Abstract: A low quiescent current wake-up interface and method for awakening an automotive electronics module from its inactive state. In one particular aspect of the invention, the wake-up interface comprises at least one wake-up input switch (28A-I, 38A-I); wake-up input switch interface circuitry (30A-I, 36A-I) for generating a first current transient when one of the input switches (28A-I, 38A-I) is closed; and wake-up sense circuitry (40) responsive to the first current transient for providing a wake-up command signal. Preferably the wake-up sense circuitry (40) includes a first latch (102) for detecting the first current transient, a second latch (172) responsive to the first latch (102) for providing the wake-up command signal, and timing circuitry (128) for providing a time delay.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately detecting misfires in an internal combustion engine which includes an ignition coil 12 with a primary winding 22 and a secondary winding 30, at least one spark plug 62, and an ignition controller 20 responsive to engine operating conditions for generating an ignition signal. Preferably, the ignition coil generates sparking voltage for firing the spark plug in response to the ignition signal. Sparking voltage and firing of an ignition spark are detected (steps 402-410). An average sparking voltage after the firing of the ignition spark and a peak sparking voltage after the firing of the ignition spark are determined (steps 412-420). And, an indication of misfire in response to the average sparking voltage and the peak sparking voltage is provided (steps 422-428).

Abstract: A DC power supply 44 for providing a desired filament voltage to a static filament in a vacuum fluorescent display 16 includes a voltage regulator 46 with an input and an output. The input couples to a source of ignition voltage 10 while the output couples to the base of a transistor 50. A first dropping resistor 52 connects between the source of ignition voltage 10 and the collector of the transistor 50. A second dropping resistor 54 connects between the emitter of the transistor 50 and the filament 20 of the VF display 16. Accordingly, a first current path to the filament 20 is defined through the first dropping resistor 52, the collector-emitter junction of the transistor 50, and the second dropping resistor 54. A second current path to the filament 20 is defined through the voltage regulator 46, the base-emitter junction of the transistor 50, and the second dropping resistor 54.

Abstract: A flow of fuel is prevented from entering the intake manifold via the manifold vacuum passage in a fuel injection system having a source of liquid fuel under pressure in fluid communication with a least one fuel injector 28 mounted in an engine intake manifold 20 and a pressure regulator 68 having a first pressure chamber 82 in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fuel, a second pressure chamber 84 in fluid communication with the intake manifold 20, and a diaphragm 86 sealingly engaged therebetween for maintaining a predetermined pressure differential between the pressure chambers by an apparatus 78 operatively connected between the second pressure chamber 84 and the intake manifold 20 which prevents the flow of fuel from the second pressure chamber 84 to the intake manifold 20 in response to a pressure differential between the second pressure chamber 84 and the intake manifold 20 above a predetermined value.

Abstract: Method and control system for adaptively controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using a blending or combination of strategies each of which is optimized towards a particular goal in controlling the HVAC system. The blending is based on a strategy alteration signal which, in turn, is based on information provided by the occupant of the vehicle in combination with existing information available to an EATC (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control) system to adapt the optimized strategies to the occupant's preferences. The method and control system allow the response of the climate control system to change according to indications of occupant's preferences and/or detection of special conditions. The method and system provide an adaptive control strategy which utilizes pattern recognition and preference determination to blend the various strategies which include a base thermal comfort strategy.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic to increase steady state comfort of an occupant in a vehicle and to decrease the time needed to reach steady state comfort. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors, including a humidity sensor, to produce a desired humidity, temperature and flow. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation and to allow the control to be expressed in the same heuristic terms that an occupant could use in describing the level of comfort.

Abstract: A vehicle speed measurement system (8) and method for driving a vehicle speed display responsive to a vehicle speed signal (300-334). A vehicle speed signal having a period corresponding to distance traveled by a vehicle is counted each first predetermined time period to provide a count (300-314); a preselected number of the counts are summed (316), the sum is filtered (318); the filtered sum is converted to the measurement of vehicle speed and a control signal for driving the vehicle speed display in response to the measurement is generated (320).

Abstract: A position sensing apparatus (10) for detecting the manually selected operating mode of an automatic transmission (14) in a motor vehicle comprising a digital position sensor (20) for providing a digital position signal and an analog position sensor (22) for providing an analog position signal. The position sensing apparatus 10 may be used to advantage in a position selection and detection system which further includes a selector (12) for selecting one of a plurality of predetermined selectable positions and a decoder (18) responsive to both the digital position signal and the analog position signal for determining the selected position.

Abstract: Method and control system for economically controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors including a humidity sensor to produce a desired vehicle air temperature and air flow. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation for setting the rate of clutch cycling in a CCOT system or refrigerant metering in a TXV system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling and draining coolant from a battery cooling system (10). A coolant delivery system (94) is fluidly connected to the battery cooling system (10) for providing new coolant to the battery cooling system (10) when filling and for purging coolant from the battery cooling system (10) when draining. A pressurization system (96) is fluidly connected to the battery cooling system 10) for pressurizing the battery cooling system (10) after providing coolant when filling and for purging coolant when draining. A vacuum system (98) is fluidly connected to the coolant delivery system for creating a vacuum after draining to evacuate the battery cooling system (10) prior to filling. And, a controller (189) is electrically connected to the battery cooling system (10) to cycle a condenser fan (32) and coolant pump (26) coupled to the battery cooling system on and off according to a predetermined timing sequence.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system which includes a source of pressurized fuel (18-22), at least one fuel injector (14) in fluid communication with the source (18-22), a pressure regulator (34) for delivering the pressurized fuel to the fuel injector (14), a pressure sensor (40) for providing an indication of pressure at the fuel injector (14), a controller (42) responsive to the pressure sensor (40) for providing a pressure release signal, and a pressure release system (44) responsive to the pressure relief signal for diverting a portion of the pressurized fuel from the fuel injector (14).

Abstract: An automotive power control system which delivers a regulated voltage to a load circuit during normal operation and which delivers maximum power when the demand exceeds the alternator's ability to supply adequate current to the load. A duty-cycle- controlled DC-to-DC voltage converter reduces the alternator voltage to a level appropriate for charging the system battery and supplying low voltage loads. When the rotational speed of the alternator is adequate to generate sufficient load current, the voltage converter operates under the control of a first feedback circuit which compares the converter's output load voltage with a reference potential to generate an error signal which regulates the output voltage to a desired level.

Abstract: Circular reference features such as drilled holes are located in an area of a part such as a cylinder head, the surface of which is laser scanned to obtain scan data. The scan data provides height values of the part. Differences in height values are used to determine the points on scan lines which are boundary points of the circular holes. A first algorithm is used to estimate the contour and radius of each hole. A second algorithm provides a correction factor for the radius of each hole. The circular reference features are used for registering the part relative to a reference datum. Methods are provided that allow the accurate determination of the location of such reference features to within 0.01 mm. (0.0004 in.) from the scan data. The method may be utilized to create modified scan data to machine the part. The method may be utilized iteratively from different views of the part to obtain data which represents the part.

Abstract: Provided is a method and circuit for measuring the leakage path resistance in an electric vehicle having an isolated high voltage traction battery and an auxiliary battery grounded to the vehicle. The circuit operates by periodically applying a selected excitation signal and comparing the voltage induced on an energy storage element by the excitation signal to a selected reference voltage during a selected time period. An alternate embodiment of the present invention provides a circuit which operates by applying a periodic excitation signal and comparing the phase shift of the voltage induced on an energy storage element to the phase shift of a signal derived from the excitation signal.

Abstract: An interface circuit for connecting a signal source [10], such as a variable reluctance sensor, to a digital circuit [20] such as a microprocessor. A comparator [40] generates a logic signal [at 49] indicating whether the signal from the source is greater than or less than the signal's average value. The inputs to the comparator are connected across a pair of back-to-back diodes [44,46] which are serially connected with a current limiting resistor [42] between the source and the output of an operational amplifier [35] which generates an average value voltage. The operational amplifier's output is directly connected to its negative input so that it exhibits unit gain, and the operational amplifier's input is connected to the sensor voltage by a low-pass filter [32,34] so that amplifier responds only to the DC content of the sensor's output signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of a plurality of electrical loads in an automotive vehicle with a single current sensor. The current sensor detects the change in the total output current associated with the electrical loads and generates an output signal based on the current change. The apparatus also includes a controller which activates each electrical load at a given time to obtain a like plurality of timing signals so that each electrical load receives a portion of the output current. The controller processes the output signal and the timing signals to obtain a diagnostic signal related to an operating condition of at least one of the electrical loads. Finally, the controller controls an operating state of the at least one of the electrical loads based on the diagnostic signal.

Abstract: An on-board oil quality sensor for use in an internal combustion engine formed of a pair of resisitve elements mounted on a common substrate, wherein one of the resistive elements is exposed to the oil for corrosion as the oil contaminants increase and the other resistive element is protectively sealed from the oil contaminants. Both resistive elements are exposed to the oil temperature and are suitable for monitoring by a bridge type circuit to determine the level of corrosive contaminants in the oil.

Abstract: A molded rotor assembly (20) including at least one molded fan (28), a method for making the same, and a vehicle alternator (160) using the molded rotor assembly (20) are disclosed. The rotor assembly (20) includes first and second pole pieces (24,26) aligned along a longitudinal axis (40) defining a region (122) between the pole pieces (24,26). Each pole piece (24,26) has an outboard axial face (69,71). At least one molded fan (28) is integrally molded to one of the axial outboard faces (69) of a pole piece (24). Preferably, a molded insert (22) is molded in the region (122) between the pole pieces (24,26) and is integral with the molded fan (28) to secure the molded fan (28) to the pole piece (24). Alternatively, anchoring recesses (241,245) are formed in an outboard face of a pole piece (224) with a molded fan (228) having anchoring portions (249,251) secured within the recesses (241,245) to retain the fan (228) to the outboard axial face.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly (36) adapted to mount on a rotor shaft (38) and to sealingly mount between respective seal surfaces (136,70) on a mold (134) and on a pole piece (24) during molding of a molded rotor assembly (20) is disclosed. The slip ring assembly (36) has a hub (94) supporting a pair of slip rings (102,104), a pair of terminals (96,98) and a mold shutoff ring (100) connected to the terminals (96,98). Seal surfaces (118,120) on the mold shutoff ring are adapted to sealingly mate with the respective seal surfaces on the pole piece (24) and on the mold (134) and to withstand large compressive loads being applied across the mold shutoff ring (100). The mold shutoff ring (100) prevents molten mold material from passing from the mold (134) to the slip rings (102,104) during molding of the molded rotor assembly (20).

Abstract: A molded rotor assembly (20) for a vehicle alternator and method for making the same are disclosed. The rotor assembly includes first and second pole pieces (24,26) aligned along a longitudinal axis (40), the pair of pole pieces (24,26) defining a region therebetween. A coil wire (46) is located in the region. The pole pieces (24,26) and a slip ring assembly (36) are mounted on a rotor shaft (38). The slip ring assembly (36) has a pair of slip rings (102,104) connected to a pair of terminals (96,98) which are attached to respective free ends of the coil wire (46) to form a pair of connections (126,128). A molded insert (22) is injection molded filling the region between the pole pieces (24,26) thereby encapsulating the connections (126,128) and the coil wire (96) and forming a smooth cylindrical periphery on the rotor assembly (20).