Abstract: An apparatus for removing debris from under a machining location is formed of a static collection surface located below the machining location having a transition portion laterally offset from the machining location and a fluid discharge positioned above the transition portion. The fluid discharge includes a fluid source and a reservoir having an interior adapted to receive and contain a quantity of a fluid from the fluid source for a period of time. The fluid sicharge is adapted to periodically discharge the fluid therefrom so as to be guided by the transition portion across the collection surface to sweep the debris off the static collection surface towards a collection point.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing debris from under a machining location comprises a collection surface located below the machining location having a transition portion laterally offset from the machining location and a fluid discharge positioned above the transition portion adapted to periodically discharge a fluid therefrom so as to be guided by the transition portion across the collection surface to sweep the debris towards a collection point.

Abstract: A roof spoiler mounting bracket assembly for mounting a roof spoiler to a roof panel of an automotive vehicle. The mounting bracket assembly comprises a vehicle-side bracket having upper and lower sides extending longitudinally between first and second ends and laterally between first and second edges. A spoiler-side bracket having upper and lower sides extends longitudinally between first and second ends and laterally between first and second edges. The spoiler-side bracket has a unitary recessed section for receiving the vehicle-side bracket at least partially therein and the spoiler-side bracket is fixedly secured to the roof spoiler, A first mounting bolt extends from the lower side of the vehicle-side bracket for fixedly securing the vehicle-side bracket to the roof panel.

Abstract: A roof spoiler mounting bracket assembly is disclosed for mounting a roof spoiler to a roof panel of an automotive vehicle. The mounting bracket assembly comprises a vehicle-side bracket having upper and lower sides extending longitudinally between first and second ends and laterally between first and second edges. A spoiler-side bracket having upper and lower sides extends longitudinally between first and second ends and laterally between first and second edges. The spoiler-side bracket has a unitary recessed section for receiving the vehicle-side bracket at least partially therein and the spoiler-side bracket is fixedly secured to the roof spoiler. A first mounting bolt extends from the lower side of the vehicle-side bracket for fixedly securing the vehicle-side bracket to the roof panel.

Abstract: A multi-channel superheterodyne receiver employs a low intermediate frequency (IF) and both high-side injection and low-side injection of a selected local oscillator (LO) signal into the mixer in order to position image frequencies outside the passband of a single image reject filter. Any channel that falls within a used portion of the image reject filter passband can be downconverted with image rejection if the utilized bandwidth portion is no greater than about 4 times the IF minus the bandwidth of a channel in the filter passband. Low side injection is used for channels falling within the lower half of the passband of the image reject filter, while high-side injection is used for channels falling within the upper half thereof. The image always remains outside the passband and the receiver can accommodate a greatly increased number of channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize a received signal to provide low cost, low power, high sensitivity radio frequency hopping communication. A transmitting system prepares a data packet that is to be communicated to a receiving system. The data packet includes a header, a network identification, and transmission data. A transmission frequency is identified and a phase lock loop (“PLL”) is set to the transmission frequency. The data packet is gathered, and frequency modulation and Differential Manchester encoding is performed. The signal is sent through a power amplifier and an antenna to a receiving system, which continually scans all channels of a frequency range for a valid signal. When a pulse is received, the signal is passed through a low noise amplifier, mixed down to 10.7 MHz, passed through one or more filters and one or more high gain amplifiers, mixed down to baseband, sent through a low pass filter, and then sent through a comparator.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved system and method for producing manifolds such as those used to direct exhaust gasses from an internal combustion engine into a turbocharger. The manifold is made from two or more pieces which are machined in such a way as to create passageways when the separate pieces are assembled together. The method is much faster and easier to produce than present methods and allows for improved accuracy. The ability to machine these manifolds using computer controlled machines will lower costs and improve quality.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston slidably disposed therein. A separate valve includes a fluid circuit for fluid low in rebound and a fluid circuit for fluid flow in compression. Each fluid circuit includes a variable orifice which allows selection between a firm rebound with a soft compression, a soft rebound with a soft compression and a soft rebound with a firm compression. Each variable orifice is in communication with a blowoff valve in such a manner that they provide a variable blowoff feature to the blowoff valves.

Abstract: An upper mounting system for a MacPherson strut includes a shock absorber mount and an air spring mount. The air spring mount is disposed coaxially around the shock absorber mount. A curved spherical interface of the air spring mount permits pivotal movement of the air spring such that it maintains a coaxial relationship with the shock absorber. The curved spherical interface also provides a seal for sealing the gas chamber of the air spring.

Abstract: An upper mounting system for a MacPherson strut includes a shock absorber mount and an air spring mount. The air spring mount is disposed coaxially around the shock absorber mount. A curved spherical interface of the air spring mount permits pivotal movement of the air spring such that it maintains a coaxial relationship with the shock absorber. The curved spherical interface also provides a seal for sealing the gas chamber of the air spring.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved system and method for producing manifolds such as those used to direct exhaust gasses from an internal combustion engine into a turbocharger. The manifold is made from two or more pieces which are machined in such a way as to create passageways when the separate pieces are assembled together. The method is much faster and easier to produce than present methods and allows for improved accuracy. The ability to machine these manifolds using computer controlled machines will lower costs and improve quality.

Abstract: A frequency-hopping spread spectrum radio communications system that includes a compact radio transceiver having a sensitivity of between −110 and −107 dBm. The transceiver broadcasts digital signals by encoding them using 180-degree phase-shifted differential encoding and by attaching a header identifying the frequency channel of the signal. A network ID is also included in the header to identify the network that the radio belongs to. The network ID allows the receiver to detect broadcasted signals within its own network, and the channel identifier enables the receiver to know which frequency to switch to in order to track the hopped signal. The receiver knows to hop to the next channel upon detecting noise on the line.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize a received signal to provide low cost, low power, high sensitivity radio frequency hopping communication. A transmitting system prepares a data packet that is to be communicated to a receiving system. The data packet includes a header, a network identification, and transmission data. A transmission frequency is identified and a phase lock loop (“PLL”) is set to the transmission frequency. The data packet is gathered, and frequency modulation and Differential Manchester encoding is performed. The signal is sent through a power amplifier and an antenna to a receiving system, which continually scans all channels of a frequency range for a valid signal. When a pulse is received, the signal is passed through a low noise amplifier, mixed down to 10.7 MHz, passed through one or more filters and one or more high gain amplifiers, mixed down to baseband, sent through a low pass filter, and then sent through a comparator.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a base valve assembly which includes a compression valve assembly and an acceleration valve assembly. The compression valve assembly controls a fluid path through the base assembly to provide a firm damping characteristic for the shock absorber during low acceleration movement. The acceleration valve assembly controls a second fluid path through the base assembly to provide a soft damping characteristic for the shock when the shock absorber experiences acceleration beyond a specified amount.

Abstract: A snap to be utilized with fishing tackle or for other purposes which is made of a singular wire which is bent at a focal region so as to define a first end and a second end. The first end has a bracing arm which integrally connects to an eye region, angularly offset from the bracing arm, shaving a radial portion connected to relatively straight brace and locking regions. The brace region of the eye is integrally connected to three loops which wrap around the bracing arm. The second end is provided with a lever arm and a latching hook with the latching hook being angularly and laterally offset from the lever arm. The latching hook is formed by an upward region and a downward locking region. In a closed position, the latching hook is placed over the brace region of the eye such that an end point of the locking region of the latching hook curves and extends laterally inward away from a plane which defines the locking region of the eye so as to form a durable and secure locking mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile. The apparatus includes a shock absorber having a pressure cylinder which forms a working chamber and a first and second portion. A first sensor is used to generate an electrical signal in response to whether the shock absorber is in compression or rebound. A second sensor is used for determining the movement of the body on the automobile. An electronic control module is used for generating an electrical control signal in response to the outputs of the first and second sensors. A solenoid is used for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber. A piston assembly disposed within the pressure cylinder defines the first and second portions of the working chamber. The piston assembly includes a valve body and first and second unloaders adapted to control the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber.