Abstract: A collapsible steering column is used with motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a frame. The steering column has an outer jacket and a stationery bracket. The outer jacket is releasably coupled to the frame. The stationery bracket is coupled to the frame. The outer jacket and stationery bracket are collapsible in response to release of the outer jacket from the frame. An electrically actuated brake mechanism is coupled between the stationery bracket and the outer jacket and provides an infinitely variable resistive force to the collapse of the outer jacket and the stationery bracket.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column is used with motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a frame. The steering column has an outer jacket and a stationery bracket. The outer jacket is releasably coupled to the frame. The stationery bracket is coupled to the frame. The outer jacket and stationery bracket are collapsible in response to release of the outer jacket from the frame. An electrically actuated brake mechanism is coupled between the stationery bracket and the outer jacket and provides an infinitely variable resistive force to the collapse of the outer jacket and the stationery bracket.

Abstract: A pedal assembly is mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and is used to generate a control signal for vehicle system. The pedal assembly includes a support mounted to the body structure and a pedal arm with an upper end pivotally mounted to the support for movement relative to the body structure and a lower end for supporting a pedal pad. The pedal arm is movable between a plurality of operational positions as a force is applied to the pedal pad. A magnet is mounted to the pedal arm for pivotal movement with the pedal arm between the various operational positions. The magnet is preferably permanent magnet having a cylindrical shape and including multiple poles alternating between positive and negative orientations about the circumference of the magnet. A noncontact sensor is mounted adjacent to the magnet such that the sensor remains fixed relative to the pedal at all operational positions.

Abstract: A system for indicating level of material in a vessel comprising a probe which includes a plurality of electrically discrete probe elements of electrically conductive construction position within a material vessel in a spaced array extending height-wise of the vessel. Each probe element has electrical characteristics which vary as a function of proximity of material thereto within the vessel. In one embodiment, the probe elements comprise capacitive elements responsive to varying dielectric characteristics as material approaches each element. In another embodiment, having particularly utility in fuel level sensing applications, the probe elements comprise resistance elements responsive to cooling through immersion in fuel for varying voltage drop thereacross. Electonic circuitry is coupled to the several probe elements for detecting material level as a function of electrical characteristics of the probe elements.

Abstract: An electric indicating target for use in shooting practice which provides a user with a display indicating the zone of the target face that has been hit by a shot. The target includes a planar surface of electrical resistance elements formed on the target face and divided into a plurality of electrically insulated sectors. When the surface of a sector is penetrated by a relatively small projectile, the resistance of the sector increases by an amount indicative of a shot hitting the sector. The target further includes external circuits, each connected to a different sector of the target, that store the resistance of a sector and detect changes in this resistance indicative of a projectile hitting the sector. After a sector is hit, the associated circuit first signals so, and then stores the new resistance of the sector. A display device is connected to the external circuitry in order to provide a user with messages indicating which sector has been hit.

Abstract: A system for indicating level of material in a vessel as a function of material capacitance comprising a pair of parallel probe electrodes which extend through the vessel and have lower portions disposed beneath the vessel outlet in direct electrical contact with material whose level is to be measured. An electrical signal having both ac and dc components is fed to one of the electrodes, and detected at the other electrode, such that the detected ac signal component varies with both capacitance and conductance of material disposed between the electrodes while the dc signal component varies substantially as a function solely of material conductance. The dc signal component is used to compensate the ac signal component for variations in conductance, so that an output signal is provided which varies as a function of material level between the electrodes substantially independently of material conductance.