Abstract: A cost-effective conditioning circuit for extracting a weak, floating, wide-band signal with a low common-mode voltage from noisy environments is proposed that includes a high gain single ended operational amplifier to increase the amplitude of the signal. A simple, cost-effective approximately unity gain differential amplifier stage is used to level-shift the signal down to the desired reference potential. A typical application is a motor drive system, where the signals to be measured are bi-directional motor currents.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission system, a position sensor provides digital and analog output indications of the sensed position of a manually operated transmission gear shift lever. Electrical contacts within the sensor are configured to minimize wear and corrosion by eliminating electrical continuity in the switching elements when the gear shift lever is in the Drive position.

Abstract: A semi-automatic temperature control (SATC) device for controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a microprocessor operative to receive a plurality of inputs, and control air discharge temperature and blower speed based on the plurality of inputs. The SATC device further includes a switch for controlling the direction of air flow in the cabin of an automotive vehicle independent of the control provided by the microprocessor.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic tagging material is suspended in a constituent of a two constituent mixing system. Two tagging material sensors are employed that respectively monitor the tagged constituent as it flows in the system alone and the mixed constituents as they flow to a dispenser nozzle. A monitor calculates the volumetric ratio of the two constituents present when mixed based upon the concentration of tagging material sensed by each sensor. A warning is given when the calculated ratio exceeds predetermined limits.

Abstract: An adaptive method of detecting a lamp outage condition is implemented in a vehicle flasher system including a plurality of lamps. The method includes the steps of: a) initializing an adaptive flasher current variable when the vehicle flasher system is powered on; b) monitoring the vehicle flasher system to detect a driver flasher signal request; c) measuring current output from the plurality of lamps in the vehicle flasher system; d) determining whether the level of measured current is indicative of a lamp outage condition by comparing the measured current to the adaptive flasher current variable; e) setting the adaptive flasher current variable equal to the measured current if the measured current falls within a predetermined learning range, thereby compensating for resistance changes in the flasher system over time to allow lamp outage detection; and f) returning to step b).

Abstract: Electrical instrument gage that has a pointer indicator member mounted on a rotatable shaft extending from the gage and including an electrically energizable light source mounted on and extending along the pointer portion of the indicator member. The light source is preferably an electroluminescent lamination that contains a pair of flex circuit terminal contacts extending from its base end. The light source is adhesively attached to the pointer portion of the indicator member. The base element of the indicator member contains a socket portion with a cylindrical opening configured to provide a friction fit to the axial shaft extending from the gage. The outer cylindrical surface of the socket contains an electrically conductive area and the gage contains an electrical wiper contact that makes continual electrical interconnection with the conductive portion of the socket over its rotational range.

Abstract: A method is provided for serial communication between a host device and a peripheral device. The method includes transmitting an interrupt command from the host to the peripheral in response to a peripheral interrupt signal and, substantially simultaneously, transmitting interrupt status data from the peripheral to the host, the interrupt status data representing a pending peripheral interrupt and indicating whether a communication error has occurred. The method also includes transmitting a continue code from the host to the peripheral based on the interrupt status data and, substantially simultaneously, transmitting information associated with the pending interrupt from the peripheral to the host in response to the interrupt command, the information having a predefined structure based on the interrupt status data for use in resolution of the pending interrupt. A system is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: An automotive electrical system and method for coupling power to such a system in which current cumulatively drawn by the various modules of the system during its inactive state is minimized. In one aspect of the invention, the electrical system (10) comprises at least one remote module (14a-n) coupled to a power bus (21) and a signal bus (16), at least one of the remote modules (14a-n) is coupled to at least one wake-up input switch (28A-I); a central module (12) coupled to the remote module (14a-n) by the signal bus (16), the central module (12) coupling electrical power from a power source (20) to the power bus (21) in response to a detection of an activation of any of the wake-up input switches (28A-I).

Abstract: An air conditioner compressor clutch control that senses operator demands for acceleration from low vehicle speeds and several other variables, to release the engagement of the clutch for a period of time that is dependent on vehicle speed, throttle position or a maximum time period.

Abstract: A low cost, less complex microcomputer power supply circuit with temperature stability and low current consumption in which a single voltage regulating element is used to provide the supply voltage, power-on reset (POR) and low voltage inhibitor (LVI) functions to the microcomputer (12). In an exemplary embodiment, the power supply circuit (10) includes a regulating circuit with a zener diode (30) that is conductive when the voltage level of the DC source (14) is above a threshold value and nonconductive when the voltage level of the DC source (14) is below a threshold value. The regulator circuit provides a regulated supply voltage to the microcomputer from the DC source (14). The regulator circuit also provides a regulation signal, whose state depends on the conductivity of the zener diode (30), to a reset circuit. The reset circuit of the power supply circuit is responsive to the regulation signal for providing a reset signal to the microcomputer (12).

Abstract: Method and system for modifying the control of an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) to prevent the formation of cabin temperature stratification. The control algorithm responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors to calculate a value representing the likelihood of stratification. The stratification strategy achieves the following three functions: (1) calculation of the likelihood of stratification, (2) estimation of probable level of stratification, and (3) modification of strategy to dispel stratification. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide these functions and to allow the control to be expressed in simple heuristic terms.

Abstract: A backup aid system, for a vehicle, senses when the vehicle is in reverse gear. Ultrasonic sensors at the rear of the vehicle provide continuous range information to a control module for objects that are detected as being relatively close to the vehicle. A radar system provides range information to the control module for objects detected beyond the range of the ultrasonic system. At low speeds below a predetermined minimum speed level or when the system is placed in the "park" mode for parking, the radar information is ignored and only the ultrasonic information is used to warn the vehicle operator. At a relatively high threshold backup speed, the vehicle operator is immediately warned to slow down, whether or not an object is detected in the vehicle path. Between the lower and upper threshold speeds, both the ultrasonic system and the radar system are used to continuously range and detect any objects that enter their respective detection fields.

Abstract: A semi-autonomous parking system calculates the current position as well as the desired trajectory required to accomplish the parking task by utilizing vehicle position measurements. The parking system alters the power steering's required effort to maneuver the vehicle thus providing tactile feedback to the vehicle operator. The required effort is decreased when it is determined that the operator is steering the vehicle within the desired trajectory and is increased when it is determined that the operator is steering the vehicle outside the desired trajectory. The operator can feel increases and decreases in steering effort at the steering wheel.

Abstract: A method is provided for checking the integrity of a full duplex multi-word serial transfer between first and second devices, the transfer including an actual last word. The method includes transmitting a count word from the first device to the second device, the count word indicating a number of words to be transmitted including an expected last word, transmitting the actual last word from the first device to the second device, and transmitting, substantially simultaneously to transmission of the actual last word, a check code word from the second device to the first device, the check code word having a selected value if the actual last word is the expected last word, and another value otherwise. The method also includes determining a transfer error if the value of the check code word is other than the selected value. A system is also provided for performing the method.

Abstract: A system and method that monitors four wheel sensors of an automotive vehicle to determined changes in the effective rolling radii of any wheel and a low pressure tire condition. Certain vehicle operating conditions, such as excessive or very low speeds, braking, and turns, are determined from the sensor outputs and are used to prevent erroneous detection of changes in effective rolling radii. Data from the sensors that is determined to be acceptable is accumulated over time as displacement values for each wheel. When the displacement values exceed a predetermined value, a metric function is used to compare differences detected in accumulated displacement values for the front pair of wheels and for the rear pair of wheels. If the difference between compared pairs of wheels is excessive, as compared with a predetermined baseline metric value, a low tire condition is detected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of assembling vehicle instrument panel structural and electronic components includes: 1) fabricating an insulative instrument panel base substrate; 2) applying a conductive pattern to the base substrate; and 3) attaching electronic components to the base substrate in electrical communication with the conductive pattern.

Abstract: A resinous coating applied to the heat sink portion of an alternator housing provides a low cost method for insulating a portion of the rectifier assembly from the housing and for insulating the stator winding lead wires that are routed through coated heat sink ventilation windows.

Abstract: A method for detecting fault conditions on a multiplexed network having first and second busses. The method includes sensing a start of frame delimiter (SOF) for the first bus, and determining the state of the second bus when the SOF is sensed. If the state of the second bus has been passive over a first selected time period, the state of a differential between the first and second busses is determined. If the state of the differential between the first and second busses is not indicative of a pre-qualified start of frame delimiter, then a passive fault is indicated. Additionally, the method includes sensing an end of frame delimiter (EOF) for the first bus, and determining the state of the second bus when the EOF is sensed. If the state of the second bus has been active over a selected time period, then an active fault for the second bus is indicated. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An indicator (10) for providing a prominent and distinct indication of the selected operating mode among a plurality of selectable operating modes of an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle. The indicator (10) comprises a housing (70) with a plurality of indication compartments (82-92) which each communicate with an associated indicator window (152-162). An indicator light source (32-42) is disposed in each of the indication compartments (82-92). Light emitted by an illumination light source (56-60) disposed in an illumination compartment (104) passes through a light filter (106) to provide filtered light to the indication compartments (82-92).

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling electronic devices/modules in a vehicle comprises a main ventilation duct mounted in the vehicle, and includes a blower for forcing air through the main duct. A bypass duct is provided in selective fluid communication with the main ventilation duct, and is adapted to carry electronic devices/modules to be cooled by air forced through the bypass duct. Inlet and outlet valves are provided for selectively varying the amount of air which passes through the bypass duct. The electronic devices may be positioned outside of the bypass duct, or inside the bypass duct if sealed.