Abstract: A gasoline distillation apparatus (12) for an engine (14) includes a heated vapor separator (22), a condenser (24), and a controller (28). The heated vapor separator (22) partially vaporizes the engine's primary fuel (16) to generate a fuel vapor (44). The condenser (24) cools the fuel vapor (44) to produce a liquid secondary fuel (18) that is more volatile than the primary fuel (16). The controller (28) determines when the engine (14) is supplied with either primary (16) or secondary fuel (18). The secondary fuel (18) is used only during an initial engine operation period, while the primary fuel (16) is used all other times. After engine operation, the primary fuel (16) is purged from the engine (14) and replaced with the secondary fuel (18) to maximize secondary fuel (18) use during the initial engine operation period.

Abstract: A two-stage temperature gauge for a vehicle indicates whether engine temperature is normal or overheated. The gauge registers "normal" when the vehicle engine temperature is at or below a threshold value and registers "hot" when the vehicle engine temperature exceeds the threshold value. A circuit (10) for operating the gauge has an input terminal (12) for receiving a signal from an electronic engine controller (14) representative of engine temperature for causing the gauge register either "normal" or "hot". An indicating lamp (28) connected to the input terminal (12) illuminates to also indicated an overheated engine condition.

Abstract: An electric-operated fuel pump assembly (20) has a vaned impeller (36) that is disposed within a pump housing (28) for rotation about an axis (22). A channel (44; 72) extend arcuately about the axis. A vapor vent hole (46; 46A) intersects the channel. Certain geometric relationships improve venting efficiency, and hence pump efficiency.

Abstract: A gerotor pump includes a pressure relief return flow guide system, composed of two distinct structures, a pressure relief port, and a flow guide. The pressure relief port separates the pressure relief flow and inlet flow, preventing them from mixing and causing turbulence in the inlet cavities. The flow guide is located at the end of the pressure relief port and the inlet to make the two flows smoothly merge in the inlet cavities.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly module (40) that can be connected to and disconnected from an engine spark plug. The module elements are arranged as a succession of cylindrical layers about a central ferromagnetic core (46). From innermost to outermost, the succession is: a) a secondary bobbin (48), b) a secondary coil (58), c) a secondary encapsulant (194) encapsulating the secondary coil, d) a primary bobbin (50), e) a primary coil (56), f) an inner wall (181) of an environmental shield (42) encapsulating the primary coil, g) a ferromagnetic shell (52), and h) an outer wall (180) of the environmental shield encapsulating the shell. The primary bobbin forms a liquid container for holding secondary coil encapsulant. A terminal (100) extends through a transverse wall (71) of the primary bobbin for carrying secondary current from the secondary coil to another terminal (118) on the other side of the transverse wall that connects to a spark plug (80).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the monitoring of current drawn by an ignition coil for a spark ignition engine, and in particular to circuitry and a method for detecting a malfunction in the charging of an ignition coil or its associated drive circuitry. The electronic circuit comprises: circuitry to measure the voltage of a battery (VB) for charging the coil; software (52) to determine according to the measured battery voltage (VB) a nominal dwell time (TC) for charging fully the coil prior to discharge of the coil; circuitry (32,34) to measure an amount of current drawn by the coil over a time less than the time taken to charge fully the coil; software (36) to extrapolate from the measured current a calculated expected dwell time TD to charge fully the coil; and a device to indicate an error condition (44,62,64,66,68) if the difference (44) between the expected (TD) and nominal (TC) dwell times is beyond a predetermined error limit (58,60).

Abstract: An input circuit for a dimming circuit control unit having a single input signal protocol includes a first input line to receive a first input voltage signal and a second input line to receive a second input voltage signal. A first voltage divider is electrically connected to the first input line to receive the first input voltage signal and to divide the first voltage of the first input voltage signal. A second voltage divider is electrically connected to the second input line to receive the second input voltage signal and to divide a second voltage of the second input voltage signal. An inverter is connected to the first voltage divider to invert the first input voltage signal. An analog to digital converter is electrically connected to the first voltage divider to convert the first voltage when the first input signal is analog such that the dimming circuit control unit always receives a digital signal having the single input protocol.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly (10) including a pair of rigid lead frames (12, 14) having retention pockets (24, 26) thereon for retaining a sensor assembly (32). The sensor assembly (32) includes a surface mount device package (34) containing a thermistor (36). The lead frames (12, 14) are molded into a housing (15) after assembly of the sensor assembly (32) to the lead frames (12, 14).

Abstract: A method and circuit interface for multiplexing an input port and an output port of a microprocessor into a single external interface, wherein the input port and the output port never operate at the same time, is normally active upon a battery cycle, includes a resistor network, a level shifter and a power supply. The resistor network is coupled between the output port and the single external interface for receiving an input signal from the single external interface for receipt by the input port and for receiving an output signal from the output port for receipt by the single external interface. The level shifter is coupled to the input port and the resistor network for translating the input signal from the resistor network into a second input signal recognizable by the input port. The power supply is coupled to the resistor network and the level shifter for providing power to the input port so as to enable the input port to recognize the second input signal.

Abstract: An enabling device for a motor vehicle having an electronic ignition system and a passive anti-theft system includes an engine control circuit controlling the electronic ignition system of the motor vehicle, a passive anti-theft control circuit electrically connected to the engine control circuit for controlling the passive anti-theft system, and a latch electrically connected to the passive anti-theft control circuit to selectively enable the electronic ignition system.

Abstract: An automotive data recording device for collecting data from a vehicle and for storing the data for further analysis includes a first electrical interface adapted to interface with a vehicle data terminal capable of supplying raw data internally monitored by a vehicle computer having a memory for storing the raw data. A volatile memory temporarily stores substantially all the raw data stored in the vehicle computer's memory, and a non-volatile memory stores a desired portion of the raw data. The device also includes a microprocessor programmed to provide a first control signal to retrieve the desired portion of the raw data from the volatile memory for storage in the non-volatile memory and to provide a second control signal to retrieve the desired portion of the raw data from the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A heated assembly is provided for vaporization of fuel in an internal combustion engine. The heated assembly includes a grid disposed in an inlet runner of the internal combustion engine. The heated assembly also includes structure for heating the grid during cold start of the internal combustion engine and vaporizing fuel in the inlet runner of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An adaptive intermediate frequency bandwidth control system detects IF signal levels both before and after channel filtering. The two levels are compared to provide a measure of the presence of interfering adjacent channels. This measure is compared to a programmable threshold and the IF bandwidth is narrowed if any interferers are detected. Digital FIR or IIR filtering is used. The invention allows bandwidth switching to be done very quickly with minimal transient effects. A difference threshold is selected depending upon the IF channel bandwidth being used at any given time.

Abstract: A radio frequency amplifier includes a first amplifier stage having a first transistor, and a second amplifier stage having a second transistor. The first transistor has a base input for receiving an input voltage, a collector output, and an emitter coupled to a common. The second transistor has a base input coupled to the first transistor collector output, a collector output, and an emitter coupled to the common by a resistance element. The second transistor emitter is DC coupled to the first transistor base. The DC coupling of the first transistor base to the second transistor emitter provides stable DC biasing of the first and second transistors based on base-emitter voltages of the first and second transistors. The radio frequency amplifier may be employed in a variety of receiver/amplifier applications, such as vehicular driver integrity check systems.

Abstract: A voice message system for motor vehicles includes an audio reproduction and recording system, and a control that interfaces the audio system with the vehicle function controls. Preferably, an ignition switch sensor signal received at the control initiates a command for playback of current time or periodic time designated messages. The control may also interface with a sensor signal responsive to an air bag diagnostic switch for actuating the recording of vocalized instructions or comments. In addition, a single actuator for immediate recording capability, as well as a microphone for receiving vocalized messages are conveniently packaged in the steering control mechanism.

Abstract: An N.sup.th order infinite impulse response digital filter for long-delay filtering of signals representing a digital input sequence. The N.sup.th order infinite impulse response digital filter is synthesized by cascading in series N first order infinite impulse response filter stages. A filter stage operable on a digital computer with floating point capability is provided and comprises a multiplier which multiplies an input signal with a weighting factor. A summing element provides an output for the filter stage by summing the weighted input signal with a weighted and delayed output signal. A filter operable on a digital computer with fixed point capability is provided and comprises a summing element which sums an input signal with the output of a first multiplier, and the delayed output of a mask element. The output of the summing element is coupled to the input of a second multiplier and to the input of the mask element.

Abstract: An FM signal antenna for window glass mounting in a motor vehicle includes an elongated conductor formed as a ladder to form a series of openings along its length. Preferably, the ladder is constructed of a pair of parallel conductors and cross member conductor segments coupled across the parallel connector. The cross member conductors are spaced from each other a distance substantially less than the wave length of the signals to be received. In addition, the antenna includes a raised feed point positioned along the length of the conductor. The conductor has a length substantially greater than the window area so that a fold is formed in the conductor, and an extended portion of the conductor overlapping from the fold is preferably aligned with and conductively independent of the feed point. In addition, the antenna is mounted above a heater grid comprising a plurality of transverse conductors extending between common potential conductors at either end of the grid.

Abstract: A method of controlling engine starting of a vehicle having a powertrain control module and passive anti-theft system includes the steps of operating the engine after validation of a code by the passive anti-theft system, monitoring stopping of the vehicle engine during normal operating conditions of the powertrain control module, setting a fuel value in a software register of the powertrain control module to a non-starting value which fuel value is defaulted to in case of abnormal operation conditions of the powertrain control module, and disallowing starting of the vehicle engine during abnormal operating conditions of the powertrain control module when the fuel value contains the non-starting value.

Abstract: A protective coating is utilized to protect the silicon during a wet chemical etch step in the process of making a micromachine, thereby preventing the formation of etched holes or pits in the micromachine. In another embodiment, silicon sacrificial pedestals are used to eliminate or greatly reduces the electrical potential difference between metal on the glass substrate and the silicon, thereby eliminating arcing and the resulting damage to silicon and metal. These pedestals may be removed after the anodic bond.