Abstract: A cargo enclosure for a vehicle includes a side panel having at least one pocket is formed therein. The pocket has a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a front wall having an aperture therein. A bottom surface of the pocket is canted downwardly from the back wall toward the aperture in the front wall such that any debris or other material that may infiltrate the pocket will readily slide down the canted bottom surface, through the aperture and onto a bottom surface of the cargo enclosure.

Abstract: A drive system for an electric vehicle includes a motor for providing a drive torque and an electrically actuated brake for providing a braking torque to the motor. The system includes a controller that receives a plurality of inputs which may include a battery voltage input, a throttle pedal position input, a brake pedal position input, a key switch input, a forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) input, and a brake full-stroke input in addition to the brake pedal input. The controller may generate a drive signal for the motor based on some or all of the inputs.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit employs an oscillator powered by a variable positive supply voltage, storage and switching circuitry controlled by an oscillator signal from the oscillator, and a regulator that maintains a negative supply voltage generated by the storage and switching circuitry at a target value through control of the variable positive supply voltage. The charge pump can be used in a power stage employing normally on switching transistors (such as silicon carbide junction FETs or SiC JFETs) that require a negative voltage to be turned completely off. Such power stages are in turn useful in applications including military aerospace applications having harsh electromagnetic interference (EMI) conditions, where they may be controlled by optical control signals conveyed by optical fibers from a more benign operating environment within the body of an aircraft.

Abstract: A device for stacking wires or cables is provided. The device includes an attachment portion capable of attachment to a stud or other anchor, and a wire or cable receiving portion connected to the attachment portion. The wire or cable receiving portion has a plurality of segments which form a generally serpentine-shaped spine, thereby providing a plurality of wire or cable receiving slots. A pair of spaced apart tabs extend from each main portion. Each said tab has an end attached to the respective main portion and an opposite end which is free. Each tab curves outwardly and downwardly from the respective main portion and at least partially overlaps the respective wire or cable receiving slot.

Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled apparatus having a mobile structure and a handle assembly coupled to the mobile structure. The handle assembly includes a pair of grip portions. A ground engaging traction member is rotatably coupled to the mobile structure and imparts traction movement to the mobile structure for movement on the ground. A power source outputs drive power and a drive system, coupled between the power source and the ground engaging traction member, selectively transmits the drive power to the ground engaging traction member. A speed control actuation system coupled to the drive system includes a control member pivotable about an axis. An electronic member senses a control member rotation and relays an electronic signal to a controller which generates a linear speed control signal to the drive system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of an article enclosing built-in fitment components in the form of a hollow body of thermoplastic material. The hollow body is preferably in the form of a fuel tank. The process includes the extrusion of one or more preforms in web or tube form of plasticized material between the opened portions of a mold tool forming a cavity, wherein at least one built-in fitment component to be enclosed by the finished article is placed between the portions of the mold tool and the tool is closed around the preforms and the built-in fitment component, wherein the preforms within the cavity enclosed by the tool acquire the external configuration of the article. The built-in fitment component is pressed during or directly after the shaping operation against the inside wall of the article while still plastic so that the plastic material of the hollow body penetrates through at least one recess or opening of the built-in fitment component and flows therebehind.

Abstract: Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) ducts are disclosed for use with various gain media. An ASE duct may be configured and arranged to remove ASE from solid state or liquid gain media and transmit the ASE to an exterior optical medium. The refractive index of an ASE duct is selected as desired based on the refractive index of a gain medium and an exterior optical medium. An ASE duct may include first and second boundary surfaces joined at a vertex having an included angle that allows ASE (light) reflected off on one boundary surface to be incident on the another boundary surface at less than the critical angle and transmitted outside of the ASE duct. Laser systems using ASE ducts and methods of using and manufacturing ASE ducts are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for optimizing allocation of an entity's resources based on an existing set of the entity's geographical service territories, wherein each territory includes both existing and potential customers. A plurality of territory-selection criteria are established and existing and potential customer data are compiled for each of the entity's existing territories. Customer data are quantified, and an overall rating indicative of the relative level of compliance between each existing territory's customer data and the territory-selection criteria is calculated. Based on the magnitude of the average overall rating for all existing territories, the geographical boundaries of at least one of the entity's existing territories are reconfigured to generate a new set of territories in such a way as to reduce the average rating.

Abstract: Determination of the orientation of a unit is based on solar positioning. An actual measurement of the position of the sun is taken and compared to a theoretical determination of the position of the sun. By comparing the actual and theoretical positions, the orientation of the unit is determined in an accurate, reliable, and economical manner.

Abstract: A steering column assembly attached to a frame of a vehicle includes a base rigidly attached to the frame. A bracket may be attached to the base. A steering column may be rigidly attached to the bracket. The bracket may attach to the base in a plurality of orientations. At least one angle may be defined in a first orientation between the steering column and the base. A correspondingly measured second angle may be defined in a second orientation between the steering column and the base. The first angle is distinct from the second angle.

Abstract: A convertible cargo bed assembly for a utility vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a single piece molded main body having a pair of integrally formed hip restraints that each include a passenger hand hold integrally formed within the respective hip restraint. The assembly additionally includes a molded pivoting panel that has a cargo deck side and a seat side. The cargo deck side functions as a portion of a cargo deck when the pivoting panel is in a deployed position. The seat side has at least one full-sized seat cushion coupled thereto. That is the full-sized seat cushion is approximately the same size as the forward facing driver's and passenger's seats. Therefore, when the pivoting panel is transitioned from the deployed position to a stowed position, wherein the convertible cargo bed provides a full-sized rear facing seat.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to the use of optical gain structures that include alternating layers of gain medium and transparent heat conductors in which the gain medium itself functions as a correction optic. The gain medium changes to an optimum or desired shape because of the thermal changes occurring as the materials of the optical gain structure(s) reach a desired optical output condition. At the desired optical output conditions, the gain medium conforms to a desired shape. The desired shape may be, for example, that of an optical surface of a transparent heat conductor. By designing the initial shape of the gain medium such that the physical contact with the transparent heat conductor is maximized at the desired optical output conditions, conductive heat transfer between the gain medium and heat conductor(s) is maximized at the desired optical output condition.

Abstract: An instrument panel support assembly can be removably attached to a small utility vehicle frame. The instrument panel support assembly can include multiple attachment features that enable a front suspension system to be coupled to the frame in different orientations. The frame can include alignment features that facilitate the alignment of the instrument panel support assembly on the frame for attachment thereto.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a raised projection or extrusion on a component of a small utility vehicle can be used to secure other components of the vehicle together. The extrusion can receive a fastener therein to hold the components together. The extrusion can be relatively rigid and engage directly with the fastener or indirectly with the fastener through other relatively rigid members, such as a washer. The extrusion can limit the compressive load imparted by the fastener on the other components. The engagement between the fastener and the extrusion can maintain the clamping load imparted between the fastener and the extrusion regardless of creeping of one or more components being secured by the fastener and extrusion.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided including a vehicle structure, a seat back, and a support member. The support member can include a piece of metal tubing. The piece of metal tubing can have a plurality of engagement portions. A first engagement portion can be coupled to the vehicle structure. A second said engagement portion can be coupled to the seat back. A third engagement portion can be coupled to a sweater basket, and a fourth engagement portion can be coupled to a rear canopy support strut.

Abstract: A gimbal for a gimbaled mirror optical sensor system includes a mirror support rotatable about a first axis along which an optical sensor suite lies, the first axis being spaced apart from a desired pivot point of a variable line of sight, which may be for example a fixed-size window in the outer wall of an aircraft. The gimbal further includes two generally planar mirrors supported by and rotatable with the mirror support. A first mirror is spaced apart from the optical sensor suite along the first axis and is non-orthogonal to the first axis so as to reflect light from a second axis to the optical sensor suite, wherein the second axis sweeps an arcuate path about the first axis upon rotation of the mirror support. A second mirror lies along the second axis so as to follow the arcuate path upon rotation of the mirror support. The second mirror is pivotable so as to reflect light from the variable line of sight to the first mirror along the second axis.

Abstract: Textile-based electrodes include a fabric portion having stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and an electrically conductive region having stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments. The electrodes can further include float yarns and can be configured in a textured or ribbed construction. When incorporated into a garment, the electrodes can be used to monitor biophysical characteristics, such as the garment wearer's heart rate.

Abstract: A lightweight utility vehicle brake lighting system comprising a brake pedal position sensor, a controller and a brake light circuit. The brake pedal position sensor senses the position, e.g., amount of depression, of a vehicle brake pedal. The controller of interprets a brake pedal position signal from the brake pedal position sensor to determine the position of the brake pedal. When the controller determines that the brake pedal has been depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle, the controller transmits a brake light signal to an electronic switching device, such as a relay switch, of the brake light circuit. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit to enable a current flow through the brake light circuit, thereby illuminating at least one brake light of the vehicle.

Abstract: A retractable canopy system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system comprises a mounting frame that includes a pair of legs. An upper portion of each leg can be frictionally retained between a pair of corresponding vehicle roof support side struts. Distal ends of each mounting frame leg can be fixedly connected to a fixed structure of the vehicle. At least one deployment frame can be pivotally connected to the mounting frame legs and a canopy can be attached to the mounting frame and the deployment frame. Thus, the canopy can be transitioned between a stowed position and a deployed position by moving the deployment frame.