A carbon exchanging system for a carbon-arc weather resistance testing apparatus having a carbon drive system including a reversible motor for automatically moving upper and lower arc producing carbons toward and away from each other along a vertical line for keeping the discharge current and voltage substantially constant. The carbon exchanging system has remotely operable upper and lower carbon chucks for holding the upper and lower carbons, a carbon replacing device having a remotely operable exchanging chuck and a drive for moving the exchanging chuck along a path of movement toward and away from the upper and lower carbon chucks when they are in position on the vertical line, a shifting device for shifting the carbon drive system and the carbon replacing means relative to each other for moving the upper and lower chucks and the exchanging chuck laterally relative to the vertical line, a carbon supply adjacent the path of movement of the exchanging chuck for holding replacement carbons and moving them into position opposite a position of the exchanging chuck along the path, and a moving device for moving the exchanging chuck and the carbon supply relative to each other in a direction toward and away from each other. The system can also include a control device for automatically controlling the operation thereof.

In a method for performing a synchronized superposed operation of two servomotors, controllers for the servomotors perform the control for achieving the synchronized superposed operation by: calculating, for each of the servomotors, the difference, or differences, between the ideal speed and/or position deviations obtained from a control command and the actual speed and/or position deviations obtained from the rotation of the servomotor; calculating a speed correction quantity, or a speed correction quantity and a current correction quantity, from the discrepancy, or discrepancies, between the differences calculated for both of the servomotors; and adding the correction quantity, or quantities, to a speed command, or to a speed command and a current command, given to the subsidiary shaft side. Thus, a synchronized superposed operation of servomotors in which speeds and responses of the main shaft and the subsidiary shaft are well balanced therebetween can be achieved.

Graphite and/or carbon surfaces are coated with a titanium nitride coating by exposing the substrate to electric arc thermal spray process wherein titanium wire as the source of titanium and nitrogen is used as the propelling (atomizing) gas.

A ceremonial illuminary including a voltage supply mechanism, a switching mechanism that is electrically connected to the voltage supply mechanism, a first lamp electrically connected to the switching mechanism, a second lamp electrically connected to the switching mechanism wherein the switching mechanism provides voltage to the first lamp to illuminate the first lamp and then switches to provide voltage to the second lamp instead of the first lamp when the first lamp burns-out and no longer illuminates. The first lamp and the second lamp are secured with an enclosure.

A process of a pixel electrode of a direct-sight type of reflection type liquid-crystal display device is simplified. A pixel electrode 120 of a reflection type liquid-crystal display device is formed of an aluminum film which is formed by sputtering. In forming the aluminum film, moisture is intentionally contained in atmosphere, and also a sample is heated. With this process, aluminum grains grow so that irregularities of μm order is formed on the surface of the aluminum film. The aluminum film thus formed allows the incident light to be irregularly reflected so that it is in a visually white muddy state. This is suitable to the pixel electrode for the reflection type liquid-crystal display device.

The present invention is a serial to parallel data conversion method and device where new serial data are stored within a first n-bit register prior to presentation at an n-bit parallel output. Subsequently, additional data are stored within a second n-bit register while the data stored within the first register are presented at the parallel output. Data storage and data presentation are thereafter alternated, thereby eliminating the problem of setup time seen in prior art.

A method of retaining a solder mass within a solder-bearing component is provided and includes the steps of: (a) forming a plurality of fingers in the solder-bearing component at one edge thereof, with each finger being defined by a pair of slots formed in the solder-bearing component; and (b) interleaving a solder mass between the fingers such that the solder mass is securely held by the fingers. The solder-bearing component includes any number of different types of components where a solder mass is held thereby, e.g., leads, terminals, connectors, electromagnetic shields, etc.

A method and a system for supplying power to a microcontroller with a single cell. One embodiment of the present invention discloses incorporation of a power supply pump circuit with the microcontroller and their dynamic interaction. The microcontroller sends its power requirements to the power supply pump circuit and in response, the power supply pump circuit controls the operating voltage with optimal efficiency. The dynamic update of power supply pump circuit results in an efficient use of the power supply pump circuit and thus results in a reduction of the number of dry cell batteries to only a single cell. Incorporation of the microcontroller and power supply pump circuit onto a single chip reduces the pin number requirements as well as the space required on the printed circuit board.

A method of compressing a character by determining an overall code specific to the character comprising the steps of: a) grouping the characters in terms of a common behaviour pattern;b) where the number of characters within that group is odd, creating a two new groups of character, one new group containing just one character and the other new group containing the remaining characters;c) for each new group from of step b) said groups from step a) which have an even number of characters, assigning a group specific code d) where there is more than one character in the group referred to in step c) assigning a character identifier code to identify an individual character within the group, e) the overall character code comprising of the cocatenated group specific and identifier codes.

An information handling system (IHS) employs a power fault protection circuit to protect the IHS from overvoltages which may occur on an information line from a power adapter to the IHS. The system includes a processor coupled to the protection circuit. The circuit is operative in a first mode to decouple an information line from the IHS in response to a disable command and operative in a second mode to decouple the information line from the IHS when a voltage in the information line exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage.

A wafer surface inspection method and apparatus of high sensitivity, and free from performance degradation in terms of cleanliness, coordinate repeatability of foreign particles and the like. Gas for cooling is sprayed onto a laser irradiation position on the wafer surface to prevent an increase in temperature of the foreign particles and to suppress break-down of the foreign particles.

An analog-to-digital converter can use a variable sampling rate. By using a variable sampling rate analog-to-digital converter and an anti-aliasing filter lower sampling rates, and accordingly, generally lower power consumption may be achieved. For example, a lower sampling rate can be used when it is determined that no undesirable signals are present and a higher sampling period can be used when an undesirable signal is present. Determining the presence of an undesired signal can be based on signal-to-noise ratio, over-sampling, bit error rate, using a detector, etc. An undesirable signal can be any signal that is close in frequency to a signal of interest or a signal farther away in frequency that has a relatively high amplitude. Sampling rate can be varied in a binary fashion, stepwise, continuously, etc.

In general, this disclosure describes techniques for changing a sampling frequency of a digital signal. In particular, the techniques provide a more accurate way to determining a relative timing between a desired output sample and a corresponding input sample using a non-approximated integer representation of the relative timing. The relative timing between the desired output sample and corresponding input sample may be represented using a first component that identifies a latest input sample of the digital signal used to generate intermediate samples, a second component that identifies an intermediate sample, and a third component that identifies a timing difference between the desired output sample and the intermediate sample. Each of the components may be recursively updated using non-approximated integer values.

A bridge for crossing a passage of a navigation channel includes a section in the form of a single span, which may be displaced by vertical translation between a base position spanning the passage, in which the span rests on fixed support sections of the bridge, and a raised position, for opening the passage, and a support structure for the span on displacement of the span, and a drive for lifting the span. The bridge has only one support structure, with the drive, located on one side of the passage to be spanned.

A system that encodes a sequence of integers using a variable-length compression technique is described. During operation, the system scans the sequence of integers and observes the sizes of the integers to determine a threshold value K from the observed sizes. For a given integer which is N bits in length, if N−K is greater than or equal to zero, the system generates a tag for the encoded integer which comprises a sequence of N−K zeros followed by a one, and generates a set of remaining bits for the encoded integer as a sequence of the N bits which make up the integer. Otherwise, if N−K is less than zero, the system generates a tag for the encoded integer as a single one, and generates a set of remaining bits for the encoded integer by padding the N bits which make up the integer with zeros so that the set of remaining bits is K bits in length.

An analog front-end circuit includes an analog processing circuit, an A/D converter, a target register in which a lower limit target value of an input image signal is set, and a calculation circuit. The analog processing circuit includes an offset control circuit which performs offset control based on an offset control value set in an offset control register. The calculation circuit monitors the A/D-converted value in a lower limit value output period when the A/D-converted value corresponding to a lower limit value of an input range is output from the A/D converter, and sets the offset control value that causes the A/D-converted value to become closer to the lower limit target value set in the target register in the offset control register.

An electrode assembly for use in an iontophoresis device for the transcutaneous administration of an active therapeutic species has a base layer of including a linking conductive base material which is consumed (oxidizes or reduces) preferentially to water, a first upper layer of sacrificial material coated on a first portion of the base layer wherein the sacrificial material is consumed preferentially to the linking conductive base material of the base layer. A second upper layer of non-conducting material is coated on a second portion of the base layer, the second upper layer being spaced from the first upper layer, connected by a narrow exposed linking area of the base layer material remaining exposed therebetween. During operation of an associated iontophoresis device, the sacrificial material will be sequentially consumed; the first upper layer will be fully consumed followed by the linking conductive base material of the exposed linking area of the base layer which severs the base layer thereby breaking circuit continuity disabling activity in the device. A visual indicator may be provided allowing a wearer to monitor the state of reaction of the linking area.

An electrode assembly for use in an iontophoresis device for the transcutaneous administration of an active therapeutic species has a base layer of including a linking conductive base material which is consumed (oxidizes or reduces) preferentially to water, a first upper layer of sacrificial material coated on a first portion of the base layer wherein the sacrificial material is consumed preferentially to the linking conductive base material of the base layer. A second upper layer of non-conducting material is coated on a second portion of the base layer, the second upper layer being spaced from the first upper layer, connected by a narrow exposed linking area of the base layer material remaining exposed therebetween. During operation of an associated iontophoresis device, the sacrificial material will be sequentially consumed; the first upper layer will be fully consumed followed by the linking conductive base material of the exposed linking area of the base layer which severs the base layer thereby breaking circuit continuity disabling activity in the device. A visual indicator may be provided allowing a wearer to monitor the state of reaction of the linking area.

A method and a system for supplying power to a microcontroller with a single cell. One embodiment of the present invention discloses incorporation of a power supply pump circuit with the microcontroller and their dynamic interaction. The microcontroller sends its power requirements to the power supply pump circuit and in response, the power supply pump circuit controls the operating voltage with optimal efficiency. The dynamic update of power supply pump circuit results in an efficient use of the power supply pump circuit and thus results in a reduction of the number of dry cell batteries to only a single cell. Incorporation of the microcontroller and power supply pump circuit onto a single chip reduces the pin number requirements as well as the space required on the printed circuit board.

Provided herein are methods of treating a proliferative disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of AC220 and a nucleoside analog, a topoisomerase inhibitor or an anthracycline, or a combination thereof.

Apparatuses, methods and systems for lighting fixture determining its power usage and monitoring its operational health are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method of a lighting fixture determining its power usage. The method includes sensing, by an ambient light sensor, an intensity of light emitted from the lighting fixture, and estimating power usage of the lighting fixture based on the sensed intensity of light.

A line voltage control circuit for use with a multi-string LED drive system which provides a common line voltage for multiple LED strings that are connected to respective current sink circuits at respective junctions. An error amplifier receives the minimum junction voltage and a reference ‘desired junction voltage’ at respective inputs, and a voltage regulator outputs the line voltage in response to a voltage applied to a feedback input. A comparator toggles an output when the maximum junction voltage (Vmax) exceeds a reference limit (Vlimit). A multiplexer receives the error amplifier output and a fixed voltage at respective inputs and provides one of the signals to the regulator's feedback input in response to the comparator output. When Vmax>Vlimit, the fixed voltage is provided to the feedback input and the line voltage is reduced, thereby protecting low voltage current sinks from potentially damaging high voltages.

A non-contact and non-disposable electric induction LED lamp includes a power source and a luminous-radiating unit combined together. The power source is formed with a power source module electrically connected with a first electric induction plate, while the luminous-radiating unit is provided with a second electric induction plate corresponding with the first electric induction plate and electrically connected with an LED module. Thus, the electricity of the power source can be transmitted to the luminous-radiating unit via electromagnetic induction produced between the first and the second electric induction plates to enable the LED module to emit light. The LED lamp of this invention can partially be replaced conveniently and has water proof and dustproof effects.

A sleigh for travel over a snow covered surface adapted to be disassembled or knocked down into a storage or transport position, from an operating position, is shown. Runners of the sleigh are pivotally connected to a floorboard along side edges thereof. The runners are locked into an operating position and may be unlocked to fold against a bottom surface of the floorboard in a stored position. An upper body including a seat is formed of multiple planar pieces which are dependently interlocked with each other for assembly and later disassembly. Means are provided for interlocking the runners to a hitching assembly to which a horse is conventionally harnessed.

In a method for correcting a calibration table T(n,k) of a CT apparatus that contains calibration values, the CT apparatus having a detector system with N≧2 rows of detector elements following one another in the z-direction that include a first active row of detector elements in the z-direction and a last active row of detector elements in the z-direction, for correcting the calibration values of the aforementioned first and last active rows of detector elements, a reference vector R(k) is produced, the error is determined with respect to the first and last active rows of detector elements, and the error F(n,k) of the first and last active rows of detector elements is subtracted from the corresponding calibration values of the calibration table T(n,k) for determining corrected calibration values Tcor(n,k) with respect to the first and last active rows of detector elements.

An x-ray device utilizes a band of material to exchange charge through tribocharging within a chamber maintained at low fluid pressure. The charge is utilized to generate x-rays within the housing, which may pass through a window of the housing. Various contact rods may be used as part of the tribocharging process.

The invention relates to a combination cylinder, including a service brake cylinder as an active service brake with at least one service brake piston actuated by a pressure medium, the piston actuating a brake mechanism via a service brake piston rod, and further including a spring-loaded brake cylinder as a passive parking brake with a spring-loaded brake piston actuated by a pressure medium against the action of at least one pre-loaded spring, wherein the spring-loaded brake piston in the event of the parking brake is actuated transmits the power of the at least one pre-loaded spring by means of a power-transmitting transmission to the service brake piston rod. According to the invention, the transmission is designed such that the movements of the spring-loaded brake piston and the service brake piston rod are coaxial and the power transmission increases with increasing stroke of the spring-loaded brake piston.

A piston-cylinder assembly, in particular for pneumatic, hydraulic or mechatronic systems, includes a cylinder housing and a piston. The piston is coupled to a piston rod and disposed in the cylinder housing such that it can move along a longitudinal axis. A measuring device for detecting piston or piston rod position is provided inside the cylinder housing.

A hydraulic actuator system including an actuator and a valve assembly configured for bi-directional regeneration. The actuator may include a hollow body and a rod disposed within and extending outwardly from the hollow body. The rod may include a first chamber within the rod and a piston disposed at one end of the rod, defining a second chamber and a third chamber within the hollow body. A valve assembly may be in fluid communication with a first conduit, a second conduit, the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber, wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively couple one of the first conduit and the second conduit to one or more of the first port, the second port, and the third port, wherein one of the first conduit and the second conduit is configured as a pressure source.

A variable displacement fluid working machine includes an inward ring and an outward ring, one of the inward ring and the outward ring including a rotatable ring cam coupled to a drive shaft, the other including a plurality of radially extending piston cylinders circumferentially spaced around the respective ring. The outward ring has first and second axially spaced structural members and a plurality of demountable blocks demountably retainable therebetween, the demountable blocks having either piston cylinders or ring cam segments. The demountable blocks are removable radially to facilitate maintenance and repair and to facilitate radial access to the inward ring.

A piston assembly includes a piston having a crown with an upper combustion surface with a cylindrical outer surface extending downwardly from the upper combustion surface. A pair of pin bosses depends from the crown to a pair of pin bores having generally cylindrical bearing surfaces aligned along a pin bore axis with a top wall portion extending between the pin bosses. The top wall portion has a concave bearing surface forming a continuous concave bearing surface with the pin bores. A separate skirt is fixed to the piston against relative movement. At least one rib extends upwardly from the top wall portion of the piston on opposite sides of the pin bore axis to a lower wall surface of the crown. The at least one rib joins the crown to the top wall portion to provide structural support to the top wall portion against unwanted deflection.

A piston engine may include a heat pipe capable of transferring heat away from a portion of the piston engine such as a combustion section. The heat pipe may be included as part of a piston assembly, a cylinder, or both. The heat pipe may be filled with a suitable heat pipe fluid that may undergo a phase change such as, for example, water, ethanol, ammonia, sodium, other fluids or combinations thereof. Boiling and condensing of the fluid within the heat pipe may utilize the latent heat of the fluid during heat transfer. Multiple heat pipes may be used in some instances.

A spring-type brake actuator for a pneumatically-operated vehicle brake is provided, in which the parking brake release piston is formed from at least one stamped actuator piston plate, preferably a stamped aluminum plate. Preferably the biasing force of the power spring of the spring brake actuator bears on a stamped spring seat cap element which is interposed between the power spring and the stamped actuator piston plate. In addition, the parking brake release piston flexible diaphragm may be captured between the stamped actuator piston plate and a stamped backing plate by affixing the backing plate to a joining member, where the joining member includes a threaded insert to receive a manually-actuated parking brake release actuation tool.

A support for supporting a structure on a surface, comprising at least one support element, each support element comprising a piston, a cylinder in which the piston is moveable, and a brake for maintaining the piston in a position that is stable relative to the cylinder, wherein the piston and the cylinder are arranged so that a loading associated with the structure effects an adjustment of the support element, and wherein an increase in hydraulic pressure within the cylinder, effected by the loading associated with the structure, activates the brake.

A transmission may include gears and a clutch to allow the transfer of torque, at a variety of gear ratios, between an input shaft and an output shaft. The clutch may include a cushion piston to decrease the velocity of a transmission piston before the transmission piston engages a clutch element. The cushion piston may be contained within the transmission piston and configured so the cushion piston ceases movement toward the clutch element before the transmission piston. The pistons may be coupled together such that the cushion piston may resist movement of transmission piston toward the clutch element.

A hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder assembly having a cylinder, defining an inner hydraulic chamber and being for reciprocating receipt of a piston and piston rod therein; a piston rod extending from the inner hydraulic chamber exteriorly of the cylinder; and a piston head assembly connected with the piston rod and disposed for reciprocation within the cylinder assembly. The piston head assembly includes a piston head and a valve assembly including a passageway defined in the piston head and a valve member having an outer surface and being sized and configured for reciprocation in the passageway between extended and retracted positions therein, the valve member defining at least one flat defined along the outer surface and at least one transition surface between the outer surface and the flat, the transition surface forming an angle with the flat of between about 40 and 50 degrees.

The invention relates to a rotary machine with pistons (22) and a turret (25), including: —a frame (2), through which a shaft (1) extends, having a geometrical axis x-x' and mounted in a stationary manner relative to the frame (2); —a thrust plate (9) rotatably mounted on the shaft (1); —an oscillating plate (15) bearing on the thrust plate (9); —a torsion bar (18), a first end of which is pivotably connected to the frame (2) and a second end of which is pivotably connected to the oscillating plate (15); —a spherical female bushing (14) rigidly connected to the oscillating plate (15) and pivotably connected around a spherical male knuckle centered on the shaft (1), the knuckle including a spherical male bushing (10) rotatably mounted relative to the shaft (1), characterized in that the rotary machine includes a means for rotating the spherical male bushing (10) about the geometric axis x-x'.

The present invention provides a piston for a spark-ignition engine, comprising: a land part 18, an upper surface part of which has a crown part 26 forming a combustion chamber; a pair of skirt parts 20 extending downward from a peripheral part of the land part 18 and facing each other in a radial direction thereof; a pair of sidewall parts 19 coupling side end parts of the pair of skirt parts 20 to each other; and a pin boss part 21 that is formed in each of the sidewall parts 19. The present invention can inhibit the generation of HC produced at the time of combustion, while thermally protecting a top ring 30 fitted into a top ring groove 24a on an outer circumferential surface of the land part 18. The crown part 26 is configured by a flat base surface 27 and a bulging part 15 bulging upward above the base surface 27, and a thinned part 40 provided in the land part 18 is formed deep such that the deepest part thereof is positioned inside the bulging part 15.

A disc for use in a pneumatic valve includes a stiffening insert encased in a flexible body. The stiffening insert acts to protect a central actuation region of the disc against radial compression, which may arise if the disc is used to seal against a bore hole, and against material flow towards the actuation region away from a clamped periphery. The behavior of the disc in a valve assembly is therefore more predictable and reproducible. The flexible body may further be tensioned across the stiffening insert.

The present disclosure relates to a piston-cylinder unit with a device for determining position, the device comprising at least one exciter that is indirectly or directly electrically connected with the cylinder jacket and the cylinder piston of the piston-cylinder unit, and that excites the electrical oscillating circuit formed by the piston-cylinder unit and the contact lines to oscillate at its resonant frequency, it being possible to measure an electrical signal characterizing the resonant frequency on the piston-cylinder unit. The invention also relates to a construction machine or piece of hoisting equipment with such a piston-cylinder unit.

A piston ring has a body member for sitting in a ring groove of a piston. The body member has an inner periphery, upper wall, lower wall and an outer periphery. The outer periphery has a concavity therein for storing lubricant therein. The upper wall has an outer section proximate to the outer periphery is constructed to be resiliently flexible between a flexed and unflexed position such during a portion of a power stroke, the volume of the concavity to store the lubricant is decreased by the flexing of the upper wall to the flexed position for expelling lubricant therefrom to a wall of the cylinder. The wall resiliently returns to the unflexed position during other times to allow excess lubricant from the wall of the cylinder to pass into the concavity.

Cam follower roller device, notably for an internal combustion engine fuel injection pump, comprising a tappet (12) and a roller (14) mounted to rotate on the tappet and intended to press against a cam. The tappet (12) comprises a roller support body (16), a shaft (26) for mounting the roller on the said body, and a guide sleeve (18) attached to the support body and at least partially surrounding the said body. The ends of the shaft are fixed in through-holes in the support body.

Provided is a vehicle front structure including a front bumper and a lower grille. The front bumper includes a front-bumper lower surface extending in a vehicle rear direction, the front-bumper lower surface having a pair of bottom surface portions at respective side portions and a recessed surface at a center portion, the recessed surface extending from the pair of bottom surface portions and being recessed in an upper direction. The lower grille includes an annular portion arranged at the lower side of a rear end of the recessed surface and forming an opening, a protruding portion protruding from a lower portion of the annular portion so as to protrude in a front direction and oppose to the recessed surface, and a reinforcing portion extending from an upper portion of the annular portion to a back surface of the recessed surface and reinforcing the front-bumper lower surface.

A method of creating a bend in a construction component for use in a transportation vehicle. The method comprises providing a plurality of cuts in the construction component so as to create a region of increased flexibility in the construction component. The method further comprises bending the construction component in the region of increased flexibility so as to cause the construction component to acquire a bent shape, and then rigidifying the construction component in the region of increased flexibility so as to cause said construction component to maintain the acquired bent shape.

A structure for absorbing frontal collision energy of a vehicle absorbs frontal collision energy of a vehicle using both front side members configured to support a bumper beam disposed at a front side of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel disposed outside the front side member, and a fender apron member disposed outside the shock absorber housing panel, and the structure includes: an enlarged member installed to be inclined between an outer surface of the front side member and a rear surface of the fender apron member so as to be spaced forward and apart from the outer surface of the front side member; and an enlarged frame engaged between a lower side of the fender apron member and a front mounting portion of a sub-frame.

A pedestrian-friendly forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a grill opening reinforcement (GOR), a front fascia located forward of and spaced from the GOR, and a support bracket extending transversely to the vehicle forward of the GOR and rearward of the front fascia. The support bracket has a transverse cross-bar and left and right legs extending rearward from a cross-bar adjacent opposite ends thereof. The legs are attached to respective outboard positions on the GOR, and the cross-bar has an upper flange underlying an upper rear panel of the front fascia. If a pedestrian strikes the forward structure, the fascia and support bracket yield rearward in an injury-reducing manner.

A vehicle bumper for use with police and other emergency vehicles for pushing another vehicle which is fabricated of a tubular loop defining a generally oval cross-section. The oval cross-section tubular loop is oriented such that the major axis of the oval cross-section extends front to back with respect to the host vehicle while the minor axis extends up and down. The vehicle bumper further supports a plurality of resilient pads to aid in controlling the pushed vehicle and to cushion impact transfer between the bumper and the pushed vehicle. The inventive vehicle bumper is substantially stronger and substantially lighter in weight while simultaneously providing a more attractive front view cross-section when mounted on a host vehicle. A plurality of attachments are secured to the tubular loop and are used in securing the vehicle bumper to a suitable portion of a host vehicle.

The device may have a plurality of upright supports where the supports may include a mounting plate with mounting openings, a plurality of vertical members that may be in non-welded communication with the extruded back mounting plate and a plurality of horizontal members where the vertical members provide strength and support to the supports. The horizontal under-run prevention beam may include mounting openings that correspond to the horizontal beam mounting openings and a removable reflective strip that correspond to reflective strip openings in the beam. The vertical and horizontal members may be stacked extruded rectangles of the desired widths and lengths.

A deployable pedestrian protection lower leg stiffen apparatus includes a left and a right linear actuator mountable adjacent to respective left and right forward frame members of a vehicle and a lower leg stiffener attached to and movable by the actuators. The actuators are extendable along respective deployment axes extending forward and downward relative to the vehicle to move the stiffener between a retracted position rearward of a forward surface of a front bumper beam and above a ground clearance plane and a deployed position forward of the retracted position and below the ground clearance plane. The actuators have rotational joints defining a horizontal pivot axis about which at least the forward portions of the piston may rotate upward along with the stiffener to prevent damage to the system if it strikes a road obstacle.

A vehicular crash sensing system includes a bumper cap for contacting a bumper. A chamber fits into a side rail attached to the bumper, the chamber being sealed by the bumper cap. A stop element limits movement of the chamber into the side rail. A pressure sensor detects an increased chamber air pressure during crushing of the chamber resulting from movement of the bumper with respect to the stop element.