Abstract: An imaging system is configured to refractively shift light from a field of view about a vehicle to an image sensing device. The field of view is directed through a vehicle window characterized as having a substantial rake angle. The imaging system includes a first refractive element configured to be optically coupled with the vehicle window. Light impinging on a first surface of the first refractive element along the field of view axis passes through the first refractive element and exits a second surface along an intermediate axis. The imaging system includes a second refractive element in optical communication with an image sensing device. Light impinging on a third surface of the second refractive element along the intermediate axis passes through the second refractive element and exits a fourth surface along an image sensing device axis, whereby light from the field of view is directed into the image sensing device.

Abstract: An antenna assembly, a receiver, and a system configured to superimpose a first received signal from a first antenna and an intermediate signal based on a second received signal from a second antenna onto a single cable. The antenna assembly includes a mixer and an adjustable local oscillator (ALO) that frequency shift the second received signal to generate the intermediate signal. The output frequency of the ALO is controlled by a control signal superimposed on the single cable that is output by the receiver. With this arrangement, a plurality of antennas or antenna elements can be connected to a receiver using a single coaxial cable. Such an arrangement is particularly desirable to manufacturers of automobiles and other vehicles. Also, the receiver can detect if the output frequency of the ALO needs to be adjusted, and so close-loop control of the output frequency is possible.

Abstract: An electrically-conducting contact element includes a section of the contact element defining an aperture. The section is configured to receive a wire cable within the aperture for attachment thereto. The section includes an internal surface with at least one cutout arrangement formed thereon. A wire assembly that includes the electrically-conducting contact and a method to construct the electrically-conducting contact are also presented. The method includes a step of providing the contact element and forming at least one cutout arrangement on the internal surface of the contact element. A further step in the method includes altering material on the internal surface of the contact element by a forming means. The forming means may be one of milling, rifling, machining, cutting, indenting, or stamping. A wire assembly and a vehicular electrical wiring harness that respectively include the contact element are also further presented.

Abstract: A self-structuring antenna system comprises a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of switch elements arranged with the antenna elements to, when selectively closed, electrically couple ones of the antenna elements to one another, and a switch controller for opening and closing the switch elements. The switch controller is operatively associated with the plurality of switch elements via a plurality of addressable switch controllers.

Abstract: A valve plate cover/lead frame unit of a lifter oil manifold assembly used in cylinder deactivation systems to direct engine oil to valve lifters including a body including a pattern of passages that in cooperation with a pattern of passages included in the valve plate form oil galleries for distributing the engine oil, an electrical connector and an electrical lead frame terminating the electrical connector integrated into the body, and a plurality of connector terminals incorporated into the body, wherein the electrical lead frame electrically connects each of the connector terminals with the electrical connector.

Abstract: A communication system utilizing a hierarchically modulated signal and method thereof are provided, wherein a receiver system is configured to receive a hierarchically modulated signal. The receiver system includes a receiver device configured to receive the hierarchically modulated signal, which is a function of a time domain, and including a high priority data stream that has a single carrier type modulation, and a low priority data stream having data bits that are spread over a plurality of data symbols of a high priority data modulation. The receiver system further includes a low priority processor device, which includes an OFDM decoder configured to convert the low priority data stream of the hierarchically modulated signal that is a function of the time domain to be a function of a frequency domain by utilizing a FFT, such that an output is emitted that is representative of the low priority data stream.

Abstract: An engine control module having an environmentally-sealed housing includes a housing-mounted air pressure sensor for providing a reliable measure of atmospheric air pressure to a control circuit mounted within the housing. The sensor is mounted on an inboard face of the housing, and includes a sensor element, a body portion and a riser portion. The sensor element is mounted in the body portion, and the riser portion protrudes through an opening in the housing to couple the sensor element to atmospheric pressure outside the housing. The body portion is sealingly secured to the inboard face of the housing, and a set of conductor pins molded into the body portion extend inward to engage a circuit board enclosed by the housing, and thereby directly couple the sensor element to the ECM's control circuit. The top of the riser portion is capped by a splash-proof lid to prevent water intrusion.

Abstract: A system for controlling an infrared light distribution pattern that includes an electrowetting lens arranged proximate to an infrared light source, and operable to vary a distribution pattern of infrared light from the infrared light source into an area; an electrowetting shutter overlaying the electrowetting lens, and operable to an opaque state where infrared light from the infrared light source is blocked from projecting into at least a portion of the area, and operable to a transparent state where infrared light passes through the electrowetting shutter; an object detector configured to detect an object in the area; and a controller configured to receive a detection signal from the object detector, and operate the electrowetting lens and the electrowetting shutter in order to control the infrared light distribution pattern based on a location of the object. The pattern may be uniform or may be customized for the object being heated.

Abstract: A breath analyzer system and method for determining an estimate of blood alcohol concentration of a person. A light source projects light into a sampling region where breath from the person is expected. A first light detector and a second light detector are configured to detect light intensity of light having certain wavelengths at a first time and a second time. Signals from the light detectors at the first time and the second time are used to determine an estimate of the blood alcohol concentration of the person by determining a ratio of a first light detector signal change to a second light detector signal change.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a fold-up case formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case is of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Side wall closure members are extruded of aluminum defining self-engaging attachment features for affixing to the case, providing electrical self-grounding with the wire screen and thermal grounding with internal power devices.

Abstract: A transducer includes a housing having a domic shape. The transducer is associated with a vehicular electrical charging system (ECS) used to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) disposed on a vehicle. The transducer is adapted for attachment to a ground surface with the domic-shaped housing extending outwardly away therefrom. The domic-shaped housing of the transducer, when disposed beneath an undercarriage of a vehicle, fills a space intermediate the transducer and the undercarriage such that animals, such as a dog or a cat, are discouraged from overlyingly residing thereon. External surface segments of the domic-shaped housing depend or slope away from a peak point of the domic-shaped housing so that foreign objects, like a soda can or a tool that engage the domic-shaped housing, may passively slidingly move off of the housing to ensure optimal performance of the transducer.

Abstract: A hydraulic solenoid assembly for complex vehicle-borne control systems, such as automatic transmissions, includes a solenoid body or unitary housing operatively enclosing two or more solenoid valves. Each valve has a pressure port extending to an outer surface of the housing, emerging in a spaced-apart matrix. A metal (stainless steel or aluminum) sensor plate is mounted to the outer surface of the housing so as to sealingly overlay the pressure ports. A diaphragm is formed in the sensor plate for each solenoid valve and registers with its associated pressure port. Electrical components, such as thick file resistors arranged in a Wheatstone bridge network are printed or mounted to an outer surface of each diaphragm. The bridge networks are electrically connected to a control circuit and function to output signals as a function of hydraulic pressure induced displacement of the associated diaphragm.

Abstract: A vehicle parking assist system of a wireless battery charger for positioning a capture resonator or receiving plate attached to a vehicle over a source resonator or charging pad residing on a parking surface under the vehicle. The system includes a target positioned relative to the source resonator at a location that is viewable by an operator of the vehicle while the vehicle is being parked. The vehicle is equipped with a plurality of light sources attached to the vehicle, and the light sources are oriented so that when the vehicle is properly positioned, light beams from the light sources impinge on the target at one or more predetermined locations, or converge at some predetermined location on the target.

Abstract: A wire connector assembly includes a connector body and at least one wire arrangement that communicates with the connector body. The wire arrangement includes at least one electrically-conductive element formed of a continuous solid mass of material throughout. The at least one solid mass element defines a plurality of bores in which at least a portion of the solid mass element separates at least one of the bores from the other bores in the plurality of bores. A plurality of wire cables is received in the plurality of bores and respectively electrically and mechanically connected to the solid mass element. The portion, grooves defined along the portion, and O-ring seals surroundingly disposed on the connector body combine to prevent fluid flow through the assembly when the assembly is disposed in a fluid environment. A pair of methods to construct the wire connector assembly are also presented.

Abstract: A sealing collar is provided on a body in which the body has a cylindrical wall on which a hole emerges and a fluid situated in the body is able to escape through the hole. The sealing collar includes a fixing band entirely surrounding the cylindrical wall. The fixing band has a sealing portion to sealedly obturate the hole and a means for closing and tightening the fixing band. The fixing band is provided with at least one claw extending in the direction of the cylindrical wall so that on closing and tightening of the fixing band around the cylindrical wall, the hole is sealedly obturated and the claw is pressed against the cylindrical wall and contributes to immobilizing the sealing collar on the body.

Abstract: An electrical charging system (ECS) is used to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) using wireless electromagnetic or inductive charging. The ECS includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) electrical circuit, a first transducer, and a plurality of second transducers. The VCO electrical circuit sequentially excites a plurality of coils in a first transducer to select one of a plurality of second transducers in which to transfer energy when the ESD is electrically charged. ECS power efficiency is measured during the excitation of the plurality of coils and used to determine whether the ECS uses the electromagnetic or inductive approach to electrically charge the ESD. The VCO electrical circuit also assists to maintain an optimum ECS power efficiency during electrical charging of the ESD. A method to electrically charge an ESD associated with a first vehicle and an ESD associated with a second vehicle with the ECS is also presented.

Abstract: A method to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) includes a step of electrically charging the ESD with energy transmitted through a regenerative braking electrical circuit (RBEC) disposed on vehicle by an electrical charging system (ECS) in electrical connection therewith. The ESD may be electrically charged by the ECS or a motor/generator that is also in electrical communication with the RBEC. The method also includes another step of electrically transmitting energy from the ESD through the RBEC and the ECS to supply energy to a power grid disposed external to the vehicle. An ECS for electrically charging an ESD is also presented that includes a first transducer, a second transducer that wirelessly receives energy from the first transducer, a motor/generator, and at least one electrical component which receives energy from the second transducer or energy from the motor/generator to electrically charge the ESD.

Abstract: An animal deterrent device (ADD) includes a non-yielding base containing an array of animal deterring elements extending outwardly away therefrom. The base of the ADD is configured for deployment on at least one external surface of a transducer associated with a electrical charging system (ECS) used to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) on a vehicle. An array of animal deterring elements are respectively spaced apart a sufficient distance one-to-another and have respective heights so as to fill a space so that animals, such as a dog or a cat, are discouraged from residing on, or adjacent to at least one external surface of the transducer when the transducer that includes the ADD is disposed within a ground clearance of the vehicle. A method of using the ADD is also presented that includes a step of the ADD being formed in a mold in a single molding operation.

Abstract: Manual control interface including: a movable part, a photo-detector, a movable holographic element including a first series of holograms forming coding motifs of the selection position of the movable part, characterized by the fact that the movable holographic element includes a second series of holograms forming figurative motifs representing the functions of the apparatus, the position of the movable holographic element relative to the support determining the figurative motif which is illuminated by a suitable light beam, so as to project the figurative motif corresponding to the selected function towards a display zone visible to the user.

Abstract: System for the recording and retrieval of voice messages provided to be arranged in the passenger compartment of an automobile vehicle that includes a control interface, a display screen that displays a list of a plurality of (N) columns for classification of the voice messages according to the subject of their content, each column being selectable by the control interface, a voice message recording device that is controlled by the control interface and makes it possible to record a voice message while associating it with a selected column, a sound emitting device that is controlled by the control interface and makes it possible to emit the voice message or messages recorded in the selected column, and a communications device.