Abstract:
A vehicle instrument panel assembly configured to determine an orientation angle of a stepper motor actuated pointer of the assembly. The assembly includes a pointer, a stepper motor, a magnet, and a sensor. The pointer is movable about an axis to point to indicia on a display surface of the assembly. The stepper motor is coupled to the pointer via a reduction gear arrangement. The magnet is fixedly coupled to the pointer such that a magnetic field direction generated by the magnet corresponds to an angle of the pointer. The sensor is configured to determine the magnetic field direction of the magnet and output a signal indicative of the angle of the pointer.
Abstract:
A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons.
Abstract:
An Anode Protection Systems for a SOFC system, having a Reductant Supply and safety subsystem, a SOFC anode protection subsystem, and a Post Combustion and slip stream control subsystem. The Reductant Supply and safety subsystem includes means for generating a reducing gas or vapor to prevent re-oxidation of the Ni in the anode layer during the course of shut down of the SOFC stack. The underlying ammonia or hydrogen based material used to generate a reducing gas or vapor to prevent the re-oxidation of the Ni can be in either a solid or liquid stored inside a portable container. The SOFC anode protection subsystem provides an internal pressure of 0.2 to 10 kPa to prevent air from entering into the SOFC system. The Post Combustion and slip stream control subsystem provides a catalyst converter configured to treat any residual reducing gas in the slip stream gas exiting from SOFC stack.
Abstract:
A camshaft phaser for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft includes stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor rotatable about a camshaft axis is disposed coaxially within the stator and has a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes to define advance chambers and retard chambers. A lock pin is slidably disposed along a lock pin axis within the rotor for selective engagement with a first lock pin seat and for selective engagement with a second lock pin seat. The lock pin has a lock pin width in a circumferential direction relative to the camshaft axis and a lock pin length perpendicular to the lock pin width and to the lock pin axis such that the lock pin width is less than the lock pin length.
Abstract:
A passive entry passive start (PEPS) vehicle security system configured to thwart a relay attack on the system. The system includes one or more ultra wideband transceivers (UWBX) installed on a vehicle and configured to transmit a request pulse at a request time. A mobile UWBX, possibly installed in a nomadic device such as a smart phone, is configured to transmit a reply pulse in response to the request pulse. A controller is configured to determine a distance between each UWBX and the mobile UWBX based on a time interval between the request time and a time that corresponds to when the reply pulse is received by the each UWBX. The controller may also be configured to unlock doors of the vehicle only if the distance is less than an unlock threshold.
Abstract:
A shielded, or coaxial, electrical cable assembly including a female shield connected to the outer conductor, or shield, of the cable. The female shield is configured to mate with a male shield to maintain the continuity of the shield in a connection. The male shield includes a flexible protrusion that is designed to align with and snap into an aperture defined in the female shield, thereby providing a mechanical connection between the male and female shields. The male shield also defines a flexible contact adapted to closely engage an interior surface of the female exterior shield, thereby providing an electrical connection between the male and female shields. The flexible protrusion and the flexible contact flex along axes that are generally orthogonal to one another so the flexible contact interacts with the female exterior shield substantially independently of the flexible protrusion.
Abstract:
An assembly for coupling thermally a thermoelectric generator (TEG) to an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust manifold forms a first heat exchanger configured to couple thermally heat from exhaust gas to an outer surface of the first heat exchanger. The outer surface is preferably formed of stainless steel. A first dielectric layer is formed by firing a thick-film dielectric material onto the stainless steel of the first heat exchanger. A first conductor layer is formed by firing a conductive thick-film onto the first dielectric layer. A first paste layer of silver (Ag) based sintering paste is interposed between the first conductor layer and a first contact of the TEG. The first contact is sintered to the first conductor layer when the assembly is suitably arranged and suitably heated.
Abstract:
A method is presented to extend a frequency lock range of a received RF signal in a satellite receiver. One step in the method includes analyzing data information of a preamble associated with the received satellite RF signal. Another step includes determining an estimated frequency value that is a function of the analyzed data information that further includes at least a portion of the frequency error formed therein. A further step includes comparing the determined estimated frequency value to a predetermined threshold value. Another step includes using the determined estimated frequency value when the determined frequency value is greater than the predetermined threshold value to operatively control tracking mode electronic circuitry disposed in the satellite receiver to attain frequency lock on the received satellite RF signal.
Abstract:
A wire cable capable of transmitting digital signals with a data rate of at least 5 Gigabits per second (Gb/s). The wire cable includes an insulated twisted pair of conductors and an inner conductive shield enclosing the conductors. The insulation of the twisted pair is bonded to provide consistent spacing between the conductors. A belting formed of a flexible dielectric is disposed between the shield and the bonded twisted pair. The belting provides consistent spacing between the twisted pair and the inner shield. The wire cable further includes a drain wire disposed outside the inner conductive shield and inside an outer conductive shield that encloses both the drain wire and the inner conductive shield. This combination of elements provides a wire cable having consistent impedance that is capable of transmitting digital signals with a data rate of at least 5 Gb/s via a single twisted pair of conductors.
Abstract:
The present application discloses a parking guidance system. The parking guidance system is mounted on a vehicle and includes a camera, a display device with a display correction system, a parking mode selection apparatus, a parking area selection apparatus, a first turning guidance apparatus, and a second turning guidance apparatus. The camera is mounted at the rear of the vehicle to capture the image showing environment behind the vehicle. The display device with a display correction system is coupled to the camera and is configured to display an image corrected by the display correction system. The parking mode selection apparatus is coupled to the display device. The parking mode selection apparatus displays a predicted parking area on the display device. The parking area selection apparatus is coupled to the display device. The parking area selection apparatus displays a parking guidance area on the display device. The first turning guidance apparatus is coupled to the display device. The first turning guidance apparatus displays an arc on the display device. The second turning guidance apparatus is coupled to the display device. The second turning guidance apparatus displays on the display device a parking track with distance indication.