Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Elyria, Ohio, has announced a banner year in patent development

and participation in a school program to inspire the engineers of tomorrow. The company issued the release to celebrate the 54th annual National Engineers Week, Feb. 20-26, 2005.
Bendix received 19 U.S. patents in 2004, bringing its U.S. patent total to 134 in multiple areas of air brake and safety systems. More than 27 percent of the company's U.S. patents have been received in the past three years. Together with its European parent company, Knorr-Bremse Group, Bendix holds more than 1,400 patents worldwide.
Bendix, which employs more than 130 engineers locally, supplies air brake and safety systems for the global medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle industry.
Bendix will recognize its 2004 patent recipients at an annual Patent Awards Dinner on Feb. 28, 2005. Bendix will also honor individuals who have made substantial engineering contributions to the company at a mid-year Technology Achievement Awards ceremony as well as through targeted business unit recognition programs throughout the year.
The company is also urging future generations to pursue engineering as part of the National Engineers Week Discover "E" program. Bendix Engineer Maria Gutierrez will speak at Clearview High School in Lorain, Ohio, to relate practical applications of math, science and engineering to the real world through hands-on discovery. Gutierrez, a chemical engineer with a master's degree in environmental engineering, will discuss the variety of career choices available within the engineering field; highlight the importance of continuing education; and conduct an activity focusing on teamwork, communications and time management.
National Engineers Week is a formal coalition of more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies and more than 50 corporations and government agencies. The week is dedicated to raising public awareness of engineers' positive contributions to our quality of life. It promotes the importance of a technical education and a high level of math, science and technology literacy, motivating students to pursue engineering careers.
For more information, call 800-247-2725 or visit www.bendix.com.