Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat includes a bag formed from impermeable materials enclosing a spacer material. The latter preferably includes upper and lower netting sheets and fibers extending between the netting sheets, the fibers being sufficiently resilient to prevent total collapse of the spacer material when the seat is occupied. An air mover forces air into or draws air from the bag is coupled to the air space between the air impermeable layers. Holes are provided in the top of the bag, and the sizes are preferably selected to equalize air flow over the seating surface, rather than having all the air flow through the openings nearest the fan. An optional, porous heating layer may be located above the bag. The ventilation and trim components are preferably sewn into the seat in a single operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for assessing performance of control applications in an environmental control network and for diagnosing performance problems. The apparatus includes a performance assessment and diagnostic display comprising a facility navigation tree, a system navigation tree and a performance/diagnostics window. The facility navigation tree and system navigation tree may be used to select the facilities and systems that are to have their associated control applications assessed and/or diagnosed. The performance/diagnostics window includes graphs of performance indictors that are indicative of performance levels for the included control applications. The system tree may be used to delve to more detailed views of the performance indicators to obtain additional information that may help to diagnose problems noted in performance of the selected control applications.

Abstract: An armrest mounted to a base and a method of inhibiting the movement of an armrest is disclosed. The armrest comprises an armrest support member adapted to be coupled to the base, the armrest support member being movable in a linear direction between a first position and a second position. The armrest also includes a release mechanism configured to selectively engage the armrest support member to retain the armrest support member between the first position and the second position. The method comprises operating the user interface to reduce friction between the cam and the rail sufficient to permit movement of the armrest support member, moving the armrest support member between the forward position and the rearward position, and releasing the user interface whereby the cam applies sufficient friction to inhibit movement of the armrest support member.

Abstract: A damper actuator includes a housing and a hub extending through and rotatably coupled to the housing. The actuator is configured to be a side-mount direct coupled actuator. In one embodiment, an external clamp is coupled to the housing and is configured to be attached to a damper shaft without the damper shaft extending through the hub. A torque transfer mechanism is coupled between the hub and the external clamp such that rotation of the hub results in a corresponding rotation of the damper shaft. In another embodiment, a channel in the actuator housing is configured to accept a damper shaft from the side and the hub includes a removable portion to allow for insertion and removal of the damper shaft.

Abstract: A method for and apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system are disclosed. The method includes receiving data from the control system, wherein the data is received by a passive testing function, and calculating a parameter related to the performance of the control system using the passive testing function. The apparatus includes a processor operable to execute a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to receive data from the control system and calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system. The apparatus may also include an active testing function, wherein the active testing function is configured to provide a sequence of step changes to an input of the control system, receive data from the control system in response to the sequence of step changes, and calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a controlled parameter that affects a target parameter of a target zone is disclosed. The method comprises providing a feedback control loop having a switching controller, a controlled device, and an averaging device. The controlled device comprises a time constant and a specified operational characteristic. The controlled device comprises a first operational state and a second operational state. The method further comprises calculating a time constant for the averaging device based at least on the time constant for the controlled device, and the specified operational characteristic. The specified operational characteristic may comprises a minimum amount of time that the controlled device operates before it can be switched between the first operational state and the second operational state.

Abstract: A device for consecutively forming one or more notches in a first surface and one or more notches in second surface of a hollow workpiece. The notching device including a first die and a second die that is fixed relative to the first die; and a shiftable punch having opposing first and second cutting surfaces. The punch shiftable between a first punching position and a second punching position and aligned such that the first cutting surface and the first die cooperating to form a first notch when the punch proceeds towards the first position, and the second cutting surface and the second die cooperating to form a second notch when the punch proceeds towards a second position.

Abstract: A structural roof panel system for a vehicle includes mounting areas molded in or readily attached to the structural element. In a first embodiment, the roof panel is replaced by an engineered, structural system to support overhead components, the headliner, etc. In a second embodiment, an internal super-structure is located between the roof panel and a nonstructural headliner, all overhead system components being readily attachable to the super-structure at pre-designed and designated locations. In a third embodiment, the structural components are moved to pods, and all overhead components are attached thereto. In each embodiment, the headliner becomes an aesthetic and acoustic cover only that does not require structural strength. Furthermore, in each embodiment, a single, integral roof system can be supplied to a vehicle manufacturer, including the exterior panel, structural support for overhead components, the overhead components attached thereto, and the headliner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a door module (2) for a vehicle door, which is divided in a sealed manner into an outer wet chamber (44) that faces the door shell (1) and an inner dry chamber (43). Said door module is equipped with pre-assembled mechanical and/or electrical functional components that are fixed in the dry chamber and can be mechanically and/or electrically connected to door components that are located in the wet chamber. The seal between the dry chamber and the wet chamber is formed by a separation sheet (12), which is penetrated by sealed connecting elements of the functional components that are held on the dry side of said separation sheet in the door module.

Abstract: A seat has a seating surface and a bottom to which a sliding panel is mounted. The bottom of the seat includes a storage bin for removably holding items stored therein, which is selectively exposed by the sliding panel when translated from a position aligned with the seat to a position translated outwardly from a vehicle door to expose the storage area in the bottom of the seat. A fold-down table is pivotally mounted to the sliding panel for providing a convenient work surface and for holding items, such as bags and the like, which are easily loaded and unloaded with the sliding panel in the translated position, extending from the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: The system of the present invention uses a gps receiver and a computer program product to disable a feature of an electronic device when movement of the receiver is detected. Speed data from a gps data stream is monitored. When the speed of the gps receiver exceeds a predetermined value, the desired feature of the electronic device is disabled. For example, when the speed of the gps receiver exceeds 0.5 knots, a windows function call is executed to set a desired display element as a top window on a display screen. The system may allow for temporary enabling of disabled features and for rapid enabling of disabled features when motion stops. The system may also include navigational software. A manufacturer may also use a proprietary combination of one or more disabled data fields in a gps data stream to identify gps receivers approved for use with the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting problems in a rotating machine is disclosed. The method and apparatus include creating a definition of the rotating machine using a plurality of templates that specify components and functional characteristics of the components. In addition, the method and apparatus include identifying a plurality of sensors configured to provide operational data related to the rotating machine and defining a plurality of problem rules including logical expressions by which machine faults are deduced from specified portions of the operational data. Further, the method and apparatus include performing an analysis of operation of the rotating machine, the analysis including acquiring actual operational data from the plurality of sensors and applying the problem rules and templates to the operational data to detect faults in the rotating machine and in response thereto generating an indication when a fault is detected.

Abstract: A trainable transceiver for learning and transmitting an activation signal that includes an RF carrier frequency modulated with a code for remotely actuating a device, such as a garage door opener. The trainable transceiver preferably includes a controller, a signal generator, and a dynamically tunable antenna having a variable impedance that may be selectively controlled in accordance with a detector circuit signal. The detector circuit provides a measurement of the transmission power and is also used to vary the applied transmission power of the transceiver in response to operating and environmental parameters.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide scrubber includes first and second scrubber tanks with scrubber media contained therein. Scrubbing solution circulators each include a dispenser for dispensing scrubbing solution into contact with the scrubber media, a sump for collecting the scrubbing solution after contact with the scrubber media, and a circulating pump for circulating the scrubbing solution from the sump back to the dispenser after contact with the scrubber media. A polymeric amine supply is provided for supplying a polymeric amine to the scrubbing solution in the second tank. The scrubbing solution in the first tank may be charged with the polymeric amine by a charging line extending from the second tank to the first tank. In other embodiments, a regenerative blower and associated nozzle may be used to generate a scrubbing solution mist in the space beneath the scrubber media and above the sump.

Abstract: A system for communicating home security data between a vehicle having a vehicle element and a home comprising an interface coupled to the vehicle element configured to establish a communication link with a home security system and a processing circuit configured to receive home security data from the home security system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for adjusting the vertical and longitudinal position and the inclination of a pivotable seat part (2) of a vehicle seat (1) relative to a floor structure (4) of the vehicle, having a linkage that encompasses a linkage part, constituted by at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD), that has a base (AB), two rockers (BC, AD), and a coupler (CD). The base (B)is arranged in a plane extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal seat axis (X—X).The rockers (BC, AD)are pivotable about rotation axes extending substantially parallel to transverse seat axis. The linkage encompasses two linkage parts, each constituted by at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD;CDEF), that each have a base (AB,CD), two rockers (BC,AD;DE,CF),and a coupler (DC,EF).

Abstract: The compass system of the present invention utilizes an improved calibration routine in which a processing circuit of the compass recalibrates the compass each time three data points are obtained from a magnetic field sensor that meet predetermined criteria. One such criterion is that the three data points define corners of a triangle that is substantially non-obtuse. When three data points have been obtained that define a triangle meeting this criterion, the processing circuit calculates a center point for a circle upon which all three data points lie by solving the equation x2+y2+Ax+By+C=0 for A, B, and C, using the coordinate values (x,y) for the three data points and defining the center point as (?A/2, ?B/2).

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for fine tuning the control of a manufacturing process. A material adjusting device is in communication with a PID controller and PID control loop, and is used to alter a flow of material used in the manufacturing process, so as to maintain a target physical property of the material at a setpoint. A measurement device captures measurements of the flow relevant to the physical property of interest. A change is introduced to the material adjusting device while the PID controller and PID control loop are disabled, and appropriate measurements of the flow are continually captured; a process that may be repeated several times. Once sufficient physical property measurement data has been captured, the data is loaded into an optimization program that outputs optimized controlled parameters that may be used by the PID controller and control loop to better control the physical property of the material.

Abstract: A wireless control system for customizing a wireless control signal for a remote electronic system based on the location of the wireless control system includes a transmitter circuit, an interface circuit, and a control circuit. The transmitter circuit is configured to transmit a wireless control signal having control data which will control the remote electronic system. The interface circuit is configured to receive navigation data from a navigation data source. The control circuit is configured to receive a transmit command, to receive navigation data, to determine a current location based on the navigation data, and to command the transmitter circuit to transmit a wireless control signal associated with the current location.

Abstract: A method of friction welding first and second parts together at an angular orientation relative to each other includes the steps of mounting the first part in a spindle for axial rotation and the second part in a non-rotatable holder. The spindle is then rotated and the angular orientation of the first part relative to the second part is determined at any specific time. The holder is moved toward the spindle to bring the second part into frictional contact with the first part at a selected one of the specific times that the angular orientation is determined. Accordingly, due to frictional contact, the respective contacting surface of the parts are melted. The speed of the rotation of the spindle is then decreased and the holder is moved toward the spindle to forcibly urge the first and second parts together at the contacting surface.