Abstract: An over-molded beaded driving cable which has an inner core, a plurality of inner core structures. An outer jacket may encompass the inner core and inner core structures. Each of a plurality of outer beads concentrically surrounds an inner core structure. The outer beads are over-molded in this position, forming an interlocking inner core structure and outer bead configuration capable of high load and high flexible performance. An end fitting placed at each end portion of the inner core provides for a driving cable assembly with a variety of end fitting configurations, including a closed loop connection, for automotive and non-automotive applications. Alternatively, the over-molded beaded driving cable has a plurality of clamps and/or pins surrounded by the outer beads respectively. The cables may also be provided with seamless connection structure for forming closed loops.

Abstract: A three-axis accelerometer is provided for sensing acceleration in three orthogonal axes. The accelerometer includes a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates fixed to the support substrate, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. The accelerometer includes banks of fixed and movable capacitive plates oriented to sense acceleration in orthogonal X- and Y-axes. Additionally, the accelerometer includes fixed and movable capacitive plates having a height variation between adjacent plates to sense acceleration in the vertical Z-axis. Input signals are applied to certain electrodes coupled to the fixed capacitive plates, and an output signal is generated on the inertial mass, which is indicative of acceleration in each of the sensing axes. The output signal may be further processed to generate individual acceleration outputs for each of the sensing axes.

Abstract: Video components attributable to ambient lighting in a stream of digital images of a scene illuminated by both ambient and active sources are eliminated in each image frame, leaving only video components attributable to the active source. The spectrum of the active source is encompassed by the ambient source, and spectral filtering defines a primary channel comprising video components in a primary spectrum encompassing both active and ambient lighting and a secondary channel comprising video components in a secondary spectrum encompassing only ambient lighting. The pixels of the secondary channel are scaled by a factor correlating the spectral reflectances of the primary and secondary spectra, and the scaled secondary channel is subtracted from the primary channel to produce an ambient corrected image. The pixels of the ambient corrected image are further scaled to compensate for spectral filter bleeding of the active source into the secondary channel.

Abstract: An electronics assembly is provided having a substrate and at least one electronics package supported on the substrate. The electronics package also has electrical circuitry and first and second side surfaces. The assembly further includes a first heat sink device positioned in thermal communication with the first side surface of the electronics package, and a second heat sink device positioned in thermal communication with the second side surface of the electronics package.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells connected in series and disposed as two stacks side-by-side in head-to-tail configuration, connected in series across one end and having cathode and anode current collectors mounted side-by-side on a stack base at the other end. Each current collector is a flat plate extending from the stack footprint. Surrounding the stacks is a cover-sealing flange so formed that when the cover is in place a thermal jacket is formed around the stacks. The current collectors are electrically insulated from the sealing flange and cover by a gasket, and extend outwards from the flange for electrical attachment to a load. This arrangement permits the stacks to be fully assembled and the stack cover secured and sealed in place without need for passing electrical leads through openings in the cover which must be subsequently sealed.

Abstract: A system for acquiring information on the operation of an electronic control unit (ECU) includes a controller and a non-volatile memory. The controller is coupled to address and data buses of a central processing unit (CPU), which is located within an electronic control unit (ECU). The controller includes a register and/or a logging buffer for facilitating ECU analysis. The non-volatile memory is located within the ECU and is coupled to the address and data buses of the CPU. The register logs the current memory address of the non-volatile memory, when the controller determines the current memory address is a memory address of interest. The logging buffer logs the current memory address of the non-volatile memory each time the controller determines the current memory address is a memory address of interest.

Abstract: A digital radio receiver system and method are provided for receiving signals from multiple transmission sources and providing dynamic data buffering. The system includes an antenna for receiving signals from multiple sources, a tuner for selecting certain frequency signals, and a digital demodulator for demodulating the tuned selected signals. The system also includes a memory buffer having memory locations and capable of storing data clusters. The system further has a controller for controlling the cluster of data stored in the memory buffer. The controller selects from at least first and second clusters of data, depending strength of signal of a received buffer source.

Abstract: A diesel combustion engine system providing improved fuel combustion and exhaust aftertreatment includes: a diesel combustion engine having a liquid fuel intake, an air intake, a reformate intake, and an exhaust outlet; a liquid diesel fuel source in fluid communication with the liquid fuel intake and an on-board catalytic partial oxidation fuel reformer that receives a supply of hydrogen-containing liquid diesel fuel and a supply of air and produces therefrom a hydrogen-rich reformate. An exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet and the reformer includes a reformate conduit upstream from exhaust aftertreatment components.

Abstract: A phaser for controlling the timing between a camshaft and a timing gear having a rotor with at least one vane and a stator with at least one recess the phaser allowing limited rotational movement of the rotor with respect to the stator. The vane divides the recess into first and second pockets, wherein the introduction of a fluid into the first pocket causes the rotor to move in a first rotational direction relative to the stator, and in that the introduction of a fluid in the second pocket causes the rotor to move in the opposite rotational direction. A control ring is provided for selectively opening and closing a fluid connection between the pockets to allow fluid to flow between the pockets using the pressure difference of the fluid in each of the pockets to transport the fluid from the one to the other pocket.

Abstract: A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising: a base portion; a carrier portion configured to be removably secured to the base portion; a restraint system component; a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a state of the restraint system component; an electronic control unit secured to either the carrier portion or the base portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the restraint system component to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to provide an output indicative of the state of the restraint system component; and an electrical connector for providing electrical connection between the sensor and the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively tuning a vehicle suspension, operatively connect a wheel of the vehicle to a chassis of the vehicle with a suspension apparatus including a control arm of fixed length, having an inboard end thereof adapted for articulating attachment to the chassis, an outboard end thereof adapted for articulating attachment to the wheel, and a selectively movable intermediate attachment point thereof disposed between the inboard and outboard ends of the control arm and adapted for attachment of a compressible suspension element. The intermediate attachment point is selectively movable, with respect to the inboard and outboard ends of the control arm, to vary a suspension linkage ratio for changing the stiffness and/or height of the suspension apparatus at one or more corners of the vehicle, to thereby allow active tuning of the suspension during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is applied to a compressor assembly wherein a coating is applied to the pocket in the piston for sliding engagement with a shoe for reciprocating the piston. The coating is a composite of solid particles of a lubricant, suspended in an adhesive, bonded to the to the aluminum alloy defining the pocket. More specifically, the coating comprises particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suspended in an epoxy resin having a low cross-linking characteristic. The particles of PTFE are sub-micron in size and the ratio of PTFE to epoxy resin is optimally one to one. The thickness of the coating is between two and ten microns and preferably substantially four microns.

Abstract: An antenna structure and assembly is disclosed. The antenna structure includes a case that provides a capacitive coupling between a ground plane and a circuit board assembly that includes a low noise amplifier and satellite antenna. The case includes a metal impregnated thermoplastic resin. The ground plane may include at least one resilient fastener receiving portion that permits passage and frictional retention of at least one integrated fastening portion extending from the case. The antenna structure includes a cover portion placed over and ultrasonically welded to the case for encapsulating the circuit board assembly. A method for manufacturing the antenna structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An indirect evaporative cooler assembly includes staggered wet and dry channels. An electric fan moves air through the assembly. Air passes through the wet channels where a material wicks moisture stored in a reservoir into the wet channels. As a result, the side walls of the wet channels are evaporatively cooled. Air moving through dry channels is cooled by the cooling of the walls of the wet channels, and by the presence of louvered convoluted fins in the dry channels that allow for air circulation and further heat dissipation. The wet channels are distinguished by the presence of an electrolyte saturating the material, and electrodes disposed on either side of the material combined to generate an electrical current. Pairs of electrodes are connected in series, and generate electricity to power the electric fan. An auxiliary power source is activated when the voltage from the electrodes drops below a pre-determined level.

Abstract: The invention provides a locking device for a tilting and telescoping steering column. The locking device provides a single mechanism for substantially preventing movement of the upper steering column jacket relative to the lower steering column jacket and also for preventing tilting movement of the tilt housing relative to the upper steering column jacket. The locking device includes a linking member that extends parallel to the upper steering column jacket. The linking member is pivotally connected to the tilt housing and slidably connected to the lower steering column jacket. A wedge member is positioned between the linking member and the upper steering column jacket adjacent to the lower steering column jacket. The wedge member is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the wedge member urges the linking member away from the upper steering column jacket in a direction transverse to the upper steering column jacket.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell system having a compact, highly space-efficient basal manifold for conveying high temperature air, exhaust, and hydrogen-rich reformate fuel to and from the core components of the system. The manifold is a three-dimensional assembly of plates and partitioned elements which are easily and inexpensively formed. When assembled, the manifold comprises a network of passageways which allow for the mounting, close-coupling, and integration of critical fuel cell system components, including heat exchangers, a tail gas combustor and fuel reformer, solid-oxide fuel cell stacks, check valves, and oxygen scavengers.

Abstract: A protection circuit for protecting a switch from a fault includes a first sensing circuit and a second sensing circuit. The first sensing circuit senses a low-side load current through a switch that includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal. The first terminal is connected to a low-side of the load and the second terminal is connected to ground. The switch provides a conductive path between the first and second terminals responsive to a control signal provided on the control terminal. The first sensing circuit acts to reduce a magnitude of the control signal to limit the low-side load current, carried by the switch, when the low-side load current exceeds a first predetermined value. The second sensing circuit senses a voltage at the low-side of the load and interrupts the low-side load current, when the voltage at the low-side of the load exceeds a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sensor is provided that measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, 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, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An electronic package has a circuit board including a substrate electrical circuitry including circuit traces and first and second contacts for connecting to surface mount device(s). The first and second contacts each have multiple components including first and second pads. The first pad is separate from the second pad to allow for low cost and easy testing of the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A novel impeller for a regenerative turbine fuel pump improves the efficiency of the pump and yet still retains a geometry that allows it to be manufactured by conventional injection molding techniques at a relatively low cost. The impeller comprises a hub, an outer ring and a plurality of innovative V-shaped vanes. The hub defines an aperture into which the shaft of the pump is securable to allow the hub to rotate about a center axis. The outer ring is concentric to the hub. The vanes extend from an outer surface of the hub to an inner surface of the outer ring. Each vane comprises an entrance portion that extends from the outer surface of the hub and an exit portion that extends from the entrance portion to the inner surface of the outer ring. Each vane has a V-shape of a prespecified angle centered relative to a plane normal to the center axis.