Abstract: An arrangement (14) is used in a vehicle (10), and contains an occupant characteristic sensor (36), a filter (62) and a controller (24). The sensor (36) senses an occupant characteristic and outputs a signal indicative thereof. The filter (62) and the controller (24) operate to monitor the signal for a frequency component indicative of a vehicle crash event. In one example, the arrangement (14) is part of an occupant protection system (12) that includes an actuatable protection device (16). The controller (24) controlling actuation of the protection device (16) in response to the filtered frequency component.

Abstract: A system (10) and associated method for tire condition communication for a vehicle (12). The system (10) includes a sensor (18), associated with a tire (14), to sense at least one tire condition. Transmitter components (22, 24 and 30), associated with the tire (14) and operatively connected to the sensor (18), provide for transmission of a signal (32) that has a data rate and that indicates the sensed tire condition. A receiver unit (40), associated with the vehicle (12), receives the signal (32). The receiver unit (40) includes a plurality of antennas (42A-42N), each for receiving the transmitted signal (32), and a switching device (46) among the plurality of antennas at a rate that is quicker than the data rate of the transmitted signal (32).

Abstract: A reflective surface positioning apparatus (10) includes first locating device (21), second locating device (22), first utilizing device (51), and second utilizing device (52). The first locating device (21) locates part (32) of an occupant (30) of a vehicle (6) and produces a first location signal (41) indicative of the location of the part (32) of the vehicle occupant (30). The second locating device (22) locates an object (71) external to the vehicle (6) and produces a second location signal (42) indicative of the location of the external object (71). The first utilizing device (51) utilizes the first location signal (41) to cause positioning of a first reflective surface (61) to a first default position. The second utilizing device (52) utilizes the second location signal (42) to reposition the first reflective surface (61) to a first temporary position for providing a view of the external object (71) to the part (32) of the vehicle occupant (30) for a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A wireless communication system operates a power amplifier (422) in an earth terminal (400) in a non-saturated mode of operation to transmit communication signals over a communication uplink to a communication satellite (100). The satellite operates a power amplifier (186, 188) in a saturated mode of operation to transmit communication signals over a communication downlink to terminal (400). Operating the amplifiers in the different modes of operation increases efficiency.

Abstract: An optical system (10) for correcting wavefront aberrations of an optical beam (12). The beam (12) is received by an entrance pupil (14), where a portion of the beam (12) at the entrance pupil (14) is coupled off of the main beam (12) to be used as a reference beam (22). The reference beam (22) is taken from a small enough portion of the main beam (12) so that the temporal coherence of the reference beam wavefront is substantially in phase. The reference beam (22) is amplified by a coherent reference amplifier (24), expanded and collimated. The main beam (12) and the collimated beam (28) are applied to a beam splitter (16) that splits the main beam (12) and the reference beam (22) into two separate beam paths, where the main beam (12) and the reference beam (22) traveling along a common path are coupled together. One optical path from the beam splitter (16) is applied to a detector array (32) and the other optical path from the beam splitter (16) is applied to a light valve (40).

Abstract: A low noise amplifier (82) for use in a wireless telecommunications system. The amplifier (82) includes an amplifying device (90), such as an FET, and a plurality of oscillation stabilization components monolithically integrated on a common substrate (132). The stabilization components reduce the gain of the amplifying device (90) at high frequencies to prevent high frequency oscillations. The substrate (132) is on the order of 4 mils thick, so that the operation of the stabilization components are predictable at high frequencies.

Abstract: An apparatus (24) and an associated method provide for monitoring of a condition of a tire (18) of a vehicle (12). A transmitter (34) is rotatable with the tire (18) and is operable to transmit a signal indicative of the tire condition. Amplitude variation is induced in the signal during rotation of the transmitter (34) with the tire (18). A receiver (28) is located at the vehicle (12) and is operable to receive the signal from the transmitter (34). The receiver (28) has circuitry (80) that compensates for the induced amplitude variation.

Abstract: A system (10) includes a vehicle-based controller (30) for automatically controlling a throttle (32) of a vehicle (14) to maintain a desired cruise speed of the vehicle. The system also includes a tire-based unit (20) for monitoring an operating condition of a vehicle tire (12) of the vehicle (14). The tire-based unit (20) provides a signal (22) indicative of a sensed operating condition of the vehicle tire (12) to the controller (30). The controller (30) determines an abnormal condition of the vehicle tire (12) when the sensed operating condition reaches a predetermined level. The controller (30) limits the vehicle cruise speed to a predetermined maximum cruise speed when the vehicle tire (12) is in the abnormal condition.

Abstract: An assembly (20) is used with an anti-lock braking system (10) and is provided by an associated method. The assembly (20) includes a circuit board (30), a lead frame (40), and a plurality of solenoid coils (50). The lead frame (40) has a plurality of mechanical one-way connectors (42) for electrically connecting the circuit board (30) to the lead frame (40). The plurality of solenoid coils (50) is connected to the lead frame (50). Each of the plurality of solenoid coils (50) is electrically connected to the lead frame (40) such that each of the plurality of solenoid coils (50) is electrically connected to the circuit board (30).

Abstract: An assembly (20) is used with an anti-lock braking system (10) and an associated method. The assembly (20) includes a circuit board (30), a motor (40), a hydromechanical block (50), a lead frame (60), and a plurality of solenoid coils (70). The circuit board (30) integrates the electronics of the anti-lock braking system (10). The motor (40) provides pressurized fluid to the anti-lock braking system (10). The motor (40) is connected to the circuit board (30). The hydromechanical block (50) has a through bore (52). The lead frame (60) has a built-in connector (61) extending through the through bore (52) to the circuit board (30). The plurality of solenoid coils (70) controls flow of the pressurized fluid through the hydromechanical block (50). Each of the plurality of solenoid coils (70) is connected to the lead frame (60) such that the plurality of solenoid coils (70) is electrically connected to the circuit board (30) by the built-in connector (61) of the lead frame (60).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a tie rod (151) for a vehicle steering system. The tie rod (151) has an axis (159), a first cylindrical portion (251) with a first outer surface (261) of a first diameter (271), and a second cylindrical portion (252) coaxial with the first cylindrical portion (251). The second cylindrical portion (252) has a second outer surface (262) of a second diameter (272) smaller than the first diameter (271). The tie rod (151) has a ring portion (281) projecting radially from the second outer surface (262) of the second cylindrical portion (252). The ring portion (281) extends circumferentially completely around the axis (159) of the tie rod (151). The ring portion (281) is spaced axially from the first cylindrical portion (251). The ring portion (281) has a third outer surface (362) extending axially along the second cylindrical portion (252). A boot seal (32) encircles the second cylindrical portion (252).

Abstract: An arrangement (10), for a vehicle (12) that has an actuatable occupant protection device (14), includes a vehicle seat (16) for a vehicle occupant (22). The arrangement (10) includes sensors (42 and 44) located within the seat (16) for sensing a characteristic that is indicative of a condition for which the protection device (14) is to be actuated. A controller (32) of the arrangement (10) is located within the seat (16) and processes sensory information from the sensors (42 and 44) to determine the occurrence of the condition for which the protection device (14) is to be actuated. A signal (36) indicative of the determination is output from the controller (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for sensing angular rotation includes a rotor (102) that is rotatable about an axis (104). The rotor (102) has an outer periphery (e.g., cylindrical outer sidewall 106) with a plurality of reflective facets (e.g., 108A-108J). Each juncture between each adjacent pair of the facets (e.g., 108A and 108B) defines a vertex (e.g., 125A). A light source (118) emits a light beam (120) onto the rotor (102). The light beam (120) is reflected by the facets (e.g., 108B) and occasionally bifurcated by the vertices (e.g., 125A). A light detector (126) detects light from the reflected light (124). The light detector (126) provides a detector signal (116) indicative of the angular rotation of the rotor (102). Compensation circuitry (134, 138) compensates for bifurcation of the reflected light (124) and provides a compensated output signal (140) indicative of angular rotation of the rotor (102).

Abstract: A sensor (10) for sensing stress applied to an object (12), wherein the sensor includes a first core member (e.g., 100) aligned substantially parallel to the direction of applied stress and a second core member (e.g., 200) aligned substantially perpendicular to the direction of applied stress. A central core portion (18) connects the first and second core members (e.g., 100 and 200). An excitation coil (20) is operatively associated around the central core portion (18). The excitation coil (20) produces magnetic flux within the object (12) and the first and-second core members (e.g., 100 and 200). A first detection coil (e.g., 104) is operatively associated around the first core member (e.g., 100). A second detection coil (e.g., 204) is operatively associated around the second core member (e.g., 200). The first and second detection coils (e.g., 104 and 204) detect changes in the magnetic flux as affected by applied stress.

Abstract: Fault tolerance is incorporated within the integral electric heaters of a reworkable electronic semiconductor component, such as a reworkable multi-chip module, to increase production yield and longevity of the rework feature. Components of the foregoing kind contain a multi-layer substrate to bond to a printed wiring board, and, for rework, the component includes a plurality of electric heaters arranged side by side on a bottom layer of the substrate. When energized with current, the heaters generate sufficient heat to weaken the adhesive or solder bond to the printed wiring board without delaminating the layers of the substrate, allowing the electronic semiconductor component to be pulled away from the printed wiring board for rework. Additional circuitry is included to automatically route heater current around, that is bypass, any current-interrupting break(s) as may form in any of the electric heaters giving the heaters a fault tolerance.

Abstract: An assembly (20) comprises a circuit board (30), a first component (40), and a second component (50). The circuit board (30) has a planar first surface (32) and a planar second surface (34) opposite the first surface (32). The first component (40) has a first set of connectors (42). The first set of connectors (42) engages a corresponding set of apertures (36) in the first surface (32) of the circuit board (30). The second component (50) has a second set of mechanical one-way connectors (52). The second set of connectors (52) engages a corresponding set of apertures (38) in the second surface (34) of the circuit board (30). The circuit board (30) further has a normal axis (39) perpendicular to both the first and second surfaces (32, 34). The normal axis (39) passes through both the first and second components (40, 50).

Abstract: An occupant sensing system (12) and an associated method provide for the sensing of an occupant (14). An illuminating element (46) of the system (12)selectively illuminates the interior of a vehicle (8). An image sensor (50) acquires a first image of the interior of the vehicle (8) when the interior of the vehicle is illuminated by ambient sources only and acquires a second image of the interior of the vehicle when the interior of the vehicle is illuminated by ambient sources and the illuminating element (46). A controller (34) removes the effect of ambient sources by comparing the first and second images to produce a third image of the interior of the vehicle (8) as illuminated by the illuminating element (46) only. The controller (34) determines the presence of an occupant (14) by comparing the third image to a produced map of the interior of the vehicle (8).

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and associated method determine a vehicle occupant characteristic. An imager (32) collects a first image of an occupant location while the occupant location is subject to a first lighting condition. A light source (38) provides light onto the occupant location. The imager (32) collects a second image of the occupant location while the occupant location is subject to the first lighting condition and the provided light. A subtractor device (50) generates a third image of the occupant location indicative of the difference between the first and second images. An image processing device (52) processes the third image to determine the vehicle occupant characteristic.

Abstract: A system (11) and method determine a vehicle occupant characteristic. A plurality of sensors (50) sense a parameter and output a parameter indicative signal. The sensors (50) are arranged in a plurality of groups (e.g., A-F), with each sensor of a group sensing a similar parameter value. A controller (16) utilizing only a portion of the sensors within each group to make a determination regarding the occupant characteristic.

Abstract: A microthruster (11) provides a small unit force. The microthruster is useful, for example, as a propellant for a microsatellite. The microthruster includes an aerospike (12) extending outwardly beyond the face of an outer wall of the chamber (14) of the microthruster in the vicinity of an outlet nozzle thereof formed by two diaphragms or burst disks (15, 16), closing the chamber on respective sides of the aerospike. The aerospike is preferably formed integrally with the chamber by batch microelectronic fabrication methods. Higher thrust efficiency and more controllable and uniform impulse characteristics are attainable with the microthruster and with an array (17) comprising a plurality of the microthrusters.