Abstract: The invention relates to a pyromechanical disconnecting device having a housing (2) in which an electrical conductor (3) is arranged, having a cutting plunger (5) and a cutting chisel (8) made of plastic arranged thereon for severing the electrical conductor (3), and having a pyrotechnic igniter (1) in which a pyrotechnic charge is arranged for driving the cutting plunger (5), the cutting chisel (8) having an edge that slides along a mating edge of the housing (2) or of a component (4) of the housing (2) when the cutting plunger (5) or the cutting chisel (8) is driven and when the electrical conductor (3) is severed. In order to achieve better cutting power, it is proposed that the edge of the cutting chisel (8) and/or the mating edge of the housing (2) or of a component (4) of the housing (2) comprise an inserted structural element (6, 7) having a greater hardness than plastic.

Abstract: An automotive occupant position restraint apparatus senses a position of an occupant of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes an optical energy source emitting a first beam of optical energy. A first optical arrangement is disposed in a path of the first beam of optical energy. The first optical arrangement expands the first beam of optical energy into a plurality of second beams of optical energy spanning across a first angle. A second optical arrangement is disposed in a path of the second beams of optical energy. The second optical arrangement expands the second beams of optical energy into a plurality of third beams of optical energy spanning across a second angle larger than the first angle. An optical energy receiver receives optical energy from the third beams, wherein the received optical energy has been reflected within a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for selectively preventing the collapse of a collapsible steering column of a vehicle. The invention includes a first steering column member defining first and second opposing surfaces that are fixedly spaced relative to one another. The invention also include a second steering column member connected to the first steering column member for sliding movement The second steering column member defines a third surface opposing and spaced from the first surface. The invention also includes a wedging member selectively moveable between the first and second surfaces for being selectively compressible between the first and third surfaces to limit the sliding movement. The invention selectively prevents the collapse of the steering column.

Abstract: An electrical inter-connection is provided such that a terminal pin which is positioned in a pin block extends through a plated through-hole in a circuit board substrate and is connected with the circuit board using a conductive bonding agent such as solder. The terminal pin is capable of inter-connection with conductive elements located on each major side of the circuit board and eliminates the need for an interference fit between the terminal pin and circuit board. The pin block includes a body and at least one stand-off. The stand-off maintains the body a sufficient distance from the circuit board substrate to enable a solder fillet to form between the plated through-hole and the terminal pin during re-flow processing. The electrical inter-connection further includes an eccentric aperture in the circuit board suitable for interference fit inter-connection with a protruding cylindrical feature such as on an electrical ground that has poor solderability characteristics.

Abstract: An encapsulated microelectronic package includes a fluid conducting cooling tube directly coupled to one or more semiconductor chips, with the encapsulant being molded over the semiconductor chips and portions of the cooling tube in proximity to the semiconductor chips. The encapsulant immobilizes the cooling tube with respect to the semiconductor chips, and the cooling tube and encapsulant are designed to minimize differences in their coefficients of thermal expansion relative to the semiconductor chips.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connection system comprises a male electrical connector and a female electrical connector that mates with the male electrical connector. The mated electrical connectors have mated terminals that are disposed and sealed in communicating terminal passages of the respective electrical connectors. The electrical connectors also have engaged electromagnetic shields that are disposed and at least partially sealed in communicating shield chambers that are isolated from the mated terminals that are sealed in communicating terminal passages.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are NOx sensors and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, a method for sensing NOx comprises: contacting a first NOx electrode with the gas, contacting a second NOx electrode with the gas, determining a NO2 emf between the first NOX electrode and a first reference electrode, determining a NOx emf between the second NOx electrode and a second reference electrode, and determining a NO2 concentration and a NO concentration using the NO2 emf and the NOx emf. The first electrode can be at a first temperature of greater than or equal to about 700 ° C., and the second electrode can be at a second temperature of about 500 ° C. to about 650 ° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of sensing NH3 in a gas and sensors therefore. In one embodiment, a method of sensing NH3 in a gas comprises: contacting a NOx electrode with the gas, and determining if a NOx emf between the NOx electrode and a reference electrode is greater than a selected emf. If the NOx emf is greater than the selected emf, a NH3 emf between an NH3 electrode and the reference electrode is determined. If the NOx emf is not greater than the selected emf, a NH3 emf between the NH3 electrode and the NOx electrode is determined.

Abstract: A low-cost system for detecting a drowsy condition of a driver of a vehicle includes a video imaging camera located in the vehicle and oriented to generate images of a driver of the vehicle. The system also includes a processor for processing the images acquired by the video imaging camera. The processor monitors an eye and determines whether the eye is in an open position or a closed state. The processor further determines a time proportion of eye closure as the proportion of a time interval that the eye is in the closed position, and determines a driver drowsiness condition when the time proportion of eye closure exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: An integrated system for air-cooling a main air blower drive motor and electronic control module in a fuel cell plant support module (PSM) disposed in an enclosure. Process air is drawn by a main blower fan into the enclosure through a filter and then is drawn from the enclosure into the blower via a first shroud surrounding the electronics process control module (ECM) and a second shroud surrounding the blower motor. The air cools these components and is thereby desirably warmed before being directed to the fuel cell assembly via an air distribution system. Thus, the PSM is constantly cooled and purged through the downstream processes, and the incoming air is constantly warmed by recovered heat from the PSM.

Abstract: A socket connector having a connector body co-molded with its peripheral and cable seals. In the first molding operation, a first tooling is placed into a mold and is configured so that plastic injected into the mold forms the connector body. In the second molding operation, a second tooling is placed into the mold and is configured so that elastomeric material injected into the mold passes through at least one passage of the connector body to thereby form the peripheral seal and, integrally therewith, the cable seal.

Abstract: A tumble control valve for an intake manifold of an engine which eliminates or substantially reduces air leakage between the bottom and sides of the valve blade through a selected rotational segment of the blade as it moves from the closed position toward the open position. The sealed area is maintained by contouring the inner cavity wall to track the arc defined by the bottom edge of the rotating blade. In other embodiments, a flexible flange or wedge-shaped element is attached to the blade to engage the inner cavity wall through the selected rotational segment. In another aspect of the invention, air flow pressure is maintained and tumble is optimized compared to rotational movement of the blade by contouring the top wall surface to track the arc defined by the rotating upper edge of the blade.

Abstract: A method for detecting fuel leaking into an oil pan containing oil which is used to lubricate an internal combustion engine utilizes a plurality of sensors. The method includes the step of measuring a plurality of parameters of the oil using each of the plurality of sensors to create measured values. A fuel leakage value is calculated incorporating each of the measured values. The method then determines when the fuel leakage value exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of making a gas treatment device, the method includes projecting a laser line onto a side of substrate from a laser line generator angled away from a viewing source; projecting a laser dot onto the substrate from a laser dot generator located above the viewing source; verifying an alignment of the substrate with at least one of: another substrate and a housing by comparing the laser line projection on the substrate to the laser dot projection on the substrate, wherein the alignment is verified when the laser line projection and the laser dot projection are co-linear; and stuffing the substrate into the housing.

Abstract: Low range limiting malfunctions of an engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor are diagnosed by comparing a change in the sensed temperature during engine operation with a calibrated temperature change. If the change in sensed temperature fails to exceed the calibrated temperature change, and a diagnostic for detecting a stuck ECT signal is either inconclusive or passed, a low range limiting malfunction of the sensor is indicated. If the diagnostic for detecting a stuck ECT signal is failed, the low range limiting diagnostic concludes with no report even if the change in sensed temperature fails to exceed the calibrated temperature change.

Abstract: An electronic module includes a substrate, at least one surface mounted integrated circuit (IC) component and an underfill material. The substrate includes a plurality of electrically conductive traces, formed on at least one surface of the substrate, and the component is electrically coupled to at least one of the conductive traces. The underfill material is positioned between the component and the substrate and provides at least one pedestal that supports the component during encapsulation. The underfill material, when cured, maintains the integrity of the electrical connections between the component and the conductive traces.

Abstract: An integrated driver with improved load current sense capability includes a first transistor, a first amplifier, a second transistor, a third transistor, a second amplifier and a fourth transistor. The integrated driver allows for significantly better fault handling capability, provides accurate thermal and current sensing capability and reduces I/O pin count over prior designs.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a connector body. A pin block disposed in the connector body supports a plurality of terminal pins that are arranged in horizontal rows that are vertically spaced with the terminal pins in each row being laterally spaced from each other. The terminal pins have contact portions projecting out a forward end of the pin block and tail portions projecting out a rearward end of the pin block. The tail portions of the terminal pins in an uppermost row of the plurality of terminal pins have straight tail portions. The connector body has a socket at a forward end, an intermediate retainer section holding the pin block and a tail guard at a rearward end for protecting the projecting tail portions of the terminal pins.

Abstract: A vehicle including a frame, left and right wheels, and a leaning suspension system. The frame defines a longitudinal vehicle axis. The leaning suspension system includes a transverse beam, left and right damping members, left and right control arms, and at least one lean actuator. The transverse beam is coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis. The left and right damping members are pivotally coupled to the left and right sides of the transverse beam. The left control arm is pivotally coupled to the left wheel and to the frame, and the right control arm is pivotally coupled to the right wheel and to the frame. The lean actuator is pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam. The lean actuator is configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering.

Abstract: A gas sensor seal (40) comprising a body (122), an upper portion having a flange (124), and at least one channel (130). The flange (124) has an extension (131) that extends from the upper portion, a bend (129) which extends from the extension (131) along the body (122), and a protrusion (128) which extends from the bend (129) toward the body (122). The channel (130) extends through the body (122) from the upper portion to a lower surface (126). A method for using the gas sensor seal (40) within a sensor (10) is also provided.