Abstract: An outer cover layer, for a panel that defines a rupturable deployment door of an air bag deployment system in an automotive vehicle, is formed with an invisible pre-weakened tear seam prior to being overlaid onto the panel. The outer cover layer material is pre-weakened along a defined door opening pattern by a single step impression of a variable depth scoring knife into the under surface of cover layer material. The scoring knife contains a series of cutting edges of varying depth and length along its length that coincides with the seam pattern. The scoring may be performed during the conveyance of the cover layer material by making a single impression of the scoring knife into the lower surface thereof so that the maximum cut depth does not penetrate the outer surface of the material.

Abstract: A tunable mass damper for use in a vehicle steering system in which a rack and pinion gearing subsystem would otherwise transfer resonant vibrations to the vehicle steering wheel. The mass damper element is a generally cylindrical mass supported and suspended around the shaft extending from the pinion gear by several cantilevered spring elements. The mass damper is tunable by modifying the size of the mass or the size or material or length of the springs so that the damper's resonant frequency for axial oscillation matches the resonant vibrations present at the steering shaft extending from the pinion gear.

Abstract: An integrated air bag support structure that includes a support base for attachment to the rear side of a substrate. The support base is configured to surround a door support panel and both are configured for attachment to the rear side of a substrate in an area that is pre-weakened to define an air bag deployment door in a vehicle instrument panel or a steering wheel air bag module. The upper surfaces of the support base and door support panel are attached to the rear surface of a substrate and a test tab extends from the base that is attached to the rear surface of the substrate in the same manner as the support base and the door support panel. The test tab has an unattached extension portion for the purpose of gripping and pulling to sample test that the attachment of the test tab without affecting the attachment of the support panel.

Abstract: An improved spark ignition system for an internal combustion engine that includes a pair of electrodes disposed to extend from opposite sides and into a combustion chamber to form a spark gap between them that is central to the combustion chamber. Each electrode is integral with a conductive fuel delivery tube that contains a capillary passage and fuel outlet ports adjacent the electrode. The heat from combustion conducted into the electrodes and fuel delivery tubes is used to vaporize the fuel within the capillary passages before it exits the outlet ports as an atomized fog into the combustion chamber adjacent the spark gap. The vaporization of the fuel flowing in the capillary passages absorbs energy from the electrodes and thus performs a cooling effect on the electrodes. The spacing of the electrodes from opposite sides of the cylinder also allows a design that can utilize and increased spark gap to produce a larger spark across the gap.

Abstract: A highly efficient radiant burner assembly (100) for use in a patio heater or the like in areas where people prefer or require low NOX emissions. The efficiencies are created through the use of a spherical burner element (116) that is either formed of a high temperature steel wire mesh or stamping containing apertures of a predetermined size to allow combustion to remain within the burner element and to not cause the temperature of the burner element to exceed the temperature at which NOX are developed. Coating the burner with a catalyst also aids the low emission combustion process. Additional efficiencies are provided by atomizing the fuel before it is mixed with air and by the use of a laminar flow heat exchanger (940) that utilizes a fluid media flowing in a helical coil condenser unit.

Abstract: An improved lubrication system and method for an internal combustion engine that includes an inertia pump in a piston that reacts to the movement of the piston and conveys a predetermined measure of lubricating oil to the space between the piston and its adjacent cylinder wall immediately below the upper piston rings as the piston reaches top dead center of its stroke cycle. A first embodiment utilizes check valves to responsively open and close passages for the pump in order to control the injection of the proper amount of oil during each cycle. A second embodiment relies on a single moving plunger mass element to provide both the pumping and the valving functions of the inertia pump. A third embodiment utilizes throttle valves to control the injection of the proper amount of oil and allow for a spill path without additional passages. A fourth embodiment utilizes a throttle valve and a check valve in combination to provide secure pumping and a spill path for excess oil.

Abstract: An improved configuration for an opposing piston-opposing cylinder (“OPOC”) internal combustion engine with a single camshaft to reduce friction between the pistons and the cylinder walls during the combustion phase of the engine cycle. The improvements are presented in two embodiments that provide offsets between the bore axes of the cylinders and the crankshaft axis of rotation to cause the connecting rods to achieve an orientation substantially parallel to the cylinder bore at TDC and shortly thereafter.

Abstract: An electrically controlled turbocharger having a substantially vertically oriented shaft interconnecting a turbine and a compressor. The vertical orientation serves to eliminate the effects of gravity on the rotating components. Placing the turbine vertically above the motor and compressor and provides additional cooling through convection of heat produced by hot exhaust gas flowing through the turbine. A lubricating system utilizes scavenged air from the compressor to draw lubricating oil through internal passages of the motor housing to maintain a desirable oil sump level, ventilate the auxiliary induction motor, and provide pressure to the oil seals of the motor cavity.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically controlling a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle in order to achieve thermal comfort of an occupant of the automotive vehicle receives a plurality of input signals representative of ambient temperature, sunload, and a set-point temperature. A desired amount of HVAC Work necessary to achieve thermal comfort is determined based on either a target temperature or a model of an occupant's thermal comfort. A controller controls the HVAC system based on the desired amount of HVAC Work.

Abstract: Cruise control system for a vehicle includes a sensor for monitoring the speed of the vehicle, a sensor for monitoring the range of vehicles moving in front of the equipped vehicle, switch means for manually selecting a cruising speed, switch means for manually selecting a headway which controls the separation between the equipped vehicle and a vehicle moving in front of the equipped vehicle and means for switching the cruise control system on and off. The switch means for selecting the headway is manually adjustable between a minimum value and a maximum value. Automatic switch means is provided for switching the cruise control system off when the vehicle is stopped, the headway being automatically switched to a maximum value when the cruise control system is switched on.

Abstract: A cruise control system for a motor vehicle includes a sensor for monitoring a target vehicle moving in front of the equipped vehicle, a sensor for monitoring the speed of the equipped vehicle and a sensor for monitoring steering manoeuvres of the equipped vehicle, the cruise control system controlling the throttle and brake systems of the vehicle to control the speed of the vehicle. The cruise control system is switchable between a cruise mode in which it will maintain a set cruising speed when the path in front of the vehicle is clear and a follow mode in which it will maintain a preset headway with a target vehicle in front of the equipped vehicle. The system is switched from the cruise mode to the follow mode when a target vehicle moves inside the preset headway, the system switching from the follow mode to the cruise mode when the target vehicle is lost or moves outside a preset headway.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically controlling a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle in order to achieve thermal comfort of an occupant of the automotive vehicle receives a plurality of input signals representative of ambient temperature, sunload, and a set-point temperature. A desired amount of HVAC Work necessary to achieve thermal comfort is determined based on either a target temperature or a model of an occupant's thermal comfort. A controller controls the HVAC system based on the desired amount of HVAC Work.

Abstract: A method and system for manipulating a three-dimensional object in a computer-aided design (CAD) environment utilizes a force feedback interface. A gravitational sphere is defined around each of the plurality of input parameters of a mathematical model defining a shape, location and orientation of the object. A force is applied to the force feedback interface based on the gravitational spheres and the position of the force feedback interface. An input signal is received from the force feedback interface based on the applied force indicating selection of one of the plurality of input parameters. The selected input parameter can then be edited according to an edit signal generated by the user via the force feedback interface. In addition, the edit signal can be limited according to predetermined constraints via the force feedback interface.

Abstract: A network monitor in a multiplex control system monitors the condition of the network and individual modules of the system by causing individual modules in the system to generate, at regular time intervals, a unique identifying message and to monitor the identifying messages to individually determine the condition of the system.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic algorithm utilizes a single rule to produce a varying output signal. A plurality of input signal values are received from a plurality of sensors. A predetermined combination of a plurality of membership functions in the single fuzzy logic rule are defined in which a first instance of the predetermined combination based on a first set of inputs yields a first output signal defined by a first and second axis. A second instance of the predetermined combination based on a second set of inputs different from the first set of inputs yields a second output signal substantially identical to the first output signal, except the second output signal is shifted along one of the first and second axes. A controller produces digital output signals based on the first and second output signals to produce the varying output signal.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a target obstacle in front of a vehicle traveling on a road includes a radar positioned at a center of the vehicle for transmitting radar waves ahead of the vehicle for use in determining a first position of the objects in front of the vehicle relative to the radar. A lane position measurement device determines a lateral deviation between the center of the vehicle and a lane boundary of the road. Control logic then determines a curvature of the road based on the lateral deviation, independent of the traveling path of the vehicle. The control logic then determines a second position of the objects based on the curvature of the road and the target obstacle based on the second position of the objects.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing odometer fraud on a vehicle having a multiplex ring including a plurality of vehicle control modules in electrical communication with each other. The multiplex ring includes a cluster control module with an odometer display. The method includes: a) displaying an odometer mileage variable; b) periodically storing the displayed odometer mileage variable in a non-volatile memory location in the cluster control module; and c) periodically storing the displayed odometer mileage variable in a non-volatile memory location in at least one of the vehicle control modules other than the cluster control module, thereby increasing the level of difficulty of odometer tampering.

Abstract: A system for providing one-step dimming of indicator lights in an illuminating indicating device while allowing adjustable control of the general illumination of the device. The system includes a first current drain (176) coupled to an indicator light source (32-42) for drawing a first current through the indicator light source. A second current drain (186), controlled by control circuitry (198), couples to the indicator light source (32-42) for selectively drawing additional current through the indicator light source (32-42). In a preferred embodiment, the first current drain (176) couples to the second current drain (186) to regulate the additional current draw by the second current drain (186). Preferably, the control circuitry (198) is responsive to an illumination signal to prevent the additional current draw during a low ambient light condition. For general illumination of the indicator device (10), an illumination light source (56-60) responsive to the illumination signal may also be included.

Abstract: Two electronic modules are connected to share and to independently read the sensed value from a single environmental sensor element, by communicating between each other when a particular module is reading the sensor output signal. The sensor output signal is a function of the value of the reference voltage being applied by the reading module and the characteristics of the environment being sensed. A module provides a toggle signal when it completes its reading of the sensor so that the other (non-reading) module will know when it may apply its reference voltage to the sensor and complete its reading of the sensor. The modules alternate the reading of the sensor in order to eliminate the need for a plurality of corresponding sensors.

Abstract: A sensing method and system for generating an output signal indicative of an estimated mean value of an input signal is provided. A sensor samples the input signal for N (N=2, 4, 8, 16, . . . ) input signal samples and determines a current twice mean value of the N input signal samples. The current twice mean value is equal to one-half of the summation of two terms, the first being twice the mean value of the first N/2 input signal samples (called the previous twice mean value) and the second being twice the mean value of the last N/2 input signal samples. The sensor then compares the current twice mean value to a previous twice mean value.