Abstract: The present invention involves a method for transmitting data using an orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) transmission system, such as over a terrestrial network used in satellite digital audio radio. A OFDM signal is generated based on first input data. A variation is introduced in the OFDM signal based on second input data to generate a modified OFDM signal which is transmitted. The modified OFDM signal is decoded by performing a demodulation of the modified OFDM signal then a first and second detection to obtain the first input data and the second input data. The introduction of a variance may include introducing an additional phase offset across adjacent OFDM sub-carriers, across adjacent OFDM symbols, an additional phase offset in the OFDM signal, an additional amplitude offset in the OFDM signal, an additional amplitude augmentation in the OFDM signal, and/or a second variation in the first OFDM signal based on third input data.

Abstract: An audio system includes a first unit and a second unit. The first unit includes a radio frequency (RF) front-end, a channel decoder, a first wireless interface, a content decoder and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The second unit includes a second wireless interface, a source decoder and a content encoder.

Abstract: A cooled electronic assembly includes an integrated-circuit device carrier (such as a printed circuit board), a device (such as a flip chip), a liquid pump, a molding material, a heat exchanger, and a cover. The device and the liquid pump are electrically connected to the integrated-circuit device carrier. The molding material is molded to the device, to the liquid pump, and to the integrated-circuit device carrier. The cover has a coolant channel fluidly connected to the heat exchanger, wherein the cover is attached to the molding material. The coolant channel and the heat exchanger together at least partially define a closed coolant circuit. The liquid pump is operatively connected to the closed coolant circuit. A method for cooling a printed circuit board includes placing a liquid coolant in the closed coolant circuit and electrically activating the liquid pump through the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A heating and cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) module housing wherein the defrost outlet and the vent outlet and the seat outlet are disposed next adjacent to one another and a first plate overlies the defrost outlet and the seat outlet and a second plate overlies the seat outlet and the vent outlet for opening and closing various combinations of the outlets. Accordingly, the defrost valve and the vent valve are used to also control air flow through the seat outlet of a HVAC module to a thermo-electric device to heat and cool the seat assembly in a vehicle.

Abstract: A process for forming magnetic target tracks for position and speed sensors. The tracks are formed from a paste comprising a magnetic powder material and a hardenable carrier. The tracks can be formed within trenches in a substrate or on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor measures the relative angular position (within a range of?180°) of a housing or stator and a rotor. The housing carries a galvanomagnetic sensing element and is adapted for fixation to a relatively fixed portion of a host system. The rotor carrying a magnet is disposed for rotation about a fixed axis with respect to the stator and is interconnected to a relatively moving portion of the host system through intermediate linkage. The magnet is juxtaposed in substantially axial alignment with the galvanomagnetic sensing element for magnetic interaction therewith. The housing defines a cavity to receive potting material for encasing the galvanomagnetic sensing element and an adjacent buffer cavity interconnected by a weir, which diverts ant excess potting material into the buffer cavity.

Abstract: A rear view mirror/video display includes a one-way mirror and a selectively activated video display that is mounted immediately behind the one-way mirror so that the driver is presented with a typical semi-obstructed rearward view when the video display is deactivated, and an unobstructed rearward view of substantially the same size and aspect ratio when the video display is activated. The video image is obtained from an imaging device mounted to capture a rearward field-of-view that is unobstructed by vehicle body panels but otherwise corresponds in content with that of the image reflected by the one-way mirror. Activation and deactivation of the video display may be manual, but is preferably automatic based on vehicle operating conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for absorbing energy in a collapsible steering column of a vehicle. A portion of the apparatus is deformable in response to an excessive frontal impacting force to the steering column so that injury to the vehicle operator is reduced. The apparatus includes a first steering column member and a second steering column member connected to one another such that the first steering column member slides relative to the second steering column member. The apparatus also includes a first anvil associated with a said first steering column member and a second anvil associated with said second steering column member. The apparatus also includes an energy absorbing member having a first portion extending around and operable to be drawn over said first anvil and a second portion extending around and operable to be drawn over said second anvil.

Abstract: A silicon-based hydrogen pressure sensor module incorporates a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrate that shields the cavity formed by the silicon membrane and cell body from hydrogen permeation. A bossed container filled with an oil material is mounted on the substrate and houses a sensor cell. The oil material may be impregnated with a hydrogen getter material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that relates to a gear set. The apparatus includes, a housing, a first gear movable in the housing such that a first axis defined by the first gear is repositionable relative to the housing, a second gear in mesh with the first gear, and a second axis defined by the second gear. The apparatus constrains movement of the first axis to a plane containing both the first axis and a line commonly perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and a biasing member that urges the first gear toward the second gear.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly includes a PCB and a first integrated conductive bus structure extending from a first edge of the PCB. The PCB connects a plurality of electronic components and includes a plurality of conductive layers, each separated by a non-conductive layer. The first integrated conductive bus structure includes a first portion that extends from the first edge of the PCB and which forms a plurality of electrically separate contacts of a connector. A second portion of the bus structure is integrated within the PCB and couples each of the contacts to at least one conductive trace of the PCB through plated holes.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a collapsible steering column assembly. The assembly includes a support for attachment to a vehicle. A steering column is movably supported by the support. An energy absorbing mechanism interconnects the steering column and the support for absorbing energy in response to the steering column moving relative to the support during a collision. The energy absorbing mechanism includes a elongated element and a brake for variably resisting the movement of the elongated element and absorbing the energy during the collision. The elongated element, in combination with the brake, is capable of adjustment to absorb energy at forces of various magnitude such that a universal energy absorbing device may be installed on each type of vehicle. Furthermore, the elongated element retains structural integrity after absorbing the energy and need not be replaced.

Abstract: Although current radio receivers support playback of audio from multiple sources, none support easy searching for content across these sources. There is no mechanism for locating specific content independent of the source that it is found on. The invention is to have an entertainment system which utilizes metadata to offer a feature that will allow the user to listen to any audio source based on their listening preference. This invention also allows the user of a radio receiver to be able to easily locate music of a particular genre without regard to the actual source. This invention further provides a mechanism for the music stored on a hard drive to be used to create a personalized radio station, complete with inserts of localized information.

Abstract: A child seat adapted for use in a vehicle, the child seat comprising: a shell portion; a harness for securing a child to the child seat, the harness comprising adjustable harness tether(s) secured to the shell portion at one end and having a latch plate at the other, the latch plate being configured to releasably engage a buckle of the harness; a tension sensor(s) for providing a signal indicative of a tension of the adjustable harness tether(s); and an electronic control unit secured to the shell portion, the electronic control unit being operably coupled to the tension sensor(s) to receive the signal, the electronic control unit being capable of processing the signal to compare the signal to a signal indicative of a predetermined range of acceptable tension, wherein the electronic control unit provides an output indicating whether the tension of the adjustable harness tether(s) is(are) within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A low-resistance hydrocarbon-adsorptive cartridge for an air intake of an internal combustion engine comprising a structure for being mounted into a portion of an engine air intake system. The structure is adapted to orient and retain one or more thin sheets of activated carbon sheeting in the intake system. Preferably, a plurality of sheets is oriented such that the leading edge of each sheet is presented to the engine intake air stream, thereby minimizing reduction in total cross-sectional area of the intake system. Preferably, the one or more sheets are spaced apart by a distance that is small relative to the extent of the elements in the direction of engine air flow such that a high probability is created that hydrocarbons migrating out of a shut down engine's intake manifold will encounter a surface of at least one of the adsorptive sheets and thus be adsorbed.

Abstract: A pyromechanical cutting element has a housing (2) in which an electrical conductor (3) is arranged, a cutting plunger (5) with a cutting tool (8) to cut through the electrical conductor (3), and pyrotechnic charge (13) to drive the cutting plunger (5), with the cutting tool (8) bending over the electrical conductor (3) after cutting through it and forming a bending tongue (18) that sticks out from the conductor (3) in a way that interrupts the conductor (3). The electrical conductor (3) has a cross-sectional area reduction in the longitudinal direction (4) consisting of two transverse sides and two longitudinal sides. The cutting tool (8) first cuts through the cross-sectional area reduction (4) just on one transverse side and upon further advancement bends over the longitudinal sides at least in part, and, upon further advancement, the cutting tool (8) clamps the bending tongue (18) thus created.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus and method that can measure either a linear position or an angular position of a device. A linear array of galvanomagnetic sensing elements is fixedly mountable adjacent the device. A target is connectable to the device such that the target moves adjacent a surface of the linear array in response to movement of the device and is shaped so that a magnetic flux density curve resulting from excitation of the sensing elements includes a peak and/or a valley. A first circuit excites each of the sensing elements, and a second circuit measures a magnetic flux density value at each of the sensing elements. A maximum and/or a minimum of the flux density curve indicates the position of the device.

Abstract: A master cylinder housing including an outer shell having an open end and a closed end, a polymeric inner lining received within the outer shell, and a mounting flange extending from the open end of the outer shell.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of components having electrically-conductive mating surfaces therebetween, the surfaces are sealed by gasket elements that include first and second silver braze alloy layers and a dielectric layer, formed preferably of yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), disposed between the alloy layers. The alloy is capable of bonding to many ceramics, including YSZ, and is readily brazed to the oxide layer formed on many metals at elevated temperatures. Because the braze alloy is electrically conductive, a dielectric layer must be included to break conductivity in bonding applications where electrical insulation is required. YSZ functions as a reliable insulator and will not crystallize or fracture as do prior art glass insulators. The assembly is useful as an auxiliary power unit in a vehicle.

Abstract: A power system that increases the power capability of a DC/AC converter includes a processor coupled to the DC/AC converter and a memory subsystem coupled to the processor. The memory subsystem stores code that when executed by the processor instructs the processor to perform a number of steps. The processor determines when an electrical load that is coupled to the DC/AC converter causes a link voltage of the DC/AC converter to fall below a first predetermined link voltage level. The processor then controls a DC/AC output inverter of the DC/AC converter to cause the DC/AC converter to provide a non-sinusoidal output waveform. The processor also controls the DC/AC output inverter to cause the DC/AC converter to provide a sinusoidal output waveform, when the link voltage exceeds the first predetermined link voltage level or a second predetermined link voltage level.