Abstract: Described is a rechargeable lithium ion battery comprised of (a) a negative electrode and (b) a positive electrode both comprised of a current collector and applied to each a mixture of chlorinated polymer blend and lithium intercalation materials and (c) a separator/ polymer electrolyte comprised of chlorinated polymer blend and filler.

Abstract: An analog angle encoder having a simply constructed magnet assembly, wherein rotation of a magnetic field relative to a magnetosensitive device provides a varying output of the magnetosensitive device that varies sinusoidally with the angle of relative rotation. The simply constructed magnet assembly is of a closed-path geometry composed of a single piece of magnetic material wherein only a first portion thereof is magnetized for providing the aforesaid magnetic field for the sensor. The remaining portion of the magnet material (the second portion) remains unmagnetized and does not substantially influence the magnetic field produced by the first portion any more than, for example, air would cause.

Abstract: A coil assembly includes a spool and a connector keyed thereto. To wind a coil on the spool, the spool is moved linearly with respect to the connector until the connector does not interfere with the winding bay on the spool. Thereafter, a wire is wound around the spool within the winding bay to form the coil. Once the coil is complete, the spool can be moved linearly with respect to the connector until a keying structure on the spool engages an opposing keying structure on the connector and a locking mechanism on the spool engages a corresponding locking mechanism on the connector. Thus, a complete coil assembly can be manufactured in one operation with minimal manufacturing steps.

Abstract: A mechanical press includes an easy load tilt out loading position that improves operator visibility when loading parts onto operation specific tooling, and which also increases the speed of which such parts can be loaded (and unloaded), and finally reduces the chance of operator error. The mechanical press includes a frame having a press head, a base pivotable between a load position and a working position, and a tie rod coupling the press head and the base. The press head is configured to reciprocate along a first longitudinal axis, responsive to an operator input such as pulling or rotating a handle. The press head and the base each include features configured to allow respective attachment of a first tool and a second tool, and whose specific configuration depends on the operation being performed by the press (i.e., shaping, assembly requiring pressure, etc.) The press head, when in the first position, is operative via the tie rod to place the base in the load position.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes an outlet tube and a plunger stop. A plunger is slidably disposed within the solenoid valve between the outlet tube and the plunger stop. The plunger is movable between a closed position wherein the plunger engages the outlet tube to block fluid flow there through and an open position wherein the plunger is distanced from the outlet tube to permit fluid flow there through. The plunger includes a plunger insert that forms a dome-shaped plunger stop cushion that, during opening of the valve at least partially contacts a flat plunger contact face formed by the plunger stop. The dome-shaped plunger stop cushion relatively effectively damps the impact between the plunger and the plunger stop by allowing the plunger insert material, e.g., rubber, to compress more and absorb more energy of the impact. Thus, signal noise caused by the solenoid valve is minimized.

Abstract: Described is a method of optimizing performance parameters of a switched reluctance motor comprising ascertaining the parameters of at least three objectives of the motor selected from the group consisting of firing angles, power on the shaft of the motor, drive efficiency, torque ripple coefficient, output torque, torque per rms current per cycle, torque per mean ampere, energy consumption, phase target current level, hysteresis band size, duty cycle, DC voltage and zero-volt control loop; plotting the parameters on an x-y or x-y-z chart; and mapping all of the parameters on to one chart and thereby ascertaining the optimum performance of the at least three parameters.

Abstract: An engine oil contamination sensor includes a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode. A sensing area is established between the electrodes. The sensor is oriented in an oil pan such that the sensing are is completely submerged in engine oil. A microprocessor is connected to the sensing electrodes and includes a program for determining whether antifreeze is dispersed in the engine oil.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a spool that has magnetic filaments incorporated therein. The magnetic filaments are magnetized to create a magnetic flux around the spool. A coil is wound around the spool such that it is within the magnetic flux field generated by the spool. A target wheel having plural teeth and plural slots is placed so that its outer periphery is slightly spaced from the target wheel. As the target wheel rotates, it induces changes in the magnetic flux density sensed by the coil. The changes in flux density can be used to determine the angular position and angular speed of the target wheel and a moving part attached thereto. Since the spool is magnetized, the need for a separate magnet is obviated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a volatility of a fuel sample. A fuel sample is collected in a container and heated for a time period using a heater device. Periodically during the heating, the capacitance of the fuel sample and the temperature of the heater device are determined. After a time period passes, the volatility of the fuel sample is determined using the capacitance decrease and the temperature increase. Specifically, a voltage across the heater device is used, along with the current through the heater device to determine the resistance of the heater device, which gives the temperature of the heater device and the sample. The capacitance and temperature are compared to values derived from experimentation for fuels of varying DI. The first measurement of capacitance with a known sample volume can be used to determine the MTBE or ethanol content in gasoline fuels.

Abstract: Method, system and controller for electronically controlling a park-interlock device in a land-based vehicle are provided. The method allows for providing a driver-selectable shifter for selecting a respective one of a plurality of propulsion modes of the vehicle. One of the propulsion modes is a park mode. The method further allows for sensing at least one vehicle parameter for determining whether or not the park interlock device is to be actuated to a respective interlock state corresponding to the driver-selected mode and/or an operational mode automatically determined by a controller for stopping and starting during a Hill-hold function in an electric, hybrid electric vehicle. Memory is provided for storing nominal values for each vehicle parameter. A comparing action allows to compare the sensed vehicle parameters relative to the nominal parameter values stored in memory.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling an induction machine are provided. The method allows to sense rotor position of the induction machine using a relatively low-resolution rotor position sensor configured to supply a stream of pulses indicative of angular increments as the rotor position changes. A memory device is used for storing a synchronous angle boost function. The method further allows to retrieve from the memory device at least one function parameter for providing a synchronous angle boost during a start up mode of operation of the induction machine. Upon sensing a predetermined number of pulses from the rotor position sensor, the method allows to switch from the start up mode of operation to a normal mode of operation, wherein the boost provided to the synchronous angle is discontinued upon switching to the normal mode of operation.

Abstract: A segmented core for an electric machine includes segments stamped from coated electric steel. The segments each have a first end, a second end, and winding openings. A predetermined number of segments are placed end-to-end to form layers. The layers are stacked such that each of the layers is staggered from adjacent layers by a predetermined rotation angle. The winding openings of each of the layers are in vertical alignment with the winding openings of the adjacent layers. The stack of layers is secured to form the segmented core.

Abstract: A heat sink structure is provided for a rectifier assembly of an air-cooled generator. The heat sink structure comprises a substantially annular base having inner and outer edges. The inner and/or outer edges have (has) a cooling fin arrangement projecting out from the base. The heat sink structure is provided with diode mounts. Each diode mount is adapted to retain a respective diode in a thermally conductive (and preferably press-fit) manner. Heat from each diode is transferred to the base and cooling fin arrangement, to provide a heat sink effect. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a heat sink structure. The method comprises the steps of configuring a sheet of thermally conductive material to include a substantially annular base and radial extensions of the base, and bending the radial extensions so that the radial extensions are substantially perpendicular to the annular base. Perpendicular extensions or prongs thus are defined. A rectifier assembly is provided.

Abstract: A linear position sensor assembly includes a moving target and a stationary magnet. A magnetic sensor is placed adjacent to the magnet and senses changes in the magnetic flux density caused by the target moving within a magnetic field generated by the stationary magnet. The magnetic sensor outputs a signal that is linear over nearly the entire length of the target.

Abstract: A linear output and non-contacting angular position sensor has a rotatable arc segment magnet arranged to rotate about the stationary components of the sensor, which include a pair of stationary flux concentrators, separated by a Hall probe; or, the magnet may be arranged to rotate at the center of the sensor with the stationary components fixed outside the magnet. With either arrangement, the Hall probe produces a direct 0 to 5 V d.c. output which varies linearly with the rotational angle of the magnet as the magnet rotates through a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle of rotation is generally equal to the arc formed by the flux concentrators and the arc of the magnet is generally 20-40% greater than the arc of the flux concentrators.

Abstract: A vehicle having an electric hybrid power system is provided. A battery pack stores electricity to power the electric motor. The battery pack includes a first plurality of batteries connected in parallel with a second plurality of batteries. The first plurality of batteries are Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), and the second plurality of batteries provide high power output at lower temperatures. In addition, the second plurality of batteries may also have a low energy density.

Abstract: A method for determining oil viscosity includes measuring an oil viscosity parameter value while an oil pump pumps oil through an engine lubrication system. Thereafter, the oil viscosity parameter value is compared to a stored look-up table of oil viscosity parameter values versus oil viscosity values and the viscosity of the oil contained within the vehicle lubrication system is interpolated from the table. The look-up table is generated by installing the pump in a test system and then, measuring the oil viscosity parameter value as the pump pumps oils of known viscosities. For increased accuracy, the look-up table is generated for several temperatures within the range of normal engine operating temperatures and several pump speeds within the range of normal operating pump speeds.

Abstract: A mobile AC power system wherein the DC current of battery is converted by a power inverter electrically coupled to the battery terminals and the inverter is also mechanically coupled the battery. An AC outlet is positioned to provide a source of power and the unit has a power input being configured to receive a charging current for the battery. The AC outlet is disabled when the power input is receiving a charge.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a synchronous machine including a polyphase stator are provided. The machine may be used in a piece of equipment respectively as a generator and as a motor for starting an engine in the piece of equipment. The method allows to sense rotor position of the machine using a sensor assembly configured to supply a respective stream of pulses indicative of rotor position relative to each phase of the machine. The method further allows to process each stream of pulses from the sensor assembly to generate a first set of inverter control signals. The first set of inverter control signals is applied to an inverter circuit coupled to energize the phases of the stator to start the machine. The first set of control signals is configured to provide a first cycle-conduction angle relative to the zero-crossings of the respective phase EMF voltages of the machine to produce a sufficiently high level of torque during start of the machine.

Abstract: In an angle-based binary encoded crankshaft position sensing system, a target wheel is coupled to a crankshaft and a single VR sensor is juxtaposed with the target wheel for sensing the angular position of the wheel and, hence, the angular position of the crankshaft. To permit the use of a single VR sensor in conjunction with an angle-based binary encoded system, the periphery of the target wheel is formed with teeth and slots defining a binary pattern. The slots are wider than the teeth, and the depth of the slots relative to the portion of the periphery defining a nominal radius is greater than the height of the teeth relative to the nominal periphery. With this structure, the signal generated by the sensor in response to a slot advantageously is symmetric to the signal generated by the sensor in response to a tooth.