Abstract: Burst memory transfer from a memory to a microprocessor (CPU) is accomplished using analysis including determining first and second conditions. If an output enable is consecutively activated for more than one consecutive system clock cycle, following the address phase, the memory will initiate a burst transfer sequence. The addresses of subsequent data bytes or words following the first byte or word are determined by the memory advancing or incrementing its internal address counter until the burst transfer has been suspended or terminated. If the output enable pin is deactivated prior to the next address phase requested by the CPU, burst transfer will be suspended until the output enable pin is activated again. If the CPU requests the next address phase (chip enable activated) from the memory while the output enable is activated, the burst in progress will be terminated.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes an axis about which opposing sides having different mass and different capacitor plates sizes move in response to acceleration. The different size of capacitor plate improves linearity of the capacitor sensing structure.

Abstract: A system and method for resetting a portion of memory in a vehicle controller include repeatedly comparing data stored in at least one validation address with corresponding data stored in a non-volatile data storage device, transferring data representing nominal control parameter values from the non-volatile storage device to the portion of memory in response to a discrepancy between the data stored in the validation address and the corresponding data stored in the non-volatile data storage device, and modifying data stored in at least one validation address based on a request received via a communication port to generate discrepancy. A memory reset function is provided while limiting access by service technicians to modify values stored in memory and eliminating the need to disconnect the vehicle battery to remove power from the system. As such, other vehicle accessories are not affected by the reset function.

Abstract: A method of modulating the pulse width of a pulse width signal in response to an analog signal. The steps include changing the analog signal to a digital signal, changing the digital signal to a number of counts, changing the number of counts to a time delay, and then using the logic circuit to combine the time delay with a pulse with modulated input to change the pulse width of an output signal.

Abstract: The measurement of rotary position angle is done using magnetoresistive elements having a combined output which is a linear output that is not affected by a wide range of operating conditions. The magnetoresistive elements are placed on the surface of a cylindrical rod whose axis is perpendicular to the flux lines of a uniform magnetic field.

Abstract: This invention includes selecting a desired pressure for fuel injection in an internal combustion engine. The selection improves control of fuel injection by keeping the fuel in the fuel rail in a liquid state and by keeping the fuel injectors in an operating region where fuel injector fuel flow is less sensitive to changes in fuel injector pulse width.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon sensor measures the tail pipe hydrocarbon concentration emitted by an internal combustion engine to determine whether a catalyst has deteriorated beyond a predetermined point with respect to reducing hydrocarbon emissions. Catalyst performance is measured following an engine cold start when hydrocarbons are emitted and compared to catalyst performance when operating temperature has been reached to determine catalyst efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a sensor in a vehicle in a manner to properly orient the axis of sensitivity of the sensor includes a lead frame having a substantially planar base portion with a plurality of leads extending from opposing ends thereof. The lead frame comprises a support plate portion extending perpendicularly from the base portion. A sensor and optional integrated circuit chip are mounted on the support plate portion. The lead frame further includes at least one support leg extending angularly between the base portion and support plate portion for rigidly supporting the support plate portion with respect to the base portion. Accordingly, a sensor, such as an accelerometer, may be positioned in the vehicle in a position mounted perpendicularly with respect to the mounting surface of the assembly in the vehicle for properly orienting the axis of sensitivity of the sensor.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes a transfer case for controlling the delivery of power between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. A clutch in the transfer case controls the amount of power delivered to the front and rear wheels in response to a clutch PulseWidth Modulated (PWM) signal which is generated by an electronic powertrain controller. The powertrain controller receives a first signal which is indicative of the rotational speed of a front driveshaft, which transfers motive power from the transfer case to a pair of front wheels, and a second signal which is indicative of the rotational speed of a rear driveshaft, which transfers motive power from the transfer case to a pair of rear wheels.

Abstract: An overload protection assembly and method for overload protection of a transistor includes a switching transistor connected between a load at a first terminal and a power source at a second terminal. A measuring circuit measures the voltage levels at the first and second terminals. The first terminal is measured before and after the measurement of the second terminal, and averaged to produce its voltage level. The measured voltage levels from the first and second terminals are subtracted from one another and the difference compared to preset limits to determine overload conditions. If overload conditions exist, the measuring circuit turns off the transistor.

Abstract: A single chip sensor processor includes an integrated analog to digital converter (A/D) and digital filter. Analog acceleration signals from a sensor is converted and digitally filtered on-chip in parallel with other processor software executions to effectively increases the bandwidth of the system. The results of the sensor processor calculations may be communicated to a remote microcontroller for deploying a vehicle air bag.

Abstract: A gas sensor and a method for measuring gas constituents, particularly exhaust gas constituents for an internal combustion engine, comprising a pair of polysilicon plates, each plate supporting a pair of resistors, one serving as a heater and the other as a thermometer, one plate being coated with a catalyst to promote combustion of unburned combustible gas constituents, wherein provision is made for reducing temperature gradients across the plates and for effecting temperature uniformity of the catalyst while maintaining a high degree of structural integrity.

Abstract: An on-board diagnostic test for an exhaust gas oxygen sensor includes sensing the output of the oxygen sensor and summing the output over a specified period to determine the length of the trace of the sensor voltage versus time. Such length over a given time period indicates the activity of the sensor. This data is compared to a threshold to determine if the exhaust gas oxygen sensor meets certain performance requirements.

Abstract: A method of monitoring hydrocarbons concentration in an exhaust gas includes the steps of: sampling exhaust gas on a vehicle, isolating the hydrocarbons from the exhaust gas on a vehicle, and measuring the amount of hydrocarbons isolated from the sample on a vehicle and providing an indication based on the amount of hydrocarbons. A sensor assembly for monitoring the concentration of hydrocarbons in an exhaust gas of a vehicle includes: a hydrocarbon absorbing material placed in a stream of gas on a vehicle, a gas sensor operatively connected with the absorbing material and in the stream of gas and producing a gas signal, and a sensor controller connected to the gas sensor for receiving the gas signal and for determining the amount of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exciting a three-phase variable reluctance motor is used, for example, as an encoder system to commutate a rotor. The system includes a power source, a position sensor and excitation electronics. The position sensor is adapted to generate a plurality of variable induction values corresponding to relative motor torque rankings and absolute angular positions of the rotor. Excitation electronics is provided electric communication with the inductive sensor and the power source and is adapted to generate digital values of the inductance values corresponding to the motor torque rankings. Excitation electronics includes steering logic responsive to the digital values to generate an output signal having a value corresponding to the phase of the motor to apply current to so as to commutate the rotor.

Abstract: An early cylinder identification method and system using pulsewidth encoding are provided for use in a variable camshaft timing equipped engine. The method includes generating multiple signal pulses, each signal pulse having a unique length and being associated with one of the engine cylinders. The method also includes measuring the length of a signal pulse, and identifying the engine cylinder associated with the signal pulse based on the measured length of the signal pulse. A system includes a specially designed sensor wheel and control logic for performing the method.

Abstract: A method for identifying a principal tooth in a series of teeth extending along at least a portion of a periphery of a rotatable object includes the steps of rotating the rotatable object, setting a counter to a predetermined value, measuring a first tooth in the series of teeth to obtain a first measurement, adding a qualifying value to the measurement to obtain a qualification measurement, measuring a second tooth in the series of teeth to obtain a second measurement, comparing the second measurement to the qualification measurement, and identifying the second tooth as the principal tooth when the second measurement exceeds the qualification measurement.

Abstract: A method of reducing feed gas emissions and improving fuel economy in an internal combustion engine uses a variable cam timing mechanism and an electronically controlled throttle.

Abstract: A motor control assembly and method of controlling a motor includes a three phase variable reluctance motor. Each phase includes two separate coils driven by separate driver circuits under the control of a microcomputer. The microcomputer monitors feedback from each driver circuit to determine faults or errors in the driver circuits or respective coils. In the case of a fault detection, one of the driver circuits and coils for each phase may be disabled to allow continued operation of the motor with the remaining driver circuits and coils.

Abstract: A clip connector includes an elongated main body, attachment arms extending from the main body, and protrusions for applying pressure extending from the main body. The main body is substantially elongated and the attachment arms are at one at each end. Intermediate the attachment arms are a plurality of protrusions for creating pressure points having spaces there between and adapted to be aligned with electrical conductors so that pressure is applied to the electrical conductors and electrical connections can be made.