Abstract: A system and method of intelligent navigation of a vehicle using a navigation system with artificial intelligence is provided. The system includes a global positioning means, a navigation means, a controller, and an information database containing a map of a location of a traffic control device. The method includes the steps of maintaining a map in an information database associated with the navigation system, and sensing a location of the vehicle using an input means in communication with the navigation system. The method also includes the steps of determining if the sensed vehicle location is identifiable on the map maintained by the information database and updating the map using the sensed vehicle location if not identifiable; and determining if the vehicle is approaching an identifiable traffic control device using the map in the information database and the sensed vehicle location, if the sensed vehicle location is identifiable.

Abstract: An oil separator that removes oil from ventilation gases flowing between a crankcase and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The oil separator includes a housing, a wall and a diaphragm. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. The wall is cooperative with the housing to define a path through which the gases flow between the inlet and the outlet. The wall is movably coupled to the housing to effect a change in the height of the path. The diaphragm has a movable portion coupled to the wall. The diaphragm defines a substantially closed volume. The volume is open with the intake manifold so that pressure changes in the intake manifold causes corresponding displacement of the movable portion and the wall relative to the housing.

Abstract: An oil separator that removes oil from ventilation gases flowing between a crankcase and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The oil separator includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The housing includes a guide wall having a plurality of holes to allow gases to flow therethrough between the inlet and the outlet. A plate is movably coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position blocking the flow of gases through the holes in the guide wall and an open position spaced apart from the guide wall to allow gases to flow through at least one of the holes in the guide wall. A diaphragm has a movable portion coupled to the plate. The diaphragm defines a substantially closed volume continuous with the intake manifold so that pressure changes in the intake manifold causes corresponding displacement of the movable portion and the plate relative to the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preparing metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating avoidance of a vehicle collision with an object, comprises a vision sensor providing image data, and an image analyzer, operable to provide an estimated time to collision of the vehicle with the object. The estimated time to collision is determined from a rate of expansion of an image element corresponding to the object within the image data, and the apparatus provides a warning if the estimated time to collision is less than or approximately equal to a predetermined time.

Abstract: A device is provided for securing a seat back to a vehicle. The device includes a base that is mounted on the floor of the vehicle. The base includes a spool that can be partitioned to create separate areas upon which the seat backs can be mounted. The device also includes a first hinge that is mounted on the outer side of the seat back. The first hinge can include a pin that is comprised of two portions. The first portion of the pin extends normal to the seat back, and the second portion of the pin extends at an angle therefrom. The device further includes a second hinge that is mounted on the inner side of the seat back. The second hinge includes a slot that is configured to cooperate with the spool of the base mounted on the floor to attach the seat back to the vehicle.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided, which includes a soft instrument panel having an outer surface, an opening formed in the outer surface, and an abutment surface adjacent the opening and spaced apart from the outer surface. The instrument panel assembly also includes a panel having opposite outer and inner panel surfaces, and at least one rib extending from the inner surface for engaging the abutment surface during assembly of the panel and the instrument panel, thereby locating the panel in an insertion direction relative to the instrument panel, wherein the outer panel surface is maintained generally flush with the outer surface of the instrument panel.

Abstract: The present invention is operative to disable at least one infotainment device under certain conditions relative to the current driving environment of the user. The system uses a weighted matrix to assign risk to certain sensed conditions while driving. A changed condition is assigned a weight and the weighted risks are summed to calculate risk level information. The risk level information is thereafter compared to priority level information associated with at least one infotainment device. When the risk level information exceeds or is equal to the priority level information of the at least one infotainment device the system temporarily disables the infotainment device until the driving environment changes to a condition where it is safe to operate the infotainment device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for computer controlled fuel injection into a vehicle engine under conditions where the vehicle is starting from cold or being restarted after a short period of being shut off. The method utilizes the value of conductance measured at an air/fuel sensor heater and t least one other engine parameter to determine the correct amount of fuel to be injected into the engine to accomplish efficient combustion. The computer controller adjusts the amount of fuel to be delivered from the fuel injector into the engine based on the value of conductance.

Abstract: A reinforced trim panel assembly secured to a body panel for a vehicle includes a first trim panel member adjacent to a second trim panel member along a first seam. A reinforcement bracket is disposed between the trim panel members and the vehicle body panels, and is positioned over the first seam and secured to each of the first trim panel member and the second trim panel member using a fastening means. The reinforcement bracket absorbs a force from an impact to the trim panel assembly to prevent separation of the first seam.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate extension apparatus comprises a tailgate extender, having a stowed position in which the tailgate extender is located within a space within the tailgate, and a deployed position in which an exposed portion of the tailgate extender protrudes out of the tailgate space, a motor, and a gear drive assembly coupling the motor to the tailgate extender. The motor and gear drive assembly can be located within the tailgate space.

Abstract: A slush molding machine having a tool with an outer surface includes a powder assembly. The powder assembly has a powder reservoir and a first lift. The first lift includes a first frame and a cylinder. The powder reservoir is mounted on the first frame. One end of the cylinder is attached to the frame, allowing the frame to be raised and lowered. The slush molding machine also includes a cooling assembly. The cooling assembly has a coolant reservoir and a second lift. The second lift has a second frame and a second cylinder. The coolant reservoir is attached to the second frame. The second cylinder is also attached to the frame. When the second cylinder is actuated, the second frame is raised and lowered as needed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-level model-based intelligent agent diagnosis system and method for computer-controlled machinery operative to reduce the complexity typically associated with conventional model based diagnostic systems. The system utilizes a plurality of intelligent agents arranged in a plurality of physically hierarchical layers such that the tasks associated with accomplishing model based diagnosis are distributed amongst the intelligent agents if each layer wherein information gathered from a first lower level intelligent agents is processed by at least one other higher level to realize system fault diagnosis. The system provides increased processing speed of modeling and/or model identification such that faster and more accurate failure isolation and identification is accomplished.

Abstract: A door with self-retaining knob for a storage compartment is provided. The storage compartment has a lower wall, an upper wall opposite the lower wall and side walls disposed between the upper and lower walls. A pivotal door is integral with the upper wall, and the door includes an inner panel and an outer panel having an aperture. A knob is disposed between the inner door panel and the outer door panel. The knob has a front wall with side walls extending from an edge of the front wall and a flange extending radially from an edge of the side wall. A fastening means is used for securing the inner door panel to the outer door panel, so that the knob flange is fixedly retained between the outer door panel and the inner door panel and the front wall and side wall of the knob extend through the aperture in the outer door panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable runner length intake air manifold operative to optimize the performance of an internal combustion engine over a wide range of engine speeds. The manifold includes a housing formed of upper and lower halves fixedly attached via conventional fastening means. The upper and lower halves define a plurality of runners having constant cross-sectional areas but different cross-sectional shapes. A tapered drum is disposed within the housing and includes one open end and a plurality of openings formed in the outer surface that communicate with corresponding runners of the housing. The tapered drum is rotatably mounted within the housing such that the effective runner length or airflow path of the manifold is made adjustable by varying the angular position of the tapered drum disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A door trim panel assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle. The panel assembly includes an armrest having an inner edge and an outer edge. The panel assembly also includes an upper panel and a lower panel. The upper panel has a support wall for supporting the inner edge of the armrest. The support wall has a distal end. The lower panel includes a support flange for supporting the outer edge of the armrest. The support flange has a distal end. A frangible connection extends between the distal ends of the support wall and the support flange. The armrest includes a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves. During a side vehicle impact, the grooves allow the armrest to deform transversely and the frangible connection breaks to absorb energy associated with the impact.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a license plate to a vehicle having an air scoop in the bumper area. The bracket has a body having a mounting surface adapted to receive a license plate, an arm having a hook which extends from a rear surface of the body. The hook engages a flange defining the air scoop. A pair of threaded fasteners pass freely through the license plate, body of the brackets to be received in threaded apertures in the vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a license plate to a vehicle having an air scoop in the bumper area. The bracket has a body having a mounting surface adapted to receive a license plate, an arm having a hook which extends from a rear surface of the body. The hook engages a flange defining the air scoop. A pair of threaded fasteners pass freely through the license plate, body of the brackets to be received in threaded apertures in the vehicle.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly for supporting a sun shade visor to a vehicle includes a bracket having hooks and a center boss. A circular aperture and slots are formed in the headliner to receive the hooks and boss. The end of the rod supporting the visor has a finger extending radially outwardly to engage an abutment portion in the boss. The rod is inserted into the bracket and pivoted within the bracket to move the finger against the abutment surface. The bracket is inserted into the slots and the aperture of the headliner and the visor is twisted to move the hooks into engagement with the headliner.

Abstract: A torsion bar for use in raising a vehicle trunk lid has a center extender portion to increase the effective length of the torsion bar. The extender portion generally includes three U-shaped portions of the torsion bar which extend on a generally horizontal plane. Two of the U-shaped portions extend transversely across the vehicle. The third extends longitudinally. A pair of lifting portions extend radially at either end of the torsion bar. The lifting portions engage a link pivotally attached to hinge arms to form a biasing force to lift the trunk lid. The increased effective length of the torsion bar permits the torsion bar to produce desired lifting criteria while preventing the torsion bar from being overstressed.