Magna International Inc.

Magna Aftermarket Inc.

Vito J Abate

Myron Samila

Todd Deaville

Fabio Venier

Raymond J Minato

Grzegorz Kardasz

Peter Bradley

A dynamic lens for projecting different output beam shapes includes a first light source of laser diodes generating a first light beam toward a target. A projector generates a second light beam with a different wavelength than the first light beam. A beam combiner combines the first light beam together with the second light beam and directs the combined beams to a focusing plane that includes a lensing array to focus the first light beam into the output beam shape on the target. The lensing array includes a plurality of photoactive cells including at least one photoreactive group which changes molecular shape in response to light energy from the second light beam, thereby changing the orientation of adjacent liquid crystal molecules, which in turn alters the index of refraction of the photoactive cell. A method of operating the dynamic lens to generate the output beam shape is also disclosed.

High-power dynamic lens

A trailer hitch coupling unit has a hitch pin assembly mounted on a trailer and a hitch receiver assembly mounted on a vehicle. The hitch pin assembly has a mounting plate and a platform forming a ball and socket joint therebetween, rotatably coupling the platform to the mounting plate. A bull nose, having a groove, projects from the bed plate. A first electrical connector is mounted in an axially extending bore in the bull nose. The hitch receiver assembly has a bed plate configured to be mounted on a bed of the vehicle above a rear axle thereof. The bed plate has a first opening configured to receive the bull nose. A locking plate is mounted on the bed plate for axial movement between a hitch pin receiving position adjacent the bed plate, and a hitch locking position spaced from the bed plate. The locking plate has a second opening configured to receive the bull nose. An actuator is operably connected to the locking plate for effecting the axial movement. A locking mechanism has at least two locking arms mounted about the second opening and pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position and are biased to the locked position, enabling ingress of the bull nose and preventing egress once the locking arms engage the groove on the bull nose. A lock release mechanism is operably connected to the locking arms to effect unlocking movement of the locking arms and enabling egress of the bull nose. A second electrical connector is pivotally mounted on the locking plate and positioned to electrically couple with the first electrical connector upon the locking plate moving to the hitch locking position.

Fifth wheel trailer hitch coupling unit

Audio speaker

Growing community of inventors

Toronto, Canada

Vito J Abate