Abstract: A method for heating fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine supplies current from a power source to a plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators. The current is supplied sequentially to at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators at a level sufficient to produce a time-varying magnetic field having a power density that substantially raises an armature temperature of said valve, while substantially maintaining the operating states that said at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators assumed prior to applying said current.

Abstract: A system and method to heat a fuel injector is described. Resistive heating may be selectively applied to improve the performance of a fuel injector. Specifically, current can be supplied to an electrically operable mechanical valve to improve the operation of the valve at lower temperatures. The method can improve engine performance and lower emissions, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator is described. The system is capable of providing heat to targeted areas of an actuator so that valve performance may be improved during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in a transmission is presented. According to the method, transmission operation can be improved by heating the valves, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically controlled actuator is described. The method is capable of improving engine starting during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, valve operation can be improved by heating the valves, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable actuator is described. The method demagnetizes at least the core of an electromagnet to improve operation of the electrically operable actuator.

Abstract: A method for heating fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine, method comprising of supplying current from a power source to a plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators; said current supplied sequentially to at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators of said plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators and said current having attributes at a level sufficient to produce a time-varying magnetic field having a power density that substantially raises the temperature of an armature of said electrically operable mechanical valve, while substantially maintaining the operating states that said at least two electrically operable mechanical actuator assumed prior to applying said current.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the instantaneous power consumption during heating of a fuel injector is described. The system is capable of heating the fuel injectors of an engine at different times.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically controlled actuator is described. The method is capable of improving engine starting during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable actuator is described. The method demagnetizes at least the core of an electromagnet to improve operation of the electrically operable actuator.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator is described. The system is capable of providing heat to targeted areas of an actuator so that valve performance may be improved during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in a transmission is presented. According to the method, transmission operation can be improved by heating the valves, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the instantaneous power consumption during heating of a fuel injector is described. The system is capable of heating the fuel injectors of an engine at different times.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, valve operation can be improved by heating the valves, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A system and method to heat a fuel injector is described. Resistive heating may be selectively applied to improve the performance of a fuel injector. Specifically, current can be supplied to an electrically operable mechanical valve to improve the operation of the valve at lower temperatures. The method can improve engine performance and lower emissions, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: An extendible rail and bumper apparatus is mountable within the base frame lower rails of an automotive frame to provide an improved crash force absorbing bumper apparatus for deployment on either the front or rear bumpers of an automobile. The extendible rail member is mounted for telescopic movement through slidable guide members. A front plate is formed with wedge members positioned next to the extendible rail member. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor that rotates a threaded rod having a conical member mounted thereon for translational movement thereon. The conical member engages a pair of outwardly projectable tabs that are driven outwardly into engagement with the wedge members when the extendible rail is fully extended. If required to absorb impact energy, the outwardly projected tabs push the wedge members into engagement with the front plate to transfer the energy into the base frame rail apparatus of the vehicle.

Abstract: An extendible rail and bumper apparatus is mountable within the base frame lower rails of an automotive frame to provide an improved crash force absorbing bumper apparatus for deployment on either the front or rear bumpers of an automobile. The extendible rail member is mounted for telescopic movement through slidable guide members. A front plate is formed with wedge members positioned next to the extendible rail member. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor that rotates a threaded rod having a conical member mounted thereon for translational movement thereon. The conical member engages a pair of outwardly projectable tabs that are driven outwardly into engagement with the wedge members when the extendible rail is fully extended. If required to absorb impact energy, the outwardly projected tabs push the wedge members into engagement with the front plate to transfer the energy into the base frame rail apparatus of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical connector for mounting to an electronically controlled valve assembly of an internal combustion engine and for electrically connecting the valve assembly to a control system for the engine. The electrical connector has disposed in a housing thereof: a plurality of high current conductors for carrying relatively high current to the electromagnet coils of the valve assembly and a plurality of low current conductors for carrying relatively low current valve position sensing signals from the valve assembly; and a pair of electrical shields, one of the pair of shields being disposed around the plurality of high current conductors and the other one of the pair of shields being disposed around the plurality of low current conductors.