Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is provided that includes an output buffer having a first buffer stage including a first transistor and a second buffer stage including a second transistor. The first and second transistors are connected in a cascaded emitter follower buffer arrangement.

Abstract: A radar apparatus and method for determining the range to and velocity of at least one object comprising, transmitting a plurality of RF signals, each comprising a particular frequency and being transmitted during a particular unique finite period, the plurality of signals collectively comprising at least one first subset of signals having the same frequency and at least one second subset of signals having different frequencies, receiving the plurality of signals after reflection from an object, determining a phase difference between each of the signals and the corresponding reflected signal, each piece of phase difference information herein termed a sample, organizing the samples in two-dimensions wherein, in a first dimension, all samples have the same frequency and, in a second dimension, all consecutive samples are separated from each other by a fixed time interval; processing the samples in the first dimension to determine a phase rotation frequency corresponding to the samples in the first dimension, th

Abstract: A radar system and method for determining the range and, optionally, the azimuth of a target, while maintaining a high transmitting duty factor is provided. A waveform generator is connected to an antenna aperture by a transmit-receive switch, and the waveform is transmitted for more than half of the period of time of the sum of the transmission period and the receiving period. For a frequency-modulated continuous-wave waveform (FMCW), the receiver may be turned on for short intervals at a rate which is at least the Nyquist rate for the signal received from at target. A monopulse or frequency-scanned antenna may be used to determine azimuth as well as range.

Abstract: An airbag inflator that contains a first quantity of inflation gas. This gas may be housed in a chamber. A quantity of liquid fuel may also be added. This fuel may be housed within a liquid fuel chamber. The quantity of inflation gas may operate to pressurize the liquid fuel chamber. A piezo-valve is also added. The piezo-valve seals the liquid fuel chamber. The piezo-valve is capable of variably releasing liquid fuel from the chamber such that when this secondary liquid is ignited, the airbag inflation gas can be augmented as desired.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device for electronic communication with a sensor in a vehicle. The cushion assumes two different configurations depending on the occupant's position. The configurations are achieved via tethers along with closeable vent(s) to control cushion pressure.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a method of performing dynamic calibration of a stereo vision system using a specific stereo disparity algorithm adapted to provide for the determination of disparity in two dimensions, X and Y. In one embodiment of the present invention, an X/Y disparity map may be calculated using this algorithm without having to perform pre-warping or first finding the epipolar directions. Thus information related to camera misalignment and/or distortion can be preserved in the resulting X/Y disparity map and later extracted.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for inflatable curtain venting. In one embodiment, an inflatable curtain airbag is tested using a 50th-percentile dummy. The inflatable curtain airbag comprises a vent opening positioned such that during the crash test, the head of the 50th-percentile dummy strikes the airbag at the location of the vent such that the exit of inflation gas through the vent is at least partially blocked. The same inflatable curtain airbag may then be used in a test involving a 5th-percentile dummy, in which case the head of the 5th-percentile dummy would not strike the airbag so as to block the vent, thereby allowing for venting of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is described. The airbag assembly includes an airbag housed within an airbag housing and an airbag inflator. A B-ring that engages the airbag housing is also added. The B-ring comprises a base surface, a first stabilizing bracket and a second stabilizing bracket, wherein the first and second stabilizing brackets extend away from the base surface and restrict movement of the airbag housing in a lateral and vertical direction. The airbag assembly may optionally include a vehicle bracket that is capable of being attached to a vehicle structure. The second stabilizing bracket may be secured to the vehicle bracket.

Abstract: An inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant housed within a chamber. A liquid and a piston are also housed within another chamber. This chamber is sealed by a burst disk. The piston includes an opening. During deployment of the inflator, the burst disk is ruptured and the piston moves towards the distal end of the inflator. The movement of the piston hydraulically expels the liquid through the opening in the piston such that the liquid cools and contacts the gas formed by combustion of the gas generant.

Abstract: A double yarn airbag fabric is disclosed, which may include an inflatable fabric portion, comprising multiple first yarns that form multiple sets of first yarns, and multiple second yarns. At least two sets of first yarns are alternately woven around at least two adjacent second yarns at each weave. The result of weaving are two opposing woven fabric layers formed from two pairs of the alternating second yarn sets, such that a space to be inflated is formed between the two opposing fabric layers. The two opposing fabric layers may be formed in a continuous weaving process. The fabric also includes a non-inflatable fabric portion by alternately weaving two pairs of alternating first yarn sets around two adjacent second yarns at each weave, to form a single, woven fabric layer. The multiple first yarns may include warp yarns and the multiple second yarns may include weft yarns, or vice versa.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in an automobile. The disclosed airbag assembly adaptively vents gas from the interior of the airbag depending on whether an obstruction is encountered during airbag deployment.

Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising a housing with an inflatable airbag cushion disposed therein and at least one vent aperture attached to the inflatable airbag cushion, wherein during inflatable airbag cushion deployment with an obstruction, the at least one vent aperture remains open, and during inflatable airbag cushion deployment without an obstruction, the at least one vent aperture at least partially closes.

Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising an airbag cushion, a deployment flap and an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, is disclosed. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. In some embodiments, the airbag assembly may also include a cinch tube arrangement.

Abstract: An airbag system for protecting a passenger in a motor vehicle including one or more ejection mitigation devices configured to substantially cover the inside of the front and/or rear window of the motor vehicle. Moreover, the one or more ejection mitigation devices may be attached to a driver's side inflatable airbag and a passenger's side inflatable airbag, wherein the ejection mitigation device is configured to be deployed by the inflation of the driver's and passenger's side inflatable airbags.

Abstract: A frequency multiplier is provided that includes a switching component having a plurality of differential pairs of transistors. The frequency multiplier further includes a gain stage. A common mode feedback generated by the switching component is also provided to the gain stage.

Abstract: A restraint system that evaluates factors such the type of collision an automotive vehicle is experiencing and then, based on that evaluation, deploys a knee airbag and/or a head/torso airbag. A knee airbag is also disclosed with an upper portion and a lower portion.

Abstract: A gas generant for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system for a vehicle) is a monolithic compressed solid that has a linear burn rate of greater than or equal to about 1.6 inches per second at a pressure of about 3,000 pounds per square inch. The gas generant can be in the form of an annular disk having a plurality of apertures. The gas generant may be substantially free of binder and may have a low initial surface area which progressively increases during burning. The gas generant provides a gas generation profile that improves restraint of vehicle occupants, including those occupants that are out-of-position. Additionally, the shaped gas generant decreases occupant exposure to toxic effluent combustion products and solid respirable particulates.

Abstract: A self stopping seat belt retractor is provided with a spindle for winding a seat belt thereonto and unwinding a wound seat belt therefrom and a housing rotatably supporting the spindle and having a locking device that includes a locking means for the spindle that can be controlled in a vehicle sensitive and/or belt sensitive manner into engagement with a toothed gearing system on the side of the housing. A tightening device operating on the spindle includes a drive wheel, which is, prior to the release of the tightening device, secured in a force-transmitting manner on the housing, is connectable upon release of the tightening device with the spindle, whereby the drive wheel of the tightening device is connectable via the locking device with the spindle for the transmission of force to the spindle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a device for protecting the cushion material of an inflatable element from inflator gases and particulate matter. The device along with an inflator and an airbag may be placed in a housing. The device includes a first strip and a second strip. Each of the first strip and second strip includes at least one opening. Each of the openings are surrounded by a plurality of holes. The second strip may be placed above the first strip in a suitable position.

Abstract: An airbag assembly comprises a tensioning mechanism including a clutch is disclosed. The tensioning mechanism maintains the airbag in a desired position upon installation. In one embodiment, an inflatable curtain is coupled to a spool clutch and fastener via a tether to provide tension along the longitudinal mounting surface of the inflatable curtain during its installation adjacent the vehicle roof rail.