Abstract: An article attachment system (10) for a vehicle is disclosed having an elongated rail member (20) adapted to attach to the vehicle where the rail member (20) defines at least one partially enclosed space with at least one slide interface and a plurality of projections, and a bracket (60) operably engaging the rail (20) and adapted for mounting at least one article (12), and a positioning device (80) operably engaging the bracket (60) and having at least one extension adapted to move between an engaged position adapted for securing the article (12) to the rail (20) and a released position adapted for moving the article (12) relative to the rail (20).

Abstract: A seating and cargo system (50) for a vehicle (10) is disclosed having a generally horizontal floor (16) and one or more generally vertical frame members (18). A panel (20) is mounted transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle (10) and pivotally coupled to the frame members (18). A seat back (52) is coupled to the panel (20) and has a lower end engaging a seat bottom (54). An optimal support member (70) is coupled to the seat bottom (54) and engages the floor section (16) of the vehicle (10) and another support member (62) is coupled to the lower end of the seat back (52) and to the bottom portion of the panel (20).

Abstract: A method of forming battery grids or plates that includes the step of applying a lead alloy coating to a continuous strip of interconnected battery grids formed from a lead alloy grid material is disclosed. The battery grids may be formed by a continuous battery grid making process such as strip expansion, strip punching, or continuous grid casting. In one version of the method, the grid wires of a continuous strip of battery grids produced by a punching process are immersed in a melt of the lead alloy coating. In another version of the method, the grid wires of a continuous strip of battery grids produced by a punching process are deformed such that the grid wires have a cross-section other than the rectangular cross-section produced by the punching process and the strip of interconnected grids is immersed in a melt of the lead alloy coating. The method increases the cycle life of a battery.

Abstract: A battery and adapter system includes a first battery adapter and a second battery adapter. The first battery adapter may be coupled to a storage battery, and a second battery adapter may be coupled to the first battery adapter. The first and second battery adapters may include features or elements that allow attachment to another battery adapter and to a storage battery.

Abstract: A pattern recognition adaptive controller configured to dynamically adjust proportional gain and integral time control parameters based upon patterns that characterize the closed-loop response. The pattern recognition adaptive controller receives a sampled signal representative of the controlled variable, and determines a smoothed signal based on the sampled signal. The controller determines an estimated noise level of the sampled signal and determines if the control output and process output are oscillating quickly based on predefined criteria. The controller adjusts the gain used by the controller if the control output and process output are oscillating quickly. If the control output and process are not oscillating quickly, the controller determines whether there has been a significant load disturbance, whether there is an insignificant pattern, and/or whether the control output is saturated.

Abstract: A console system which may translate longitudinally in a vehicle includes a forward end which is capable of being at least partially nested with a vehicle instrument panel. The range of movement may extend to the front seats or further toward the rear of the vehicle to provide functionality for occupants of second or even third row seats. The translation mechanism preferably includes a track similar to those employed in the vehicle art for manual seat adjustment. In the most preferred embodiment, a storage drawer is included in the instrument panel which may be used when the console is in any position, including its nested position.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a system for monitoring the pressure of tires of a motor vehicle with location of the wheels comprises a monitoring element and a pressure sensor. Each pressure sensor is associated with a transmitter with which it transmits to the monitoring element a radio signal comprising sensor identification data. The system comprises a means for determining the phase shift between two radio signals transmitted at two distinct times for each wheel. The system further comprises a means for determining the rotation angle, modulo 2?, traveled by each of the wheels between the two times. The system further comprises a means for comparison between the phase shifts and the rotation angles.

Abstract: A method of making a battery includes forming a strip of interconnected grids from a grid material by feeding a continuous strip of the grid material along a linear path aligned with the longitudinal direction of the strip and punching grid material out of the strip. Each interconnected grid includes a plurality of wires, with each wire having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes to define a plurality of open spaces. The method also includes modifying at least one of the wires at a position intermediate the opposed ends of the wire such that a first transverse cross-section taken intermediate the opposed ends of the wire differs from a second transverse cross-section of the wire taken at one of the opposed ends of the wire. The method further includes applying paste to the strip and cutting the strip to form a plurality of plates.

Abstract: A latch for use in a vehicle having a rear seat with a fold down seatback. The latch comprises a striker member coupled to the vehicle and a latch assembly coupled to the seatback and configured to releasably engage the striker member. The latch assembly comprises a catch plate configured with two prongs and pivotably mounted on a support plate. A hook plate with two camming surfaces is configured to engage at least one of the prongs with the hook plate pivotably mounted on the support plate. The movement of the engaged prong is restricted in any direction when the hook plate is in a locked position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for designing an energy-absorbing impact zone for a vehicle interior, including acquiring test data representative of an occupant, determining a force versus deflection curve for the vehicle impact zone, analyzing the force versus deflection curve, and utilizing the analysis to adjust the stiffness of the energy-absorbing impact zone and to shape the force versus deflection curve so that a constant area under the force versus deflection curve has the minimum deflection possible without exceeding a certain force limit and a certain head impact criterion.

Abstract: There is disclosed an insert suitable for placement within a seat of an automotive vehicle. The insert preferably includes multiple layers, one of which includes a heater for providing an occupant of the seat with warmth. The insert also preferably includes a blower or air pump for providing ventilation and/or cooling to the seat occupant.

Abstract: An anchoring device for a seat that can be installed and removed inside a vehicle without the use of tools has at least one locking unit (2, 4) with a first functional part attached in stationary fashion to the vehicle, and a second functional part attached to the seat, the functional parts being constituted on the one hand by an undercut extension element (14) and on the other hand by a receiving part (16) having a locking receptacle (18), in such a way that for mounting, the seat can be inserted in a direction approximately perpendicular to a seat base plane (10) and is then displaceable parallel to the seat base plane (10) into a detent position. In the detent position, the extension element (14) sits in the locking receptacle (18) in a manner secured against perpendicular relative motions.

Abstract: Thickness measurement apparatus for measuring layer thicknesses on patterned areas of a semiconductor wafer, comprises: a spectrum analyzer for obtaining reflection data taken from a patterned area and obtaining therefrom a frequency spectrum, a peak detector for searching the spectrum to find peak frequencies within said spectrum, the search being restricted to regions corresponding to peak frequencies found in an earlier learning stage, a frequency filter, associated with the peak detector, for filtering the spectrum about said peak frequencies, and a maximum likelihood fitter for using parameters obtained in the learning stage to carry out maximum likelihood fitting of said filtered spectrum to obtain the desired layer thicknesses. By carrying out maximum likelihood fitting using parameters obtained beforehand in a high resolution non-real time learning stage, it is possible to provide high resolution results in real time.

Abstract: A cargo management system of this invention includes a deep well storage area beneath a cargo floor, which well may be horizontally and/or vertically divided and which preferably includes a plurality of doors to access the well. In the illustrated embodiment, the management system also includes a panel which may be placed into three positions: a first storage position in which the panel is flush against the back of the rear seat; a second shelf position in which the panel is horizontal and spaced from the cargo floor by a first distance; and a third privacy shield position in which the panel is also horizontal but is spaced from the cargo floor a second distance, the second distance exceeding the first distance.

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 that forces air into or draws air from the bag may be coupled to the air space between the air impermeable layers of the bag. Groups of holes are provided in the top of the bag, and the total cross-sectional areas of the groups of holes are preferably selected to equalize air flow over the seating surface, rather than having all the air flow through the holes nearest the fan. An optional, porous heating layer may be located above the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for filling a gap of missing data using source specified data. The method includes analyzing a first set of data representative of utility consumption for a plurality of days to determine clusters of days of the week having similar utility consumption. The method further includes generating an individual profile of utility consumption for each cluster, and copying data from at least one individual profile into the gap to form a second set of data without any gaps. A system for filling a gap of missing data using source specified data includes a microprocessor programmed to copy data from at least one individual profile into the gap, and to adjust the copied data up or down to account for local trend information adjacent to the gap.

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: A weight drop system includes a frame, a base weight, at least one supplemental weight, a carriage, at least one gripper carried by the carriage and a hold mechanism. The base weight is movable relative to the frame between an undeployed position and a deployed load applying position in which a load is applied. The at least one supplemental weight is actuatable between a load supplementing state in which the load being applied is increased and a non-supplementing state. The carriage moves between a raised position and a lowered retrieving position. The grippers move between a weight engaging position and a weight disengaging position. The hold mechanism holds at least the base weight in the undeployed position while the at least one gripper disengages or is disengaged from at least the base weight. Release of the base weight by the hold mechanism allows at least the base weight to fall to the load applying position.

Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat includes a first portion and a tongue portion. The first portion includes a porous upper surface layer, a non-porous first inner layer that is adjacent to the upper surface layer and that includes ventilation holes, a non-porous lower surface layer, and an expanded spacer layer between the non-porous layers that provides an air space. The tongue portion includes a tongue that is integrally-formed with the first portion. The tongue extends from the edge of the first portion and includes an opening in one of the non-porous layers. The opening provides access to the air space within the expanded spacer layer.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided for moving a seat back in a vehicle between a seating position and a cargo storage position. The positioning system includes a release mechanism actuatable between a first position to permit movement of the seat back and a second position to prevent movement of the seat back.