Abstract: An engine shut off system for a hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a controller. The internal combustion engine is located in the hybrid electric vehicle and is coupled to the electric motor. The vehicle system controller is coupled to the internal combustion engine and may automatically shut off or start the internal combustion engine. When the hybrid electric vehicle is completely stopped the controller shuts the internal combustion engine off after a configurable period of time.

Abstract: A vehicular air conditioning system (10) includes a compressor (110) having a crank chamber (138), a suction chamber (120), and a discharge chamber (122). A refrigerant mixture includes carbon dioxide and oil. A conduit (13) connects the discharge chamber (122) of the compressor (110) directly with an oil separator (14) to route the refrigerant mixture directly to the oil separator (14). A capillary tube (16) is connected between the oil separator (14) and the crank chamber (138) of the compressor (110) to cool and throttle oil enroute directly to the crank chamber (138) of the compressor (110).

Abstract: A temperature and humidity sensor assembly for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle includes a housing for connection to the HVAC system. The temperature and humidity sensor also includes a humidity sensor disposed within the housing and a temperature sensor disposed within the housing. The temperature and humidity sensor further includes a circuit board disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor and for connection to an electronic controller to control the HVAC system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a trailer hitch assembly for use with automobiles, trucks and other vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly comprises a crossbeam assembly and a pair of side brackets disposed on opposite ends of the crossbeam assembly. The crossbeam assembly and the side brackets are made of an ultra-high-strength steel material having a bainitic microstructure. The trailer hitch is fabricated from boron steel preheated to a temperature in the austenite range. The steel is then formed while in the austenite range in a forming die then subsequently quenched to achieve a bainitic microstructure and assembled as a trailer hitch.

Abstract: A throttle control for an internal combustion engine comprising an electric motor and a motor drive connecting the motor to a throttle plate of a throttle body, whereby throttle plate control is established solely by the electric motor without a mechanical motion-transmitting mechanism between the vehicle accelerator pedal and the throttle plate. The motor is under the control of an electronic microprocessor that responds to a signal indicating that the engine ignition system has been deactivated. A command is sent by the microprocessor at the time of engine shutdown to the motor to actuate the throttle plate to an intermediate position, thereby avoiding throttle plate freezing and avoiding throttle plate sticking at closed throttle due to deposits, such as hydrocarbon deposits, on the wall of the throttle body.

Abstract: A throttle control system employs redundant throttle signals in which faults may be detected so that control may continue using a non-faulted channel when one channel fails. Rehabilitation of the failed channel may occur when the fault condition ends, and changes in throttle setting based on that rehabilitation, are phased in gradually to prevent abrupt changes in vehicle operation. In this way, high availability and reliability are obtained.

Abstract: A variable radius bending apparatus is disclosed for bending a glass plate. The variable radius bending apparatus includes a bending rail having a longitudinal rail member and a drive drum and a tension drum rotatably attached thereto. A drive band is positioned around the drive drum and tension drum and in frictional engagement therewith. A plurality of rollers are in driven contact with the drive band and are tiltable to a desired bend radius for forming the desired bend radius in the glass plate. Finally, a band guide is fixedly attached to the bending rail and in juxtaposition with the drive band for preventing the drive band from moving transversely with respect to the drive drum and tension drum, whereby the band is prevented from contacting a surface adjacent to the band.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive circuit assembly having a plurality of circuit segments. Each circuit segment has one or more conductive buses operatively positioned between a dielectric substrate and a protective cover. The protective cover selectively exposes a portion of the one or more conductive buses. The one or more conductive buses of one circuit segment is selectively joined to one or more conductive buses of another circuit segment to cooperatively form an electrical circuit assembly.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and method of making same includes a plate extending longitudinally. The heat exchanger also includes a plurality of apertures forming a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet extending through the plate. The heat exchanger further includes a mechanism forming a restriction to fluid flow through either one of the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A multilayer, monolithic electrical interconnection device includes a substrate and a plurality of overlaying, alternating conducting and insulating layers deposited atop the substrate and one another. The layers are deposited by thermal spraying of respective insulating or conducting material through defined apertures in respective spray masks. Interlayer electrical connections are intrinsically formed by direct metallurgical bonding between the conducting material of an overlaying layer and the conducting material of a previously sprayed layer.

Abstract: An automotive multimedia entertainment system includes an integrated rear seat entertainment module in which audio signals coordinated with video entertainment devices in the rear seat can be reproduced using the vehicle's audio system. Multiplex control signals between an audio main control unit, rear seat entertainment module, and CD disc jockey allows free selection of sources for single and dual play modes. By sharing an external audio input of the main control unit, between the rear seat entertainment module and the CD disc jockey, a single version of the main control unit can be used in vehicles either with or without rear seat entertainment modules or CD disc jockeys.

Abstract: A variable capacity swash plate type compressor 10 incorporates a pressure relief valve 43 in fluid communication with a suction chamber 20 and a crank chamber 40. The pressure relief valve 43 prevents over pressurization in the crank chamber 40 to minimize friction and forces acting on the components of the compressor 10.

Abstract: A piston having anti-rotation for a swashplate compressor includes a body portion extending axially and a connecting portion spaced radially from a longitudinal axis of the body portion and extending axially. The piston also includes a pair of opposed anti-rotation wings extending radially from one end of the body portion between the connecting portion and the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for connecting a fiber optic light cable to a light source includes a light source housing for connection to a light source and a coupling for connection to a fiber optic light cable. The coupling includes a cage having a spring for locking the light source housing to the coupling to connect the fiber optic light cable to the light source housing, thereby allowing light from the light source to be efficiently coupled into the fiber optic light cable.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a flexible multilayer substrate having integral electrically-conductive traces that also includes, as a lowermost layer, a metal foil. A plurality of uppermost layers, likewise including a metal foil, form a thin barrier member that is sealingly attached to the substrate's other layers. In this manner, a plurality of electronic components, mounted on the substrate's other layers so as to be electrically interconnected with the traces before sealingly attaching the barrier member, are encapsulated within metal foil to provide an environmentally-sealed assembly featuring improved resistance to moisture diffusion and penetration/permeation of other substances characteristic of the assembly's service environment into the assembly. A filler material, also encapsulated within the metal foil, is operative to neutralize a predetermined amount of a penetrant, further improving the operability and service life of the assembly.

Abstract: A position sensor assembly for detecting linear movement of a transmission manual valve is comprised of a set of permanent magnets mounted on a movable carrier and an array of GMR elements located between the juxtaposed magnet poles. The magnet set establishes a high and low magnetic flux field pattern across the GMR elements whose resistance values decrease as they are subjected to the moving magnetic field. The change in resistance is converted to a linear position output signal corresponding to the displacement of the transmission manual valve. The magnet set is moved transversely to the direction of movement of the manual valve. The magnet set is assembled on a magnet carrier that is mechanically linked to the transmission manual valve for which linear position signal is desired.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a printed circuit board (PCB) having improved resistance against solder bridging and component decentering/tombstoning. The printed circuit board (PCB) includes a substrate 10 having a top surface 12; at least two mounting pads 14 disposed on the top surface in matched relation with terminations 26 of an electronic component 24; and a solder mask 16 disposed on the top surface and having at least two apertures 18 therethrough, wherein each aperture generally conforms in shape with and is arranged about a respective one of the mounting pads 14. Each aperture 18 has at least one inner aperture edge 22i generally within a projected footprint F of the electronic component and at least one outer aperture edge 22o generally outside the footprint F. Each aperture 18 includes a notch 20 in one or more of the at least one outer aperture edge 22o, wherein each notch 20 extends generally outward from its respective mounting pad 14.

Abstract: A scroll compressor (10) includes a housing (11) with a stationary scroll member (13) mounted therein and a swivel scroll member (12) positioned in the housing and cooperating with the stationary scroll member to form a compression chamber (16). A thrust bearing has a first bearing ring (40) for attachment to the housing (11) and having a plurality of circular bearing races (42,54), a second bearing ring (45) for attachment to the swivel scroll member (12) and having a plurality of circular bearing races (47,55), and a plurality of balls (56) retained between the rings in associated pairs of the races. The races can have rounded tip (50,51), pointed tip (57,59,60,61,62), plateau (52,53) or flat center (54,55) portions. The first bearing ring (40) can have a thickness (C) different than a thickness (D) of the second earing ring.

Abstract: The invention is a theft deterrent arrangement for a motor vehicle audio apparatus (10) wherein the audio apparatus (10) is enabled when an optoelectronic circuit (7,11,13) is closed by a security bezel (1) removably seated in a recess (3) in a front face (2) of the audio apparatus (10). The security bezel (1) has a light pipe (17), so that when the security bezel (1) is seated in the recess (3), the light pipe (17) provides an optical path (32) between a light detector (13) and an emitter (11) fixedly mounted in the recess (3), thereby closing the optoelectronic circuit (7,11,13) and enabling the audio apparatus (10).

Abstract: An automatic identification of the features associated with an audio system for a vehicle based on the selection of the associated bezel (14). The audio system includes a printed circuit board (34) having at least one finger pad (30) thereon in communication with a microprocessor (16). The microprocessor (16) includes programming sequences for various possible features for the audio system. The bezel (14) may have no, one or multiple programming tabs (36) in alignment with corresponding finger pads depending upon the model of bezel chosen. Contact of the finger pads due to the programming tabs will indicate to the microprocessor which programming sequence needs to be initiated to activate the appropriate features corresponding to that particular bezel installed on the audio assembly.