Abstract: A method of removing solidified sprue plastic from an injection molding machine uses a picker assembly that includes an end-effector with a gripper. The injection molding machine has a stationary platen with a first mold, and has a moveable platen with a second mold. The method includes moving the gripper in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a direction that the second mold moves while the first mold and the second mold are opening. The method also includes grabbing the solidified sprue plastic before the first mold and the second mold reach a fully open position.

Abstract: A fuse system has both a non-serviceable fuse and a fuse terminal system for selectively installing a serviceable fuse. When installed, the serviceable fuse provides a current flow path parallel to the non-serviceable fuse.

Abstract: An RF radio and a method of monitoring warning alert data is provided. The RF radio includes a radio receiver for receiving broadcast radio wave signals, and a tuner adjustable for selecting radio wave signal channels within AM and FM radio bands and radio wave signal channels within a weather band. The weather band is adapted to provide warning alert data. The radio also includes a controller for controlling the tuner to select a radio wave signal channel within the AM or FM radio band. The controller controls the tuner to periodically switch to the weather band and determines presence of warning alert data. The controller further initiates receipt of the warning alert data when such warning alert data is determined to be present.

Abstract: An air inlet assembly for an automotive heating and ventilating air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a casing extending along an axis (A). The casing defines a plurality of inlets for receiving air and an outlet for delivering air from the inlets. A filter filters air between the inlets and the outlet. An air moving device disposed about the outlet for expelling air from the casing. A valve mechanism supports the filter. Furthermore, the valve mechanism moves along the axis (A) between an outside-air position and a cabin-air position for controlling air from the inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes a dual band vertical loop wire antenna extending from a printed circuit board positioned over a ground plane, wherein the wire antenna includes: at least one coiled section, at least one straight wire section, and at least one feeding post section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a driver assistance system which can identify a danger situation with reference to a comparison of measured data with predetermined limit values and which can output a warning signal when it has identified a danger situation of this type. An additional control module is provided which determines an activity state of the driver in dependence on at least one input value which permits a conclusion on actions carried out by a driver and can suppress the outputting of the warning signal in dependence on this activity state.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving and processing digital satellite radio signals includes multiple antenna modules for receiving digital satellite radio signals, multiple processing circuits for converting digital satellite radio signals to low-IF or 0-IF signals, diversity circuitry for selecting from among multiple low-IF or 0-IF signals, and additional processing circuitry for extracting audio and/or data from the selected signals. The system also includes automatic and manual switches for selecting from among multiple antennas, and for reducing power consumption of antenna and processing circuitry.

Abstract: A high-pressure metering pump for providing reductant in a single fluid engine exhaust dosing system having a solenoid for actuating a piston slidably received within an inner bore of a valve housing of the pump, the inner bore having a pressure chamber with an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve; and wherein movement of the piston causes high pressure reductant to be received at an atomizer of the system, the atomizer being disposed in a location to cause a maximum reduction of undesirable pollutant in the combustion gases of an engine.

Abstract: A method for estimating unknown parameters (pan angle (?), instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry of an upcoming road segment) for a vehicle object detection system. The vehicle object detection system is preferably a forward looking, radar-cued vision system having a camera, a radar sensor and an processing unit. The method first estimates the pan angle (?), then corrects the coordinates from a radar track so that pan angle (?) can be treated as zero, and finally solves a least squares problem that determines best estimates for instantaneous tilt angle (?) and road geometry. Estimating these parameters enables the vehicle object detection system to identify, interpret and locate objects in a more accurate and efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.

Abstract: A current carrier for a solid oxide fuel cell system comprising a current-carrying core formed of a high-conductivity metallic material such as copper, brass, bronze, silver, silver-copper alloys, molybdenum, tungsten, or the like, and a protective jacket surrounding the core material. Preferably, the jacket is metallurgically bonded to the core. The jacket is formed of a high temperature alloy such as stainless steel, nickel, or a nickel alloy. The jacket is structurally competent to maintain the form of the electrical carrier at elevated temperatures at which the core material may be structurally incompetent. The current carrier may be sized comparable to conventional copper cables. The carrier is attached to a fuel cell current collector by a clamp assembly having a large surface contact area. Preferably, a contact paste consisting of fine silver particles forms a diffusion bond between the clamp and the carrier jacket, resulting in a low-loss connection.

Abstract: A safety logic for vehicle rollover detection systems comprising a main rollover detection logic and at least one protection device for the occupant or occupants of the vehicle, including a vehicle lateral acceleration sensor (11), which generates an output signal indicating a near rollover event, when a lateral acceleration of a vehicle exceeds the first predefined threshold value (15) or, when a lateral acceleration of vehicle exceeds the second predefined threshold value (16) that is lower than the first predefined threshold value (15) and simultaneously at least one additional safety logic activation signal is present (1, 1?, 1?, 1??).

Abstract: An anchor for securing seat belt component to a vehicle includes a latch member for securing a tongue portion of the component within a housing. The latch member is movable between a first position wherein a protrusion on the latch member engages the tongue and a second position wherein the protrusion is displaced for releasing the tongue. A biasing member provides a biasing force to maintain the latch in the first position. The housing includes a latch-access area for allowing the latch member to be engaged for manually forcing the latch member to the second position to allow the tongue portion to be removed, so that the anchor does not have a release button.

Abstract: A slave node for use with a Local Interconnect Network (LIN network) receives incoming messages from the LIN network in a manner that reduces operating current, power consumption and/or operating temperature. The slave node generally includes an input circuit, an electronic processing device, associated components such as an Integrated Glass Fog Sensor (IGFS) unit, and a transmitting device all mounted on a single circuit board. The input circuit, which can either be separate from or incorporated within the electronic processing device, pre-filters an incoming message from a LIN bus such that it only wakes the transmitting device out of its low-current sleep mode when required. Stated differently, the transmitting device is removed from an incoming message path so that it is only active when it is transmitting an outgoing message.

Abstract: A fuel distribution tube for a direct injection fuel rail assembly includes an elongate cylindrical conduit, a plurality of first scalloped features that receive fuel injector sockets formed in the conduit, and plurality of second scalloped features that receive mounting bosses formed in the conduit. The scalloped features are designed to closely match the outer radii of the injector sockets and the mounting bosses. The scalloped features provide necessary dimensional control to injector sockets and mounting bosses and fuel passage from the fuel distribution tube to the fuel injector sockets. The scalloped features enable a leak test of the braze joints of the fuel rail assembly. By providing a direct injection fuel rail assembly that includes the fuel distribution tube having scalloped features formed in the conduit, optimization of true position location of fuel injector sockets and improved braze joints are enabled.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that passively measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is measured, and sufficient sensitivity is provided to passively detect a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. The sensor can be situated in an inconspicuous vehicle cabin location and operate independently without requiring active involvement by a driver. A vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, in comparison to conventional chemical sensors, the sensitivity of detection of ethanol vapor is increased by a factor of about 1,000. Further, a single channel of infrared detection is utilized avoiding spurious infrared absorption and making the chemical vapor sensor less costly to implement.

Abstract: A core unit for a heat exchanger comprises a pair of headers spaced from one another each defining a fluid space for receiving a fluid therein and each defining a plurality of apertures. A first region comprising a plurality of first tubes extends between the headers and a first fin is disposed between adjacent pairs of the first tubes. A second region comprising a plurality of second tubes extends between the headers and a second fin is disposed between adjacent pairs of the second tubes. A crushable center different than the first and second regions is disposed parallelly between the first and second regions for controllably crushing when the headers are bent.

Abstract: A primary electrical fuse is attached to a printed circuit board. The primary electrical fuse comprises a first and second terminal, a fusible element disposed between the first and second terminals electrically linking the first terminal and the second terminal, and receiving tip sections located on the first and second terminals that receive a replacement electrical fuse to electrically connect the first and second terminals with a replacement fusible element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator comprising an actuator element movably supported at an actuator housing, a pyrotechnic pressure element to move the actuator element and a control means to control a force exerted onto the actuator element by the pressure element to move the actuator element.

Abstract: A device for the illumination of a display, in particular of a transmission display of a motor vehicle, comprises an areal lighting means for an at least substantially uniform illumination of the total display in combination with at least one light emitting diode for an illumination of a respective individual display, in particular of a transmission position display offset in comparison with the uniform illustration of the total display, in particular a more intensive illustration of a respective individual display, in particular of a transmission position display.