SYSTEM INTEGRATOR AND COMMODITY ROLL-UP
Granted: June 22, 2006
Application Number:
20060136302
A purchasing entity directs the sourcing of one or more parts in a microprocessor-based method. The microprocessor-based method comprises obtaining over a computer network sourcing information from a primary supplier which identifies one or more third party secondary suppliers for one or more parts in a group of parts, ordering the group of parts from the primary supplier, and then issuing a release to the secondary supplier to ship the part to a predetermined location. A computer system…
A SENSOR ASSEMBLY FOR MEASURING HUMIDITY, PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE
Granted: June 22, 2006
Application Number:
20060134480
A sensor for measuring and controlling pressure, temperature and relative humidity of a gas process stream for a powerplant is disclosed. Sensor elements are integrated to form a compact module at a single location in the stream.
VEHICLE SEATING SYSTEM WITH AIRBAG-BASED OCCUPANT REACTION SURFACE
Granted: June 8, 2006
Application Number:
20060119082
A seating system for an automotive vehicle includes a side airbag mounted to an outboard portion of a seatback, with the side airbag having an occupant reaction surface which is combined with deployable upper and lower reaction members attached to the airbag to define an augmented occupant reaction surface available upon inflation of the airbag.
SEATING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
Granted: June 8, 2006
Application Number:
20060119083
A seating system for an automotive vehicle includes a seat frame mounted upon a vehicle floorpan. A seat cushion and seatback are mounted to the seat frame. A side airbag is mounted to an outboard portion of the seatback and has at least one flexible tension member attached to and extending between the seat frame and an external surface of the airbag. The flexible tension member maintains the airbag in an appropriate position during a deployment event.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BOOTING A PLURALITY OF COMPUTING SYSTEMS FROM AN OPERATING SYSTEM IMAGE
Granted: May 18, 2006
Application Number:
20060107030
Method and system for booting two or more computing systems from an operating system image. Image may be stored in persistent memory on a host computer in communication with remote computing systems. Remote systems boot in a read only fashion from operable system image. Remote computing systems may not include a hard drive, but store identifying information, function, services, file systems, etc. in volatile memory.
AN APPARATUS FOR DISLODGING AND REMOVING CONTAMINANTS FROM A SURFACE OF A MACHINE TOOL
Granted: May 11, 2006
Application Number:
20060096624
An apparatus for dislodging and removing contaminants from a surface of a machine tool. The apparatus includes an arbor, a vacuum source, a tube, and a cleaning member disposed proximate a distal end of the tube. The cleaning member contacts a surface of the machine tool to dislodge contaminants. The contaminants are drawn through the tube by the vacuum source.
VEHICLE SIDE COLLISION OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
Granted: May 4, 2006
Application Number:
20060090946
A safety restraint system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a seat belt buckle (60) and a retractor (53) mounted approximately at or below a pelvic level of a vehicle occupant (98). A seat belt (52) extends over a side pelvic portion (97) of vehicle occupant (98) and directly prevents outward lateral displacement of the side pelvic portion (97) during a side collision event.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING MACHINE HEALTH
Granted: April 27, 2006
Application Number:
20060089742
A method for monitoring health of a machine tool includes operating the machine tool outside an operation cycle to effect movement of a portion of the machine tool. Data from signals output from a sensor and from a controller attached to the machine tool are used to define at least one movement-specific data profile for the movement of the portion of the machine tool. An algorithm is then applied to at least a portion of the at least one movement-specific data profile to generate at…
DATA MANAGEMENT AND NETWORKING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: April 27, 2006
Application Number:
20060089743
A data management and networking system and method are provided for automatically retrieving and storing data from a machine tool for distribution to a remote terminal over a network. Raw data related to a machine operation parameter, such as vibrations, are collected. This data is associated with machining operation data, such the particular cutting tool being used, or the particular feature being cut by the cutting tool. An algorithm is applied to the raw data to generate a parametric…
METHOD FOR MANAGING MACHINE TOOL DATA
Granted: April 27, 2006
Application Number:
20060089744
A method for managing machine tool data includes operating the machine tool to perform at least a portion of an operation cycle which includes a non-machining operation. Data is processed from signals output from at least one sensor and from a controller to define a non-machining operation-specific data profile for the non-machining operation. An algorithm is applied to the non-machining operation-specific data profile to generate a non-machining operation-specific data point, which…
SMART AIRBAG FOR VEHICULAR APPLICATIONS
Granted: April 20, 2006
Application Number:
20060082110
A smart airbag (14) is monitored by a vehicle restraint control module (24) and includes a state sensor (42) that generates an airbag state signal. A smart airbag fault circuit (40) is coupled to the state sensor (42) and includes multiple state devices (50). Each of the state devices (50) has a characteristic that is indicative of the state of the smart airbag (14). The state devices (50) are configured to be monitored by the vehicle restraint control module (24). A smart airbag state…
COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING VEHICLE DELIVERY ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL
Granted: April 20, 2006
Application Number:
20060085203
An integrated computer-implemented method for determining a delivery estimated time of arrival (“ETA”) for a vehicle. The method includes receiving post-release quality hold information, upfitter throughput information and historical delivery segment performance information relating to an undelivered vehicle; and determining a delivery ETA for the undelivered vehicle based on the post-release quality hold information, upfitter throughput information and historical delivery segment…
PATH ESTIMATION AND CONFIDENCE LEVEL DETERMINATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
Granted: April 20, 2006
Application Number:
20060085131
A path prediction system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes vehicle state sensors (18) that generate vehicle state signals. A tracking sensor (20) generates a path characteristic signal. A path prediction module (16) determines predicted path estimations in response to data received from each of the vehicle state sensors (18) and the tracking sensor (20). The path prediction module (16) determines a resultant predicted future path and a path confidence level in response to the predicted…
Occupant Safety-Restraint System and Method for Fully Deploying an Airbag Prior to Occupant Contact
Granted: April 13, 2006
Application Number:
20060076761
An occupant safety restraint system (“OSR system”) (10) and method for fully deploying an airbag (20) before an occupant contacts the airbag (20). In one embodiment, the OSR system (10) includes a seatbelt restraint system (12), a variable-output airbag system (14), and a controller (16) coupled to the seatbelt restraint system (12) and the airbag system (14). The seatbelt restraint system (12) includes a seatbelt restraint (24) for restraining the occupant and a seatbelt-tension…
Occupant Classification Sensor Calibration System
Granted: April 13, 2006
Application Number:
20060080011
A method of calibrating an occupant classification sensor (16) includes receiving a calibration signal originating from an on-board vehicle calibration device (24). A calibration task is performed that includes the initialization of an occupant classification sensor (16). A baseline is generated for the occupant classification sensor (16) in response to the calibration signal. Performance confirmation of the calibration task is indicated.
IMPROVED FRONT-END TO BODY-SIDE JOINT FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
Granted: March 23, 2006
Application Number:
20060061137
One embodiment of the present invention is an improved front-end to body-side joint (10) for an automotive vehicle. This joint (10) includes an integral front end structure (12) having a fender attachment portion (16) and one or more hinge-reinforcement portions (14). The fender attachment portion (16) is coupled to a fender (24). Moreover, the hinge-reinforcement portions (14) are attached to a pillar member (28) of a vehicle body (46) for supporting a door (20). The integral front end…
MULTI-PIECE SELF PIERCE RIVET DIE FOR IMPROVED DIE LIFE
Granted: March 2, 2006
Application Number:
20060042349
A multi-piece die and system for driving a self pierce rivet into a plurality of workpieces. The die includes an anvil and a collar affixed to the anvil. The anvil and collar cooperate to reduce stresses to reduce breaking of the die.
MACHINING SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED CHIP HOPPER
Granted: March 2, 2006
Application Number:
20060045641
A machining system having a machining envelope, a housing, a hopper, and a seal. The housing defines at least a portion of the machining envelope. The hopper has a top surface defining an opening. The seal is disposed between the housing and the top surface. The hopper is configured to receive particulates when positioned below the machining envelope.
METHOD OF DETECTING TORQUE DISTURBANCES IN A HYBRID VEHICLE
Granted: March 2, 2006
Application Number:
20060046893
A method controlling a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid electric vehicle includes a power transfer unit having a plurality of gear ratios and at least one power source adapted to drive the power transfer unit. The method includes calculating a speed ratio value, comparing the speed ratio value to a threshold value, and inferring a torque disturbance if the speed ratio value is greater than the threshold value.
Data processing system and method for commodity value management
Granted: February 16, 2006
Application Number:
20060036458
Embodiments include receiving into one or more computer databases a plurality of cost factors associated with supplying a commodity for vehicle manufacturing. A zero-based cost estimate for the commodity is calculated based on one or more of the plurality of cost factors. A current cost for the commodity is received into the one or more computer databases, and a cost variance between the current cost for the commodity and the zero-based cost estimate is calculated. One or more actions…
