Abstract: An electronic controller having a housing, and a lower sub-assembly connected to a housing through the use of a laser weld, eliminating the use of a gasket and fasteners. The laser weld provides a sealed connection between the housing and the lower sub-assembly, preventing debris, moisture, oils, ATF, and chemicals from entering the housing, which protects the electrical components located inside the housing. The elimination of the gasket and fasteners also reduces the cost of the electronic controller. Depending upon the application, the electrical components may be mounted directly to the lower sub-assembly, or the electrical components may be mounted on a metal core. The metal core is used to provide heat dissipation and function as an electrical conductor. The lower sub-assembly may either be overmolded around the metal core, or the metal core may be attached to the lower sub-assembly after the lower sub-assembly has been formed.

Abstract: An electronic controller having a housing, and a lower sub-assembly connected to a housing through the use of a laser weld, eliminating the use of a gasket and fasteners. The laser weld provides a sealed connection between the housing and the lower sub-assembly, preventing debris, moisture, oils, ATF, and chemicals from entering the housing, which protects the electrical components located inside the housing. The elimination of the gasket and fasteners also reduces the cost of the electronic controller. Depending upon the application, the electrical components may be mounted directly to the lower sub-assembly, or the electrical components may be mounted on a metal core. The metal core is used to provide heat dissipation and function as an electrical conductor. The lower sub-assembly may either be overmolded around the metal core, or the metal core may be attached to the lower sub-assembly after the lower sub-assembly has been formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and methods for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample using an encapsulated sensor. Methods for manufacturing the sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: An automotive drive assistance system (100, 200) includes a substrate (215, 221) having a radius of curvature (227, 229), wherein the radius of curvature corresponds to a field of view (226, 228). At least two radiation elements (219, 225) coupled to the substrate, where the at least two radiation elements are coupled to directionally transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation (140, 240) over the field of view. A lens (217, 223) is coupled to focus the electromagnetic radiation transmitted and received from the at least two radiation elements.

Abstract: An automotive drive assistance system (100, 200) includes a substrate (215, 221) having a radius of curvature (227, 229), wherein the radius of curvature corresponds to a field of view (226, 228). At least two radiation elements (219, 225) coupled to the substrate, where the at least two radiation elements are coupled to directionally transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation (140, 240) over the field of view. A lens (217, 223) is coupled to focus the electromagnetic radiation transmitted and received from the at least two radiation elements.

Abstract: An automotive drive assistance system (100, 200) includes a substrate (215, 221) having a radius of curvature (227, 229), wherein the radius of curvature corresponds to a field of view (226, 228). At least two radiation elements (219, 225) coupled to the substrate, where the at least two radiation elements are coupled to directionally transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation (140, 240) over the field of view. A lens (217, 223) is coupled to focus the electromagnetic radiation transmitted and received from the at least two radiation elements.

Abstract: An automotive drive assistance system (100, 200) includes a substrate (215, 221) having a radius of curvature (227, 229), wherein the radius of curvature corresponds to a field of view (226, 228). At least two radiation elements (219, 225) coupled to the substrate, where the at least two radiation elements are coupled to directionally transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation (140, 240) over the field of view. A lens (217, 223) is coupled to focus the electromagnetic radiation transmitted and received from the at least two radiation elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and methods for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample using an encapsulated sensor. Methods for manufacturing the sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A luminescent in vivo glucose measurement method and apparatus is provided. The luminescent in vivo glucose measurement method includes the steps of illuminating displaced luminescent molecules with illuminating light, the displaced luminescent molecules and associated captive glucose analogue molecules being contained within an implanted luminescent in vivo measurement apparatus implanted within the interstitial fluid of the subject, and measuring an emitted light, the emitted light being emitted in response to the illumination, wherein the emitted light is related to the glucose level in the interstitial fluid.

Abstract: Electronic devices protected by an organic polymeric encapsulant and placed in a corrosive environment can have added protection by dispersing in the encapsulant particles of a solid buffer which tend to neutralize the effect of the corrosive agent. This approach is quite effective when strong acids are the corrosive agents, and when solid acid-base buffers are dispersed in the polymeric material. The encapsulant may be elastomeric, and silicone elastomers containing solid acid-base buffers are quite effective in protecting the underlying electronic device from corrosion by strong acids.

Abstract: An optical sensor (100) that measures gas concentration (121) includes a light input port (103), and a light output port (111). A reference waveguide (105) and a measurement waveguide (113) are both coupled between the light input port (103) and the light output port (111). The measurement waveguide (113) preferably includes a hydrocarbon-catalytic material (114). When light (101) is injected into the light input port (103), the light traverses to the light output port (111) via both waveguides (105,113). Preferably, the hydrocarbon-catalytic material (114) in the measurement waveguide (113) will react with certain hydrocarbons present in an engine's exhaust gas stream (121) and heat will be generated in the measurement waveguide (113). This heat generation will change a refractive index and optical path length of the measurement waveguide (113) compared to the reference waveguide (105).

Abstract: An electronic control module (10) includes a package substrate (12) having an interior cavity (28) through which a package lead (22) traverses. The interior cavity (28) is filled with an expandable polymer material (34). The expandable polymer material (34) is constrained within the cavity by a pressure resistive layer (32, 35) that overlies expandable polymer material (34) In one embodiment, an epoxy layer (32) forms an upper surface of the interior cavity (28). The expandable polymer material (34) is responsive to a fluid, such that upon contact with a fluid diffusing along the package lead (22), the expandable polymer material (34) will swell and form a fluid-tight pressure seal around the package lead (22). The fluid-tight pressure seal prevents the fluid from diffusing to interior portions of the electronic control module (10) and causing the failure of electronic components (18) mounted within the electronic module (10).

Abstract: Electronic devices protected by an organic polymeric encapsulant and placed in a corrosive environment can have added protection by dispersing in the encapsulant particles of a solid buffer which tend to neutralize the effect of the corrosive agent. This approach is quite effective when strong acids are the corrosive agents, and when solid acid-base buffers are dispersed in the polymeric material. The encapsulant may be elastomeric, and silicone elastomers containing solid acid-base buffers are quite effective in protecting the underlying electronic device from corrosion by strong acids.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device encapsulation assembly (50; 60), a semiconductor device (21), preferably a pressure transducer, is mounted on a base (11) in a cavity (20) formed by the base and surrounding walls (15). Electrical connections, preferably wire bonds (27), connect the semiconductor device to conductor paths (28) on the base within the cavity. An encapsulation material comprising a thixotropic fluorosiloxane material (51; 61) is applied in the cavity and completely covers the semiconductor device and the electrical connections. This structure enables the semiconductor device to withstand typical automotive contaminants, such as mild acids and gasoline, while also preventing erratic semiconductor device operation due to bubbles which may be drawn into the encapsulation material.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device encapsulation assembly (50; 60), a semiconductor device (21), preferably a pressure transducer, is mounted on a base (11) in a cavity (20) formed by the base and surrounding walls (15). Electrical connections, preferably wire bonds (27), connect the semiconductor device to conductor paths (28) on the base within the cavity. An encapsulation material comprising a thixotropic fluorosiloxane material (51; 61) is applied in the cavity and completely covers the semiconductor device and the electrical connections. This structure enables the semiconductor device to withstand typical automotive contaminants, such as mild acids and gasoline, while also preventing erratic semiconductor device operation due to bubbles which may be drawn into the encapsulation material.

Abstract: The amount of carbon monoxide or oxygen in a gas is measured by determining the change in dielectric properties of a polymer film disposed between two electrodes. A preferred polymer film comprises an organometallic gas carrier interdispersed within an interpenetrating polymer network matrix.

Abstract: Thin film polymer blend members which may be used for the separation of gases will comprise a blend of an inorganic compound such as phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, heteropoly acids or salts of heteropoly acids, an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) and a poly organic acid such as poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(styrene sulfonic acid). The thin film membrane composites may be used as gas separation or gas sensor devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a phosphoric acid in a mutually miscible solvent. A reference gas or a solid reference substance is used. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing an electrochemical process involving hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. Specific applications are fuel cells for producing an electrical current and separation of hydrogen from a gaseous mixture. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a phosphoric acid in a mutually miscible solvent. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support. In one embodiment, the membrane may be formed into a hollow fiber having electrically conductive particles with catalyst embedded in the fiber walls; a multiplicity of such fibers may be used to form a hydrogen separation device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises a three-component blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), with an inorganic compound, such as a phosphoric acid, and a poly organic acid, such as poly(acrylic acid), in a mutually miscible solvent. A reference gas or a solid reference substance is used. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support.