Prospects, Corp.

Other

Prospect Corporation

Cliff L Chuang

Peter J Pan

Michael Y Lu

James S Li

Jianjun Zhang

Chong Tian Wang

Ziqiang Chen

Yong Bo Shao

John Z Zhang

John Z W Zhang

An obstruction detection apparatus is provided for use in closing a power driven vent, such as a window, that is located in an opening. When the vent includes a first closing edge that moves as the vent is closed and the opening includes a second closing edge that is contacted by the first closing edge when the vent is in a fully closed position, the apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an obstruction at points all along the second closing edge without requiring contact between the obstruction and the vent and to deliver a detection signal when an obstruction is detected. A controller is connected to the detector for receiving the detection signal and delivering a corresponding alarm signal.

Power driven venting of a vehicle

A motor control system for controlling operation of an electric motor associated with a motor-operated vent in a vehicle. The system monitors and stores data relating to the operating current and detects occurrences of abnormal loads applied to the vent by determining whether the monitored operating current exceeds one of several predetermined thresholds. The predetermined thresholds are dynamically modified in accordance with monitored condition variations of the operating current. The dynamically modified thresholds are initially based on either a value associated with the stall current of the vent motor or the start spike current of the vent motor. In addition, an embodiment is provided for monitoring and storing data relating to ripple current waves associated with the operating current, so that occurrences of abnormal loads may be detected by determining whether the frequency of the monitored ripple current waves is less than a predetermined value.

Automatic venting system for a vehicle with obstruction detection

A capacitive moisture sensor includes insulator means; capacitance means including a sensing capacitor having a plurality of spaced capacitive sensor conductors mounted with the insulator means for exposure to the atmosphere; and first and second electrodes mounted with the insulator means remote from the spaced capacitive sensor conductors; means for applying a periodic input current across the first and second electrodes; and means for detecting a change in capacitance between the first and second electrodes indicative of moisture bridging at least two of the capacitive sensor conductors.

Capacitive moisture sensor

An automatic venting system for a vehicle having a plurality of motor operated vents in which the interior of the vehicle is monitored for the temperature as well as the presence of a living being, and a separate sensor is included for sensing precipitation outside the vehicle. When the interior of the vehicle is above a preselected threshold temperature, at least one of the vehicle vents is at least partially opened to cool the vehicle. Then, if precipitation is sensed, the open vent or vents are automatically closed unless a living being is sensed within the interior of the car, in which case one or more of the vents remains at least partially open even during the precipitation to provide sufficient ventilation and safety for the being in the car.

Automobile environment management system

An automatic electrically operated visor or sun blocker system for a vehicle includes a sun blocker, such as a visor (81), that is automatically positioned laterally across the vehicle windshield (1) to selected azimuth (.psi.) directions, depending upon the relative azimuth direction of the sun and is automatically extended downward to selected elevation (.theta.) directions, depending upon the relative elevation direction of the sun, as required to block the sun so that it does not strike the vehicle driver's eyes. Thus, the visor (81) or sun blocker is automatically positioned depending upon the azimuth (.psi.) and elevation (.theta.) angles of the sun direction relative to the driver's eyes. Those angles are detected by photo-responsive elements (61) that produce signals indicative of the azimuth and elevation angles of the sun, that initiate positioning the sun blocker (81) laterally and extending it downward to block the sun so that it does not strike the driver's eyes. In a particular embodiment, a visor (81) on a track (71) above the windshield (1) is driven laterally to predetermined positions depending upon the direction of the sun and is automatically extended (downward), as required, to block the sun so that it does not strike the driver's eyes.

Automatic motor vehicle visor system

An automatic venting system for an enclosed space such as a vehicle having one or more venting elements. The venting system senses precipitation and commands drive means to close the venting element when precipitation is detected and to open the venting element when precipitation ceases to accomplish passive venting of the enclosed space while minimizing entry of precipitation.

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Lowell, MA, United States of America

Cliff L Chuang