Abstract: The present invention provides electronically conducting polymer films formed from photosensitive formulations of pyrrole and an electron acceptor that have been selectively exposed to UV light, laser light, or electron beams. The formulations may include photoinitiators, flexibilizers, solvents and the like. These solutions can be used in applications including printed circuit boards and through-hole plating and enable direct metallization processes on non-conducting substrates. After forming the conductive polymer patterns, a printed wiring board can be formed by sensitizing the polymer with palladium and electrolytically depositing copper.

Abstract: The present invention provides electronically conducting polymer films formed from formulations of pyrrole and an electron acceptor. The formulations may include photoinitiators, flexibilizers, solvents and the like. These formulations can be used to manufacture multichip modules on typical multichip module substrates, such as alumina, fiberglass epoxy, silicon and polyimide. The formulations and methods of the invention enable the formation of passive electronic circuit elements such as resistors, capacitors and inductors in multichip modules or printed wiring boards.

Abstract: The present invention provides electronically conducting polymer films formed from photosensitive formulations of pyrrole and an electron acceptor that have been selectively exposed to UV light, laser light, or electron beams. The formulations may include photoinitiators, flexibilizers, solvents and the like. These formulations can be used to manufacture multichip modules on typical multichip module substrates, such as alumina, fiberglass epoxy, silicon and polyimide. The formulations and methods of the invention enable the formation of passive electronic circuit elements such as resistors, capacitors and inductors in multichip modules or printed wiring boards.

Abstract: An integrated master cylinder and vacuum power booster provides a brake apply system wherein the master cylinder and power booster are structurally and functionally combined together to provide a uniquely packaged system. The integral system includes a master cylinder housing having a tubular extension that carries the power booster housing with at least two operating chambers. A power piston is movable by variable pressure levels between the two chambers. The power piston cooperates with a translating element carried within the tubular extension to communicate sliding movement of the power piston to the master cylinder piston.

Abstract: The present invention provides electronically conducting polymer films formed from photosensitive formulations of pyrrole and an electron acceptor that have been selectively exposed to UV light, laser light, or electron beams. The formulations may include photoinitiators, flexibilizers, solvents and the like. These solutions can be used in applications including printed circuit boards and through-hole plating and enable direct metallization processes on non-conducting substrates. After forming the conductive polymer patterns, a printed wiring board can be formed by sensitizing the polymer with palladium and electrolytically depositing copper.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a guide spring for returning a parking brake actuator arm to a release position and which serves to guide an apply cable into engagement with the actuator arm during assembly. The guide spring is inhibited from deflecting during insertion of the cable by a retaining spring that spans across the opposing lower brake shoe ends at the adjuster link and which includes an extending tail positioned adjacent the guide spring.

Abstract: A low voltage vacuum field emission device and method for manufacturing is provided. The devices are fabricated by anodizing a heavily doped silicon wafer substrate (12) in concentrated HF solution, forming extremely sharp silicon tips (18) at the silicon to porous silicon interface. The resulting porous silicon layer is then oxidized, and a metal film (22) is deposited by evaporation on the porous silicon. Silicon substrate (12) is the cathode, and metal film dots (22) are the anodes. The I-V characteristics for the field emission devices follow Fowler-Nordheim curves over three decades of current. The I-V characteristics are also utterly independent of temperature up to 250.degree. C. When the oxidized porous silicon layer (OPSL) is about 5000 .ANG., substantial current is obtained with less than 10 volts. Recent experiments leave no doubt that the charge transport is in the vacuum of the pores.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (12) is provided which comprises a range measurement system (14) which transmits a signal (20) to a target (22) and receives an echo signal (24) returned from the target (22). The range measurement system (14) comprises a transmitter system (26) and a receiver system (28). The receiver system (28) generates an analog signal representative of the range. The target (22) transmits the range signal to a processor (30). Processor (30) may be used to provide warning signals and to control a conventional speed control system (16) coupled to the throttle (18) of a vehicle (10).

Abstract: A lane sensing system (20) comprises a processor (22) operable to drive an infrared optical transmitter (24). Light is reflected by a center stripe (18) placed in the center of a highway lane. Reflected light is received in right and left receivers (26) and (28). The processor (22) uses the information to control a power steering control system (30) and a speed control system (32). Information may be encrypted into the center stripe (18) and used by processor (22) to control the speed of the vehicle (10) or to display information to an operator of the vehicle (10) through a display system (34).

Abstract: An ABS system has a plurality of brake channels receiving apply pressure directly from a pump without an accumulator during ABS operation. To assure sufficient pressure for all channels during ABS reapply modes the channels are multiplexed to apply one at a time and keeping on hold other channels scheduled for apply. Several states of brake application are identified and the states are prioritized for each channel so that the multiplexing is ordered according to channel priority.

Abstract: Anti-lock/traction control braking system for a vehicle is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a master cylinder, a brake, a controller providing a signal when a wheel condition is within preset parameters, an isolating value to separate the brake from the master cylinder means when the braking system goes into an anti-lock braking or traction control mode of operation, an anti-lock braking actuator including a bore fluidly connecting with the brake and having a piston reciprocally mounted within and a first motor responsive to a signal given by the controller for powering the anti-lock braking piston. A traction control actuator is also provided having fluid connections with the master cylinder and the anti-lock braking actuator. The traction control actuator has at least one piston reciprocally mounted within a bore.

Abstract: A vehicle braking actuated traction control system is provided which includes a bored frame fluidly connected with a master cylinder and a wheel brake. A spring biased plunger with a sealing head slidably mounted within the bore isolates the bore from the master cylinder by axial movement of the plunger in a first direction. A piston operatively associated with the plunger is sealably slidably mounted within the bore for creating a variable control volume in the bore in fluid communication with the wheel brake. The piston is connected with the plunger via a spring which biases the plunger away from the piston. A nut is fixably connected with the piston and a drive screw threadably engaged with the piston is reversibly powered by an electric motor which is responsive to the signals given by a controller which is cognizant of a vehicle wheel condition.

Abstract: To provide an ABS/TC integration and method of utilization thereof which is an alternative to those previously provided and to maximize the utilization of the actuator in both the ABS and TC functions the present invention is brought forth. The present invention provides an ABS/TC integration with a common actuator which maximizes the operation of the actuator when in either an ABS or TC braking mode.

Abstract: A hydraulic booster for a vehicle brake master cylinder having a power piston with only one large diameter sliding seal which is exposed to a high hydraulic pressure. This provides a brake booster having lower hysteresis.

Abstract: An integrated anti-lock braking (ABS)/traction control (TC) braking system is provided which includes a controller cognizant of a rotational condition of a wheel, a master cylinder, an actuator with a bore, the bore having a first fluid connection with a master cylinder and space therefrom a second fluid connection with a brake, a first normally open solenoid valve for isolating the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the controller places the system in an ABS or TC mode, and a hollow primary piston mounted within the bore along first, second and third spaced sealed peripheries having a first port connecting the interior of the primary piston with its exterior between the first and second sealed peripheries and communicating with the second fluid connection of the bore.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for agglomerating metal-containing fine sized particles of metallurgical waste materials continuously by means of a combustible agglomerating agent. The process and apparatus may be adapted to dust and fine particles of different origins and having any particular particle size range and bulk specific gravity. The agglomerates are obtained by feeding the dust or fine sized particles and a combustible agglomerating agent to a continuous mixer, then to a heated rotatable kiln. The agglomerates are subsequently allowed to fall onto one or more conveyor belts, arranged in sequence. The agglomerates on the conveyor belts may be cooled, either by water or compressed air jets impinging upon them, or by cooling the belt surfaces on which the agglomerates are carried. The agglomerating agent may be a low melting point hydrocarbon such as wax, tar, pitch, or the hydrocarbon may be emulsified with water to form an emulsion and then mixed with the particles.

Abstract: A process is described for the agglomeration of fine particles utilizing a combustible agglomerating agent dispersed in an aqueous emulsion. The process is particularly directed to the handling of fine metal containing particles, originating as by-products or waste products of metallurgical processes, which are to be stored or recycled to metal extractive process steps. The amount of agglomerant added as aqueous emulsion to the particles, is calculated by correlating in an empirical formula the bulk density and the average particle size of the particles, with the emulsified combustible agglomerating agent to be added expressed as weight percent of the particles. The calculated amount of combustible agglomerating agent is emulsified in water, then mixed and blended with the particles, which usually comprise particles of non-uniform size distribution. The aqueous emulsion may also be formed in-situ on the surface of the particles, and the mixture is then blended to form agglomerates.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system (ABS) actuator isolation valve and method of utilization thereof is provided to ensure that a braking system master cylinder, which is normally connected with wheel brake cylinder and isolated from the same when the braking system is an ABS mode, is never fluidly exposed with a displacement cylinder, which can alternatively be connected with the wheel brake cylinder when the braking system is in the ABS mode.

Abstract: An integrated anti-lock braking system (ABS)/traction control (TC) braking system for a vehicle having a fluid activated brake for a wheel is provided the system in one embodiment includes a system controller for signaling the system to an ABS or TC mode, a master cylinder for delivering pressurized fluid to the wheel brake, an actuator with a longitudinal bore having a first stop. A hollow primary piston is slidably mounted within the longitudinal bore biased towards the first stop. The interior of the primary piston is fluidly connected with its exterior. A secondary piston is slidably mounted within the primary piston and movable in one direction to pressurize the wheel brake and movable in an opposite direction to relieve said wheel brake in response to the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having a wheel lock control arrangement with isolation valves, solenoid, and brake control valves for the system. In one arrangement, each wheel brake and isolation valve has its own solenoid and control valve. Additionally, the isolation valve is configured in a manner to prevent premature drop out from isolation and to prevent any flow from a master cylinder brake apply pressure circuit to a pump pressure circuit.