Abstract: Deicing of an external mirror (10) on a vehicle is effected by applying a sudden deformation force to the mirror. Sandwiched between the mirror (10) and a mounting surface (12) is a structure that includes a ribbon conductor (14), portions of which overlap each other in such a way that current through the conductor passes through these portions in opposite directions. A capacitor (32) is discharged through the conductor (14), generating a magnetic field that results in mutual repulsion between the overlapping portions. The mounting surface resists this repulsion force, which is instead transferred to the mirror (10), causing momentary distortion, and dislodgment of ice on the mirror surface. The same technique is also applicable to deicing of windows.

Abstract: A wireless telephone antenna system including at least one loop antenna (12) providing a directional antenna field pattern with superior gain performance in comparison to an omnidirectional antenna. The antenna system effectively rotates the loop antenna and selects the best gain in a direction of interest. The antenna system preferably also includes a conventional omnidirectional antenna (18), to which radio-frequency (RF) power is reduced when a better antenna gain is provided by the loop antenna, thereby reducing overall power consumption of the telephone. The loop antenna field pattern (14) is preferably selected to minimize RF radiation in the direction of the user's head (40).

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the rotational position of a dipole antenna (10) to compensate for roll and pitch movements of an unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The antenna (10) is connected to a dual-axis roll and pitch antenna mount (26), the rotational position is controlled by a pair of motor position control and feedback circuits (20 and 32). Roll error and pitch error signals (12 and 14) obtained from gyro systems in the UAV are subtractively combined with roll and pitch position signals, to generate control signals to be applied to rotate the antenna mount in a way that compensates for roll and pitch movements of the UAV, and effectively isolates the antenna mount from roll and pitch movements of the UAV. The dipole antenna (10), therefore, has its radiation pattern and polarization direction aligned with ground-based antennas, thus providing higher gain, increased range and more reliable performance.

Abstract: Deicing of an external mirror (10) on a vehicle is effected by applying a sudden deformation force to the mirror. Sandwiched between the mirror (10) and a mounting surface (12) is a structure that includes a ribbon conductor (14), portions of which overlap each other in such a way that current through the conductor passes through these portions in opposite directions. A capacitor (32) is discharged through the conductor (14), generating a magnetic field that results in mutual repulsion between the overlapping portions. The mounting surface resists this repulsion force, which is instead transferred to the mirror (10), causing momentary distortion, and dislodgment of ice on the mirror surface. The same technique is also applicable to deicing of windows.

Abstract: A wireless telephone antenna system including at least one loop antenna (12) providing a directional antenna field pattern with superior gain performance in comparison to an omnidirectional antenna. The antenna system effectively rotates the loop antenna and selects the best gain in a direction of interest. The antenna system preferably also includes a conventional omnidirectional antenna (18), to which radio-frequency (RF) power is reduced when a better antenna gain is provided by the loop antenna, thereby reducing overall power consumption of the telephone. The loop antenna field pattern (14) is preferably selected to minimize RF radiation in the direction of the user's head (40).

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the rotational position of a dipole antenna (10) to compensate for roll and pitch movements of an unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The antenna (10) is connected to a duel-axis roll and pitch antenna mount (26), the rotational position is controlled by a pair of motor position control and feedback circuits (20 and 32). Roll error and pitch error signals (12 and 14) obtained from gyro systems in the UAV are subtractively combined with roll and pitch position signals, to generated control signals to be applied to rotate the antenna mount in a way that compensates for the roll and pitch movements of the UAV, and effectively isolates the antenna mount from roll and pitch movements of the UAV. The dipole antenna (10), therefore, has its radiation pattern and polarization direction aligned with ground-based antennas, thus providing higher gain, increased range and more reliable performance.

Abstract: A steering wheel control system (10) that employs a method for passing push-button commands from a steering wheel to a vehicle system where the method is not dependant upon the contact resistance of a sliding contact (32) located in the steering wheel column. The control system (10) uses a steering wheel electronics assembly (20) to generate tones corresponding to the commands, a signal transmission assembly (30) to transmit the tones from the electronics assembly (20) to an electronic control box (40) located elsewhere in the vehicle, and the electronic control box (40) to decode the transmitted tone. The use of discrete frequencies avoids operational problems associated with decreases in the overall system noise margin due to large voltage drops across the sliding contact (32). Furthermore, the use of off-the-shelf tone generation and decoding components allows for an (overall reduction in system cost and increase in system reliability.

Abstract: A steering wheel control system (10) that employs a method for passing push-button commands from a steering wheel to a vehicle system, wherein the method is not dependant upon the contact resistance of a sliding contact (32) located in the steering wheel column. The control system (10) includes a constant current source circuit (20) that generates a unique constant current corresponding to each command. The sliding contact (32) passes the constant current between the steering wheel and the vehicle system, and a calibrated resistance circuit (40) converts the unique constant current into a discrete voltage. The discrete voltage is also converted into a digital signal for use by a microcontroller (60) to activate the vehicle systems. The use of constant currents therefore avoids operational problems associated with decreases in the overall system noise margin due to large voltage drops across the sliding contact (32).

Abstract: A standby power supply dedicated to a peripheral electronics apparatus on aircraft provides an isolated ungrounded self-contained source of DC operating voltage. That source is applied to the electronics apparatus upon indication of turbine generator shut-down or failure before the voltage generated by the turbine generator completely falls off. Formed with an EMI filter, a fast pulse mode battery charger, a lead-acid battery pack, a DC to DC converter, and a pair of electromagnetic relays, the standby power supply ensures that the electronic apparatus is never without operating power even momentarily.