Abstract: Described is an insulated non-halogenated, heavy metal free vehicular cable comprising an inner core of a copper based metal wire having a cross sectional area of at least about 0.1 mm2, and an outer insulation, covering the length of the inner core, comprised of a thermoplastic polyphenylene ether composition that has no halogen or heavy metal added thereto, the insulated cable capable of meeting the testing standard ISO 6722.

Abstract: The dynamic response characteristics of an electro-hydraulic (EH) physical plant is represented by a model. The model includes a series of second order transfer functions, one for each operating point, of the EH physical plant. Command pressure, overshoot, rise time, damping coefficient, natural frequency and gain parameters are determined in developing each transfer function. The model can be used to advance the time in which the design and development of a control system for the EH physical plant can begin.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus for a fuel injector nozzle includes a moveable valve needle slideably located within a nozzle body, the nozzle body having an internal surface defining a valve seat between a fuel supply path and fuel outlets. The valve needle includes an obturator piston that is engagable with an axial fuel outlet and a two-stage lift mechanism for enabling lift of the valve needle. In a first stage lifted position of the valve needle, the valve face is spaced apart from the valve seat, and the obturator piston is positioned such that a fuel flow passage is opened between the obturator piston and the axial fuel outlet. In a second stage lifted position, the valve face is spaced further apart from the valve seat and the obturator piston is positioned such that the fuel flow passage between the obturator piston and the axial fuel outlet is substantially closed.

Abstract: An estimation apparatus for determining a residual burned gas mass fraction of an internal combustion engine includes a single-cylinder simulator and an optimizer. The residual estimation apparatus does not rely on accurate knowledge of, or calculation of the details of the complex pulsating pressures and flows at the intake and exhaust valves. Instead an iterative approach uses primarily measured cylinder pressure and airflow as driving inputs, to ensure that the simulation states (i.e., pressure, temperature, and composition) of the cylinder gas contents, at the time of intake valve closing, are correct. The burned gas fraction calculated by the engine simulator is then taken as an estimate of that in the actual engine.

Abstract: A switchable valve train member, such as a deactivating valve lash adjuster or a deactivating hydraulic valve lifter, including a pin housing slidably disposed within an axial bore in a body. A transverse bore in the pin housing contains a retractable locking pin that engages a feature in the body including a locking surface whereby the body and the pin housing are locked together for mutual actuation by rotation of a cam lobe. A lash ring at the outer end of the body includes a portion extending into the axial bore that limits the travel of the pin housing within the body and thereby sets the internal mechanical lash in the switchable member. The axial thickness of the lash ring may be varied between assemblies to compensate for manufacturing variation in the components and is secured to the body in any of various configurations.

Abstract: A continuously variable valve duration system including a rocker assembly acted upon by two off-spaced camshafts for selectively varying the closing point of a valve in an internal combustion engine. An opening camshaft is rotatably driven by the engine crankshaft and controls at least the opening and point of the valve through a rocker assembly disposed on a fixed pivot shaft. A closing camshaft, rotatably connected to the opening intake camshaft through a cam phaser, is poised to take over control of the valve closing event through the same rocker assembly. By changing the rotational phase of the closing camshaft relative to the opening camshaft via the cam phaser, the valve closing event can be either retarded or advanced so as to override the opening camshaft and thus selectively vary the valve event duration.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the operation of a fuel injector having a piezoelectric actuator which is operable by the application of a voltage drive profile across the actuator, the controller comprising inputs for receiving data relating to one or more engine parameters and a processor for determining a voltage drive profile for controlling the actuator in dependence upon the one or more engine parameters. The voltage drive profile is arranged to comprise an activating voltage component to initiate an injection event and a deactivating voltage component to terminate the injection event, the activating and deactivating voltage components being separated by a time interval TON. The controller further receives outputs for outputting the voltage drive profile as determined by the processor to the actuator, wherein the processor is arranged to set the time interval TON greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure wave time period (TP) of a pressure wave cycle within the injector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: self-tuning engine control algorithms using inputs from transducers that measure pressure in the engine cylinders, and from an engine crankshaft rotational position sensor; methods of processing the input signals to “self-tune” or learn accurate values for a) pressure transducer voltage offset, b) crank position encoder error and c) engine compression ratio; improved pressure-ratio-based algorithms for calculating cylinder heat release fraction as a function of crank angle.

Abstract: A dual function capacitive occupant detection sensor includes a capacitive load cell disposed below a seat cushion, an electric field emitter disposed above the seat cushion and a capacitance-responsive control circuit. The control circuit determines a seated weight of an occupant based on the load cell capacitance, and a coupling of the electric field through an occupant based on the capacitance between the electric field emitter and the vehicle ground. The measured seated weight and electric field coupling parameters are logically combined to detect an occupant and to distinguish between a normally seated occupant and a cinched down infant or child seat of similar apparent weight.

Abstract: A tie device has a tie strap and a buckle engaging serrations on a free end of the tie strap retaining the free end of the tie strap in the buckle A passage extends through the buckle from an insertion end to an exit end. A cam action lock pawl is located in the passage. The lock pawl has a first resilient leg that is attached to a fulcrum portion of the buckle; that slants upward with respect to a base wall of the passage toward the exit end of the passage and that terminates in a free end. The lock pawl has a second resilient leg that is attached to the first resilient leg and that extends back toward the insertion end of the passage. The second resilient leg has a plurality of teeth that are mutually engageable with respective serrations of the tie strap.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the cylinders having the lowest (“weakest”) and highest (“strongest”) Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP) utilizes engine speed derivative and/or higher order derivative values typically available in an engine control module by virtue of the need to detect misfire. A delta parameter is calculated that is indicative of the difference between the engine speed derivatives and/or higher order derivatives for the “weakest” and the “strongest” cylinders. Control action is then taken to balance the cylinders, based on the delta parameter, by first increasing torque for the “weakest” cylinder, by at least one increasing spark advance, increasing fuel, decreasing dilution (EGR) or slowing decay of fuel control on cold start. Once the weakest cylinder has been balanced, the control action is then directed to increasing torque of the new “weakest” cylinder.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are related to an apparatus and method for providing a strain tolerant electrode, comprising: an upper layer; a lower layer; with the potential for a plurality of compliant members providing electrical communication between the upper layer and the lower layer; and wherein a surface of the upper layer is in direct contact with a surface of the lower layer to provide an electrical path between the upper layer and the lower layer.

Abstract: A contactless, sealed fuel level sensor for determining a fuel level in a fuel tank and producing a level indicative signal includes a frame, a cover, a float arm, a float and a light-responsive sensor. The frame is configured to have a cavity formed therein. The cover is connected to the frame to enclose the cavity. The float arm is coupled to one of the frame or cover. The float is connected to the float arm and configured such that the float moves the float arm as a level of fuel increases and decreases in the fuel tank. The light-responsive sensor is configured to generate a fuel level signal indicative of a fuel level in the fuel tank based on the movement of the float arm. The fuel level sensor may also include a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED). The light-responsive sensor may be a single photoelectric sensor located in the sealed cavity, or an array of photoelectric sensors located in the sealed cavity.

Abstract: A braided shield includes a housing formed from a plurality of wires braided together and having a dual-layer configuration. The housing has an outer layer integrally formed with an inner layer. A support is at least partially disposed in the housing, and the inner layer is disposed between the support and the outer layer. The inner layer and outer layer reduce electromagnetic radiation leakage into/out of the housing by reducing the number of holes in the housing. Forming the braided shield includes providing the housing, which defines a longitudinal axis and a passage extending along the longitudinal axis. The housing has an end portion, and the end portion is compressed transverse to the longitudinal axis. The end portion is then forced into the passage. Accordingly, the braid shield reduces or eliminates electromagnetic radiation while providing a strong and consistent crimp with the support.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating a fuel cell system including a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer and close-coupled fuel cell stack by recycling anode syngas into the reformer in a range between 60% and 95% of the total syngas. At equilibrium conditions, oxygen required for reforming of hydrocarbon fuel is derived from endothermically reformed water and carbon dioxide in the syngas. Reforming temperature is between about 650° C. to 750° C. The stack exit temperature is about 800° C. to 880° C. such that the required endotherm can be provided by the sensible heat of the recycled syngas. The stack has approximately equal anode and cathode gas flows in opposite directions, resulting in cooling from both the anodes and cathodes.

Abstract: A clip for securing a sleeve to the body of a piezoelectric actuator in an actuator assembly. The clip takes the form of a band and has at least a first and a second stable state. The minimum separation of the walls of the band when the clip is in one of the stable states is less than the minimum separation of the walls of the band when the clip is in an unstable state. The clip is forced into an unstable state in order to be fitted over the sleeve of the actuator assembly. The force is then removed to allow the clip to revert towards a stable state. The dimensions of the clip are such that the clip is unable to fully revert to a stable state when fitted to the actuator assembly thereby maintaining sufficient additional strain energy to maintain a sufficient clamping force between the sleeve and the body of the actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle crash event is detected and characterized based on the transmission of acoustical shear waves through the vehicle frame. At least three, and preferably four or more, acoustical emission sensors longitudinally and laterally distributed on the vehicle frame produce acoustical signals that are processed to extract the shear wave energy due to impacts. Since shear waves are non-dispersive and travel through the vehicle frame at a known velocity, they can be detected in any part of the frame. The extracted shear wave signals are used not only to judge the severity of the impact, but also to characterize the type of crash and determine the direction of the impact based on when the shear wave is detected by each of the acoustical emission sensors.

Abstract: A valve lifter assembly for deactivating a cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter assembly is provided with a plunger movably disposed within a bore of a main body member to controllably isolate the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve of the engine. The plunger is normally locked in an extended position to transmit cam lift to reciprocatingly operate the valve. At least one locking pin is moveably disposed within the plunger to engage an inner annular groove of the main body member. Pressurized oil is provided to dislodge the locking pins from the annular groove and allow the plunger to move within the main body member, thereby isolating the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve. The deactivating lifter is preferably disposed within the recess conventionally provided for hydraulic valve lifters.

Abstract: A system for determining whether a lead is securely inserted into a connector includes an actuator for moving the lead to a plurality of positions, a position sensor for measuring a position of the lead relative to the connector, and a force sensor for measuring an actual force exerted on the lead at each of the plurality of positions to define an actual force signature. A processor compares the actual force signature to a predetermined force signature to determine whether the lead is disposed within the opening of the connector. The method includes the steps of moving the lead to a plurality of positions, establishing an actual force signature, and establishing a predetermined force signature. If the actual force signature is within the predetermined force signature, then the lead is securely inserted into the opening.

Abstract: A plastic case surrounds a primary winding of a multicharge ignition system, and has a rib in which the high voltage end is routed back to the low voltage end, so that the low and high voltage ends can be closely juxtaposed with each other while advantageously permitting the primary winding to have one and only one winding layer to reduce resistance and size. The rib of the case extends into the slot of the magnetic shields of the winding.