Abstract: A non-contacting linear position sensor having bipolar tapered magnets. A pair of magnets are positioned adjacent each other and attached to a movable object. Each magnet has a central portion that is thinner than both ends of the magnets. A pair of pole pieces has ends that are arranged spaced apart in parallel relationship about the central portion. The other ends of the pole pieces are located spaced apart with a magnetic flux sensor located between. The magnetic flux sensor senses a variable magnetic field representative of the position of the attached movable object as the magnets move. The magnets have opposite polarities on either sides of the central portion.

Abstract: A pointing and signaling device for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on a display screen that has a single piezoelectric element to indicate movement in three axes. The device generates electrical signals in response to a users force or actuation. The device has an actuator attached to a base. A piezoelectric element is mounted between the actuator and the base for generating electrical signals representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the actuator. The piezoelectric element is a shaped as a hollow cylinder. The piezoelectric element includes several conductive traces located on an outer surface of the element and a ground plate located on the inner surface of the element. The conductive plates and the ground plate are connected to a flexible cable by solder.

Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by the trunk linkage. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module including the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve sensor has a housing with a cavity. A shaft is located in the cavity and extends out of the cavity into contact with a portion of the EGR valve. A sensor mechanism is located in the cavity and generates an electrical signal proportional to the amount of force applied. A spring mechanism is located between the shaft and the sensor mechanism to translate movement of the shaft into a variable force on the sensor mechanism. The variable force on the sensor mechanism causes the electrical signal to change. The sensor mechanism includes a substrate and a strain gage resistor that is mounted on the substrate. The spring mechanism includes a sleeve attached to the shaft and a coil spring.

Abstract: A throttle valve position sensor in which a non-contacting, magnetic field sensor is coupled to or integral with a gear wheel of a geared throttle valve control. The sensor provides a more durable sensor. Sensor circuitry can be provided on the lid of the control, along with control motor electrical connections, so that the sensor and control motor can be connected by simple joining in a single operation. The throttle control valve is intended for internal combustion engines for motor vehicles.

Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle having a back lite that is moved to form a tonneau cover over the convertible top when stored. The convertible top is moved by a top stack linkage that includes back lite control links. The back lite is initially moved to provide clearance for the bows of the convertible top to be folded underneath the back lite.

Abstract: A throttle controller includes an electrical position sensor having a movable element and being mounted on a steering mechanism, such as a handlebar, and a mechanical interface from the position sensor to a throttle handle. The movement of the throttle handle actuates the mechanical interface which, in turn, alters the position of the movable element in the position sensor. The changeable position of the movable element thus provides an electrical indication of the position of the throttle handle suitable for controlling the internal combustion engine or electric motor. The position sensor may be a rotary position sensor having a rotor as the movable element, wherein rotating the throttle handle rotates the rotor. The throttle controller is particularly useful on a personal water craft, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, etc. Potentiometers or Hall effect devices are both suitable for use as the position sensor.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device with electrodes having a metallization of a first layer of substantially pure titanium and a second layer of an alloy of aluminum and titanium. The titanium comprises about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the alloy with aluminum substantially comprising the remainder of the alloy. The titanium of the first layer provides good adhesion and preferential Al(111) grain orientation for the second layer. The titanium of the second layer provides good mechanical strength for improved power handling while the aluminum maintains high electrode conductivity. Small grain structure in the metallization further improves mechanical strength.

Abstract: A soft top for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, comprises a soft-top linkage which is mounted pivotably on soft-top supports on the body, the soft top being movable, by means of an actuating device, forwards from a rear storage position into a locking position situated above the windscreen frame. In order to provide a soft top in which, during the closing process, sufficient spring deflection is available, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the forces for closing are kept low, provision is made that, during the closing process, the soft top is stopped, by the actuating device, in a premounted position above the locking position and is supported in this position by at least one spring-loaded stop.

Abstract: A tonneau cover connected by a power driven linkage to the decklid of a vehicle is disclosed. The tonneau cover is movable from an extended position covering a storage well for a convertible top or retractable hardtop of a vehicle to a tonneau stowed position wherein the tonneau cover is suspended below the decklid of the vehicle. The linkage system includes right and left side linkages each of which include a four bar link made up of the tonneau cover, a cylinder mounting bracket, a front control link and a rear control link. The linkage is driven by a hydraulic cylinder through an arc of approximately 180°. The hydraulic cylinder is movably mounted on a cylinder rod that is mounted to the decklid.

Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by movement along a track to which the trunk linkage is connected. The retractable hard top linkage includes a pivot bracket that is movable within the top guide track to limit the clearance necessary for folding the hard top into a stowed position.

Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by the trunk linkage. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module including the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau.

Abstract: An automobile seat occupant sensor and airbag control system for detecting the location and weight of a person in a car and a seat inclination angle. The system includes an airbag and an airbag deployment mechanism for deploying the airbag. Several sensors are fixedly located in a weight path of the vehicle seat. The sensors are located between a seat bottom and a vehicle floor. A controller is connected between the airbag deployment mechanism and the sensors for controlling deployment of the airbag. The controller calculates a center of gravity of the seat occupant, weight of the occupant and a seat inclination angle and uses this information to control deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: A communication device such as a pager or cellular telephone which requires battery power, uses a piezoelectric device as both a vibrating silent alarm and a battery charger.

Abstract: Apparatus for covering a retractable top for a motor vehicle, comprises a decklid and a tonneau cover. The decklid is attached to the vehicle, and is at least partially defining an opening through which the top may retract. The tonneau cover is slidably secured to the decklid to open and close the opening.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator (10) having a sacrificial mass-loading layer (16). Material is removed from the mass-loading layer (16) to raise a resonator frequency to a desired target. The sacrificial layer (16) is of a dense material, such as silver or gold, but is of such a relative thin layer that it can be used on high frequency aluminum electrodes (14) of a resonator (10) without increasing adverse spurious frequency problems. It is not necessary that the mass-loading layer (16) be conductive. In addition, the silver or gold sacrificial layer (16) can be removed by ion milling at practical and economical rates, unlike aluminum or aluminum oxide. Preferably, a diffusion barrier (18) is interposed between the electrodes (14) and the mass-loading layer (16).

Abstract: A vehicle seat weight sensor for sensing the weight of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The sensor has a housing. A substrate is located in the housing and has a first and second end. Strain gauge resistors are located on the substrate to generate an electrical signal in response to the substrate being stressed by the occupants weight. The electrical signal is changes as a function of the weight of the seat occupant. A connection mechanism is located at the first and second ends of the substrate to connect the substrate to the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A resistor network for terminating active electronic circuits such as stub series terminated logic and emitter coupled logic circuits. The network has a substrate with top and bottom surfaces and a common via extending through the substrate. Several resistor pairs are located on the first surface surrounding the common via. Each resistor pair has first and second vias. Resistors are connected between the first and second vias. Several solder spheres are located on the bottom surface. Each of the solder spheres are electrically connected to one of the first, second or common vias.

Abstract: An alumina based dielectric ceramic composition comprising a base material and an additive material. The base material is represented by the general formula (x) Al2O3+(y) TiO2 wherein x and y are percentages of the total weight of the base material, and x is in the range of about 60 to about 96, more preferably about 94 to about 96, and y is in the range of about 4 to about 40, more preferably about 4 to about 6. In one embodiment the additive material comprises Nb2O5. In a second embodiment the additive material further comprises at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of BaCO3, SnO2, Mn2O3, MnCO3, Mg(OH)2, and Y2O3. The composition requires a relatively lower peak soak temperature (as compared to conventional alumina ceramics) of about 1320 to about 1400° C., more optimally about 1350 to about 1370° C., and is particularly suited for use in high frequency applications.

Abstract: An efficient ripple free wide-band single-phase unidirectional SAW transducer is disclosed which requires only a single tuning circuit and a single matching circuit. The unidirectional transducer includes a pair of bidirectional transducers the first of which is connected to a single-phase drive source and the second is connected to a resonant load such that the second transducer acts as a reflecting transducer to cancel out waves traveling in one direction.