Abstract: A gas sensor seal (40) comprising a body (122), an upper portion having a flange (124), and at least one channel (130). The flange (124) has an extension (131) that extends from the upper portion, a bend (129) which extends from the extension (131) along the body (122), and a protrusion (128) which extends from the bend (129) toward the body (122). The channel (130) extends through the body (122) from the upper portion to a lower surface (126). A method for using the gas sensor seal (40) within a sensor (10) is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a torque command and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: a temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes a temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of treating a gas stream comprises: controlling an amount of the NH3 entering a catalytic unit and converting NO2 and the NH3 to N2 in the catalytic unit, wherein greater than or equal to about 60 wt % of NOx initially in the gas stream is converted to N2. In one embodiment, a gas treatment system comprises: a plasma reactor disposed downstream of an engine; a cracking catalyst disposed downstream of the engine; and a catalytic unit capable of converting NO and HC to NH3, and capable of converting NH3 and NO2 to N2.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including a housing and a spool disposed in the housing for rotation. The apparatus also includes a wire disposed in the housing and having a first end fixedly engaged with the housing and a second end fixedly engaged with the spool. The wire is moveable between a first configuration generally wound around the spool and a second configuration generally unwound with respect to the spool and arranged along an inner surface of the housing. The wire moves between the first and second configurations in response to relative rotation between the spool and the housing. The apparatus also includes at least one guide member disposed in the housing and movable along an arcuate path. The guide member moves in an opposite direction of rotation of the spool to guide movement of the wire between the spool and the housing.

Abstract: A dual-axis accelerometer and processing circuit are provided. The accelerometer has a plurality of fixed electrodes supported on a substrate and fixed capacitive plates arranged in first and second sensing axes. An inertial mass is suspended over a cavity and includes movable capacitive plates arranged to provide a capacitive couplings with the fixed capacitive plates. The inertial mass is movable relative to the plurality of fixed electrodes. The accelerometer has a plurality of support arms for supporting the inertial mass relative to the fixed electrodes and allowing movement of the inertial mass upon experiencing acceleration along the first and second sensing axes. The accelerometer further has inputs for receiving input signals and an output for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of sensed acceleration. The processing circuit extracts the components of acceleration along the first and second sensing axes.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a digital media by a digital media player and displaying the condition of the digital media whether or not the player ejects the digital media, provides useful information for the end user. Preferably, an ASIC of the digital media player measures jitter, HF and BLER and inputs the measured values into a microprocessor of the player. If the measured values are greater than respective pre-established threshold values, the microprocessor tabulates and stores running averages to an electronic memory. If the running averages are excessive, the player will deliver an error message to the end user preferably on an electronic display of the digital media player.

Abstract: A universal, compartment-wide system identifies the presence and position of occupants of a multi-place vehicle by utilizing the occupants to conduct and radiate place-specific radio frequency signals that are received at various locations in the passenger compartment. The place-specific radio frequency signals are developed by low power transmitters disposed in the various seat/place locations, and a receiver disposed at a central location that is remote from the transmitters receives and decodes the signals radiated by the occupants to determine the number and location of the occupants. Additional receivers may be installed in specified regions to detect occupant intrusion into such regions, and in various control panels to assess driver distraction and to tailor the functional content and capability depending on whether a driver or non-driver is interacting with the control panel.

Abstract: A processor is responsive to a thermistor temperature Tth adjacent a FET functioning as a switch to control power to a load (L) and responsive to drain-to-source voltage (VDS) of the FET. The processor stores the characteristics of the FET and a thermal model of the system hardware and uses a first set of equations to determine the temperature TJ at the junction of the FET in a stable region of operation where TJ?Tth is nearly constant. The processor is further responsive to a step change in successive measurements of VDS indicative of a lag of Tth relative to TJ thereby rendering Tth unusable in the first set of equations and immediately determines an initial FET current IFET. The processor then resolves TJ based upon a second set of equations comprising TJ=Tth+?TSS(1?e?t/?) when ?TSS+Tth?TJ and TJ=Tth+?TSS(e?t/?) when ?TSS+Tth?TJ where ? is a constant and ?TSS is the steady-state temperature difference between the TJ and Tth at the initial FET current IFET determined in accordance with ?TSS=IFET2RDS?J?th.

Abstract: An exhaust treatment device for treating an exhaust gas stream combines the functionalities of a catalytic particulate filter and a NOx absorber catalyst into a single integral device and is disposed in an exhaust conduit. By combining the functionalities of the catalytic particulate filter and a NOx absorber catalyst into a single integral device, the exhaust treatment device eliminates the temperature losses inherent to the heat capacity of one catalytic device placed in front of the other.

Abstract: An occupant presence detection apparatus detects a change in capacitance between upper and lower conductor plates disposed on or near upper and lower surfaces of a fluid-filled elastomeric seat bladder, and a semi-rigid mat disposed between the seat cushion and the bladder includes a peripheral cavity at least partially surrounding the upper conductor plate. When occupant weight applied to the seat cushion is transmitted to the bladder, it distends into the peripheral cavity of the semi-rigid mat, producing a significant reduction in the separation between the upper and lower conductor plates, and a corresponding significant increase in the detected capacitance. Once the bladder has fully distended into the cavity, additional loading due to increased occupant weight produces only a minimal further increase of the measured capacitance.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring relative displacement between a first shaft and a second shaft includes first and second rotor assemblies. The first rotor assembly is coupled to the first shaft and is centered on an axis. The second rotor assembly is coupled to the second shaft. The second rotor assembly has first and second stator plates. Each of the first and second stator plates includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces are parallel. The first and second stator plates include a plurality of teeth extending in a direction radial of the axis. The first and second stator plates form a gap between the lower surface of the first stator plate and the upper surface of the second stator plate. The apparatus further includes at least one magnet having a magnetic field and disposed on the first rotor assembly and a sensing device disposed within the gap for sensing a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.

Abstract: The child restraint system comprises a harness that extends through one of a plurality of slots in the shell for restraining a child occupant within the child restraint system, and a control unit for determining whether the harness is properly adjusted based upon the size of the child. Belt location sensors are disposed at the slots to detect the presence of a harness belt. The child restraint system also includes temperature sensors responsive to body temperature of the child. The control unit processes the signals from the belt location sensors and the proximity sensors and issues an alert signal if the belt location is not the recommended belt location based upon the size of the child.

Abstract: A steering column assembly of the present invention includes a lower support bracket, an upper support bracket, and a jacket disposed within and extending along a longitudinal axis through the lower support bracket and the upper support bracket. The steering column assembly includes a yoke support housing and a plurality of tubes spaced from one another circumferentially about the longitudinal axis and interconnecting the yoke support housing and the upper support bracket. The invention includes a method of fabricating the assembly. An advantage of the present invention is to provide the steering column assembly that achieves a high section modulus, improved and predetermined stiffness characteristics, and improved packaging characteristics to hold various components such as ECL mechanisms, steering tube position sensors, BSTI switches, wires and the like.

Abstract: An elastomeric seat bladder has upper and lower sheets of peripherally welded elastomeric material, and at least one of the upper and lower sheets of elastomeric material is sufficiently thick to effectively serve as an integral interface panel. In a first configuration, the lower sheet is formed of elastomeric material having a thickness in the range of 1 mm (0.04 inch) to 2.54 mm (0.100 inch), and the upper sheet is formed of elastomeric material having a thickness of approximately 0.375 mm (0.015 inch). In a second configuration, the relatively thick sheet of elastomeric material is utilized as the upper sheet of the bladder instead of the lower sheet; and in a third configuration, both upper and lower sheets of the bladder are formed of elastomeric material in the range of 1 mm (0.04 inch) to 2.54 mm (0.100 inch) in thickness.

Abstract: A method for implementing control signal linearization for an electric motor is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a desired voltage command to be applied to the motor and determining whether the magnitude of the desired voltage command falls between a first value and a second value. If the magnitude of the desired voltage command falls between the first value and the second value, then modulating a voltage command between the first and the second value over a determined sample period, thereby resulting in the application of a modulated voltage command to the motor.

Abstract: A method of operating a compression ignition engine is disclosed. The method comprises, introducing an enriching component into a combustion chamber during an intake stroke, igniting the enriching component during the compression stroke, introducing a main injection of fuel to the combustion chamber after the ignition of the enriching component, igniting the main injection of fuel, and introducing a supplemental gas to the combustion chamber after igniting the main injection of fuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of and a method for multiple transmitters to communicate data over a single uni-directional communication bus. In one form of the present invention, a data communication system using time-domain multiplexing includes a uni-directional current-modulated communication bus, a plurality of sensors coupled to the communication bus, at least one of the sensors capable of detecting the data transmission of a sensor outside of the current loop of the first sensor, the sensors also capable of transmitting data on the communication bus using current loop modulation. In another form of the present invention, a method of transmitting data on a uni-directional communication bus is provided.

Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed. The antenna system includes at least one antenna element and an adaptable frequency-selective-surface responsive to operating characteristics of the at least one antenna element and/or surrounding environmental conditions.

Abstract: An air bag device, comprising: an inflatable cushion being configured for deployment from the air bag device; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion, the inflator comprising a first initiator for initiating a first stage of inflation and a second initiator for use with the first initiator for initiating a second stage of inflation, the first stage of inflation providing a first inflation output to the inflatable cushion; and a deployable member disposed within the inflatable cushion, the deployable member being in fluid communication with the inflator, wherein the first stage of inflation causes the deployable member to deploy in a first direction; wherein unobstructed deployment of the deployable member in the first direction will cause a signal to be sent to the second initiator to initiate the second stage of inflation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyromechanical separating element having a hermetically sealed pyrotechnic pressure element (2), which is installed in a housing (1) and has a gas-forming pyrotechnic charge, and a detachable latching pin (5) which is separated from the pressure element (2) by a driving volume (19) and is inserted into the housing (1), wherein a first securing point is arranged on the housing (1) and a second securing point is arranged on the latching pin (5), and the latching pin (5) is anchored on the housing (1) by way of an arresting and force-limiting element (8).