Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring current, and particularly bi-directional current, in a field-effect transistor (FET) using drain-to-source voltage measurements. The drain-to-source voltage of the FET is measured and amplified. This signal is then compensated for variations in the temperature of the FET, which affects the impedance of the FET when it is switched on. The output is a signal representative of the direction of the flow of current through the field-effect transistor and the level of the current through the field-effect transistor. Preferably, the measurement only occurs when the FET is switched on.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyolefin composition containing polypropylene or a copolymer thereof, an ethylene copolymer, and a peroxide. In one embodiment, one of the polypropylene or copolymer thereof or the ethylene copolymer is a continuous phase, while the other is a discontinuous dispersed phase therein. In another embodiment, one of the polypropylene and ethylene copolymer components has a relatively low melt flow index and the other component has a relatively high melt flow index. Optional components include a metal stearate, a primary amide, a heat and/or light stabilizer, and a coloring additive. Articles molded from these thermoplastic compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A non-contact detection system and method for detecting obstructions in relation to a powered door on a vehicle such that contact with the door may be prevented. The detection system includes an object detection sensor located on the powered door for sensing an object within an adjustable sensing zone. A door position sensor senses position of the door relative to at least one of an open and closed door position. A controller adjusts the sensing zone of the object detection sensor as a function of the sensed door position.

Abstract: An elongated housing for use with an airbag module is provided. The housing comprises a first wall, a second wall, a bottom wall joining the first and second walls such that a first width is defined by the housing, and a cushion deployment opening opposite the bottom wall. The cushion deployment opening is between a first edge of the first wall and a second edge of the second wall. The cushion deployment opening has a second width that is between about 90 percent of the first width and about 30 percent of the first width.

Abstract: A watercraft steer-by-wire control system comprising: an input device; at least one transducer in operable communication with the input device; a rudder control system in operable communication with the input device and configured to control a rudder of a watercraft; and a bow thruster control system in operable communication with the at least one transducer and configured to control a bow thruster of the watercraft. A method for the maneuvering if a watercraft. The method comprises: applying a force in a first degree of freedom of an input device; measuring the movement of the input device in the first degree of freedom; converting the movement into a signal proportional to the amount of movement; and transmitting the signal to a bow thruster control system.

Abstract: A method of making composite electric machine rotor assembly of a desired magnetic pattern. Magnetic segments and non-magnetic segments are separately formed to green strength, and then arranged adjacent to each other in a desired magnetic pattern. A small amount of powder material is added in-between the segments, and the whole assembly is then sintered to form a sinterbonded composite component of high structural integrity.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed. A plurality of guides are integrally formed with the walls of a header tank and are used to position an oil cooler inside the tank to align a pair of fittings carried by the cooler with a pair of spaced openings in the tank.

Abstract: An electronic component arrangement includes a discrete electronic component having first and second terminals and a centre-exposed pad. A substrate has a first electrical conductor electrically connected to the first terminal, a second electrical conductor electrically connected to the second terminal, and a third electrical conductor. A thermally conductive element is in direct thermal communication with both the centre-exposed pad of the electronic component and the third electrical conductor of the substrate.

Abstract: A circuit board is inserted into an open-ended housing and potting material is dispensed onto the exposed face of the circuit board in a single step to seal the circuit board to the housing. One or more electrical interconnects such as a connector header or a ribbon cable attached to the circuit board extend upward through the potting material so that the potting material also forms an environmental seal around the electrical interconnects.

Abstract: The rationality of a measured temperature of transmission fluid is assessed by comparing it to an engine coolant temperature. The rationality assessment is enabled when the ambient air temperature is reliably determined and deemed normal, a sufficient soak condition is confirmed, and the measured temperature, the engine temperature and the ambient air temperature are all within prescribed ranges. The rationality assessment monitors the ambient temperature relative to the initial engine temperature during the assessment period, and the assessment is disabled if the ambient air temperature deviates from the initial engine temperature by more than a calibrated value.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a first non-conductive substrate having a first inner surface and a second non-conductive substrate having a second inner surface. A die having a first thickness is disposed between the first and second inner surfaces. A leadframe includes a member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a second thickness less than the first thickness. The distal end is disposed between the first and second inner surfaces. The distal end is undulated such that the distal end has an effective thickness greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A CO-selective catalyst comprises a catalytic material, wherein the catalytic material is selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Os, Ru, Ta, Zr, Y, Ce, Ni, Cu, and oxides, alloys, compounds, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; a modifying agent selected from the group consisting of Pb, Bi, Ge, Si, Sb, As, P, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing; and a support. In one embodiment, the method for forming the CO selective catalyst comprises combining a catalytic material and a support with about 2 to about 25 atomic percent of a modifying agent, based on the total surface atoms of the catalytic material, to form a modified catalyst-containing support and disposing the modified catalyst-containing support on or into a substrate.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus having twin spark high-voltage outputs incorporates features of a pencil coil wherein at least a portion of a transformer assembly is disposed within a spark plug well when installed in an internal combustion engine, thereby reducing the space required on the top of the engine. A secondary winding spool is configured to retain a secondary winding in first and second portions, wound either the same way for use in waste spark ignition systems or in opposite orientations for two-plug-per-cylinder systems. An alternate configuration includes an isolated shield that is internal to the case.

Abstract: A thermal radiation detector for detecting thermal energy in multiple coverage zones is provided. The detector includes a heat sink support structure, a first thermal detection sensor coupled to the support structure and arranged to detect thermal energy in a first coverage zone, and a second thermal detection sensor coupled to the support structure for detecting thermal energy in a second coverage zone. The detector also has a shared optical lens coupled to the support structure and arranged to direct thermal energy from the first coverage zone to the first thermal detection sensor, and to direct thermal energy from the second coverage zone to the second thermal detection sensor. The detector is useful to detect heat emitting objects in a blind spot region of a vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of individual fuel cells, especially a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly. The cells are organized into a plurality of stacks, preferably two stacks, disposed side-by-side rather than end-to-end as in a prior art monolithic single stack. This arrangement makes the assembly compact physically, which can be highly desirable in some fuel cell applications. The stacks are connected conventionally in series electrically but are supplied with air and fuel in parallel to shorten the distribution manifolds and improve uniformity of distribution and exhaust among all the cells.

Abstract: Electrical connection device, for arrangement between a steering wheel and a steering column module of a vehicle, which includes a rotor part (2) and a stator part (3) for enclosure of at least one electrical conductor connected to it at the end, in which the rotor part (2) inserted into the stator part (3) is non-rotatably connected with a guide ring (6) mounted in the stator part (3), and a blocking rocker (12) acted upon by a compression spring, to be released by mounting the steering wheel (1), is present for fastening the rotor part (2) in an assembly position. The blocking rocker (12) acts between the guide ring (6) and the stator part (3) so that a relative rotation is prevented when the steering wheel (1) is not installed.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive strain sensor (10) includes a magnetostrictive core (12) comprising a magnetostrictive material, such as a nickel-iron alloy, able to conduct a magnetic flux and whose permeability is alterable by application of a strain. A conductive coil (14) is proximate the magnetostrictive core (12) to generate the magnetic flux when electrically excited. A shell (16) surrounds the conductive coil (14) and the magnetostrictive core (12) for providing a conductive return path for the magnetic flux. An excitation source (18) is electrically connected to the conductive coil (14) for electrically exciting the conductive coil (14) with an alternating current having a constant magnitude. An in-phase voltage circuit (22) is electrically connected across the conductive coil (14). The in-phase voltage circuit (22) senses an in-phase voltage that is in-phase with the alternating current. The in-phase voltage varies correspondingly to the strain subjected to the magnetostrictive core (12).

Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises a lower housing, a circuit board mounted in the lower housing, and an insulator block mounted on an upper surface of the circuit board holding a plurality of terminals that have contact heads extending above the insulator block and connector tails extending below the insulator block and attached to the circuit board. The contact heads extend through a face seal. An upper housing having an integral upstanding shroud is attached to the insulator block and/or the lower housing so that the contact heads are disposed within the shroud and the face seal is compressed between the insulator block and the upper housing. The shroud has an outer periphery and the insulator block has an outer periphery that is spaced inwardly of the outer periphery of the shroud to provide a space beneath the upper housing for attaching electrical and/or electronic components to the circuit board adjacent the insulator block.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes a combustion engine, a battery buffer for storing electric energy by converting it onto chemical energy, which can be converted back into electrical energy when need, a fuel cell unit having multiple fuel cells each of which is an electrochemical energy conversion device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, producing electricity and heat in the process, a power level control unit for capturing electrical energy from the fuel cell unit for delivering zero power, full power, or any power level in between, and an electric motor having inputs for receiving energy from the combustion engine, the battery buffer and the fuel cell auxiliary power unit, and an output for generating activation power to a transmission providing a driving force to a vehicle.

Abstract: The snap-on steering column shroud assembly includes an upper shroud and a lower shroud. The upper shroud has an upper steering shaft passage portion that is positioned vertically, axially and angularly relative to the upper steering shaft. A front edge is moved toward the steering column to move upper shroud cantilever snap fasteners into engagement with the steering column. Force is applied manually to force the upper shroud snap fasteners into a retaining position. A lower shroud is aligned with the upper shroud by alignment posts and alignment post receivers and then raised into contact with the steering column. Lower shroud cantilevered snap fasteners are manually forced into a lower shroud retaining position on the steering column. Snap connectors and snap receivers connect the upper shroud to the lower shroud.