Abstract: A dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) operable at a defined frequency includes: at least one volume of a dielectric material configured and structured to be responsive to a signal feed when electromagnetically coupled to the at least one volume of a dielectric material, the signal feed when present and electrically excited being productive of a main E-field component having a defined direction, ?, in the DRA as observed in a plan view of the DRA; wherein the at least one volume of a dielectric material includes a non-gaseous dielectric material having a defined dielectric constant, the non-gaseous dielectric material having an inner region having a dielectric medium having a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the non-gaseous dielectric material, at the defined frequency; wherein the inner region has a cross sectional overall height Hr as observed in an elevation view of the DRA, and a cross sectional overall width Wr in a direction parallel to the direction ? as observed in the pl

Abstract: In an embodiment, a thermoplastic composite comprises a thermoplastic polymer; and a dielectric filler having a multimodal particle size distribution; wherein a peak of a first mode of the multimodal particle size distribution is at least seven times that of a peak of a second mode of the multimodal particle size distribution; and a flow modifier.

Abstract: A dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) includes a plurality of volumes of dielectric materials having N volumes, N being an integer equal to or greater than 3, disposed to form successive and sequential layered volumes V(i), i being an integer from 1 to N, and a signal feed disposed to produce a main E-field component having a defined direction, ?, in the DRA. The N volumes include a non-gaseous dielectric material, and have an inner region with a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the non-gaseous dielectric material. The inner region has a cross sectional overall height Hr, and a cross sectional overall width Wr in a direction parallel to ?, and the volume of non-gaseous dielectric material has a cross sectional overall height Hv, and a cross sectional overall width Wv in a direction parallel to ?, wherein Hr is greater than Wr/2.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device includes: an electromagnetically reflective structure having an electrically conductive structure and a plurality of electrically conductive electromagnetic reflectors that are integrally formed with or are in electrical communication with the electrically conductive structure; wherein the plurality of reflectors are disposed relative to each other in an ordered arrangement; and, wherein each reflector of the plurality of reflectors forms a wall that defines and at least partially circumscribes a recess having an electrically conductive base that forms part of or is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive structure.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a controller, and a seatbelt retractor. The controller is programmed to receive a signal from the sensor indicating detection of a vehicle front oblique impact. The seatbelt retractor includes a load limiting mechanism selectively releasable from a high load mode to a low load mode. The controller is programmed to release the load limiting mechanism from the high load mode to the low load mode at a predetermined time in response to a signal from the sensor indicating a vehicle front oblique impact.

Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel having an exterior panel directed downward, an airbag having an uninflated position behind the exterior panel and having a left chamber and a right chamber, a left inflator coupled to the left chamber, a right inflator coupled to the right chamber, and a controller programmed to selectively activate each inflator to one of a high output and a low output based on an impact angle.

Abstract: A connected dielectric resonator antenna array (connected-DRA array) operational at an operating frequency and associated wavelength, includes: a plurality of dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs), each of the plurality of DRAs having at least one volume of non-gaseous dielectric material; wherein each of the plurality of DRAs is physically connected to at least one other of the plurality of DRAs via a relatively thin connecting structure, each connecting structure being relatively thin as compared to an overall outside dimension of one of the plurality of DRAs, each connecting structure having a cross sectional overall height that is less than an overall height of a respective connected DRA and being formed from at least one of the at least one volume of non-gaseous dielectric material, each connecting structure and the associated volume of the at least one volume of non-gaseous dielectric material forming a single monolithic portion of the connected-DRA array.

Abstract: An instrument-panel assembly in a vehicle includes an instrument panel extending along a longitudinal axis and an airbag supported by the instrument panel. The airbag is inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. In two embodiments, the airbag includes a side extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and a tether attached to the side, and the side has a fold when the airbag is in the deployed position. Alternatively, in a third embodiment, the airbag in the deployed position has a tapered shape from a vertical perspective relative to the instrument panel at the instrument panel.

Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel. The restraint system includes an airbag coupled to the instrument panel and having an impact panel facing away from the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated. The impact panel has a left half and a right half. A left tether is releasably coupled to the instrument panel and to the left half of the impact panel. A right tether is releasably coupled to the instrument panel and to the right half of the impact panel. A controller is programmed to selectively release one of the left and right tethers based on an impact angle.

Abstract: A dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) includes a plurality of volumes of dielectric materials having N volumes, N being an integer equal to or greater than 3, disposed to form successive and sequential layered volumes V(i), i being an integer from 1 to N, and a signal feed disposed to produce a main E-field component having a defined direction, ?, in the DRA. The N volumes include a non-gaseous dielectric material, and have an inner region with a dielectric constant that is less than the dielectric constant of the non-gaseous dielectric material. The inner region has a cross sectional overall height Hr, and a cross sectional overall width Wr in a direction parallel to ?, and the volume of non-gaseous dielectric material has a cross sectional overall height Hv, and a cross sectional overall width Wv in a direction parallel to ?, wherein Hr is greater than Wr/2.

Abstract: An instrument-panel assembly in a vehicle includes an instrument panel extending along a longitudinal axis and an airbag supported by the instrument panel. The airbag is inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. In two embodiments, the airbag includes a side extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and a tether attached to the side, and the side has a fold when the airbag is in the deployed position. Alternatively, in a third embodiment, the airbag in the deployed position has a tapered shape from a vertical perspective relative to the instrument panel at the instrument panel.

Abstract: A local device, such as a field-programmable gate array, has a local state machine and a local interface component for communicating with a remote device that implements a remote state machine. The local interface component receives a new set of incoming data from the remote device and determines whether the new set is good data or bad data. If good data, then the local interface component causes the new set of data to transmitted internally for use by the local state machine. If bad data, then the local interface component does not forward the new set of data to the local state machine, which instead continues to use a previously received set of good data. Although the clock rate of the local and remote state machines may differ from the frame rate of the local interface component, their operations are nevertheless synchronized.

Abstract: An instrument-panel assembly includes an instrument panel, an airbag housing supported by the instrument panel, an airbag supported by the airbag housing, and a rotatable connection rotatably supporting the airbag housing on the instrument panel. The instrument panel extends along a longitudinal axis. The rotatable connection is rotatable about a rotational axis transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a subframe, a powertrain, a steering gear, and a bracket. The subframe is fastened to the frame at a subframe attachment point, and the subframe is movable relative to the frame along a collision path in response to a frontal collision. The powertrain is attached to the subframe. The steering gear is coupled to the subframe and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the subframe attachment point. The bracket is attached to the powertrain and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the steering gear. The bracket is positioned to wedge the steering gear between the subframe and the frame during the frontal collision to deform the subframe at the subframe attachment point.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a subframe, a powertrain, a steering gear, and a bracket. The subframe is fastened to the frame at a subframe attachment point, and the subframe is movable relative to the frame along a collision path in response to a frontal collision. The powertrain is attached to the subframe. The steering gear is coupled to the subframe and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the subframe attachment point. The bracket is attached to the powertrain and disposed in the collision path between the powertrain and the steering gear. The bracket is positioned to wedge the steering gear between the subframe and the frame during the frontal collision to deform the subframe at the subframe attachment point.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body that includes a rocker fixed to an underbody. The rocker and the under body at least in part define a front wheel well of the vehicle. A rim engagement member is cantilevered from the underbody and extends into the wheel well. The rim engagement member snags a rim of a front wheel of the vehicle and directs movement of a front wheel of the vehicle away from intrusion into a floor and/or dash of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body that includes a rocker fixed to an underbody. The rocker and the under body at least in part define a front wheel well of the vehicle. A rim engagement member is cantilevered from the underbody and extends into the wheel well. The rim engagement member snags a rim of a front wheel of the vehicle and directs movement of a front wheel of the vehicle away from intrusion into a floor and/or dash of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a side sill formed of high strength steel and a seat cross-member formed of high strength steel. A floor pan is welded to at least one of the side sill and the seat cross-member. A flange includes a base extending from the seat cross-member and a tab extending from the base. The tab is spaced from the seat cross-member and is welded to the floor pan and the side sill.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a side sill formed of high strength steel and a seat cross-member formed of high strength steel. A floor pan is welded to at least one of the side sill and the seat cross-member. A flange includes a base extending from the seat cross-member and a tab extending from the base. The tab is spaced from the seat cross-member and is welded to the floor pan and the side sill.