Abstract: A vehicle rollover event detector (10) includes an accelerometer (80) that senses vehicle acceleration in a direction offset from a front-to-rear axis of the vehicle (12) and provides an acceleration signal (101) indicative thereof. A rollover sensor (14) senses vehicle roll and provides a roll signal (32) indicative of vehicle roll about the front-to-rear axis of the vehicle. A controller (26) compares the roll signal (32) against a first rollover threshold (42) when the acceleration signal (101) is less than an acceleration threshold (113) and compares the roll signal (32) against a second rollover threshold (116) when the acceleration signal (101) is equal to or greater than the acceleration threshold (113) and for indicating a vehicle rollover condition when the roll signal is greater than the threshold (42, 116) it is compared against.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises a storage container (30), a primary inflation fluid under pressure in a gaseous state in the container, and a secondary inflation fluid under pressure in the container. The container (30) is openable to enable the primary inflation fluid to flow out of the container into the inflatable device to inflate the inflatable device (14). At least a portion of the secondary inflation fluid is in a non-gaseous state in the container (30) during flow of the primary inflation fluid into the inflatable device. The portion of the secondary inflation fluid in the non-gaseous state thereafter changing to the gaseous state and flowing into the inflatable device to maintain the inflatable device in the inflated condition.

Abstract: An impedance matched frequency dependent gain compensation network for multi-octave passband equalization. A first stage amplifier outputs an amplified signal to an equalizer, which in turn outputs an equalized signal to a second stage amplifier. The equalizer varies the attenuation in accordance with the frequency to provide minimum gain variation, thereby providing optimal noise characteristics and generally constant linearity.

Abstract: A vehicle crash determination arrangement (20) includes a plurality of weight sensors (52,54). The sensors (52,54) are disposed beneath a vehicle seat (16), and each sensor senses a weight value from the seat and an occupant (14) located on the seat. A center of gravity determination portion (62) of a controller (34) determines center of gravity of the seat (16) and the occupant (14) using the sensed weight values. A C.O.G. crash determination portion (64) of the controller (34) determines occurrence of a vehicle crash using change in the determined center of gravity and outputs a signal (66) indicative of the determination of crash occurrence. Preferably, the arrangement (20) is part of an occupant protection system (10) for the occupant (14). The system (10) includes an actuatable occupant protection device (24). An actuation control portion (46) of the controller (34) controls actuation of the device (24).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for detecting a window open condition comprises a first photoelectric cell (60) mountable to the window (20) for providing a reference output signal (61) independent of the window open condition. The apparatus (10) also comprises a second photoelectric cell (62) mountable to the window and providing a signal (63) having a first characteristic if the window (20) is open and a second characteristic if the window is not open. The apparatus (10) further comprises comparison means (82) for comparing the reference output signal (61) with the signal from the second photoelectric cell (63). The comparison is indicative of the open condition of the window. The apparatus (10) comprises means (88) responsive to the comparison means (82) for indicating if the vehicle window (20) is in the open condition.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) and a gas generating material (16) that when ignited produces gas to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The gas generating material (16) includes an inorganic salt oxidizer, a water-soluble binder, and about 1 to about 10% of a supplemental fuel selected from the group consisting of 3,6-dihydrazino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-1,4-dioxide, and 3,6-diamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A synchronization burst processor (56) used in a processing satellite (12) in a satellite based communications system (10) is provided with a sync burst memory (72), a first double correlator (74), a second double correlator (76) and a modulus module (78). The sync burst memory (72) stores at least one sync burst (52) transmitted from a terrestrial terminal (14) to the processing satellite (12) where the sync burst (52) is formed from a quadrature pair sample set {p, q}. The first double correlator (74) performs an early correlation and a late correlation of the p samples relative to a sync burst slot (50) to generate an early correlation Pe and a late correlation Pl. The second double correlator (76) performs an early correlation and a late correlation of the q samples relative to the sync burst slot (50) to generate an early correlation Qe and a late correlation Ql.

Abstract: A 2N-QAM macrocell for generating constellations with 2N symbols, where N is the number of bits in the digital data word [D0:DN−1] applied to the macrocell. Since the digital data word is applied directly to the macrocell, the need for a digital mapping chip is thus eliminated thus reducing the complexity and power consumption of the circuit. An important aspect of the invention is that the 2N-QAM macrocell is amenable to being fabricated as a single microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) or integrated circuit (IC). As such, a QAM circuit can be formed from two MMICs; the 2N-QAM macrocell and a quadrature hybrid phase shifting device formed on separate MMIC to form a 2N-QAM circuit or one MMIC containing both the 0/90 degree phase shifter and the 2N-QAM circuit. The phase shifting device is used to provide the in-phase and quadrature phase components of the local oscillator signal.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises first and second gas impermeable panels (40 and 42). Stitching (44) extends into the first and second panels (40 and 42) and secures portions of the panels together. A first gas impermeable piece (70) is secured to the first panel (44) in a position overlying the stitching (44) in the first panel.

Abstract: A fluid power assist rack and pinion steering system (12) for a vehicle having steerable wheels comprises a rack (66) connected with steering linkage of the vehicle for, upon movement of the rack, moving the steering linkage to effect turning of the steerable wheels. A rotatable pinion (64) is in meshing engagement with the rack (66). The steering system (12) also includes a control valve (22) comprising a valve core (40) rotatable relative to a valve sleeve (42). A first part (56) connects the valve sleeve (42) for rotation with the pinion (64). A mechanism (38) resists relative rotation between the valve core (40) and the valve sleeve (42) as vehicle speed increases by placing axial force on the valve sleeve. A second part (170) on the valve sleeve (42) resists axial movement of the valve sleeve relative to the valve core (40).

Abstract: A power window control apparatus for controlling vehicle power windows (12-18) includes window control switches (52-58) for controlling power window control motors (20-26). When two window control switches (52-58) are simultaneously and momentarily actuated downward, a controller (40) controls the motors (20-26) to lower the windows (12-18) to a predetermined position from an initially closed position. In the event that one or more windows are initially open, the controller (40) lowers the windows for the time interval that the two window control switches are actuated downward. When the two window control switches (52-58) are moved in the upward direction, the controller (40) simultaneously controls all the motors (20-26) to raise all open windows (12-18) to a fully closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4). An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant and a weight sensing mechanism (40) for sensing the load. The weight sensing mechanism (40) includes a parallelogram linkage (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The parallelogram linkage (50) includes a first beam (52) and a second beam (62) parallel to the first beam (52). The beams (52, 62) have adjacent interconnected first ends (54, 64) that receive the load of the vehicle occupant and adjacent interconnected second ends (56, 66) that transmit the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The beams (52, 62) bend in response to the load of the vehicle occupant. The sensor lever (70) is interposed between the beams (52, 62) and deflects upon bending of the beams (52, 62).

Abstract: An intrusion detection system that differentiates between a vehicle intrusion event and a non-intrusion event includes transmitter (16) for transmitting a continuous wave signal that is reflected of surfaces within the vehicle's interior and/or a moving object (i.e., an intruder). The associated reflected signals subsequently return to a receiver (18). An ECU (26) demodulates the return signal into frequency and amplitude components. The ECU (26) further determines a waveform envelope of the demodulated return signals and monitors the envelope waveform during time windows to determine whether their corresponding envelope waveform is indicative of an intrusion event or an non-intrusion event. When an intrusion event is detected, the ECU (26) outputs a control signal to actuate an alarm (34).

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 method for transferring a data packet between a first source terminal and a first destination terminal, in a communications network having a plurality of source terminals, destination terminals, satellites and downlink antenna beams one downlink antenna beam of which covers the first destination terminal. Each data packet includes a destination address identifying a user for which the data packet is meant with the first destination terminal having the capability to reach the user. The method includes assigning a unique downlink beam identifier to each the downlink antenna beam in the communications network; mapping the destination address to a downlink beam identifier, the corresponding antenna beam of which covers the first destination terminal. The data packet is segmented into one or more cells, each cell having a cell header. The downlink beam identifier is placed into each cell header and the cells are routed to the downlink antenna beam corresponding to the downlink beam identifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for implementing a continuous phase modulation with an approximate phase constellation. The method reduces complexity by using fewer than all phase points of the nominal phase constellation. The method includes the steps of storing (502) an approximate phase constellation of phase points (100) selected from a nominal phase constellation of phase points, identifying (504) a next phase in the approximate phase constellation of phase points using an N-bit input word, and outputting (506) the next phase. In reducing the number of phase points used in the modulation, the method may store only unique phase points in said phase constellation, and may further reduce the number of phase points by storing only those phase points differing by at least a phase threshold.

Abstract: A foldable solar cell array (10′) with multiple hinged panels, each with a segment of solar cells on a first face of each panel. Maximum power demands are met by employing a shortened outermost panel (20′) to minimize mass and inertia of the array. In a folded configuration, power generated from solar cells on the shortened outermost panel (20′) are supplemented by power generated from an additional segment of solar cells on a second face of the panel adjacent to the outermost one.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable protection device (32). The apparatus (10) also comprises an actuatable inflator (30) remote from the protection device (32) for providing inflation fluid under pressure for inflating the protection device. The apparatus (10) further comprises a conduit (48) connected in fluid communication between the inflator (30) and at least a portion of the protection device (32) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator to the protection device. The conduit (48) includes at least one quick disconnect coupling (50) through which inflation fluid flows from the inflator (30) upon actuation of the inflator.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10). The rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having a chamber (18). A portion of the chamber (18) is a relief pocket (22). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the chamber (18) of the housing (12). A rack bar (38) is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (38) is at least partially disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) and has teeth (44) in meshing engagement with the pinion gear (26). A spring (60) is disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (38) relative to the pinion gear (26). The spring (60) extends across an opening to the relief pocket (22). The spring (60) extends into the relief pocket (22) as a load applied to the spring (60) from the rack bar (38) increases.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling uplink power in a satellite communication system using error leveling is provided. The uplink power control system for a satellite communication system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a communication satellite (101) and at least one UET (105). The communication satellite (101) includes an error detector (211) and a comparator (215). The UET (105) includes a receiver (206) for receiving an error indicator signal from the comparator (215), and a power profile processor (216) for controlling the transmit power level of the particular chanslot being used by the UET in response to the error indicator.