Abstract: A steering column assembly (100) and method for an automotive vehicle, comprising: an inner column tube (102), a steering shaft (104), at least one bracket structure, such as a top bracket (106), adapted for receiving a least a portion of the steering shaft and for mounting the steering column assembly within the automotive vehicle, the at feast one bracket structure (e.g., top bracket) including a side wall (124). A column housing (110) is pivotally coupled with the at least one bracket structure. An adjustable spacer (130) is disposed between the column housing and the top bracket and is mounted to the side wall of the at least one bracket structure by a single fastener (128), by a generally vertically oriented fastener adapted for allowing lateral translation (e.g., by sliding) for position adjustment of the spacer or both. The exposed surface of the spacer is in facing relation with a part of the column housing for contacting the column housing during a tilt adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention defines a method of determining a vertical profile signal of a rail surface that includes, obtaining a vertical acceleration signal acc1, by measuring vertical acceleration of a bogie of a rail vehicle that runs on the rail surface; processing the vertical acceleration signal to obtain a vertical velocity signal; determining the vertical profile signal of the rail surface, by using the vertical acceleration signal and the vertical velocity signal as inputs to a simulation model of the bogie, the model having an unsprung mass connected to a sprung mass, the vertical acceleration signal acc1 represents the vertical acceleration of the unsprung mass; and measuring a linear velocity signal of the rail vehicle, the linear velocity signal is used in the step of determining to convert the vertical profile signal from the time domain to the distance domain.

Abstract: A steering column assembly {100} and method for an automotive vehicle, comprising: an inner column tube (102), a fi steering shaft (104), at least one bracket structure, such as a top bracket {106), adapted for receiving a least a portion of the steering shaft and for mounting the steering column assembly within the automotive vehicle, the at feast one bracket structure (e.g., top bracket) including a side wall (124). A column housing (110) is pivotally coupled with the at least one bracket structure. An adjustable spacer (130) is disposed between the column housing and the top bracket and is mounted to the side wall of the at least one bracket structure by a single fastener (128), by a generally vertically oriented fastener adapted for allowing lateral translation (e.g., by sliding) for position adjustment of the spacer or both. The exposed surface of the spacer is in facing relation with a part of the column housing for contacting the column housing during a tilt adjustment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing cage including a bearing cage main body made of a polymer material and having pockets for receiving at least one row of rolling elements of a bearing. The cage is provided with a passive resonant circuit including an antenna coil attached to the cage main body. It is proposed that the antenna coil is formed as a conductive layer directly attached to the cage material of the bearing cage main body and is designed so as to have a breaking point less than or equal to a breaking point of the cage material. Thus, a rupture in the cage main body ruptures the antenna coil, changing the resonance behaviour of the passive resonant circuit.

Abstract: A reflector-concentrator unit including a sandwich structure with an upper lamina, a lower lamina, a filler layer between both, and a frame. The upper lamina has associated therewith an outer reflective surface to reflect incident rays and to concentrate them in a linear focus. The material of the filler layer is adhered to the upper and lower laminas of the sandwich structure and to the frame and is rigid enough to precisely assure a predetermined stable operating position of the upper lamina in relation to the frame. The frame includes positioning configurations usable to precisely position the reflector-concentrator unit and the associated reflective surface in relation to an external element of an installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar energy concentrator-collector device including a stationary reflector-concentrator with reflector-concentrator modules joined to a stationary structure forming a matrix. Each reflector-concentrator module includes a frame and at least one reflective surface portion configured to reflect the sun's rays and concentrate them in a linear focus. The stationary structure is formed by frames fixed to supporting profiles. A mobile receiver includes a mobile structure supporting receptor elements parallel to the linear foci. A tracking mechanism is connected to several the supporting profiles and to the mobile structure in order to support and move the mobile structure on the stationary reflector-concentrator so that the receptor elements follow a path of maximum confluence of the sun's rays reflected by the reflective surfaces as the relative position of the sun changes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a particle-based composition, comprising: (i) bringing into contact a mixture comprising a dendritic structure and a metal compound precursor in a fluid, under temperature and pressure conditions such that the mixture is not soluble in the fluid; and (ii) chemically converting the metal compound precursor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a particle-based composition, comprising: (i) bringing into contact a mixture comprising a dendritic structure and a metal compound precursor in a fluid, under temperature and pressure conditions such that the mixture is not soluble in the fluid; and (ii) chemically converting the metal compound precursor.

Abstract: The solar cell structure is comprised of a base substrate, a face side on which the light falls, and a rear side, on which all the electrical contacts are arranged, and which collects the carriers photogenerated at its face side. The base substrate features thinned zones, or zones of reduced thickness, in which bipolar transistors are constituted; bipolar transistors which transport the carriers photogenerated at its face side towards its rear side. When the substrates are p-type, the bipolar transistors are npn, whereas when the substrates are n-type, the bipolar transistors are pnp. These structures may be manufactured by means of industrial methods which are compatible with screen printing techniques.

Abstract: Integrated passive component assemblies utilize array shell or array frame receiving structures to isolate and protect discrete passive components and provide a modular configuration for mounting to a substrate. Receiving structure embodiments include a base portion, spacer ribs, and optional side walls. Spacer ribs may be connected or provided in opposing spacer rib portions to effectively isolate adjacent component terminations. Standoff features may be incorporated into select embodiments of the disclosed technology to aid in device mounting and to facilitate post-affixment cleaning and visual termination contact. Discrete passive components in accordance with the present subject matter may include select combinations of resistors, capacitors, inductors, and other suitable devices.

Abstract: Integrated passive component assemblies utilize array shell or array frame receiving structures to isolate and protect discrete passive components and provide a modular configuration for mounting to a substrate. Receiving structure embodiments include a base portion, spacer ribs, and optional side walls. Spacer ribs may be connected or provided in opposing spacer rib portions to effectively isolate adjacent component terminations. Standoff features may be incorporated into select embodiments of the disclosed technology to aid in device mounting and to facilitate post-affixment cleaning and visual termination contact. Discrete passive components in accordance with the present subject matter may include select combinations of resistors, capacitors, inductors, and other suitable devices.

Abstract: A drain system for watering plants using run off water from air conditioning units and the like. The system includes a first and second container for water storage, tubing, pump, timer, pump controller, filter, pressure reducer, and emitters for watering the plants. The system can be used to water home lawns or business' planters. The system does not require additional water usage from the user; it merely recycles the drain off from an air conditioning to make the water usable for plants.