Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Other

Delco Electronics Corporation

Louis Leonard Nagy

Douglas C Martin

Michael J O'Rourke

Michael Jerome Lewis

Jimmy L Funke

Warren Baxter Nicholson

Janalee Ann Graham

Paul W Wood

Thaddeus Schroeder

Joseph Pierre Heremans

Su-Chee Simon Wang

David Sturge Eddy

Mark E Myers

Frank T Shum

Anthony E Kaczor

Mark Bellinger

A self-structuring antenna system comprises a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of switch elements arranged with the antenna elements to, when selectively closed, electrically couple ones of the antenna elements to one another, and a switch controller for opening and closing the switch elements. The switch controller is operatively associated with the plurality of switch elements via a plurality of addressable switch controllers.

Self-structuring antenna with addressable switch controller

An antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements, switching elements, and transmission feed lines disposed on a rear window glass. The switching elements are arranged with the antenna elements and transmission feed lines to, when selectively closed, electrically couple selected antenna elements and transmission feed lines to one another to generate an antenna configuration selected from a plurality of antenna configurations. A non-volatile memory is configured to store data representing at least some of the plurality of antenna configurations. A control arrangement is operatively coupled to the switching elements and is configured to close selected switching elements as a function of the data stored in said memory. The system is selectively updated as a function of previously selected antenna configurations.

Self-structuring subsystems for glass antenna

An antenna system is disclosed. The antenna system includes at least one antenna element and an adaptable frequency-selective-surface responsive to operating characteristics of the at least one antenna element and/or surrounding environmental conditions.

Dynamic frequency selective surfaces

A method and apparatus for detecting soot and/or water concentrations in diesel engine oil having a dielectric constant may include a device for measuring a change in the dielectric constant at a first frequency, a device for measuring a change in the dielectric constant at a second frequency and a processor configured to calculate at least one of a percentage of soot content and a percentage of water content as a function of the measured changes in the dielectric constant at the first and second frequencies. The first frequency may be within approximately the ultrasonic and sub-AM frequency bands and the second frequency may be within approximately the microwave frequency band.

Apparatus and method for sensing particle and water concentrations in a medium

A self-structuring antenna (SSA) system employs a memory device to store switch states for antenna configurations that are determined to produce acceptable antenna characteristics. Each antenna configuration corresponds to a respective combination of switch states known as a switch configuration. Using the stored antenna configurations as a starting point for the process of searching for an antenna configuration that produces acceptable antenna characteristics under particular operating conditions may reduce the search time.

Self-structuring antenna system with memory

A method by which contaminant (soot) content in Diesel engine oil is determined using electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a high frequency, or by which contaminant (soot and/or water and/or anitfreeze) content is determined using the ratio of electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a high frequency to the electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a low frequency. Both the conductivity ratio and the high frequency conductivity are essentially independent of the brand of oil. High frequency is defined to be above 2 MHz whereas low frequency is defined to be D.C. to about 1 kHz.

Diesel engine lubricating oil contaminant sensor method

A method and apparatus for detecting the concentration of soot particles in engine oil. A microwave signal having a varying frequency is applied to a transmission line having a probe tip exposed to the engine oil. A voltage is read at a stationary detection point along the length of the transmission line for each applied frequency. The applied frequency when the probe voltage is equal to a null voltage of a standing wave within the transmission line is compared to a reference frequency determined when the probe voltage is equal to a null voltage for a known concentration of soot particles. The concentration is calculated based upon the result of the comparison. Preferably, a reference probe receives the same input signal. A known relationship between the reference probe and the transmission line is then used to eliminate temperature effects on the applied frequency.

Soot detector for engine oil

A method and apparatus for detecting an accumulation of particles with a medium such as the soot content in diesel engine oil including generating a first waveform at a first frequency and a first voltage level to produce a standing wave having a voltage null point where at least a portion of the standing wave is passed within a portion of the oil. Generating a second waveform at a second frequency and a second voltage level to place a signal associated with a second voltage null point at a detection location for determining the signal's null point voltage level. The percentage soot content of the oil may be determined by taking the ratio of the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage over the null point voltage at the detection point. This ratio is indicative of the percentage soot content. The first and second waveforms may be produced by a variable frequency microwave source that is coupled with a coaxial cable have a probe affixed to its distal end for immersion in the oil. The probe may include a plurality of parallel wires affixed to the cable at one end with a conductive shorting plate at the other end. A processor may be configured for controlling the circuit of the apparatus and calculating the percentage soot content.

Apparatus and method for sensing particle accumulation in a medium

A broadcast radio frequency receiver includes an improved seek circuit receiving analog radio signals via an antenna according to a signal seek process wherein the frequency of the analog radio signals sequentially changes. In one embodiment, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter converts the magnitudes of the incoming radio signals to digital signal values (DV), and in an alternate embodiment a tuning circuit provides the digital signal values (DV) directly. In either case, a digital control circuit compares the digital signal values (DV) with a digital reference value (DRV), wherein DRV has a value corresponding to an analog signal reference level appropriate for the type of antenna being used. As long as the digital signal values are less than DRV, the seek process continues. Upon detection of a digital signal value in excess of DRV, the seek process is halted and the tuning circuit is allowed to maintain tuning to the current radio signal. By maintaining the seek threshold has a digital value, it may easily and quickly be changed to accommodate antenna systems having different antenna gain characteristics.

Broadcast radio signal seek circuit

A solar-ray antenna that includes a tuning element asymmetrically positioned on the windshield of a vehicle a certain distance from a multi-wire bundle connected to a rear-view mirror of the vehicle. An impedance matching element of the antenna is spaced a certain distance from the vehicle body so as to provide proper impedance matching for the tuning element. The wire bundle extends through a channel that is mounted to an inside surface of the windshield. A grounding connector is positioned relative to the wire bundle and is coupled to ground so that FM signals in the wire bundle are coupled to ground. The grounding connector can be positioned over the wire bundle and attached to the vehicle roof sheet metal. In an alternate embodiment, the grounding connector is an L-shaped conductive frit formed on the windshield, and having a horizontal portion positioned between the glass and the urethane windshield seal and a vertical portion positioned between the channel and the windshield.

AM/FM solar-ray antenna with mirror wiring grounding strap

A flip top can opener having a lift tab securing portion and a protruding force application member is provided. The lift tab securing portion is defined by an arcuate indentation formed at one end of the opener and having upper and lower projections and a central tab receiving region for engaging the tab mechanism of the flip top can. The force application member extends in a generally opposing direction and is spaced from the lift tab securing portion in accordance with the size of the tab mechanism, and can apply sufficient force to break open the seal of the can when the tab is engaged with the tab receiving region. The hook shaped portion and the force application member are connected to a lever arm, and the entire assembly is of unitary construction.

Flip top can opener

A window antenna is provided for receiving electromagnetic radio waves from a motor vehicle. The vehicle has a metallic structure that forms an aperture with a window glass disposed within. The window glass has an upper region and a substantially horizontal top edge that interfaces with the metallic structure. The antenna is formed from an electrically conducting material affixed to the window glass. The antenna includes a horizontally elongate principal element that is substantially parallel to and spaced from the upper edge portion of the window. The principal element electrically connects to a connecting element which extends downwardly therefrom. The connecting element electrically connects to an auxiliary element that is spaced below the principal element by an amount sufficient that no significant coupling is formed therewith.

Automotive radio frequency antenna system

A capacitive grounding system for VHF and UHF antennas (,). An outer shield (,) of a coaxial feed cable (,) is capacitively coupled to a vehicle body panel (,) proximate an edge (,) of the body panel (,) adjacent a vehicle window opening. The feed cable (,) is attached to the body panel (,) by tape (,) or glue. The resulting capacitance between the outer shield (,) and the vehicle body panel (,) provides a very low impedance path for RF signals.

Capacitive grounding system for VHF and UHF antennas

An FM diversity feed for a solar-ray antenna system formed in the windshield of a vehicle. The FM diversity feed includes a conductive patch formed on an inside surface of an inner glass layer of the windshield at one of the lower corners of the windshield. The diversity feed is capacitively coupled to an impedance matching element of the solar-ray antenna formed between an outer glass layer and the inner glass layer of the windshield.

FM diversity feed system for the solar-ray antenna

A vehicle backlite antenna system that includes separate FM antenna/defogger elements and AM antenna elements. The antenna system includes various FM impedance matching elements that provide FM impedance matching between the defogger elements or the antenna elements and an RF amplifier. These impedance matching elements include a shorting bar connecting a plurality of the AM antenna elements that is positioned between end bars of an AM antenna grid. The shorting bar can be a certain distance from the AM feedpoint to provide impedance matching for the low end of the FM frequency band. Additionally, a floating impedance matching element is connected to the FM antenna/defogger elements between the defogger elements and the AM antenna grid. The floating element can have a certain length to provide impedance matching for the upper end of the FM band. Extended ground planes can also be provided it the upper corners of the window between the vehicle body and the AM antenna elements to control the gap between the AM antenna grid and the vehicle body to control the electrical coupling between the AM antenna grid and the vehicle body. Also, the FM antenna/defogger elements can include two vertical shorting elements between defogger grid bus bars.

Growing community of inventors

Warren, MI, United States of America

Louis Leonard Nagy