Abstract: A method and structure for forming a capacitive transducer having a deformable single crystal diaphragm. A first well region is formed within a semiconductor substrate in an SOI wafer having a sacrificial layer of known thickness and a top single-crystal silicon layer thereon. Next, a silicon, epitaxial layer is deposited on the top silicon layer for forming a flexible single crystal membrane. The epitaxial layer and the sacrificial layer are masked and etched to define the flexible diaphragm. An electrical insulating conformal support layer is deposited on the substrate and attached to the diaphragm so as to seal the sacrificial layer therebetween. An access opening is etched through the diaphragm, and then a wet etchant is inserted through the access opening for removing the sacrificial layer, thereby defining a diaphragm cavity between the remaining epitaxial layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A circuit (10') and method (50) for digital to analog (D/A) signal conversion. The circuit includes a voltage scaling D/A signal convertor segment (12'), a charge scaling D/A signal convertor segment (14'), and a switch (19) for switching a capacitive load (20') between the voltage and charge scaling D/A signal convertor segments (12',14'). The method includes converting (52,54,56) digital input signals to partial and final analog output signals, and applying (58) a partial analog output signal to the capacitive load (20') before applying (60) the final analog output signal to the capacitive load (20').

Abstract: A method for improving the atomization quality from a fluid injector includes the steps of inducing a first vortex turbulence in the fluid flowing past a first protrusion in a supply orifice having a flow axis therein, guiding the fluid through a turbulence cavity and then out through a first metering orifice having another protrusion positioned downstream from the first protrusion by a distance y measured generally parallel to the flow axis and by a distance x measured generally perpendicular to the flow axis. The droplet size of the fluid exiting from the metering orifice is reduced by sizing the x and y dimensions to position the first vortex turbulence within the turbulence cavity operatively adjacent to and upstream from the first metering orifice. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of x/y is greater than 0.5 and less than 5. A fuel injector nozzle practicing this process is also provided.

Abstract: A piezoelectric fluid control valve (10) and fluid control method using a polymorph (48) with a characteristic that as a potential difference is applied thereto, the polymorph is deflected. The valve includes a supply port (14) for introducing fluid and a chamber (16) defined within the valve body. An outlet port (18) is in fluid communication with the chamber and a device controlled thereby, such as an anti-lock brake system. A relief port (78) returns fluid to a source thereof. Upper and lower metering elements (100, 116) are supported within the chamber. A cantilevered spring valve (128, 130) is positionable within metering orifices defined within the metering elements (100, 110). The polymorph is positioned between and in operative communication therewith. An electrical circuit (56) is connected to the polymorph, the circuit providing the potential difference thereto, which is regulated in accordance with an input signal delivered to the circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is used in a motor vehicle to serially communicate data between two or more communication nodes coupled to a data bus. Each communication node receives and transmits information on the data bus. Signals representative of operation of the vehicle are received directly by nodes and encoded for transmission to one or more other nodes via the data bus. The signals, which may for example originally be in parallel format, are encoded into serial digital data for data bus transmission. Each bit of the serial digital data is formatted into subbits of unequal duration. A designated module then receives and decodes the serial digital data for information or control purposes. Preferably the subbits progressively increase in duration with one working embodiment having three subbits of seven (7), eight (8) and nine (9) microseconds, respectively, to define a bit time of twenty four (24) microseconds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting faults in a single-point impact sensing system having electrically conductive self-test plates within the sensor to electrostatically deflect the sense element during self-test sequence. The deflection of the sense element is identical to deflection which would occur during an actual activation worthy impact event. The response time from the deflection of the sense element to the change in state of an activation flag is recorded and compared with an expected response time stored in non-volatile memory. Differences between the test time and the expected time is indicative of either a hard fault such as malfunction or reduced function of sensing system components or soft faults such as loss of calibration. Diagnostic self-test in this manner not only checks the electrical continuity of the impact sensing system, but also the mechanical integrity and the calibration of the sensing system.

Abstract: A method and circuit for generating an output signal representative of the pumping current required to equalize the oxygen diffusion between the sensing cell and the pumping cell of an oxygen-ion concentration proportional sensor located in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. A replication current, which is isolated from but representative of the pumping current, is generated. The replication current is then passed through a load resistance for generating the output signal. The replication current is generated simultaneously with but isolated from the pumping current, thereby eliminating the need for separate amplification of a sensed version of the pumping current.

Abstract: A process for bonding a flip chip (20) to a substrate (22) comprising positioning the flip chip (20) above the substrate (22). The flip chip (20) has an active face provided with conductive bumps so that its active face is oriented toward the substrate (22). The flip chip (20) is placed on the substrate (22) so that the bumps align with a bonding pattern on the substrate (22). An ultrasonic horn (30) is lowered having a flat surface onto a back side of the flip chip (20). Force is applied through the ultrasonic horn (30) to the back side of the flip chip (20), which is normal to the substrate (22) so that minimal lateral displacement of the flip chip (20) and the substrate (22) results. The ultrasonic horn (30) is then activated while the force is applied so that the ultrasonic energy is isothermally transferred across the flip chip (20) to the substrate (22) and a diffusion bond is created therebetween.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system to prevent the discharge of air within a predetermined temperature range. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors to prevent the HVAC system from producing air at an uncomfortable range of temperatures. 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 Class A node comprising a slave bus controller circuit (SBCC) operates as a remote input/output device for performing Class A communications for a master Class B node over an interconnecting SAE J1850 or similar network. The SBCC receives messages from one or more Class B nodes to receive output data which appears at one or more output ports of the SBCC. Output data may be directly provided or may be combined with mask data such that only mask selected bits of the output data are passed to the one or more output ports of the SBCC. Input data directly connected to one or more input ports of the SBCC are transmitted back to a master node as an in-message response of the network. The SBCC provides inexpensive Class A communications using the SAE J1850 protocol which is primarily intended for Class B communications.

Abstract: A rotating magnetic measuring instrument including a form for receiving thereon first and second coil windings, with the second coil being wound within the first coil. The second coil includes a section thereof wound in a reverse direction for reducing the effective magnetic moment of the second coil so as to be substantially equal in magnitude to the effective magnetic moment of the first coil. The rotating magnetic measuring instrument also includes a magnetic indicator carried by the coil form that is rotated by to magnetic moments produced by the flow of current through the first and the second coils.

Abstract: A nozzle expels liquid CO.sub.2 through an orifice for converting the liquid into CO.sub.2 snow. The nozzle is contained within an elongated cavity within a body which in turn is coupled to an exhaust nozzle for directing the CO.sub.2 snow toward a workpiece. A mixing device is provided for receiving and mixing pressurized air at ambient temperature with liquid nitrogen for precooling the air and then directing the resulting mixture of gases into the cavity and toward the nozzle. In this manner, the precooled shop air will enhance the efficiency of the conversion of the liquid CO.sub.2 into CO.sub.2 snow particles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ignition coil assembly comprising a housing of molded plastic material. A coil assembly in the housing includes a primary coil member and a secondary coil member, the secondary coil member includes a high voltage output lead. The housing includes a base wall, and an integral cylindrical stem portion which extends outwardly from the base wall along an axis. A secondary coil output lead terminal member extends in the general direction of the axis through the base wall, and is connected to the high voltage output lead at one end and terminates in a clasp portion at its other end. The clasp portion is received within the annular stem portion. The annular stem portion includes an interior annular wall and an exterior annular wall. The clasp is concentrically located within the stem portion and is spaced therefrom to thereby provide an annular clearance cavity.

Abstract: An optical isolator for use in an electrically powered vehicle for interfacing between a signal processing system having a first ground and a power conversion system, which is operated responsive to control signals from the signal processing system, having a second ground that varies in potential from the first ground. A bi-directional digital communications network is provided having a first node coupled to the signal processing system for generating and receiving digital messages with respect to the first ground, and having a second node coupled to the power conversion system for receiving and generating digital messages with respect to the second ground. The bi-directional digital communications network has a unique start signal and a dominant hierarchy that allows bit-wise contention among messages for assuring communication of high priority messages between the first and second nodes within a predetermined minimum time period.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 nozzle receives and expels liquid CO.sub.2 through orifices sized for converting the CO.sub.2 liquid into CO.sub.2 snow. A body, defining an elongated cavity therein, is coupled to the CO.sub.2 nozzle such that the CO.sub.2 snow is ejected into the cavity. An exhaust nozzle is coupled to the body and the cavity therein for directing the pressurized CO.sub.2 snow toward the workpiece. The exhaust nozzle is operated in an overexpanded mode for containing the shockwave within the nozzle for reducing the shear noise therefrom. Pressurized air is injected into the elongated cavity for exhausting the CO.sub.2 snow under pressure.

Abstract: A fuel injector for improving the atomization quality of fuel flowing into an internal combustion engine, includes a body having first and second turbulence cavities defined therein. First and second supply orifices in the body are coupled into their corresponding turbulence cavities for guiding the flow of fuel thereinto. First and second metering orifices in the body are coupled from corresponding first and second turbulence cavities for exhausting the atomized fuel therefrom in first and second fuel flows. One rim of each supply orifice is paired with a second rim of an adjacent metering orifice in order to produce a turbulence within the turbulence cavity. The metering orifice rim is spaced downstream by a distance y and laterally offset by a distance x from the supply orifice rim such that x/y is greater than 0.1. The fuel flowing from the first and second metering orifices includes lateral momentum components that cooperate to control the resultant cone angle of the fuel flowing from the injector.

Abstract: An oil monitoring system storing a remaining percent tachometer oil life, a remaining percent time oil life and a remaining percent odometer oil life. The oil monitoring system has means for selecting and displaying the lowest of these three remaining percent oil life values as the lowest remaining percent oil life. The selected lowest remaining percent oil life is compared to predetermined percentages to display on an in-vehicle display if the oil is OK, if the oil is to be changed soon, or if an oil change is required. The oil monitoring system may include an oil dielectric constant sensor and display if the oil is to be changed soon or an oil change is required as a function in the change in the oil's dielectric constant.

Abstract: A method and an adaptive filter are provided wherein the bandwidth of the filter is varied as a function of current and past input signal values based on the amount of noise judged to be present. A first order digital low pass filter is described by the following equation:y(k)=.alpha.(x(k)+(k+1))+(1-2.alpha.)y(K-1)where .alpha. is a variable control signal which controls the cutoff frequency of the filter. Fuzzy logic or rules are used to determine .alpha.. To determine whether the current input signal is most likely a true signal or noise, three differences are taken between the current and past three input sample signals. Based on a comparison of these differences, .alpha. is assigned a value from 0.0 to 0.5 in accordance with the fuzzy rules. If the rules indicate that noise is predominant, the bandwidth of the filter is minimized by setting .alpha.=0.0 to suppress the noise. If the fuzzy rules indicate that the current input signal is valid, then the bandwidth of the filter is maximized by setting .alpha.

Abstract: A method and structure for forming a capacitive transducer having a deformable single crystal diaphragm. A first well region is formed within a semiconductor substrate in an SOI wafer having a sacrificial layer of known thickness and a top single-crystal silicon layer thereon. Next, a silicon epitaxial layer is deposited on the top silicon layer for forming a flexible single crystal membrane. The epitaxial layer and the sacrificial layer are masked and etched to define the flexible diaphragm. An electrical insulating conformal support layer is deposited on the substrate and attached to the diaphragm so as to seal the sacrificial layer therebetween. An access opening is etched through the diaphragm, and then a wet etchant is inserted through the access opening for removing the sacrificial layer, thereby defining a diaphragm cavity between the remaining epitaxial layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors, such as a door handle lift switch, a headlight switch, and an ignition switch, are normally provided in an automotive electrical system. A master microcontroller normally is coupled to each of these sensors for receiving a signal therefrom and responsive thereto generating a corresponding controller signal. Power drivers, each operatively coupled to the master controller, normally are provided for energizing and powering loads coupled thereto, with each load being either an indicator or actuator that is operated responsive to its corresponding sensor. The self-diagnostic method includes the steps of mechanically actuating a selected one of the sensors, and then electrically actuating a first confirming indicator, such as an audible chime, indicative of the master controller receiving and successfully processing the corresponding sensing signal.