Abstract: A transmitter direction identifier is disclosed in conjunction with an automotive keyless entry assembly. The transmitter direction identifier includes a transmitter for sending a coded signal; a receiver for receiving the coded signal from the transmitter; a spatial differentiator for identifying the direction of the transmitter relative to a receiver from the coded signal received from the transmitter, the spatial differentiator creating a location signal; and a control unit electrically connected to the spatial differentiator wherein the control unit converts the location signal into command signal for subsequent use.

Abstract: A bilaminate window glass assembly for an automotive vehicle includes at least one pane forming a window glass, a non-breakable frame disposed adjacent about at least a portion of a perimeter of the pane and a panel bonded to one side of the frame and the pane to form a bilaminate window glass.

Abstract: A method for identifying each of a plurality of parameter identifiers in a motor vehicle having a diagnostic test port using a diagnostic test tool is disclosed wherein the method includes the steps of plugging the diagnostic test tool into the diagnostic test port of the motor vehicle, receiving identification information from one of the plurality of parameter identifiers, determining whether the identification information from the one of the plurality of parameter identifiers is valid, and storing the identification information in a tailored list to be used to address the one of the plurality of parameter identifiers to retrieve data collected thereby.

Abstract: A camshaft revolution sensing assembly for identifying a revolution of a camshaft, having a plurality of teeth, of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle includes a camshaft sensor for sensing revolutions of a camshaft by sensing each of the teeth as they rotate therepast and producing a camshaft sensor output, a subtracting device operatively connected to the camshaft sensor, the subtracting device subtracting each time the camshaft sensor senses one of the teeth rotating therepast, and a signal generator operatively connected to the subtracting device wherein the signal generator generates a signal indicating the subtracting device has subtracted to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A filtering device for filtering noise from an electronic signal having a plurality of defined periods includes an input terminal for receiving the electronic signal, a period divider for dividing each of the definable periods into an equal number of subdivisions, a filter creating a latching signal for a predetermined portion of the number of subdivisions, and a latch for receiving the latching signal from the filter and for maintaining the electronic signal in steady state for a predetermined portion of the number of subdivisions.

Abstract: A method for preventing undesirable lowering of an air suspension system for a motor vehicle includes the steps of sensing vehicle speed of the motor vehicle, determining whether the sensed vehicle speed is equal to a predetermined speed, venting air from the air suspension system to lower a vehicle body of the motor vehicle if the sensed vehicle speed is equal to the predetermined speed, sensing height of corners of the vehicle body, calculating a height rate for the corners of the vehicle body based on the sensed height, determining whether a height rate of a corner of the vehicle body is greater than a predetermined rate, and disabling or halting venting of the air suspension system if the height rate of a corner of the vehicle body is greater than the predetermined rate.

Abstract: A fuel canister (18) and fuel tank (14) are purged of any fuel vapors formed therein through a purge valve (22). A method (32) is used to purge the fuel canister (18) and fuel tank (14) in a manner which maintains the stoichiometric balance of fuel and air to be combusted by an internal combustion engine (12). Fuzzy logic is used to correlate the ratio of fuel to air (in mass per unit volume) to a duty cycle in which the purge valve (22) is opened. The fuzzy logic correlation includes the use of triangle functions having substantially similar period which are offset or skewed from each other by fifty percent. This allows each ratio value to be generated by two membership values which provides for a more accurate reading in a less complex manner.

Abstract: A power and free conveying system includes a track assembly having a power track and a free track spaced vertically from the power track, a power trolley supported on the power track for movement therealong and a free trolley supported on the free track for movement therealong. The free trolley includes a moveable holdback dog engageable and disengageable with the power trolley. The free trolley includes a retractable dog having a first position engageable with the power trolley and a second position disengageable with the power trolley and engageable with the holdback dog to completely disengage the free trolley from the power trolley upon engaging another one of the free trolley.

Abstract: A method for heating and forming a glass sheet includes the steps of heating a glass sheet to at least a first predetermined temperature, applying microwave energy to the glass sheet to heat the glass sheet to at least a second predetermined temperature, cooling an outer surface of the glass sheet to at least a third predetermined temperature and forming the glass sheet using forming rollers to a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A finger follower rocker arm system for an internal combustion engine includes a body having a first end engagable with a valve stem of the internal combustion engine and a second end engagable with a pivot fulcrum of the internal combustion engine, an arm mounted on the body between the first end and second end engagable with a cam lobe of the internal combustion engine, a latch pin disposed within the body and being moveable to engage and disengage the arm, and an actuating mechanism to engage the latch to limit movement of the arm relative to the body to transmit movement of the cam lobe to the body for activating the valve stem and to disengage the latch to allow movement of the arm relative to the body to allow lost motion of the cam lobe relative to the body for de-activating the valve stem.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting drive line system imbalances in an automotive vehicle includes an angular position and speed sensor located at a preselected position spaced from, but associated with the drive shaft in non-contacting relationship therewith, the sensor generates a signal responsive to the speed and angular position of the drive shaft relative to the preselected reference point. The apparatus also includes at least one vibration sensor located at a preselected position, spaced from, but associated with, the drive line in non-contacting relationship therewith. The vibration sensor detects the drive line vibration and generates a signal responsive thereto. A signal analyzer receives the signals generated by the angular position and speed sensor as well as the vibration sensor and calculates any imbalance in the drive line system and presents counterweight and position parameters for correcting any system imbalance.

Abstract: A trim component for mounting to a structural member of an automotive vehicle including a body fixedly mounted to a structural member, the body including a plurality of energy absorbing ribs spaced relative to one another along the body and disposed adjacent to the structural member when the trim component is mounted thereto. The energy absorbing ribs include a series of fingers extending from the body and spaced relative to one another. The fingers deflect upon contact with the structural member in response to a force acting on the body to absorb and dissipate the energy generated by the force.

Abstract: A method for allowing enhanced driver selection of suspension damping and steering efforts for a motor vehicle includes the steps of presenting to a driver of the motor vehicle a plurality of suspension damping modes and steering efforts modes for the motor vehicle, allowing the driver to select only predetermined combinations of the suspension damping modes and steering efforts modes, and adjusting the suspension damping and steering efforts of the motor vehicle based on the predetermined combination selected by the driver, and automatically adjusting the modes based on predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A method for locating flaws in a smooth surface using at least one light source includes the steps of setting the light source at a predetermined length above the smooth surface, locating a highlight line, translating the light source across the smooth surface to create a plurality of highlight lines and locating distortions in the smooth surface.

Abstract: A clamping circuit for protecting circuits operatively connected between a control circuit, a driving circuit, a power source, and an output circuit includes an inductive flyback circuit to add current to the output circuit through the driving circuit, and a reverse power protection circuit operatively connected between the inductive flyback circuit and the control circuit wherein the reverse power protection circuit opens the inductive flyback circuit and provides an electrical connection between the power source and the output circuit allowing current to flow through the output circuit when the power source is connected to the driving circuit incorrectly.

Abstract: A vehicle vibration simulator to simulate occupant exposure to vibration in a motor vehicle includes a reaction mass, a seat portion, a seat actuator between the reaction mass and the seat portion for providing at least one degree of vibration freedom, a steering column portion, a steering column actuator between the reaction mass and the steering column portion for providing at least one degree of vibration freedom, a floorpan portion, a floorpan actuator between the reaction mass and the floorpan portion for providing one degree of vibration freedom, the seat actuator, steering column actuator and floorpan actuator being actuated independently and/or simultaneously to simulate occupant exposure to vehicle vibration.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a surface of a cylinder bore by electrical discharge machining includes a rotatable spindle and at least one electrode operatively connected to a power source and rotatably supported upon the spindle, the electrode being movable radially relative to the surface of the cylinder bore between a first retracted position such that the electrode is positioned within the cylinder bore prior to preparing the surface and at a second position spaced from the first position wherein the electrode is adjacent the surface of the cylinder bore for preparing the surface by electrical discharge machining as the electrode rotates with the spindle.

Abstract: A pressure feedback EGR system including an EGR tube having a metering orifice therein and extending between an exhaust passageway and an intake passageway of the internal combustion engine, a first pressure tap connected to the EGR tube on one side of the metering orifice, a second pressure tap connected to the EGR tube on the other side of the metering orifice, and the first pressure tap and the second pressure tap each having an end disposed within the EGR tube and with each end being partially closed to form an orifice extending therethrough to reduce noise from pulsations across the metering orifice.

Abstract: A power and free conveying system includes a track assembly having a power track and a free track spaced vertically from the power track, a power trolley supported on the power track for movement therealong and a free trolley supported on the free track for movement therealong. The free trolley includes a moveable holdback dog engageable and disengageable with the power trolley. The free trolley includes a retractable dog having a first position engageable with the power trolley and a second position disengageable with the power trolley and engageable with the holdback dog to completely disengage the free trolley from the power trolley upon engaging another one of the free trolley.

Abstract: A misfire detection assembly, used in conjunction with a motor vehicle having a fuel injector, an internal combustion engine and at least one output sensor, includes: a correlator which is electrically connected to the fuel injector and the output sensor wherein the correlator correlates firing events created by the fuel injector with an output signal created by the output sensor; a filter electrically connected to the correlator to receive the output signal and to compare the output signal against a variable threshold signal created by the filter; and a recorder, electrically connected to the filter, to record the firing events which exceed the variable threshold signal and those which do not exceed the variable threshold signal.