Abstract: An adapting engine system 10 including at least one pressure sensor 12 positioned within a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, an engine control processor 14 receiving data from the pressure sensor 12 and using the data to determine engine position periodically throughout the life of the engine, and memory 16.

Abstract: A method to absorb magnetic fields begins by placing an electronic unit into a fixture. The electronic unit contains at least one electrical component, such as a microchip, that requires a reduction of a magnetic field. The microchip can be surrounded by a containment apparatus, such as a mold, into which encapsulant is poured. Exclusion devices, such as masks, protect components that should not be coated. Once the electronic unit is prepared, it is exposed to magnetic field interference. At this point, encapsulant is poured into all molds on the electronic unit. Ferrite particles comprise a portion of the encapsulant and initially are randomly distributed throughout. When the ferrite particles are exposed to a magnetic field, they migrate along the generated field lines and absorb the magnetic field. After the new distribution of ferrite particles occurs, the encapsulant can be cured.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generation system is disclosed which includes a primary fuel cell stack for generating a first quantity of electric power, an auxiliary fuel cell stack for generating a second quantity of electric power, a fuel handling subsystem for feeding a fuel containing hydrogen to the primary fuel cell stack and the auxiliary fuel cell stack, an oxidant handling subsystem including a compressor for feeding an oxidant containing oxygen to the primary fuel cell stack, and a controller electrically connected to the primary fuel cell stack, the auxiliary fuel cell stack, the fuel handling subsystem and the oxidant handling subsystem for controlling operation of the fuel cell power generation system.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring message data between stations of a communications network where the network has plurality of interconnected stations with each station having a microprocessor, data storage means for storing message data and a peripheral device providing an interface for the station to facilitate transmission and reception of messages along the network with a predetermined network protocol. The method includes initiating a transaction between the microprocessor and the peripheral device, transferring a command code from the microprocessor to the peripheral device, sending a status signal from the peripheral device to the microprocessor in response to receiving the command code, sending transmission data from the microprocessor to the peripheral device for output to the network, and sending any data stored in the data storage means from the peripheral devices to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A fuel delivery module for an automotive fuel delivery system includes a reservoir and a fuel pump. The fuel pump delivers fuel from the tank to the reservoir via a fuel tank inlet and reservoir outlet and from the reservoir to the engine via a reservoir inlet and engine outlet. The reservoir is formed with a plurality of contaminant traps for collecting contaminants contained in the fuel as the fuel is pumped through the reservoir such that the contaminants settle unto said contaminant traps thereby reducing the amount of contaminants entering the reservoir inlet.

Abstract: A four-stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed wherein fuel and exhaust vapors are purged from the manifolds and each cylinder when the engine is shut down to minimize emissions on subsequent startup. The engine includes a cylinder, a reciprocating piston within the cylinder, and a cylinder head. An exhaust port with an exhaust valve communicates with the cylinder and an exhaust manifold with an emissions control device. An intake port with an intake valve communicates with the cylinder. Upon engine shutdown, a controller sends signals to a variable valve timing system for opening the exhaust valve when the piston is in upward motion, later closing the exhaust valve when the piston is in upward motion, opening the intake valve when the piston is in downward motion, later closing the intake valve when the piston is in downward motion, and opening the exhaust valve when the piston is in upward motion.

Abstract: A pinion adjustable assembly for steering mechanisms for automotive vehicles, a pinion-rack set incorporated in a pinion housing and a tubular cylindrical bushing with free angular displacement that is positioned inside the housing and is coupled to an angular positioning nut. The said bushing has an eccentric inner wall with regard to outer wall surface surrounding a pinion housing. Angular displacement of said bushing by angular movement changes its eccentricity to allow the pinion to move relative to the rack bar for overcoming wearing out effect on teeth.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a rotor (26) mounted on a shaft (29) for rotation therewith and defining an axis of rotation, and a stator (54) disposed coaxially with and in opposition to the rotor (26). The electrical machine further comprises a housing (22, 24) enclosing the stator (54) and the rotor (26), the housing (22, 24) having a first axial end with a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface and a second axial end with a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The electrical machine also includes a first cooling tube (80′) having a first end and a second end and an embedded portion thereof embedded between the first inner surface and the first outer surface of end wall (81). A second cooling tube (82′) has a first end and a second end and an embedded portion thereof embedded between said inner surface and said outer surface of the wall (83) of the second axial end.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly having a coil spring (26) made of electrically conductive material, an electrical coil connected to deliver electrical energy from the ignition coil assembly 11 through the coil spring and a ferromagnetic member (30) disposed within the coil spring. A resistive spark plug (40) is electrically coupled to the coil spring (26). The spark plug and ferromagnetic member (30) form a high pass filter (51) and low pass filter (58) respectively to reduce radio frequency interference.

Abstract: A throttle body and an air control system that integrates the electronic engine control modules, sensors, actuators, and associated wiring on a throttle body is disclosed. In one version of the invention, there is provided a throttle body including a throttle body wall defining an airflow passage in the throttle body, a movable throttle plate that substantially conforms to the interior dimensions of the air flow passage, an engine control device (such as a sensor or an actuator) attached to the throttle body wall, and engine control electronics mounted to the throttle body wall in spaced apart relationship with the engine control device, the engine control electronics being electrically connected with the engine control device.

Abstract: A misalignment detection system (12) for steering system of an automotive vehicle (10) includes a controller (14) coupled to a velocity sensor (18), and a yaw rate sensor (20). The controller is also coupled to a memory (16) that is used to store a steering ratio memory map and a historic steering wheel angle. The controller (14) determines a base steering wheel angle when the vehicle velocity is at a predetermined velocity. The base steering wheel angle is a function of the vehicle velocity, the yaw rate, and the steering ratio. The controller compares the current steering wheel angle with a historic steering wheel angle to determine an error. An indicator (22) may be provided to the vehicle operator to signal the presence of the misalignment of the steering system.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a printed circuit board (PCB) having enhanced mounting pads useful for overprinting solder paste and for repair of the solder joints. The PCB comprises: a dielectric substrate 10 having at least one mounting pad 20 thereon, wherein each mounting pad is arranged in matched relation with a respective termination 32 of an electronic component 30. Each mounting pad 20 includes a main body portion 24 and one or more fingerlike extensions 26 extending outward from the main body portion and away from a projected footprint 34 of the electronic component.

Abstract: An engine control system comprising a host processor in operative communication with a data bus and a plurality of peripheral devices for communicating engine operating parameters. Each of the peripheral devices include a first and second transaction register for storing communication parameters for each of the corresponding plurality of peripheral devices. The control system also includes a queued port rate register (QRR) including a memory unit in operative communication with the plurality of peripheral devices for storing data for transmission to the plurality of peripheral devices in accordance with the first and second transaction registers. The system further includes a peripheral counter in operative communication with each of the plurality of peripheral devices. The peripheral counter is adapted to interrogate each of the plurality of peripheral devices and, when data has been written to one of the peripheral devices, update the peripheral device according to the memory unit data.

Abstract: Central mounting of control electronics proximate to the engine is provided by attaching the electronics to an upper surface of the intake manifold to provide heat shielding and heat conduction for active components on the circuit card. The central location provides extremely short harnesses to important actuators located in cylinder heads of the engine thus reducing wiring clutter and cost.

Abstract: A rotor member and vehicle alternator mechanism. Annular recesses and ridges are provided in the back iron or bodies of the pole pieces of the rotor member. The power output of the alternator mechanism is increased and the alternator has improved support for the claw fingers for increased RPM capability.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method for laser soldering, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an electronic component 10 having at least two terminations thereon; a dielectric substrate 14 having a first surface 16 on a first side thereof, a second surface on a second side thereof, and at least two mounting pads 24 arranged on the first surface 16 in matched relation with the terminations of the electronic component 10; and a diode laser 50; (b) depositing solder paste atop the mounting pads 24; (c) placing the electronic component 10 atop the substrate 14 such that each termination rests generally atop its respective mounting pad 24; and (d) directing laser energy 70 from the diode laser 50 to at least one of the mounting pads 24 from the second side of the substrate 14 for a predetermined time, such that the solder paste atop the at least one of the mounting pads 24 is melted.

Abstract: A manual or power-assisted steering control linkage assembly for an automotive vehicle, with the aim of facilitating the manufacture of housings for the steering control linkages and eliminating undesirable vehicle noise which results from axial stresses acting on the steering mechanism. A housing including two independent metallic tubular housing elements which are machinable, which housing elements house and provide support structure for the rack and pinion, wherewith the tubular housing elements are joined in the required angular orientation via welding or brazing at respective contoured openings cut in the walls of the tubular housing elements. The noise control is provided by automatic positioning the pinion in engagement with the rack, which by elastic organs associated with the pinion shaft, which organs continuously urge the pinion into engagement with the rack in response to the tendency of the rack to separate from such engagement. The elastic organs cooperate with a conical or cylindrical pinion.

Abstract: An electronic circuit assembly having an arrangement of signal and destination pads for two or more signals which provides multiple signal/destination connection combinations. One embodiment of the present invention includes n signal pads and n destination pads, where n is a number greater than one. The signal pads and destination pads are arranged on a substrate in a polygonal array in an alternating signal pad/destination pad pattern. In a preferred embodiment, the polygonal array has the shape of a right polygon.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a backlit display and an illuminated receptacle for a removable information storage medium, for example an audio device such as a cassette radio for a motor vehicle passenger compartment. The audio device (1) has a backlit display (7) and a receptacle (38) for a removable information carrying medium, comprising at least one backlight, and a light diffuser (5) moulded in a translucent plastics material, the diffuser (5) having a display backlight (201) portion and a receptacle indicator portion (202), the backlight being arranged to illuminate the display backlight portion (201) to provide a diffuse backlight for the display (7), and to shine light through the translucent material of the receptacle indicator portion (201) to indicate an entrance to the receptacle (38).

Abstract: A work holder assembly is provided for bonding wire to an electronic component in a package. The work holder assembly includes a base having a front wall and a back wall extending between a first end and a second end. The work holder assembly includes a fixture for removably securing the package to the base and a linear slide extending between the first and second ends of the base for moving the fixture between a wire bonding position, a heating position and a load/unload position. The work holder assembly also includes a gas heater supported by the base for directing heated gas onto the package when the fixture is in the heating position and a fixture heated connected to the fixture for heating and maintaining the fixture at a predetermined fixture temperature.