Abstract: In an embodiment, an antenna unit includes a coupler, a phase-shifting modulator, and an antenna element. The coupler has first and second input-output ports, a coupled port, and an isolated port. The phase-shifting modulator includes a transmission medium coupled to the coupled port, a reflector, control nodes, and active devices each having a respective first device port coupled to a respective location of the transmission medium, a respective second device port coupled to the reflector, and a respective control port coupled to a respective one of the control nodes. And the antenna element is coupled to the phase-shifting modulator via the isolated port.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body including a beltline and a rear wheelhouse, an input line assembly packaged about the rear wheelhouse, a component packaged about the rear wheelhouse rearward of the input line assembly, and a spare wheel stowed rearward of the rear wheelhouse. The component is secured by a permanent beltline-side attachment and a semi-permanent rear wheelhouse-side attachment. In response to rear impact, the body is configured to allow forward movement of the spare wheel, under which the spare wheel has a trajectory relative to which the component is between the spare wheel and the input line assembly, and relative displacement between the beltline-side attachment and the rear wheelhouse-side attachment, under which the rear wheelhouse-side attachment breaks against the beltline-side attachment, and the beltline-side attachment thereafter carries the component from between the spare wheel and the input line assembly relative to the trajectory of the spare wheel.

Abstract: An embodiment an antenna unit of an antenna array includes a signal coupler, a phase-shifting modulator, and an antenna element. The signal coupler has a first input-output port, a second input-output port, and a coupled port. The phase-shifting modulator is coupled to the coupled port of the signal coupler, and the antenna element is coupled to the phase-shifting modulator via a connection remote from the signal coupler, or via an isolated port of the signal coupler. The phase-shifting modulator is configured for both relatively low signal loss and relatively low power consumption such that the antenna array can have significantly lower C-SWAP metrics than a conventional phased array while retaining the higher performance metrics of a conventional phased array.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body including a beltline and a rear wheelhouse, an input line assembly packaged about the rear wheelhouse, a component packaged about the rear wheelhouse rearward of the input line assembly, and a spare wheel stowed rearward of the rear wheelhouse. The component is secured by a permanent beltline-side attachment and a semi-permanent rear wheelhouse-side attachment. In response to rear impact, the body is configured to allow forward movement of the spare wheel, under which the spare wheel has a trajectory relative to which the component is between the spare wheel and the input line assembly, and relative displacement between the beltline-side attachment and the rear wheelhouse-side attachment, under which the rear wheelhouse-side attachment breaks against the beltline-side attachment, and the beltline-side attachment thereafter carries the component from between the spare wheel and the input line assembly relative to the trajectory of the spare wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheelhouse structure of a vehicle, including an inner panel with an inner flange that includes a straight portion, and an outer panel with an outer flange sized and shaped to interface with the inner flange along at least the straight portion. The outer panel includes a stiffening bead situated forward from, or proximate to a forward portion of, the straight portion. The wheelhouse structure also includes a plurality of joins coupling the inner flange to the outer flange, and a gap in the plurality of joins that is aligned with the first stiffening bead. When a rear portion of the wheelhouse structure is subjected to a loading force in a forward direction, the outer panel bends in locations proximate to the stiffening bead more easily than in locations remote from the stiffening bead.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheelhouse structure of a vehicle, including an inner panel with an inner flange that includes a straight portion, and an outer panel with an outer flange sized and shaped to interface with the inner flange along at least the straight portion. The outer panel includes a stiffening bead situated forward from, or proximate to a forward portion of, the straight portion. The wheelhouse structure also includes a plurality of joins coupling the inner flange to the outer flange, and a gap in the plurality of joins that is aligned with the first stiffening bead. When a rear portion of the wheelhouse structure is subjected to a loading force in a forward direction, the outer panel bends in locations proximate to the stiffening bead more easily than in locations remote from the stiffening bead.

Abstract: An embodiment an antenna unit of an antenna array includes a signal coupler, a phase-shifting modulator, and an antenna element. The signal coupler has a first input-output port, a second input-output port, and a coupled port. The phase-shifting modulator is coupled to the coupled port of the signal coupler, and the antenna element is coupled to the phase-shifting modulator via a connection remote from the signal coupler, or via an isolated port of the signal coupler. The phase-shifting modulator is configured for both relatively low signal loss and relatively low power consumption such that the antenna array can have significantly lower C-SWAP metrics than a conventional phased array while retaining the higher performance metrics of a conventional phased array.

Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna comprises an array of antenna elements arranged in groups of antenna elements adjustably coupled to respective reference waves. A multiplicity of patterns of antenna coupling settings are defined, each of which gives rise to a main lobe which points the antenna in a particular direction, each pattern also giving rise to respective side lobes. First and second such patterns may point the antenna in the same direction but with non-identical side lobes. In this way the clutter level from the side lobes relative to the main lobe is much smaller than would be the case if one of the patterns were employed both for transmitting and receiving. Alternatively, the first and second patterns may be used in quick succession both for transmitting, or used in quick succession both for receiving. The antenna may also switch rapidly between patterns where the main lobe points in a different direction in each pattern, allowing dithering of the beam or rapid switching between scanning and tracking.

Abstract: An embodiment of an antenna comprises an array of antenna elements arranged in groups of antenna elements adjustably coupled to respective reference waves. A multiplicity of patterns of antenna coupling settings are defined, each of which gives rise to a main lobe which points the antenna in a particular direction, each pattern also giving rise to respective side lobes. First and second such patterns may point the antenna in the same direction but with non-identical side lobes. In this way the clutter level from the side lobes relative to the main lobe is much smaller than would be the case if one of the patterns were employed both for transmitting and receiving. Alternatively, the first and second patterns may be used in quick succession both for transmitting, or used in quick succession both for receiving. The antenna may also switch rapidly between patterns where the main lobe points in a different direction in each pattern, allowing dithering of the beam or rapid switching between scanning and tracking.

Abstract: Embodiments of a crush box are described. One embodiment of the crush box includes a first sidewall that is coupled to a vehicle and a second sidewall that is coupled to the vehicle, where the first sidewall and the second sidewall include similarly pre-bent portions that cause the first sidewall and the second sidewall to bend outward upon receipt of a force. In some embodiments, the first sidewall and the second sidewall include a plurality of tabs that couple the first sidewall and the second sidewall to a top wall that bends inward upon receipt of the force.

Abstract: A bumper beam assembly includes a bumper reinforcement beam that connects to right and left side members of a vehicle at a rear face of the bumper reinforcement beam at a respective bumper beam connecting location and that extend rearward therefrom in a vehicle longitudinal direction. A spacer member is connected to the rear face outboard of the bumper beam connecting location. The spacer member includes a front wall, a rear wall, an inboard wall and an outboard wall, the inboard and outboard walls extend between the front wall and rear wall in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The front wall is connected to the rear face of the bumper reinforcement beam at a connecting portion. The front wall includes a chamfer wall portion outboard of the connecting portion that is separated from the rear face of the bumper reinforcement beam providing a space between the chamfer wall portion and the rear face of the bumper reinforcement beam.

Abstract: A bumper beam assembly includes a bumper reinforcement beam that connects to right and left side members of a vehicle at a rear face of the bumper reinforcement beam at a respective bumper beam connecting location and that extend rearward therefrom in a vehicle longitudinal direction. A spacer member is connected to the rear face outboard of the bumper beam connecting location. The spacer member includes a front wall, a rear wall, an inboard wall and an outboard wall, the inboard and outboard walls extend between the front wall and rear wall in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The front wall is connected to the rear face of the bumper reinforcement beam at a connecting portion. The front wall includes a chamfer wall portion outboard of the connecting portion that is separated from the rear face of the bumper reinforcement beam providing a space between the chamfer wall portion and the rear face of the bumper reinforcement beam.

Abstract: A centrifuge gas compressor for compressing gases to higher pressure states having a housing hollow interior, inside the hollow interior is a distributor and a rotating disc; the distributor is used for channeling gas and liquids into the rotating disc. The rotating disc contains a multiplicity of compression conduits extending perpendicular from a rotating axis of said disc whereby gas and liquids are channeled through. The spinning disc creates centrifugal force on the gas and liquid mixture and forces the mixtures towards smaller exit openings thereby compressing the gas in the process. The compressed gas then exits the spinning disc at a perimeter opening whereby the high-pressure gas can be used for its intended purpose.