Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for forming a solar array includes longitudinal support rails mounted to a support structure such as a roof. A first solar panel disposed on the rails has a peripheral frame including a locking frame member with deformable clamping portion configured for slideably receiving a peripheral frame portion of an adjacent second solar panel. A pair of captive T-bolt sets passing through the clamping portion include T-bolts having locking heads and nuts frictionally engaged with the T-bolts to rotate the T-bolts. The heads are each inserted and rotationally locked into fastening channels of respective support rails. The second solar panel is inserted into the first panel clamping portion and the nuts are fully tightened producing a clamping action which locks the first and second panels together. Power/control cables may be routed inside covered cable compartments on rears of the panels for protection against rodent damage.

Abstract: An electronic controller of a restraint control system for a vehicle comprises an electronic control unit including a first serial interface. The electronic controller also comprises a communications controller including a second serial interface and a plurality of PSI5 (Peripheral Sensor Interface 5) digital communications interfaces. Each of the first and second serial interfaces are Serial Peripheral Interfaces (SPI) in direct communications with one another, and the digital communications interfaces are each configured to communicate with a remote sensor. The communications controller is configured to transmit a voltage sync pulse to each of the remote sensors via the PSI5 digital communications interfaces in response to a synchronization command received from the electronic control unit via the serial interconnection. The voltage sync pulses on each of the PSI5 interfaces may be staggered and non-overlapping to reduce EMI production and to reduce the current load of the electronic controller.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing a squib loop in a restraint control module. The system may include a first amplifier, a capacitor, a second amplifier. The first amplifier may have a first input connected to a first side of the squib and a second input connected to a second side of the squib. The output of the first amplifier may generate an output voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across the squib. The capacitor may be connected in series with the output of the first amplifier and the output of the first amplifier may be connected to a first side of the capacitor. The second amplifier having a first input connected to a second side of the capacitor. A second input of the second amplifier may be connected to a reference voltage. The second amplifier may be configured with a feedback loop to generate a gain output.

Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for forming a solar array includes longitudinal support rails mounted to a support structure such as a roof. A first solar panel disposed on the rails has a peripheral frame including a locking frame member with deformable clamping portion configured for slideably receiving a peripheral frame portion of an adjacent second solar panel. A pair of captive T-bolt sets passing through the clamping portion include T-bolts having locking heads and nuts frictionally engaged with the T-bolts to rotate the T-bolts. The heads are each inserted and rotationally locked into fastening channels of respective support rails. The second solar panel is inserted into the first panel clamping portion and the nuts are fully tightened producing a clamping action which locks the first and second panels together. Power/control cables may be routed inside covered cable compartments on rears of the panels for protection against rodent damage.

Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for forming a solar array includes longitudinal support rails mounted to a support structure such as a roof. A first solar panel disposed on the rails has a peripheral frame including a locking frame member with deformable clamping portion configured for slideably receiving a peripheral frame portion of an adjacent second solar panel. A pair of captive T-bolt sets passing through the clamping portion include T-bolts having locking heads and nuts frictionally engaged with the T-bolts to rotate the T-bolts. The heads are each inserted and rotationally locked into fastening channels of respective support rails. The second solar panel is inserted into the first panel clamping portion and the nuts are fully tightened producing a clamping action which locks the first and second panels together. Power/control cables may be routed inside covered cable compartments on rears of the panels for protection against rodent damage.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for a restraint control module comprises a PSI5 communications interface configured to communicate with a remote sensor using a current-modulated signal with PSI5 compliance upon a two-wire interconnection. The PSI5 communications interface includes a signal driver configured to apply a signal voltage to a first signal terminal for driving current to the remote sensor via the two-wire interconnection. The PSI5 communications interface also includes a second signal terminal providing a return path for the current; and a resistor within the return path of the PSI5 communications interface. Several different alternative impedance balancing and damping circuits are provided to provide the resistor. The alternative impedance balancing and damping circuits include passive and active resistors. The impedance balancing and damping circuit may also provide current protection against damage due to fault currents.

Abstract: An electronic controller of a restraint control system for a vehicle comprises an electronic control unit including a first serial interface. The electronic controller also comprises a communications controller including a second serial interface and a plurality of PSI5 (Peripheral Sensor Interface 5) digital communications interfaces. Each of the first and second serial interfaces are Serial Peripheral Interfaces (SPI) in direct communications with one another, and the digital communications interfaces are each configured to communicate with a remote sensor. The communications controller is configured to transmit a voltage sync pulse to each of the remote sensors via the PSI5 digital communications interfaces in response to a synchronization command received from the electronic control unit via the serial interconnection. The voltage sync pulses on each of the PSI5 interfaces may be staggered and non-overlapping to reduce EMI production and to reduce the current load of the electronic controller.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing the squib leakage resistance through a restraint control module is disclosed in the present application. The newly proposed system and method provides a highly accurate measurement by minimizing/eliminating the effect of the unknown source voltage effects. The concept utilizes the squib leakage resistance diagnostic resources with a multi-step measurement approach, for example utilizing measurements of two currents and/or two voltages.

Abstract: A restraint control module is provided in this disclosure. The restraint control module is configured to communicate a sync pulse to a sensor. The control module may include a sync pulse driver circuit and a memory. The memory may store the waveform profile of a sync pulse. The sync pulse driver circuit generates a sync pulse in response to the waveform profile stored in the memory. The sync pulse may be transmitted to one or more sensors. The waveform profile stored in the memory may be derived from a sync pulse with reduced electro-magnetic emissions by applying spectrum analysis.

Abstract: A restraint control module is provided in this disclosure. The restraint control module is configured to communicate a sync pulse to a sensor. The control module may include a sync pulse driver circuit and a memory. The memory may store the waveform profile of a sync pulse. The sync pulse driver circuit generates a sync pulse in response to the waveform profile stored in the memory. The sync pulse may be transmitted to one or more sensors. The waveform profile stored in the memory may be derived from a sync pulse with reduced electro-magnetic emissions by applying spectrum analysis.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing a squib loop in a restraint control module. The system may include a first amplifier, a capacitor, a second amplifier. The first amplifier may have a first input connected to a first side of the squib and a second input connected to a second side of the squib. The output of the first amplifier may generate an output voltage corresponding to the voltage drop across the squib. The capacitor may be connected in series with the output of the first amplifier and the output of the first amplifier may be connected to a first side of the capacitor. The second amplifier having a first input connected to a second side of the capacitor. A second input of the second amplifier may be connected to a reference voltage. The second amplifier may be configured with a feedback loop to generate a gain output.

Abstract: A solar panel mounting system for forming a solar array includes longitudinal support rails mounted to a support structure such as a roof. A first solar panel disposed on the rails has a peripheral frame including a locking frame member with deformable clamping portion configured for slideably receiving a peripheral frame portion of an adjacent second solar panel. A pair of captive T-bolt sets passing through the clamping portion include T-bolts having locking heads and nuts frictionally engaged with the T-bolts to rotate the T-bolts. The heads are each inserted and rotationally locked into fastening channels of respective support rails. The second solar panel is inserted into the first panel clamping portion and the nuts are fully tightened producing a clamping action which locks the first and second panels together. Power/control cables may be routed inside covered cable compartments on rears of the panels for protection against rodent damage.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing a fault condition in common connected squib loops is disclosed. A current source supplies current to the feed terminal for the first squib loop and current is returned through the feed terminal for the second squib loop. The voltage is measured between the feed terminal for the first squib loop and the feed terminal for the second squib loop.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing a fault condition in common connected squib loops is disclosed. A current source supplies current to the feed terminal for the first squib loop and current is returned through the feed terminal for the second squib loop. The voltage is measured between the feed terminal for the first squib loop and the feed terminal for the second squib loop.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing the squib leakage resistance through a restraint control module is disclosed in the present application. The newly proposed system and method provides a highly accurate measurement by minimizing/eliminating the effect of the unknown source voltage effects. The concept utilizes the squib leakage resistance diagnostic resources with a multi-step measurement approach, for example utilizing measurements of two currents and/or two voltages.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrical circuit used in automotive passenger restraint systems. The circuit utilizes reliable and inexpensive electrical components to provide one-shot actuation of a load. In addition, the circuit allows for very low quiescent current draw, making it ideal for automotive applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a helically wound core of ferrous material used as a differential current sensor core in the ground fault sensor of a ground fault interrupter circuit. The ferrous material comprises a single strand of wire which is wound in helical fashion to create a tubular shaped core comprising a series of wire loops (all part of the single strand) parallel to each other and running the length of the tubular shape. The core is placed around a pair of current carrying lines to be monitored for ground faults (one line leading to and one line leading away from the power source) to interact with the magnetic fields of the lines. Toroidally wound leads wrapped around the wire core act as a secondary and are connected to a ground fault interruption circuit to shut off the power to the conducting lines in the event that the sensor detects a difference in current in the lines.

Abstract: A magnetic latch includes a coil, a frame receiving magnetic flux from the coil when energized, a latching member mounted in the frame and rotatably movable between first and second positions with the latching member providing a magnetic flux bridge between flux carrying means of the frame by contacting the flux carrying means with the latching member is in a first position, a magnet providing magnetic flux carried by the flux carrying means and a portion of the latching member for magnetically retaining the latching member is a first position with the coil is deenergized and a spring biasing the latching member towards a second position with force sufficient to overcome magnetic retention of the latching member at the first position when the coil is providing magnetic flux to the flux carrying members of the frame in the direction opposite of that of flux provided by the magnet.