Abstract: A method for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal includes generating a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, generating a PWM square wave having a rising edge at a falling edge of the sawtooth ramp signal and a falling edge when the sawtooth ramp signal exceeds an error threshold, adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp in response to a changed operating parameter of the ramp generator, and adjusting a peak input voltage of the ramp generator simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing one of a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: A method for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal includes generating a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, generating a PWM square wave having a rising edge at a falling edge of the sawtooth ramp signal and a falling edge when the sawtooth ramp signal exceeds an error threshold, adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp in response to a changed operating parameter of the ramp generator, and adjusting a peak input voltage of the ramp generator simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing one of a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: A transistor driven load circuit includes a gate driver transistor includes an internal voltage clamp, a controller providing a gate control signal operable to control a state of said gate driver, a load connected to said gate driver, such that said gate driver allows power to flow through the load when the gate driver is in an on state and prevents power from flowing through the load when the gate driver is in an off state, a clamp assist circuit connected in electrical parallel to the load, wherein the clamp assist circuit is operable to dissipate energy flowing through the load during a high energy event in a recirculating device.

Abstract: A method for detecting an opening time of a valve, includes receiving a valve current profile of the valve and processing the valve current profile using at least a slope reflection detector to determine a status of the valve based on an output of the slope reflection detector.

Abstract: An electronics module includes a module housing having a base structure and a plurality of side walls. A module cover contacts the side walls and is connected to the module housing via at least one fastener. The module housing includes at least one fastener boss for receiving the at least one fastener. Each of the fastener bosses includes a fastener hole protruding partially into the fastener boss and a vent hole connecting the fastener hole to an opening on a surface of the fastener boss exterior to the module housing, and a sealant disposed in the fastener boss, thereby preventing external air from entering the electronics module through a fastener connection.

Abstract: A reductant delivery unit (RDU) delivers supplied reductant (aqueous urea solution) to the engine exhaust system. The delivered reductant is transformed into ammonia which then reacts with the exhaust oxides of nitrogen in a catalytic environment to produce nitrogen and H20. The reductant must be metered to coincide with the amount of NOx present in the exhaust, and also present sufficient spray quality of the delivered fluid to promote good mixing of the ammonia with the exhaust gas. The RDU is a liquid-cooled, making the RDU suitable for very high temperature environment applications.

Abstract: A valve stem for mounting and supporting a tire pressure monitoring assembly includes a flange formed after insertion into the wheel rim for preventing movement caused by forces generated during wheel rotation.

Abstract: Localization of a tire pressure monitor is achieved. The tire pressure monitor is disposed at one of the tires on a vehicle equipped with dualies. A message is received from a tire pressure monitor and the message has an associated received signal strength. The message includes information indicating a direction of rotation of a tire and a tire identifier from the tire pressure monitor sensor. The tire pressure monitor is disposed at one of the tires of a vehicle equipped with dualies.

Abstract: A reductant delivery unit (10?) for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles includes a fluid injector (12) having a fluid inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (25) with the fluid inlet receiving a source of urea solution to be sent through the fluid outlet. Movable inlet cup structure (16?) communicates with the inlet of the fluid injector. A shield (18?) is fixed with respect to the fluid injector and surrounds at least portions of the fluid injector and the inlet cup structure. A spring (26) is engaged between a portion of the inlet cup structure and the shield. When the urea solution freezes in the fluid injector and expands near the fluid inlet of the injector, the inlet cup structure moves toward the injector inlet to accommodate the frozen urea solution, with the spring returning the inlet cup structure to an initial position once the frozen urea solution melts.

Abstract: An automotive key fob includes a leaf-style spring positioned within the key fob so that, while a removable key is inserted into the key fob, the removable key engages, and at least partially collapses, the spring thereby reducing movement of the key within the key fob and thereby reducing noise associated with movement of the key within the key fob. The leaf-style spring may be positioned in a spring-surrounding pocket within an external housing of the key fob. The spring-surrounding pocket may be at least partially defined by a wall having a height that is less than a height of the leaf-style spring while the spring is installed within the key fob.

Abstract: Coupling structure (10) for coupling a fuel injector to a fuel rail (16) includes a fuel injector receiving cup (14) having an outer wall (22) and an interior space (24). The cup includes slot structure (26, 28) through the outer wall. Clip structure (30, 32) has a base (31) and a wall (40) extending transversely from the base. The base is received in the slot structure and extends into the interior space so that a portion of the base engages the fuel injector to limit movement thereof both axially and radially with respect to the receiving cup, with the wall being disposed adjacent to a portion of the outer wall of the receiving cup. A retainer (41) engages the wall of the clip structure to secure the clip structure to the receiving cup.

Abstract: At a vehicle, a first signal is received and the first signal is of an ASK-compliant modulation type. A second signal is received and the second signal is of a FSK-compliant modulation type. Based upon a set of predetermined criteria, one of the first signal and the second signal is selected, the predetermined criteria at least in part indicating a priority as between ASK-compliant and FSK-compliant communications. The selected signal is transmitted to a vehicular controller over a single transmission line.

Abstract: Throttle body assemblies having improved throttle position sensing assemblies and a method of integrating a throttle position sensor assembly with a throttle body assembly are described. The method comprises the steps of: i) press-fitting a sensor element onto a shaft of a throttle plate of a throttle body assembly; ii) engaging one or more inwardly extending members of the sensor element with one or more recessed portions formed on the shaft of the throttle plate; and iii) disposing an inductive rotary position sensor proximate the sensor element, wherein the press-fit engagement and one or more inwardly extending members limit axial and rotational movement of the sensor element with respect to the throttle plate, and wherein the inductive rotary position sensor detects a relative position of the sensor element for the purpose of ascertaining a position of the throttle plate.

Abstract: Improved throttle body assemblies are described. More particularly, throttle body assemblies having improved throttle position sensor assemblies are described. In one aspect, a throttle body assembly for providing controlled aspiration to an engine is described. The assembly comprises a throttle body housing defining a throttle bore for receiving a throttle plate. The throttle plate is actuatable by an electric motor. The assembly further comprises a throttle position sensor configured to monitor positions of the throttle plate. The throttle assembly further comprises an electric discharge path formed between the throttle position sensor and the throttle body housing, wherein the electric discharge path substantially prevents the accumulation of residual electric charge across the throttle position sensor.

Abstract: A vapor management system (10) includes a sense tube (47) disposed in a fuel tank (12). A differential pressure sensor (17) has one side connected to the sense tube and another side connected to a vapor cavity so that the pressure sensor can measure a differential pressure (DP) between a volume of the vapor cavity and a volume of the sense tube containing liquid fuel. A temperature sensor (26) is in the vapor cavity. A processor 1) receives DP and T measurements at certain time intervals to determine the temperature at time zero (T0), the differential pressure at time zero (DP0), the temperature at a certain time (Tt), and the differential pressure at a certain time (DPt), and 2) when (Tt-T0) is greater than a certain value, compares DPt to a certain differential pressure value.

Abstract: A solenoid device includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a stator (42, 32, 38), a coil (36) for generating a magnetic field, and first retention structure (64). Armature and seal assembly includes armature structure (14, 16) that moves with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to the magnetic field generated by the coil, seal structure (22) that is coupled with a proximal end of the armature structure and has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof, and second retention structure (68). A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position. The first and second retention structures engage and retain the armature and seal assembly with respect to the stafor assembly prior to installation of the device.

Abstract: A method for controlling multiple stepper motors with a single micro-controller output set uses a demultiplexer to split a single micro-controller output set into individual control signals for a plurality of stepper motors.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a car, includes an airbag deployment system and a vehicle systems controller. The vehicle systems controller can connect the airbag deployment system to a reserve power source for a predetermined period of time when a battery terminal voltage falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A fuel injector cup assembly (26) includes a fuel injector cup (10) having an opening (18) to receive fuel from a fuel rail (15). An open end (27) receives an inlet of a fuel injector (10) therein such that an O-ring (16) seals with the injector cup. A mounting portion (20) extends from a body (29) of the cup and mounts the cup with respect to a cylinder head. Rotation limiting structure (26) is associated with the mounting portion such that when the cup is coupled to the cylinder head and when a first moment is created about the mounting portion causing rotation of the cup with respect to the fuel injector, the rotation limiting structure will engage at least the mounting portion of the cup and create a second moment equal and opposite to the first moment, to prevent further rotation of the cup.

Abstract: A fuel injector cup assembly (26) includes a fuel injector cup (10) having an opening (18) to receive fuel from a fuel rail (15). An open end (27) receives an inlet of a fuel injector (10) therein such that an O-ring (16) seals with the injector cup. A mounting portion (20) extends from a body (29) of the cup and mounts the cup with respect to a cylinder head. Rotation limiting structure (26) is associated with the mounting portion such that when the cup is coupled to the cylinder head and when a first moment is created about the mounting portion causing rotation of the cup with respect to the fuel injector, the rotation limiting structure will engage at least the mounting portion of the cup and create a second moment equal and opposite to the first moment, to prevent further rotation of the cup.