Abstract: An adjustable footrest (1) is connected to the floor of a vehicle, in particular, a motor vehicle, and includes a framework structure (2) having at least one panel (23) which is inclined toward the front of the vehicle, for accommodating the foot of a driver. A drive mechanism (3) for causing linear displacement along the axis of the vehicle is fixed to the rear of the panel (23), and to the floor, for moving the framework structure (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring leakage current between a first semiconductor region and a second semiconductor region to be formed therein includes a system for measuring surface minority carrier leakage within the first semiconductor region. A correlation is established between surface minority carrier lifetime in the first semiconductor region and leakage current between the first and second semiconductor regions, and in one embodiment a surface minority carrier lifetime threshold is designated based on this correlation. Leakage current between the first and second regions is acceptable if the measured surface minority carrier lifetime is greater than this threshold. In an alternate embodiment, a leakage current threshold is established, and the measured surface minority carrier leakage is converted via the correlation to a measured leakage current.

Abstract: A thick film resistor strain gauge is applied to a stainless steel shell portion of a spark plug. There are two preferable ways of applying a thick film resistor to the metal shell. In a first embodiment, the thick film resistor may be directly printed on to the shell portion with special screen printing equipment. In a second embodiment, the thick film resistor is printed and applied as a decal to the shell portion. The thick film resistors may be included in a quarter, a half, or a full wheatstone bridge strain gauge circuit. One of two embodiments of an automatic drift compensating circuit is used to determine the change in resistance experienced by the thick film resistors affixed to the spark plug. Either one of the automatic drift compensation circuits output a voltage signal which is proportional to the pressure changes occurring inside the engine cylinder into which the spark plug is threaded.

Abstract: A package and packaging method that incorporates multiple surface-mounted devices mounted to the package, which in turn can be mounted onto a circuit board. The package generally includes a pair of laminate substrates that together form a chip carrier and input/output (I/O) interface structure for the devices. The devices are mounted to opposite surface of a first of the substrates. The second substrate is attached to the first substrate, and has an interior opening therethrough. The first and second substrates are attached to each other such that devices mounted on one surface of the first substrate are disposed within the interior opening of the second laminate substrate. A mold compound can be applied to underfill and encapsulate the devices mounted to the surfaces of the first substrate.

Abstract: A fuel strainer assembly includes a filtration member and an inlet connector connected to the filtration member for connection to an inlet of a fuel pump. The fuel strainer assembly also includes a locking mechanism operatively supported by the inlet connector to operatively engage a shell of the fuel pump to secure the inlet connector to the fuel pump.

Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion having at least one vent opening. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in overlying relation to the vent opening. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics.

Abstract: A mechanism for de-lashing a gear assembly includes a first gear rotatable about a first axis and a first center rotatably fixed to the first axis and a first conical teeth portion. The gear assembly includes a second gear rotatable about a second axis and a second center rotatably fixed to said second axis and a second conical teeth portion configured to meshingly engage first conical teeth portion when the first and second gears are aligned substantially coplanarly. A biasing means operably biases the second conical teeth portion of the second gear against the first conical teeth portion of the first gear to reduce any lash therebetween. The biasing means is configured to bias the second gear in an axial direction while maintaining a fixed center distance between the first and second axes. The first gear is rotatably fixed about the fixed first axis such that the first gear is prevented from translation along the fixed first axis.

Abstract: A gas treatment system comprises a variable flow regulator assembly placed in operable and fluid communication with a shell of a gas treatment device. The variable flow regulator assembly comprises two or more conduit portions comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than a first coefficient of thermal expansion of the first portion. The variable flow regulator assembly structurally changes shape to alter the flow maldistribution of an exhaust gas stream into the gas treatment device when light off is achieved.

Abstract: A direct current electrical circuit having a smart wire harness that has integrated electronics which measure both voltage and current through wires of the harness to detect and protect the electrical current from parallel and serial arc faults occurring within a protection zone. The protection zone is disposed directly between two smart connectors of the wire harness which are in communication with one another via a series of signal wires of the harness to detect serial or parallel arc faults within the protection zone. To measure serial arc faults, a voltage drop of the positive wire is measured at each smart connector and a difference taken which equals the serial arc voltage. If this voltage differential increases to a preset value, a switching device which provides power to the smart wire harness is opened.

Abstract: The represent invention relates to a method of backlighting a liquid crystal display which includes heating a fluorescent lamp with an external heating element which does not contact the lamp. The heating step may be accomplished by passing a current through a resistive material. The resistive material may be coated on to a surface. The present invention also relates to a backlighting system with a fluorescent lamp and an external heating element which does not contact the fluorescent lamp. The heating element may be a resistive material coated on a substrate. The present invention also relates to a portable display device element includes a liquid crystal display, a fluorescent lamp to act as a backlight, a heating element which does not contact the fluorescent lamp and optionally including reflectors, diffusers, and optical enhancement films. The heating element may be a resistive material coated on a substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a lead alloy grid for use in a plate for a lead acid battery that enables thin battery plates with a high surface area. The method of the present invention includes forming the lead alloy, such as by direct casting, to a very small thickness, then work hardening the cast strip to create a grid by forming indentations and protrusions in the thinly cast alloy strip, which in addition to strengthening the strip, provides a desirable surface topography for paste adhesion and interface characteristics. The work hardening, for example embossing, may further include splitting the strip at a high point of the protrusions and indentations to create perforated protrusions and indentations. The grid may then be used to make a plate by pasting an active mass onto the grid, steaming the pasted grid, and curing the pasted grid to provide a plate having a thickness of about 0.05 inch or less.

Abstract: A control structure and method for controlling a sensor heater including a power supply connected to a switching device for pulse width modulating a voltage from the power supply. The switching device is further connected to a resistance heater. A microcontroller having a single output is connected to the switching device and a single input from the microcontroller is connected to a high side of the resistance heater. The microcontroller determines a pulse width modulation duty cycle to maintain a constant power dissipation of the resistance heater.

Abstract: Method of making Li-intercalateable electrodes for a lithium-ion battery by applying a first film onto a first face of an electrically conductive grid, which film comprises a plurality of Li-intercalateable particles dispersed throughout a mixture of a polymeric binder and a plasticizer for the binder. Thereafter, a film-forming slurry having the same composition as the first film, plus a solvent therefor, is applied to a second face of the grid opposing the first face so as to provide a second film and such that the solvent in the slurry dissolves at least a portion of the first film and promotes solvent bonding of the films with the grid embedded therein.

Abstract: An active system for regenerating a NOx adsorber and a particulate filter, the system comprising a fuel source, a reformer for generating hydrogen and carbon monoxide in fluid communication with the fuel source, a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve in fluid communication with the reformer, an oxidation catalyst, a NOx adsorber located downstream from the oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter located downstream from the NOx adsorber; and wherein the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve control fluid flow from the reformer to the oxidation catalyst, the NOx adsorber, and the particulate filter.

Abstract: An apparatus measures relative displacement between a first end and a second end of a shaft. The first and second ends being centered on a shaft axis. The apparatus includes first and second ferromagnetic plates. The first ferromagnetic plate has a first side and a second side and is connected to the first end. The first ferromagnetic plate is centered on the shaft axis and has a plurality of ferromagnetic teeth extending from the first side and in a first direction parallel to the shaft. The second ferromagnetic plate has a first side and a second side and is connected to the second end. The second ferromagnetic plate is centered on the shaft axis. The first and second ferromagnetic plates form a gap. The apparatus further includes a plurality of magnets having a magnetic field and a sensing device. The magnets are coupled to the first side of the second ferromagnetic plate. The sensing device is disposed within the gap for sensing a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle anti-lock brake system is disclosed. The method includes determining an ABS failure condition has occurred, configuring a failure condition operating mode of the ABS control and, finally, activating the ABS control based on the failure condition operational mode. A computer readable medium storing a computer program for operating a vehicle ABS control is also described. Computer readable code for determining that an ABS failure condition has occurred, configuring a failure condition operating mode of the ABS control, and then activating the ABS based on the failure condition operational mode is described. A vehicle including an anti-lock brake system configured for operation when a failure condition occurs is described. Operating the anti-lock brake system comprises determining an ABS failure condition has occurred, configuring a failure condition operating mode of the ABS, and activating the ABS based on the failure condition operational mode.

Abstract: An evaporative solenoid valve assembly for use in a vehicle fuel system between a filtration canister and an intake manifold includes a plunger having a plunger body with central-bore and an elastomeric insert molded therein to define a stop cushion at the end of the insert proximal the valve stop and a valve tip at the end of the insert proximal the valve seat. The valve assembly may include a valve stop having a non-conducting insert received in an end proximal the plunger to reduce noise and wear as well as to improve magnetic flux path. Yet another improvement includes an enlarged pre-load spring disposed within the plunger to provide better spring force distribution and plunger to valve seat alignment.

Abstract: A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer, preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers. The capacitive plates are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers, and the capacitive gap therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.

Abstract: An anti-rotation clip for joining a fuel injector body to a fuel rail socket. A C-shaped base is formed to slide into an annular groove in the injector body. A pair of tangs extend from the base to straddle a rib on the injector body to prevent rotation between the clip and the injector. Opposed sidewalls extending from the base include windows for receiving a radial flange of the fuel rail socket to correctly position the fuel injector axially within the socket. Each window is divided by a locking bar for reception in a notch in the socket flange to prevent rotation between the clip and the socket. The radial positions of the injector rib and flange notch are selected such that the injector will be properly oriented with respect to the engine after installation therein.

Abstract: An actuation lever is provided that comprises a lever having a first end configured to engage and support a knob, a second end configured for connection to a lever-actuated device and a longitudinal axis. The mating knob includes at least one pocket having at least one inner peripheral surface. The first end of the lever includes a resiliently deflectable retaining member having a tine that includes a barb-like tip that engages the inner peripheral surface of the pocket. As the knob is inserted onto the first end of the lever, the tine deflects inwardly towards the longitudinal axis. The spring force generated by the deflected tine causes the retaining member to exert oppositely directed forces against the inner peripheral surface of the pocket. The barb-like tip on the end of the tine imbeds into an inner peripheral surface of the pocket to retain the knob on the first end of the lever.