Abstract: Advanced combustion modes, such as PCCI, operate near the system stability limits. In PCCI, the combustion event begins without a direct combustion trigger in contrast to traditional spark-ignited gasoline engines and direct-injected diesel engines. The lack of a direct combustion trigger encourages the usage of model-based controls to provide robust control of the combustion phasing. The nonlinear relationships between the control inputs and the combustion system response often limit the effectiveness of traditional, non-model-based controllers. Accurate knowledge of the system states and inputs is helpful for implementation of an effective nonlinear controller. A nonlinear controller is developed and implemented to control the engine combustion timing during diesel PCCI operation by targeting desired values of the in-cylinder oxygen concentration, pressure, and temperature during early fuel injection.

Abstract: In a belt retractor (10) for a seat belt comprising a belt reel (12) onto which webbing (14) can be wound while being spring-loaded and comprising a tensioning device (16) which is adapted to act on the belt reel (12) in a winding direction (A), a control (18) is provided which is adapted to activate the tensioning device (16) when the seat belt is unloaded and not fastened.

Abstract: In a belt retractor (10) for a seat belt comprising a belt reel (12) onto which webbing (14) can be wound while being spring-loaded and comprising a tensioning device (16) which is adapted to act on the belt reel (12) in a winding direction (A), a control (18) is provided which is adapted to activate the tensioning device (16) when the seat belt is unloaded and not fastened.

Abstract: Advanced combustion modes, such as PCCI, operate near the system stability limits. In PCCI, the combustion event begins without a direct combustion trigger in contrast to traditional spark-ignited gasoline engines and direct-injected diesel engines. The lack of a direct combustion trigger encourages the usage of model-based controls to provide robust control of the combustion phasing. The nonlinear relationships between the control inputs and the combustion system response often limit the effectiveness of traditional, non-model-based controllers. Accurate knowledge of the system states and inputs is helpful for implementation of an effective nonlinear controller. A nonlinear controller is developed and implemented to control the engine combustion timing during diesel PCCI operation by targeting desired values of the in-cylinder oxygen concentration, pressure, and temperature during early fuel injection.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system includes a reversible belt tensioner (12) adapted to apply a belt tightening force (F) on several predetermined levels to a belt strap (14) of a seat belt, a control unit (16) for controlling the belt tensioner (12) and a device (18) for detecting the course of a road (S1, S2) ahead of the vehicle and for identifying bends lying ahead of the vehicle. The control unit (16) causes the belt tightening force (F) to be kept on an increased level when in the course of the road a further bend follows a just taken bend within a predetermined distance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle part adjusting device (10), especially a belt buckle presenter or belt presenter, comprising a first elongated flexible push member (12), a second elongated flexible push member (14) and a connecting and separating means (16) for the push members (12, 14) which is designed so that it detachably connects the push members (12, 14) upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in a first longitudinal direction (X1) to form a bending-resistant interconnected part (18) and separates them upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in an opposed second longitudinal direction (X2), wherein the push members (12, 14) are connected and separated in a reversible manner.

Abstract: A belt tensioner of a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially a belt buckle tensioner, comprises a coupling member (12) to the vehicle seat belt, a drive unit (18), a flexible tension transmitting means (14) and a deflector (26). The flexible tension transmitting means (14) is connected at least indirectly to the coupling member (12) and is moved via the drive unit (18) in the event of tensioning. The deflector (26) deflects the tension transmitting means (14) in the direction of the coupling member (12). The tension transmitting means (14) is moved along the deflector (26) in the event of tensioning. According to the invention, the drive unit (18) is coupled in terms of drive to the deflector (26) such that the drive unit (18) moves the deflector (26) upon activation and thus displaces the coupling member (12) in the tensioning direction (R).

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system includes a reversible belt tensioner (12) adapted to apply a belt tightening force (F) on several predetermined levels to a belt strap (14) of a seat belt, a control unit (16) for controlling the belt tensioner (12) and a device (18) for detecting the course of a road (S1, S2) ahead of the vehicle and for identifying bends lying ahead of the vehicle. The control unit (16) causes the belt tightening force (F) to be kept on an increased level when in the course of the road a further bend follows a just taken bend within a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A belt tensioner of a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially a belt buckle tensioner, comprises a coupling member (12) to the vehicle seat belt, a drive unit (18), a flexible tension transmitting means (14) and a deflector (26). The flexible tension transmitting means (14) is connected at least indirectly to the coupling member (12) and is moved via the drive unit (18) in the event of tensioning. The deflector (26) deflects the tension transmitting means (14) in the direction of the coupling member (12). The tension transmitting means (14) is moved along the deflector (26) in the event of tensioning. According to the invention, the drive unit (18) is coupled in terms of drive to the deflector (26) such that the drive unit (18) moves the deflector (26) upon activation and thus displaces the coupling member (12) in the tensioning direction (R).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle part adjusting device (10), especially a belt buckle presenter or belt presenter, comprising a first elongated flexible push member (12), a second elongated flexible push member (14) and a connecting and separating means (16) for the push members (12, 14) which is designed so that it detachably connects the push members (12, 14) upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in a first longitudinal direction (X1) to form a bending-resistant interconnected part (18) and separates them upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in an opposed second longitudinal direction (X2), wherein the push members (12, 14) are connected and separated in a reversible manner.

Abstract: An array encoding system and method for use with high definition digital video data streams includes method and means for analyzing the incoming data stream, splitting the data stream in accordance with video complexity or other criteria, encoding each of the subsidiary data streams in accordance with a desired encoding standard, and combining the data streams to generate an output. The encoding system and method is particularly suited to encoding data streams to provide an output with is substantially consistent with the H.264 video communications standard. The system and method are scalable.

Abstract: An array encoding system and method for use with high definition digital video data streams includes method and means for analyzing the incoming data stream, splitting the data stream in accordance with video complexity or other criteria, encoding each of the subsidiary data streams in accordance with a desired encoding standard, and combining the data streams to generate an output. The encoding system and method is particularly suited to encoding data streams to provide an output with is substantially consistent with the H.264 video communications standard. The system and method are scalable.

Abstract: An array encoding system and method for use with high definition digital video data streams includes method and means for analyzing the incoming data stream, splitting the data stream in accordance with video complexity or other criteria, encoding each of the subsidiary data streams in accordance with a desired encoding standard, and combining the data streams to generate an output. The encoding system and method is particularly suited to encoding data streams to provide an output with is substantially consistent with the H.264 video communications standard. The system and method are scalable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and playback of transport stream packets including multiplexed audio, video and other data streams. The transport streams may be generated in accordance with an MPEG-2 standard. In a record mode, an arrival timestamp is generated for each input transport packet to be recorded in a peripheral storage device. A given arrival timestamp indicates the arrival time of the corresponding transport packet in the recording system. Each of the transport packets are then stored with their corresponding arrival timestamps. The record mode may utilize a packet identifier (PID) decoder to perform packet filtering such that only incoming transport packets with selected PIDs are stored. In a playback mode, transport packets and corresponding arrival timestamps are retrieved from the storage device and the arrival timestamps are utilized to direct synchronous delivery of the transport packets to, for example, a decoder or a transport stream broadcast system.

Abstract: A reversible liferaft has an inflatable structure (10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 40) that supports a canopy providing a floor (14) and a roof (15) that lie in parallel planes. This makes the liferaft reversible which is a useful safety feature.

Abstract: A remultiplexer is disclosed for communicating plural programs. Each program comprises one or more elementary streams that are encoded in relation to a single common time base corresponding to the respective program. The communicated programs originate from plural input transport streams that each comprises plural transport packets. Each transport packet contains a packet identifier indicating the data contained therein. Within each transport stream, unique packet identifiers are assigned to each elementary stream of each program. The data of each elementary stream is only contained in transport packets having a corresponding packet identifier. Each input transport stream contains time stamps for reconstructing the single program time base corresponding to each program conveyed therein. The remultiplexer has a data link module which receives the plural input transport streams. The data link module also selectively extracts transport packets from the received input transport streams.

Abstract: A remultiplexer is disclosed for communicating plural programs. Each program comprises one or more elementary streams that are encoded in relation to a single common time base corresponding to the respective program. The communicated programs originate from plural input transport streams that each comprises plural transport packets. Each transport packet contains a packet identifier indicating the data contained therein. Within each transport stream, unique packet identifiers are assigned to each elementary stream of each program. The data of each elementary stream is only contained in transport packets having a corresponding packet identifier. Each input transport stream contains time stamps for reconstructing the single program time base corresponding to each program conveyed therein. The remultiplexer has a data link module which receives the plural input transport streams. The data link module also selectively extracts transport packets from the received input transport streams.