Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit relay (7) is provided which in a preferred embodiment has a first substrate (16) and a second substrate (40). The substrates (16), (40) have conductive membranes (17), (50) connected thereto. The second substrate (40) has a contact portion (44). Adjacent to contact portion (44) is a ferritic member (48). A coil (22) is provided having wire windings wrapped around a core. The coil (22) provides a magnetic field to cause the second substrate (40) to move between a first position spaced away from the first substrate (16) and a second position spaced adjacent to the first substrate (16) against a flexural force of the second substrate (40).

Abstract: A method of controlling an induction generator such as an automotive starter-alternator or a windmill is disclosed. The method comprises using a minimal number of current sensors and controlling at least one of a machine flux, an output voltage and generator torque, based on the stator or rotor flux magnitude and position. This method comprises measuring a plurality of current amounts; transforming them into a two phase reference system; measuring a DC voltage; measuring voltage amounts in the generator; transforming the plurality of voltage amounts into the two phase reference system; calculating a flux in the generator; comparing the calculated flux magnitude with a desired flux; determining a d-axis voltage; determining a desired torque amount; comparing the desired torque amount with an estimated torque amount; determining a q-axis voltage; and transforming the d-axis voltage and the q-axis voltage to stationary reference frame n-phase voltages using the position of the flux.

Abstract: A method of controlling an induction generator such as an automotive starter-alternator or a windmill is disclosed. The method comprises using a plurality of flux sensing coils and controlling at least one of a machine flux and an output voltage based on the stator or rotor flux magnitude and position. One embodiment of the invention only uses flux sensing coils without requiring current sensors or position sensors.

Abstract: A method for communicating information between networked UARTs to achieve reliable peer to peer communication. A negative acknowledgment (NACK) signal is generated in the event that message corruption is detected by a node on the network to flag the message corruption and generates a signal which is guaranteed to corrupt the message in progress by overwriting the stop bit of the UART character frame. This causes all receivers of the message in progress to cancel reception of a corrupted message and causes transmitters to retry transmission of the message. The invention does not impose any limits on the number of nodes on the network and does not require any special data content other than a unique source address that is assigned to each node on the network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring brake bias in a brake system on a vehicle includes a brake bias measuring pad, such that the brake bias measuring pad is operatively positioned within a brake caliper in the brake system. The apparatus also includes a load measuring mechanism disposed within the brake bias measuring pad, such that the load measuring mechanism measures a load applied by a brake caliper piston on the brake bias measuring pad. The method includes the steps of measuring a load applied by a brake caliper piston on a brake bias measuring pad operatively positioned within a brake caliper in a brake assembly of the brake system. The method also includes the steps of determining a brake caliper pressure based on the load applied by a brake caliper piston on the brake bias measuring pad and determining a load in the brake caliper based on the caliper pressure.

Abstract: A power switching module includes a substrate having at least one silicon die forming at least one power switching element and having leadframe terminal posts extending away therefrom. A planar negative rail layer providing a negative power supply and including a non-inductive current shunt resistor formed therein and a planar positive rail layer providing a positive power supply are positioned at the substrate so that the negative rail layer and the positive rail layer are coplanar with respect to each other. A phase output layer providing a phase output signal is also positioned at the substrate. Each of the layers are electrically isolated from each of the other layers and are electrically connected to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for depositing a metal film onto the semiconductor substrate and insulator of a MOS sensor is provided. The method utilizes a laser ablation technique to deposit metal films having a desired thickness and roughness to enhance the reliability and sensitivity of a MOS sensor to combustible gases.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the manufature of a membrane structure for use in electrochemical conversions.

Abstract: A five-switch keypad apparatus having four diodes that multiplex the switch contacts onto three sense terminals. The three sense terminals create a binary code that defines eight possible switch states. The eight states are used to indicate each individual switch closure, a lack of a switch closure, and two simultaneous dual switch closures. In an application, a decoder, connected to the three sense terminals, converts the sequence of binary codes into three control signals. The three control signals can control a door lock, a trunk lock and an automatic lock function.

Abstract: A vision enhancement system 10 which aids the driver in visually identifying a sensed object 16 without diverting his/her attention from the road ahead. One or more sensors 20 used to collect information about the vehicle's environment are operatively coupled with a controlled source of illumination 38. A processor 24 receives input from the sensors and intelligently determines whether a particular object sensed in or near the current path of the vehicle requires alerting the driver. If so, the processor outputs a control signal 30 to effect illumination of the sensed object. The source of illumination is controlled so as to continuously direct light onto the identified object, even as the vehicle and/or object move simultaneously with respect to one another.

Abstract: A method for more accurately sensing the rotational position of a shaft having a toothed sensor wheel with a missing tooth is disclosed. The method includes employing an inductive sensor to produce a signal in response to the passing of the teeth on the sensor wheel. The sensor signal is altered by the geometry of the wheel about a gap formed by the missing tooth in order to correct for residual stored energy in the sensor at this location, and thus correct the signal for the timing measured by a processor in communication with the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for dissipating thermal energy created by multiple electronic circuit boards packaged within a single housing and while in operation are disclosed. The system and method enhances heat convection and heat conduction across and through the housing. A heat conductive housing having a plurality of longitudinally extending fins for increasing the surface area of the housing and correspondingly increasing heat convection to the housing is utilized. Furthermore, the multiple electronic circuit boards are packaged such that a heat conductive path, defined by a thermally conductive material, is disposed between the plurality of electronic circuit boards. Finally, the heat conductive material is applied to the inner surface of the housing and between each of the electronic circuit boards. The present invention increases heat conduction of the thermal energy generated by the plurality of electronic circuit boards to the housing, thereby preventing circuit board damage.

Abstract: A parking sprag is provided for engaging a parking gear of an automotive transmission. The parking sprag includes a sprag mechanism pivotally mounted to a support structure. A linkage assembly operatively engages the sprag mechanism for pivoting the sprag mechanism into engagement with the parking gear. A linkage cam engaged with the linkage assembly and is driven by an electric motor. The electric motor drives the linkage cam which drives the linkage assembly in order to engage the sprag mechanism with the parking gear.

Abstract: A rear view mirror includes a transparent front glass that covers a matrix display, for example an LCD display. The matrix display is translucent when activated and transparent when inactive, and behind the matrix display is a mirror-backed rear glass. Thus, light can pass through the matrix display and reflect back off the mirror-backed rear glass. Consequently, the rear view mirror can assume its conventional function of presenting images of objects that are behind the vehicle, while the pixels of the matrix display can be activated to superimpose alpha-numeric characters on the images. The characters can represent vehicle speed, time, radio station data, or other vehicle control data.

Abstract: A lamp assembly having fluid dispensing capabilities comprising a housing, a lens having a fluid nozzle retaining sleeve and a fluid nozzle assembly. The lamp assembly is subassembled by snap-fitting these components together, installing a lamp unit to the housing and a seal to the lens. Installation of the lamp assembly into the vehicle is accomplished by connecting the lamp unit to a wire harness, coupling the fluid nozzle assembly to a fluid supply line and securing the lamp assembly in an aperture in the vehicle with a pair of fasteners. The lamp assembly is particularly useful when incorporated into a rearward facing surface of a vehicle as the lamp serves as a center high mount stop lamp and the nozzle assembly is used to dispense a cleaning fluid onto a rear windshield.

Abstract: Automotive front end structure adapted to be mounted on an automotive vehicle frame to absorb impact energy. The structure includes first and second crush hoops each having a central portion and side portions extending rearwardly from the central portion. The rear ends of the side portions of each hoop are connected to brackets and then to first and second crush boxes. Brackets connect the crush boxes to the vehicle frame. The crush hoops and the crush boxes are adapted to crush and collapse to absorb energy in a frontal impact. The central portion of the first crush hoop projects forwardly a greater distance than the central portion of the second crush hoop so that the first crush hoop is first to deform in a front impact. Thereafter, the other hoop begins to load and dissipate energy to provide a smooth, continuous and progressive reaction force to front end deformation.

Abstract: In providing automated shifting of a manual transmission, the electro-mechanical clutch actuator of the present invention is provided for disengaging and engaging the clutch of a manual-type transmission. The control algorithm includes utilizing an adaptively learned touchpoint along with a series of calibrated offsets for positioning the clutch during different modes of operation. During engagement of the clutch, a closed-loop, PID, "rate of clutch slip" calculational scheme controls the rate of clutch engagement to a predetermined numeric rate of clutch slip.

Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for a transmission including a lubrication pump driven by a reverse idler gear. The lubrication pump is supported by a partition plate having an inlet passage and an outlet passage formed therein for communicating with the lubrication pump. The outlet passage communicates with an input shaft extending through the partition plate for supplying lubrication fluid to a central passage in the input shaft.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical automatic transmission is provided including a first input shaft and a second input shaft concentric with the first input shaft. A plurality of drive gears are rotatably mounted to each input shaft and are provided with synchronizer devices for selectively engaging the drive gears to the input shafts. A driver shaft is provided with a plurality of driven gears in meshing engagement with the drive gears. The electro-mechanical automatic transmission is provided with a pair of electro-mechanical clutch actuators for selectively disengaging dual clutches which transmit engine torque to the input shafts, as well as an electro-mechanical shift actuator system which operatively engage the synchronizer devices for selectively engaging the drive gears.

Abstract: A transmission is provided with a hill holder device including an overrunning one-way clutch mounted on a driveshaft of the transmission for selective engagement by a transmission controller in order to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward on a hill.