Abstract: An air bag assembly utilizing a releasable anchoring structure operatively connected to one or more extendible tethering elements and providing adjustable cushion depth. A displaceable support element selectively engages or disengages the anchoring structure during operation of the vehicle taking into account steady-state inputs such as vehicle velocity, occupant size, seating position, and seat-belt use. The displaceable support element may be automatically engaged or disengaged from the anchoring structure as occupant and/or driving conditions change prior to actual air bag deployment.

Abstract: A pintle-type valve including a valve body enclosing a chamber having a first port surrounded by an annular valve seat in a first wall of the chamber and a second port in a second and opposite wall of the chamber for receiving a pintle bushing. A valve pintle shaft having an attached valve head is disposed in the bushing. The second port is larger in diameter than the diameter of the valve head, so that the valve head may be admitted to the chamber through the port. The bushing is radially floating in the port and has a flange extending along an outer surface of the valve body for forming a seal therewith. The pintle extends into a conventional solenoid-type actuator bolted to the valve body. A radially-floating gas seal surrounds the pintle between the retainer and the actuator. A compressed coil spring holds the bushing in place against operating pressure within the valve chamber. The bushing and gas seal are centered by the valve stem, reducing frictional drag and reducing valve leakage.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method by which a device chip with a micromachine is directly surface mounted to a circuit board. A capping chip is bonded to the device chip and encloses the micromachine. The capping chip has a first surface facing the device chip, an oppositely-disposed second surface, and electrical interconnects through the capping chip between the first and second surfaces. The electrical interconnects electrically communicate with runners on the device chip that are electrically connected to the micromachine, thereby providing a signal path from the micromachine to the exterior of the device. The capping chip further includes bond pads for electrical communication with the electrical interconnects. With the bond pads, the capping chip can be surface mounted to a circuit board by reflowing solder bumps formed on the bond pads.

Abstract: Provided for herein is a method of making an expanded metal grid, comprising: compression rolling a metal strip at a reduction ratio from about 1.25 to 1, to about 25 to 1 to produce a rolled strip, heating the rolled strip at a temperature of at least about 125° C., and at most about 325° C. for at least about 30 seconds, to produce a heat treated metal strip having an equiaxial grain structure within; and expanding the heat treated metal strip to produce the expanded metal grid.

Abstract: A non-contact obstacle detection system utilizing ultra sensitive capacitive techniques. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a sensing element disposed in proximity to a moveable panel and a proximity detection circuit in communication with the sensing element. The proximity detection circuit generates a differential output signal reflective of whether a foreign object is in proximity to the sensing element. In addition, a central control module is in communication with the sensing element. The central control module determines whether the differential output signal is reflective of a foreign object in proximity to the sensing element. If the central control module determines that the differential output signal is reflective of a foreign object in proximity to the sensing element, and the moveable panel is moving toward a closed position, then the central control module generates a control output signal to stop the moveable panel from moving toward the closed position.

Abstract: A method and circuit structure for mounting a leadless IC package to a substrate having a thermal pad on a first surface thereof, a plurality of contact pads surrounding the thermal pad, and one or more plated vias in the thermal pad. The leadless package is attached to the substrate with solder that thermally connects the package to the thermal pad. To prevent solder flow into the plated vias during reflow, a solder mask is provided on the first surface of the substrate, at least a portion of which is deposited on the thermal pad and surrounds the plated vias but does not block the plated vias. The solder mask portion defines a barrier between the solder and the plated vias, but allows for outgassing through the vias during solder reflow.

Abstract: An integrated intake manifold assembly including a poppet valve disposed at the air inlet to the manifold to regulate air flow into the manifold; a poppet valve disposed on the manifold to regulate exhaust gas flow into the air intake system; and a bi-directional camshaft with cams for operating simultaneously the manifold vacuum regulating (MVR) valve and the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The valve bodies are integrally formed in the wall of the intake manifold. The camshaft is driven by a DC motor and gear train. The cams are arranged on the shaft to provide optimum synchronized opening and closing of the related valves. When used on a diesel engine, the assembly may further include a swirl valve plate disposed between the manifold and the engine head and having a plurality of ganged swirl valves actuated by levers connected to the camshaft for coordinated motion with the MVR and EGR valves.

Abstract: A steering lock mechanism having an actuator communicating with a lock bolt is provided allowing for more space in the vicinity where a steering wheel is supported by an upper steering shaft. Additionally, a bolt engaging device is supported adjacent a lower end of the upper steering shaft in a position to engage a lock bolt such that any torque forces transmitted through the bolt engaging device will not cause damage to either the device or other components of the steering column. The actuator is rotated about an axis from a first position to a second position to cause the lock bolt communicating with the actuator to advance towards the lower end of the upper steering shaft from a locked position to an unlocked position, respectively.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant and including a predetermined portion in which refrigerant pools. A device for directing the flow of air to the predetermined portion to minimize the pooling of refrigerant in the predetermined portion includes a spool and a sheet wound around the spool for winding and unwinding the sheet. The opening is disposed in the sheet for allowing airflow to said predetermined portion of the evaporator.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a valve housing having first, second, and third valve ports, an actuation rod, a first tip valve actuated by the first end of the actuation rod to allow or block fluid passage through the first valve port, and a second tip valve actuated by the second end of the actuation rod to allow or block passage through the second valve port. A vacuum booster diaphragm subassembly includes a vacuum booster diaphragm and a grommet attached to the vacuum booster diaphragm. A vacuum booster assembly includes the above-described solenoid valve, includes primary and secondary diaphragms, and includes the above-described grommet attached to the secondary diaphragm, wherein the secondary diaphragm is the above-described vacuum booster diaphragm.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes a controller for periodically increasing the stroke and output of the pistons in a variable stroke compressor for periodically reducing the amount of refrigerant resident in the evaporator. The controller includes a timer for establishing predetermined time periods between the momentary spikes of periodic increases of stroke. Normally, the stroke is spiked only when the compressor is operating at a low load condition.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is etched to create an array of MEMS devices and at the same time, test sites having geometry which represent critical geometry of the MEMS devices. Probe contacts are provided in the test sites to permit measurement of resistance and capacitance between test site geometry as a way of determining the effectiveness of the etch. One test site comprises a ladder of semiconductor structures separated by gaps of graded width. Another test site comprises finger structures formed over a cavity and the probe contacts are located so as to detect inter-finger capacitance and resistance (or continuity) as well as intra-finger resistance.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis is a shaped metal sheet chassis body or member with regions of relatively low torsional rigidity, and regions of relatively higher torsional rigidity. At least some of the low torsional rigidity regions are reinforced with a composite overlay comprising directionally oriented long fibers of carbon or the like which may be woven into a mat of directionally oriented fibers and embedded in a matrix of resin or the like. The overlay increases the regions of the chassis to which is applied without significantly increasing the weight of the chassis.

Abstract: An electrical resistor assembly is affixed to a blower casing of a heating, venting, and air conditioning blower motor for resisting the flow of electricity to the blower motor from an electrical circuit. The assembly includes a heat dissipater for dissipating heat generated by electrical current flowing through the circuit. A connector connects the assembly to the electrical circuit. A housing contains the dissipater and the connector. The housing includes at least one catch for fixedly attaching the assembly to the casing and includes at least one break-away element for providing access to the catch. A seal circumscribes the housing including the break-away elements for providing a leak proof mating surface between the assembly and the casing.

Abstract: A flow rate of unconnected first and second fluid flows is matched, such as, but not limited to, matching the flow rate of the replacement water stream with the waste water stream in kidney dialysis. The first and second flow paths are interconnected so substantially the same flow from a positive displacement pump in the first path encounters a flow-rate transducer in the second path. Transducer readings are taken for various values of the controllable pump speed of the pump. Then, the first and second flow paths are disconnected, a transducer reading is taken, and the flow rate of the fluid flow in the first flow path is controlled by controlling the pump speed using the value of the pump speed from the previous interconnected paths which corresponds to the value of the transducer reading from the previous interconnected paths which matches the transducer reading for the disconnected paths.

Abstract: An actuating system for a mode-switching rocker arm device includes an elongate actuator shaft having a central axis that is parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of an engine camshaft. An actuator lever extends in a generally radial direction from the actuator shaft to engage a locking pin of the rocker arm device. A cam follower engages and is pivotally oscillated relative to the central axis of the actuator shaft by an actuator cam lobe of the engine camshaft. A clutch/brake assembly is associated with the actuator shaft and the cam follower. The clutch/brake assembly is operable to selectively transfer pivotal oscillation of the cam follower to pivotal movement of the actuator shaft and actuator lever to thereby translate the locking pin and cause the rocker arm device to switch mode.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a motor and a soft-disable controller in signal communication with the motor for reducing the abruptly increased reaction torque felt by a driver when an assist torque is abruptly disabled.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam pivotally disposed upon an input shaft of an engine. First and second frame members are disposed upon the input shaft on respective sides of the input cam lobe. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the first and second frame members. A rocker arm assembly is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. The rocker arm assembly carries a cam follower that engages an input cam lobe of the input shaft. A biasing means is grounded to the first and second frame members, and biases the cam follower into engagement with the input cam lobe.

Abstract: A manually controlled motor vehicle HVAC system is activated for automatically pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin following remote starting of the vehicle engine. When the engine has been remotely started, an HVAC controller estimates initial outside air and cabin air temperatures, and determines if pre-heating or pre-cooling is appropriate based on the estimated initial temperatures, the engine coolant temperature and a measure of the engine soak time. When pre-heating or pre-cooling is deemed to be appropriate, the HVAC parameters normally set by a driver interface panel are selectively overridden based on the estimated initial outside air and cabin air temperatures. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the initial outside air temperature is estimated based on an inlet air temperature sensor of the engine or on a refrigerant pressure sensor of the HVAC system prior to activation of the refrigerant compressor.

Abstract: A wide range oxygen sensor comprising a first oxygen pump cell, the first pump cell comprising: a first and a second electrode, with a first communication zone therebetween, the first electrode being exposed to exhaust gas, the second electrode being exposed to a heat source; and wherein at least one element of said first pump cell incorporates a gas-diffusion limiting characteristic; a second oxygen pump cell, operating at opposite polarity from said first oxygen pump cell, electrically isolated from said first oxygen pump cell, and disposed within a sensor substrate, the second cell comprising: a third and a fourth electrode, with a second communication zone therebetween, the third electrode being exposed to exhaust gas, the fourth electrode being exposed to a heat source; and wherein at least one element of said second pump cell incorporates a gas-diffusion limiting characteristic; at least one heating element for providing heat to said second electrode and said fourth electrode; and an electrical circuit