Abstract: A semicircular vehicle battery having a battery housing defined by a curved wall surface enclosed by a top surface and a bottom surface. The curved wall surface further defines an open center area and opposing ends. A first terminal and a second terminal are attached to the battery housing, the first and second terminals providing points of electrical connection to the battery. The battery is arranged to be mounted to a vehicle within a spare tire cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting at least one of a camber and a caster of a suspension system. The system includes a lower control arm and a suspension member coupled to the lower control arm. The system also includes a plate or plates defining a slot, the slot having a cam retaining element. In addition, the system includes one or more cams retained by the cam retaining element, the cam or cams defining an off-axis opening. The system also includes a bolt extending through the slot and through the off-axis opening in the cam. Upon rotation of the cam, the at least one plate is caused to move relative to the suspension member, which in turn causes the suspension member to move relative to the lower control arm.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining purge valve flow tolerance for use with evaporative emissions control systems includes developing an equation based on data relating purge valve duty cycle to flow, wherein the equation describes a flow curve with reference to a first axis and a second axis. The arrangement further includes using the equation as a base equation for flow, and adapting the equation for part-to-part tolerance as a function of an intercept point of the equation with respect to the first axis, wherein the first axis relates to duty cycle.

Abstract: A multiplexed addressed data bus are provided for transferring data between two microprocessors. The multiplexed address and data bus include a plurality of multiplexed lines for communicating between the two microprocessors. A read/write signal line is also provided for communicating between the two microprocessors for indicating whether a read or a write operation is to be preformed. A chip select line is provided for transitioning to an enable condition during a data transfer cycle. A data strobe line is in communication between the two microprocessors and provides a strobe signal for each sequence of a data transfer cycle.

Abstract: A method for predicting the concentration of one or more undesirable exhaust emissions, such as NOx or HC, from an internal combustion engine. The method determines a mass flow (m(a)) of the charge of air supplied to the engine, the rotational speed (&ohgr;) of the engine, a fuel-equivalence ratio (&phgr;) and an array of look-up tables to predict the concentration of the undesirable exhaust emissions. In some instances, the methodology employs an intermediate term to simply the relationship between the variables to achieve a corresponding simplification of the array of look-up tables. An engine control system that predicts the concentration of one or more undesirable exhaust emissions is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flexible, resilient composite spring pivotally connected to the vehicle wheel assembly by standard means such as a ball joint and knuckle. The composite spring is formed having a sinusoidal profile with rectangular cross-section preferably spanning transversely between parallel vehicle wheel assemblies. The composite spring is pivotally connected to the parallel vehicle frames by opposing perpendicular brackets welded to an upper and lower portion of the vehicle frame. A rubber bushing is preferably provided within each bracket and is in contact with opposing sides of the composite spring, allowing the spring to pivot between the vehicle frame. The composite spring is preferably formed with carbon and glass fibers. The sinusoidal composite spring blank is preferably molded with a neutral axis extending along the length of the spring at a midpoint of the sinusoidal profile.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine that is assisted by an electric motor powered by a traction battery, the electric motor is operated in a generating mode to charge the vehicle battery during periods when neither acceleration assist nor regenerative braking are being performed. Torque of the electric motor is adjusted by a controller to generate a battery charge current which regulates the voltage of the battery to a selected setpoint. The setpoint is determined as a function of vehicle operating parameters, including but not limited to battery temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a door assembly for a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle includes a body portion including at least one aperture formed therein. The door assembly includes a door moveable between a closed position substantially covering the aperture and an open position substantially clearing the aperture. At least one hinge assembly is provided including a substantially elongated lever with first and second pivots. The first pivot is operably attached to the door and the second pivot is operably attached to the vehicle. The lever and the first and second pivots provide an arcuate path movement of the door lengthwise of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering column has a jacket including relatively axially slidable, telescoping, upper and lower jacket members. An anchorage pivotally supports the lower jacket member for vertical tilt movement of the steering column. Locking mechanism locks the steering column in vertically adjusted position and locks the upper jacket member in axially adjusted position relative to the lower jacket member.

Abstract: A passenger airbag assembly is provided with a guide chute. The chute guides a deploying airbag to a door in the instrument panel. The door comprises steel inserts molded into the material of the door. The steel inserts include three slots spaced apart to absorb stress. To reinforce the hinges of the door, a guide or reinforcement ledge is provided at the sides. To reinforce the ledge, ramps are provided on the underside of the ledge.

Abstract: An eight-speed automatic transmission having a compound planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a third planetary gear set each driven by three clutches and fixed to four brakes. A hydraulic control system actuates the eight-speed transmission by selectively energizing a plurality of solenoids that in turn engage the three clutches and four brakes. The hydraulic control system provides electronically modulated converter clutch control to the eight-speed automatic transmission system when the hydraulic system is in a drive position, a manual/low position, and a park/neutral position.

Abstract: A removable noise-reducing cover for a luggage rack bar, where the cover has an elongated main body portion having a lower surface and an upper surface with at least one integral noise reducer. The main body portion is arranged to be removable and reattachable to the luggage rack bar.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly for providing ignition energy to a spark plug in accordance with a dwell pulse and transmitting diagnostic data related to an ignition event occurring after the dwell pulse. The assembly has an ignition coil with a spark plug terminal adapted to mate with the spark plug, and a transistor for conducting current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil. The current flow is in accordance with the dwell pulse, which arrives over a signal line. A diagnostic block receives at least one electrical signal from the ignition coil and derives diagnostic data therefrom for transmitting over the same signal line in the absence of the dwell pulse.

Abstract: A vehicle power distribution system for selectively providing battery power to a circuit. A circuit-interrupting device is arranged to respond to a control signal by selectively applying the battery power to the circuit. A circuit protection device is moveable between a first circuit position and a second circuit position, where the first circuit position is arranged to pass a current through the circuit concurrently with the circuit interrupting device. The second circuit position is arranged to pass the current around said circuit interrupting device.

Abstract: An air cleaner housing for holding a cylindrical filter element and providing a laminar flow of air to a carburetor of an engine. The housing has a bottom plate with an outer peripheral portion and a venturi section radially inward of the outer peripheral portion. A top cover of the housing has a convex section radially inward of a top peripheral portion. The convex section of the top cover is at least partially positioned over the bottom venturi section of the bottom plate.

Abstract: An eight-speed automatic transmission having a compound planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a third planetary gear set each driven by three clutches and fixed to four brakes is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided, including a vehicle body; at least one vehicle element pivotally mounted to the vehicle, the vehicle element configured to pivot through an angle not more than 360 degrees; and a measuring arrangement configured to measure an angular velocity of the at least one vehicle element.

Abstract: A weld nut electrode for differentiating between a properly and an improperly oriented weld nut. The electrode has a conductive portion for passing weld current through the weld nut and an insulated portion electrically isolated from the conductive portion. The conductive portion makes electrical contact with a properly oriented weld nut, and the insulated portion is arranged to prevent physical contact between the conductive portion and an improperly oriented weld nut.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing a thermostat in a motor vehicle. The method includes an engine warm-up model and a thermostat diagnostic. The engine warm-up model predicts the temperature that the engine coolant temperature should be equal to at a given time after start-up. This is based on the engine coolant temperature at start-up, ambient air temperature, and how the vehicle is driven subsequent to start-up. This predicted engine coolant temperature is compared to the actual engine coolant temperature as read by an engine coolant temperature sensor. The error between the predicted engine coolant temperature and the actual engine coolant temperature is calculated and integrated over time. The thermostat diagnostic runs at a pre-selected temperature after start-up and compares the integrated error to a predetermined threshold value. Depending upon the results of the comparison, a pass, fail, or inconclusive condition is determined.

Abstract: A method of determining the quality of subsystems of an electronic engine control system is provided. The method monitors an engine parameter representative of a subsystem of interest and compares the parameter to at least one quality limit. The at least one quality limit represents an acceptable performance boundary for a fully functional engine control system. The method then indicates, based on the result of the comparison, whether the subsystem is of satisfactory quality. The method is arranged, without limitation, to determining the quality of start time, start flare, idle control during transmission shift, and speed control.