Abstract: An electric device includes a motor and a motor drive for commanding a torque generated by the motor. A fault control circuit detects a fault condition associated with the motor drive. Upon detection of the fault condition, the fault control circuit adjusts the torque commanded by the motor drive.

Abstract: An electric device includes a motor and a motor drive for commanding a torque generated by the motor. A fault control circuit detects a fault condition associated with the motor drive. Upon detection of the fault condition, the fault control circuit adjusts the torque commanded by the motor drive.

Abstract: An automatic gain control for a cabin communication system for improving clarity of a voice spoken within a movable interior cabin having ambient noise includes a microphone for receiving the spoken voice and the ambient noise and for converting the spoken voice and the ambient noise into a first audio signal having a first component corresponding to the spoken voice and a second component corresponding to the ambient noise, a filter for removing the second component from the first audio signal to provide a filtered audio signal, an acoustic echo canceller for receiving the filtered audio signal in accordance with a supplied dither signal and providing an echo-canceled audio signal, a control signal generating circuit for generating a first automatic gain control signal in response to a noise signal that corresponds to a current speed of the cabin, the first automatic gain control signal controlling a first gain of the dither signal supplied to the filter, the control signal generating circuit also for genera

Abstract: An electric device includes a motor and a motor drive for commanding a torque generated by the motor. A fault control circuit detects a fault condition associated with the motor drive. Upon detection of the fault condition, the fault control circuit adjusts the torque commanded by the motor drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a wheel to an axle. The apparatus comprises a wheel with a hub for insertion into an indentation in the end of the axle and a non-cylindrically-symmetrical stud attached to the axle that is concentric with the axis of rotation of the wheel and axle, attaching the wheel to the axle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a wheel to an axle. The apparatus comprises a wheel with a hub for insertion into an indentation in the end of the axle and a non-cylindrically-symmetrical stud attached to the axle that is concentric with the axis of rotation of the wheel and axle, attaching the wheel to the axle.

Abstract: A headliner assembly includes a molded structural headliner frame. The headliner frame can include at least one accessory integrally molded to the headliner frame. The headliner frame imparts structural integrity to the headliner assembly. The use of a molded headliner frame incorporating at least one integrally molded accessory reduces the overall weight and cost of the headliner assembly. Also, the use of integrally molded accessories eliminates cost in the manufacture of the headliner assembly, which is an improvement over the prior art.

Abstract: A vehicle trim panel assembly includes a trim panel of electrically non-conductive material that has an interior and an exterior surface. The exterior surface includes decorative trim mounted on it such as vinyl, leather, or cloth, for example, which makes that exposed surface visually appealing. An electrical circuit is deposited upon and adhered to the interior surface. First and second electrical connectors project from the electrical circuit. The connectors are formed as an integral part of the trim panel with the circuit material. Electrical components then may be attached to the first and second connectors. A vehicle wire harness is attached to the first connector while components such as a window regulator and rear view mirror control are attached to any number of second connectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-dimming mirror for a vehicle. The mirror includes a layer of microspheres which contain microparticles and a dielectric liquid. The microparticles have an electrical charge and move between a dispersed state and a segregated state in response to the polarity of an electrical charge on an adjacent electrode. In a first embodiment, the microparticles are reflective and their reflectivity of an incidence light is determined by whether the microparticles are in the dispersed state or the segregated state. In a second embodiment, microparticles include a pigment layer and the transmissivity of an incidence light through the microsphere is determined by whether the microparticles are in a dispersed state or a segregated state. Thus, the present invention provides an electronic dimming mechanism for a mirror.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment apparatus employs an interior trim panel and an electrical harness for use in an automotive vehicle. In one aspect of the present invention, the interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. In another aspect of the present invention, an electrical harness is provided with integrally created switch contacts and integrally created connector terminals.

Abstract: A surveillance marker is provided for utilization in antipilferage and anticounterfeiting systems. The marker includes a housing formed of barium ferrite impregnated plastic. Advantageously, the barium ferrite impregnated plastic housing provides a quasi-solenoidal dc magnetic bias field for activating one or more stacked ferromagnetic ribbons contained within the housing to produce an identifiable signal in response to an applied ac magnetic interrogation field.

Abstract: A surveillance marker clip assembly includes a dual pin head section having a smooth pin for insertion through the article to be protected and a grooved securing pin. The grooved securing pin is positively received and maintained in a locking mechanism including a pair of latching chocks. Flanges are provided on the latching chocks. The flanges provide secure and positive edge-to-edge mating engagement with the grove of the pin so as to resist forced withdrawal of the pin and removal of the marker from the article. A spring biases the chocks into engagement with sloped inner cam surfaces of the clip assembly housing thus forcing the chocks into a closed position. A spring steel biasing element may also be provided concentrically disposed around the chocks to further maintain the chocks in the closed position. The chocks are made of soft ferromagnetic material so as to be openable for the release of the securing pin by means of an electromagnetic release mechanism positioned at the cashier counter.

Abstract: An electromagnetic release apparatus and method are provided for unfastening a magnetically actuated surveillance marker clip assembly from an article. The release apparatus includes a primary solenoid coil that, when energized, produces a magnetic field of sufficient force to initially unlock the clip assembly for removal. A secondary magnet produces another magnetic field sufficient in force to retain the clip assembly in the unlocked position. The secondary magnet is mounted to a piston slidably received in the central bore of the primary solenoid coil. The primary solenoid coil is energized by inserting the clip assembly into the central bore of the coil, thereby, pressing the piston downwardly until it closes a "one-shot" microswitch. The electrical charge of a capacitor is then discharged through the primary coil to produce the relatively high power magnetic field for unlocking the clip assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides a vibration sensor for detecting vibrations having preselected frequencies. The sensor has a plurality of tuning mechanisms each being mechanically resonant with a different preselected vibrational frequency. The resonating vibrational movements of these tuning mechanisms apply varying stresses to a plurality of glassy magnetostrictive elements associated therewith. Each of the magnetostrictive elements is responsive to a different one of the tuning mechanisms. A magnetic biasing element imparts a magnetization to the magnetostrictive elements and a detecting mechanism associated with the magnetostrictive elements detects changes in the magnetization thereof caused by the varying stresses applied thereto.

Abstract: This invention comprises a vibration sensor for detecting engine knock. The sensor has a tuning mechanism which is mechanically resonant with a preselected vibrational frequency. The resonating movements of this tuning mechanism are adapted to apply varying stress to an associated magnetostrictive element. A magnetic biasing element imparts a magnetization to the magnetostrictive element and a detecting means is associated with the magnetostrictive element for detecting changes in the magnetization caused by the varying applied stress.

Abstract: A temperature-sensitive relay is provided with a resilient, movable cantilever composed of amorphous ferromagnetic material having a Curie point. The cantilever is adapted to carry a first contact member. A second contact member is disposed adjacent the first contact member for at least intermittently establishing electrical contact with the first contact member. The relay is adapted to be connected to circuitry having a power source for providing an electrical current and a switching mechanism for activating the circuitry in response to a preselected condition. A magnet is associated with and adapted to bias the cantilever to a first position that interrupts electrical continuity between the first and second contact members. The cantilever is transformed from a ferromagnetic phase to a paramagnetic phase when its temperature exceeds the Curie point, whereby the cantilever assumes a second position in which the electrical continuity is established.