Abstract: A method and system for producing production control software for a plurality of electronic control modules, is provided. The electronic control modules are located on production machines. Each production machine includes a subset of the electronic control modules. The system includes a part file staging area for receiving and storing new production control software from a design engineering group. A product engineering workstation is coupled to the part file staging area and operated by a product engineering user. The product engineering user can review, modify and approve the new production control software. A production staging area, coupled to the product engineering workstation, receives and stores approved production control software and receives an order for a production machine.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer to automatically produce production control software for a natural gas engine controller or a diesel engine controller is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) as a function of user input, defining a set specifications of the controller; and (2) producing control software to operate the controller as defined by the specifications.

Abstract: A test system having a bifilar wound isolation network disposed in between a device under test (DUT) and a device under test support system for providing a high isolation impedance to common mode signals present at the input terminals of the isolation network, while still providing a relatively lossless path for differential signals present across the input terminals of the isolation network. The isolation network comprises a plurality of four resonators each having a precise, predetermined number of turns and serially interconnected by a bifilar winding. The bifilar winding allows coupling to the inputs of a balanced DUT and enables a worst case operating environment to be provided for the balanced DUT to assist in testing and/or design of the DUT so as to minimize the effects on the DUT of electromagnetic interference and to assist in modifying the balanced DUT so as to immunize it from susceptible EMI receptors therewithin.

Abstract: The present invention is a system of integrated, computer-based processes for monolingual information development. and multilingual translation. An interactive text editor enforces lexical and grammatical constraints on a natural language subset used by the authors to create their text, which they help disambiguate to ensure translatability. The resulting translatable source language text undergoes machine translation into any one of a set of target languages, without the translated text requiring any postediting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modeling dynamic effects on a gyroscope. The dynamic effects are represented by a dynamic effects function. The gyroscope is placed in an oven. A test controller, coupled to the oven, controls the oven to modify the temperature of the gyroscope according to a predetermined temperature function, measures an actual temperature value of the test oven and a gyroscope drift value at predetermined time intervals during the predetermined temperature function, and calculates coefficients of the dynamic effects function as a function of the actual temperature and gyroscope drift values at the predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing a parameter of a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump includes a housing and an input shaft. The shaft is rotationally driven relative to the housing and electrically coupled to the housing. The hydraulic pump forms a variable capacitor. The apparatus includes an electrode portion positioned adjacent to the input shaft and is electrically isolated from the housing and input shaft. The electrode portion and the input shaft form a fixed capacitor. The fixed capacitor and the variable capacitor are coupled. The apparatus supplies electrical energy to the electrode portion and produces a capacitive signal indicative of the capacitance value of the variable capacitor. The apparatus further applies a filter to the capacitive signal and produces a filtered capacitive signal. The parameter of the hydraulic pump is determined as a function of the filtered capacitive signal.

Abstract: A cargo support system for a motor vehicle includes a `U`-shaped bar rotatable from a stowed position to an operable position. The `U`-shaped bar preferably has a pair of end members rotatably coupled to the dropgate of the motor vehicle and a cross member interconnecting the pair of end members. A locking hinge mechanism is operable to secure the U-shaped bar in either the stowed or operable position.

Abstract: A method for determining the tractive effort required at the wheels of a vehicle for a given set of operating parameters by taking into account a plurality of variables which affect vehicle performance. A total grade effort value is determined which represents the force required to move the vehicle due to the grade of the surface on which the vehicle is expected to travel. An approximate total rolling effort value is also determined which is representative of the force required to move the vehicles due to the hysteresis of the vehicle's tires. Lastly, an aerodynamic influence factor is determined which represents the total air resistance of the vehicle and any implement such as a trailer being towed by the vehicle. These factors are summed to produce a tractive effort value representative of the total tractive effort that would be required to move the vehicle at a designated speed.

Abstract: A check strap arrangement for a motor vehicle door includes a dust cover which is easily and rapidly assembled without the use of separate fastening operations, tools or fasteners. The check strap housing is provided with spherical recesses and the dust cover is provided with cooperating detents. The cover detents are adapted to be snap fitted into the recesses of the check strap housing so as to securely retain the cover on the check strap housing.

Abstract: A removal device for a front shock absorber of a vehicle and method of using the same. The device comprises a first portion having first and second ends and a second portion connected to the first end of the first portion. The second portion includes a substantially rounded head and interacts with inboard and outboard surfaces of the front shock absorber to pry the absorber from the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-calibrating Global Positioning System (GPS) reference station and method for operating the reference station. The reference station includes a station frame, a GPS receiver and a controller mounted on the station frame. The controller upon power up, determines if the reference station has been moved and determines a new reference position of the reference station if the reference station has been moved. The GPS receiver is then placed into a reference station mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for verifying placement of a rear view mirror mounting button on a motor vehicle windshield includes a first member pivotally attached to a second member for rotation about an axis. The first member includes a portion adapted to align the first member substantially perpendicular to an edge of the windshield. The second member is adapted to engage the mounting button such that the second member is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the mounting button. The apparatus further includes cooperating indicia carried by the first and second members for determining the accuracy of alignment between the first and second members.

Abstract: A rear gate assembly of a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle has a rear gate opening. The rear gate assembly includes a rear gate, a back glass, and a rear gate handle. The rear gate includes a rear gate top portion, a rear gate bottom portion, and an outer surface and has a latched and unlatched position. The rear gate bottom portion is rotatably coupled to a bottom edge of the rear gate opening. The back glass has a back glass top portion and a back glass bottom portion. The back glass top portion is rotatably coupled to a top edge of the rear gate opening and has a latched and unlatched position. The rear gate handle is coupled to the outer surface of the rear gate and is actuatable from a first position to a second position. The rear gate assembly sequentially releases the back glass and rear gate from the respective latched positions in response to actuation of the rear gate handle.

Abstract: A rear gate assembly of a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle has a rear gate opening. The rear gate assembly includes a rear gate, a back glass, and a rear gate handle, The rear gate includes a rear gate top portion, a rear gate bottom portion, and an outer surface and has a latched and unlatched position. The rear gate bottom portion is rotatably coupled to a bottom edge of the rear gate opening. The back glass has a back glass top portion and a back glass bottom portion. The back glass top portion is rotatably coupled to a top edge of the rear gate opening and has a latched and unlatched position. The rear gate handle is coupled to the outer surface of the rear gate and is actuatable from a first position to a second position. The rear gate assembly sequentially releases the back glass and rear gate from the respective latched positions in response to actuation of the rear gate handle.

Abstract: A novel vehicle lighting control circuit for reducing the light intensity of a vehicle lighting element via pulse width modulation. A pulse width modulation adjuster is provided for producing a pulse width modulation control signal in order to operate the vehicle lighting element at a reduced light intensity. Such examples for use of the present invention include, but are not limited to, operation of: high beams at a low beam light intensity; daytime running lamps (DRLs); power balancing functions; and emergency lights.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a motor vehicle door operative for selectively releasing a latch mechanism. The handle assembly includes a mounting portion attached to the motor vehicle door and a handle proper adapted to be manually grasped. The handle proper is linearly translatable between a first position and a second position for releasing the latch mechanism. In a preferred form, the handle proper is biased to the first position by a coil spring.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing excess material from a container with a follower plate pump assembly comprising providing an air bladder, disposing the bladder within the container, connecting the bladder to the air source, and inflating the bladder via the source when the follower plate has reached a point in the container where it no longer has the ability to pump material, the air bladder forcing material up to the follower plate. A pump removes material from the container. The apparatus further includes an anti-fouling plate coupled to the bladder which prevents the bladder from interfering with the pump.

Abstract: A system for delivering fuel to a motor vehicle engine includes a fuel sending unit and a self-cleaning filter. The fuel sending unit is in fluid communication with the engine, which in the preferred embodiment is a fuel injected engine. A fuel regulator is provided interbetween the fuel sending unit and the engine which delivers a first portion of the fuel to the engine. A second portion of the fuel is delivered to the filter for the sending unit through a reverse path for purging the filter of debris collected from the fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning a latch assembly and a striker on a motor vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to improve the fit of the tailgate to the side walls or truck body. A good fit is defined as the outer surface of the tailgate and the outer surface of the side wall being coplanar when the tailgate is in the closed position. The apparatus, by way of a first formation and first locating element, determines the position of the latch assembly with respect to outer surface of the tailgate. The apparatus, by way of a second formation and second locating element, also determines the location of the striker with respect to the outer surface of the side walls. The apparatus, by way of a body member, also determines the position of the striker with respect to the latch assembly and vice versa. By setting the latch assembly and the striker by the above relations, build variances of the tailgate and of the truck body are eliminated as a possible cause for a poor fit.

Abstract: A method of servicing an engine cylinder head having a cam sprocket mounted for rotation on a cam shaft includes the general steps of providing a sprocket mounting member, removably attaching the sprocket mounting member to the engine cylinder head, radially supporting the cam sprocket on the sprocket mounting member, removing the cam shaft from the engine cylinder head and maintaining a radial position of the cam sprocket.