Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically leveling a vehicle is provided, employing air springs, a sensor and a controller. The air springs are each mounted to the vehicle, and each can be at least partially inflated to provide suspension for the vehicle. Each of the air springs can also level the vehicle when the vehicle is parked. The sensor is mounted to the vehicle to sense pitch and roll of the vehicle relative to a reference level plane. The sensor also produces an orientation signal representing the vehicle pitch and roll. In response to the signal, the controller may cause at least one of the air springs to either inflate to move the vehicle upwardly, or deflate to move the vehicle downwardly relative to a ground surface, until the orientation of the vehicle reaches the reference level plane within a tolerance.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically leveling a vehicle is provided. Having a plurality of legs, a sensor and a controller. The sensor is mounted to the vehicle to sense pitch and roll of the vehicle relative to a reference level plane. The sensor produces an orientation signal representing the vehicle pitch and roll. The controller is coupled to each of the legs and to the sensor, and monitors the orientation signal received from the sensor and in response to that signal the controller causes at least one of the legs to retract to move the vehicle downwardly relative to the ground surface, for orienting the vehicle with the reference level plane within a tolerance.

Abstract: A vehicle having an expandable slide-out body is provided. The slide-out body is movable relative to the vehicle by a slide-out apparatus. The slide-out apparatus has first and second rails, and first and second synchronization members. The first rail is attached to the vehicle and defines a first longitudinally-extending compartment. The second rail also has a second longitudinally-extending compartment. The second rail is attached to the slide-out body, and is disposed within and movable relative to the first longitudinally-extending compartment. The first synchronization member is attached to the second rail. The second synchronization member is located inside the second longitudinally-extending compartment and is engagable with the first synchronization member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically leveling a vehicle including four legs mounted to the vehicle adjacent corners of the vehicle, each leg being adjustable between a stowed position and an extended position wherein the leg engages the ground, a level sensor mounted to the vehicle for sensing the pitch and roll of the vehicle, the level sensor producing an orientation signal representing the vehicle pitch and roll, and a controller coupled to the legs and the level sensor including a memory for storing data representing a reference level plane, a microprocessor for interpreting the orientation signal to determine the present pitch and roll of the vehicle relative to the reference level plane, and outputs driven by the microprocessor for actuating the legs to reduce the difference between the present pitch and roll of the vehicle and the reference level plane, thereby leveling the vehicle.

Abstract: Fuel cells incorporating a novel ion-conducting membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a plurality of acid-stable polymer molecules each having at least one ion-conducting component covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting component. The membrane has ion-conducting components of the polymer molecules ordered such that a plurality of continuous ion-conducting channels penetrate the membrane from a first face to a second face and such that the ion-conducting channels are situated in an elastic matrix formed by the flexible connecting components. A preferred membrane is obtained by (1) sulfonating SEBS with sulfur trioxide under conditions that result in greater than 25 mol % sulfonation and (2) heating the polymer.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode for an electrochemical cell and a fuel cell employing the electrode are disclosed. The electrode includes a porous body in contact with a catalyst layer comprising (i) a catalyst dispersed on the surface of a carbon support; (ii) a water-insoluble sulfonated polystyrene, poly(.alpha.-methylstyrene) or SEBS block copolymer; and (iii) a nonionic fluorocarbon polymer. The fuel cell includes two of the foregoing electrodes and a membrane of a proton-conducting polymer between the electrodes. It also includes an inlet for a gaseous fuel, an inlet for an oxygen-containing gas, and an outlet for reaction products.

Abstract: Fuel cells incorporating a novel ion-conducting membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a plurality of acid-stable polymer molecules each having at least one ion-conducting component covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting component. The membrane has ion-conducting components of the polymer molecules ordered such that a plurality of continuous ion-conducting channels penetrate the membrane from a first face to a second face and such that the ion-conducting channels are situated in an elastic matrix formed by the flexible connecting components. A preferred membrane is obtained by (1) sulfonating SEBS with sulfur trioxide under conditions that result in greater than 25 mol % sulfonation and (2) heating the polymer.

Abstract: A system for providing within the cockpit of an aircraft to the operator thereof a dynamic indication of climatic conditions at an airport. Such climatic conditions might include wind direction, wind speed, visibility, barometric pressure, temperature, and cloud height, among others. A transmitting station within the airport includes one or more climatic condition sensors such as a wind vane, an anemometer, a barometer, etc., an encoder for providing an encoded signal indicative of the sensed climatic conditions, and a radio transmitter for transmitting the encoded signal. A receiving station within the aircraft includes a radio receiver for receiving the transmitted encoded signal, a decoder for decoding the encoded signal to provide the dynamic climatic condition data, and a display for displaying that data.