Abstract: A DC/DC converter for a fuel cell includes an input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell. An output node provides a DC output voltage. An inductor has inductance which varies with respect to inductor current. The inductor includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is coupled with the input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell. A switch is coupled between the second terminal of the inductor and ground. A control circuit switches the switch between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising: a housing assembly (328, 318) having at least one slot (562) extending substantially therethrough; a releasable positive stop (636, 638) on the housing assembly; at least one lock (632) on the housing assembly; a slide assembly (312 and 314) slidably received within the at least one slot; and at least one locking wall (650) on the slide assembly, wherein, in initial engagement of the slide assembly to the housing assembly where the slide assembly is slid into the at least one slot in an engagement direction, the positive stop prevents movement of the slide assembly beyond a prestage state, wherein, in the prestage state, the lock engages the locking wall preventing disengagement of the slide assembly from the prestage state. Thus, an advantageous prestage state of the electrical connector is achieved.

Abstract: A method of spin forming, comprising the steps of: providing a tool having a first plurality of forming rollers spaced at a second plurality of distances from a spin axis; spinning around the spin axis at least one member of a set comprising (i) a work piece and (ii) the tool; and engaging the tool and a first end of the work piece. The method allows increased diameter reductions of a free end of a work piece in a single forming operation without collapse of the end of the work piece.

Abstract: A brake system control apparatus comprising: a fluid brake system including a master cylinder containing a hydraulic fluid having a hydraulic pressure, a hydraulic pump having an output hydraulically coupled to the master cylinder, a motor coupled to and providing motive force to the hydraulic pump, a current sensing device coupled to the motor and providing an output signal indicative of electric current through the motor; and an electronic controller coupled to the current sensing device comprising a first sampler taking a first sample of the output signal a first time period after a start up of the motor, a second sampler taking a second sample of the output current a second time period after start up of the motor and a divider for determining a ratio of the first and second samples wherein the ratio is indicative of a hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder at the start up of the motor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oval shaped catalytic converter that reduces the amount of material and number of parts that are required for permitting the catalytic converter to treat the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine and also improves the structural durability of the converter for high temperature applications by maintaining a higher mat density along the minor axis of the converter housing.

Abstract: An exhaust management control method comprising the steps of: immediately following a cold start of an engine, adsorbing hydrocarbons from engine exhaust into a hydrocarbon adsorber; determining when a catalytic converter catalyst light-off is obtained and thereafter purging the adsorber, wherein a first regeneration of the adsorber is obtained; detecting an engine off condition of the vehicle; and injecting air through the adsorber following the detected engine off condition while the adsorber is hot enough that coke deposits thereon are oxidized and thereby removed from the adsorber, wherein a second regeneration of the adsorber is achieved.

Abstract: A pump-motor apparatus comprising: a pump having an input shaft for receiving motive force to operate the pump, wherein during rotation of the input shaft, the pump exhibits repeating cyclical first torque variations on the input shaft, said first torque variations including cyclical torque peaks and torque dips and occurring in substantially evenly spaced increments in angular position of the input shaft; and an electric drive motor having an output shaft coupled to and driving the input shaft, wherein the electric drive motor exhibits on the output shaft repeating cyclical second torque variations, said second torque variations including cyclical torque peaks and torque dips and occurring in substantially evenly spaced increments in angular position of the output shaft, wherein the substantially evenly spaced increments in angular position of the output shaft are equal to the substantially evenly spaced angular increments in position of the input shaft, wherein torque peaks and dips of the output shaft seco

Abstract: A low cost switched reluctance motor drive circuit is achieved by establishing an alternate supply bus which effectively extends the voltage range of the DC supply for the drive. The alternate bus is maintained at a voltage which is either higher or lower than the supply voltage. A first capacitor is connected in parallel with the supply voltage and a second capacitor is connected between the alternate bus and one terminal of the supply voltage. At least one of the motor phase windings is connected in parallel with the first capacitor and at least one other of the phase windings is connected in parallel with the second capacitor. The phase winding(s) drawing energy from the first capacitor return inductive current to the second capacitor, and the phase winding(s) drawing energy from the second capacitor return inductive current to the first capacitor.

Abstract: A suspension system control method comprising the steps of: measuring an ambient temperature outside a vehicle; measuring a relative velocity of a suspension system damper; responsive to the relative velocity and the ambient temperature, estimating a damping fluid temperature of damping fluid within the actuator; comparing the estimated damping fluid temperature to a predetermined threshold; if the damping fluid temperature is not above the predetermined threshold, constraining an actuator command to a cold temperature maximum value, wherein the cold temperature maximum value is less than a corresponding normal non-cold temperature maximum value for the actuator command; and outputting the actuator command to the damper, wherein the occurrence of suspension noise and harshness during cold temperature operation of the vehicle is minimized.

Abstract: A vehicle traction control system comprising an electric motor and drive system for an electric vehicle, at least one driven wheel mechanically connected to the electric motor and drive system, at least one non-driven wheel, and a controller coupled to the driven wheel, the non-driven wheel and the motor for controlling the motor and drive system to provide traction control for the vehicle by sensing a positive wheel slip between the driven and non-driven wheel, determining a control command responsive to the sensed slip, applying the control command to the motor and drive system to affect positive motor drive torque from the motor when the control command is less than an acceleration request, and applying the control command to the motor and drive system to affect regenerative braking when the control command is less than an acceleration request, wherein during regenerative braking, positive tractive force is provided by inertia of the motor and drive system, wherein the single control command controls both

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rotating element, a rotary to linear converter, a linearly moving element that linearly extends and retracts when the rotating element rotates in first and second directions, a rotary sensor assembly, integrally constructed with the rotating element, for determining relative movement of the rotating element and for thereby determining relative movement of the linearly moving element, a linear sensor assembly, integrally constructed with the linearly moving element, for providing an absolute position signal each time that the linearly moving element extends or retracts to a predetermined position.

Abstract: An apparatus has a liquid level sender providing a sender output signal which varies with a measure of a liquid and which varies with a slosh of the liquid. A main control circuit couples and decouples the sender output signal to a process circuit, the process circuit provides an output signal to a liquid level indicator. Two monitor circuits monitor the output of the process circuit and provide a control signal to the main control circuit if the sender output signal varies from the output of the process circuit by more than a predetermined amount. A switch within the main control circuit decouples the sender output signal from the process circuit in response to the control signal. Sample circuitry within the process circuit drives the output of the process circuit in accordance with a sampled signal when the sender out signal is decoupled from the process circuit.

Abstract: A method of determining the trim set value of a vehicle body leveling system comprising the steps of: receiving a trim set command; responsive to the trim set command, retrieving a sensor output from a vehicle height sensor; determining a difference value between the sensor output and a predetermined offset, wherein the offset is indicative of an effect an average sized operator would have on the vehicle height as measured by said height sensor; and programming the difference value into a memory of a level control system, wherein the programmed value is the trim set value for the level control system.

Abstract: A shock tower includes first and second portions for attaching a suspension damper and a control arm to a vehicular body. The first portion includes a cap with a central opening. A plurality of ribs are formed on the cap and radially spaced about the central opening. The second portion projects downwardly from the first portion. A plurality of longitudinal ribs are formed on the second portion. Preferably, the first and second portions are formed as a single casting.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle braking system wherein a first brake device has a first mode of operation in which power-assisted braking is provided and a second mode of operation in which manual braking is provided, wherein the second braking system has a second brake device controlled by a control command, a method of controlling the braking system comprising the steps of receiving a signal indicative of an operator brake request, determining the control command in response to the signal and a first gain factor if the first brake device is in the first mode of operation, determining the control command in response to the signal and a second gain factor if the first brake device is in the second mode of operation, wherein the second gain factor is less than the first gain factor, applying the control command to the second brake device.

Abstract: A method for testing gauges includes applying a rotation signal to the gauge. An AC input signal is superimposed on a first coil of the gauge. A second coil of the gauge is monitored to detect a coupled AC output signal. The rotational signal is varied while the AC output signal is monitored. The operational status of the gauge is determined responsive to the AC output signal and a process output signal indicative of the operational status is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for fuel level display systems comprises a fuel level sender providing a fuel level signal, a short period filter for filtering the fuel level signal through a short time constant filter, a long period filter for filtering the fuel level signal through a long time constant filter, a signal selector for selecting the long period filter output if the fuel level is above a trip point and for selecting the short period filter if the fuel level is below the trip point, and a display device for displaying a level of fuel in the tank in response to the selected signal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing tires comprising the steps of: constructing a sample set of tires; measuring at least two parameters of each tire of the sample to obtain first and second measurement data; measuring force variations of each tire of the sample set during a rotation test at a select rotation rate to obtain force variation data; determining transfer functions between the first and second measurement data and the force variation data; constructing a set of production tires; measuring the two parameters of the production tires; predicting force variations of the production tires at the select rotation rate based on the transfer functions and the two measured parameters of the production tires; responsive to the predicted force variations, comparing the production tires to predetermined criteria; and controlling manufacture of the tires responsive to the comparison.

Abstract: A dynamic absorber suspension strut includes a sealed hydraulic damper mounted in an outer tube. An absorber mass is supported on a spring inside the outer tube. The absorber mass divides an interior of the outer tube into first and second fluid chambers. A fluid conduit is provided between the chambers. A control valve controls fluid flow in the fluid conduit to provide a desired damping of wheel hop frequencies. The damper is tuned to provide a desired damping of body frequencies.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle engine includes predicting an engine parameter with a controller that determines measures of various engine parameters, determines a prediction set including at least one predicted value of a measurable engine parameter, determines an estimation set including at least one estimated value of the engine parameter and controls the engine in response to the estimated engine parameter.