Abstract: An apparatus for acoustically cooling automotive electronics in which an acoustic driver and acoustic reflector are disposed within a hollow member, such as a cross-car-beam of a vehicle. The frequency of the acoustic driver and the distance between the acoustic driver and the acoustic reflector are selected to generate a standing acoustic wave within the hollow member.

Abstract: A flux formulation without a surfactant is available for use in the assembly of electronic circuit boards as a no-clean formulation. The formulation includes a flux solution having a fluxing agent consisting essentially of one or more weak organic acids and a solvent consisting essentially of water. The flux solution serves to transport the fluxing agent before deposition thereof upon a soldering site for reliability improvement engendered by a lack of hygroscopic residue and for avoidance of environmental degradation engendered by a lack of volatile organic chemicals (VOC's). The method includes the steps of heating the flux solution and dispersing it as a fine spray.

Abstract: A multiple-ratio automatic transmission having plural torque delivery paths that are established and disestablished by a roller clutch and brake system. The clutch and brake system establishes and disestablishes torque flow paths while preventing simultaneous clutch or brake engagement. The clutch and brake system is capable of accommodating instantaneous torque reversals during ratio changes. Simplified clutch and brake system actuators trigger the application and release of the clutches and brakes during ratio changes.

Abstract: An automated shifting system for a manual transmission having a neutral clutch connecting an engine to a multiple ratio transmission, the transmission having servo operated gear shift mechanism. A driver-controlled gear shift switching mechanism is used to activate the servos that effect ratio range changes. A gear shift switching mechanism includes multiple switches for triggering operation of the servos that control the ratio range changes. A range sensing redundancy strategy for the ratio range switches provide improved protection against an unintended change in direction due to three-bit separation between bits of the valid codes and to a range sensing switch failure strategy by identifying when a range change commanded by the driver exhibits a single-point fault condition.

Abstract: An emission control system is disclosed having an emission regulating system which includes an exhaust gas sensor positioned between a light-off catalyst and conditioning catalyst to provide more robust emissions.

Abstract: A vehicle active tilt control system torsionally adjusts front and rear stabilizer bars during vehicle maneuvers. A source of pressurized fluid is provided in communication with a directional control valve. Front and rear actuators each have opposing fluid chambers for receiving fluid from the directional control valve to cause actuator movement for adjusting the front and rear stabilizer bars. Each opposing fluid chamber of the rear actuator includes an inlet with a calibrated orifice therein for restricting flow therethrough to slow movement of the rear actuator for optimal timing of rear actuator movement with respect to front actuator movement.

Abstract: A method for operating a blower of an vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system after ignition off for purging moisture from an evaporator core includes accumulating a/c system data while the a/c system is operating including a/c on time, duty cycle, ambient temperature and mode of operation. When the ignition switch is turned off terminating operation the a/c system, updated data is saved for use in a look up table. A moisture index is selected from the look up table after ignition off as a function of a/c duty cycle, ambient temperature and mode of operation. The moisture index is a measure of the amount of moisture accumulated on the evaporator core which is a function of the a/c duty cycle, ambient temperature and fresh air or recirculated air mode of operation. The blower operates at a speed and for a duration dictated by the moisture index to purge moisture rather than simply operating for a set period of time regardless of moisture present.

Abstract: A glove box assembly (10) for a vehicle includes left and right side braces (50, 52) each having multiple sections (54, 64, 78). The first section (54) is fastened to the vehicle frame (24) and the second section (64) is connected to the first section and slidably movable relative to the first section between a retracted position at which the second section nests in the first section an extended position at which the second section extends from the first section. The third section (78) is connected to the second section (64) and slidably movable relative to the second section between a retracted position at which the third section nests in the second section an extended position at which the third section extends from the second section. A bin (28) is removably mounted between the left and right side braces (50, 52). The second and third sections (64, 78) of the braces (64, 78) are extended and retracted to controllably extend and retract the bin (28).

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring emissions by monitoring performance of a catalytic converter using a predetermined indicated threshold value include determining a current value for the indicator based on signals generated by at least one exhaust gas sensor, modifying a historical indicator value based on the current value, and adjusting the predetermined indicator threshold based on the historical indicator value. The predetermined indicator threshold is adjusted provided various adapt criteria are satisfied. The historical indicator value is compared to the threshold to determine whether to generate a malfunction indicator signal. In one embodiment, emissions are indicated using a switch ratio based on the number of switches or transitions for upstream and downstream exhaust gas oxygen sensors.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system in which brake steering forces intervene in the manual steering function wherein brake steering can be used to control the lateral position of a vehicle to supplement manual steering efforts, the system including brake controls for wheel brakes at the left and right sides of the vehicle which develop differential brake forces that result in a change in vehicle lateral position, the lateral position that is developed forming an input for a feedback regulator and brake controller, the magnitude of lateral position errors determining the brake forces that affect yaw rate and lateral position.

Abstract: An automated method for detecting borderline spark knock in a spark ignition engine imitates borderline knock procedures in which human operators listen to engine sounds as a function of spark timing. The automated method employs a psychoacoustic model and a psychophysical process to estimate borderline spark knock. The psychoacoustic model represents the acoustic activity in the human auditory system in response to engine sounds. The psychoacoustic model is monitored as a function of spark timing to detect audible spark knocks. The psychophysical process alters the spark timing for detecting spark knocks until the spark timing converges to a value corresponding to borderline knock. The automated method eliminates human operator subjectivity in estimating borderline knock.

Abstract: A coordinated engine and transmission traction control method is disclosed for reducing driven wheel speed transients related to transmission shifting during a traction control event. The method includes sensing a driven wheel speed, and estimating a driving surface coefficient of friction based on the sensed wheel speed. The method also includes prolonging a transmission upshift by reducing a rate of change of a commanded speed ratio in proportion to the estimated driving surface coefficient of friction, and decreasing engine torque during the transmission upshift. A system including a wheel speed sensor and control logic is also disclosed for performing the method.

Abstract: A radio frequency amplifier includes a first amplifier stage having a first transistor, and a second amplifier stage having a second transistor. The first transistor has a base input for receiving an input voltage, a collector output, and an emitter coupled to a common. The second transistor has a base input coupled to the first transistor collector output, a collector output, and an emitter coupled to the common by a resistance element. The second transistor emitter is DC coupled to the first transistor base. The DC coupling of the first transistor base to the second transistor emitter provides stable DC biasing of the first and second transistors based on base-emitter voltages of the first and second transistors. The radio frequency amplifier may be employed in a variety of receiver/amplifier applications, such as vehicular driver integrity check systems.

Abstract: A device which utilizes flip chip technology to provide interconnection between printed circuit boards and integrated circuits is disclosed. The method involves metallization of the bond pad and multiple, novel bump compositions and coating compositions to provide an interconnection which is reliable and which withstands differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the silicon device and the bump material.

Abstract: A control valve system for a multiple ratio automatic transmission having a reaction brake for forward drive and a reaction brake for reverse drive. A first clutch establishes a driving connection between an input gear element and a torque input shaft establishes a forward drive torque flow path when the forward drive brake is engaged. A second clutch connects a different torque input gear element of the transmission to the torque input member when the reverse reaction brake is applied. A pressurized valve circuit with three variable force solenoids, including one variable force solenoid, establishes a controlled circuit pressure, a second variable force solenoid is dedicated for reverse engagement control and a third variable force solenoid is dedicated for forward engagement control, whereby independent reverse engagement pressures and independent forward engagement pressures on the clutches and brakes, are established.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a linear motor armature assembly is provided for maintaining minimal separation between a motor housing and a magnet plate, wherein the motor housing has a housing opening formed at a side of the motor housing facing the magnet plate. The method includes: a) covering the housing opening with a thin sheet of non-magnetic material having a thickness of less than approximately 0.015 inch to enclose the coil assembly within the motor housing; and b) drawing a cooling fluid through the motor housing to create a negative pressure within the cooling fluid and to cool the coil assembly.

Abstract: A voice message system for motor vehicles includes an audio reproduction and recording system, and a control that interfaces the audio system with the vehicle function controls. Preferably, an ignition switch sensor signal received at the control initiates a command for playback of current time or periodic time designated messages. The control may also interface with a sensor signal responsive to an air bag diagnostic switch for actuating the recording of vocalized instructions or comments. In addition, a single actuator for immediate recording capability, as well as a microphone for receiving vocalized messages are conveniently packaged in the steering control mechanism.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for developing a sheet metal forming process prediction method which is based on the application of an anisotropic hardening rule of plasticity in the mathematic theory.

Abstract: A vehicle active tilt control system provides improved response time in torsionally adjusting front and rear stabilizer bars during vehicle maneuvers. The system includes front and rear actuators connected, respectively, to the front and rear stabilizer bars for selectively twisting the stabilizer bars. The actuators are moveable in first and second opposing directions for twisting the stabilizer bars in opposing directions. A directional control valve is operatively connected to the front and rear actuators for directing fluid flow to the actuators to selectively cause movement of the actuators in one of the first and second opposing directions. An electrically pressure-controlled pump is operatively connected to the directional control valve for delivering fluid to the directional control valve at controllable pressures, thereby providing improved pressure-control response time which results in improved system performance.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting faults with a self-exciting sensor includes a monitor circuit coupled to the self-exciting sensor for monitoring a signal associated with the sensor and generating a failure signal. A voltage limiting circuit is coupled to a receiver circuit associated with the self-exciting sensor for generating a first output signal within a valid range of operation in the absence of the failure signal. The voltage limiting circuit also generates a second output signal outside the valid range of operation in response to the failure signal so as to eliminate the necessity of an additional input to control logic associated with the self-exciting sensor.