Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) comprises a sensor (12) for sensing a vehicle crash condition and a control module (14) for receiving a signal from the sensor (12) and generating a demand-to-fire signal if the crash condition is above a threshold level. The apparatus (10) further comprises a plurality of restraint modules (20) for, when actuated, helping to protect a vehicle occupant. Each restraint module (20) has at least one initiator (22) that is energizable to actuate the restraint module (20). A restraint communication bus (58) transfers the demand-to-fire signal from the control module (14) to the restraint modules (20). A connector (66) is associated with each initiator (22). Each initiator (22) and the associated connector (66) collectively form a transformer (80). The demand-to-fire signal is inductively coupled to the initiator (22) for actuating the restraint module (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for detecting motion within an area is provided. The apparatus (12) comprises a control module (28) for controlling operation of the apparatus (12) and for determining whether motion is sensed within the area. The apparatus (12) also comprises at least one slave module (e.g., 30), remotely located from the control module (28), for sensing motion within the area in response to control information from the control module (28) and for providing sensory information to the control module (28). The control module (28) and the at least one slave module (e.g., 30) include components for wireless communication of signals conveying the control information and the sensory information.

Abstract: A method for controlling a steering apparatus (10) of a vehicle produces an error signal (128) by subtracting a hand wheel torque (118) and a column torque (126) from a desired operator torque (112) to be applied to a hand wheel (14) of the vehicle. A controller (102) receives at least one vehicle condition signal (106, 108, 110) and determines the desired operator torque (112). Inertia (116) and acceleration (120) of the hand wheel (14) of the vehicle are determined. A hand wheel torque (118) is calculated by multiplying the inertia (116) of the hand wheel (14) with the acceleration (120) of the hand wheel (14). The column torque (126) is determined by measuring torque across a torsion bar (50).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method are provided for detecting an intrusion into a predetermined area. The apparatus (10) includes a transmitter (28) for transmitting a signal within the predetermined area. A first receiver (30) is oriented toward a first location within the predetermined area and receives reflected return signals of the transmitted signal. A second receiver (32) is oriented toward a second location within the predetermined area and receives reflected return signals of the transmitted signal. The second location is different from the first location. A controller (42) determines whether reflected return signals received by the first and the second receivers (30 and 32) indicate an intrusion or a non-intrusion event. The controller (42) provides an alarm signal for an alarm (44) when only one of the reflected return signals received by the first and the second receivers (30 and 32) indicates an intrusion.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for remotely controlling convenience functions at a plurality of devices (35X-35Y) includes a plurality of device-based receivers (30X-30Y) and a plurality of portable transmitters (20A-20C). Each of the plurality of receivers (30X-30Y) include the capability of receiving a remote convenience function request signal and conveying a remote convenience function request message to a device operations system (38X or 38Y) for use in performing a remotely requested convenience function. Each of the plurality of transmitters (20A-20C) include capability of being configurable to be compatible with any of the plurality of receivers (30X-30Y) for outputting a remote convenience function request signal to cause remote control performance of a function at the respective device (35X or 35Y).

Abstract: In a process and an apparatus for making a plastic sleeve (56), plastic is fed into an extruder die (216). The plastic is extruded from the extruder die (216) as a molten plastic stream into a mold cavity (272) having an inner wall (270) with dimensions greater than the outside dimensions of the molten plastic stream. A first end (274) of the inner wall (270) includes a first projection (282) extending radially inward of the mold cavity (272) and circumferentially completely around the mold cavity (272). The molten plastic stream is vacuum expanded radially against the inner wall (270) and around the projection (282) to form a plastic sleeve (56) with a circumferential rib (74) and a aligned external first groove (92) at one end (60) of the sleeve (56).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for preventing show-thru (and therefore misinsertion of unintended traffic) among uplink beams transmitted to a satellite. The method includes the steps of selecting (402) an uplink A stagger value, selecting an uplink B stagger value, coding (404) uplink A data to generate coded uplink A data, and coding (406) uplink B data to generate coded uplink B data. Subsequently, the method transmits (412) the coded uplink A data, staggered by the uplink A stagger value, in the uplink A and further transmits (414) the coded uplink B data, staggered by the uplink B stagger value, in the uplink B. During coding (404, 406), the method may use a full length error correcting code capable of correcting t errors. In such a case, the method generally selects an uplink B stagger value differing from the uplink A stagger value by more than t codeword symbols.

Abstract: A superconductor circuit (50) for providing active timing arbitration between SFQ pulses. The superconductor circuit (50) includes a first superconducting transmission line (52) having at least one inductor (54) for transmitting first input pulses, and a second superconducting transmission line (62) having at least one inductor (64) for transmitting second input pulses that are correlated to the first input pulses. The first and second superconducting transmission lines (52, 62) are coupled together in order to generate a flux attraction between the first and second input pulses for reducing relative timing uncertainty.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The device (14) has a perimeter (50) defined by an upper edge (52) positioned adjacent the roof (28), an opposite lower edge (54), and front and rear edges (56 and 58) spaced apart along the upper and lower edges. The device (14) includes overlying panels secured together along the perimeter (50) to define an inflatable volume (34) and is free from association with an inflatable tube. An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the device (14). A flexible elongated member (90) extends through the device (14) and is coiled around a portion (70) of the inflatable volume (34) of the device. The member (90) has a first end (92) and an opposite second end (94) fixed to the vehicle side structure (16).

Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensor (10) includes a rotor (12) having a central rotor axis (14) and which is mountable within a vehicle (18). The rotor (12) is inertially balanced and freely rotatable about the rotor axis (14). The sensor (10) also includes a detector (32) for detecting rotation of the rotor (12) relative to the rotor axis (14). The detector (32) is operative to provide a detector signal (43) indicative of the detected relative rotation. The detector signal (43) is used to determine the occurrence of a vehicle rollover condition.

Abstract: A method is provided for using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to drive a turbine (20′) in a turbopump fed rocket engine (12′). The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving fuel into a fuel rich pre-burner (50); (b) receiving high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide into the pre-burner (50); (c) converting the fuel and hydrogen peroxide into a fuel rich gas; and (d) passing the fuel rich gas through a turbine (20′), thereby using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to drive the turbine. Thus, by utilizing a fuel rich pre-burner (50) that operates at a very low mixture ratio, the drive gas for a turbine (20′) can be maintained at moderate temperature levels.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus (10) includes a housing (22) defining a chamber (25) for holding power steering fluid. The housing (22) has an opening (62, 153, 213) defined by a projection (64, 152, 212) integrally formed on the housing. A conduit (50) extends into the opening (62, 153, 213). A connector assembly (60, 150, 210) connects the conduit (50) with the projection (64, 152, 212) on the housing (22). The connector assembly (60, 150, 210) includes a member (68, 160, 218) engaging the conduit (50) and the projection (64, 152, 212) to connect the conduit with the projection.

Abstract: A steering gear (12) has a rack bar (36) and a housing (22). The rack bar (36) is movable linearly relative to the housing (22) for turning steerable wheels (68) of the vehicle. Movement of the rack bar (36) relative to the housing (22) is resisted by friction. An electric motor (14) is connected with the rack bar (36) and causes linear movement of the rack bar (36) relative to the housing (22). A controller (16), in response to a vehicle speed signal and a torsion signal, generates a motor control signal for controlling the electric motor (14). The controller (16) stores data indicative of the friction resisting movement of the rack bar (36) relative to the housing (22) of the steering gear (12). The controller (16) modifies the motor control signal to compensate for the friction.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus (10) comprises a one-piece monolithic component (16). The one-piece monolithic component (16) includes a pinion gear portion (18) for meshingly engaging a rack bar (14), a valve sleeve portion (20) for cooperating with a valve core (100) to actuate the hydraulic motor (124), and a torsion bar portion (22) extending axially outwardly of the valve sleeve portion (20) opposite the pinion gear portion (18).

Abstract: A model for a semiconductor device and more particularly to a Pi-FET with multiple gate fingers. The model takes into account various parasitics and the inter-relationship therebetween. In particular, multi-finger Pi-FETs are modeled as multiple single finger unit cells. Each single unit cell takes into account off-mesa parasitics, inter-electrode parasitics, on-mesa parasitics and includes an intrinsic model which represents the physics that predominantly determine FET performance. As such, the model can be used for relativity accurate device technology modeling, optimization of device performance and device design.

Abstract: A satellite antenna system employing a dual-band feed horn and dual-band beam forming network. The feed horn provides a common aperture for both satellite uplink and downlink communications signal. The feed horn includes corrugations on an inside surface defining two sets of alternating channels having different depths to create circularly symmetric beams for the uplink and downlink signals. The antenna system includes at least one reflector, where the reflector shape, position, and the configuration of the feed horn, is determined so that the mainlobe of the lower frequency downlink feed signal illuminates the entire reflector, and the mainlobe of the higher frequency uplink feed signal illuminates an inner portion of the reflector. The first sidelobes of the higher frequency feed signal illuminate the outer portion of the reflector so that the uplink and downlink antenna signals have the same beamwidth, and thus cover the same cell size on the Earth.

Abstract: A ball joint (10) for interconnecting first and second vehicle portions (12, 14) for relative movement comprises a socket (30) for connection with the first vehicle portion and a ball stud (40) for connection with the second vehicle portion. The ball stud (40) has a ball end portion (42) received in the socket (30) to support the ball stud for movement relative to the socket. The ball stud (40) also has a shank portion (50) centered on an axis (56) and projecting from the socket (30). The ball joint (10) includes an annular seal (70) having a first end portion (72) connected with the socket (30) and a second end portion (74) connected with the shank portion (50) of the ball stud (40) to seal between the socket and the ball stud. The seal (70) includes a first seal member (80) and a second seal member (90). The first seal member (80) extends between and interconnects the first and second end portions (72, 74) and is made from a first elastomeric material.

Abstract: A fluid power steering gear (10) comprises a housing (16). A power steering fluid (34) is disposed within the housing (16). A seal (50) contains the power steering fluid (34) within said housing (16). A member (20) extends through the housing (16) and the seal (50). The member (20) is movable relative to the housing (16) and the seal (50) in response to a change in the fluid pressure in the housing (16). The power steering fluid (34) comprises a base oil and a metal-free lubricant additive. The metal-free lubricant additive is soluble in the base oil and modifies the interfacial surface tension between the base oil and the member (20) and the base oil and the seal (50). The weight percent of the metal-free lubricant additive is about 0.1% to about 5.0%, by weight of the power steering fluid (34).

Abstract: An apparatus (34) and associated method are provided for vehicle occupant sensing. An EM energy driver component (36) and associated EM energy source (40) provide a modulated beam (44, e.g., IR light), and a movable reflection component (46) scans the beam onto an occupant location. A detector (92) detects beam reflection and a phase determination component (96) processes phase information that is provided to a controller (24). Within the controller (24) processing (114, 116, and 118) provides mapping of occupant contours and determination of an occupant characteristic.

Abstract: A communications satellite method and are provided for controlling a configuration of spot beams produced by a communications satellite. A plurality of spot beams are generated by a communications satellite while maintained at a first orbital position with respect to a first portion of the earth. The plurality of spot beams are configured in a first cell pattern to substantially encompass a first portion of the Earth. The satellite is moved to a second orbital position with respect to a second portion of the earth. Once moved, the satellite is reconfigured such that a second plurality of spot beams form a second pattern 85 to substantially cover the new portion of the earth of interest. A network of switches allows the satellite 10 to be reconfigured for operation from multiple orbital positions. The switching network directs individual feeds to different signal paths having different bandwidth and power capabilities.