Abstract: A battery assembly internal connection device for making an electrical connection within a battery assembly that includes a plurality of cells. The device is operable from a pre-stage position where no electrical connection is made to a final position where an electrical connection is made. The device includes a terminal configured to make electrical contact with a first electrode of a cell when the device is operated to the final position. The terminal may optionally include a sharp portion configured to cut through dielectric material covering the first electrode as the device is operated from the pre-stage position to the final position.

Abstract: In a method for the detection and tracking of lane markings from a motor vehicle, an image of a space located in front of the vehicle is captured by means of an image capture device at regular intervals. The picture elements that meet a predetermined detection criterion are identified as detected lane markings in the captured image. At least one detected lane marking as a lane marking to be tracked is subjected to a tracking process. At least one test zone is defined for each detected lane marking. With the aid of intensity values of the picture elements associated with the test zone, at least one parameter is determined. The detected lane marking is assigned to one of several lane marking categories, depending on the parameter.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine includes stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor is coaxially disposed within the stator and has a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes defining alternating advance chambers and retard chambers. A lock pin is disposed within the rotor for selective engagement with a lock pin seat for preventing a change in phase relationship between the rotor and the stator. A lock pin oil control valve is located within the camshaft phaser for 1) selectively receiving the pressurized oil from one of the advance chambers and directing the pressurized oil to the lock pin and 2) selectively receiving the pressurized oil from one of the retard chambers and directing the pressurized oil to the lock pin for disengaging the lock pin from the lock pin.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The major components and subassemblies self-ground by establishing an interference fit with exposed, resilient, embossed portions of wire mesh.

Abstract: A method to decode an orthogonal frequency-division multiplex (OFDM) signal data block that includes symbol-data in a data interval, repeated-data in a cyclic-prefix (CP) guard interval, and noise. The signal is often called a CP-OFDM signal. The method includes determining a first data set based on data samples taken during a first time window of a data block. The method also includes determining a second data set based on data samples taken during a second time window of the data block, wherein the second time window is selected so that the second data set includes repeated-data not present in the first data set. The method also includes combining the first data set and the second data set in a manner effective to increase a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal. The combining process increases signal data energy more than noise data energy.

Abstract: A termination arrangement for a cable bundle includes a body with a cable cavity extending therethrough with the plurality of cables extending into the cable cavity. The body includes a cable attachment end through which the cable bundle enters the cable cavity. The cable attachment end includes an annular-shaped sealing recess radially surrounding a portion of the cable cavity. The sealing recess has an inner wall, an outer wall radially surrounding the inner wall, and a bottom wall joining the inner wall and the outer wall. An electromagnetic shield radially surrounds the cable bundle outside of the cavity and extends into the sealing recess. An insulation tubing radially surrounds the electromagnetic shield and the cable bundle outside of the cable cavity and extends into the sealing recess. A collar secured to the cable attachment end retains the electromagnetic shield and the insulation tubing within the sealing recess.

Abstract: An image system configured to record a scanned image of an area. The system includes a single two-dimensional (2D) imager and a rotatable mirror. The 2D imager is formed of a two-dimensional (2D) array of light detectors. The 2D imager is operable in a line-scan mode effective to individually sequence an activated line of light detectors at a time. The rotatable mirror is configured to rotate about an axis parallel to a plane defined by the rotatable mirror. The rotation is effective to vary an angle of the rotatable mirror to pan a projected image of the area across the 2D imager. The angle of the rotatable mirror and the activated line of the 2D imager are synchronized such that the scanned image recorded by the 2D imager is inverted with respect to the projected image.

Abstract: A satellite communication system using hierarchical modulation to transmit a plurality of modulated signals to sub-regions within a region. Each modulated signal includes high priority content and low priority content. The system includes a satellite equipped with a plurality of satellite transmitters coupled to a plurality of antenna elements, e.g. a phased array of antenna elements. The antenna elements are utilized selectively to direct a modulated signal from a satellite transmitter to a distinct sub-region. The satellite transmitters and antenna also cooperate to broadcast the high-priority content to the region such that a ground receiver traveling from a first sub-region to an adjacent second sub-region adjacent will not experience a loss of high-priority content. First low-priority content of a first modulated signal directed to the first sub-region is independent of second low-priority content of a second modulated signal directed to the second sub-region.

Abstract: An actuator assembly includes a housing with a motor compartment, a gear compartment, a bulkhead separating the motor compartment from the gear compartment, and an aperture through the bulkhead. The actuator assembly also includes a motor assembly in the motor compartment defining a space radially between the motor assembly and the gear motor compartment. A high thermal conductivity material is disposed within the space to transfer heat from the motor assembly to the housing. The bulkhead includes one of a groove and a rib surrounding the aperture on the side of the bulkhead facing the motor compartment and the motor assembly includes the other of the groove and the rib such that the rib fits within the groove to prevent the high thermal conductivity material from migrating radially inward of the groove and the rib when the high thermal conductivity material is injected into the space.

Abstract: An optical sensor system that includes a master lens, an optical diffuser, and a plurality of optoelectronic devices. The master lens is positioned on the vehicle to observe a field of view about the vehicle. An optical diffuser is located proximate to a focal plane of the master lens. The diffuser is configured to display an image of the field of view from the master lens. A plurality of optoelectronic devices is configured to view the diffuser. A first optoelectronic device generates a first video signal indicative of images on a first portion of the diffuser. A second optoelectronic device generates a second video signal indicative of images on a second portion of the diffuser. Optionally, the first optoelectronic device is sensitive to a first light wavelength range, and the second optoelectronic device is sensitive to a second light wavelength range distinct from the first light wavelength range.

Abstract: A housing with a self-mounting feature is provided. The housing includes a base that is configured to define a hook that cooperates with a back side of a panel and a first edge of an opening of the panel to secure the housing to a front side of the panel. The housing further includes a retainer that is operable to an un-engaged position and an engaged position. The retainer is configured to define a blocker portion that cooperates with a second edge of the opening to keep the hook adjacent to the first edge when the retainer is in the engaged position.

Abstract: An automotive evaporator heat exchanger is provided having a hybrid expansion device configured to aliquot refrigerant across the refrigerant tubes. The hybrid expansion device includes a first stage refrigerant pressure drop device and a second stage refrigerant pressure drop device. The first stage refrigerant pressure drop device is a TXV configured to receive and expand a liquid phase refrigerant into a first mixture of two phase refrigerant and the second stage refrigerant pressure drop device is a tube extending within the inlet manifold configured to expand the first mixture of two phase refrigerant into a second mixture of two phase refrigerant. The tube includes a plurality of orifices and a tube diameter large enough to prevent resistance to refrigerant flow, but, small enough to prevent the first mixture of two phase refrigerant flow from separating into liquid and vapor strata.

Abstract: A radar antenna assembly includes a microstrip patch, a hybrid coupler, a phase shifter, and a power divider. The microstrip patch is configured to emit a radar signal. The radar signal is characterized by a transmitted polarization of the radar signal. The transmitted polarization is influenced by a first transmit signal received at a first port of the microstrip patch and a second transmit signal received at a second port of the microstrip patch. The hybrid coupler is configured to orthogonally combine a first input signal and a second input signal to output the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal. The phase shifter is operable to vary the phase of the second input signal relative to the first input signal. The power divider is configured to divide unequally a source signal so the amplitudes of the first input signal and the second input signal are substantially equal.

Abstract: A sensor assembly that integrates a camera and a radar sensor is described herein. The sensor assembly includes a housing configured to partially enclose the camera and the radar sensor, and define a partial radome that partially intrudes into the radar beam. The partial radome is configured such that after passing through the partial radome a first phase angle of the first portion of the radar beam differs from a second phase angle of the second portion of the radar beam by an amount substantially corresponding to an integer number of three hundred sixty degrees (360°) of phase angle shift. The partial radome provides glare shield to the camera, protection to assembly, and is configured to minimally effect radar performance.

Abstract: A system to provide alignment between a source resonator and a capture resonator. The source resonator is configured to emit a magnetic charging signal or a magnetic beacon signal. The source resonator is coupled to an electrical power source that provides current to the source resonator. The source resonator emits the charging signal when the current exceeds a first threshold and emits the beacon signal when the current is below a second threshold. The capture resonator is configured to receive the charging signal and provide electrical power based on the charging signal. The system also includes a magnetic sensor configured to receive the beacon signal and provide a location signal indicative of a relative location between the transmit and capture resonators to a controller that provides an alignment signal indicative of a movement required to align the source resonator and the capture resonator.

Abstract: A method for starting a compression ignition engine having at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston located therein, an intake valve configured to control the intake of air to an intake port of the cylinder and an exhaust valve configured to control the expulsion of gas from an exhaust port of the cylinder. The method includes the steps of: cranking the engine, conditioning intake air at the intake port of the cylinder to raise the temperature of air in the cylinder, controlling a valve timing the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve to allow the piston to compress the air within the cylinder, thereby increasing the temperature of the air within the cylinder, and injecting fuel into the cylinder when the air within the cylinder has been heated to a temperature sufficient to support compression ignition of a gasoline and air mixture within the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of splicing shielded wire cables includes the steps of providing a first, second, and third shielded wire cable each having a core conductor axially surrounded by a shield conductor which is axially surrounded by an insulative jacket, providing a flexible insulation layer, a flexible conductive layer, and a section of dual wall heat shrink tubing. The first portion of the flexible insulation layer about the joined first, second, and third core conductors, wrapping the flexible conductive layer about the first, second, and third shield conductors, and disposing the flexible conductive layer and portions of the first, second, and third insulative jacket within the section of dual wall heat shrink tubing, thus forming a shielded wire cable splice.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a hydraulic subassembly with a valve member displaceable along a valve axis for controlling flow of fluid. The valve assembly also includes a solenoid subassembly for selectively displacing said valve member. The solenoid subassembly includes a metallic solenoid housing having an open end and a solenoid housing base. The solenoid subassembly also includes a solenoid coil assembly disposed within the solenoid housing, the solenoid coil assembly having a coil wound around a plastic spool defining a spool bore extending through the spool. The solenoid subassembly also includes a metallic solenoid housing cover closing off the open end of the solenoid housing and attached to the solenoid housing with a crimp connection. The solenoid subassembly also includes a metallic column disposed within and passing through the spool bore extending from the solenoid housing base to the solenoid housing cover.

Abstract: A sintered solid composite material is disclosed that includes a metal and a calcium alumina compound. The metal can be a noble metal. This composite material can bond to a ceramic material, and an article is disclosed that includes a first ceramic layer bonded to a second layer of the composite material of metal and calcium alumina compound. The ceramic can be a mixed ionic and electronic conductor (MEIC), and/or have a perovskite crystal structure, and/or be a mixed oxide comprising lanthanum, strontium, cobalt, iron and oxygen. The article can be used as an electrode such as a cathode of a solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: An internal combustion includes a crankshaft and a camshaft rotatable by the crankshaft. The internal combustion engine also includes an oil source, an engine cover, and a drive member disposed within the engine cover for transferring rotational motion from the crankshaft to the camshaft. A camshaft phaser actuated by an electric motor is disposed within the engine cover for controllably varying the phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft. A supply passage communicates oil from the oil source to the camshaft phaser in order to lubricate the camshaft phaser and a drain passage drains oil from the camshaft phaser to the oil source. A sealing arrangement defines a dry zone within the engine cover to isolate the drive member from oil used to lubricate the camshaft phaser.