Abstract: A headset, configured to be attached to a human head, includes an accelerometer providing a signal indicative of head acceleration due to blood flow through the brain. An analyzer evaluates a plurality of samples indicative of acceleration over time where each sample corresponds to the head movement resulting from a cardiac contraction. The analyzer identifies brain conditions at least partially based on a level of chaos of the plurality samples. The algorithm applied by the analyzer is partially formulated based on clinical data and examination of a plurality of subjects. In one example, the plurality of samples evaluated by the analyzer are indicative of the head accelerometer only in a single axis. In some situations, the analyzer identifies brain conditions further based on contemporaneous neurological examination of the subject.

Abstract: In a normal human being the pulsing of blood through the brain during sleep causes a periodic headpulse of high amplitude, detectable and measurable using cranial accelerometry. A patient's sleeping headpulse is compared to one or more reference headpulse patterns from normal and abnormal patients to determine health and condition of the brain and vasculature.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a carrier housing defining a receiving bore that receives a hollow axle tube. An axle shaft extends through the axle tube to an outboard end and is fixed to a wheel hub that extends around the axle tube and is rotatable relative thereto. The axle tube is attached within the receiving bore via an interference fit. The receiving bore is defined by an inner ring of a dual ring structure. A plurality of ribs extend radially between the inner ring and the outer ring of the dual ring structure. The dual ring structure has a reduced stress concentration relative to a single ring structure caused by bending loads resulting from upward reaction forces at the wheel end in response to downward chassis loads on the axle tube. The carrier housing and axle tube are different materials and fixed together without the use of welding.

Abstract: A flexible wire support structure extends between an axle and an inverter for an electric vehicle. The inverter is fixed relative to the vehicle body and the axle is moveable relative to the inverter during vehicle use. A wire extends between the inverter and the axle through a channel defined by the wire support structure. The wire support structure is attached at opposite ends to a first and second support structure, each of which allow pivoting of the flexible wire support structure in response to movement of the axle relative to the inverter. The wire support structure has a limited bend radius in response to movement of the axle, and blocks the wire extending within the support structure from being bent to a tight radius, thereby protecting the wire.

Abstract: A catheter for diagnosing an abnormality of a blood vessel includes an elongated body defining an elongated lumen therethrough; and one or more transducers disposed on an outer surface of the elongated body. One or more transducers are configured to output an electrical signal in response to sound.

Abstract: A flexible wire support structure extends between an axle and an inverter for an electric vehicle. The inverter is fixed relative to the vehicle body and the axle is moveable relative to the inverter during vehicle use. A wire extends between the inverter and the axle through a channel defined by the wire support structure. The wire support structure is attached at opposite ends to a first and second support structure, each of which allow pivoting of the flexible wire support structure in response to movement of the axle relative to the inverter. The wire support structure has a limited bend radius in response to movement of the axle, and blocks the wire extending within the support structure from being bent to a tight radius, thereby protecting the wire.

Abstract: A headset, configured to be attached to a human head, includes an accelerometer providing a signal indicative of head acceleration due to blood flow through the brain. An analyzer evaluates a plurality of samples indicative of acceleration over time where each sample corresponds to the head movement resulting from a cardiac contraction. The analyzer identifies brain conditions at least partially based on a level of chaos of the plurality samples. The algorithm applied by the analyzer is partially formulated based on clinical data and examination of a plurality of subjects. In one example, the plurality of samples evaluated by the analyzer are indicative of the head accelerometer only in a single axis. In some situations, the analyzer identifies brain conditions further based on contemporaneous neurological examination of the subject.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a piezoelectric transducer. A base plate includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A transduction element is mounted directly on the base plate and electrically connected to the first electrical contact. A spacer includes a via. The via includes electrically conductive material. The spacer is mounted on the base plate around the transduction element and the electrically conductive material of the via is electrically connected to the second electrical contact. A diaphragm is mounted on the spacer and on the transduction element.

Abstract: A pumpless lubrication system for a power transfer assembly equipped with a hypoid gearset having a ring gear and a hollow pinion unit. Lubricant splashed from one of the ring gear and the pinion unit is collected in a collection reservoir and directed through a conduit unit into the hollow pinion unit. The lubricant is delivered to a torque transfer coupling for lubricating and cooling a multi-plate clutch pack.

Abstract: A method for joining components of a vehicle drive axle assembly. The method includes heating an axle housing to a first predetermined temperature and cooling a pinion cartridge to be installed with the housing to a second predetermined temperature. Removing the axle housing from exposure to the first predetermined temperature and removing the pinion cartridge from the second predetermined temperature and rapidly installing the pinion cartridge within the axle assembly before the axle assembly and the pinion return to ambient temperature provides a frictional fit, joining the two components without use of additional fastening devices.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a piezoelectric transducer. A base plate includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A transduction element is mounted directly on the base plate and electrically connected to the first electrical contact. A spacer includes a via. The via includes electrically conductive material. The spacer is mounted on the base plate around the transduction element and the electrically conductive material of the via is electrically connected to the second electrical contact. A diaphragm is mounted on the spacer and on the transduction element.

Abstract: A clutch assembly incorporated into a power transfer assembly (72) of a motor vehicle is presented. The clutch assembly includes a power-operated clutch actuator (306) for moving a clutch sleeve (354) axially between released and engaged positions between two rotatory members. In the released position, relative rotation between two rotary members is prevented. Whereas in the engaged position, relative rotation is permitted. The power-operated clutch actuator (306) further includes an electromagnetic solenoid with an output member having an extended condition and a retracted condition urging the clutch sleeve (354) between positions. A shift isolation linkage mechanism (304) interconnects the output member of the solenoid to the clutch sleeve (354) and permits movement of the output member to its retracted position while a blocked tooth condition inhibits movement of the clutch sleeve (354) to its engaged position.

Abstract: A pumpless lubrication system for a power transfer assembly equipped with a hypoid gearset having a ring gear and a hollow pinion unit. Lubricant splashed from one of the ring gear and the pinion unit is collected in a collection reservoir and directed through a conduit unit into the hollow pinion unit. The lubricant is delivered to a torque transfer coupling for lubricating and cooling a multi-plate clutch pack.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system and powertrain actuator therefor is provided. The powertrain actuator selectively couples a first rotatable member to a second rotatable member to transfer torque therebetween and selectively decouples the first rotatable member from the second rotatable member to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween. The powertrain actuator includes a tubular cam assembly having a tubular first member and a tubular second member. The tubular first and second tubular members have end surfaces that interact with one another upon energizing a unidirectional solenoid. Upon a first energization of the solenoid, the first and second tubular members interact to operably couple the first and second rotatable members to allow torque to be transferred therebetween, and upon a second energization of the solenoid, the first and second tubular members interact to selectively decouple the first the second rotatable members to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween.

Abstract: An integrated pinion/bearing/coupling (PBC) assembly for use with a hypoid gearset in power transfer assemblies of motor vehicles having mounting features and venting features, The integrated PBC assembly includes a hollow pinion unit made of steel and including a pinion shaft segment and a pinion gear segment, and a coupling unit having a hub segment made of aluminum. A brazing sleeve is used to braze the aluminum hub segment of the coupling unit to the steel pinion shaft segment of the pinion unit.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system and powertrain actuator therefor is provided. The powertrain actuator selectively couples a first rotatable member to a second rotatable member to transfer torque therebetween and selectively decouples the first rotatable member from the second rotatable member to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween. The powertrain actuator includes a tubular cam assembly having a tubular first member and a tubular second member. The tubular first and second tubular members have end surfaces that interact with one another upon energizing a unidirectional solenoid. Upon a first energization of the solenoid, the first and second tubular members interact to operably couple the first and second rotatable members to allow torque to be transferred therebetween, and upon a second energization of the solenoid, the first and second tubular members interact to selectively decouple the first the second rotatable members to prevent the transfer of torque therebetween.

Abstract: A differential assembly is provided to include a two-piece differential carrier, a differential gearset installed within a gearset chamber formed in the differential carrier, and a ring gear. An interlocking feature mechanically interconnects the ring gear to the first and second case members of the two-piece differential carrier and defines first and second weldment junctions. A first weld seam is located in the first weldment junction and connects the ring gear to the first case member while a second weld seam is located in the second weldment junction and connects the ring gear to the second case member.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for piezoelectric transducer array fabrication. A sheet of piezoelectric material may be diced into pieces of piezoelectric material. A sheet of elastic layer material may be spin coated with adhesive. The pieces of piezoelectric material may be placed onto the sheet of elastic layer material. Pressure may be applied to the pieces of piezoelectric material and the sheet of elastic layer material. The adhesive may be cured. Transduction elements may be cut from the pieces of piezoelectric material and the sheet of elastic layer material. Electronics may be mounted on a PCB mounting board. Adhesive may be applied onto the PCB mounting board. The transduction elements may be mounted on the PCB mounting board. A spacer may be mounted on the PCB mounting board. Adhesive may be applied onto the spacer and the transduction elements. Diaphragms may be mounted on the spacer.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a piezoelectric transducer. A base plate includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A transduction element is mounted directly on the base plate and electrically connected to the first electrical contact. A spacer includes a via. The via includes electrically conductive material. The spacer is mounted on the base plate around the transduction element and the electrically conductive material of the via is electrically connected to the second electrical contact. A diaphragm is mounted on the spacer and on the transduction element.

Abstract: An integrated pinion/bearing/coupling (PBC) assembly for use with a hypoid gearset in power transfer assemblies of motor vehicles having mounting features and venting features. The integrated PBC assembly includes a hollow pinion unit made of steel and including a pinion shaft segment and a pinion gear segment, and a coupling unit having a hub segment made of aluminum. A brazing sleeve is used to braze the aluminum hub segment of the coupling unit to the steel pinion shaft segment of the pinion unit. The PBC assembly can further include a constant velocity joint (CVJ) unit connected to, or formed as part of, the coupling unit.