Abstract: Manual control interface including: a movable part, a photo-detector, a movable holographic element including a first series of holograms forming coding motifs of the selection position of the movable part, characterized by the fact that the movable holographic element includes a second series of holograms forming figurative motifs representing the functions of the apparatus, the position of the movable holographic element relative to the support determining the figurative motif which is illuminated by a suitable light beam, so as to project the figurative motif corresponding to the selected function towards a display zone visible to the user.

Abstract: A crimp connection includes a contact element and a wire cable. The wire cable is disposed along a longitudinal axis and configured to axially receive the contact element. When the contact element receives the wire cable the crimp connection is formed that attaches the wire cable with the contact element so that at least a portion of the crimp connection includes at least one indention arrangement deformed therein. The indention arrangement contains a pair of humps separated by a groove therebetween. The crimp connection may be applied to a wire cable assembly that includes an inner and an outer ferrule in a manner that prevents protrusions from forming thereon so that undesired RF energy is not electrically transmitted out from crimp connection of the wire cable assembly. Methods to construct a crimp connection that includes the pair of humps separated by a groove therebetween are also further presented.

Abstract: The present speckle reduction device comprises an optical element intended to be passed through by the coherent light beam to be treated. It also includes means able to cause heating of the said optical element; and a cooling element coupled to the said optical element so as to be able to cool the latter. A control module is configured to control the heating means and the cooling element so as to create thermal perturbations in the optical element, causing corresponding variations in the refractive index of the said optical element. The optical element is a piezoelectric crystal which is excited in a specific deformation mode causing its heating.

Abstract: A wireless receiver and methods for storing content from RF signals received by the wireless receiver are provided. The wireless receiver includes a microprocessor and an RF receiver configured to operably communicate with the microprocessor. The RF receiver is configured to receive an RF signal having digital content therein. The wireless receiver further includes a detachable memory device configured to operably communicate with the microprocessor. The detachable memory device has a unique serial number stored therein. The microprocessor is configured to retrieve the unique serial number from the detachable memory device. The microprocessor is further configured to receive the digital content from the RF receiver and to encrypt the digital content utilizing the unique serial number to obtain encrypted digital content. The microprocessor is further configured to store the encrypted digital content on the detachable memory device.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant electrical connection structure has an electrically conductive cable with an electrically conductive core and an insulative outer cover. An electrically conductive terminal is electrically connected to a lead of the core that extends beyond the insulative outer cover. A molded hot melt seal seals the lead of the core and the terminal interface section from ambient electrolytes. In an exemplary embodiment, the core is made from aluminum or an aluminum alloy and the terminal is made from a copper alloy.

Abstract: A dual view display system to display two different images in substantially opposite direction using a single transparent display to time-multiplex the images and shutter devices to alternately block each side from being viewed according to the image being displayed.

Abstract: A dual view display system that displays two different images in different directions using a single display device. The dual view display includes a first optical element overlaying a first portion of the pixels and configured to direct light emitted from the first portion of the pixels toward a first direction, a second optical element overlaying a second portion of the pixels and configured to direct light emitted from the second portion of the pixels toward a second direction distinct from the first direction, and an optical barrier arranged between the first optical element and the second optical element effective to prevent light from propagating therebetween.

Abstract: An image classification system configured to classify a target and method thereof is provided, wherein the system includes at least one light source configured to emit light with at least one line pattern towards the target, wherein at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern is reflected by the target. The system further includes an imager configured to receive at least a portion of the reflected light and line pattern, such that an obtained 2-D line pattern is produced that is representative of at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern reflected by the target, and a controller configured to compare the 2-D line pattern to at least one previously obtained 2-D line pattern stored in a database, such that the controller classifies the 2-D line pattern as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: A vibration-sensitive module having a mounting flange is mounted to a vibrational base with a bushing assembly secured to the base, where the mounting flange has cammed surfaces radially adjacent to the bushing assembly that variably engage the radial peripheries of the bushings in response to vibrational movement of the base. The cammed surfaces produce a desired force vs. deflection characteristic of the mounting apparatus, and the bushing material retains its compressibility under load to minimize cross-coupling of vibrational force impulses.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a core, primary and secondary windings and a loop-shaped magnetic return path structure. The structure includes layers of wound strip steel or wound ferritic wire stacked in an outward fashion. The core is placed in an interior of the loop forming at least one air gap between a core end surfaces and the structure. A combined core and magnetic return path structure includes a continuous loop formed by winding ferritic wire either on a spool or on a mandrel and is then bonded. The bonded winding is cut to form two C-shaped portions. Each C-shaped portion has a central yoke that extends into a pair of parallel legs. The C-shaped portions are re-assembled over primary and second windings so that the legs form a pair of parallel branches. One branch acts as the core and the other branch acts as the magnetic return path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator arrangement for use in a fuel injector, comprising: a piezoelectric actuator having a body section, said body section having a first end piece and a second end piece; a rigid encapsulation member which encloses the body section and the end pieces, wherein potting material is fitted between the rigid encapsulation member and the body section, wherein the first end piece is slideably fitted into the rigid encapsulation and the second end piece is fixed to or integrated into the encapsulation member.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a housing. A harmonic gear drive unit is disposed within the housing and includes a circular spline and a dynamic spline, a flexspline disposed within the circular spline and the dynamic spline, a wave generator disposed within the flexspline, and a rotational actuator connectable to the wave generator. One of the circular spline and the dynamic spline is fixed to the housing. A hub is rotatably disposed within the housing and attachable to the camshaft and fixed to the other of the circular spline and the dynamic spline. A lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a lock pin seat such that engagement of the lock pin with the lock pin seat prevents relative rotation between the circular spline and the dynamic spline.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a cylinder in an engine system comprising a plurality of cylinders is ready for injection/ignition, the method comprising: monitoring the in-cylinder pressure of each of the plurality of cylinders within the engine system; determining a pressure related parameter for each cylinder within the engine system; wherein, in the event that the pressure related parameter in a given cylinder exceeds a first threshold, the method further comprises performing a diagnostic test in order to determine whether the given cylinder is ready for injection/ignition.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system including electric resistance elements for heating of space and components within the “hot zone” enclosure of the system, preferably in combination with means for using “waste” heat from other sources, to assist in warm-up from a cold start and/or to maintain a stand-by temperature of reformer and fuel cell elements within the system and/or to maintain optimum operating temperatures within the system during periods of very low electrical demand on the system. A method is included for using off-peak grid electricity, battery-stored onboard electricity, or vehicle-generated electricity to energize the resistance heaters, as well as utilizing gaseous waste heat sources such as vehicle exhaust gas to complement the resistance heating.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator comprises a co-fired stack of piezoelectric elements formed from a piezoelectric material and a plurality of positive internal electrodes interdigitated with a plurality of negative internal electrodes throughout the stack to define active regions of the piezoelectric material which are responsive to a voltage applied across the internal electrodes, in use. An external positive electrode connects with the positive internal electrodes and an external negative electrode connects with the negative internal electrodes. The actuator is characterized in that the stack further comprises means for deliberately creating artificial cracks within the stack at a location at which the artificial cracks do not give rise to a short circuit between the internal electrodes but serve to relieve stresses within the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A system, controller, antenna, and method for detecting obstruction and misalignment of a ground vehicle radar having an antenna configured to detect objects in a first direction characterized as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane about the ground vehicle, and detect objects in a second direction characterized as being toward a roadway surface proximate to the ground vehicle. The second direction radar return from the roadway is expected to have certain characteristics. If the characteristics are outside of a predetermined window, then obstruction and/or misalignment of the first direction and the second direction is likely, and so the radar may not reliably detect an object in the first direction, such as a vehicle in an adjacent lane.

Abstract: An electrical charging system (ECS) to electrically charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, at least one electrical signal shaping device (ESSD) including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first transducer disposed external to the vehicle and a second transducer attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second transducer is positioned relative to the first transducer so that the second transducer receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first transducer. The energy received by the second transducer is electrically shaped by the ESSD and further electrically transmitted through the ESSD as controlled by the controller to electrically charge the ESD. Methods to operate and electrically transmit energy through the ECS to electrically charge the EDS are also presented.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a power transistor. Parasitic impedances naturally present in a circuit board or other interconnect structures exhibit a parasitic impedance effective to generate a parasitic voltage signal in response to operating the power transistor. The parasitic voltage signal is monitored in order to better control the power transistor. In particular, the threshold voltage of the power transistor can be determined and used to more optimally control the power transistor.

Abstract: A three-port control valve assembly comprising a valve body having two valve seats facing in a common direction and disposed along a central bore terminating in an exhaust port and communicating with a supply port and a common port. A pintle shaft connected to a solenoid actuator extends into the central bore. A first valve head mounted on the pintle shaft mates with the first valve seat to connect the supply port to the common port. While the solenoid is de-energized, supply pressure keeps the first valve closed. A second valve head mates with the second valve seat to connect the common port to the exhaust port. Opening of the first valve closes the second valve via supply oil pressure. When the first valve closes, the second valve is opened by a spring disposed between the second valve head and the exhaust port.

Abstract: A tie clip includes a strap body formed of a first material. The strap body has a first and second end, a strap retention member, a plurality of teeth disposed on the strap body, and a securing member. The strap body also includes sealing member that is formed of a second material that is different from the first material. The second material is directly chemically bonded to the first material. The first end of the strap body is received in a unidirectional manner in the strap retention member so as to form a loop that fixedly holds at least one object such that the object is prevented from having lateral movement through the loop. When the securing member is fastenably secured within a hole of a mounting structure, the sealing member sealingly engages against the mounting structure surrounding the hole to prevent environmental element intrusion therethough.