Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a door that has a swing radius, a light-field camera, and a controller. The light-field camera is configured to detect the presence of an object within the swing radius of the door. The controller is programmed to prevent the door from transitioning between an opened position and a closed position in response to the light-field camera detecting the presence of an object in the swing radius of the door.

Abstract: A vehicle door has a swing radius, a light_field camera, and a controller. The light-field camera is configured to detect the presence of an object within the swing radius of the door. The controller is programmed to prevent the door from transitioning between an opened position and a closed position in response to the light-field camera detecting the presence of an object in the swing radius of the door.

Abstract: A connecting rod is provided for a reciprocating piston engine. The connecting rod includes a body having an embedded structural tube for increasing the stiffness of the connecting rod.

Abstract: A method of exchanging messages between a railroad communications system radio operating in accordance with a host-radio exchange protocol and a railroad messaging system. A communications manager of the railroad messaging system, operating in accordance with the host-radio exchange protocol, transmits a request to the radio requesting registration as a host of the radio. The communications manager is selectively registered with the radio as a primary host. The radio sends a message to the primary host identifying an available wireless link between the radio and another radio of the railroad communications system. Data messages, which include data being exchanged between the primary host and the primary host of the another radio across the wireless link, are exchanged between the radio and the primary host in accordance with the host-radio exchange protocol.

Abstract: A brake rotor includes an outer surface; first and second opposing braking surfaces, each bounded by the outer surface to form first and second opposing braking surface edges. A plurality of concentric grooves are formed on the first and/or second braking surfaces.

Abstract: A bi-directional element drive system includes a motor having a drive shaft, a cable anchor and a cable connector. The cable connector is carried on the drive shaft and has two ends connected to the cable anchor. In addition the drive system includes a support and a driven element. The driven element is displaced between a first position and a second position relative to the support by the motor.

Abstract: An alloy composite material comprising an aluminum alloy layer and a thermal spray alloy layer of 20 to 40% Mn and 47 to 76% Fe by weight in overlaying contact with the aluminum alloy layer. An alloy composite material comprising an aluminum alloy layer or base layer and a thermal spray alloy layer of 20 to 40% Mn and 47 to 76% Fe by weight in overlaying contact with the aluminum alloy layer or base layer. The aluminum alloy layer or base layer and the thermal spray alloy layer have a mechanical compatibility to each other of 20-60 MPa as determined using tests specified by ASTM-C633 test. A process of thermal spraying comprising providing a base layer and a feed stock alloy of 20 to 40% Mn and 47 to 76% Fe and thermally spraying the feed stock alloy onto the base layer to form an alloy composite material.

Abstract: A fuel injector system according to the present invention has a housing (52) having a valve assembly (56) disposed therein. A solenoid (54) is also disposed within the housing (52). A valve assembly (56) is disposed between an inlet port (82) and an outlet port (80). The valve assembly has a valve seat (74) having an opening (84) therein. A drive pin (108) extends at least partially through valve opening (84). A stop (78) has a spring (86) thereon. A valve element (76) is urged against the valve opening (84) by spring (86). The drive pin is at least partially coated with a lubricating coating. In the preferred embodiment at least a concave surface (144) of drive pin (108) is coated. In addition, a concave surface (140) of stop (108) is also coated. In addition, spring seat (79) may also be coated with a lubricating coating as well.

Abstract: A fuel injector system according to the present invention has a housing (52) having a valve assembly (56) disposed therein. A solenoid (54) is also disposed within the housing (52). A valve assembly (56) is disposed between an inlet port (82) and an outlet port (80). The valve assembly has a valve seat (74) having an opening (84) therein. A drive pin (108) extends at least partially through valve opening (84). A stop (78) has a spring (86) thereon. A valve element (76) is urged against the valve opening (84) by spring (86). The drive pin is at least partially coated with a lubricating coating. In the preferred embodiment at least a concave surface (144) of drive pin (108) is coated. In addition, a concave surface (140) of stop (108) is also coated. In addition, spring seat (79) may also be coated with a lubricating coating as well.

Abstract: A method for providing a diamond film on a scribing wheel useful for scribing glassy materials in order to increase its wear resistance. The method comprises sequential steps which include pre-treating the surface of the scribing wheel and thereafter depositing the diamond film on the pretreated scribing wheel by a chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: An engine component such as an intake or exhaust valve, or any other component near or within the combustion chamber, is coated with an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film coating to prevent the formation of carbonaceous deposits thereon. Methods for forming the film coating are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for enhancing the diamond nucleation on a substrate prior to providing a diamond film thereon. More particularly, it is directed to a method which involved ultrasonic treatment of the substrate surface with a fluid consisting essentially of unsaturated oxygen-free hydrocarbons and diamond grit.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for in-situ measuring filament temperature and the thickness of a film deposited on a substrate disposed within a hot-filament chemical vapor deposition reactor. In accordance with the invention, white light which is emitted directly from the filament and that reflects from the top and bottom surfaces of a deposited film are collected and converted to monochromatic light through the use of simple narrow-banned interference filters operative over specific, yet different, optical banned widths. This information is thereafter used to mathematically calculate the filament temperature, film thickness and growth rate of the deposited film.

Abstract: A method of growing high purity diamond crystallite structures at relatively high growth rates on a temperature resistant substrate, comprising (a) flowing diamond producing feed gases at low pressure through a reaction chamber containing the substrate, the feed gases being comprised of hydrocarbon devoid of methyl group gases, i.e., acetylene or ethylene, diluted by hydrogen, and (b) while concurrently raising the temperature of the substrate to the temperature range of 600.degree.-1000.degree. C., thermally activating the feed gases by use of a hot filament located within the chamber and upstream and adjacent the substrate, the filament being heated to a temperature above 1900.degree. C., that is effective to generate a substantial atomic hydrogen (H) concentration and carbon containing free radicals. A substantial additional loss in carbon balance of the gases is triggered at a lower filament temperature indicative of the formation of intermediate substances that stimulate diamond growth.

Abstract: Method of fabricating free-standing diamond films by depositing and adhering polycrystalline diamond by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (1-100 Torr, filament temperature equal to or greater than 1900.degree. C., substrate temperature of 650.degree.-950.degree. C.) onto a substrate meltable at a temperature slightly in excess of the deposition temperature; and (b) prior to cooling said polycrystalline diamond particles, increasing (50.degree.-300.degree. C.) the substrate temperature to melt at least a portion thereof while permitting such melt to emigrate from the diamond films.