Abstract: A fuel system and a method of method of managing fuel vapor pressure in the fuel system. The fuel system a fuel tank having a headspace, a fuel vapor collection canister in fluid communication with the headspace, a purge valve, and a fuel vapor pressure management apparatus. The method includes performing leak detection on the headspace, and preventing a flow of fluid through an elastic diaphragm during leak detection. The elastic diaphragm includes at least one opening through which passes the flow of fluid. And the preventing the flow of fluid includes a first portion of the elastic diaphragm sealingly engaging a second portion of the elastic diaphragm. The method further includes relieving excess negative pressure in the headspace and relieving excess positive pressure in the headspace by fluid flow in different directions along the same flow path that includes the opening in the diaphragm.

Abstract: A cylindrical-walled seat element (50) in a double-pintle (42) EEGR valve (20) is a machined metal part in which two substantially identical apertures (62, 64) collectively span essentially a semi-circumference of the seat element wall (52) and are separated by a narrow axial stabilizer bar (80) in that wall.

Abstract: A solenoid for use in valves used in evaporative emission control systems, such as canister purge valves or vent solenoid valves. The solenoid includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. The housing further includes a guide element having a bobbin section. A valve shaft is slidably mounted to the guide element, wherein the valve shaft includes a permanent magnet and a valve element. The valve element is movable between a closed position wherein the inlet port is closed and an open position wherein the inlet port is opened. A coil is formed on the bobbin adjacent the magnet. In use, the coil generates directional magnetic fields oriented to cause the magnet to be repelled to move the valve element to the open position and oriented to cause a magnetic attraction with the magnet to move the valve element to the closed position.

Abstract: A commutator bar (10) includes a body and first and second anchors disposed in spaced relation with each anchor and coupled to a proximal end of the body. A free end of the first anchor (13) extends in a direction towards the proximal end H of the body, and a free end of the second anchor (12) extends in a direction towards a distal end (0) of the body. Third and fourth anchors (17) and (18), are disposed in spaced relation and each have one end coupled to a distal end of the body and a free end extending in a direction towards the proximal end of the body. Fifth and sixth anchors (15) and (16) each have one end coupled to the body at a location between the proximal and distal ends. A free end of the fifth anchor extends toward one side of the body and a free end of the sixth anchor extends toward the other side of body.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of establishing a threshold for a leak detection test that is performed on a headspace of a fuel system. A fuel vapor pressure management apparatus includes a housing, a pressure operable device, and a sensor. The housing defines an interior chamber. The pressure operable device separates the interior chamber into first and second portions, and includes a poppet that moves along an axis and a seal that is adapted to cooperatively engage the poppet. A first arrangement of the pressure operable device occurs during the leak detection test when the seal is in a first deformed configuration. A sensor detects the first arrangement of the pressure operable device during the leak detection test. And a processor is coupled to the sensor and reduces sensitivity of the fuel vapor pressure management apparatus during the leak detection test.

Abstract: An electric motor 10 has an armature assembly 12 coupled with a rotatable shaft 16; a clamshell frame assembly 18 including first and second halves joined together, each of the first and second halves includes locking structure 32; and a pair of bearing assemblies 22 carried by the frame assembly. Each bearing assembly includes a sleeve bearing 24 and an elastomer structure 26. The elastomer structure has a main body 30 substantially surrounding the sleeve bearing, and a pair of tabs 28 extending from the main body in opposing directions. Each bearing assembly 22 is operatively associated with an end of the shaft to permit rotation of the shaft. The locking structure 32 engages the tabs 28 of an associated elastomer structure to retain the bearing assembly with respect to the frame assembly, with the elastomer structures reducing transmission of noise from the sleeve bearings to frame assembly.

Abstract: A throttle body for an air intake system of an internal combustion engine, which includes a combustion chamber. The throttle body includes a body, a throttle plate and a coating. The body defines a throat through which air flows to the combustion chamber. The throttle plate, which is pivotally mounted with respect to the body, moves between first and second configurations with respect to the throat. The first configuration of the throttle plate substantially prohibits the air flow through the throat, and the second configuration of the throttle plate permits air flow through the throat. The coating, which is on at least one of the throat and the throttle plate, sheds contaminants that extend between the body and the throttle plate in the first configuration of the throttle plate.

Abstract: An electric motor includes an armature structure 12 having a shaft 14, a lamination stack 11 coupled with the shaft, a commutator 16 coupled with the shaft, and windings 13 carried by the lamination stack and connected to the commutator. Brushes 17 engage the commutator to deliver electric current to the windings. The motor includes a frame structure 18 and permanent magnets 19 carried by the frame structure. At least one assembly is provided including a sleeve bearing 22, an elastomer structure 24 coupled with the sleeve bearing, and a retainer 26. The sleeve bearing is operatively associated with an end of the shaft to support the shaft for rotation. The elastomer structure is clamped between the frame structure and the retainer, with the retainer being engaged with a portion of the frame structure to maintain clamping on the elastomer structure.

Abstract: A modular air induction assembly comprises an air induction body, an air filter operatively attached to the air induction body, and a speaker operatively attached to the air induction body. The modular air induction assembly is then installed into the air induction system of a vehicle during production. The air induction body may also comprise a first portion and a second portion that permits service of the assembly following initial vehicle installation.

Abstract: An electric motor (10) has an armature structure (12) including a shaft (14), a lamination stack (11) coupled with the shaft, a commutator (16) coupled with the shaft, and windings (13) carried by the lamination stack and connected to the commutator. Brushes (17) engage the commutator to deliver electric current to the windings. The motor includes a frame structure (18) carrying permanent magnets (19), at least one sleeve bearing (20) operatively associated with an end of the shaft to support the shaft for rotation, and a unitary bearing retainer structure (22) coupled with the frame structure and holding the at least one sleeve bearing.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating steam pressure. The system includes a steam source, a reformer, and a pressure regulator. The reformer includes an inlet that is in fluid communication with a steam source, and an outlet that provides a supply of hydrogen gas. The pressure regulator includes a valve body, a valve movable between first and second positions, and an actuator. The valve body defines an internal flow passage between first and second ports. The first port is in fluid communication with the inlet of the reformer. The first position of the valve substantially prevents steam communication through the internal flow passage, and the second position of the valve permits generally unrestricted steam communication through the internal flow passage. The actuator includes an actuator body that defines a chamber, a movable actuator wall that divides the chamber into first and second chamber spaces, and a shaft that couples the movable actuator wall to the valve.

Abstract: A stator and armature assembly 12 is provided for a permanent magnet DC motor. The assembly includes an armature 13 having a lamination core 14 and windings 15, and a stator structure 16 associated with the armature. The armature is constructed and arranged to rotate with respect to the stator structure. The stator structure includes at least one permanent magnet 22 providing a certain flux, and at least one wound core structure 17 having a core 18 and a coil 19 wound about the core so as to define an alternate pole with respect to the permanent magnet. When current to the coil is controlled, flux of the stator structure 16 can be increased or decreased relative to the certain flux. In this way a motor can operate at different speeds.

Abstract: A method of designing a fuel vapor pressure management apparatus that performs leak detection on a headspace of a fuel system. A pressure operable device separates the housing into first and second portions, and includes a seal and a poppet that cooperatively engages the seal with a contact force. The seal includes a first effective area that is equal to a difference between a first area defined by a major perimeter and a second area defined by a minor perimeter. The poppet moves along an axis and includes a second effective area that is defined by the minor perimeter of the seal. A first pressure level, at which excess negative pressure is relieved, is calculated by dividing the contact force by the first effective area. And a second pressure level, at which excess positive pressure is relieved, is calculated by dividing the activation force by the second effective area.

Abstract: An intake manifold includes a permanent runner which provides airflow communication between a plenum volume and a plurality of engine cylinders. An active runner assembly retracts into and extends from the permanent runner assembly in response to a drive system which communicates with a controller to selectively change the length of the intake manifold assembly to optimize performance. The permanent runner assembly includes a plurality of fixed length passages and the active runner assembly includes a plurality of active runner passages. Each active runner passage telescopes in and out of a respective fixed length passage to vary the effective length between the plenum and the engine cylinder.

Abstract: An integrated pressure management system manages pressure and detects leaks in a fuel system. The integrated pressure management system also performs a leak diagnostic for the headspace in a fuel tank, a canister that collects volatile fuel vapors from the headspace, a purge valve, and all associated hoses and connections.

Abstract: A canister purge valve, and an emission control system, for regulating a fuel vapor flow between a fuel vapor collection canister and an intake manifold of an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The canister purge valve includes a body having a passage extending between a first port and a second port, a seat defining a portion of the passage, a member movable with respect to the seat, and an actuator that moves the member. The first port of the body is adapted to be in fluid communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and the second port of the body is adapted to be in fluid communication with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. The member moves generally along an axis between a first configuration that prohibits fuel vapor flow through the seat and a second configuration that permits fuel vapor flow through the seat. And the actuator includes a piezo-electric element that moves the member from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: An air induction silencer assembly includes an acoustic interference member disposed within a conduit. The acoustic interference member is tuned to acoustically cancel a selected noise energy frequency. An acoustic absorbing member is also disposed within the conduit. The acoustic absorbing member converts noise energy within the conduit into heat energy to attenuate noise energy within the air induction silencer assembly. The air induction silencer assembly connects to a flexible conduit that includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a flexible joint that connects the inlet portion and the outlet portion together. The flexible joint includes a rolling lobe and a rolling surface. The rolling lobe moves along the rolling surface when the inlet portion moves relative to the outlet portion.

Abstract: A commutator 100 for an electric motor includes a body 112 having opposing ends. Commutator bars 118 are attached to a periphery of the body. Oil throw and recovery structure 122 is integral with the body and is disposed at one of the ends of the body. The oil throw and recovery structure 122 flares outwardly from the one end of the body and defines a continuously curved, annular surface 124 terminating in an annular tip 126. The commutator 100 is constructed and arranged to be mounted to a shaft 128 with the oil throw and recovery structure 122 being adjacent to a bearing 132. The oil throw and recovery structure is constructed and arranged to deflect oil, moving from the bearing and contacting the annular surface, in a direction away from the one end of the body with the annular tip directing the oil back to the bearing.

Abstract: A noise enhancement system for an automobile utilizes a single input of engine speed to derive a control signal used to drive a speaker. The speaker generates sounds that enhance or replicate the desired sounds from the engine. The output from the speaker is crafted dependent on the vehicle operating conditions. Instead of multiple transducers and inputs the noise enhancement system of this invention utilizes the single input of engine RPM engine speed. By utilizing only engine speed, the noise enhancement system is cost effective and significantly less complex.

Abstract: A non-metallic intercooler assembly includes an intake header tank, outlet header tank, and a multitude of non-metallic charge tubes which communicate airflow from the intake header tank to the outlet header tank. Several combinations of plastics parts are described. Tanks of intercoolers can be made from plastics today but with complicated clamping and sealing. Each tank in this description can be laser welded in place. Various combinations of laser opaque and laser transparent materials are utilized to achieve an effective laser welding assembly process. Intake systems for automotive use are widely made of plastic materials today and this description shows how those types of materials can be employed in an intercooler. Each non-metallic tube can be supported by a plastic fin feature whose primary function is to support the structure to promote airflow conditions favorable to heat transfer.