Abstract: A pressurized container includes a vessel defining a chamber therein. A housing that is connected to the vessel defines an outlet that is fluidly separated from the chamber by a closure member. A moveable member may be seated within and form a seal with the housing and abut the closure member. Activation of an initiator propels the moveable member through the closure member, thereby fluidly connecting the chamber and the outlet. Also, the chamber might include a first portion and a second portion, wherein an isolator member substantially fluidly separates the first portion and the second portion. Gas released from the first portion initially inflates an air bag associated with the pressurized container and gas released from the second portion maintains the inflation of the air bag for a time.

Abstract: A heat transfer assembly comprising of an electronic component attached to an attachment point located on a circuit board and a clamping mechanism which applies a downward force against a block. In return, the block applies force against a heat transfer device which contacts the electronic component. The interface between the block and the heat transfer device contain a number of tongues and grooves to allow for positive location of the block against the heat transfer device while the clamping mechanism is fastened to the support. The positive location is configured for applying a localized force against a specific area on the electronic component.

Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.

Abstract: A linear actuator system including a cylinder, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and defining a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the cylinder, wherein the piston includes a plurality of orifices therethrough that place the piston chamber and the rod chamber in fluid communication, and a sealing member movable between a closed position, wherein the sealing member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the plurality of orifices, and an open position, wherein the sealing member is less restrictive of fluid flow through the orifices. The plurality of orifices may include an always-open orifice that is not blocked by the sealing member when the sealing member is in the closed position.

Abstract: Galvanomagnetic sensor array system and method for providing data interface to a basic sensor array are provided. The sensor system includes an array of galvanomagnetic elements, and a processor coupled to receive each output signal from the array of galvanomagnetic elements. The processor and array of galvanomagnetic elements are integrated in a single semiconductor die.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant sensor for a seat has a dielectric in the form of a fluid-filled elastomeric bladder, and the sensor includes a primary region that is subjected to occupant force and a secondary region that is shielded from occupant force. The secondary region includes an appendage of the bladder that is disposed beneath a back cushion of the seat, either in a cavity of the seat cushion or below a frame element that supports the seat cushion. A spring clamp normally biases fluid out of the appendage, but occupant-related force applied over a broad area of the seat produces a flow of bladder fluid into the appendage against the bias force of the spring clamp. A pair of auxiliary conductor plates is oppositely disposed about the bladder appendage, and the capacitance between the auxiliary conductor plates is measured as an indication of fluid pressure in the bladder.

Abstract: A system for determining the angular position of a rotating element such as an engine crankshaft. An encoder wheel is divided into a plurality of equal-angle segments, each comprising a peripheral tooth extending radially over a central angle representing an angular percentage of each segment. The total angle in each segment is a tooth dwell angle and a gap dwell angle. The ratio of the tooth dwell angle to the total segment angle is the duty cycle. A prime segment is given a first tooth dwell angle. Each segment has a unique tooth dwell angle. As the wheel rotates, a sensor begins timing at a first tooth rise and determines the time to the first tooth fall and the time to the second tooth rise. Since each duty cycle is unique, for a wheel having 45 degree segments the system can determine the segment being interrogated within 90 rotational degrees.

Abstract: A catalyst for preferentially reducing carbon monoxide in a hydrogen stream. The catalyst is formed from a chemical composition including a hexaaluminate, a metal hydroxide and a precious metal. The composition may be disposed on a support or may be extruded or cast into or onto a support. Incorporation of hexaaluminates allows inclusion of metal hydroxides that flux the active precious metal surface at higher temperatures than can aluminum oxide-based catalytic compositions, thereby enhancing resistance of the catalyst and monolithic support and increasing the durability and thermal range of the PROX catalyst. An additional advantage is that lesser amounts of precious metal oxides need be deposited onto the hexaaluminate, while retaining activity similar to aluminum oxide compositions.

Abstract: A thermoplastic carrier sheet is die-cut to have a size and shape matching that of a PEM bipolar plate. A plurality of holes are punched in the carrier sheet in the pattern of gasket beading to be formed subsequently. In a mold, liquid gasket resin fills the mold on both sides of the carrier sheet to form the gasket, flowing through the holes in the sheet and thereby causing the gasket to become mechanically attached to the sheet. A carrier element having a flange portion substantially identical with the outer profile of the bipolar plates is laminated to the sheet edge. During assembly of a fuel cell, the carrier element automatically positions the gasket correctly on the plate and prevents the gasket from twisting or shifting. In a currently preferred embodiment, a membrane electrode assembly is attached within an appropriate opening in the carrier sheet.

Abstract: A capacitive load cell includes upper and lower capacitor plates and an intermediate dielectric comprising two or more layers of compressible material with diverse compressibility characteristics. The most easily compressed dielectric layer provides sensitivity to low occupant weight, while the less easily compressed dielectric layer(s) provide sensitivity to medium and high occupant weight.

Abstract: A capacitive load cell apparatus includes first and second conductor plates and an intermediate convoluted nonconductive elastomeric dielectric that variably collapses in response to applied force. The dielectric convolutions are defined by a pattern of cone-shaped or dome-shaped projections that alternately extend toward the first and second conductor plates. When an occupant sits in the seat, the projections of the dielectric material variably collapse in relation to the amount and distribution of the applied weight to locally reduce the separation between the first and second conductor plates. Preferably, the first conductor plate comprises an array of charge plate conductors to define a plurality of capacitances whose variation is detected as an indication of the amount and distribution of the applied weight.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of making a sensor comprises: forming a slurry comprising a metal oxide, a binder, an acetate, and a reducing material, applying the slurry to at least a portion of a sensing element comprising two electrodes with an electrolyte disposed therebetween, and calcining the slurry to form a protective coating. In one embodiment, a gas sensor, comprises: a sensing element comprising a sensing electrode and a reference electrode having an electrolyte disposed therebetween, and a protective coating disposed over the sensing electrode, wherein the protective coating comprises aluminum oxide, an alpha alumina and about 2 wt % to about 15 wt % solid solution, based upon the total weight of the protective coating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of horizontally structured automated CAD/CAM manufacturing process, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; establishing a coordinate system; creating a master process model comprising: virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank, the manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank; capturing manufacturing process rules in a spread sheet; and the spread sheet exhibiting an associative relationship with the master process model. Also disclosed is a manufactured part created by a method of horizontally structured automated CAD/CAM manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric connecting device, especially for arrangement between a steering wheel and a steering column switch module of a motor vehicle, comprising a stationary housing part and a rotationable housing part which respectively include a connecting unit and enclose at least one spiral-shaped wound-up, flexible electric conductor whose respective end is connected to the connecting unit and which is guided in a reverse-direction loop inside the housing. The conductor is associated with a forced guidance element in a positive fit, engaging the peripheral side of the conductor and resulting in a defined winding or unwinding of the conductor during a rotational movement of the rotationable housing part. The forced guidance element comprises a toothing that engages into the respective recesses in the conductor and may be assigned to the rotatable housing part, the stationary housing part, or both.

Abstract: A process for producing a circuit component having a double-sided circuit device between a pair of substrates. The process entails depositing a solder material on contact areas on surfaces of the substrates, placing a first of the substrates within a cavity in a receptacle, and then placing a lead member on the substrate so that the lead member is supported by the receptacle and a portion of the lead member is aligned with a portion of the contact area of the substrate. A fixture is then placed on the lead member and over the substrate so that the fixture is supported by the receptacle. After aligning the circuit device with the contact area of the remaining substrate, the substrate-device assembly is placed in an aperture in the fixture so that a surface of the device electrically contacts the contact area of the first substrate and the opposite surface of the device electrically contacts the contact area of the second substrate. The resulting fixtured assembly then undergoes reflow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of distributing a washcoat along channels of a particulate filter substrate, the method including: forcing a washcoat slurry a predetermined distance into the channels, the predetermined distance being less than or equal to the full length of the channels; clearing an excess amount of washcoat slurry from the channels; and arranging a remainder of the washcoat slurry within the channels, the arranging including applying a first vacuum to a first end of the particulate filter substrate after the clearing. In one embodiment the clearing includes applying a second vacuum to a second end of the particulate filter substrate. In another embodiment, the clearing includes pulling the excess washcoat slurry from the channels. The predetermined distance may be less than or equal to the full length of the channels.

Abstract: A blowoff valve assembly includes a diaphragm separating a refrigerant connection from an ambient port open to the atmosphere. The refrigerant connection is preferably connected to air conditioning system such that the diaphragm is in contact with refrigerant from the system. The diaphragm is deflectable based on the pressure of the refrigerant and is operatively connected to a switch. When pressure of the refrigerant drops to a predetermined level, the diaphragm deflects to activate the switch. Additionally, the assembly also includes a detonable squib that explodes and ruptures the diaphragm, allowing the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant connection to the atmosphere. Additional features, such as sensors for detecting refrigerant outside of the system, a collision subsystem, and an associated controller are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fisheye-corrected lens system includes a plurality of axially aligned lenses. At least one of the lenses includes an aspheric surface and an image distortion of the lens system is less than about five percent at a maximum field angle. A furthest point of the aspheric surface is positioned within a distance less than about fifty percent of a diagonal dimension of an associated imager.

Abstract: Several embodiments of noise reduction apparatus for a fuel injector are disclosed and include perforated tubes, side branch filters and expansion chambers strategically located between a respective injector and the fuel rail to target and reduce high frequency noise generated by the mechanical movement of the fuel injector.

Abstract: An electrically isolated and thermally conductive double-sided pre-packaged IC component, stamped lead members, drain pads, source pads, gate runner, and a MOSFET, IGBT, etc. are positioned between a pair of ceramic substrate members. Layers of solderable copper material are directly bonded to the inner and outer surfaces of the substrate members.