Abstract: A current-mode switching regulator that maintains a substantially constant maximum current limit over a virtually full range of duty cycles is provided. The regulator has a control circuit that includes a buffer circuit, an adjustable voltage clamp circuit, and a slope compensation circuit. The buffer circuit isolates a control signal from capacitive loading associated with control circuit. The threshold level of the adjustable voltage clamp circuit varies with respect to the amount of slope compensation provided to the voltage regulator. This allows a control voltage to increase as slope compensation increases so that a substantially constant maximum current limit is maintained.

Abstract: A sensor ring and method for forming same is provided in which the ring has a stamped configuration bent into a final configuration. The stamped configuration has a flat, annular sensor portion extending from a cylindrical hub portion and the sensor portion has a plurality of substantially identical, circumferentially spaced window openings therein. Each window opening has an inner edge adjacent to and spaced radially outward from the hub and an outer edge spaced radially inward from the outer peripheral end of the sensor portion and leading and trailing edges extending, respectively, from the ends of the inner and outer edges to form each window as a polygon, preferably a trapezoid. In the final configuration, the sensor portion has a bight segment extending radially outward from the hub and a sensor or finger segment extending from the bight segment in the direction fo the hub to form a U-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A current-mode switching regulator that maintains a substantially constant maximum current limit over a virtually full range of duty cycles is provided. The regulator has a control circuit that includes a buffer circuit, an adjustable voltage clamp circuit, and a slope compensation circuit. The buffer circuit isolates a control signal from capacitive loading associated with control circuit. The threshold level of the adjustable voltage clamp circuit varies with respect to the amount of slope compensation provided to the voltage regulator. This allows a control voltage to increase as slope compensation increases so that a substantially constant maximum current limit is maintained.

Abstract: Coating compositions, methods and articles of manufacture comprising a nanoparticle system employing same to impart surface modifying benefits for all types of soft surfaces, and in some cases, hard surfaces, are disclosed. In some embodiments, dispersement of nanoparticles in a suitable carrier medium allows for the creation of coating compositions, methods and articles of manufacture that create multi-use benefits to the modified surfaces. These surface modifications can produce long lasting or semi-permanent multi-use benefits that, in some embodiments, may include at least one of the following improved surface properties: cleaning, wettability, liquid strike-through, comfort, stain resistance, soil removal, malodor control, modification of surface friction, reduced damage to abrasion and color enhancement, relative to the surfaces unmodified with such nanoparticle systems.

Abstract: A sensor ring and method for forming same is provided in which the ring has a stamped configuration bent into a final configuration. The stamped configuration has a flat, annular sensor portion extending from a cylindrical hub portion and the sensor portion has a plurality of substantially identical, circumferentially spaced window openings therein. Each window opening has an inner edge adjacent to and spaced radially outward from the hub and an outer edge spaced radially inward from the outer peripheral end of the sensor portion and leading and trailing edges extending, respectively, from the ends of the inner and outer edges to form each window as a polygon, preferably a trapezoid. In the final configuration, the sensor portion has a bight segment extending radially outward from the hub and a sensor or finger segment extending from the bight segment in the direction fo the hub to form a U-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: An improved weight estimation apparatus includes a closed elastomeric bladder filled with fluid and installed in the foam cushion of a vehicle seat bottom, with at least one pressure sensor installed in a closed exit port of the bladder. A temperature sensor disposed in proximity to the bladder provides a temperature signal, and a controller estimates the weight of the occupant based on the temperature and pressure signals. The pressure sensor is preferably configured to sense the gage pressure--that is, the differential pressure between the fluid and atmospheric pressure--at the center of gravity of the fluid in order to provide a stable output independent of changing atmospheric pressure and changing orientation of the bladder due to vehicle pitch and roll.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a connector set which is provided with first and second connectors. The first connector itself is provided with a first housing, and first and second contacts which are at least partially captured within the first housing. The first connector further includes a resilient biasing member disposed within the first housing and normally maintaining the first and second contacts in spaced relation to each other. The second connector is provided with a second housing and a third contact which is at least partially captured within the second housing. The application of pressure to the first contact by the third contact in an amount sufficient to compress the biasing member results in the electrically conductive engagement between the first and second contacts and the electrical connection of the third contact to the second contact.

Abstract: A current driver utilizes a variable current source and a pair of comparison stages to provide a pair of output transistors with a low quiescent current and the ability to quickly satisfy the current demands of an inductive load. When the voltage input to the current driver is approximately equal to the voltage across the load, the variable current source is set at a minimum value, thereby providing the output transistors with the low quiescent current. When the input voltage varies from the voltage across the load, the current flowing through the output transistors begins to change so that one of the output transistors has a greater current flow, depending on whether the driver is sourcing current to or sinking current from the load.

Abstract: A circuit for processing a high frequency output signal from a variable reluctance transducer, this signal including an unwanted low frequency component, comprises a comparator having a first input receiving the transducer signal and a second input receiving the same transducer signal but via a low pass filter. The comparator therefore provides an output representing the high frequency variations in the transducer signal and substantially unaffected by the low frequency component. Alternatively, the transducer signal may be applied to a circuit providing a first output signal varying as the low frequency component and also providing a second output signal varying as the high frequency variations in the received transducer signal, the first output signal being used as a feedback control which tends to render the second output signal free of low frequency variations.

Abstract: A method for electroless gold plating in which gold ligand complexes are used; a photolytic method for depositing catalytic amounts of gold on a substrate suitable for an electroless metal deposition method whereby the gold complexes used are trivalent gold complex; a method for immersion plating or vaporization plating of gold from complexes, and complexes for the above methods.

Abstract: A tape tab cutting and applying mechanism in which a rotating orbiting tape head picks up a tape tab at one station and transports it to an applying station for applying tape tabs at spaced intervals on a moving web or line of successive objects. The tape tab is essentially perpendicular to the path of the tape head at the pick-up station and parallel to the web or article at the applying station.