Abstract: A method for controlling a positioning device of an internal combustion engine includes the steps of: providing an electric motor for actuating the positioning device with the positioning device applying a torque to the; detecting a commanded position of the positioning device; detecting a sensed position of the positioning device; forming a damping term based upon the sensed position; forming a dynamic feedforward term based upon the commanded position; and forming a control action based separately upon the damping term and the dynamic feedforward term.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a multi-layer printed circuit board adapted for reduce interfacial sheer stresses includes a laminate substrate having a top layer forming a first major surface, a middle layer having a predetermined thickness and a bottom layer forming a second major surface opposed to the first major surface. Etch resists are disposed on the first and second surfaces corresponding to reverse images of desired conductor patterns. The first and second surfaces are thereafter etched and the photoresist removed. The laminate substrate is secured via a low modules adhesive layer to a major surface of a base. The middle layer of the laminate substrate is thereafter selectively etched so as to isolate selected portions of the first and second surfaces and to define inner connect regions therebetween having a height equal to the predetermined thickness.

Abstract: An output stage of a double balanced mixer having a first intermediate port and a second intermediate port includes an operational amplifier, an impedance and first and second current source devices. The operational amplifier has a first input port, a second input port and an IF output port, and the impedance is coupled between the first input port and the second input port. The first current source device has a first terminal coupled to both the first input port and the first intermediate port, which are coupled to one another. The second current source device has a second terminal coupled to both the second input port and the second intermediate port, which are coupled to one another.

Abstract: A modular electronic throttle valve system for an internal combustion engine. A modular subassembly including at least a housing, motor, gear train and electronic sensors are mated with a two-piece air passageway subassembly. Bearings on the throttle shaft hold the throttle shaft in position in the clamshell member. A throttle shaft and throttle valve plate are either positioned in the modular subassembly with the housing, motor, gear train and electronic sensors, or included in the clamshell subassembly with a coupling member. The clamshell member and modular housing are secured together to form the completed electronic throttle control mechanism.

Abstract: A method of injection molding a layered plastic component includes providing a sealing structure around the periphery of a mold cavity formed between first and second mold halves to contain plastic material in the cavity during injection. The first and second mold halves are closed to a first gap therebetween. A first plastic material is injected into the cavity. The first and second mold halves are closed together to a full closure position to compress the first plastic material. The first and second mold halves are held together for a period of time sufficient to partially solidify the first plastic material. The first and second mold halves are opened to a second gap therebetween, and at least one stop member is moved into position between the first and second mold halves.

Abstract: A method for controlling a positioning device of an internal combustion engine includes the steps of: providing an electric motor for actuating the positioning device; detecting a position of the positioning device in relationship to a stop; determining whether the positioning device is near the stop; enabling overshoot when the positioning device is not near the stop; determining a velocity of the positioning device; and, enabling overshoot of the positioning device when the positioning device is near the stop, but the velocity is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of controlling a retarder brake system of a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of determining an operator braking input indicative of a desired vehicle deceleration and generating a desired retarder torque value (DT) corresponding to the desired vehicle deceleration value. The method further includes determining a wheel speed value for each wheel of the vehicle and generating a front-to-rear wheel slip (FRS) value indicative of rear wheel lockup as a function of the wheel speed values. A retarder torque reduction (TR) value is also generated as a function of the FRS value. A desired retarder torque command (TC) is then generated as a function of the DT and TR values. The method also includes the step of controlling the retarder as a function of the retarder torque command to achieve the desired vehicle deceleration. Thus, the TR value reduced the retarding torque which would otherwise be applied in response to the driver input, to prevent driven wheel lockup.

Abstract: An airbag plate for use in an airbag assembly incorporates a protruding push retainer feature to irreversibly secure the airbag plate to an instrument panel upper. The protruding push retainer feature may use a plurality of contact arms or an upwardly exposed flange region, with or without barbs, as a positive retaining feature. The instrument panel upper is coupled to the airbag plate by inserting a raised boss on the engine side of the instrument panel upper through a corresponding protruding push retainer contained on the airbag plate. This push retainer feature then bites into the boss to aid in preventing the airbag plate from separating from the instrument panel upper when an airbag is deployed.

Abstract: An adapter for interconnecting flexible circuitry, such as a length of flat flexible cable, to another electrical circuit component using an edge card connector includes a thin, substantially-flat, rigid projection that defines an edge, an upper surface and a lower surface. The flat flexible cable is secured to the upper surface of the adapter's projection and wrapped around the edge of the projection to thereby significantly improve the retention force achieved upon insertion of the adapter's projection into the edge card connector's main slot.

Abstract: A torque biasing device, based on three friction cones and 2 friction rings, can provide differential outputs from a single mechanical input, by varying the interface of the rings to the cones and a speed matching device based on two cones, a friction ring and a clutch can provide smooth clutching operation for a driven shaft.

Abstract: A method of controlling an antenna signal combiner in a vehicle having a navigational system, a broadcast receiver, and multiple antenna elements. The method comprises the steps of the broadcast receiver receiving broadcast signals from a broadcast tower. Then, determine first position coordinates of the vehicle using the navigation system. Next, determine second position coordinates of the broadcast tower and then combining signals from the multiple antennas to steer an antenna beam from the first position coordinates towards the second position coordinates. This method allows for accurate and timely tracking of a broadcast signal.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump (28) having a combination inlet port (71) and an outlet (76) formed integrally on the rear body (32). By integrating the combination inlet port (71) and outlet (76) on the rear body (32), this invention simplifies the manufacture of the pump (28) as compared with known variable displacement pumps.

Abstract: A tubular fuel pressure damper for use in a fuel rail. The tubular fuel pressure damper includes a first and second end and an inner surface defining a cavity. The first and second ends of the fuel pressure damper are closed by crimping to form contact areas. The contact areas may be additionally sealed by welding, soldering or other means.

Abstract: A tri-metallic material for use in the manufacture of printed circuit boards is described, and the process for its manufacture is described. The tri-metallic material is a sandwich wherein a copper layer is essential the “bread” of the sandwich and an aluminum layer is the filling between both slices of bread. A metallic bonding and/or barrier layer is spread on the aluminum and is selected for its highly non-corrosive properties as well as its bonding, and diffusion inhibiting capabilities.

Abstract: A method for forming sets of tri-metal material involving the use of cladding mills. When multiple sets of tri-metal material are formed, the outside surfaces of each set is prepared by oxidation to prevent each set from adhering to the set above or below. An alternative to oxidation is to provide a removable layer on the outside surface of the tri-metal material. Alternatively bonding materials may be used on the intermediate surfaces; such bonding materials can be selected from a group consisting of tin, nickel, titanium, chromium, silver and zinc.

Abstract: A method of controlling torque transfer from a torque input source to an outlet source in which an electronically controllable magnetorheological fluid-based torque limiting device is coupled to either a differential pinion gear, a side gear, both the differential pinion gear and side gear, or both side gears of a differential assembly. By introducing current through electronically controllable magnetorheological fluid-based torque-limiting device during a turning or spin-out condition, and thereby increasing the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid within the torque limiting device, the amount of torque that is transferred to the output source through the differential assembly can be controlled.

Abstract: In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system for automatically adjusting a selected following interval for the vehicle based on driving conditions is provided. The method includes determining a driving surface coefficient of friction based on a driven wheel speed of the vehicle, and adjusting the selected following interval for the vehicle based on the driving surface coefficient of friction. The system includes a receiver capable of receiving a signal indicative of a driven wheel speed of the vehicle, and a controller capable of determining a driving surface coefficient of friction based on the driven wheel speed, and capable of adjusting the selected following interval for the vehicle based on the driving surface coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A switched bandwidth filter in a digital signal processor selectively provides a first bandwidth characteristic or a second bandwidth characteristic by loading separate first and second sets of filter coefficients into the digital filter. The level of transients during coefficient switching is reduced by specially designing the respective coefficient sets using modifications obtained according to the invention. The modifications substantially match net gains at at least one of the internal nodes between filter sections provided by the first and second coefficient sets, respectively.

Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine has an engine controller and an electronically controlled throttle including a throttle control motor driven by a throttle control circuit. The method includes detecting an open circuit condition in the throttle control circuit and then detecting a closed circuit condition. After detection of the closed circuit condition, the throttle position command is clipped and the clipped throttle position is applied to the throttle control motor.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control apparatus includes a variable voltage generator, such as an H-driver, controlling the positioning effort of an electronic throttle motor by generating a variable voltage signal. A current sensing element is coupled to the H-driver and generates a voltage proportional to motor current. A microprocessor is coupled to the H-driver and the current sensing element. The microprocessor determines electronic motor resistance based upon the voltage generated by the H-driver and the current sensing voltage signal. The microprocessor may then modify controller gains based upon the calculated electronic throttle motor resistance.