Abstract: A gearbox operating system shifts between 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive. The system includes a reversible motor, and a reduction gear train that is configured to be driven by the motor to move a plunger between extended and retracted plunger positions that shifts gears. A printed circuit board has at least two Hall effect sensing circuits. A magnet is carried by the reduction gear train and is rotationally movable relative to the Hall effect sensing circuits. A first Hall effect sensing circuits provides a first output signal indicative of the extended plunger position. A second Hall effect sensing circuits provides a second output signal that is indicative of the retracted plunger position. A controller monitors the two Hall effect sensing circuits to determine if a desired plunger position has been achieved and trigger an error code if the desired plunger position has not been achieved within a predetermined response time.

Abstract: The colostomy balloon plug has three parallel conduits with a combined charcoal and hydrophobic filter at one end of the largest central first conduit. The largest central first conduit is open at one end and has the combined charcoal and hydrophobic filter at its other end, for elimination of bowel gas. A shorter parallel second conduit terminates on one end in a first balloon and on a second end in a first one-way valve. A shortest parallel third conduit terminates on one end in a second balloon and on a second end in a second one-way valve. A syringe and extension conduit is selectively attached to the two one-way valves. Air, saline solution or sterilized water can be introduced from the syringe through the one-way valves of the extension conduit to inflate the two balloons about the largest central first conduit. The one-way valves prevent deflation of the balloons unless the shorter or shortest parallel conduits are cut to allow the fluid from the two balloons to exit and deflate the balloons.

Abstract: A multiple frequency ping transmitter which can be carried by a pig which is used in an underwater pipeline. The ping transmitter produces a ping chord which includes a plurality of different tone frequencies which are simultaneously transmitted in the ping chord. Procedures are also provided wherein the multiple frequency ping transmitter is used in a system and method for located a pig which is stuck in the underwater pipeline or for determining the relative velocity of a moving pig.

Abstract: A default-to-park mechanism for a transmission includes an output member, a rotatable plate, a latching mechanism, and a biasing member. The output member is rotatable to park, reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The rotatable plate is coaxial with the output member. The plate and the output member interfere with one another such that the plate is moved in a first direction of rotation by the output member and the output member is moved in a second direction of rotation by the plate. The plate is releasably held by the latching mechanism to prevent rotation in the second direction of rotation when the output member is in the reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The biasing member biases the plate to rotate in the second direction of rotation to return the output member to the park position when the plate is released by the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A sensor assembly configured to sense a position of a seat in a vehicle includes a housing defining a cavity and having an open end. The sensor assembly may also include a carrier removably disposed in the housing cavity via the open end, wherein a permanent magnet may be disposed within a magnet cavity defined in the carrier, wherein the permanent magnet may establish a magnetic field. The sensor assembly may further include a single pole disposed within a pole cavity defined in the carrier and spaced from the permanent magnet and positioned in the magnetic field. In addition, the sensor assembly may include a magnetic sensor element affixed to a printed circuit board (PCB) and positioned in the magnetic field and adjacent to an end of the single pole. The magnetic sensor element and PCB may be at least partially disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: In general, a shift-by-wire transmission range selector system consistent with the present disclosure may include an actuator one or more electric motors to allow the actuator to operate for shifting the gear position of a transmission. In the event of a power or system failure, a fail safe release motor may be actuated by energy stored in a capacitor. The fail safe release motor drives a slide cam to release a trigger arm. Upon release of the trigger arm, a spring-driven mechanism safely returns the transmission to the PARK position by rotating an output shaft. A redundant control link may be provided, configured to actuate the fail safe release motor in the event of a power or system failure.

Abstract: A multiple frequency ping transmitter which can be carried by a pig which is used in an underwater pipeline. The ping transmitter produces a ping chord which includes a plurality of different tone frequencies which are simultaneously transmitted in the ping chord. Procedures are also provided wherein the multiple frequency ping transmitter is used in a system and method for located a pig which is stuck in the underwater pipeline or for determining the relative velocity of a moving pig.

Abstract: An integrated assembly for a vehicle includes a release switch and at least one secondary electrical module positioned in the assembly such that, when the assembly is mounted to a vehicle, a centerline of the secondary electrical module is positioned substantially on a centerline of the vehicle and a portion of the release switch is positioned substantially on the vehicle centerline. An assembly consistent with the present disclosure may include a single switch providing multiple functions or multiple switches each providing a separate function.

Abstract: A default-to-park mechanism for a transmission includes an output member, a rotatable plate, a latching mechanism, and a biasing member. The output member is rotatable to park, reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The rotatable plate is coaxial with the output member. The plate and the output member interfere with one another such that the plate is moved in a first direction of rotation by the output member and the output member is moved in a second direction of rotation by the plate. The plate is releasably held by the latching mechanism to prevent rotation in the second direction of rotation when the output member is in the reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The biasing member biases the plate to rotate in the second direction of rotation to return the output member to the park position when the plate is released by the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A touch sensor assembly may include a cover, an electrode film assembly, an adhesive layer, a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connected to the electrode film and a back plate configured to be coupled to the cover with the PCB and the electrode film assembly disposed between the housing and the back plate. The electrode film assembly may include an electrode film formed from a conductive ink and may comprise a plurality of contacts corresponding to a plurality of touch areas. The electrode film assembly may optionally comprise capacitive circuitry configured to exhibit a capacitance response to contact with the touch areas. The adhesive layer may be configured to secure the electrode film assembly to the cover. The PCB may be substantially planar and the cover may include an inner surface having a curvature. The electrode film may be configured to substantially conform to the curvature when secured thereto.

Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.

Abstract: A touch sensor system. The touch sensor system may include a touch sensor configured to provide an output in response to contact with a touch area, a controller coupled to the touch sensor and configured to provide a code representative of the output and a memory coupled to the controller. The memory may be configured to receive and store the code in a first time interval and to provide the code in a second time interval wherein the second time interval begins after the first time interval ends. Adjacent key suppression algorithms are also provided.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a target surface of a vehicle. The device includes a base and a top cover coupled to the base. The top cover includes a perimeter wall portion and an actuator portion coupled to the perimeter wall portion. The actuator portion extends generally downward between walls of the perimeter wall portion toward the base and is movable toward the base for changing the state of a switch upon application of an external force to the actuator portion. A light source is coupled to the base and positioned for illuminating the target surface through the actuator portion.

Abstract: A touch sensor assembly. The touch sensor assembly may include a housing, at least one touch sensor and a sensor cover. The sensor cover may identify a touch area associated with each touch sensor. The housing may form a water tight cavity for the sensor cover and the touch sensor when coupled to an housing cover. A raised dome may be provided, e.g. on the sensor cover or another element, to provided tactile feed back. LEDs may be provided for illuminating the touch areas and/or sensing ambient light. A controller may control the illumination level of the LEDs in response to sensed ambient light. Adjacent key suppression algorithms are also provided.

Abstract: A lever assembly. The assembly may include a lever, a shaft coupled to the lever for supporting pivotal movement of the lever, a magnet coupled to the lever, the magnet being configured to rotate upon pivotal movement of the lever, and magnetic field sensor positioned adjacent the magnet for providing an output representative to position of the lever.

Abstract: An actuator and vehicle system including a drive gear with an integral drive nut in meshing engagement with a drive screw. The drive screw is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear motion of the drive screw.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator is provided resisting back driving of a gear train in at least one direction. The actuator includes an internal gear train. A clutch is coupled to an output of the gear train and transmits a driving force from the gear train to a clutch output. When a back driving force is applied to the clutch output in at least one direction, the clutch assumes a locked configuration. When the clutch is in a locked configuration the clutch resists rotational movement of the output and back driving of the gear train.

Abstract: A sensor includes a shaft and a magnetic sensor and an anti-aging magnetic sensor. The shaft may have at least one magnetized active region. The magnetic sensor may be configured to sense a magnetic field about the shaft, and may provide an output representative of torque applied to the shaft, shaft rotational speed and/or shaft rotational position. The anti-aging magnetic sensor may be positioned adjacent the active region to provide a reference signal output that is substantially independent of torque applied to said shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle gear box shift actuator and apparatus including the same. The actuator includes a lead screw; a drive nut threaded on the lead screw; a plunger; a first spring disposed between the drive nut and a first end of the plunger; a second spring disposed between the drive nut and a second end of the plunger opposite from the first end. Non-contact position sensing of the actuator output is also provided.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a target surface of a vehicle. The device includes a base and a top cover coupled to the base. The top cover includes a perimeter wall portion and an actuator portion coupled to the perimeter wall portion. The actuator portion extends generally downward between walls of the perimeter wall portion toward the base and is movable toward the base for changing the state of a switch upon application of an external force to the actuator portion. A light source is coupled to the base and positioned for illuminating the target surface through the actuator portion.