Abstract: Disclosed is a curable composition having a low CTE. In one embodiment, a curable composition is disclosed that comprises (i) a binder comprising at least one epoxy compound of the structure: X—((CH2)m—(N)—((CH2)n-(Z))2)p wherein X is an aromatic ring or a six membered cycloaliphatic ring, m is from about 0 to about 2, n is from about 1 to about 3, Z is an epoxy group of empirical formula: C2H3O, p is a number from about 2 to about 3, and (ii) a cross-linking agent comprising at least one polyamine. This curable composition is characterized by a CTE of no more than 60 ppm/° C. when cured for a time of from about 20 to about 60 minutes at temperature of from about 100 to 240° C. Also disclosed are methods of making integrated circuits and integrated circuits made there from, especially flip chips.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system has a vision-based occupant classification system for control of airbag deployment during a crash scenario. The classification system utilizes two imaging sensors which together create a stream of paired images received and stored by an occupant classification controller. A computer program product of the controller utilizes the paired images to extract disparity/range features and stereo-vision differential edge density features. Moreover, the controller extracts wavelet features from one of the two paired images. All three features or maps are classified amongst preferably seven classifications by algorithms of the computer program product producing class confidence data fed to a sensor fusion engine of the controller for processing and output of an airbag control signal input into a restraint controller of the vehicle restraint system.

Abstract: A socket connector body includes a shroud adapted to receive a plug connector body, and also includes a lock arm integrally connected to the shroud and having a free end with an inwardly extending lock nib. The socket connector body further includes a transverse hold-down beam integrally connected to the shroud and being adapted to impose a hold-down force on the free end of the lock arm when the lock arm is pivoted from its free state of rest.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for performing a thermal analysis, including the steps of determining size and placement of each of a plurality of drivers on an integrated circuit device. The determined size and placement of each driver is stored as layout data and the layout data is converted into input for a finite element analysis program. The input is applied to the finite element analysis program, and the finite element analysis program is used to construct a finite element mesh of the integrated circuit device from the input. Additionally, material properties are assigned to the finite element mesh, and a thermal analysis is performed of the finite element mesh to generate data in a thermal analysis report.

Abstract: A steering column assembly has a steering column with a longitudinal axis and disposable in a vehicle for tilting movement and telescoping movement. A wedge lock is engaged with the steering column and moveable between a first unlocked position and a first locked position along a first path to selectively lock the steering column with respect to the telescoping movement. A force required to move the wedge lock increases along the first path from the first unlocked position to the first locked position. A lever is pivotally engaged with the steering column about a pivot axis for rotation between an adjusting position and a locking position. The wedge lock moves from the first unlocked position to the first locked position along the first path in response to rotation of the lever from the adjusting position to the locking position. A cable assembly includes a cable with first and second ends and a sheath substantially encircling the cable.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for determining a productivity rate of a manufacturing system are provided. The manufacturing system has a first and second manufacturing cells. The first and second manufacturing cells has first and second machines, respectively. The method includes predicting a first cycle time indicating a time duration that a part is disposed in the first manufacturing cell. The method further includes predicting a second cycle time indicating a time duration that the part is disposed in the second manufacturing cell. The method further includes calculating a productivity rate of the first and second manufacturing system cells based on the first and second cycle times of the first and second manufacturing cells, respectively.

Abstract: A flexible circuit includes a plurality of electrical traces and a plurality of probe tips directly formed thereto. The electrical traces are made of a first electrically conductive material and the probe tips are made of a second electrically conductive material that is harder than the first electrically conductive material. The first material is copper or a copper alloy and the second material is nickel or a nickel alloy, where the second material may be plated with gold. Portions of the probe tips are exposed to facilitate electrical contact with contact pads of another electrical circuit. The flexible circuit may also include a ground layer to facilitate electrical correction with another electrical circuit at relatively high frequencies.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system and method for detecting a throttle plate obstruction when the ignition key is on and the engine is either not running or running, and for clearing the throttle plate obstruction before a fault setting is set by the ECU.

Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle is described, wherein a magnetic or electromagnetic actuator, which can be acted on via a controller, is associated with a torsion bar connected to a steering wheel, and by which the torsional stiffness of the system is variable in dependence on the vehicle speed, the steering angle speed and/or the transverse acceleration. In this connection, the electrical power supply of the magnetic or electromagnetic actuator taking place via the controller is interrupted or reduced when a steering angle speed of zero is detected or when a steering angle speed of zero and a vehicle speed of zero are detected.

Abstract: A lane change assist system and method are provided for assisting the driver of the vehicle in maneuvering a lane change. The system includes a range sensor mounted on a vehicle for sensing range to an object in a side detection zone adjacent to one side of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller for determining when the side detection zone is clear for the vehicle to change lanes based on the sensed range signal. The controller determines whether there is sufficient space to initial a lane change maneuver based on the sensed range signal and generates an output signal indicative thereof. An output is provided to warning lights indicative of the determined state for initiating the lane change maneuver.

Abstract: The invention relates to design optimization of microprocessors using spare driver outputs for discrete input interfaces. An output driver or pre-FET driver is used to interface a discrete input for a microprocessor. To read the discrete interface, a fault detection mechanism of the pre-FET driver or the output driver is used. Monitoring the fault register of the output driver allows the condition of the external switch to be understood. The circuit is able to read either a switched to battery type interface or a switched to ground type interface, thereby eliminating hardware proliferation. The fault register is read through a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus, thereby removing the need for a dedicated microprocessor pin required for the interface. Toggling the gate in the pre-FET driver interface permits adding diagnostic capability for the discrete input interface.

Abstract: A technique for reducing excessive motor vehicle roll angle using a feedforward control comprises a number of steps. Initially, a steering angle and a speed of the-motor vehicle are determined. Next, a lateral acceleration of the vehicle is estimated based on the steering angle and the speed. Then, a lateral acceleration proportional and derivative (PD) term of the estimated lateral acceleration is determined and roll angle reduction is implemented when the lateral acceleration PD term exceeds a first threshold. The roll angle reduction may be achieved through application of a braking force to an outside front wheel of the vehicle. A magnitude of the braking force may be proportional to a difference between the lateral acceleration PD term and the first threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a first fuel injector in parallel with a capacitive component. The drive circuit comprises: a selector means (SQ1, SQ2) and diagnostic means. The selector means (SQ1, SQ2) is operable to select the first fuel injector and/or the capacitive component into the drive circuit and to deselect the first fuel injector and/or the capacitive component from the drive circuit. When the capacitive component is selected and the first fuel injector is deselected, the diagnostic means is operable to sense a current (Isense) through the first fuel injector. When the sensed current (Isense) is at variance from a first threshold current (Ilimit) the diagnostic means is operable to provide a first signal on detection of a stack terminal short circuit fault associated with the first fuel injector. The capacitive component may be a second fuel injector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high performance polymer-base material capable of dissipating transient thermal energy generated by an electronic module, such as a heat-generating power device. The methods of the present invention involve adding a suitable thinner to reduce the viscosity and increase the volume of a polymer-base matrix material so that a large amount of thermal absorbing particles may be added. The final cured product may have a filler content of more than 80 weight %. Further, the present invention provides a new and reduced cost formulation of a polymer-base thermal transient suppression material containing organic wax particles.

Abstract: A method for balancing brake force is disclosed. The method includes determining whether a deceleration value reaches a first deceleration threshold in response to a braking event and determining brake condition and vehicle motion. Based on brake condition and vehicle motion determination and the first deceleration threshold determination, the method determines whether the deceleration value reaches a second deceleration threshold, and applies threshold balancing when the second deceleration threshold is reached.

Abstract: A pressure locking master cylinder including a fluid reservoir for storing a hydraulic fluid, a housing, a piston slidably received within the housing and defining a working chamber and a blocking chamber, wherein the blocking chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a valve positioned between the blocking chamber and the reservoir, the valve being adapted to selectively trap the hydraulic fluid within the blocking chamber to lock the piston in a position with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A themosettable material having excellent processability, and which cures to form a thermoset composition having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a high glass transition temperature includes functionalized nanoscopic silica particles dispersed in a curable resin comprising a polyepoxide having at least three epoxide groups per molecule. The composition is useful as an underfill for flip-chip circuit assemblies.

Abstract: The invention provides an energy absorbing apparatus for a steering column. The energy absorbing apparatus includes a first member having a telescoping end and a side wall. The energy absorbing apparatus also includes a second member having a telescoping end and a side wall. The second member is disposed for collapsing telescoping movement with the first member. The energy absorbing apparatus also includes a bushing extending annularly between the first member and the second member. The bushing is fixed to one of the first member and the second member. The energy absorbing apparatus also includes at least one projection integrally formed with the bushing and extending longitudinally and radially along the side wall of the one of the first member and the second member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover or dangerous situations that may precede a rollover of a vehicle.

Abstract: A dual pressure sensor apparatus configured for attachment to a manifold includes a molded plastic housing with a body portion featuring an upper cavity, a measurement port, and a lower cavity closed by the manifold. First and second pressure sensor modules are mounted in first and second wells formed in the upper cavity, and electrically coupled to a set of leadframe terminals disposed in the upper cavity. An opening in the first well couples the first pressure sensor module to the measurement port, and an opening in the second well couples the second pressure sensor module to the lower cavity. The measurement port sealingly extends through an opening in the manifold so that the first pressure sensor module measures pressure in the manifold, and the body portion walls bounding the lower cavity are notched so that the second pressure sensor module measures atmospheric or barometric pressure outside the manifold.