Abstract: A diagnostic method for an internal combustion engine determines airflow using three independent airflow determinations. The three airflow determinations are compared to each other and an error is established if one airflow determination differs significantly from at least one other airflow determination.

Abstract: An on-board oil quality sensor for use in an internal combustion engine formed of a pair of resisitve elements mounted on a common substrate, wherein one of the resistive elements is exposed to the oil for corrosion as the oil contaminants increase and the other resistive element is protectively sealed from the oil contaminants. Both resistive elements are exposed to the oil temperature and are suitable for monitoring by a bridge type circuit to determine the level of corrosive contaminants in the oil.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes a preassembled permanently mated needle and valve body group contained in a main housing assembly. The valve body group is assembled so that the maximum allowable stroke of the needle is established by a stop abutment, which is permanently attached to the valve body. An injector assembled according to the present method does not require the use of various shims in order to set the air gap. Moreover, precision grinding is not needed to establish the needle lift.

Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement for an automotive vehicle cross car beam provides a connector arranged on each end of the beam configured to wedgingly engage reciever slides formed in the front pillars of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for calibrating a suspension control module of a vehicle to within a preselected tolerance of a predetermined ride height, the vehicle having at least one adjustable suspension unit interposed between the sprung and unsprung vehicle mass. The apparatus includes a first device for measuring a first distance corresponding to an actual ride height of a vehicle and for generating a first signal representative thereof and a second device for measuring a second distance between the vehicle sprung and unsprung mass and for generating a second signal representative thereof. The apparatus also includes a processor operatively associated with the first and second measuring devices for comparing the first and second signals and calculating a deviation between the signals, the processor being operative to generate a third signal corresponding to the deviation and store this deviation in the suspension control module.

Abstract: An elongate bracket for temporarily fixing a sensor in a predetermined position is disclosed wherein the sensor includes a first member telescopically slidable within a second member. The bracket includes a projecting member at one end of the bracket which fits into an aperture in the first member and a tab at the opposite end of the bracket which contacts the second member of the sensor. The bracket includes a mechanism responsive to a beam stress imposed upon the bracket when the bracket is fixed to the sensor so that upon either an extension or retraction of the first member relative to the second member, the beam stress causes the bracket to be forced away from the sensor to permit relative movement between the first and second members of the sensor.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed automotive module is disclosed wherein a cover of the module is sealed to a housing of the module by vibration welding. A weld contact surface is defined between the cover and housing of the module when the cover and housing undergo relative reciprocating motion under the application of a force. A method for hermetically sealing a module is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an automotive vehicle includes a frame having a pair of headers and a pair of side supports disposed between the headers at opposite ends thereof. Each of the side supports includes a generally planar base and a pair of flanges extending from the based portion. The side supports include a thermal stress relieving zone defined by an elliptical aperture disposed in the based portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sensing hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in a measurement gas, e.g., the exhaust gas from an automobile engine. A solid state electrochemical oxygen pumping cell adds oxygen into the apparatus which contains a solid state combustibles sensor for sensing the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The oxygen may be obtained from ambient air or by dissociation of gasses like water present in the measurement gas.

Abstract: A method for detecting a fault in an automotive system is disclosed, the method including the steps of energizing the system, monitoring the power supply value of the vehicle power supply during a predetermined interval; detecting an inability of the system to be placed into a desired operating state and generating a fault signal in response thereto; and recording each occurrence of a fault signal only when the power supply value is within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A seat support assembly includes a double latch assembly for the seat that ensures that one side latches without regard to the condition of the other side where both are operated by a U-shaped lift bar actuator.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly comprising first and second fuel tank walls comprising a reservoir therebetween. The reservoir has a resilient portion which biases the reservoir in place against the first and second fuel tank walls.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article having a substructure with a wall having first and second wall surfaces and a molded layer along the first wall surface. The substructure is supported in a tool having first and second die surfaces on either side of the wall. The first die surface is spaced apart from the first wall surface and the second die surface is spaced apart from the second wall surface. A moldable material is injected between the first die surface and the first wall surface under conditions causing said material to exert a force on the wall. The second wall surface is contacted with a fluid under sufficient pressure to create a force on the wall that offsets the force exerted by the material whereby the wall is supported against deformation.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for simply and inexpensively objectively measuring the waviness of a panel such as an automotive sheet metal panel utilizes a digital flushness gauge mounted on a fixture to slide in planar fashion over a surface. Depth readings are taken at regular increments along a scaled axis, and the absolute value of differences between succeeding readings is computed to yield an indication of the degree of waviness resulting from the total slope change over the length through which readings are taken.

Abstract: A glove compartment includes an upper lid and a lower door operatively connected to open both the lid and the door in response to the opening of the lower door to reduce the package space necessarily provided in a vehicle for a glove compartment closure. A lost motion connection is provided in a linkage operatively disposed between the lid and the door to permit opening movement of the door without corresponding movement of the lid.

Abstract: Three-layer, low color purity, anti-reflection coatings reduce the reflection of visible light rays and display a low color purity when glazings carrying such coatings are oriented at high angles of incidence with respect to a source of visible light. The reflectances are comparable and the color purity values are lower for such glazings, when compared with conventional glazings coated with 1/4-178 -174 wavelength anti-reflection coatings.

Abstract: A titanium tetrahalide is reacted with a primary alkyl or aryl amine to prepare a metallo-organic precursor, which thereafter may be volatilized to form a gaseous chemical vapor deposition precursor to titanium nitride, or may be pyrolyzed to form bulk titanium nitride.

Abstract: A heat shield retainer and method for mounting a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. The heat shield retainer comprises a nut and bolt combination and a retainer body. The retainer body has bulbous pegs located on a first side thereof for engaging within corresponding sockets located within a fuel tank to secure the retainer body to the fuel tank. The retainer body further includes a releasable channel located on a second side thereof for releasably connecting the nut and bolt thereto. One or more retainers of the present invention may be employed to mount a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. After a polymeric tank has been formed, and before it has cooled, the respective pegs of each heat shield retainer are inserted into corresponding sockets located within the fuel tank. As the tank cools, the polymeric material of the tank defining the sockets contracts about the pegs. As a result, after the tank cools, the pegs are locked within the sockets, and hence to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A manifold and a method of making a manifold for a tube and fin type heat exchanger are disclosed wherein the manifold is a one piece aluminum extrusion. The method includes the steps of extruding the material into a U-shaped channel having a base member and a pair of vertical walls, forming a plurality of fluid conducting passageways in the base member, and rolling the vertical walls toward the longitudinal center of the base member until the free ends of the walls contact the base member to form a pair of hollow longitudinal fluid conduits. The conduit are then crimped at predetermined locations to form fluid baffles and the manifold is then sealed.

Abstract: A molded article comprising a molded body and one or more llayers of heat shielding material attached to the molded body and a method of making same. The heat shielding material is placed on localized areas of the molded articles which are exposed to elevated temperatures. The molded article may be a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) which comprises a fibrous material containing a resin or alternatively, the molded article may be a thermoplastic material with or without reinforcement.