Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solder includes a nozzle body having a plurality of flow channels formed therein. Each flow channel includes an inlet end and a dispenser end for dispensing solder. The nozzle body forms a nipple surrounding each dispenser end, and the nozzle body further forms a shielding chamber in communication with each dispenser end for protecting the respective nipple, and optionally providing flow of inerting gas and/or excluding ambient oxygen from the soldering area. The nozzle bodies comprise micro-machined silicon. Various flow channel configurations are provided for improved flow characteristics.

Abstract: A method is provided that may be used to design a family of capacitive microaccelerometers with different members of the family having different sensitivities to acceleration without having to make a radical design change to the basic construction. The microaccelerometer is a capacitively sensed angular motion micro-electromechanical system. The microaccelerometer includes a stationary plate electrode and a movable plate electrode substantially parallel with the stationary plate electrode. The movable plate electrode rotates through a dielectric fluid about an axis of rotation parallel to the stationary plate electrode in response to acceleration. The method includes determining the desired sensitivity and changing the stationary plate center of area relative to the movable plate so as to obtain the desired sensitivity.

Abstract: A method of operating an automotive-type engine at part loads by eliminating engine throttling altogether and controlling the intake flow by heating the intake air and utilizing variable late or early intake valve closings.

Abstract: An N.sup.th order infinite impulse response digital filter for long-delay filtering of signals representing a digital input sequence. The N.sup.th order infinite impulse response digital filter is synthesized by cascading in series N first order infinite impulse response filter stages. A filter stage operable on a digital computer with floating point capability is provided and comprises a multiplier which multiplies an input signal with a weighting factor. A summing element provides an output for the filter stage by summing the weighted input signal with a weighted and delayed output signal. A filter operable on a digital computer with fixed point capability is provided and comprises a summing element which sums an input signal with the output of a first multiplier, and the delayed output of a mask element. The output of the summing element is coupled to the input of a second multiplier and to the input of the mask element.

Abstract: A soldering process is suitable for use with low cost, low heat distortion temperature thermoplastic substrates without distortion or damage to the substrate yet having the mass production capability exhibited by wave and reflow soldering techniques. The process allows integration of consumer products and, in particular, vehicle components such as integrated instrument panel or other such assemblies, without the redundancy of separate printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A throttle body assembly for an internal combustion engine comprising a straddle-mounted throttle plate shaft extending transversely through an airflow passage, a bearing located on each side of the airflow passage for rotatably supporting the throttle plate shaft, and a mechanical connection between the throttle plate and the throttle plate shaft including strategically positioned clearances between the shaft and the throttle plate which will allow the throttle plate to move relative to the shaft, thereby permitting self-alignment of the throttle plate within the airflow passage.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically controlling a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle in order to achieve thermal comfort of an occupant of the automotive vehicle receives a plurality of input signals representative of ambient temperature, sunload, and a set-point temperature. A desired amount of HVAC Work necessary to achieve thermal comfort is determined based on either a target temperature or a model of an occupant's thermal comfort. A controller controls the HVAC system based on the desired amount of HVAC Work.

Abstract: A system and method for desulfating an NO.sub.x trap utilizes a closed loop control of the air-to-fuel (A/F) ratio to accurately maintain a precise A/F ratio during desulfation. An oxygen sensor is positioned in the middle of the trap to provide an actual A/F ratio measurement, which is subsequently compared to a target A/F ratio to generate a correction signal to adjust operation of the engine's fuel injector(s). The trap oxygen sensor can also be used to adaptively update engine state conditions for a more precise switch-over to a trap regeneration phase.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring efficiency of a catalytic converter count switches of at least one upstream sensor interposed the engine and the converter and count switches of a downstream sensor, interposed the converter and atmosphere, during a definite time period after a switch of the at least one upstream sensor to account for propagation delay of exhaust gases traveling between the at least one upstream and downstream sensor. Upstream sensor switches may optionally be counted only if predetermined entry conditions are satisfied while downstream switches occurring during respective definite time periods after an upstream switch are counted without regard to the entry conditions. A switch ratio based on the number of switches of the at least one upstream sensor and switches of the downstream sensor is used to monitor conversion efficiency of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method and system for accurately controlling a position of a servo motor in a vehicle speed control system for various operation conditions includes predetermined parameters of a polynomial which define desired positions of a servo motor for various vehicle speeds under normal operation conditions. A sensor senses a speed of the vehicle and generates a corresponding speed signal. A controller determines an initial desired position of servo motor based on the speed signal. The controller also determines whether the operation condition of the vehicle has deviated from the normal operation condition, and if so, determines a revised desired position of the servo motor based on the actual position of the servo motor and the initial desired position of the servo motor. Finally, the controller controls the servo motor based on the revised desired position of the servo motor.

Abstract: A stator (10) for an induction machine for a vehicle has a cylindrical core (12) with inner and outer slots (26, 28) extending longitudinally along the inner and outer peripheries between the end faces (22, 24). Each outer slot is associated with several adjacent inner slots. A plurality of toroidal coils (14) are wound about the core and laid in the inner and outer slots. Each coil occupies a single inner slot and is laid in the associated outer slot thereby minimizing the distance the coil extends from the end faces and minimizing the length of the induction machine. The toroidal coils are configured for an arbitrary pole phase modulation wherein the coils are configured with variable numbers of phases and poles for providing maximum torque for cranking and switchable to a another phase and pole configuration for alternator operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desulfating a NO.sub.x trap is proposed wherein the SO.sub.x purge temperature is achieved by modulating the amplitude of the A/F of the mixture supplied to the engine thereby storing oxygen in the trap during lean engine cylinder events and generating the required exotherm during rich engine cylinder events.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing time required for a catalyst to reach optimum operating temperature control an air/fuel ratio based on the catalyst temperature to supply excess air to the catalyst during closed loop lambda control. A lambda bias or offset is varied as a function of the catalyst temperature, engine speed, and engine load to bias the air/fuel ratio lean of the stoichiometric ratio. Excess air may be supplied to the catalyst for a predetermined period after a cold engine start or at any time that the catalyst temperature is below its optimum operating temperature for efficient conversion. The bias or offset is reduced to zero after the catalyst reaches a desired operating temperature or the predetermined time period expires.

Abstract: A method and system for manipulating a three-dimensional object in a computer-aided design (CAD) environment utilizes a force feedback interface. A gravitational sphere is defined around each of the plurality of input parameters of a mathematical model defining a shape, location and orientation of the object. A force is applied to the force feedback interface based on the gravitational spheres and the position of the force feedback interface. An input signal is received from the force feedback interface based on the applied force indicating selection of one of the plurality of input parameters. The selected input parameter can then be edited according to an edit signal generated by the user via the force feedback interface. In addition, the edit signal can be limited according to predetermined constraints via the force feedback interface.

Abstract: A hydraulic control unit capable of being used in an automotive vehicle wheel brake system includes a pressure generator such as a master cylinder for a vehicle wheel brake system that includes automatic brake control features. Solenoid-operated valves are used to control the flow of brake fluid to and from the fluid pressure actuators for front and rear brakes. A fluid reservoir is used for storing hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic control unit. A source of electrical energy, such as a solenoid-operated valve, is used to heat the hydraulic fluid to reduce fluid viscosity and thus enhance control unit performance.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic algorithm utilizes a single rule to produce a varying output signal. A plurality of input signal values are received from a plurality of sensors. A predetermined combination of a plurality of membership functions in the single fuzzy logic rule are defined in which a first instance of the predetermined combination based on a first set of inputs yields a first output signal defined by a first and second axis. A second instance of the predetermined combination based on a second set of inputs different from the first set of inputs yields a second output signal substantially identical to the first output signal, except the second output signal is shifted along one of the first and second axes. A controller produces digital output signals based on the first and second output signals to produce the varying output signal.

Abstract: A method and system for initial and ongoing calibration of the absolute zero throttle plate reference position used in an electronic throttle control system. The method compensates for shifts in the absolute zero throttle plate reference position that occur as a result of aging, wear, and thermal expansion/contraction by monitoring the torque output from a position controller when the throttle is commanded to be at the zero position, and correcting absolute zero position information until the torque required to maintain the absolute zero position is within a window extending between zero and that torque required to overcome a spring pre-load.

Abstract: A suction control valve for a scroll compressor has a valve piston with a contoured surface for encouraging aerodynamic flow through the valve. The contoured surface is not symmetrical about a vertical axis. Slots are provided in the housing and piston for engaging the valve spring to prevent rotation of the piston so that the nonsymmetry of the contoured piston surface does not affect fluid flow during operation.

Abstract: A flux formulation without a surfactant is used 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 comprises the step of heating the flux solution and dispersing it as a fine spray.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the rotational speed of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders each having a spark plug wherein a predetermined amount of delivered fuel is to be combusted at a firing time within each of the plurality of cylinders with each rotation of the camshaft or crankshaft based on an acceleration input made by an operator includes the step of receiving the accelerating input, measuring the rotational speed of the crankshaft, defining an expected engine speed based on the acceleration input, calculating a speed error as the rotational speed of the crankshaft less the expected engine speed, calculating engine acceleration and adjusting the predetermined amount of fuel delivered to be combusted in each of the plurality of cylinders to reduce the speed error when the speed error is a function of the instantaneous engine speed. The preferred embodiment is implemented using fuzzy logic.