Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring demographic information are disclosed. Demographic information is acquired from monitoring internet traffic. The demographic information is stored in a management server and analyzed to generate a demographic profile. Various business decisions, such as advertising, can be based on the demographic profile.

Abstract: The purge valve embodies a solenoid that has a linear force vs. current characteristic acting on the armature. Effects of hysteresis are minimized by certain constructional features and the manner of operating the valve by an associated control circuit.

Abstract: An automotive emission control module has an emission control valve containing a main flow passage having a valve member that controls fluid flow through the flow passage. An internal pressure sensing passage communicates pressure at one side of an orifice in the main flow passage to a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and a fluid pressure regulator valve are integrated with the body of a fluid-pressure-operated actuator that operates the valve member. The module is calibrated and tested in a test stand, and can be re-calibrated after installation in an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an adjustable canister purge valve (9) and method having a first connection (10) for an intake pipe (11) of an engine and a second connection (14) for an activated carbon filter (5). The first (10) and second connection (14) are interconnected by means of a first adjustable valve (16) enabling the flow of a regenerating mixture (8) of air and fuel-vapor. A second valve having a larger flow cross-section (22) is connected in parallel with the first valve (16) and allows a large regeneration air flow, even with a low suction vacuum, and thus improved purge.

Abstract: An electric EGR module has a main flow passage containing a valve member operated by a movable actuator wall of a fluid pressure actuator to control exhaust gas flow through the passage. The movable actuator wall bounds a portion of a variable volume chamber space to which regulated vacuum from an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve is communicated to position the movable actuator wall, and hence the valve member. An internal pressure sensing passage, which includes a tube that also functions as a shaft for coupling motion of the actuator wall to the valve member, communicates pressure at one side of an orifice in the main flow passage to a pressure sensor. The tube communicates with a variable volume chamber space that forms a portion of the sensing passage and that varies in volume with the positioning of the tube by the actuator wall. The pressure sensor and the EVR valve are integrated with the body of the fluid pressure actuator.

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, an EGR flow path includes an exhaust emission control valve between an exhaust system of the engine and an intake system of the engine. The valve is operated by an actuator having a body mounted on the emission control valve body and a shaft for operating the valve to selectively restrict the flow path. The shaft is operated by a movable actuator wall of the actuator bounding a portion of a variable volume chamber space to which regulated vacuum from an electric vacuum regulator (EVR) valve is communicated to position the movable actuator wall. An internal pressure sensing passage, which includes a tube that also functions as the shaft communicates pressure at a location in the flow path to a pressure sensor. The tube communicates the flow path to a chamber space separated from the variable volume chamber space by a separator wall, and a port of the pressure sensor communicates with the chamber space of the sensing passage.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine intake manifold has a wall separating internal manifold space from an external space. An EGR valve for recirculating engine exhaust gases mounts on the wall such that an EGR outlet port of the EGR valve is communicated to the internal manifold space. Various embodiments of mounts for closing valve mounting holes in the manifold wall are disclosed.

Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. A leak size measurement is then obtained using an algorithm.

Abstract: A brush holder assembly for mounting on an electric machine casing. The brush holder assembly includes a brush, a brush guide that supports and guides the brush for travel, a spring for biasing the brush in a direction toward a commutator, and an electric insulator mounting for mounting the brush guide on a casing. The electric insulator mounting has electric insulator elements containing grooves engaging the side edges of the brush guide to support the brush guide and the brush in spaced relation to a casing when the brush holder assembly is mounted thereon. The brush guide has at least one wiring tab. Several forms for attaching the insulator elements to the casing are disclosed including threaded fasteners; integral grommet formations of the insulator elements; and the insulator elements being integral formations of the casing.

Abstract: A module for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of an automotive vehicle fuel system, and corresponding method that calibrates a leak detection module pump to set a desired stroke of a moveable wall in the pump of such evaporative emission leak detection system. A pump disposed within interior space of the module has an inlet in communication with the interior space and an outlet that communicates through a flow passage with the evaporative emission space. A vent valve within the interior space is selectively operable to a first state that vents the flow passage to the interior space of the module, thereby venting the evaporative emission space to atmosphere, and to a second state that does not vent the flow passage to the interior space. An electromechanical actuator within the interior space operates the pump and the vent valve by respective magnetically responsive levers.

Abstract: A module for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of an automotive vehicle fuel system. A pump disposed within interior space of the module has an inlet in communication with the interior space and an outlet that communicates through a flow passage by with the evaporative emission space. A vent valve within the interior space is selectively operable to a first state that vents the flow passage to the interior space of the module, thereby venting the evaporative emission space to atmosphere, and to a second state that does not vent the flow passage to the interior space. An electromechanical actuator within the interior space operates the pump and the vent valve by respective magnetically responsive levers. For absorbing impact of a lever with stops, an elastomeric part is disposed on an arm of the lever.

Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system has a module for detecting leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. Interior space of the module's enclosure is communicated to atmosphere. A pump is disposed within space and has an inlet communicated to the interior space and a flow passage at its outlet to allow the pump to create pressure in the evaporative emission space suitable for performance of a leak test. A vent valve is disposed within space and is selectively operable to vent and not vent the flow passage to space. An electromagnet actuator has a single electric coil that operates both the pump and the vent valve by cantilever-mounted armatures responsive to electric control current in the coil having a first current component for controlling the pump and a second current component for controlling the vent valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly (14) has an internal main flow passage through a valve body (24) between a first port (25) and a second port (26), an electric actuator (30), and a valve (86) operated by an armature (58) of the actuator to selectively open and close the passage. A force-balancing mechanism (92) applies to the valve (86) a force that opposes force created by pressure differential between the first and second ports. The valve has cushion media (76, 80, 142) that cushions impact of lateral displacements of the armature and cushion media (76) for cushioning axial impact between the armature and stator. An overmold (32) encloses internal parts, and one of the ports contains sonic nozzle structure (28). the valve exhibits improved noise attenuation, durability, and performance.

Abstract: An emission control valve for an internal combustion engine having a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, a through-bore, and a seat area. A non-flow through member disposed within the through-bore, the non-flow-through member including a head connected to a stem with a free distal end, the stem having a cross-sectional area disposed within the through-bore and exposed to pressure of an operative medium at the outlet port when the head is blocking operative communication between the inlet port and each of the outlet port and the through-bore such that pressure at the outlet port acts on the cross-sectional area of the stem disposed within the through-bore in a direction opposite the direction in which the pressure at the outlet port acts on the head.

Abstract: A brushless electric motor having an internal stator assembly including a lamination core and a heat sink. The motor includes an external rotor assembly adapted for rotational movement relative to the stator assembly about a central shaft. The motor also includes a tubular bearing support received within an inner space of the stator assembly adjacent to the lamination core and adjacent to the heat sink to facilitate a reduced axial length of the motor, the shaft being pressed into a bearing assembly retained within the bearing support to allow rotation of the shaft and therefore of the rotor assembly with respect to the stator assembly. The rotor assembly may have a cover with a central hub and a central shaft mounted within the hub. The motor may have a bearing assembly retained within the bearing support and receiving the shaft to allow rotational movement of the rotor assembly about the stator assembly.

Abstract: A brush holder embodies certain generic features that render it suitable for use in numerous brush card assemblies. The brush holder has sidewalls that provide guidance of an associated brush, and integral locators for locating an associated spring strip for urging the brush toward a commutator. A brush holder may be formed singly, or multiple brush holders may be integrally formed and joined by an integral bus bar.