Abstract: A pressure sensor for sensing a pressure level of a pressurized medium. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor has a high pressure side and a low pressure side. An aperture may extend through at least a portion of the sensor assembly, and a seal is located in the aperture. The seal seals the high pressure side from the low pressure side. Electrical leads extend through the seal between the high pressure side and the low pressure side. A substrate is located on the high pressure side. A pressure sensitive resistor is mounted on the substrate such that the resistor is directly exposed to the pressurized medium. The resistor changes resistance in response to a change in pressure. The resistor is connected to the electrical leads.

Abstract: A retractable roof assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes relatively movable rigid panels that are positioned to cover a passenger/cargo compartment of the vehicle in an extended position and that are stacked one above another in a retracted position. A telescoping track is provided on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle to guide movement of the roof panels. D-pillars of the roof assembly are slidable between a position wherein they are spaced from the C-pillars to a retracted position in which the D-pillars are adjacent to the C-pillars. Side windows of the vehicle are retracted into the rear quarter panel area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A combination Hall effect position sensor and switch for sensing the position of a moveable object. The sensor has a magnet that is attachable to the moveable object. The magnet has a pair of ends and a central portion. A linear magnetic flux sensor is positioned about the central portion of the magnet. The linear magnetic flux sensor generates an electrical signal indicative of a specific position of the movable object. A switch type magnetic flux sensor is positioned about one of the ends of the magnet. The switch type magnetic flux sensor generates an electrical signal that is indicative of the movable object reaching a pre-determined location.

Abstract: A resistor card for a fuel level sensor has improved resistance to corrosion and wear. The resistor card has a substrate with a resistive layer and a conductive layer. A nickel layer covers the conductive layer. A nickel-gold alloy layer covers the nickel layer. The nickel-gold alloy layer protects the conductive layer from sulfur corrosion and improves wear resistance.

Abstract: A resistor card for a fuel level sensor has improved resistance to corrosion and wear. The resistor card has a substrate with a resistive layer and a conductive layer. A nickel layer covers the conductive layer. A nickel-gold alloy layer covers the nickel layer. The nickel-gold alloy layer protects the conductive layer from sulfur corrosion and improves wear resistance.

Abstract: A seat weight sensor for detecting the weight of a seat occupant. The weight sensor has a case mounted between a seat pan and a seat member. One or more strain gauge resistors are mounted in the case. The resistors generate an electrical signal in response to the case being stressed by the weight of the seat occupant. The electrical signal changes as a function of the weight of the occupant. A fastener passes through the seat member, the case, and the seat pan. The fastener secures the sensor between the seat pan and the seat member. The case is adapted to transfer to the strain gage resistor the weight of the occupant up to pre-determined level. The case prevents the strain gage from receiving weight beyond that of the pre-determined level such that the sensor is not damaged by an excessive load. The case also allows the weight sensor to be insensitive to off-axis forces that might otherwise contribute to inaccurate weight readings.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a tactile feedback to a user of a computer cursor control device such as a pointing stick is provided. A pzt material is first mounted to a semi-rigid material such as by bonding the pzt material to a metal substrate. When an ac signal is applied to this assembly it vibrates. By coupling this mechanical vibration to the pointing stick, the user can sense the feedback. This can be used, for example, to provide a tactile feedback when the user depresses the pointing stick to cause a “mouse click.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling vermin either directly or indirectly via objects giving shelter to the vermin. Cooling of the vermin is effected by providing dry snow particles by passing pressurized carbon dioxide through a nozzle directed at the vermin. Smaller and larger snow particle sizes are allocated within a selected range of sizes and velocities. Environmentally friendly and rapid control of the vermin is achieved, and an effectively functioning cooling system is provided, which, by the gradual supply of snow, executes cooling through different velocities and sizes of the snow particles. In a initial cooling phase small snow particles provide cooling by sublimating and giving off cold rapidly. Larger snow particles then penetrate through the gas barrier that is created by the sublimating small snow particles to maintain the cooling effect.

Abstract: A hermetic multi-layered ceramic semiconductor package for micro-machined semiconductor devices. The package has a substrate with top and bottom surfaces. A micro-machined semiconductor device is located adjacent to the top surface. Vias extend through the substrate between the surfaces. The micro-machined semiconductor device is electrically connected to the vias. A rigid support is located between the micro-machined semiconductor device and the top surface to support the micro-machined semiconductor device during assembly and to space the micro-machined semiconductor device from the top surface. Solder spheres are mounted to the bottom surface and are connected to the vias.

Abstract: A ball grid array resistor network that has a ground plane to reduce noise and improve signal integrity. The ball grid array resistor network includes a substrate having a first and a second surface and vias that extending through the substrate between the first and second surfaces. Resistors are located on the first surface between the vias. Conductors are located over the vias and are electrically connected to ends of the resistors. A cover coat covers the conductors and resistors. A ground plane is located on the second surface. An insulating layer is located over the ground plane. Ball pads are located over the vias. The ball pads are electrically connected to the vias. Solder spheres are attached to the ball pads.

Abstract: In a roof storage compartment cover for a storage compartment for a vehicle roof, which is movable between a closed position, in which it covers an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which the roof is deposited in the storage compartment by a roof operating mechanism, the storage compartment cover is operable by a compartment cover operating mechanism which is mechanically linked to the roof operating mechanism by an over-dead-center operating structure, which, upon movement of the vehicle roof between the closed and storage positions, first raises the storage compartment cover to permit passage of the roof and then closes the storage compartment cover again.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof with at least two rigid roof parts arranged in a closed position in the longitudinal vehicle direction one behind another such that they cover an interior vehicle space and, in an open position, one of the roof sections extends upwardly behind the interior vehicle space so as to form a wind deflector while the other roof parts are disposed in a rear storage compartment, a trunk lid extends over the rear storage compartment in such a way that, with the roof opened, a gap is formed between the front end of the trunk lid and a front wall of the rear storage compartment through which the roof part forming the wind deflector projects upwardly behind the interior vehicle space.

Abstract: In a locking arrangement for a hardtop vehicle roof, which is movable between open and closed positions and includes at least front and rear roof parts, which, in the closed position of the vehicle roof, are disposed behind one another, two locking structures with pivotal locking hooks are supported by support plates on the front roof part for engaging locking pins mounted on a windshield frame and, respectively, the rear roof part and are operable by an operating mechanism so as to pivot toward each other for engaging the locking pins and pulling the roof into firm engagement with the windshield frame, and, at the same time, the front and rear roof parts into firm engagement with each other.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof having at least two laterally adjacent parts with respect to the motor vehicle's longitudinal axis when the parts are in a closed position. The laterally adjacent parts may be moved between the closed position and an open position by moving one or both of the laterally adjacent parts in a translational movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The laterally adjacent parts are retained between and parallel to two side roof frames that are permanently connected to the body. The laterally adjacent parts may be moved to an open position above or below a rear roof panel. The rear roof panel extends across the vehicle in a transverse direction between the side roof frames and is movable in a longitudinal direction to a position above or below the laterally adjacent roof panels. A front roof panel may be provided that may be raised on a back edge to provide a wind deflector.

Abstract: A supporting bearing for connecting the bows of a soft-top convertible vehicle to the folding linkage. A bearing spike is integrally formed on a linkage arm. A sleeve-shaped insert body is latched to a bearing spike. The insert body is received in an opening in the bow.

Abstract: A ball grid array package that can be readily tested before or after mounting to a printed circuit board. The ball grid array includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. Several conductive pads are located on the top surface. Several passive circuit elements are located on the top surface between the conductive pads. An insulative coating is placed on top of the passive circuit elements and the substrate. The insulative coating has openings over the conductive pads. The openings are adapted to be accessible by an electrical probe. Conductive vias extend through the substrate between the top and bottom surfaces. The vias electrically connect with the conductive pad on the top surface. Several conductive balls are located on the bottom surface. Each conductive ball is electrically connected to one of the vias.

Abstract: A frequency-adjustable oscillator suitable for digital signal clock synchronization comprises a crystal oscillator circuit for generating a driving signal and having a voltage-variable control input for adjusting a frequency of the driving signal, a phase detector circuit for generating a phase offset signal, a filter which operates on the phase offset signal to produce a VCO control signal, a voltage controlled oscillator circuit operably linked to the filter and responsive to the VCO control signal for generating an analog controlled-frequency signal, a frequency divider circuit for generating a reduced frequency feedback signal in response to the controlled-frequency signal. The frequency-adjustable oscillator also includes a double-sided package including a platform having a central portion and an outer portion with sidewalls extending substantially upwardly and substantially downwardly from the outer portion of the platform.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine cylinder. The sensor has a housing with a pair of ends and a bore that extends through the housing. A barrel is mounted in the bore toward one end. The barrel has a cavity. A piezoelectric body is mounted in the cavity. The piezoelectric body has a first and second electrode. The piezoelectric body generates an electrical signal that is indicative of the pressure in the cylinder. A plate is mounted adjacent the barrel. The plate retains the barrel in the housing. An electronic circuit is mounted in the bore toward the other end. The electronic circuit is electrically connected to the electrodes. The electronic circuit receives the electrical signal from the electrodes and provides a conditioned electrical signal as an output.

Abstract: In a convertible vehicle with a vehicle body, a rear cover including a support frame supported on the vehicle body pivotally about a first pivot axis, a trunk lid supported on the support frame pivotally about a second pivot axis which is spaced from the first pivot axis, such that, upon opening the rear cover in a first phase of movement, the support frame is pivoted open and in a second phase of movement, the trunk lid is pivoted open on the support frame, all by a single actuating element.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a pivoting windshield wiper of a vehicle is designed so that after decoupling the drive connection to the windshield wiper a rack situated in the drive for the windshield wiper can be used as drive element for an actuator that is independent of the windshield wiper.