Abstract: The collision of a vehicle with a pedestrian is detected based on the response of bend sensor segments affixed to a vehicle body panel such as a bumper fascia. The sensor data is processed to identify the location of an object impacting the body panel, and is correlated with calibration data to determine the shape and mass of the object. Impacts with pedestrians are discriminated from impacts with other objects based on the determined shape and mass.

Abstract: An airbag device for use with a vehicle door having a window, the airbag device comprising: an inflatable cushion having a predetermined shape, the predetermined shape being configured to have a periphery larger than the periphery of the window of the door when the inflatable cushion is inflated; a backing plate for mounting the inflatable cushion in a desired location, the backing plate providing a reaction surface for a portion of the inflatable cushion as it is being inflated; an inflator for providing an inflation output to the inflatable cushion; and a conduit for providing fluid communication between the inflator and the inflatable cushion, the conduit having a diffuser portion disposed within the inflatable cushion, the diffuser portion having a plurality of diffuser openings for allowing the inflation output to be received within the inflatable cushion, wherein inflation of the inflatable cushion by the inflator will cause portions of the inflatable cushion to overlap the periphery of the window openi

Abstract: An electronic device is provided having a bimetallic fluid circulator for circulating fluid coolant in relation to electrical circuitry to provide enhanced heat exchange. The fluid circulator includes a first thin sheet exhibiting a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second thin sheet dissimilar from the first thin sheet and exhibiting a second CTE that is substantially different than the first CTE. The first and second thin sheets are bonded together. The first and second thin sheets expand and contract at different rates based on changes in temperature such that the first and second thin sheets change shape to create a fanning motion to circulate the fluid and thus cool the electrical device.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and is moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack relative to the housing and is moveable relative to the housing to re-position the rack relative to the pinion. An adjustment mechanism continuously biases the bearing in response to loosening of the meshing engagement to re-position the rack. A dampener resists the movement of the bearing to slow the re-positioning of the bearing. Preferably, the dampener includes a plastic fluid having a very high viscosity. The plastic fluid is disposed between adjacent moving parts to resist the relative movement between the bearing and the housing.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system and storage medium for providing supplier branding services over a communications network. The system comprises an information exchange system including a server in communication with a data storage device via a communications link. The server executes web server software for hosting and serving web pages and applications software including a branding tool for creating and disseminating branded information. The data storage device houses a database storing supplier subscription records for facilitating portal services. The supplier subscription records include customer target records. The database also stores customer profile records. The system also includes a link to an enterprise portal site of a registered customer system; and a link to a subscribing supplier system.

Abstract: A child seat anchor apparatus includes at least one sensor for measuring tension exerted on a system including a pair of anchor brackets disposed between the bottom and back cushions of a vehicle seat. In a first mechanization, the anchor brackets are directly coupled to individual sensors mounted on an anchor frame that is bolted to the seat frame. In a second mechanization, the anchor brackets are fastened to an anchor frame that is pivotably mounted on the seat frame, and the anchor frame is additionally coupled to the seat frame through a single sensor responsive to the tension exerted on the anchor frame by the anchor brackets.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor having first and second serially arranged torsion bars and a switching mechanism provides two levels of load limiting. A bridge bolt rotationally fixed to the inboard ends of the torsion bars is threaded into a locking base, and the switching mechanism prevents bridge bolt translation relative to the locking base in a default condition to limit seat belt load with the first torsion bar. Activation of the switching mechanism permits limited translation of the bridge bolt relative to the locking base to limit seat belt load with the second torsion bar. Additional translation of the bridge bolt relative to the locking base is prevented to re-establish load limiting with the first torsion bar. The switching mechanism includes a set of detent wedges, a retaining band and an electrically activated cutting mechanism, all disposed within the retractor frame.

Abstract: A technique for reducing a parasitic DC bias voltage on a sensor monitors the parasitic DC bias voltage on a first element of the sensor. A controlled bias voltage that is applied between the first element of the sensor and a second element of the sensor is then modified to substantially maintain the parasitic DC bias voltage at a desired potential.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a rotor, a stator, a torsional rotor bias spring, and a spring retainer wherein the spring retainer is fixed to either the rotor or stator when the nominal spring preload is reached to retain the nominal spring preload in said phaser. In one embodiment, the rotor has a bore formed therein, and the spring retainer has an arcuate slot coincident with the rotor bore. The spring retainer is rotated past the rotor until a predetermined spring preload is achieved. A retaining feature is installed through the arcuate slot into the rotor bore, thereby biasing the rotor in the predetermined bias position at the predetermined bias spring preload. In another embodiment, the spring retainer is a rotatable cam feature that becomes fixed to the stator after spring adjustment is complete.

Abstract: A device and method for dynamically optimizing a power converter is disclosed. The dynamically optimized power converter unit includes a processor that maximizes efficiency of a power converter supplying energy to a load.

Abstract: A deactivating hydraulic valve mechanism includes a hydraulic element assembly disposed within cup within a pin housing slidably disposed within a bore in a body. A transverse bore in the pin housing contains selectively-retractable locking pins that engage a locking feature in the body to selectively lock together the body and the pin housing. A lost motion spring is disposed in a vented annular chamber between the body and the pin housing. An oil passage from an engine gallery to the hydraulic element assembly includes an axial component formed in the cup and bypasses the lost motion chamber. A ring holds the lifter assembly together and also sets mechanical lash. The ring may combine a standard-thickness ring and a shim selected to provided a predetermined amount of mechanical lash in the assembled mechanism to ensure facile engagement and disengagement of the locking pins in the body.

Abstract: A method and radio receiver are provided for receiving and deciphering RF signals having encrypted data information relevant to the receiver environment. According to one aspect of the present invention, the receiver includes an input for receiving an RF signal having a data stream including a key selector and encrypted data including a message, and a demodulator for demodulating the data stream and outputting encrypted data including the message. The receiver further includes a data decryption circuit including memory for storing one or more groups of decryption keys based on a characteristic of the receiver environment. The data decryption circuit selects a decryption key based on the key selector and decrypts the message based on the selected decryption key.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, a catalytic reformer unit provides reformate fuel for use by the cells in generating electricity. Both the reformer and the fuel cells require elevated temperatures for satisfactory operation. The reformer unit is provided with a combustion chamber and igniter ahead of the catalytic reformer plates such that, during start-up, fuel/air mixture normally destined for reformation may be ignited in the combustion chamber to provide a hot combustion exhaust which is fed through the catalytic reformer and the anode reformate flow spaces to assist in rapidly bringing the fuel cell system to operating temperature.

Abstract: Impending rollover events are detected by recognizing a plow phase increase in lateral acceleration, coupled with a significant trip phase roll rate. The plow phase increase is recognized by modeling a typical soil trip lateral acceleration characteristic and computing a cross-correlation between the measured lateral acceleration and the modeled acceleration. The correlation is compared to a threshold that varies with the measured roll rate to reliably discriminate rollover events from near-rollover events while enabling timely deployment of suitable occupant restraints.

Abstract: A child restraint system that is adapted to be mounted within a vehicle is provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat has a frame, at least first and second docking stations, and a child seat monitoring device. The first and second docking stations are disposed at first and second locations on the frame. Both of the first and second docking stations are configured to receive and hold the child seat monitoring device therein.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip is provided, the integrated circuit chip having: a base portion, the base portion having a peripheral wall forming an elevated perimeter depending away from a surface of the base potion; a plurality of extensions extending away from the surface, a periphery of each of the plurality of extensions being spaced away from the peripheral wall, the plurality of extensions further comprising a first group of extensions and a second group of extensions, each of the first group of extensions having a greater peripheral area than a peripheral area of each of the second group of extensions and the first group of extensions being aligned with a portion of an integrated circuit disposed on another surface of the base, the portion of the integrated circuit generating a higher heat flux than other portions of the integrated circuit, and a plate secured to the elevated perimeter, the plate the plate covering the plurality of extensions and further comprising an inlet opening and an outlet opening.

Abstract: A method and system for introducing supplemental material to an exhaust aftertreatment device, including: a delivery system, an air pump operable to input pressurized air to the delivery system, and a turbosupercharger of an internal combustion engine operable to deliver pressurized air to an inlet of the air pump. The supplemental material introduced to the exhaust aftertreatment device is pressurized by the pressurized air input from the air pump, and the air inlet to the air pump is pressurized by the turbosupercharger for the internal combustion engine. The delivery system uses existing pressurized air generated within the engine system from the turbosupercharger to supplement air pressure supplied to the turbine-style air pump used by the delivery system. The supplemental material may comprise ammonia, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or urea.

Abstract: An electromechanical VVA system for controlling the poppet valves in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The system varies valve lift, duration, and phasing in a dependent manner for one or more banks of engine valves. A rocker subassembly for each valve is pivotably disposed in roller bearings on a rocker pivot shaft between the camshaft and a roller follower. A control shaft supports the rocker pivot shaft for controlling a plurality of rocker subassemblies mounted in roller bearings for a plurality of engine cylinders. The control shaft rotates about its axis to displace the rocker pivot shaft and change the angular relationship of the rocker subassembly to the camshaft, thus changing the valve opening, closing, lift and duration. An actuator attached to the control shaft includes a worm gear drive for positively rotating the control shaft.

Abstract: A pair of rotary valves for opening and closing two outlets of an HVAC system. A shaft has oppositely threaded and axially spaced sections each engaging one of the valves for moving the valves axially. Each valve includes a guide plate defining an upper surface curved along the periphery of one of the outlets to define a guide for limiting rotational moving of each valve in response to rotation of the shaft. Each guide plate defines a lower surface that is a contoured shape and parallel to the axis for directing air flow through each outlet.

Abstract: A system for steering a vehicle including: an actuator disposed in a vehicle to apply torque to a steerable wheel; a driver input device receptive to driver commands for directing the vehicle; and a sensor for determining an intent of a driver and generating a signal indicative thereof. The system also includes: a lane keeping system for detecting a location of the vehicle relative to a lane marker and generating a lane position signal indicative thereof; a controller in operable communication with the actuator, the driver input device, the first sensor, and the lane keeping system. The controller provides a command to the actuator responsive to the intent of the driver, the lane position, and a desired lane position. The controller executes a lane keeping algorithm consisting of a single control loop based on at least one of the lane position and the lane position deviation.