Abstract: A waveguide filter comprising a base block of dielectric material defining at least first and second resonators and a bridge block seated on top of the base block and defining at least a third resonator. In one embodiment, the base block comprises first and second base blocks that have been coupled together in an end to end relationship. An external transmission line or an interior RF signal transmission window or an RF signal transmission bridge provides a cross-coupling RF signal transmission path between the first and second resonators. At least first and second interior RF signal transmission windows provide a direct RF signal transmission path between the first and third resonators and the second and third resonators respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal resistance and kickdown assembly including a plunger moveable in a housing between first and second positions. The plunger defines a recess for a rod, A first spring in the housing biases the plunger in the first position. A second spring retains the rod in the plunger recess in the first position. In one embodiment, the recess in the plunger is an elongate recess in a fiat front face of the plunger. In one embodiment, the housing defines an aperture in a to or bottom wall of the housing that has a length greater than the length of the second spring and the second spring is inserted lengthwise into the housing through the aperture.

Abstract: An actuator and sensor assembly with a housing defining a pocket and an access opening. A substrate with a sensor is located in the pocket through the access opening. A nozzle extends from the housing. A sleeve surrounds the nozzle and retains a hose on the nozzle. A connector assembly is located opposite and normal the pocket and the substrate. Compliant terminal pins extend generally normally from the connector assembly into the pocket and through-holes in the substrate. An actuator shaft gimbal includes a head located in a housing collar and a flexible neck extends through a housing aperture. A shoulder on the neck of the gimbal locks the gimbal in the collar.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal with a contacting position sensor. The pedal includes a housing with an interior housing wall that divides the housing into first and second interior housing chambers. The drum of the pedal arm is located in the first interior housing chamber and the sensor rotor is located in the second interior housing chamber. First and second housing side covers cover the first and second interior housing chambers respectively. The drum is mounted on and supported by the interior housing wall and the first housing cover for rotation of the drum in the first interior housing chamber relative to the pedal housing. A retainer with a pin and a clip extend through respective through-holes in the rotor and into respective slots in the drum and the clip engages against an interior shoulder in the drum for locking the rotor on the drum.

Abstract: A dielectric waveguide filter comprising a block of dielectric material including a plurality of resonators defined by a plurality of slots defined in the block of dielectric material. The resonators are arranged on the block of dielectric material in one or more rows and columns. First and second RF signal input/output electrodes are defined on the block of dielectric material. A first direct RF signal transmission path for the transmission of an RF signal is defined by the first and second RF signal input/output electrodes and the plurality of resonators. In one embodiment, internal windows define a first direct RF signal transmission means and additional RF signal transmission means define alternate or cross-coupling paths for the transmission of the RF signal from resonators in one column to resonators in another column. In one embodiment, the filter is comprised of two separate blocks of dielectric material which have been coupled together.

Abstract: A duplex filter includes a block of dielectric material with top, bottom, and side surfaces and first and second spaced-apart sets of through-holes. A pair of outside walls and a center wall extend outwardly from the top surface. A pattern of metallized areas is defined on the top surface of the block including first and second electrodes that extend on the pair of outside walls respectively and third and fourth electrode antennae that extend on the center wall. The block may be two separate blocks coupled together to form an interior layer of metallization separating the first and second sets of through-holes and the center wall separates respective transmit and receive portions of the pattern of metallized areas.

Abstract: A method of tuning the frequency of a waveguide filter including the step of removing dielectric material from one or both of the first and second opposed exterior side surfaces of the waveguide filter to cause a change in the center frequency of the waveguide filter. In one embodiment, dielectric material is removed from one or both of the first and second opposed exterior side surfaces of the waveguide filter in unequal amounts wherein the tuned waveguide filter includes first and second slits defined in the respective first and second opposed exterior side surfaces which extend unequal first and second distances into the body of the waveguide filter.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling the rotor of a vehicle pedal assembly to the shaft of a vehicle pedal assembly. The rotor includes a cap which is fitted over a distal end of the shaft. The cap and the distal end of the shaft define a through aperture and an interior recess respectively. A coupling pin extends through the aperture in the cap of the rotor and into the recess in the shaft and includes a knurled outer surface which allows the pin to be interference fitted to the rotor and the shaft for securely coupling the rotor to the shaft.

Abstract: An electrical signal filter defined by a block of dielectric material with a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, and through-holes extending between the top and bottom surfaces. In one embodiment, first and second walls protrude outwardly from the top surface and extend the length of first and second opposed longitudinally extending side surfaces. A surface-layer pattern of metallized and unmetallized areas is defined on selected surfaces of the block including an area of metallization that covers the top surface. In one embodiment, first and second surface-layer input/output electrodes are defined by first and second respective isolated strips of conductive material that extend from the top surface of the block and onto the first and second walls respectively.

Abstract: An RF filter assembly comprising two filters. In one embodiment, the RF filter assembly comprises a core of dielectric material including a plurality of through-holes and a surface-layer pattern of conductive areas on a top surface of the core that define a first RF filter and a second RF low pass filter is defined, and extends between respective conductive input/output electrodes, on a wall that protrudes outwardly and upwardly from a top surface of the RF filter assembly.

Abstract: A waveguide filter comprising a base block of dielectric material defining at least first and second resonators and a bridge block seated on top of the base block and defining at least a third resonator. In one embodiment, the base block comprises first and second base blocks that have been coupled together in an end to end relationship. An external transmission line or an interior RF signal transmission window or an RF signal transmission bridge provides a cross-coupling RF signal transmission path between the first and second resonators. At least first and second interior RF signal transmission windows provide a direct RF signal transmission path between the first and third resonators and the second and third resonators respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly comprising a pedal including a pedal stub arm having a metal pedal arm molded into a plastic stem with inserts molded therein and an actuator bar coupled to the stem of the pedal. Fasteners extend through the actuator bar and into the inserts in the stem for securing the actuator bar to the pedal. The actuator bar is adapted to exert an active force against the pedal. In one embodiment, both the pedal arm and the actuator bar include one or more bends defined therein. The pedal arm has a length and shape dependent upon the distance and position of the floor or pedal pad relative to the pedal. The actuator bar has a length and shape dependent upon the distance and position of the pedal relative to an actuator arm.

Abstract: A structure and method for adjusting the bandwidth of a ceramic waveguide filter comprising, in one embodiment, a monoblock of dielectric ceramic material defining respective steps and respective input/output through-holes extending through the monoblock and the respective steps. In one embodiment, the steps are defined by notches in the monoblock and the input/output through-holes define openings terminating in the notch. The bandwidth of the ceramic waveguide filter may be adjusted by adjusting the height/thickness and direction of the steps relative to an exterior surface of the monoblock and/or the diameter of the input/output through-holes.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly with a rotatable pedal. A hysteresis assembly includes a friction device and plunger, and first and second springs that are all separate and decoupled from each other and the pedal. The first spring exerts a force against the friction plunger that forces the friction device into frictional contact with the housing to generate and transfer a resistance force to the pedal. The first spring also exerts a force against the pedal when a foot force is removed from the pedal to return the pedal to idle with and without the movement of the friction device and without the force of the second spring. The second spring exerts a force against the friction device when the foot force is removed to return the pedal to idle without the force of the first spring. Barriers block the entry of debris into the housing.

Abstract: An active vibratory pedal assembly including a pedal and means integrated with the pedal for causing the vibration of the pedal which, in one embodiment, comprises a vibration generation assembly located and mounted to the underside of the pedal plate which includes an electric motor and an eccentric coupled to and rotatable relative to the motor and adapted to generate a force that causes the vibration of the pedal plate for providing an operator with a sensory signal of a vehicular condition or event such as, for example, a vehicle's excessive speed.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly comprising a housing for a pedal, the housing being made of a molded plastic material and including a mounting flange with a nut type metal mounting insert that has been insert molded into the plastic material. In one embodiment, the mounting insert is a T-nut type including a radial collar with a plurality of tabs each terminating in a distal barb. In one embodiment, the distal barb is rounded and insert molded into the plastic material of the mounting flange and in another embodiment the distal barb is arrow-shaped and press-fitted into a slot defined in the mounting flange. In another embodiment, the mounting insert is a slotted flange T-nut type.

Abstract: An active force pedal assembly that includes a housing for a pedal and a torque motor that is coupled to the pedal in a direct drive relationship via a shaft that extends between and is coupled directly to both the pedal and the torque motor. The drum of the pedal and the torque motor are disposed in a side-by-side relationship in which the respective longitudinal axes of the drum and the torque motor are co-linearly aligned. The torque motor generates and transfers a rotational torque force to the shaft which, in turn, applies an active force to the pedal and thus the foot of the operator of the vehicle for providing a sensory signal of a vehicular condition or event.

Abstract: A dielectric waveguide filter which, in one embodiment, is comprised of a plurality of monoblocks coupled together in a side-by-side relationship. In one embodiment, the waveguide filter includes two end monoblocks and two interior monoblocks each defining two resonators. First and second RF signal input/output electrodes are defined on the two end monoblocks. In one embodiment, a direct RF signal transmission path is defined in part by the combination of the resonators, RF signal transmission bridges on each of the monoblocks that interconnect the resonators on each of the monoblocks, and RF signal transmission windows between and interconnecting the resonators of adjacent monoblocks. In one embodiment, alternate or cross-coupling RF signal transmission paths are defined by external RF signal transmission lines that extend between adjacent monoblocks.

Abstract: An oscillator assembly which, in one embodiment, is an ovenized crystal oscillator assembly including an enclosure defined by a base and a lid which is seated on the base. The components of the oscillator assembly are supported by the base and located under the lid. The base and the lid together define an interior oven and are both preferably made of an insulative thermoplastic material to maximize the heat retention and oven performance of the oscillator assembly. In one embodiment, the lid and the base incorporate a clip for securing the lid to the base.

Abstract: A non-contacting sensor assembly including a connector assembly and a magnet assembly. The connector assembly includes a sensor coupled directly to the end of the terminals of the connector assembly. A sleeve is overmolded around and seals the sensor and the terminals. A capacitor is soldered in a recess in the terminals. The terminals include flexible regions, such as regions of reduced thickness, which reduce the effects of thermal expansion/contraction stresses on the solder. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly is a rotary position sensor assembly in which the magnet assembly is molded into a rotatable drive arm assembly located in a housing, the connector assembly is coupled to the housing, and the sensor extends into the housing and into adjacent relationship with the magnet assembly.