disclosed. The soft magnetic alloys of the present invention may be represented by the general formula:(Fe.sub.1-x Ni.sub.x).sub.a M.sub.b (B.sub.1-y Si.sub.y).sub.cwhere M is a metal chosen from the group consisting of Mo, Cr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Ti, V, W, Zr. The quantity "x" is between about 0.2 and about 0.9; a is between about 60 and 90; b is between about 0.1 and 10; y is between 0 and 0.5; and c is between about 0.1 and about 30, with the stipulation that all the elements, plus impurities, add up to 100. Also described is a process for making the nanocrystalline alloys and for optimizing certain magnetic properties of said alloys via a two step anneal.

Abstract: An assembly comprising: an inflator (20) for providing inflation gas, including a cylindrical body (22, 44) having at least one exhaust port (42a,b) located on a wall thereof through which a stream of inflation gas (40) exits, and a retainer (140) for securing the inflation means, including a hollow cylindrical retainer body for receipt of the inflation means and for diverting the inflation gas stream into a diffuser. The diffuser (210) comprises an inflatable gas permeable portion (212) for receiving the inflation gas stream such that when the inflation gas exits the gas permeable portion such inflation gas is generally uniformly distributed therethrough and communicated to an air bag. The diffuser includes a first portion (216a,b) attached the gas permeable portion and secured to the retainer. The air bag (230) is secured about the diffuser, for receipt of the inflation gas exiting the diffuser.

Abstract: A cover for protecting at least one wire extending from an air bag inflator comprising: a top (52), including a circular shaped first portion (54) and a narrow three-sided flange portion (56) extending radially outward from first portion; a circularly shaped first wall (58) having first (60) and second ends (62) and a bottom surface defining a shoulder (64) extending downwardly from the first portion, the first wall terminating proximate the location of the flange portion to define a space (65) between the first and second ends of the first wall. An inner surface (66) of the first wall includes a diameter smaller than the diameter of an the end portion (24) of the inflator. The cover additionally includes a circularly shaped second wall (70) extending downwardly from the first wall, having an inner (72) surface. A groove (74) is formed within the inner surface, to receive an edge of the end portion (24).

Abstract: InP is etched by reactive ion etching using a mixture of SiCl.sub.4 and CH.sub.4 or a mixture of SiCl.sub.4 and H.sub.2. A mask is placed on the InP and then it is placed into a RIE chamber having a pressure between approximately 5 mTorr and approximately 50 mTorr. The InP substrate is etched at a substrate temperature of less than 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A multi-step, alternating current power supply that provides for a failed-operation redundancy safety system that compensates for a short-circuited power switch and maintains an AC regulated output voltage without introducing undesirable harmonic components. The firing and logic controller 33 senses a short-circuited power switch 46 within an inverter bridge 32 and disables all complementary power switches 48 within the faulted bridge and enables the remaining power switches 50 in the faulted bridge. The firing sequence is adjusted for the remaining healthy power switches 52 by increasing the phase shift of the individual waveforms 54. The generator voltage is increased as required to maintain the desired AC voltage output level 56.

Abstract: A servomotor having a control valve independently by a manual input applied to an operator pedal assembly to effect a brake application or a traction control force derived from a signal developed by a controller to selectively apply brake force to synchronize rotational spin of the wheels of a vehicle. An input rod connected to the control valve has a housing attached thereto with a traction control chamber therein. A sleeve which surrounds the input rod has a first flange that engages a shoulder on the input rod and a second flange that is connected to a diaphragm retained in the traction control chamber. A return spring acts on the first flange to urge the second flange and diaphragm against a stop in the housing. In response to an input signal the controller allows vacuum to be communicated to the traction control chamber to create a traction control pressure differential.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a propulsion engine of a supersonic or hypersonic aircraft is provided that uses a single flow of endothermic fluid as engine fuel and as a heat sink for engine cooling. The system includes a plurality of heat exchangers in flow series arrangement. Each heat exchanger has a reactor portion, containing a catalyst, in heat exchange relation with a heat source portion. The single fluid flow flows through each of the reactor portions and heat source portions. The heat for the reaction in the reactor portions is provided by the fluid in the heat source portion which as a result is cooled. This cooled fluid is then reheated by flowing it past a hot portion of the engine after which the fluid can flow to another reactor portion or to the engine's combustor where it is ignited.

Abstract: A process for forming a blend comprising a poly(phenylene ether) domains dispersed in a polyamide matrix, said process comprising the steps of:(a) forming a reaction mixture comprising a substituted or unsubstituted poly(phenylene ether), preferably one or more compatibilizers and a polyamide precursor; and(b) polymerizing said precursor to form a blend comprised polyamide matrix having poly(phenylene ether) domains dispersed therein.

Abstract: A non-linear range scale for a radar system is implemented whereby the full range capability of the system is shown with emphasis on close-in targets. The arrangement is adaptable to a variety of non-linear functions having the advantage of selection by the user to provide good close-in visibility and visibility of distant conditions simultaneously.

Abstract: A vibrating beam accelerometer contains an inner structure having a vibrating beam extending between a pair of isolator masses which are connected via isolator beams to a pair of structures, an outer structure having flexure beams extending between a mount structure and a proof mass structure and a peripheral seal structure surrounding said inner structure and said outer structure. Seal plates containing a ring of glass frit material sandwich the above assembly. An electrode pattern termination extends from the above assembly, through the ring of glass frit material, to electronic circuitry containing an oscillator.

Abstract: A cabin pressure controller includes primary and backup controllers, a selector and a display mounted onto or within a single housing. The primary and backup controllers communicate through a communication link, jumpered across an external connector. Such a link allows for electrical isolation between the controllers.

Abstract: A seat belt system comprising a length of webbing (20) adapted to secure an occupant to a seat; first locking element such as a tongue (24) receivable into second locking element such as a buckle (26), a portion of the buckle being fixedly positioned relative to the seat; a retractor (22) for retracting excess webbing; the webbing supporting a loop (40) of elastic material for resiliently coupling the webbing (20) to the tongue such that the webbing can move relative to the tongue in response to occupant motion and wherein a portion of the webbing (20) proximate the tongue is formed into a second loop (42), which limits the extension of the elastic loop (40) when the webbing is under tension.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provide a monofilament, based on the total weight of the monofilament composition, (a) from about 10 weight % to about 60 weight % of a functionalized polyphenylene ether, (b) from about 40 weight % to about 90 weight % of a polyamide, and (c) from about 1 weight % to about 30 weight % of a functionalized elastomeric polymer, and industrial conveyer belts fabricated therefrom.