Abstract: The disclosure relates to a magnetometer in which direction of the Earth's magnetic field is determined on the basis of time variant differences in the inductance of a sensor coil of the digital compass which is a function of the orientation of the sensor coil with respect to the Earth's magnetic field. The magnetometer includes a sensing coil, a feedback resistor, and a comparator.

Abstract: A seat cushion structure for use in a vehicle seat including a first outer wall and a second outer wall joined to form a plurality of chambers. The seat cushion includes an energy absorption substance disposed within the chambers to absorb occupant load. The seat cushion also includes a plurality of springs disposed within the chambers to further facilitate occupant support and comfort.

Abstract: A composite headliner material allows sound waves originating within a vehicle to penetrate deeply into the headliner where all of a significant portion of their energy is absorbed rather than reflected back into the vehicle. The coverstock sheet is backed by a multilayer material with a foam core coated above and below by a fibrous glass mat impregnated with an adhesive with scrim layers above and below glass mat layers.

Abstract: A container holder/tray combination includes a housing for mounting to a vehicle. The housing defines a recess for receiving therein at least one container holder, a cover pivotally mounted to the housing for covering the container holder and housing when in a closed position, and movable to an open position. The cover has a surface defining a tray, and the container holder is movably mounted with respect to the housing and tray between a first position coplanar with the tray for positioning a container therein and a second position within the housing. In a preferred embodiment, multiple independently movable adjacent container holders are provided to allow selectable use of the tray area.

Abstract: An arcuate spring is coupled between a fixed vehicle member and a movable vehicle member with a pivot connection between the members interposed between the ends of the spring such that, as the movable member is moved from a first position, the axis of the pivot connection is located outside of a line intersecting the ends of the spring, thereby holding the movable member in a first position. When the movable member is moved to a second position, the pivot connection lies between the spring and a line connecting the end points of the spring to provide a bias force which holds the movable member in a second position. In one embodiment, the over-center spring is integrated with a grab handle for holding the grab handle in a deployed or retracted position. In another embodiment, the spring is associated with a vehicle panel.

Abstract: A visor mounting assembly includes a visor elbow and a visor mounting bracket with a cam cooperating between the two members to detent the visor when moved from a front windshield position to a side window position at a location which allows clearance of the side curtain air bag, thereby positioning the visor when in the side window position at a location which does not interfere with or inhibit the deployment of a side curtain air bag. In one embodiment, a stop extends between the elbow and bracket to limit the movement of the visor.

Abstract: The present invention includes a battery case and battery wherein the battery case includes a housing having a top and a bottom and wherein the housing defines a plurality of cavities that are generally octagonal in cross-section. The battery includes a housing defining octagonal shaped cavities, a terminal coupled to the housing, a top and bottom sealingly coupled to the housing, and a plurality of battery cells disposed win the cavities and electrically interconnected in series with the terminal.

Abstract: An adapter for intercoupling a valve and an actuator to limit the heat transfer therebetween. The adapter includes a body for separating the actuator from the valve, first means for coupling the adapter to the valve, second means for coupling the adapter to the actuator, and a passage extending through the body to accommodate a stem for operationally coupling the actuator to the valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the performance of Building Environmental Control networks by efficiently storing network routing information and by checking that the data exchanged between two computer applications operating on the network is consistent. The present invention efficiently stores network routing information by having the Building Environmental control network routers only store routing information when that router acts as a bridge for communicating that message further downstream. The present invention also checks that the exchange of data between two building environmental control applications is done by forming a special identifier from the existing data and using that identifier to validate data exchanges. The special identifier is formed by segmenting one field found within the data and having a portion of that segmented field be indicative of the identifying name of the data.