Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a base (20) and a plurality of electrically conductive frets (14) connected to the base. The frets (14) have exposed portions (82) on a first surface (40) of the base (20). The apparatus (10) further includes a cover (22) and a pad (80) that is connected with a second surface (62) of the cover (22). The cover (22) is connected with the base (20) such that the second surface (62) of the cover overlies the first surface (40) of the base and the pad (80) overlies the exposed portions (82) of the frets (14). The pad (80) is compressed between the frets (14) and the cover (22).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a torque sensing apparatus (10) for sensing torque applied to an elongated shaft (12) having a longitudinal axis (14). An elongated magnetoelastic element (16) is connected about a portion of the shaft (12). The magnetoelastic element (16) provides a magnetic field in response to a torque (T) applied to the shaft (12). A magnetic member (28) is positioned adjacent the magnetoelastic element (16). An alternating power source (34) drives the magnetic member (28) into magnetic saturation. The magnetic member (28) has a saturation condition responsive to the magnetic field of the magnetoelastic element (16). A detector circuit (36) detects the saturation condition of the magnetic member. The detector circuit (36) provides a signal indicative of the applied torque in response to the saturation condition of the magnetic member (28).

Abstract: An SBS cell (20) for use in combination with a laser system (10) on a mobile platform. The SBS cell (20) includes inner and outer tubes (32, 34) that define inner and outer chambers (38, 40). The inner tube (32) is completely filled with an SBS fluid (76) and the outer tube (34) is filled to a level that is above the fill hole (42) of the inner tube (32). The outer tube (34) is sized to trap enough air to provide a compressible volume for cell fluid expansion from temperature changes in the laser environment. The SBS cell (20) is filled in an upside-down position, and the cell (20) is rotated 180° to its operating position. In this position, the fill hole (42) is pointed downward, and since the air bubbles float to the top, the distance between the inner tube fill hole (42) and the trapped air is sufficient enough to prevent air bubbles from migrating to the fill hole (42) and entering the inner tube (32).

Abstract: A microwave amplifier and more particularly to a microwave amplifier configured as a Doherty amplifier. The amplifier includes a carrier amplifier, a peak amplifier, a Lange coupler at the input of the amplifiers and quarter wave amplifier at the output of the amplifiers. In order to further increase the efficiency, the Doherty amplifier is formed from HEMT/HBT technology to take advantage of the low-noise performance of HEMTs and the high-linearity of HBTs to form a relatively efficient amplifier that functions as a low-noise amplifier at low power levels and automatically switches to high-power amplification for relatively high-impact RF power levels.

Abstract: A method of selective molecular beam epitaxy for fabricating monolithically integrated circuit devices on a common substrate including combinations of PIN diode devices, HBT devices, HEMT devices and MESFET devices. The method includes depositing a profile layer of one of the devices on an appropriate substrate and then depositing a first dielectric layer over the profile layer. The profile layer and the dielectric layer are then etched to define a first device profile. A second profile layer for defining a second device is then deposited over the exposed substrate. The second profile is then selectively etched to define a second device profile. This process can be extended to more than two different device types monolithically integrated on a common substrate as long as the first developed devices are robust enough to handle the temperature cycling involved with developing the subsequent devices.

Abstract: Uplink transmission and reception techniques for a processing satellite including one or more earth terminals 400 connected to receive ATM data cells. One or more encoders 418 are connected to coordinate four data cells with an error correction code to generate data bursts and to coordinate the data bursts with synchronizing bursts to generate data frames. One or more modulators 420 are connected to modulate the data frames by frequency division multiple access modulation to enable placement of the modulated data frames into a plurality of channels. One or more antennas 406 transmit the modulated data frames to a satellite 100 over 48 beams with various forms of polarization. In satellite 100, a receiving multibeam antenna and feed 106 responds to one or more beams of radiocarrier signals having one or more forms of polarization. One or more demodulators 138 demodulate the radio carrier signals into data frames from various channels including a plurality of channel types.

Abstract: A receiver/controller unit (14) of a remote convenience system (10) receives an electromagnetic signal (18). The signal (18) is comprised of a plurality of pulses that convey a remote convenience function request. In response to the receipt of the signal (18), the receiver/controller unit (14) causes performance of the requested function. The receiver/controller unit (14) has a comparator (82). A first input of the comparator (82) is connected to receive an electrical signal (78) with an electrical characteristic that varies to convey the remote convenience function request. A second input of the comparator (82) is connected to receive a signal 86 that has a threshold electrical characteristic value. Preferably, the electrical characteristic is voltage amplitude. An output of the comparator (82) provides a signal indicative of the occurrence of the electrical characteristic of the electrical signal (78) exceeding the threshold value, and that conveys the remote convenience function request.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes a sensor (86) for sensing a vehicle crash. An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) has a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (38) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (12). A housing (16) directs inflation fluid under pressure from the inflation fluid source (38) toward the inflatable device (12) upon actuation of the inflation fluid source. The housing (16) has at least one burst panel (44) attached to the housing. Initiating means (76), when actuated, enables the at least one burst panel (44) to detach from the housing (16) to a condition spaced apart from the housing to enable flow of inflation fluid out of the housing through an opening (74) in the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to controlling a vehicle multistage actuatable occupant restraining system (14, 18). A crash sensor (32, 36) senses crash acceleration and provides a crash acceleration signal (110, 160) indicative thereof. Crash velocity and crash displacement are determined (118, 168) in response to the crash acceleration signal. A first stage (90, 94) of the multistage actuatable occupant restraining system is actuated when the determined crash velocity as a function of crash displacement exceeds a low threshold (130, 132, 180, 182). A transverse accelerometer (34) senses transverse crash acceleration. The transverse acceleration as a function of the crash displacement is compared (226, 278) against a transverse threshold (268). The value of the low threshold (130, 180) is switched to a different value (132, 182) when the transverse acceleration exceeds the transverse threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for sensing when a rail member (48) of a vehicle seat (12) is located in a reference position relative to a seat bracket (30) of the vehicle seat (12) comprises a magnetic sensor (76) for generating a magnetic field and for sensing a flux density of the magnetic field. The apparatus (10) further comprises a cover (86) for enclosing the magnetic sensor (76). The cover (86), when in a first position, forms a zone for preventing the flux density from increasing above a threshold level. The cover (86) is moved into a second position when the rail member (48) is located in the reference position relative to the seat bracket (30). In the second position, the flux density is increased above the threshold level.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for inflating an inflatable device includes a housing (20). A primary propellant (240) in a primary chamber (200) in the housing (20) is ignitable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device. A secondary propellant (250) in a secondary chamber (180) in the housing (20) is ignitable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device. The inflator (10) includes initiator means (130, 154) for selectively igniting either the primary propellant (240) alone or both of the primary and secondary propellants (240, 250). The inflator (10) also includes a secondary propellant cap (260) for closing the secondary chamber (180) and for maintaining the secondary propellant (250) in the secondary chamber. The secondary propellant cap (260) has a first position blocking flow of combustion products of the first propellant (240) into the secondary chamber (180) when only the primary propellant is ignited.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly (10) comprises a steering member (14) having a rack portion (36) for engagement with a pinion (30) and a screw portion (38). A ball nut (90) cooperates with the screw portion (38) to move the steering member (14) axially upon rotation of the ball nut (90). An electric motor (50) is drivingly connected to the ball nut (90). The member (38) has an additional portion (142) projecting from the ball nut (90) for connection with a steerable vehicle wheel. The assembly (10) includes a cold-formed metal housing (60) having a generally cylindrical main body portion (120) enclosing and supporting the electric motor (50) and the ball nut (90) and a generally cylindrical outboard housing portion (140) enclosing the additional portion (142) of the member (38). The housing (60) has structure associated with the outboard portion (140) for mounting the assembly (10) to the vehicle.

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: The present invention is directed to controlling a vehicle multistage actuatable occupant restraining system (14, 18). A crash sensor (32, 36) senses crash acceleration and provides a crash acceleration signal (110, 160) indicative thereof. Crash velocity and crash displacement are determined (118, 168) in response to the crash acceleration signal. A first stage (90, 94) of the multistage actuatable occupant restraining system is actuated when the determined crash velocity as a function of crash displacement exceeds a low threshold (130, 132, 180, 182). A crush zone accelerometer (40, 42) senses crash acceleration at a crush zone location. The crush zone acceleration as a function of the crash displacement is compared (226, 256) against a crush zone threshold (220, 222, 250, 252). The value of the low threshold (130, 180) is switched to a different value (132, 182) when the crush zone acceleration exceeds the crush zone threshold.

Abstract: The method allocates (302) subclass entries in an ordered list (200) (which may be organized as a table, for example). Each entry (210-214) generally corresponds to one of several predetermined cell subclasses, and the allocation reserves a total number of each subclass entry in the ordered list according to a predetermined amount of bandwidth desired for each cell subclass. The subclasses may be associated with factors such as coding rate, downlink beam area, virtual paths or virtual circuits, quality of service parameters, and the like. The method then examines (304) each subclass entry in the ordered list and selects (306) a cell from a cell memory (which may be a queue) that matches the subclass entry. The matched cell is then transmitted (308). The method may also allocate sets of subclass entries in groups corresponding to a frame size and dynamically update (310) the ordered list during operation of the cell switch.

Abstract: An optical communication terminal includes transmit and receive paths along which optical transmit and receive energy passes. The terminal includes a telescope with a housing, a primary mirror and a secondary mirror. The primary mirror directs received beams to a secondary mirror and directs the optical transmit energy out of the telescope in a transmit beam. A secondary mirror is placed confocal to the primary mirror so that optical transmit energy is directed by the secondary mirror to the primary mirror. An annular mirror is positioned along the transmit path and along the receive path. The annular mirror passes the optical transmit energy from the transmit path into a shared path and passes the received optical energy from the shared path into the receive path. Preferably, the secondary mirror is a dichroic lens that reflects optical energy at the wavelength of the receive beam.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and a method for detecting an intrusion into an area (e.g., 14) are provided. The apparatus (10) has a transmitter (30) for transmitting a signal within the area. The apparatus (10) also has a receiver (32) for receiving reflected return signals of the transmitted signal and for generating an output signal indicative of the reflected return signals received. The apparatus (10) also includes a controller (36) for analyzing the output signal. The controller includes a processor (43) for running an algorithm that simulates performance of a capacitor, which charges and discharges in response to an output signal, by increasing a virtual capacitor value when the output signal is greater than a threshold and by decreasing the virtual capacitor value when the output signal is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A hydraulic power assist rack and pinion steering system (12) for a vehicle includes a housing (14) in which a rack (10) is movable along an axis (16) to effect turning movement of steerable wheels of the vehicle. The rack (10) comprises a first rack part (50) having an elongate body portion (56) and an end portion formed as a first piston portion (58), and a second rack (80) part having an elongate body portion (86) and an end portion formed as a second piston portion (88). The first piston portion (58) of the first rack part (50) is joined to the second piston portion (88) of the second rack part (80) to form a piston (22). The body portion (56) of the first rack part (50) extends axially away from the piston (22) in a first direction (110). The body portion (86) of the second rack part (80) extends axially away from the piston (22) in a second direction (112) opposite the first direction (110).

Abstract: The apparatus (10) includes a depressible member (20), a first membrane (30), and a second membrane (40). The depressible member (20) has an unactuated condition and an actuated condition. The first membrane (30) is connected with the depressible member (20). The first membrane (30) resists movement of the depressible member (20) from the unactuated condition to the actuated condition. The first membrane (30) further provides an increasing return force (91) urging the depressible member (20) to the unactuated condition as the operator moves the depressible member from the unactuated condition to the actuated condition. The second membrane (40) resists movement of the depressible member (20) to the actuated condition. The second membrane (40) further provides an increasing return force (92) to the depressible member (20) as the operator moves the depressible member from the unactuated condition to the actuated condition.

Abstract: An inflator (10) includes an assembly (31) comprising a plurality of individually energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (30) for, when energized, actuating the inflator. The assembly (31) further comprises a sensor mechanism (60) for sensing a condition of the inflator (10) and for generating a control signal indicative of the sensed condition. The plurality of MEMS devices (30) are responsive to the control signal to control actuation of the inflator (10).