Abstract: A multiple-function mechanical coupling having inner and outer races, the outer race having an internal surface with peripherally spaced pockets defining ramp surfaces, the inner race having an outer surface with peripherally spaced pockets defining ramps that are situated adjacent corresponding ramp surfaces of the outer race. The inner race surrounds a circular torque transfer shaft. The inner race is split to permit radial expansion of the effective diameter of the inner race. A hydrostatic pressure actuator exerts a tangentially directed force on the adjacent ends of the inner race. A plurality of clutch rollers is received in the recesses in the inner surface of the outer race and the outer surface of the inner race whereby the races are locked together and the inner race establishes frictional engagement of the torque delivery.

Abstract: A electronic engine control (EEC) module executes a neural network processing program to control the idle speed of an internal combustion engine by controlling the bypass air (throttle duty cycle) and the engine's ignition timing. The neural network is defined by a unitary data structure which defmes the network architecture, including the number of node layers, the number of nodes per layer, and the interconnections between nodes. To achieve idle speed control, the neural network processes input signals indicating the current operating state of the engine, including engine speed, the intake mass air flow rate, a desired engine speed, engine temperature, and other variables which influence engine speed, including loads imposed by power steering and air conditioning systems. The network definition data structure holds weight values which determine the manner in which network signals, including the input signals, are combined.

Abstract: A method of electric arc spraying metal upon an article. The method comprises providing an article to be sprayed, providing a supply of fusible metal feedstock, providing a metal feedstock feeding device, and providing a substrate of conductive heat resistant material. The substrate has a centrally disposed orifice extending therethrough. A source of electrical current is provided having a first electrode electrically coupled with an end of the metal feedstock, and a second electrode electrically coupled with the plate of conductive material. The source of current is activated to establish an electric arc between the metal feedstock and the plate of conductive material. The electrical arc creates a droplet spray of metal from the metal feedstock. The droplet spray is directed through the orifice in the substrate towards the article. The power supply is periodically pulsed between a first current and a second current.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly (10) including a pair of rigid lead frames (12, 14) having retention pockets (24, 26) thereon for retaining a sensor assembly (32). The sensor assembly (32) includes a surface mount device package (34) containing a thermistor (36). The lead frames (12, 14) are molded into a housing (15) after assembly of the sensor assembly (32) to the lead frames (12, 14).

Abstract: A method 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 method and circuit interface for multiplexing an input port and an output port of a microprocessor into a single external interface, wherein the input port and the output port never operate at the same time, is normally active upon a battery cycle, includes a resistor network, a level shifter and a power supply. The resistor network is coupled between the output port and the single external interface for receiving an input signal from the single external interface for receipt by the input port and for receiving an output signal from the output port for receipt by the single external interface. The level shifter is coupled to the input port and the resistor network for translating the input signal from the resistor network into a second input signal recognizable by the input port. The power supply is coupled to the resistor network and the level shifter for providing power to the input port so as to enable the input port to recognize the second input signal.

Abstract: A torque control system for a lean burn engine utilizing a supplemental torque apparatus that is operable during the engine mode transition from a lean air/fuel ratio to a rich air/fuel ratio. The supplemental torque apparatus 34, STA, operates to maintain the basic engine torque equation T.sub.e +T.sub.sta =T.sub.d, such that the device or a electrically connected battery 38 absorbs extra engine torque during a predetermined time period and generates engine torque at times other than the predetermined time period. During the predetermined time period, a lean NOx Trap 26 in the exhaust system is purged.

Abstract: An integrated lighting assembly (10) includes an injection molded housing that has a base (12) with first fastening elements (22) molded thereon, a cover (18) with second fastening elements (24) molded thereon, and a substrate (16) intermediate the base and cover. An electrical circuit (30) is formed on the substrate and a lighting element (32) is attached to the electrical circuit. A reflective cone (34, 36) surrounds the lighting element to intensify its light and direct light through a diffuser lens (28) formed on the base. A reflective wall (26) on the base reflects light emanating from the diffuser lens in a predetermined pattern. Metal for the reflective surface and electrical circuit is deposited in a single operation. The base and cover are connected to the substrate by living hinges. When the cover is folded onto the base, the first and second fastening elements snap together to form a three dimensional lighting assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling vehicle speed include mutually exclusive closed loop controllers for vehicle speed and acceleration which control vehicle speed by requesting an appropriate wheel torque. The system and method compute, in real time, the wheel torque required to maintain steady vehicle speed or steady acceleration depending on the particular mode of operation. The active closed loop controller acts upon vehicle speed or acceleration errors to output a desired torque request.

Abstract: A method is provided for automated managed health care enhanced rate renewal which utilizes a common electronic request package of specific and immutable format having locked embedded formulas to perform the necessary calculations and macros that tailor the package to suit information needs from individual providers. Submitted data is automatically compiled and stored in database using a data extraction tool integrated into the electronic form. The present invention advantageously allows evaluation of managed care providers for price and quality in a portfolio manner. In addition, the use of a common base electronic request form facilitates easy integration of data updates and modifications for all potential providers.

Abstract: Onboard diagnostic monitors that are affected by a changing A/F activity resulting from fuel type mixture are disabled during such activity to avoid false malfunction diagnosis. A changing A/F is detected from the difference between a fast and a slow filtered value of an input signal from a fuel type sensor. If the difference value exceed a predetermined threshold, the monitors that are affected are disabled. After the A/F has stabilized, the filtered values converge and the monitoring is resumed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for improving quality of actuator motion in a vehicle active tilt control system having front and rear stabilizer bars torsionally adjusted by front and rear actuators, respectively. The actuators are movable between first and second opposing fully stroked positions via pressurized fluid which is pumped through a directional control valve to the actuators. The method includes: a) communicating only a single accumulator with the pumped, pressurized fluid prior to the actuators reaching their respective fully stroked positions in order to cushion actuator movement near the fully stroked positions; and b) automatically discommunicating the single accumulator from the pumped, pressurized fluid as the actuators move away from their respective fully stroked positions.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the speed of a vehicle senses a position of an accelerator pedal. In a first embodiment, the accelerator pedal has a mechanical predetermined natural position, wherein when the position of the accelerator pedal is held constant at the predetermined natural position the control logic interprets the position of the pedal as a request for constant vehicle speed. However, at low vehicle speeds, the control logic interprets the position of the pedal as a request for constant vehicle speed when the position of the pedal is held constant at a position below the predetermined natural position and controls the speed of the vehicle according to a predetermined zero acceleration curve. In a second embodiment, constant speed control is assumed when the position of the pedal has not changed for a predetermined amount of time, regardless of the relative position of the pedal.

Abstract: A seat mounting apparatus for supporting a seat on a floor of a motor vehicle and for allowing the seat to be positioned from an upright seating position to a folded position.

Abstract: An automotive data recording device for collecting data from a vehicle and for storing the data for further analysis includes a first electrical interface adapted to interface with a vehicle data terminal capable of supplying raw data internally monitored by a vehicle computer having a memory for storing the raw data. A volatile memory temporarily stores substantially all the raw data stored in the vehicle computer's memory, and a non-volatile memory stores a desired portion of the raw data. The device also includes a microprocessor programmed to provide a first control signal to retrieve the desired portion of the raw data from the volatile memory for storage in the non-volatile memory and to provide a second control signal to retrieve the desired portion of the raw data from the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A method for reducing overall workload of a vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system takes into account the humidity conditions. A high humidity condition can be detected by monitoring windshield wiper operation for a threshold period of time. High humidity exists during rain or fog and wiper operation for more than three minutes can indicate high humidity. The method includes operating the vehicle heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system with the a/c on in a recirculation or partial recirculation mode when the wipers have been on for longer than the threshold period to remove moisture from cabin air thereby reducing the amount of moisture condensed by evaporator core and decreasing overall workload of the a/c system.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electro-hydraulic power assist steering system including a variable-speed electric motor for pumping hydraulic fluid in the system. The method includes monitoring vehicle speed, vehicle steering wheel angle, and vehicle steering wheel turning rate. A parking mode or a driving mode is selected based upon the monitored vehicle speed. The speed of the variable speed electric motor is controlled based upon the monitored vehicle steering wheel turning rate if the parking mode is selected. If the driving mode is selected, the speed of the variable speed electric motor is controlled based upon the monitored vehicle speed, vehicle steering wheel angle and vehicle steering wheel angle turning rate. Accordingly, a wide range of vehicle driving conditions are accommodated and vehicle fuel efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a quantity of fuel to be injected into a multi-cylinder, internal combustion engine during each combustion event of the engine includes an air flow sensor for sensing a quantity of air flowing through the engine. An electronic control unit is operative to determine a desired combustion fuel quantity based on the quantity of air flowing through the engine and determine a desired fuel injection quantity based on a previous fuel injection quantity delivered during a previous combustion event and the desired combustion fuel quantity. The control unit is further operative to control the amount of fuel injected into the engine for the current combustion event based on the desired fuel injection quantity.

Abstract: A plastic joint for an automotive lamp assembly (10) has a housing (14) containing a tongue (20) and lens (12) containing a groove (18) to accept the tongue. The tongue or the groove can provide a channel for a thermoplastic material that is a bonding agent between the tongue and groove. The channel can also be formed by making the tongue narrower than the groove or by providing protrusions or depressions on the tongue or groove. The joint is formed by assembling the housing and lens and injecting the thermoplastic material into the channel in the joint. When the thermoplastic material cools, a bond is formed between the tongue and groove that fastens the lens and housing together.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an internal combustion engine upon initial entry into a speed control mode and upon transitions between dynamic operating modes of a speed control system includes means for determining an actual vehicle acceleration and means for determining an actual wheel torque. A controller determines an initial desired wheel torque based on the actual vehicle acceleration and the actual wheel torque and controls the torque generated by the engine based on the initial desired wheel torque so as to smoothly control the speed of the vehicle.