Abstract: The invention relates to a blend of one or more biodegradable polymers with one or more acrylic copolymers, for the purpose of improving the properties of the biodegradable polymer(s). The biodegradable polymer contains at least 10 weight percent of a biopolymer that is in less than ideal condition for processing. The “compromised” biopolymer may be undried biopolymer, may have a heat history (be “reprocessed”, “regrind” or “recycled”), or both. The acrylic copolymer(s) are present in the blend at a level of 0.1 to 15 weight percent, based on the weight of the total blend.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blend of one or more biodegradable polymers with one or more acrylic copolymers, for the purpose of improving the properties of the biodegradable polymer(s). The biodegradable polymer contains at least 10 weight percent of a biopolymer that is in less than ideal condition for processing. The “compromised” biopolymer may be undried biopolymer, may have a heat history (be “reprocessed”, “regrind” or “recycled”), or both. The acrylic copolymer(s) are present in the blend at a level of 0.1 to 15 weight percent, based on the weight of the total blend.

Abstract: An air bag deployment system (20) includes a microcontroller (21), an inflator (23), and an inflator sensor (24). The inflator sensor (24) is adjacent to the inflator (23) and monitors the firing of the inflator (23). The inflator sensor (24) monitors the firing of a squib (36) of the inflator (23). The inflator sensor (24) transmits an inflator firing signal to the microcontroller (21) when the squib (36) of the inflator (23) is activated. In the absence of the inflator firing signal, a backup firing signal is generated by the microcontroller (21) and is transmitted to a backup squib (37).

Abstract: An air bag deployment system (20) includes a microcontroller (21), an inflator (23), and an inflator sensor (24). The inflator sensor (24) is adjacent to the inflator (23) and monitors the firing of the inflator (23). The inflator sensor (24) monitors the firing of a squib (36) of the inflator (23). The inflator sensor (24) transmits an inflator firing signal to the microcontroller (21) when the squib (36) of the inflator (23) is activated. In the absence of the inflator firing signal, a backup firing signal is generated by the microcontroller (21) and is transmitted to a backup squib (37).

Abstract: A serial communication device (10) and a method for serially communicating. The serial communication device (10) has a first transceiver (11) and a second transceiver (12) that send data to each other. The first transceiver (11) is capable of providing power or the operating potential to the second transceiver (12). The first transceiver (11) sends command data at a variable data rate to the second transceiver (12) using a voltage signal (30). The second transceiver (12) receives the command data and sends response data to the first transceiver (11) using a current signal (40).

Abstract: A capacitor (30) compatible with wirebonding processes and a method for manufacturing the capacitor (30). The capacitor (30) includes a first plurality of conductive layers and a second plurality of conductive layers spaced apart by a plurality of dielectric layers. The first plurality of conductive layers is electrically connected to a peripheral contact (74) of the capacitor (30). The second plurality of conductive layers is electrically connected to an interior portion of the capacitor (30). The first plurality of conductive layers is interleaved with the second plurality of conductive layers.

Abstract: An electronic assembly (10) includes a chip capacitor (11) having two major surfaces (12, 15) and a pair of electrodes (13, 14). A plurality of electrically conductive traces (20-23, 25-28) are formed on one (12) of the major surfaces. Some of the plurality of electrically conductive traces are electrically coupled to a first electrode (14) and some of the plurality of electrically conductive traces are coupled to a second electrode (14) of the pair of electrodes. Electronic circuit elements (16, 17, 18) are coupled to the plurality of electrically conductive traces (20-23, 25-28), thereby forming the electronic assembly (10).

Abstract: A squib ignitor circuit (20,40) reduces the probability of an accidental airbag deployment to greatly increase the safety of an automobile. A squib (24,28,44) operates at a voltage significantly higher than the squib ignitor circuit (20,40) to produce heat sufficient to ignite pyrotechnic material. Thus, a short condition to the squib (24,28,44) does not produce an inadvertent airbag deployment. The squib ignitor circuit (20,40) forms a conductive path through an inductor (23,43) via a first transistor (21,41) and a second transistor (22,42). The inductor (23,43) stores energy. The inductor (23,43) produces a voltage substantially greater than the voltage powering the squib ignitor circuit (20,40) when the conductive path is broken. The inductor (23,43) releases the stored energy to the squib (24,28,44) generating heat. A sequence (more than one time) of storing energy and releasing energy by the inductor (23,43) is required to generate heat sufficient to ignite pyrotechnic material by the squib (24,28,44).

Abstract: A control module (11) in an airbag system (10) supplies electrical energy to and communicates with remote modules (20A-20N) through a two-wire connection. The supplied electrical energy is partially used to operate the remote modules (20A-20N) and partially stored within the remote modules (20A-20N) for deploying squibs (22A-22N). The control module (11) sends command signals to the remote modules 20A-20N) via voltage excursions between a high and an intermediate voltage levels. The remote modules (20A-20N) send signals to the control module (11) via current excursions. When an accident situation is detected, the voltage across the two-wire connection is lowered to a low voltage level, thereby interrupting a normal operation of the airbag system (10). The control module (11) then sends out firing signals via voltage excursion between the intermediate and low voltage levels. The remote modules (20A-20N) decode the firing signals and deploy the squibs (22A-22N) to inflate airbags.

Abstract: A programming system (25, 30) for a programmable semiconductor package (10, 40) has actuators (27, 37) that force contact between leads (13) and a programming contact (21). The contact provides programmable information to a semiconductor die (16) within the package.