Abstract: Fuel rail assemblies include a tubular fuel rail for supplying fuel to a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. Rigid conduits are coupled to the fuel rail so as to allow relative rotational movements therebetween and thus permit, during production, the correction of any angular mismatch between the injectors and the engine with which the injectors are to be associated. A longitudinally extending, lateral ledge may be provided so as to support a clip which retains the injectors in the fuel rail assembly during production. Countercurrent flow within some embodiments of the fuel rail assemblies is provided by positioning an inner conduit within an outer conduit so as to establish therebetween a fuel flow passageway. Thus, the supply and discharge nipples for the fuel rail may be provided in close physical relationship with one another and thereby more easily facilitate their interconnection to a vehicle's fuel system during production.

Abstract: The produce comprises an electrically conductive tape cut out or etched so as to form windows from which connecting tabs for a chip project, according to the "single-layer" T.A.B. technology. An adhesive tape is glued to the conductive tape and pierced with windows centered on and lying within the conductive tape's windows. According to the invention, apertures isolate the connecting tabs for the purpose of applying test signals to the chip by means of the tabs then carried by the adhesive tape alone. The invention is used for testing integrated power circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for integrating mass air flow for a specified cylinder event in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The respective outputs of a mass air flow sensor and a directional air flow sensor are used to determine an accurate net integrated value of mass air flow. The magnitude of mass air flow is sampled and electronically integrated several times during each specified engine event in either a positive or negative sense (depending upon air flow direction) to obtain a net mass air flow value, which is then input to a A/D converter and then a microprocessor in an engine electronic control unit for use in engine management control.

Abstract: Redundancy is imparted to the reset signal from a voltage regulator integrated circuit by connecting an RC timing circuit with the regulated voltage output and with the reset pulse output such that a reset pulse derived from the regulated output voltage is given in the event that the reset output of the integrated circuit fails to give a reset pulse. An over-/under-voltage detector monitors the regulated voltage output for also giving a reset signal in the event that the regulated output strays beyond allowable limits. The occurrence of a reset causes interruption of electric power to the throttle motor and of fuel to the engine.

Abstract: The evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine purges the vapor collection canister to the throttle body through both a purge regulator controlled by the engine ECU and a variable orifice valve that is mechanically operated by the throttle mechanism. A throttle position sensor that supplies a throttle position signal to the ECU can be read by the ECU as also representing the degree of restriction being imposed by the variable orifice on the flow of vapor from the canister to the throttle body and the ECU can take this into account when setting the purge regulator.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal position signal is transmitted by wire to the electronic control unit which operates a unipolar stepper motor to position the throttle in correspondence with the position of the accelerator pedal. A circuit of the electronic control unit monitors the response of the throttle to the release of the accelerator pedal and to the operation of the brake pedal in such a manner that unless the throttle is at, or at least within a predetermining distance of, its idle position within a certain limited time after the commencement of concurrence of accelerator pedal release and brake pedal application, the engine is shut down.

Abstract: The device comprises a comparator (3) to diagnose a possible short-circuit of an inductive load (2), the supply to which is controlled by a power transistor (1) of the DMOS type. On blocking of the transistor (1), a high negative voltage appears at the terminals of the load, which is liable to damage the comparator (3). In order to protect the non-inverting input of the comparator, there is connected between said input and the load (2) a junction isolation "vertical" NPN transistor (8) exhibiting a reverse voltge Vebo greater than said negative voltage. The collector of the transistor (8) is connected to the supply +Vbat by the N-type substrate of a "smart" power integrated circuit, the emitter of the transistor (8) being isolated from the substrate by a P-type zone. Application to the control of an inductive load in automobile electronics.

Abstract: Fuel rail assemblies for supplying fuel to injectors of internal combustion engines include mounting structure to integrally mount a fuel pressure regulator. An annular chamber, in fluid communication with the fuel passageway of the fuel rail, is defined between a mounting section of the fuel rail and a lower housing portion of the regulator. Apertures in the lower fuel rail housing portion thus allow fuel to flow into the regulating chamber of the fuel regulator from the defined annular chamber. In some preferred embodiments, the integral mounting structure includes a mounting cup having an upper cup section and a lower tail section for receiving a fuel pressure regulator and thus regulating upstream fuel pressure within the fuel rails. Fluid communication is established between the fuel rail and the cup section of the mounting cup while fluid isolation between the cup and tail sections of the mounting cup is established by suitable seal structures.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector has an attaching clip that is integrally formed with the non-metallic electrical insulating material that is molded to surround the electrical terminals of the injector solenoid. The clip is resiliently pivotable on the injector body for releasable engagement with a fuel rail cup when the injector is inserted into the cup. Several versions of clips are illustrated. The invention eliminates the need for a separate metal attaching clip.

Abstract: A multiple cylinder two-stroke fuel-injected internal combustion engine is operated at idle by interrupting the fuel injection stages in a predetermined pattern such that over a certain number of crankshaft revolutions a fewer number of injections occur than over the same number of revolutions at non-idle. The quantity of fuel injected per injection is increased relative to that required to operate the engine at idle wihtout any injection interruptions. Spark timing is also advanced.

Abstract: A valve assembly of novel configuration is associated with the main air induction passage of a fuel-injected, spark-ignited, automotive internal combustion engine for the purpose of regulating the idle air flow. The valve assembly has an inlet connected upstream of the throttle. A pintle controls the restriction that the valve assembly imposes on the idle air flow. The valve assembly is controlled by the engine computer selectively energizing a solenoid on the assembly. The solenoid armature controls flow through another flow path of the valve assembly that parallels the idle air flow path. A movable internal wall divides the valve assembly's body into two variable volume chambers. One chamber forms part of the idle air bypass while the other forms part of the parallel flow path. The one chamber is essentially at manifold vacuum while the other is regulated by a bleed valve and two orifices in the parallel flow path. Positioning of the movable wall positions the pintle.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston disposed in the cylinder and a cylinder head disposed at one end of the cylinder. The cylinder head has a combustion chamber and a piston chamber contiguous with the top of the cylinder. A movable piston disposed in the piston chamber to change the effective volume of the combustion chamber. A closed end of the piston chamber is connected to one of the engine's source of pressurized fluid. A solenoid valve is disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the piston chamber. Energization of the solenoid valve is controlled by a controller to open the solenoid valve when the combustion chamber has a low pressure to displace the movable piston to increase the compression ratio of the engine and to open the solenoid valve when the combustion chamber has a high or peak pressure to displace the movable piston to decrease the compression ratio.

Abstract: In this system, the units are capable of transmitting and/or of receiving messages in at least a first format by way of a channel (A). Circuitry included in at least one of these units (B, M) are provided for transmitting on the channel (A), in a second format distinct from the first format, a message for putting the other electronic units (M) into operation.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine control system, an electronic circuit accepts a non-linear analog signal from a Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor and converts it to a digital signal by means of a linear or non-linear analog to digital (A/D) converter. The digital signal is then processed by a two-dimensional look-up table which includes corrections for the MAF sensor non-linearity and additional corrections for non-linearity of the A/D converter. This linearized MAF signal is then integrated or averaged to provide air mass per engine event or average mass air flow during an event. This circuit is useful in obtaining better accuracy in fuel management systems that use MAF sensors, particularly if variable valve control is included as part of the control system. The look up table and integrator can be easily implemented in a digital signal processor or microcontroller.

Abstract: The silicon sensing element of a mass airflow sensor is shielded from direct impact by large dust particles by means of a plastic deflector that is disposed in spaced upstream relationship to the entrance of a by-pass venturi containing the sensor. The deflector is supported on a mesh screen and is arranged such that air can enter the by-pass venturi after having passed by and behind the deflector. In another embodiment the deflector is an airfoil that is part of a probe assembly containing the sensing element.

Abstract: Ram air ventilation of the engine bay of an automotive vehicle is accomplished by providing ventilating openings in a transverse structural cross-member that bridges the front of the engine bay, and by collecting hot effluent from the radiator and condenser and directing same out of the engine bay.

Abstract: A fast acting, electromagnetically actuated three-way miniature valve which is specifically useful for applications in automobile technology; for example, the electronically controlled pressure regulation in automatic transmissions. An example of the invention is characterized by the combination of: armature and obturator are a single solid unit, preferably manufactured out of one piece, and with a total mass of only a few grams; the valve stroke is significantly less than 0.5 mm, preferably 0.05-0.2 mm; the bearing arrangement for the valve obturator is such that a radial clearance of less than 0.

Abstract: A phase adjustment mechanism for setting the phase of the engine camshaft relative to that of the crankshaft. The operative coupling of the crankshaft to the camshaft is via two sets of splines, one set having pitch different from that of the other set. A spline engagement ring contains a spline of one set on its O.D. and a spline of the other set on its I.D. The axial positioning of the ring controls the relative phasing and is accomplished by a screw and nut mechanism with the nut being operated by a worm drive that is under the control of the engine ECU.

Abstract: A diaphragm-type inertia switch for sensing deceleration places the inertial mass in the chamber that contains the contacts. The other chamber has a thin concave-convex shape that gives the switch a low profile. The switch has a molded plastic base containing a test coil for attracting the inertial mass to test the switch. A mechanism for calibrating the switch is also included.

Abstract: The dynamic range of an electromagnetic fuel injector is extended by means of a second solenoid coil that controls the position of a stop for the reciprocating armature that is operated by the usual solenoid coil.