Abstract: A DC-DC converter for generating a DC output voltage includes: a digitally controlled pulse width modulator (DPWM) for controlling a switching power stage to supply a varying voltage to an inductor; and a digital voltage feedback circuit for controlling the DPWM in accordance with a feedback voltage corresponding to the DC output voltage, the digital voltage feedback circuit including: a first voltage controlled oscillator for converting the feedback voltage into a first frequency signal and to supply the first frequency signal to a first frequency discriminator; a second voltage controlled oscillator for converting a reference voltage into a second frequency signal and to supply the second frequency signal to a second frequency discriminator; a digital comparator for comparing digital outputs of the first and second frequency discriminators and for outputting a digital feedback signal; and a controller for controlling the DPWM in accordance with the digital feedback signal.

Abstract: A vehicle service or inspection system including a load roller for applying a radial load to a vehicle wheel assembly consisting of a tire mounted to a rim, with at least one sensor for acquiring measurements of acoustical energy generated by the wheel assembly during loaded rotational movement. The vehicle service or inspection system is configured with a programmed processor to evaluate the acquired measurements to provide a measure of tire road noise, identification of tire defects, and/or identification of sources of noise, vibrations, or acoustical energy on the tire surface such as tire flat spots, cupping, bubbles, embedded foreign objects, or other defects. The processor is further configured with software instructions to utilize the acquired measurements to provide a consumer with a figure of merit associated with the acoustics of the tire undergoing testing.

Abstract: A method for generating accurate lane level maps based on course map information and Lidar data captured during the pass of a sensor carrying vehicle along a road. The method generates accurate lane estimates including the center of each lane, the number of lanes, and the presence of any bicycle paths and entrance and exit ramps using a computer-implemented method where the course map data and the Lidar data are subjected to particle filtering.

Abstract: An energy absorption (EA) pad mountable on a vehicle door interior trim panel provides controlled collapse under side impact collision forces to minimize contact between the door and a vehicle passenger. The EA pad is in the form of a hollow body having an endwall, a sidewall, and an open end. A flange extends laterally from the open end. One or more slots and one or more ribs can be formed in the sidewall or the endwall of varying height, numbers, spacing, thickness, and shapes to provide the controlled collapse of the EA pad. A restraining rib structure is formed on the door trim panel adjacent to a least one side of the EA pad. In another aspect, a door trim panel includes the EA pad.

Abstract: This disclosure provides low viscosity, low volatility aryl ether compounds represented by the formula: This disclosure also provides processes for producing the aryl ether compounds, lubricating oil basestocks and lubricating oils containing one or more of the aryl ether compounds, and a method for improving one or more of solubility and dispersancy of polar additives and/or sludge in a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing one or more of the aryl ether compounds.

Abstract: On a surface of a film base material (22), an antireflection structure configured by nano-sized optical projections (23) to suppress reflection of light and protective pillars (24) to prevent the optical projections (23) from being flattened out are arranged. The protective pillar (24) has a truncated cone shape. When a diameter of the protective pillar (24) at a proximal end thereof, a height of the protective pillar (24), and an angle between a side surface of the protective pillar (24) and a central axis of the protective pillar (24) on a section passing through the central axis of the protective pillar (24) are given by D, H, and ?, respectively, these values satisfy a relationship: D>2H×tan(2?).

Abstract: A variable lumbar support including a frame and a support extending between an upper end and a lower end wherein the support bracket includes a first longitudinal direction. A pad having a first surface is provided within the assembly. The first surface of the pad contacts the lumbar portion of the seat assembly. The pad is positioned between the lumbar portion and the seat back cushion. Upon a sliding movement of the lumbar member along the support while in contact with the pad, a curved surface of the pad is displaced in the first longitudinal direction and a second direction normal to the first direction. As the lumbar member contacts the curved areas of the pad, the foam is displaced and pushed towards (a bulge) the seat back cushion so that the user of the vehicle seat feels a fore-and-aft movement of the lumbar member.

Abstract: An electrode for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and water forming carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The electrode includes a metal substrate. A self-assembled monolayer is bonded to the metal substrate. A selectivity of reaction products of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced by the electrode is regulated relative to a bare metal substrate.

Abstract: A system and a method for a hybrid vehicle for pre-charging the battery. A hybrid vehicle includes a battery having a state of charge (SOC), an engine configured to charge the battery, an actuation device having an on state and an off state, and a processor configured to activate the engine to charge the battery when the actuation device is switched to the on state until the SOC reaches a required SOC. The required SOC may be input by a driver and may exceed a normal maximum SOC utilized by the hybrid vehicle. The pre-charge feature can override the normal hybrid vehicle battery management logic. The required SOC allows the driver to perform reverse maneuvers without running out of battery power.

Abstract: A horizontally-triggerable inflation connector includes a casing, a packing unit, and a pull bar. The packing unit is received in the casing. The pull bar is arranged outside the casing and coupled to the packing unit. The pull bar is horizontally and reciprocally movable between a released position and a secured position. When the pull bar is at the released position, the packing unit is set in a released condition and when the pull bar is at the secured position, the packing unit is set in a compressed condition. Thus, the horizontally-triggerable inflation connector is operable to selectively secure or release an air valve so as to achieve convenience of operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nozzle rotation mechanism that is small in size, has a simple structure, and can accurately adjust the rotational direction of a nozzle tip. Also disclosed is a coating device provided with the aforementioned nozzle rotation mechanism. The nozzle rotation mechanism is provided with: a nozzle having a discharge outlet from which a liquid material is discharged; a nozzle unit having a channel that connects the nozzle and a liquid material supply source; a base member; and a rotation device that is provided on the base member and rotates the nozzle unit. The nozzle is disposed in the nozzle unit such that the centerline of the discharge outlet of the nozzle forms an angle with the rotational centerline of the nozzle unit, and the nozzle unit is removably mounted to the rotation device.

Abstract: An image encoding apparatus is provided which realizes an encoding process at a high bit rate without degradation in image quality at boundary parts within a picture. The image encoding apparatus 1 includes: a plurality of entropy encoding sections 105 and 106 for generating bit streams by entropy-encoding intermediate data generated from syntax elements of image data; and an encoding control section 104 for supplying the intermediate data to any of the entropy encoding sections. The encoding control section 104 determines the entropy encoding section that performs an entropy encoding process by a frame in accordance with the processing status of each of the entropy encoding sections.

Abstract: A magnet apparatus which comprises a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a first magnet disposed within the first vacuum chamber such that the first magnet can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber, and a load connector extending from the first vacuum chamber into the second vacuum chamber so that a load on the first magnet can be transferred to the second vacuum chamber, wherein the load connector is in thermal contact with the first magnet and can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber and the exterior of the second vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A constructing method for a concrete cylinder of a construction steel bar of a high-rise steel structure adopts a constructing method of supporting inside and climbing outside. The outside of the cylinder adopts hydraulic mutual-climbing adhesive lifting scaffold creeping formwork system (100), and also has an outside wallboard mechanical formwork erection function and an outer frame protection function. For the inside of the cylinder, except that an appropriate structure is left for later processing according to a schedule requirement, beam walls all adopt a steel cylinder support to perform formwork erection, so as to greatly reduce the workload of repeatedly mounting/dismantling the scaffold and the formwork at a high place. The scaffold itself carries the formwork erection system, so formwork erection and formwork removal can be mechanized, thereby reducing the risk of formwork erection and formwork removal at a high place.

Abstract: A method for preventing shield jamming by excessive frictional resistance in earth pressure balance shield which involves real-time monitoring of earth pressure signal for earth pressure on the shield body through sensors on the shield machine. Combined with the known parameters, resistance in the shield machine is calculated. The friction F1 between the shield body and the stratum is calculated by CPU module in PLC according to the earth pressure signals on a real-time basis. Then the friction F1 is determined whether it is less than or equal to the difference between the quotient of dividing total propulsion force Ft by correction coefficient Kxz and total resistance of F2, F3, F4 and F5; if so, it is under normal propulsion; if not, the warning device alarms.

Abstract: A steering wheel and associated control system to execute a corresponding algorithm, the steering wheel including a rim which is rotatable about a first axis to steer a vehicle, and a throttle dial disposed in a surface of the rim. The throttle dial controls a throttle of the vehicle and has a variable output to control an amount of the throttle in proportion to an amount the throttle dial is displaced from a nil output position. A similar brake dial is also provided, and is also disposed in the surface of the rim at another location, thus providing hand operation of a throttle and brake of a vehicle without having to remove one's hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device integrated with a driving circuit and a power supply circuit, a method for manufacturing an optical device substrate used therein, and a substrate thereof, which are capable of reducing the overall size and facilitating the handling and management thereof by mounting a plurality of optical elements, driving circuits thereof, and power supply circuits thereof on a single substrate for an optical device having a vertical insulating layer.