Abstract: An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag assembly comprises an airbag and a deployable ramp configured to unfurl with the airbag when the airbag is deployed. The deployable ramp is configured to transition from a stowed configuration, in which the deployable ramp is stowed with the airbag before deployment, into a ramped configuration when deployed. The deployable ramp comprises a movable element configured to move in response to the deployment of the airbag from a first position in the stowed configuration, to a second position in the ramped configuration. The movable element is arranged such that a thickness of the deployable ramp increases when the movable element is in the second position and the deployable ramp is positioned and shaped in the ramped configuration to assist the airbag in riding over a component of the vehicle as the airbag is deployed.

Abstract: A curtain airbag for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable cushion and a protective sheet having an attachment edge attached to the airbag and a free-length extending from the attachment edge. The cushion formed into a folded condition from which it is deployable in a deployment direction, and the free-length of the sheet is positioned adjacent to the deployment direction of the cushion. The airbag is installed in the vehicle to deploy adjacent to a daylight opening of the vehicle. Deployment of the cushion during inflation causes the protective sheet to be drawn along with the cushion in the deployment direction so that the sheet overlays the outboard-facing side of the cushion (between the cushion and the daylight opening) and thereby provides a degree of protection against damage to the cushion that may be caused by, for example, broken window glass.

Abstract: A curtain airbag for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable cushion and a protective sheet having an attachment edge attached to the airbag and a free-length extending from the attachment edge. The cushion formed into a folded condition from which it is deployable in a deployment direction, and the free-length of the sheet is positioned adjacent to the deployment direction of the cushion. The airbag is installed in the vehicle to deploy adjacent to a daylight opening of the vehicle. Deployment of the cushion during inflation causes the protective sheet to be drawn along with the cushion in the deployment direction so that the sheet overlays the outboard-facing side of the cushion (between the cushion and the daylight opening) and thereby provides a degree of protection against damage to the cushion that may be caused by, for example, broken window glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retro-fittable device and method for adjusting a hinged door. The device includes an elongated hollow base member having exterior and interior threads and an adjustment member having a threaded shank that adjustably engages the interior threads of the base member. The adjustment member includes an enlarged head portion with a tool engagement socket therein. The base member and adjustment member can be installed in a wall stud through a door jam under a hinge and in alignment with a screw hole in a leaf of the hinge. The adjustable member head portion is larger in diameter than the screw hole and the tool engagement socket is sized such that an adjustment tool can be inserted through the screw hole to adjust the adjustment member, thereby adjusting position of the door jamb relative to the stud.

Abstract: A curtain airbag assembly for a vehicle has an airbag with a receiving portion shaped to clamp onto or around a portion of a seat of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed to assist in securing the airbag in place. The receiving portion is formed by supplementary material adjacent to a seam between inner and outer panels of the airbag, the supplementary material forming a clamping pocket which grips an outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag. Alternatively, the receiving portion is formed by first and second overlapping portions of the airbag which overlap one another when the airbag is deflated, the overlapping portions forming a clamping pocket configured to grip the outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: A curtain airbag assembly for a vehicle has an airbag with a receiving portion shaped to clamp onto or around a portion of a seat of the vehicle when the airbag is deployed to assist in securing the airbag in place. The receiving portion is formed by supplementary material adjacent to a seam between inner and outer panels of the airbag, the supplementary material forming a clamping pocket which grips an outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag. Alternatively, the receiving portion is formed by first and second overlapping portions of the airbag which overlap one another when the airbag is deflated, the overlapping portions forming a clamping pocket configured to grip the outboard portion of the seat upon inflation of the airbag.

Abstract: A renewable energy sponsorship and funding model may allow an entity (“sponsor”) to sponsor creation and/or operation of a renewable energy source without necessarily receiving power directly from the renewable energy source. The sponsor may engage in a contract for differences (CFD) with the renewable energy source through a service provider. The sponsor may periodically make payments or receive payments resulting from the differences determined under the CFD. The amounts of the differences are variable based at least on the production of renewable energy by the renewable energy source and the wholesale market rates used in the purchase of power produced by the renewable energy source. These variances may be difficult to accommodate in a financial budget implemented by the sponsor. Various techniques and systems are disclosed to offset and/or smooth these variances, including making purchases on a wholesale spot market, using a credit facility, and/or creating a forward contract.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.

Abstract: In various embodiments, systems and methods are provided for a wireless device to acquire a wireless channel in wireless communication system. In an embodiment, the wireless device obtains a first wireless communication channel to operate on a first wireless network from a first wireless channel table where the first wireless communication channel is associated with a geographic identifier. The wireless device saves the geographic identifier and obtains a second wireless communication channel to operate on a second wireless network from a second wireless channel table using the geographic identifier where the second wireless communication channel is associated with the geographic identifier.

Abstract: A curtain airbag assembly is provided having a number of airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d arranged in a side by side relationship. Lower ends of the airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are linked to the adjacent airbag by an airbag tether connector assembly 10. Each of the tether connector assemblies includes first and second connectors 20, 30 that engage with one another and snap together to fasten together two tethers 26, 36. In the event that the first and second connectors 20, 30 are not correctly coupled together an indication of this fact is providing in one of a number of manners thereby reducing the risk that a vehicle 5 fitted with such a curtain airbag assembly can enter service with one or more tethers 26, 36 not connected.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.

Abstract: Mechanically stacked multijunction solar cells are provided. In one embodiment, a mechanically stacked, multijunction solar cell comprises: a first solar cell having a first bandgap; a second solar cell having a second bandgap; and a plurality of spaced apart metal pillars sandwiched between the first solar cell and the second solar cell.

Abstract: A device (10) comprises a semiconductor diode (12) and a switchable element (14) positioned in stacked adjacent relationship. The semiconductor diode (12) and the switchable element (14) are electrically connected in series with one another. The switchable element (14) is switchable from a low-conductance state to a high-conductance state in response to the application of a low-density forming current and/or a low voltage.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member is attached to a structural part of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism that allows the upper steering column to move in the event of a collision. A load transfer means is provided to bypass the ride down mechanism when an adjustment lever is moved to a position allowing the position of the upper steering column member to be adjusted thereby preventing accidental damage occurring to the ride down mechanism due to operator abuse.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member is attached to a structural part of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism that allows the upper steering column to move in the event of a collision. A load transfer means is provided to bypass the ride down mechanism when an adjustment lever is moved to a position allowing the position of the upper steering column member to be adjusted thereby preventing accidental damage occurring to the ride down mechanism due to operator abuse.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having lower and upper steering column members that are slidingly interengaged. The upper column member is attached to a structural part of the motor vehicle by a ride down mechanism that allows the upper steering column to move in the event of a collision. A load transfer means is provided to bypass the ride down mechanism when an adjustment lever is moved to a position allowing the position of the upper steering column member to be adjusted thereby preventing accidental damage occurring to the ride down mechanism due to operator abuse.

Abstract: Installation system for fastening a side curtain airbag to a motor vehicle comprising an airbag with a hollow filling portion which may be inflated by a gas generator and a fastening edge. The installation system has a laterally open fastening profile with a continuous groove which may correspond to the length of the airbag. The fastening profile is arranged on the vehicle and defines a slit-like opening. A thickened guide extends along the fastening edge and is configured to be inserted into the fastening profile. The thickened guide is received in the groove and has a cross section that is at least partially larger than the slit-like opening of the fastening profile.

Abstract: A curtain airbag assembly is provided having a number of airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d arranged in a side by side relationship. Lower ends of the airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are linked to the adjacent airbag by an airbag tether connector assembly 10. Each of the tether connector assemblies includes first and second connectors 20, 30 that engage with one another and snap together to fasten together two tethers 26, 36. In the event that the first and second connectors 20, 30 are not correctly coupled together an indication of this fact is providing in one of a number of manners thereby reducing the risk that a vehicle 5 fitted with such a curtain airbag assembly can enter service with one or more tethers 26, 36 not connected.