Abstract: A folding top for a motor vehicle, which can be adjusted between a closed position and a deposited position, has a folding top linkage and a folding top covering held on the folding top linkage. The folding top linkage comprises a plurality of adjustable side bows and at least one roof bow extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In order to improve the design possibilities for the depositing space of a folding top, it is provided that the length of the roof bow is variably adjustable as a function of the position of the folding top.

Abstract: A pointing stick for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on the display screen. Specifically, there is a pointing stick that both directs a cursor and acts as the activation button for selecting items on the display screen by tapping on the pointing stick instead of clicking on a mouse button. Uniquely, the device is made of a shaft (12) having a longitudinal length oriented along a first axis (39) and having a top surface that is perpendicular to the first axis, there is a vertical force sensor (59, or 71), mounted on the top surface of the shaft, for sensing a vertical oriented force applied to the shaft along the first axis. Cap (24), has a cavity (81) with a top surface (79) therein, where the top surface of the shaft is positioned within the cavity and spaced from and juxtaposed to the top surface of the cavity. In one embodiment the vertical sensor includes first and second electrically conductive pads that are electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: A crystal support structure and oscillator package for ovenized oscillators that has improved thermal isolation of the crystal. The support has a glass tubular wall with helical coils. Airgaps are formed circumferentially around the wall. A conductive metal layer is located over the surface of the wall. One end of the wall is supporting and electrically connected to a crystal resonator. Another end of the wall is attached to and electrically connected to a substrate. The crystal support forms an electrical path between the crystal resonator and the substrate and thermally isolates the crystal resonator from the substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle seat weight sensor for sensing the weight of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The sensor has a substrate that is attached between the ends of a seat bracket such that a portion of the forces applied to the seat are transferred from a seat pan to an upper slide rail through the substrate. Strain gage resistors are located on the substrate to generate an electrical signal in response to the substrate being stressed. The electrical signal changes magnitude as a function of the weight of the seat occupant. The substrate has a pair of step sections for concentrating the forces onto the strain gage resistor.

Abstract: The present invention is a polymer film conductive composition comprising, based on total composition: (a) 3-20 wt. % of polyamide-imide resin; (b) 0-10 wt. % cyanate ester resin; (c) 40-85 wt. % finely divided metallic electrically conductive particles selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, nickel, silver coated copper, silver coated nickel, carbon black, graphite and mixtures thereof, wherein all of (a), (b) and (c) are dispersed in a 20-40 wt. % organic solvent.

Abstract: A weighing device designed to accurately measure an object's weight that is easier and more cost effective to produce. In particular, the device consists of a strain gage load cell having a pair of substrates mounted in parallel. The first and second substrates each contain a pair of resistors which are embedded in the surface of the substrate pair, forming a Wheatstone Bridge configuration. The substrates may be formed of ceramic.

Abstract: A hermetic multilayered ceramic semiconductor package for micromachined semiconductor devices. A low temperature co-fired ceramic assembly has a cavity and a top and bottom surface. Several vias extend between the top and bottom surfaces and several solder spheres are located on the top surface and are electrically connected to the vias. A micromachined semiconductor device abuts the bottom surface and covers the cavity such that a movable portion of the micromachined semiconductor device is unconstrained to move within the cavity. Solder is used to connect the vias to solder bumps on the semiconductor device. A seal ring is located between the micromachined semiconductor device and the ceramic assembly for hermetically sealing the micromachined semiconductor device.

Abstract: An integrated circuit packaging structure, which can accommodate two or four memory chips in a single package. The feature rests upon a packaging structure that makes independent data buses between two memory chips, while implementing in parallel the address buses and control buses, and finally encapsulates them within one package in the expectation of doubling the memory capacity without increasing the size of the package and the number of pins.

Abstract: A non-contacting position sensor having radial bipolar tapered magnets. The sensor has a semicircular first plate and a second plate. Four semicircular magnets are affixed to the first plate and second plate. Each magnet has a thick end and a thin end. Two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a first polarity, while the other two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a second polarity. An air gap is formed in the space between the four magnets. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the air gap. The object whose position is to be monitored is rigidly attached to the magnet assembly, causing the magnetic flux sensor to move relative to the magnets within the air gap as the component moves. A varying magnetic field is detected by the magnetic flux sensor, resulting in an electrical signal from the magnetic flux sensor that varies according to its position relative to the four magnets.

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. 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 shifted outboard of the retractable hard top and rotated to a stowed position.

Abstract: A fuel level indicator system that utilizes a resistor card having an arc-shaped resistive path with a first set of spaced apart conductor lines and an arc-shaped resistive ink material overlying the first set of conductor lines. There is provided a first and second set of insulative bars that are screened between and parallel to the first and second sets of spaced apart conductor lines respectively. The bars provide for decreased wear of the fuel level indicator system. The first conductor lines are formed at an angle with respect to a radial line drawn from the center of the resistive path arc. The resistor card also has an arc-shaped continuously solid conductor base and a second set of spaced apart conductor lines extending from the base at an angle with respect to a radial line drawn from the center of the arc-shaped conductor base. The system includes a wiper assembly having a pair of spaced apart arms. Each arm has a plurality of parallel fingers extending from one end.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a non-contacting position sensor using bipolar tapered magnets is provided. A non-contacting position sensor in accordance with the preferred embodiment uses a pole piece having a first plate and a second plate. Four magnets are affixed to the first plate and second plate. Each magnet has a thick end and a thin end. Two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a first polarity, while the other two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic filed having a second polarity. An air gap is formed in the space between the four magnets. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the air gap. The component whose position is to be monitored is rigidly attached to either the pole piece or the magnetic flux sensor, causing the magnetic flux sensor to move relative to the magnets within the air gap as the component moves.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt tension sensor for detecting the magnitude of tension in a seat belt when an occupant is in the seat. A limit structure is attached between a vehicle member and the seat belt. A sensor is attached to the limit structure to generate 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 sensor carries all of the seat belt tension and a second position in which the limit structure carries all of the seat belt tension.

Abstract: A copper conductor formulation which exhibits outstanding properties when fired upon an aluminum nitride substrate is disclosed. The conductor formulation primarily includes copper and further includes oxygen-bearing copper, lead monoxide containing glass and a screening agent. A conductor formed in accord with the invention exhibits outstanding properties including initial and aged adhesion, conductivity and solderability.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator control circuit includes a first conductor attached to the free end of a piezoelectric device and a second conductor rigidly fixed at a position spaced from the piezoelectric device such that a variable capacitor is created between the first and second conductors. The variable capacitor is then used in a capacitive voltage divider to generate a drive signal which moves the piezoelectric device. Thus, the movement of the piezoelectric device can be precisely controlled. The control circuit allows for precise control of an array of such piezoelectric actuators and is particularly applicable to the use of actuators for controlling a mmWave phase array antenna.

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: A notch filter (100) includes a parallel coupled delay line (104) and surface acoustic wave resonator (102) which provides a pole at a desired passband. The surface acoustic wave resonator (102) and the delay line (104) are configured to provide a zero at an undesired frequency or stopband. In this way, the notch filter (100) augments the stopband rejection of an associated cascaded surface acoustic wave ladder filter (105). The notch filter (100) also provides a pole at a desired frequency or passband such that losses due to the notch filter (100) at the desired passband are minimized, thereby improving overall insertion loss performance.

Abstract: A two-phase electro-mechanical stepper motor has a first and second rotor fixed on a shaft. Permanent magnets are mounted on each of the rotors. The magnets each have several north and south pole magnet regions that are oriented such that the magnet's north and south pole magnet regions are misaligned with respect to the other magnet's north and south pole magnet regions. A first and second stator are mounted around the shaft and positioned adjacent to the permanent magnets. The stators have coils that are wrapped around poles to allow the formation of electromagnets by passing electrical current through the wire coils. A gear train is positioned between the first and second rotors to obtain a higher torque output.

Abstract: A wave transmission line terminator having application in computer data buss termination, single and multiple channel analog transmission line termination and other similar terminations uses thick film components including resistors and capacitors in combination with a ball grid array termination. The thick film resistors are placed on a first side of a substrate opposite the capacitors and ball grid array, and are electrically connected thereto by electrically conductive vias in the substrate. Several different configurations are disclosed which make the terminator more suitable for specific application.

Abstract: In forming an interconnection between a component and an electronic circuit, a base with precise component pockets is loaded with components. The components are patterned with a thin layer of solder paste. Next, a frame including a stencil, vertical walls and locating or keying features is placed onto the base. The stencil rests a controlled distance above the components. A multitude of solder spheres are dispensed into the frame. Solder balls retained within the frame are passed through the stencil and into contact with solder paste. Most preferably, due to controlled spacing between the stencil and components, only one solder ball is able to pass through each stencil hole. The remaining solder spheres in the frame are collected through various alternative techniques, including a disclosed emptying gate. Then the frame with stencil is removed from the base. The solder paste and solder spheres are heated, resulting in a reflow of the solder paste and a bonding of the solder spheres to the component.