Abstract: A method of densensitizing includes determining a relative roll angle, determining when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, and when the vehicle is in a transitional maneuver, setting a roll signal for control to the relative roll angle, reducing control effort and controlling a safety system (38) correspondingly.

Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine 1 is disclosed in which an electronically controlled flow control valve 9 is used to control the flow of coolant exiting the engine 1. The electronically controlled flow control valve 9 is able to control the cooling of the engine 1 irrespective of the speed at which a pump 2 used to urge coolant to flow into the engine 1 is rotated by a drive belt 3 connected to an output 4 from the engine 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an improperly installed auxiliary child seat of the type that is secured in a motor vehicle by the seatbelt, and providing an alert to a vehicle operator in the case of improper installation. A seat occupancy sensor, a seatbelt buckle condition sensor, and a seatbelt tension sensor provides electrical signals to a child seat detection module, which determines that an improper installation condition exists if the auxiliary child seat is present and the seatbelt buckle is unfastened. The child seat detection module further determines an improper installation condition if the auxiliary child seat is present, the seatbelt buckle is fastened, and the seatbelt tautness is not within an acceptable range. If an improper installation condition is detected, the child seat detection module triggers an alerting device, such as a warning light on the instrument panel or audible chime.

Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) used for detecting lift of a wheel includes a speed sensor (20) coupled to the wheel producing a wheel speed signal and a torque control system (57) coupled to the wheel for generating an operating input torque to the wheel. A controller (26) is coupled to the torque control system (57) and the wheel speed sensor (20). The controller (26) determines a wheel response to the operating input torque and generates a wheel lift signal as a function of the operating input torque, the wheel speed signal and the wheel response.

Abstract: A system (1) comprising a cam (2) with a cam lug (3) and a cam follower element (11) which undergoes an oscillating reciprocating movement in the direction of its longitudinal axis (12) when the cam (2) rotates, in which the central plane (5) of the cam (2), which extends perpendicularly with respect to the rotational axis (4) of the cam (2), is arranged offset with respect to the longitudinal axis (12) of the cam follower element (11) by an eccentricity E1, so that the cam follower element (11) rotates about its longitudinal axis (12) when the cam (2) is in engagement, with its cam outer face (6) along a contact line (10), with the cam follower element (11). The cam (2) has at least one groove (7) in its cam outer face (6) in the circumferential direction at least in the area of the cam lug (3).

Abstract: A roll-cage assembly for fitting to a motor vehicle, particularly one of the type having no fixed roof structure. The assembly has a space-frame structure constructed from a number of tubular members joined together and at least one airbag assembly that is attached to one or more of the tubular members. The airbag assembly performs two functions: during normal use it provides a relatively soft covering for the tubular member to which it is fastened; and in the event of an accident an airbag is released to provide full head impact protection.

Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle includes roll rate sensor (34) generating a roll rate signal, a lateral acceleration sensor (32) generating a lateral acceleration signal, a pitch rate sensor (37) generating a pitch rate signal, a yaw rate sensor (28) generating a yaw rate signal and a controller (26). The controller (26) is coupled to the roll rate sensor (34), the lateral acceleration sensor, the yaw rate sensor and the pitch rate sensor. The controller (26) determines a roll velocity total from the roll rate signal, the yaw rate signal and the pitch rate signal. The controller (26) also determines a relative roll angle from the roll rate signal and the lateral acceleration signal. The controller (26) determines a wheel departure angle from the total roll velocity. The controller (26) determines a calculated roll signal from the wheel departure angle and the relative roll angle signal.

Abstract: A system and method of real-time collision detection between solid geometric objects is provided. The system includes a computer system, a computer-generated geometric model and a haptic device in communication with the computer system having a haptic end effector for transmitting information between a user and the geometric objects. The method includes the steps of representing a moving object as a point cloud and a stationary object as a mesh, and partitioning the mesh into an organized data structure. The method also includes the steps of identifying a constraint set and a collision set. The method further includes the steps of rendering the constraint set by moving the moving object so that the set of active points do not penetrate into the mesh, and providing force feedback through the haptic device relative to the movement of the moving object to satisfy the constraint.

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.

Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine mounted within a vehicle includes a radiator for rejecting heat to ambient air and an axial fan mounted within a fan shroud associated with a radiator. The fan has a stationary hub equipped with louvers which may be controlled so as to either block off or allow airflow through the hub, and consequentially through the radiator. In this manner, the airflow past the fan may be greatly increased when the vehicle is operated at a higher groundspeed, while decreasing the amount of power consumed by the fan.

Abstract: A method is provided of restricted substance management and recycling in a manufacturing environment. The method includes the steps of inputting restricted substances and recycle content data of parts supplied by a supplier for a vehicle into a computer system of a vehicle manufacturer. The method also includes the steps of reviewing the inputted data and determining parts with banned or recycled content or substances over predetermined thresholds. The method further includes the steps of reporting the determined parts to the supplier and vehicle manufacture.

Abstract: A compressed gaseous fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes an electronic engine controller, a common fuel rail, fuel injectors operatively connected with the common-rail and with the engine controller, and a high pressure gaseous fuel source. A control regulator reduces gas system pressure to a final variable control pressure specified by the engine controller and furnishes the fuel at the control pressure to the common-rail. A fuel pump operatively connected with the control regulator and with the engine controller selectively transfers fuel from the fuel rail to a portion of the fuel system located upstream from the downstream pressure regulator in the event that the pressure within the common-rail exceeds a desired pressure.

Abstract: An assembly includes a seat 60 having a seat base 64, an occupant sensor positioned in the seat base, said occupant sensor comprising a fluid filled bladder coupled to a pressure sensor, said pressure sensor generating a pressure signal, and an audio system having an electrical output coupled to a speaker, said speaker positioned near the seat, said speaker audibly coupled to the bladder. The assembly includes a compensation circuit (12) for a sensor (22) generating electrical sensor output near a speaker (18) of an audio system (16) that comprises an inverting circuit (26) coupled to the electrical output (16) of the audio system. The inverting circuit (26) generates an inverted electrical signal corresponding to a speaker audio output. A sensor controller (24) coupled to the inverting circuit (26) and the sensor (22) generates a compensated electrical output in response to the electrical sensor output and the inverted electrical signal.

Abstract: A fuel injector. The fuel injector can include a fuel channel configured to receive pressurized gaseous fuel from a fuel rail, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the fuel channel, wherein the nozzle includes tapered portions configured to be seated adjacent a cylinder head. The fuel injector can also include a pintle having an opened position and a closed position, wherein pressurized gaseous fuel is introduced from the nozzle directly into a combustion chamber when the pintle is in the opened position and wherein introduction of the pressurized gaseous fuel is substantially blocked when the pintle is in the closed position. The fuel injector can also include a pintle controller configured to selectively move the pintle between the closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: A method 10 for forming a relatively stiff and/or a substantially tight joint 10, 30, 46 while concomitantly reducing the likelihood that the applied adhesive 12 will seep from the joint 10, 30, 46. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive 12 is placed upon about one half of the coverage portion and upon about ten percent of the fillet portion of each coach and one-half coach joint 10, 30. The adhesive 12 is further placed upon at least fifty percent of the coverage portion 48 of a lap joint 46.

Abstract: A credit origination system and method are provided. The inventive method includes the step (22) of receiving an application for credit from a customer to purchase a product. The application may include a first set of information designed to evaluate the creditworthiness of the customer. The method also includes the step (24) of processing the credit application. The processing step (24) may include substeps (26, 28, 30, 32) designed to verify and evaluate information provided by the customer and to obtain additional information from the customer. The method also includes the step (34) of communicating a second set of information to the customer. This information may include a decision on the application for credit and the terms of any credit to be extended. The method may also include the step (36) of communicating a third set of information to a dealer of the product. The third set of information may include the first and second sets of information.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system for a vehicle has bleed and refill pressure thresholds in addition to high and low pressure thresholds. If a tire pressure remains at a level below the refill pressure threshold and above the low pressure threshold for a specific period of time, based on amount of deviation from the refill pressure threshold, a refill alert is generated. If a tire pressure remains at a level above the bleed pressure threshold and below the high pressure threshold for a specific period of time, based on amount of deviation from the bleed pressure threshold, a bleed alert is generated.

Abstract: A system and method of craftsmanship rating of vehicles includes the steps of receiving customer data relating to craftsmanship for a vehicle and building a component/system database from the collected customer data. The method also includes the steps of rating the vehicle for craftsmanship based on component/system database to obtain an actual rating and setting a target rating for the vehicle based on the actual rating. The method includes the steps of identifying craftsmanship issues that resolve a gap from the actual rating to the target rating. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the identified craftsmanship issues will resolve the gap from the actual rating to the target rating.

Abstract: A wheel suspension with a transverse leaf spring (1a–1c) which is articulated at both ends on wheel carriers. The transverse leaf spring shaped symmetrically to the vehicle longitudinal axis (L) has a curved profile with a middle region (1a) offset parallel to the wheel axis. The transverse leaf spring is supported on the vehicle body by means of two transverse leaf spring bearings (2) with high lateral rigidity. The curved profile of the transverse leaf spring with four arcs (1d, 1e) allows for a bending of the middle region (1a) to take place essentially without a change in the tread width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the vibration damping characteristics of an automotive brake structure measures the vibration response of a brake structure during application of random-frequency wide spectrum excitation, followed by measuring vibration of the structure at particularly noted modal frequencies, using a confined bandwidth random-frequency vibratory excitation. The method and apparatus may be used also to assess the bonding or attachment characteristics of damping materials.