Abstract: A noise and vibration attenuator for a power steering hose is disposed on the flexible tubular portion of the hose. The damper is operable to attenuate noise or vibration found in the hose and includes a cylindrical main body having a central bore on the longitudinal axis of the main body. The bore is operable to receive the flexible tubular portion of the hose and fix the position of the damper on the hose. The main body can include a slot formed through the main body to the bore, operable to provide clearance for the hose member to be inserted from the side of the cylinder into the bore. The main body can also be solid, requiring that the hose be inserted into the bore in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A vibration diagnostic instrument for use by an automotive maintenance mechanic. The vibration diagnostic instrument includes a sensor, which senses vibrations and generates a sensor signal in response thereto, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the sensor and receives the sensor signal. The controller includes a transmitter portion that generates a diagnostic signal responsive to the sensor signal. The transmitter portion transmits the diagnostic signal over radio waves so that it may be received by an appropriate receiver, such as a conventional FM receiver.

Abstract: An occupant classification sense element is provided. The sense element has a body having a center portion, a first attachment portion connected to the center portion by a first flexible beam, and a second attachment portion connected to the center portion by a second flexible beam. First and second strain sensing elements are attached to the first flexible beam and third and fourth strain sensing elements are attached to the second flexible beam. The first, second, third and fourth strain sensing elements cooperate to produce an electrical signal indicative of a force deflecting the first and second flexible beams.

Abstract: A mobile work station assembly for a vehicle. The work station incorporates a docking station, toolbox, file organizer, power inverter, storage container and a mobile phone assembly on a sliding load floor that can extend outwardly from the interior of the vehicle. The work station is removably attached to the load floor. The work station is adapted for mounting in a vehicle interior or within a pickup truck bed.

Abstract: A system and a method for creating and controlling electronic agreements. In general, the system includes a server and at least one client interconnected through a communications medium. In operation, the system only allows access to authorized users. Once a user gains access, the user inputs commands and data that are necessary to create an electronic document. Upon completion of the electronic document, the user can invoke a signature process. During the signature process, the parties to the agreement enter electronic signatures. The present invention operates to encrypt the electronic document and then encrypts each of the signatures using an encryption key that is based, at least in part, on the contents of the electronic document. This aspect of the system prevents the creation of fraudulent versions of the electronic document because any modifications to the electronic document will invalidate the encrypted signatures. Finally, the system operates to transfer the electronic agreement to a secure server.

Abstract: A sealed housing evaporative determination (SHED) apparatus and method for practically zero emission vehicles (PZEV) provides periodic sampling of ambient air within a substantially air-tight testing structure enclosing a vehicle under test. Pressure drops within the testing structure are compensated by injecting air substantially free of hydrocarbons into the testing structure. Pressure increases within the testing structure are reduced by withdrawing ambient air from the testing structure. Hydrocarbon content of any withdrawn ambient air is determined from the latest sample, and cumulative evaporative emissions are adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A method of non-intrusive monitoring of catalyst performance in an automotive exhaust system uses a model of catalytic converter operation emphasizing oxygen storage capacity dominance. Model parameters are identified using a recursive Kalman filtering technique. A catalyst diagnostic index is derived from at least one identified parameter, and the index is used to judge converter performance.

Abstract: A method for enabling a transition of a multiple-displacement engine to a different engine operating displacement includes determining a temperature measure correlated with an instantaneous engine oil temperature at an engine start-up, for example, a detected engine coolant temperature at engine start-up; determining a start-up delay period based on the temperature measure, as with a lookup table of calibratable values; and enabling a displacement mode transition no earlier than when the engine run time since start-up exceeds the start-up delay period.

Abstract: A fuel cell hybrid vehicle utilizing flooded aqueous battery or batteries operatively coupled to a fuel cell stack, an electric drive motor, and an integrated watering system, the integrated watering system comprising: a heat exchanger configured to extract water from exhaust air from the fuel cell stack; a reservoir, operatively connected to store the water; a sensor, operatively connected to generate a signal based on the flooded aqueous batteries' electrolyte level; a pump, operatively connected to the reservoir and the flooded aqueous batteries; and a system controller, operatively connected to receive and evaluate the signal from the sensor and actuate the pump to move water from the reservoir to the flooded aqueous battery or batteries.

Abstract: A display assembly stowably mounted on a vehicle seatback, the display assembly comprising: a support arm having a seat end and a display end, and a viewing screen, where the seat end of the support arm is pivotably connected to the vehicle seatback; and the display screen is rotatably connected to the display end of said seat arm.

Abstract: A composite wheel and a method of manufacture is provided for a vehicle wherein the composite wheel has a first and second section mounted to an annular mount. At least one of the first wheel section and second wheel section is composed of a resin having at least one braided polymeric fiber. The first and second sections are each formed by folding the braided fiber into a preform and then injecting resin into a mold containing the preform. The first and second sections are then bonded to each other and the annular mount.

Abstract: A method of detecting misfire events in an engine uses system identification technology. A linear model is determined for estimating engine firing events based on engine speed fluctuations. The linear model is represented as a difference equation. A Kalman filter is applied to the difference equation to determine unknown parameters of the linear model. Misfire events in the engine are detected based on the linear model.

Abstract: A sled system for mounting a parking brake hand lever assembly and a gear shift assembly to a vehicle floor pan, the sled system having a predetermined configuration to mount on a vehicle floor pan.

Abstract: A die castable magnesium based alloy comprising, by weight, between about 3 and 10% aluminum, between about 0.5 and 2.5% calcium, up to about 1.5% silicon, up to about 0.7% zinc, and the remainder being magnesium. The alloy has been found to exhibit more favorable castability and creep resistance than comparative magnesium based alloys.

Abstract: A method for determining an event-based hydraulic control delay in a multi-displacement system for an internal combustion engine, with which to adjust the triggering a solenoid in hydraulic communication with a hydraulically-deactivatable valve train component, includes retrieving either a first mapped value representative of a time-based hydraulic deactivation delay, or a second mapped value representative of a time-based hydraulic reactivation delay, based on a current engine speed and a current oil temperature, preferably using different lookup tables for each of the first and second mapped values. The method further includes determining a current time period between generated crankshaft position pulses, and dividing either the first value or the second by the first time period to obtain either an event-based hydraulic deactivation delay or an event-based hydraulic reactivation delay.

Abstract: The invention provides a shoulder belt height adjuster assembly and a method of adjusting the same. The assembly includes a guide rail, a slide, and a biasing member. The guide rail includes a plurality of fixed rail teeth disposed along at least one longitudinal portion. The slide includes an aperture formed therein for slidably receiving the guide rail along the longitudinal portion. The slide further includes a plurality of fixed slide teeth disposed on an interior slide surface. The biasing member is operably attached to the slide aperture for selectively engaging at least one of the fixed slide teeth into at least one of the fixed rail teeth. The engagement prevents slidable movement of the slide relative to the guide rail in a downward direction.

Abstract: A fixture supports a brake pedal tester on a floor pan of an automotive vehicle. Locking pins are mounted on the fixture. The locking pins are adapted to extend into locating holes in the floor pan. The brake pedal tester is mounted on the fixture forwardly of the locking pins. The locking pins have notches engageable with edges of the locating holes to prevent the fixture from lifting up when the tester is operated. A locating pin on the fixture rearwardly of the locking pins is adapted to extend into another locating hole in the floor pan.