Abstract: A seat belt system configured for use in a vehicle includes a seat belt buckle assembly that is configured to determine the both the latch condition of the seat belt buckle assembly with the seat belt tongue, and the tension applied to the seat belt webbing in a seat belt system. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a latch configured to receive and engage the seat belt tongue, a magnet, and a magnetic sensor configured to determine relative displacement of the magnet. The seat belt buckle assembly is configured to cause a first displacement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to engagement of the seat belt tongue with the latch and cause a second displacement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to tension on the seat belt webbing via the seat belt tongue. The first displacement is distinct from the second displacement.

Abstract: A system for adding sulfur to a reformate stream feeding a fuel cell stack, having a sulfur source for providing sulfur to the reformate stream and a metering device in fluid connection with the sulfur source and the reformate stream. The metering device injects sulfur from the sulfur source to the reformate stream at a predetermined rate, thereby providing a conditioned reformate stream to the fuel cell stack. The system provides a conditioned reformate stream having a predetermined sulfur concentration that gives an acceptable balance of minimal drop in initial power with the desired maximum stability of operation over prolonged periods for the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: Control system (10) intended for the choice and the selection of functions in a vehicle, the system (10) comprising a case (14), a lever extending along a main axis from a first end, mounted pivoting about a pivot axis (L, T) to a second end provided with an actuation knob (12), the lever being able to turn about the main axis, and an elastic return device of the lever into a neutral position comprising an action surface in the form of a truncated cone of revolution, the axis of which is the main axis and, on a pivoting of the lever, the active zone is displaced along a generatrix of the cone moving towards the vertex, the elastic means being more biased than in a neutral position.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is provided having at least one header, a plurality of spaced apart fluid tubes in hydraulic communication with the header, and a plurality of corrugated fins disposed between the tubes. The corrugated fins include a planar portion having a louver segment defined between a pair of primary slits, in which the louver segment includes an intermediate slit splitting the louver segment into a pair of mini-louvers. The mini-louvers are counter-offset such that one of the mini-louvers is on one side of the planar portion and the other one of the mini-lover is on the other side of the planar portion. The mini-louvers may be pivoted about their respective junctures such that each of the mini-louver segments is oblique relative to the planar portion.

Abstract: A plug-in vehicle security system that includes a plug-in wireless relay module and a plug-in telematics device. The relay module includes a relay switch and a wireless receiver coupled to the relay switch in a manner effective to influence operation of the relay switch based on reception of an authorization signal. The telematics device includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the authorization signal in response to a network signal. The telematics device also includes a network transceiver configured to receive the network signal from a communication network. A plug-in vehicle security system is advantageous because installation costs are reduced by reducing the time and installation expertise necessary to do the installation. Such a system will be particularly attractive to vehicle rental fleet operators.

Abstract: A sensor system and seat assembly includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a seating force exerted on a portion of a seat cushion of a seat. The sensor assembly includes a base, a force transducer configured to output a signal indicative of the seating force, and a lever pivotably coupled to the base. The lever defines a sensing end configured to be disposed proximate to the portion of the seat cushion such that the seating force operates on the sensing end. The lever also defines an actuating end configured to apply an actuation force to the force transducer. The sensor assembly may comprise a plurality of levers. Each sensing end of each lever may be disposed in a separate location within the portion of the seat cushion. The sensor assembly may be configured to detect a child exerting a seating force on a portion of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A windshield display system for installation into a vehicle that includes a windshield, a transparent display overlaying the windshield, and an array of electrowetting lenses overlaying the transparent display. Each lens of the array is operable to a flat-state where light passes through the lens substantially undistorted, and a shaped-state where emitted light from an underlying portion of the transparent display is directed in order to increase an apparent brightness of the emitted light. The array selectively magnifies pixels or portions of the transparent display, while maintaining vision clarity for the operator in regions of the windshield where images are not being displayed. The array may also outline or highlight images being displayed with a region of distortion of surrounding the image to distort the view of the scene outside the vehicle to help the operator discern the image when the outside lighting conditions are less than ideal.

Abstract: An occupant detection system including a seat assembly comprising a seat cushion having a seating surface, a heating element adjacent the seating surface, said heating element formed of electrically conductive material, a heating circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said heating circuit configured to supply an electrical current to the heating element effective to generate heat by the heating element, an occupant detection circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said occupant detection circuit configured to detect an occupant presence near the heating element, and an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit configured to prevent the heating circuit from influencing the occupant detection circuit, said isolation circuit comprising a common mode choke.

Abstract: A projection unit comprising a coherent light source such as a laser diode and a beam shaping element forming a light beam which is directed towards a display, characterized in that it comprises a laser speckle suppression device which is positioned between the laser source and the display and wherein the laser speckle suppression device is a diffusing element actuated randomly by a piezoelectric vibrating structure.

Abstract: A method to determine a performance characteristic of an exhaust system of an engine, where the exhaust system includes an exhaust gas sensor that outputs an exhaust gas signal. A combustion event in a cylinder is fueled at an air-fuel ratio selected to produce exhaust gas that is expected to be distinguishable by the exhaust gas sensor from exhaust gas produced by other combustion events, and used to determine the performance characteristic. The performance characteristic may be an exhaust gas transport time of the exhaust system, a sensitivity characteristic of the exhaust gas sensor, or a fueling correction value necessary to restore fueling to, for example, stoichiometry. Such a method is useful to detect physical changes in the exhaust system such as relocating the exhaust gas sensor, or detect if the exhaust gas sensor is damaged or not operating properly.

Abstract: A sensor configured to detect a stress wave propagating through a vehicle frame member caused by a vehicle collision is provided. The sensor includes a sensor body configured to be rigidly coupled to the vehicle frame member, a first strain sensing device and a second strain sensing device attached to the sensor body. The sensor body is configured to exhibit stress in response to transverse and torsional stress wave propagating along the vehicle frame member. The first strain sensing device generates a first signal indicative of stress in the sensor body and the second strain sensing device generates a second signal indicative of stress in the sensor body. A first end portion of the sensor body is characterized as trapezoidal prism shaped and a second end portion of the sensor body is characterized as trapezoidal prism shaped.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack having a glass seal sandwiched between the sealing surfaces of adjacent cassettes, in which at least one cassette includes means for interlocking the glass seal onto the sealing surface of the cassette for improved adhesion and durability of the glass seal. The at least one cassette includes a plurality of perforations configured to receive and lock onto a portion of the glass seal. At least one of the perforations includes a through-hole having an exterior opening on the sealing surface and an interior opening on the interior surface of the cassette. A portion of the glass seal is received in the perforation forming a glass column in the through-hole and a flared glass end on the interior surface surrounding the interior opening. The flared glass end cooperates with the glass column to interlock the glass seal onto the cassette's sealing surface.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for detecting an occupant on a seating surface of a seat includes an elastomeric mat and a switch mechanism disposed between a first and second plate. When an occupant having sufficient weight sits on the seating surface, the elastomeric mat compresses and the plates activate the switch mechanism. The first and second plates define integrated fasteners configured to slidably couple the first plate to the second plate. The plates may also define integrated fasteners configured to affix the switch mechanism and elastomeric mat to the sensor assembly. The integrated fasteners snap together to allow the sensor assembly to be assembled without any separate fastening devices, such as adhesives, threaded fasteners, or push pins. The integrated fasteners reduce the number of parts needed to assemble the sensor assembly and simplify the assembly process for the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly includes a heated medium flow path for a first medium and a reforming flow path for a second medium. A catalyst substrate is located within the reforming flow path and supports a catalyst. A heat exchanger is disposed within the heated medium flow path for transferring heat from the heated medium flow path to the catalyst substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head-up display device, including a projector for generating a light beam carrying information to be displayed, a combiner having a display position for displaying the information in the field of vision of a user, and an optical system defining an optical path between the projector and the combiner when the latter is in the display position thereof, for directing the light beam onto the combiner. The optical system includes a first and a second deflecting mirror. The first mirror is arranged for receiving the light beam from the projector and for sending said light beam to the second mirror, the latter being arranged for sending the light beam over the optical path toward the combiner. An actuation system is provided for adjusting the length of the optical path between the projector and the combiner by positioning the first and second deflecting mirrors.

Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly comprises walls that define a first flow path for a first medium and a second flow path, fluidly isolated from the first flow path, for a second medium. The first flow path includes a central flow channel, a first annular flow channel radially surrounding the central flow channel, and a second annular flow channel radially surrounding the first annular flow channel. The second flow path comprises a third annular flow channel and a fourth annular flow channel each disposed radially between the first annular flow channel and the second annular flow channel.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration.

Abstract: A system for separating carbon dioxide gas from internal combustion engine exhaust and an electricity generating heat exchanger for the system. The system includes a scrubber tank containing a carbon dioxide absorbent fluid and configured to bubble exhaust gas from the heat exchanger through the carbon dioxide absorbent fluid, whereby carbon dioxide gas is absorbed by the carbon dioxide absorbent fluid. A carbon dioxide storage means stores the carbon dioxide released in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools the exhaust gas emitted by the internal combustion engine, and includes a thermal electric generator (TEG) configured to couple thermally the exhaust gas chamber to the absorber fluid chamber in a manner effective to heat the CO2 absorbent fluid by heat from the engine exhaust to release CO2 gas from the CO2 absorbent fluid and generate electricity in response to a temperature difference therebetween.