Abstract: The present invention concerns a system and method for controlling which regions of the earth are image sensed by a satellite imaging system having location determination processing and command and control for pointing a satellite to a specific location about the earth for imaging. The invention utilizes exclusion zones, which define the regions of the earth restricted from image sensing. The exclusion zones are either defined by hard wired logic circuitry, or stored onto read only memory in association with a processor, or stored onto random access memory in association with a processor. The stored exclusion zones are tied to the satellite imaging systems location determination processing system and command and control system. The random access memory is set with the exclusion zone regions of the earth by encrypted signals transmitted from a ground station.

Abstract: A system and method for sealing a windshield washer reservoir is illustrated comprising a one-piece molded cap and strap. The one-piece cap and strap comprises integrally molded and mating hinge members which facilitate hingeably mounting the cap onto the strap after they have been separated from each other. This facilitates providing a sealing system and method having some of the advantages of a one-piece molded construction, while at the same time permitting the user to experience the advantages of a two-piece hinge construction. In another embodiment, an integrally molded cam defining a cam surface and a mating engaging surface are provided which cooperate to not only separate the cap from the strap, but also to cause the pin associated with the cap to be guided into the socket such that when the cap is actuated from an open position to a closed position, the integrally molded cap and strap become separated and substantially simultaneously hingeably mounted together.

Abstract: A quick connector assembly includes a female component having an axial bore adapted to sealingly receive a first end of a mating tube, wherein the female component further includes a transverse slot intersecting the axial bore adapted to receive and retain a U-shaped retainer, first, in a partially-inserted "shipping" position wherein the legs of the retainer engage complementary surfaces on opposite sides of the slot to releasably secure the retainer therein while otherwise permitting axial passage of an upset bead on the tube's first end into the axial bore past the retainer's legs and, second, in a fully-inserted position wherein inner surfaces on the retainer's legs resiliently engage the periphery of the tube while axially-disposed surfaces on the retainer's legs and bight oppose axial displacement of the tube's upset bead to lock the tube in the female component.

Abstract: A pipe joining construction which maintains airtightness for a long period of time, easily ensures the required dimensional accuracy, and surface finish accuracy, and can decrease cost. The pipe joining construction is characterized by a seal member S mounted at the outer periphery of a male end form (2) on a connector (1) or a pipe M and a collar (5) covering the outer periphery of the tip end of the male end form (2). The collar (5) has a tapered portion with a tapered outer periphery. The collar (5) is used as a holding member for the seal member S. Alternately, a ring member (11) is mounted between the seal members and a bead (26) on the male end form (2).

Abstract: An insertion indicator for a metal quick connector assembly includes an annular base adapted to be releasably received within the mouth of a female connector component's axial bore, such that the male end form of the connector assembly's male component, including an external flange thereon, is insertable through the indicator's base into the axial bore. The indicator further includes two legs projecting both axially and radially-inwardly from its base so as to extend deeper within the female component's axial bore than the "locking" abutment surfaces of a retainer, also disposed within the bore, when the indicator is releasably received therein.

Abstract: An actuating unit for a locking-protected motor vehicle brake system having a main brake cylinder and a vacuum brake booster arranged upstream of the main brake cylinder. The movable wall of the brake booster movable against the direction of actuation in the brake pressure control mode separately from the control housing by a pneumatic pressure equalization initiated within the booster housing.

Abstract: An engine cooling system and method and apparatus for controlling hydraulic fluid flow between a plurality of hydraulic components in a hydraulic system is shown. The system and method utilized at least one hydraulic sensor for actuating a hydraulic valve which controls the fluid delivery to the hydraulic components. At least one of the hydraulic sensors includes a thermosensitive material which causes the sensor to deliver hydraulic pressure to an actuator on the valve when the material is heated in response to an increase in temperature of, for example, a coolant associated with the engine.

Abstract: A system includes mateable connectors (12, 14) with mateable optic fiber termini, which provides for precision alignment of the termini and which facilitates installation of an insert whose front end must be of rectangular shape. Two mating sets of optic fiber termini (30, 32) are precisely aligned by a pair of pin-receiving alignment holes (44, 46) in one connector and a pair of pins (40, 42) projecting from the other connector, wherein a first (40) of the alignment pins is precisely cylindrical and fits closely in the first hole, and a second (42) of the pins is also precisely cylindrical but fits into a hole (46) that is elongated in a direction toward and away from the first hole. A front portion (110) of an insert is of largely rectangular cross-section, while the rear portion (112) of the insert is of largely circular cross-section to enable retention by a circular retainer clip (120) and to provide threads (122) for threading into a backshell.

Abstract: A multiplier for real or complex numbers is split at each data input into two equally large digit ranges to determine partial products in separate subfields. Within a rectangular partial-product field, the subfields are rearranged according to the real or complex arithmetic operation to be performed, the rearrangement being effected by assigning basic weights to the individual subfields. By means of an adding arrangement, the partial products of the individuals subfields are added in a positionally correct manner to form the digits of a real or complex output number.

Abstract: The invention provides a receiver for a smart card (C) that has contact pads (P), including a printed circuit board (10), an electrical connector (14) mounted on the circuit board and holding contacts (18) for engaging the contact pads on the card, and a molded plastic cover (30) mounted on the circuit board and lying around the connector. The cover forms a card-receiving slot (38) for receiving a card in a fully-installed card position (A), including upper and lower slot walls (32, 44) that extend laterally (Q) across the entire width of the slot only at the front of the slot, with short runners (56, 58) extending along the opposite sides of the card along most of the slot length. The lower slot wall has a rear edge (46) that lies over a depressed front end of the body to closely position the cover with respect to the connector.

Abstract: A hydraulic controllable vibration absorber for an automotive vehicle has a power cylinder that is divided a vibration absorber piston into a first power chamber, which is configurated above the vibration absorber piston, and a second power chamber, which is configurated beneath the vibration absorber piston. These configurations allow both chambers to be brought into connection with a balancing chamber. The vibration absorber is equipped with a sensor arrangement which affords a recognition of the direction of movement of the vibration absorber piston. The sensor arrangement is inserted between the second power chamber and the balancing chamber.

Abstract: A connector is provided for use with a microcircuit card that has contact pads on its lower face, which assures that connector contact blades fully engage the card pads when full insertion of the card is detected. The connector includes a body with a contact body portion that holds the card-engaging contacts and a switch body portion that holds a switch with an actuator. The body portions are integral and have coplanar upper faces which assures precision relative positioning of the card-engaging blades and the actuator that detects full insertion of the card. The switch body portion is preferably offset from the contact body portion, which facilitates routing of circuit board conductors when the connector is mounted on a circuit board, especially where the connector has surface mount terminals. The switch actuator has a fixed rear end and two forward arms, one for depression by a card and the other for depressing and releasing a snap dome.

Abstract: A multi-layer tube comprises a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface, wherein the zinc layer is selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc/aluminum/rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate and mixtures thereof. A first polymeric layer is bonded to the surface treatment layer, wherein the first polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, an ionomer, a nylon, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. A second polymeric layer is bonded to the first polymeric layer, wherein the second polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An adjusting lever pivoted on the attachment part moves during operation of the windshield wiper along a cam of a fixed rocker arm and thus pivots the contact spring to vary the force with which the wiper blade is pressed against the windshield being cleaned as a function of the particular wiper angle. The section of the adjusting lever on the rocker arm side has a fork-like design in which each fork leg rests upon an axially positioned cam of the rocker arm.

Abstract: A quick connector formed of a housing having a through bore receiving one end of a male connector with a radially enlarged flange. At least one and preferably a plurality of circumferentially spaced retainer fingers are integrally formed as a one piece extension from the first end of the housing and are deployable from a first axially extending position to an angular inwardly extending position in the bore in the housing to engage the flange on the male connector after the male connector has been inserted into the bore in the housing to lockingly couple the male connector in the housing. In a connector having a metal housing, a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers are formed to axially extend from a first open end. The fingers are bent into an angular, inwardly extending position to engage the flange on the male connector. In another embodiment for use with a metal quick connector housing, a molded annular band has a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers extending therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the driving behavior of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has front and rear axles, each having a plurality of wheels. Each wheel has a brake. Sensor are provided for measuring the rotational speed of each wheel, the vehicle yaw rate and the vehicle lateral acceleration. An anti-lock braking system provides first preset pressure values for controlling each brake, to prevent the wheels from locking during braking. A traction slip control system provides second preset pressure values for controlling each brake, to prevent the wheels from slipping during acceleration. A brake effort proportioning system provides third preset pressure values for distributing braking pressure between the wheels of the front axle and the wheels of the rear axle. A yawing moment controller provides fourth preset pressure values used to control each brake during cornering, to avoid application to the vehicle of an unbalanced moment which would cause the vehicle to understeer or oversteer.

Abstract: A blade for a vehicle engine-cooling fan assembly. The blade combines a particular distribution of four, key, blade-design parameters--planform sweep, airfoil chord, maximum airfoil camber, and airfoil pitch angle--to achieve a fan assembly having high pumping, high efficiency, and low noise. Specifically, the blade has a planform with a forward sweep angle continuously increasing in absolute value along the span from the root to a maximum absolute value not exceeding about 15 degrees at the tip. The airfoil of the blade has a chord that continuously increases from the root to the tip, a maximum camber that continuously decreases from a value not greater than about 12% of chord at the root to a value not less than about 5% of chord at the tip, and a solidity not greater than about 1.1 at the root and not less than about 0.5 at the tip.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing and/or molding a plurality of parts, such as a sleeve bearing and a roller bearing, into a predetermined position in the housing wiper motor comprising a component such as a housing. The wiper motor comprises a motor housing, a plurality of bearings integrally insert molded into a predetermined position in the motor housing and a motor situated in the motor housing and having a plurality of shafts which are received in the plurality of bearings. The method for molding a motor housing for use in the vehicle comprises the steps of situating at least one part, such as the sleeve bearing, into a mold for molding the motor housing and then insert molding the housing such that the at least one part becomes integrally formed or molded into a predetermined position therein. In a preferred embodiment, the part is molded into the housing such that it is aligned within a tolerance range of about -0.05 mm to +30 0.05 mm.

Abstract: A brake unit for motor vehicles with electric drive with a hydraulic pressure transducer and hydraulic friction brakes to increase the brake effect applied by the electric drive motor. The cooperation of the electric drive motor with the hydraulic friction brakes is controlled by an electronic controller.

Abstract: A system is provided wherein an IC memory card (10, FIG. 2) is inserted into a slot (12) of an electronic device (14), which discharges any static electric charge on the card. The card includes a frame that comprises a body having opposite side beams and top and bottom conductive covers mounted on the side beams, to enclose a circuit board. The circuit board has a ground plane, and a first of the side beams has an electrically conductive surface portion directly engaged with a peripheral portion of the ground plane and with one of the covers, to connect the cover to the side beam conductive portion. The body can be constructed of molded electrically conductive material.