Abstract: The object of the invention is to producing ultras bright fluorescent silica particles by synthesizing large nanopore silica particles with self sealed channels/pores and then stopping the synthesizing before large nanopore silica particles have been formed, wherein said sintering solution has produced nanoparticles. The large nanopore silica particles are micron size. The synthesizing is stopped by diluting said synthesizing solution with a neutralizing medium such as an aqueous solution of definite acidity of pH7 and higher an exemplary value of pH11 (sodium hydroxide). The time range for stopping the synthesizing ranges from tens of seconds to ten of minutes.

Abstract: A side stop arm for school buses in various embodiments, each embodiment having the common element of an extendable arm on the side of a bus that contains the STOP sign or moves in concert with the arm. The extendable arm acts as both a deterrent to vehicles that may wish to pass the bus on the driver's side but more importantly acts as warning as to the bus being stopped for loading or discharge of passengers. The first extendable arm is a separate element engaged to the side of the bus. In this embodiment, the extendable arm has a breakaway portion in the event a passing vehicle comes into contact with the arm. In a second embodiment of the invention, the STOP sign is engaged to the end of the extendable arm and it extends outwards with the arm to a position displaced from the side of the bus. In a third embodiment, that is a combination of the first two, the STOP sign is engaged to the end of a first extendable arm that moves in conjunction with a second extendable arm.

Abstract: An airbag inflation system for a vehicle utilizes a truck's an ambient air compression system including a holding tank for providing compressed air to vehicle systems and an air pump. An outlet is added to the holding tank with a frangible seal closing the outlet until discharge of the air is required to inflate the airbag. An air line connecting the outlet to the airbag is filled upon activation of a squib for breaking the frangible seal upon detection of a rollover related event.

Abstract: A programmable bus stopping system of a mobile vehicle in electrical communication with controllers or actuators for all of the safety and warning devices requiring actuation upon a vehicle stop for passenger egress. The electrical communication may be through an area wide network that may allow multiplexing. In addition the controllers or actuators, the communication network may be electrically engaged to an electronic system controller for coordinating operation of controllers and actuators. There may be a manual switch, push-button, or actuator accessible to the driver of the vehicle that allows communication to activate a series of activities that must occur upon a bus stopping to let on or let off passengers. The system activation points may be tied to vehicle speed or to vehicle position relative to a stop requiring a component or components to activate.

Abstract: The vehicle seat suspension system of the present invention provides an active seat suspension system responsive to conditions indicative of a collision or rollover for moving the seat downwardly to the limit of its vertical travel. The seat assembly comprises the seat, an active suspension system for maintaining an equilibrium position of the seat, sensors responsive to accident conditions for generating accident indication signals, and a seat positioning signal generator responsive to the accident indication signals for providing a seat relocation signal, where the active suspension system being responsive to the seat relocation signal for moving the seat to a retracted location.

Abstract: A switching valve (50) for a hydraulic power steering system (10) includes a longitudinally movable valve spool (80). A spring (86) biases the spool (80) to a neutral position. The switching valve (50) is configured to direct hydraulic fluid from a primary pump (34) to a steering control valve (14) when the spool (80) is in a primary position, and to direct hydraulic fluid from an auxiliary pump (38) to the control valve (14) when the spool (80) is in an auxiliary position. The spool (80) is movable against a bias of the spring (86) from the neutral position to the primary position under the influence of a hydraulic fluid pressure differential between the opposite ends of the spool (80). The switching valve (50) defines a flow path for directing hydraulic fluid from the primary pump (34) to an end of the spool (80) when the spool (80) is in the neutral position. The flow path extends axially over a flat portion (124) of an outer surface of the spool (80).

Abstract: The vehicle seat suspension system of the present invention provides an active seat suspension system responsive to conditions indicative of a collision or rollover for moving the seat downwardly to the limit of its vertical travel. The seat assembly comprises the seat, an active suspension system for maintaining an equilibrium position of the seat, sensors responsive to accident conditions for generating accident indication signals, and a seat positioning signal generator responsive to the accident indication signals for providing a seat relocation signal, where the active suspension system being responsive to the seat relocation signal for moving the seat to a retracted location.

Abstract: The vehicle seat suspension system of the present invention utilizes an extensible linkage supporting a seat frame. Height adjustment of the seat frame on the extensible linkage is done through an adjustable air spring. Movement of the seat frame due to jostling of the vehicle is normally dampened using a variable damping rate, extensible shock absorber. The damping rate is essentially pushed in infinity, fully locking the shock absorber positionally in response to detection of an accident condition. In one embodiment of the invention, a bleed valve between the compression and rebound chambers of the shock absorber is closed to effect lock up. In an alternative embodiment, the electrorheological or magnetorheological working fluid of a shock absorber may be solidified to lock positionally the shock absorber. Condition detection sensors include accelerometers and roll over detectors. To allow for the possible loss of vehicle power, the lock up signal is supplied by an independent power source.

Abstract: An air drying mechanism for a compressed air braking system includes a housing containing desiccant material, and a purge volume which stores air for backflowing through the desiccant to purge the latter of its moisture content. A flow regulating control valve is located between the purge volume and the desiccant to provide a constant flow rate of purge air through the desiccant during purging.