Abstract: A portable air filtration system includes a filter housing having an air inlet and outlet. The housing defines a filtration chamber between the inlet and outlet. The air filtration system uses an intake fan, an ionizing mechanism, a filter media, and a conductive coating to filter air. The fan moves the air through the chamber. The ionizing mechanism ionizes particles within the air to a negative charge. The media includes an upstream side facing the inlet and a downstream side facing the outlet and is disposed between the ionizing mechanism and the outlet to entrap the particles. The conductive coating is applied to the upstream side of the media. This establishes an electric field between the ionizing mechanism and the conductive coating. Furthermore, the upstream side of the media is electrically-connected to ground through the conductive coating for dissipating the negative charge of the particles entrapped within the media.

Abstract: Transitory audio information that is subject to interruption is provided without loss of content. Transitory audio information received from an audio source is audibly provided until an interrupt signal is received. The transitory audio information is buffered while a message associated with the interrupt signal is audibly provided. Upon conclusion of the message, the buffered transitory audio information is audibly provided.

Abstract: A method for attaching a gasket to a non-gasketed bipolar plate for a PEM fuel cell, including the steps of making a pattern of the gasket; preparing the bipolar plate surface; priming the bipolar plate surface for adhesive according to the gasket pattern; aging the primer coat; screen-printing an adhesive coat onto the primer according to the gasket pattern; positioning the gasket face-down in a mirror-image fixture having channels in the form of the gasket; positioning the bipolar plate face down onto the fixture and gasket; applying pressure to the plate to adhere the gasket thereto in the adhesive-coated areas; removing the plate and gasket subassembly from the fixture; and curing the adhesive to provide a gasketed bipolar plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical contacts that comprise spaced electrically conductive particles embedded and bonded into the surface of conductors in which the particles have been kinetically sprayed onto the conductors with sufficient energy to form direct mechanical bonds between the particles and the conductors in a pre-selected location and particle number density that promotes high surface-to-surface contact and reduced contact resistance between the conductors.

Abstract: Circuit system and method for receiving and demodulating signals to a tire pressure monitoring system. The circuit comprises a demodulator for receiving an input signal modulated at a first frequency and demodulating the input signal so that information can be extracted from the input signal at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. The circuit further comprises a microprocessor, operating at a clock rate selected to extract information from the demodulated signal at the second frequency, for receiving and decoding a demodulated signal from the demodulator. In another aspect, the demodulator comprises a switching circuit having a time constant longer than the period of the first frequency.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system and control system for controlling an air bag in a vehicle and compensating for ambient temperature variations. The control system includes a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of an air bag device, and an air bag controller for controlling actuation of an air bag. The controller controls restraining force produced by the air bag as a function of the sensed temperature. Accordingly, the air bag compensates to changes in temperature so as to optimize the air bag performance.

Abstract: A method for generating multiple high-resolution PWM signals in which software interrupts are introduced at predetermined intervals to generate multiple high-resolution PWM signals from a conventional microprocessor. The software determines the purpose of the interrupt in an interrupt subroutine. An interrupt occurs when a compare register equals the timer. Another interrupt occurs when the timer overflows. The interrupts are the key to generating the multiple high-resolution PWM signals.

Abstract: An elastomeric seat bladder for a vehicle occupant weight estimation system includes a plurality of elastomeric tethers defined by bands or sheets of elastomeric material coupling upper and lower layers of the bladder within a peripheral weld in order to reduce fluid pooling and distention or bulging of the bladder due to localized loading. The elastomeric tethers are spot or seam welded to upper and lower sheets of the bladder; they extend to limit distension where required, and otherwise partially or fully collapse to minimize vertical shunting of occupant weight through the bladder.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, the fuel cell tail gas contains significant residual amounts of combustibles which are burned in a combustor with spent cathode air to reduce system emissions and to reclaim chemical energy in the form of heat, the hot exhaust being used to pre-heat air entering the fuel cell system. The tail gas combustibles content can vary widely as can the combustion temperature. When the temperature becomes unacceptably low, a control valve in the spent cathode air return is adjusted to divert a portion of the air around the combustor, thus enriching the fuel/air mixture and causing the combustion temperature to increase. When the temperature becomes unacceptably high, a control valve in the combustor fresh air supply is adjusted to provide more air, thus causing the mixture to become leaner and the combustion temperature to decrease.

Abstract: A load frame with mechanical springs for providing compression to a fuel cell stack during assembly and operation of a fuel cell assembly. The stack assembly load frame includes a base plate for supporting the stack, a moveable spring holder above the stack, a retaining plate above the spring holder, and tubular supports or rods retaining the post-sintered spacing established by the applied load defining the spacing of the base plate from the retaining plate. A spring for maintaining compression in each stack is positioned between the spring holder and the retaining plate. The invention further comprises a method for assembling a fuel cell assembly to provide an adequate compressive load to the stack during assembly and operation.

Abstract: A technique for identifying beam images of a beam matrix includes a number of steps. Initially, a plurality of light beams of a beam matrix, which are arranged in rows and columns, are received after reflection from a surface of a target. Next, a reference light beam is located in the beam matrix. Then, a row pivot beam is located in the beam matrix based on the reference beam. Next, remaining reference row beams of a reference row that includes the row pivot beam and the reference beam are located. Then, a column pivot beam in the beam matrix is located based on the reference beam. Next, remaining reference column beams of a reference column that includes the column pivot beam and the reference beam are located. Finally, remaining ones of the light beams in the beam matrix are located.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column module for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering angle sensor (13) that is inserted into a module housing (1,2). The rotor of the steering angle sensor is assigned to a steering column and co-operates with at least one fixed measuring wheel (37), in which angular modifications of the steering column are registered by electronic measuring sensors (22), operating as the stator and connected to the vehicle electric system by means of a central printed circuit board (6). The measuring sensors (22) are fastened to the printed circuit board (6) and the measuring wheel or wheels (37) is/are mounted in a housing (38) that is fixed to the printed circuit board (6).

Abstract: A planar microstrip antenna includes one or more aperture-fed circular patch radiating elements capacitively coupled to respective parasitic strip elements. The circular patches are symmetrically disposed above respective ground plane apertures, and the parasitic strip elements are annular sectors that are co-planar and concentric with the circular patches, and placed adjacent to the periphery of each circular patch. The disclosed geometry enhances the input impedance bandwidth, and significantly reduces off-boresight radiation variability to provide beam directivity that is more uniform over both frequency and direction.

Abstract: A vehicle security apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of a vehicle includes an antenna communicating with at least one remote device. Detection circuitry detects damage to and/or removal of the antenna. An operator authentication device determines whether a operator has authorization to operate the vehicle. A shutdown device at least partially disables the vehicle if the detection circuitry detects the damage to and/or removal of the antenna, and if the operator authentication device determines that the operator does not have authorization to operate the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved filter assembly for a solenoid-actuated fuel injector having a fuel-resistant porous filter element in a filter retainer tube for disposition in the fuel tube of the fuel injector. Fuel flow through the filter element is axial. The filter retainer tube replaces the calibration tube in a prior art fuel injector, also acting as a seat for the injector spring and being positioned axially within the fuel tube by a press-fit calibration ring. The retainer tube is preferably formed of glass-filled nylon, and the filter element is preferably formed by injection molding of an open-cell polyamide foam. By selecting the porosity and flow characteristics of the filter element material in known fashion, the length and diameter of the filter element may be minimized, permitting reduction in the length and diameter of the fuel tube and also the size and cost of the actuating solenoid assembly.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for measuring linear position is provided. The assembly comprises a ferromagnetic magnetic flux concentrator. The flux concentrator is configured as a generally rectangular structure including an air gap at one side thereof. A magnet is slidable along the longitudinal axis of the concentrator. A galvanomagnetic sensing element is disposed in the air gap for sensing magnetic flux passing therethrough. The sensing element is configured to provide an output signal indicative of the measured linear position as the magnet travels along the longitudinal axis of the concentrator.

Abstract: A valve for a control system of a vehicle includes a plunger slidably supported in a valve housing. Within the housing is a valve seat member that defines a valve seat configured for engaging the plunger in a closed configuration. The edges of the valve seat member are slightly spaced from the housing, and a resilient support element such as an o-ring is disposed between the valve seat member and the housing to permit lateral motion of the valve seat member relative to a long axis of the plunger as the plunger moves to the closed configuration.

Abstract: The gear mechanism for minimizing backlash may include a convoluted spring positioned between an external spline of a gear or shaft and an internal spline of a gear. The gear mechanism may include a cam and cam follower arrangement upon two adjacent gears positioned on the same shaft. Two stacked gears may include a U-shaped backlash eliminating element passing through both gears. The gear mechanism may include rollers which may be conically shaped.

Abstract: A fuel strainer assembly includes a filtration member and an inlet connector connected to the filtration member for connection to an inlet of a fuel pump. The fuel strainer assembly also includes a locking mechanism operatively supported by the inlet connector to operatively engage a shell of the fuel pump to secure the inlet connector to the fuel pump.

Abstract: An antenna system is assembled to a dielectric medium on a vehicle and is spaced from an electrically conductive member so as to allow for enhanced antenna performance. The dielectric medium has first and second surfaces and a dielectric thickness between the first and second surfaces. An antenna is mounted to the first surface of the dielectric medium for receiving and/or transmitting signals. An electrically conductive member is mounted to the second surface of the dielectric medium for providing a floating ground that forms a capacitive coupling with the antenna. The electrically conductive member is dielectrically isolated from vehicle electrical ground.