Abstract: An airbag module has a capacitive vehicle occupant sensor to detect an out-of-position vehicle occupant who is closely spaced from an airbag deployment door. The airbag module incorporates tape sensors, which monitor the rate at which a airbag is deployed, and a vent which can be actuated if the airbag deployment sensor controller or system logic associated with the airbag indicates a premature collision of the airbag with an out-of-position vehicle occupant. A capacitive vehicle occupant sensor is attached to the airbag module, or to the door through which the airbag deploys. In the event a vehicle occupant is closely spaced from the deployment door(s), airbag deployment is inhibited, the airbag module is simultaneously vented, or the airbag deployment profile is otherwise modified.

Abstract: A method and composition is disclosed for making conductive flow field separator plates having reduced resistivity, lower weight and lower cost. The plates are made by blending from about 0.5 wt % to about 40 wt %, preferably from about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, most preferably from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %, of the liquid crystal polymer; from about 0.5 10 wt % to about 40 wt %, preferably from about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, most preferably from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of the poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride); and from about 20 wt % to about 99 wt %, preferably from about 60 wt % to about 98 wt %, most preferably from about 70 wt % to about 90 wt % of the conductive filler. The blend is then moulded to form the conductive flow field separator plates.

Abstract: Provided are coaxial waveguide microstructures. The microstructures include a substrate and a coaxial waveguide disposed above the substrate. The coaxial waveguide includes: a center conductor; an outer conductor including one or more walls, spaced apart from and disposed around the center conductor; one or more dielectric support members for supporting the center conductor in contact with the center conductor and enclosed within the outer conductor; and a core volume between the center conductor and the outer conductor, wherein the core volume is under vacuum or in a gas state. Also provided are methods of forming coaxial waveguide microstructures by a sequential build process and hermetic packages which include a coaxial waveguide microstructure.

Abstract: An optical switch and method for assembling are described. Optical arrays are mounted on a flex plate with an interface between them. The direction of certain forces on the flex plate allows coupling/decoupling of the optical arrays. The flex plate includes an area which exhibits a different flex profile than the remainder of the flex plate and that is located beneath the optical arrays interface. Flexing of the flex plate optically couples the optical arrays. A tool with grooves is used to align the optical arrays relative to each other. The tool uses grooves and spheres to mate with the optical arrays in such a way as to provide an appropriate interface between the optical arrays.

Abstract: A seating system is provided including a beam for supporting seats, wherein the seats are individually mounted to the beam at any selected longitudinal position along the beam. The system facilitates seat positioning and repositioning in a manner that optimizes seating adaptability and ease of installation. The beam preferably includes integral first and second track portions. The first track portion includes a channel that receives bracket-mounted connectors by which the beam is fixed relative to the ground. Each of the seats has at least one seat support with a clamp portion that secures to the second track portion of the beam, free from the channel to avoid interfering with the connectors, regardless of the point at which the support is clamped to the beam. The second track portion is preferably shaped to include a rear overhang and front overhang defining oppositely directed undercut surfaces on which the seat support is securely mounted.

Abstract: Provided is a microcomponent holder for retaining a micro-scale component. The microcomponent holder includes at least one aperture for receiving a micro-scale component therein. At least one loop-shaped support member is disposed about the aperture for contacting the micro-scale component to retain the micro-scale component within the microcomponent holder. The invention allows for retaining of microscale objects, such as lenses or other parts of micro-optical, micro-mechanical, micro-electromechanical, and other micro-scale systems.

Abstract: A conductive composition for fuel cell collector plates and the molding methods thereof are provided. The molding composition includes a polymer resin and conductive fillers, wherein the polymer resin is a polymer blend comprising (1) from about 10 to 100 wt %, preferably from about 50 to about 100 wt % of a grafted polyolefin or a blend of grafted polyolefins and (2) from 0 to about 90 wt %, preferably from about 0 to about 50 wt % of at least one other thermoplastic polymer having a melting point below 280° C. One type of or a combination of different types of highly conductive fillers are selected from carbon, graphite, metallic fillers and mixtures thereof. The polymer resin and conductive fillers are blended into a homogeneous mixture and molded into a collector plate. A preferred method of injection molding and a preferred method of injection-compression molding are provided to mold the composition into the shape of a fuel cell collector plate having a volume resistivity of not more than about 0.1 ohm.

Abstract: An airbag deployment rate sensor has a printed circuit board with a substrate that has guide slots for the withdrawal of deployable tapes. Each tape is fastened to the interior of the airbag. When the airbag is deployed, the tapes are withdrawn from tape cartridges mounted with respect to the substrate. The surfaces of the guide slot are coated with an electrically conductive coating. Static charges on the tapes are dissipated as they pass through the guide slots.

Abstract: A leash assembly includes a body with a handle and a cord which has an end captive in the body. The assembly is adjustable whereby the tension in the cord can be caused automatically to increase and decrease respectively causing a shudder in the cord. Optionally, a noise my accompany the change in tension in the cord. The leash will be attached in use to a collar or harness worn, for example, by a dog and the shudder is used to assist in training the animal.

Abstract: An airbag assembly employs tape sensors to monitor the rate at which an airbag is deployed. The airbag is part of an airbag module that incorporates a vent that can be actuated if it is determined by logic associated with the airbag that the airbag has prematurely collided with an object. To better determine the dynamics of the airbag deployment, a sensor is positioned across a tear seam in the cover through which the airbag breaks. The sensor provides a direct indicator that the tear seam has opened, which is used as the starting time for monitoring the rate of airbag deployment. The tear seam sensor could also be used in conjunction with any airbag electronics to control a function of an airbag.

Abstract: Slots or apertures are formed in the connector shroud of a T/R module in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the connector so as to allow plating solution to flow freely through the entire inner portion of the connector, particularly the rear portion, during fabrication of the T/R module. The slots are formed prior to the shroud being brazed on to the module substrate. By allowing plating solution to flow through the connector, the interior of the connector can be more thoroughly plated, thereby improving the yield of the assembly while reducing cost.

Abstract: An airbag deployment rate sensor has a printed circuit board with a substrate that has guide slots for the withdrawal of deployable tapes. Each tape is fastened to the interior of the airbag. When the airbag is deployed, the tapes are withdrawn from tape cartridges mounted with respect to the substrate. The surfaces of the guide slot are coated with an electrically conductive coating. Static charges on the tapes are dissipated as they pass through the guide slots.

Abstract: An electronic circuit connects to an airbag crash controller in a way which is functionally identical to an airbag squib. Based on a squib fire signal from the controller, the circuit provides an activation signal indicating airbag deployment and also allows communication with an airbag crash controller by creating an open circuit that is detected by the airbag crash controller as an airbag fault. Each functional part of the circuit includes an isolator to protect the airbag crash controller.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling potentially harmful signals in a signal arranged to convey speech is described. The method includes the steps of establishing characteristics of the signal when it is conveying speech; monitoring the signal; and controlling the signal relative to the established characteristics.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable sealant plug that expands in response to contact with moisture in a mammalian body is optimally positioned in a biopsy tract to seal the biopsy tract when a biopsy procedure is completed. In a first method, the leading end of the sealant plug is advanced through the lumen of a coaxial needle by a plunger until a leading end of a supporting leg abuts the patient's skin surface. A second method is performed with a pistol-shaped tool having a trigger that enables adjustment of the plunger. A third embodiment includes a plunger having a bifurcated end that grasps the plug. A fourth embodiment has a turning nut that causes compression of a gasket that clamps down on the plug. A supporting rod and coaxial needle are in parallel relation to one another in a fifth embodiment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for decreasing the resistivity of a non-machined conductive flow field plate for use in a fuel cell. The process includes the step of annealing the conductive flow field plate by heating the conductive flow field plate to a temperature between 25° C. (room temperature) and a temperature slightly lower than the material softening temperature of the material composition of the conductive flow field plate; maintaining the conductive flow field plate at that temperature for an effective period of time; and, cooling the conductive flow field plate to room temperature.

Abstract: Optical interface assemblies are provided. The optical interface assemblies include a first portion having a plurality of optical waveguides. The first portion is configured for mating engagement with an optical fiber connector. A second portion is mated to the first portion. The second portion is configured for mating engagement with an electronic substrate that includes an embedded waveguide assembly. The first and second portions are further configured so as to align the plurality of optical waveguides, at a first end of the first portion, with a plurality of corresponding waveguide cores of the embedded waveguide assembly. The first and second portions are further configured so as to align the plurality of optical waveguides, at a second end of the first portion, with a plurality of corresponding optical fibers in the optical fiber connector. Also provided are electronic assemblies and methods for coupling optical fibers with electronic substrate embedded waveguides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for emulating VPLS within an ATM network. Provider Edge devices are configured for the VPLS connections. Each provider edge device advertises its configured VPLS IDs to other provider edge devices by propagating an information group up the PNNI hierarchy, the information group containing an association between an ATM address of the provider edge device and the VPLS ID. Information groups are propagated back down the PNNI hierarchy, so that each lowest level node learns all ATM addresses to be associated with each VPLS ID. For each pair of provider edge devices supporting the same VPLS ID, one of the provider edge devices establishes a virtual circuit between the pair. In this way, a mesh of virtual circuits is established between provider edge devices, and a VPLS-like service can be offered to users without having to implement MPLS.

Abstract: A system for the intelligent management of knowledge and delivery of content is provided. The system allows end users to access targeted fixes in connection with resolving problems with appliances, such as computers or other devices. The system further provides for the delivery of inventory information and information regarding attempts that have been made to fix problems with an appliance to technical support personnel. Technical support personnel may selectively access approved fixes or potential fixes through selections made from a tree of devices and/or problems or through the identification of key indicators. Technicians may also create fixes and made such fixes available to other technicians immediately.

Abstract: Provided are optoelectronic device packages. The packages include a base substrate having an optoelectronic device mounting region on a surface of the base substrate and a lid mounting region. An optoelectronic device is mounted on the optoelectronic device mounting region. A lid is mounted on the lid mounting region to form an enclosed volume between the base substrate and the lid. The optoelectronic device is in the enclosed volume. The lid has an optically transmissive region suitable for transmitting light of a given wavelength along an optical path to or from the optoelectronic device, wherein at least a portion of the lid mounting region is disposed along the optical path below the surface of the base substrate to a depth below the optical path. Also provided are wafer or grid level optoelectronic device packages, wafer- or grid-level optoelectronic device package lid and their methods of formation, and connectorized optoelectronic devices.