Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor is attached to a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt tension sensor includes a housing attached between the vehicle and the seat belt. A limit structure is located in the housing. A sensor is attached to the limit structure for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensor being placed in tension. The electrical signal changes as a function of tension on the seat belt. The limit structure moves between a first position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the sensor and a second position in which the limit structure transfers the seat belt tension to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for constructing a temperature controlled crystal oscillator chip. The method includes the steps of disposing a connection pad on a surface of the chip, providing a first circuit within the chip for control of a first chip function through a first interconnection with the connection pad and providing a second circuit within the chip for control of a second chip function, unrelated to the first chip function, through a second interconnection with the connection pad.

Abstract: In a convertible vehicle including a roof which is movable between a closed position, in which the roof covers an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which the roof is deposited in a storage compartment behind the passenger compartment of the vehicle, that is covered by a rear lid, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the rear lid is provided which includes front and rear pivot arms pivotally mounted to the vehicle body, a coupling arm pivotally connected to the pivot arms and first and second links, each of which has one end pivotally connected to the rear lid and the first link is pivotally connected with its other end to the coupling arm while the second link forms an extension of the rear pivot arm.

Abstract: An array resistor network that has a high density of resistors per unit area. The array resistor network includes a ceramic substrate having a top and bottom surface. Apertures extend through the substrate between the top and bottom surfaces. Recesses are located on opposite edges of the substrate. Resistors are located on the top surface. Each resistor is located between a recess and an apertures. Inner conductors are connected to one end of the resistors. The Inner conductors are located on the top surface and extend through the aperture onto the bottom surface. Outer conductors are connected to another end of the resistors. The outer conductors are located on the top surface and extend along the recess onto the second surface.

Abstract: A device for the interlocking of two positively guided elements adjustable relative to one another is designed to the effect that, with respect to the open state, there is a position of readiness which has to be canceled by the elements running toward one another, before a transfer into the interlocking position is possible via the actuating drive.

Abstract: An RF signal filter includes an elongate block of dielectric material having a transmit electrode, an antenna electrode and an array of spaced resonators extending between the transmit electrode to the antenna electrode. A signal trap resonator is positioned adjacent to the transmit electrode but opposite the array of spaced resonators. The filter also includes a isolated electrode positioned between but spaced apart from the trap resonator and a local ground conductive layer. A PIN diode switch is operably connected between the isolated electrode and the local ground conductive layer for shifting of the resonant frequency of the trap resonator.

Abstract: An oscillator assembly has a voltage controlled crystal oscillator that produces a stable reference frequency. The voltage controlled crystal oscillator is connected to an electronic frequency adjust voltage. A temperature compensation circuit is connected to the voltage controlled crystal oscillator. The temperature compensation circuit provides a temperature compensation voltage to the voltage controlled crystal oscillator. A trim effect compensation circuit is connected between the temperature compensation circuit and the electronic frequency adjust voltage. The trim effect compensation circuit adjusts the temperature compensation voltage in response to a change in the electronic frequency adjust voltage.

Abstract: A low temperature co-fired ceramic assembly (LTCC) with a constraining core to minimize shrinkage of outer ceramic layers during firing. The outer ceramic layers have high density circuit features. A ceramic core includes several ceramic layers. Several via holes are located in the first and second ceramic layers. Several low density circuit features are located on the ceramic layers that make up the core. Outer ceramic layers are placed top and bottom of the ceramic core. The outer ceramic layers have via holes and high density circuit features. The circuit features patterned on the ceramic layers include resistors, capacitors, circuit lines, vias, inductors, or bond pads. The ceramic core is fired first in a furnace. The outer layers are then laminated to the ceramic core and fired. The ceramic core controls the shrinkage rate of the outer ceramic layers during firing allowing higher density circuit features on the outer layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dielectric ceramic composition comprising a base material represented by the general formula: (x) Al2O3+(y) TiO2, where x and y are percentages of the total weight of the base material, with x being in the range of about 60 to about 96 and y being in the range of about 4 to about 40. Also provided is a first additive material comprising Nb2O5 and a second additive material comprising BaZrO3. In another embodiment the present invention provides a sintered dielectric ceramic composition comprising a base material represented by the general formula: (x) Al2O3+(y) TiO2, where x and y are percentages of the total weight of the base material, with x being in the range of about 60 to about 96 and y being in the range of about 4 to about 40. Also provided is a first additive material comprising Nb2O5 and a second additive material comprising BaZrO3.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof comprising at least two roof parts which are movable between a closed position, in which the roof covers the interior space of the vehicle and an open position, in which the roof is in storage compartment behind the interior vehicle space, the roof parts are separated from each other along a separation line extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are fitted, when the roof is open, into the storage compartment behind the interior space in a position transverse to the longitudinal vehicle direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a preferred monoblock ceramic bandpass duplexer filter. The preferred filter has at least three I/O pads. One of the pads is coupled to an antenna, another is connected to a transmission circuit and the last pad is connected to a receive circuit. The filter is comprised of two sections: a transmission section and a receive section. The transmission and receive sections include resonators disposed on respective sides of the antenna pad. A first alternative signal path is disposed adjacent the ends of the transmission resonators. A second alternative signal path is disposed adjacent to the ends of the receive resonators. Each alternative signal path couples adjacent and non-adjacent resonators. A further feature of the filter of the present invention includes a shunt zero resonator for the transmission section. To the contrary, the present invention allows the elimination of a shunt zero resonator for the receive section of the filter.

Abstract: A controllable crystal oscillator includes a crystal resonator having first and second electrodes, a gain stage having first and second terminals connected to the first and second electrodes for starting and maintaining the oscillation, first and second capacitor banks connected to the first and second terminals for providing a capacitive load to the resonator, and first and second dynamic switches interconnected between the terminals and the respective capacitor banks for cycling the capacitor banks in and out of connection.

Abstract: A miniature ovenized crystal oscillator has a ceramic case that has a cavity, a bottom and a ledge that extends into the cavity. The case has several circuit lines. A substrate is located in the cavity and is supported by the ledge. The substrate has a top and bottom surface and several circuit lines. A crystal is mounted to the bottom surface of the substrate and is connected to the substrate circuit lines. A signal conditioning circuit is mounted to the top surface of the substrate and is connected to the substrate circuit lines. The case circuit lines are connected to the substrate circuit lines by a conductive epoxy. A heater is mounted to the bottom of the ceramic case. A thermal adhesive is located between the heater and the crystal. The thermal adhesive thermally links the crystal and the heater.

Abstract: An automobile convertible top for an automobile which can be adjusted between a closed position and a folded-down position has a convertible-top mechanism and a convertible-top fabric which is supported by the convertible-top mechanism. A side bar, is comprised of two limbs arranged at an angle and, in the side region of the convertible-top mechanism, is held by a joint having a first axis and a second axis which runs at an angle to the first axis. The side bar is arranged on the convertible-top mechanism such that, in the folded-down position, one limb of the side bar is with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The end side of the limb which is remote from the joint faces toward the side region lying opposite the joint.

Abstract: An eccentricity compensator for preventing wear induced rotational displacement. The eccentricity compensator is mounted between two rotating shafts joined by a torsion bar that have non-coaxial axes of rotation. The compensator includes a first ring attached to a first shaft and a second ring located adjacent the first ring. A third ring is attached to a second shaft and the third ring is located adjacent the second ring. One or more pin-slot pairs are located between any two of the first, second or third rings. A spring is mounted adjacent each pin-slot pair. The spring biases the pin-slot pair such that hysteresis is prevented.

Abstract: A transmission selector position sensor is designed for easy integration into a transmission assembly. The transmission selector position sensor includes a Hall effect sensor carried on a stationary member to be mounted to the transmission body and a magnetic field generator to be mounted to a rotatable member mounted to the selector shaft. The sensor assembly is made so that the stationary member carries the rotating member prior to installation in the transmission, and then is not a load bearing member after installation.

Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring torque and position of a shaft having an internal torsion bar. The sensor has a torque sensor, located in the housing and connected to the shaft. The torque sensor has a rotor in electrical contact with a first and second resistive track disposed on an opposed disc. A position sensor is located in the housing and is connected to the shaft. The position sensor has a third contactor mounted to the housing in electrical contact with a third resistive track located on the disc. Several electrical terminals are located in the housing and are electrically communicated with the contactors to provide an electrical signal indicative of the torque and position of the shaft to an external electrical circuit. A slip ring is attached between the rotor and the housing. The slip ring has a fourth and fifth contactor in contact with the torque sensor. The slip ring is adapted to electrically connect the torque sensor to the electrical terminals.

Abstract: A flap in the covering of a vehicle can be adjusted by flap kinematics between a closed position, in which the flap is situated essentially in the plane of the vehicle covering, and an opening position. In an operationally reliable construction, a vehicle-fixed link path for the passive guidance of a first guiding lever, which connects the flap with the vehicle, is provided in the lateral area of the flap. In the opposite lateral area of the flap, a second, actively guided guiding lever is arranged which is acted upon by a motor-driven actuator.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a lamella roof has two successive lamellae which are supported on a guide carriage via their mutually facing sides. The articulation of one lamella on the guide carriage takes place via a control rocker which is positively controlled in dependence on the position of the other lamella.