Abstract: Cardioplegia is delivered to a heart vessel by conducting the cardioplegia through an infusion lumen of a cannula. The cardioplegia communicates with a balloon disposed on a distal end of the cannula to cause the cardioplegia to inflate the balloon into sealing contact with a wall of the coronary sinus. The flow of cardioplegia is halted while preventing drainage of cardioplegia from the balloon, to maintain the balloon in its inflated state until such time as the flow of cardioplegia is resumed. Drainage of cardioplegia from the balloon is prevented by causing a valve to be shifted to a closed position blocking communication between the infusion lumen and the balloon. The valve can be shifted manually, or automatically in response to the halting of the delivery of cardioplegia.

Abstract: A double valve for controlling a machine tool has a memory such that when the valve is in its normal deactuated state and the inlet air supply is cycled (e.g., turned from on to off or from off to on), then the valve remains in the deactuated (i.e., ready to run) state. When the valve is in a faulted state (e.g., intermediate position) and the inlet air supply is cycled, then the valve remains in the faulted state. The memory is achieved by a balanced condition of the movable valve elements when in the normal deactuated position and an unbalanced or latched condition when in the intermediate or faulted position.

Abstract: A double valve is reset when a source of pressurized fluid is connected to a reset port. When the source of pressurized fluid is removed from the reset port, a first reset piston is retracted so that a second pilot chamber receives pressurized fluid while a first pilot chamber continues to be vented. A second reset piston is retracted after a predetermined delay time following retraction of the first reset piston, the predetermined delay time being sufficient to allow the second pilot chamber to become substantially pressurized. If a second pilot valve is actuated when the second reset piston is retracted, then the pressurized fluid in the second pilot chamber drives the second movable valve unit out of a deactuated position during a time that pressurized fluid in the first pilot chamber is insufficient to drive the first movable valve unit out of a deactuated position.

Abstract: A multimedia player having a limited user interface achieves quick and easy navigation within a large playlist of stored digital audio files by employing the rotary volume control knob in a separate mode to advance or rollback sequentially through the playlist. Thus, an MP3 player can be implemented for an automotive or vehicular multimedia player without increasing the number of user control elements, such as buttons, knobs, or other switches.

Abstract: A control valve system including a housing having an inlet, a first output, and a second output. The control valve system further includes a slidable valve positionable in a first position, where fluid communication is established between the inlet and the first output; a second position, where fluid communication is established between the inlet and the second output; and a third position, where fluid communication is prevented between the inlet and the first or second output. A solenoid valve assembly is coupled in fluid communication with the inlet and is positionable in an actuated position, where fluid communication is established with the inlet to move the valve from the first position to the second position, and a deactuated position. A piston selectively extendable to position the valve in the third position in response to fluid pressure within the first output.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe microprocessor controlled pressure regulator for operation in a hazardous environment. The intrinsically safe microprocessor controlled pressure regulator receives control commands that are input to a microprocessor in the hazardous environment. The microprocessor generates control commands to control operation of an intrinsically safe solenoid valve and an intrinsically safe piezo electric valve. The piezo electric valve generates an output signal for controlling operating parameters of the paint gun. One or a plurality of microprocessors may operate within a hazardous environment in order to control one or a plurality of intrinsically safe valves in the hazardous environment.

Abstract: Left and right stereo audio information is reproduced from a compatible quadrature amplitude modulation (C-QUAM) broadcast using two separate modes of detection. In the first mode, a true C-QUAM detection is performed when the signal being received has a high level of stereo difference information. In the second mode, a synchronous detection approximation is used which avoids generating an envelope signal or calculating a cosine correction factor as in true C-QUAM decoding. The second mode is used when over-modulation is present in the received signal.

Abstract: The reproduction sound level of high priority messages such as navigation instructions, parking aid signals, and back-up warning signals is controlled based on the average ambient sound level in a vehicle. A sound level calibration table provides priority gain values for setting the programmable gain of a gain controller to ensure that messages are reproduced at a sound level which is relatively greater than ambient noise level by a predetermined target difference which is consistent for all levels of ambient noise. The target difference may be modified according to user preferences.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a circuit and method for detecting a fault current in a circuit containing a power transistor. A comparator in communication with a parasitic inductance is utilized to sense the excessive change in current through the power transistor. When the voltage magnitude through the parasitic inductor exceeds a predefined limit, the comparator triggers a gate drive circuit. The gate drive circuit is in communication with the power transistor. The gate drive circuit shuts off the power transistor when the predefined limit is reached. Thus, the present invention is capable of reacting quickly to fault currents through the power transistor thereby protecting the transistor and other circuit components from damage.

Abstract: A system (40) for an automotive vehicle (10) has an internal combustion engine (12) having a crankshaft (50) and a starter/alternator (42) coupled to the crankshaft (50). A transmission (26) is coupled to the starter/alternator (42). A gear position sensor (70) coupled to the transmission (26) generates a gear change signal. A controller (54) is coupled to the starter/alternator (42) and the gear position sensor (70) and receives the gear change signal. The controller (54) initiates the operation of the starter/alternator (42) as a motor to provide a predetermined torque.

Abstract: A semi-open staggered vane impeller for use in an automotive fuel pump. Each vane has a cover-side vane tooth and a body-side vane tooth extending from a central vane groove. Each vane is coupled to the next adjacent vane by a rib that runs substantially parallel to the vane groove. In addition, each vane has a phase difference between its cover-side vane tooth and body-side vane tooth that is a function of the length of the vane groove.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting various fault conditions in semiconductor devices. A variable voltage reference is compared to the voltage output of the device during device turn-on to detect circuit fault conditions. The fault condition is then communicated to a controller.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring pulse messages between remote-controlled modules in an automotive vehicle includes a single wire bus coupled to each of the modules for transferring the pulse messages between each of the modules. A receiver circuit associated with at least one of the modules and coupled to the bus provides a communication current to the bus. A transmitter circuit associated with at least one of the modules and also coupled to the bus transmits the pulse messages utilizing the communication current. The receiver circuit, thus, becomes active and accepts the pulse messages being transmitted by the transmitter circuit upon detecting the communication current being drawn from the receiver circuit.

Abstract: An extracting assembly for extracting a component signal generated by a component source from a composite signal is disclosed wherein a reference sensor generates a reference signal relating to activity of the component source, a composite sensor senses the composite signal, an adaptive filter is operatively connected to the reference sensor and the composite sensor to filter the component signal from the composite signal as a function of the reference signal generated by the reference sensor, and a normalizer operatively connected to the adaptive filter for normalizing the step size of each iteration taken by the adaptive filter to minimize the time to adapt the adaptive filter to transform the reference signal into the component signal.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle floor includes a seat back frame pivotally connected with respect to the vehicle floor for movement between a fully reclined position for seating and a horizontal position for forming a load floor. A drive motor is connected to the seat back and operative to adjust the reclined position of the seat back frame with respect to the vehicle floor and operative to pivot the seat back frame between the fully reclined and horizontal positions.

Abstract: A fuel delivery module with an integrated fuel filter is disclosed. The fuel delivery module can be mounted in a fuel tank for supplying fuel from the fuel tank to an engine. The fuel delivery module includes a fuel reservoir, a sealed main fuel filter housing, a fuel pump, a pressure regulator, and a jet pump. The main fuel filter housing is mounted to the fuel reservoir and defines a main fuel filter chamber that contains a main fuel filter. The fuel pump is located within the fuel reservoir for pumping fuel from the fuel reservoir through a fuel pump outlet conduit and into the main fuel filter chamber. A filter housing outlet conduit is provided for routing fuel from the main fuel filter chamber to the engine. The pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the main fuel filter chamber and a jet pump fuel inlet conduit for routing a portion of fuel from the main fuel filter chamber and to the jet pump fuel inlet conduit when a threshold pressure is reached in the main fuel filter chamber.

Abstract: A method for testing an electronic module to evaluate solder joint failures caused by thermally induced stress includes determining a thermal shock endurance test profile that represents field temperature conditions, estimating time/cycles to failure of solder joints in the module using numerical simulation techniques, selecting a design life duration for the module, comparing the design life duration of the module with the estimated time/cycles to failure of the weakest solder joint in the module, determining between robust, marginal, and non-robust module designs based on the design life duration of the module and the estimated time/cycles to failure of the at least one solder joint in the module, and determining an accelerated thermal shock endurance test specification having a test duration for testing the electronic module upon determining a marginal module design.

Abstract: In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system for indicating a vehicle braking event to an operator of the vehicle. The method includes determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system, and activating a vehicle braking indicator in response to the occurrence of the vehicle baking event, where the vehicle braking indicator is perceptible by the vehicle operator. The system includes a vehicle braking indicator perceptible by the vehicle operator, and a controller capable of determining the occurrence of a vehicle braking event commanded by the adaptive speed control system and generating a vehicle braking event signal in response to the occurrence of the vehicle braking event, where the vehicle braking event signal is operative to activate the vehicle braking indicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synchronization of an internal combustion, four-stroke engine during engine startup. The engine comprises a number of cylinders with pistons linked to a crankshaft, means to provide a series of pulses on each cycle of the engine, and an engine management system that includes: a memory; means to determine the engine cycle after the engine is cranked; and means to count thereafter the series of pulses until the engine comes to a stop in order to determine the engine cycle of the engine when subsequently stopped so that data representative of the engine cycle may be stored in the memory. According to one aspect of the invention, the means to determine the engine cycle after the engine is cranked is a means to determine the engine cycle during running of the engine.

Abstract: A fuel vapor adsorption brick for use in a fuel vapor management system. The fuel adsorption brick is formed of a mixture of activated carbon and plastic compressed to a desired size and shape and placed within a portion of either the fuel tank or fuel tank attachments. The carbon/plastic brick is easy to make and provides great geometric flexibility for optimum vehicle packaging. The carbon/plastic brick may reduce or minimize the number of discrete parts used in a fuel tank assembly, as it can be integrated into either a fuel tank or fuel tank attachment, thereby eliminating the need for a separate carbon canister. The carbon/plastic brick minimizes or eliminates carbon dust associated adsorption/desorption cycles and also eliminates the need for apparatus to maintain carbon bed integrity.