Abstract: Method for measuring a fluid flow, in particular an air flow (L), flowing in a flow canal to an engine (VM) or from an engine (VM), by means of a fluid mass measuring means (3) connected to an evaluation means (2), wherein in a regularly performed cycle an operational parameter (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) characterizing the operating status of the engine (VM) is recorded, the data (M1, M2, . . . , Mn) supplied by the fluid mass measuring means (3) are recorded, at least one extreme value (Ep, En) is determined from the data (M1, M2, . . . , Mn) recorded since the beginning of a time period (t1, t2, . . . , tn), an average value (Wma) is determined from the recorded data (M1, M2, . . . , Mn), a pulsation amplitude (P1, P2, . . . , Pm) is determined by dividing the extreme value (Ep) by the average value (Wma), and the average value (Wma) is corrected by multiplying it by a correction factor (K11, K12, . . . , Kmn) which is selected in dependence on the operational parameter (D1, D2, . . .

Abstract: A fuel tank cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein and an insert disposed within the cover and adapted to decouple inertia of the fuel reservoir from the cover under severe impact conditions.

Abstract: High voltage feedthrough connectors provide a means for isolating high voltage through a reactor housing while providing thermal expansion tolerance along with ease of assembly. The connectors provide an insulating body having a bore extending axially through said insulating body for housing a center conductor, a threaded shell assembly for engaging the insulating body and securing the insulating body to a NTP reactor housing, and a gas tight seal to prevent gas leaks to the center conductor. The center conductor includes a first end for contacting a high voltage source and a second end for contacting a high voltage electrode of a NTP reactor. In one embodiment, a fixed center conductor is provided. Preferably, a dome shaped tip may be provided on the bottom terminal connector for improved contact with the non-thermal plasma reactor high voltage electrode. Optionally, a compression spring is attached to the bottom terminal connector end of the fixed center conductor.

Abstract: An improved engine torque management control that coordinates engine throttle, spark and EGR under predefined highly throttled conditions so as to maximize the fuel economy improvement of EGR without degrading engine performance. Under the predefined conditions, EGR is increased to a level that maximizes the fuel economy improvement without causing combustion instability, and the throttle position and spark timing are controlled to compensate for the anticipated torque loss while increasing volumetric efficiency and reducing pumping losses. During idle and steady state cruising operation, EGR is increased, and engine throttle position is controlled to regulate the estimated engine output torque in accordance with the driver requested output torque. During transient torque increases, throttle control alone is used to regulate the output torque, while in transient torque decreases, the throttle position is maintained and spark timing is used to regulate the output torque.

Abstract: The sensor of the present invention comprises a solid electolyte with an electrode disposed on both sides thereof and an electrical lead connected to each electrode. The solid electrolyte is yttria doped zirconia. The first electrode, the sensing electrode, is exposed to the sensing gas such as an exhaust gas. The second electrode, the reference electrode, is exposed to a reference gas, wherein at least one of the sensing electrode and the reference electrode comprises a noble metal, platinum, metal oxide and alumina or in mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for removal of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas from lean-burn, diesel and other engines which produce exhaust gases containing excess oxygen is disclosed. An exhaust gas from an engine operating at an air-fuel ratio above about 18 is contacted with a multi-component catalyst having at least two catalytic components, each capable of reducing nitrogen oxides within a range of exhaust gas temperatures that is different from the range of exhaust gas temperatures within which each other component is capable of reducing nitrogen oxides. Oxidation of the remaining reducing gases is also accomplished. One example of a two catalytic component catalyst of this invention has a first component of Au supported on alumina, which reduces nitrogen oxides at exhaust gas temperatures between about 600° C. and 900° C., and a second component of Pt supported on Y-zeolite, which reduces nitrogen oxides at exhaust gas temperatures below 600° C.

Abstract: A heater for a gas sensor has a first thermistor element and a second thermistor element arranged in an electrically parallel configuration. Each thermistor element may be deposited onto a substrate such that the first thermistor element extends about a perimeter of the substrate and the second thermistor element extends across a portion of the substrate intermediate the perimeter of the substrate. The thermistor elements are preferably fabricated of materials having differing thermal coefficients of resistivity. A method of heating the gas sensor includes disposing the two thermistor elements in an electrically parallel configuration over a surface of the substrate and passing an electric current through the elements.

Abstract: The sensor is formed by disposing an electrolyte between and in intimate contact with a first electrode on the one side and a second electrode on the other side to form an assembly, heating the assembly, treating the assembly with an alkaline solution and removing the impurities to obtain optimal sensor performance. Alternatively, an electrolyte is formed, sintered, treated with alkaline solution, and then the electrodes are applied.

Abstract: A check valve plunger assembly for use in a fluid channel is provided. The check valve plunger assembly includes a check valve plunger having a first end, a second end, and a body portion. The body portion extends between the first and second end of the check valve plunger. The plunger assembly also includes an integral breakaway retention device having a ring shaped portion. The retention device is capable of being positioned around the check valve plunger such that the ring shaped portion surrounds at least a portion of the first end of the check valve plunger. Breakaway connectors are provided which connect the first end of the check valve plunger with the ring shaped portion of the retention device. After assembly, the check valve plunger is separated from the breakaway connectors and the plunger is able to freely move within the fluid channel. The present invention also provides a method of inserting this check valve plunger within the fluid channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the speed of a vehicle, the apparatus manipulates a cable having one end secured to a throttle and the other secured to a motor for applying a force to the cable. A motor controller provides commands to the motor and the motor controller receives an input in the form of a vehicle velocity setting and in response to the value of the setting setting the motor controller instructs the motor to pull the cable a predetermined distance corresponding to a predetermined throttle position, the predetermined distance is stored in a lookup table and the predetermined throttle position corresponds to a vehicle velocity that is similar to the vehicle velocity setting.

Abstract: A floated fuel strainer assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a strainer adapted to be connected to an inlet of either one of a fuel pump and fuel reservoir disposed in the fuel tank. The floated fuel strainer assembly also includes a float connected to the strainer to elevate the strainer off a bottom of the fuel tank as a fuel level rises in the fuel tank.

Abstract: A device for externally referenced ratiometric signal processing includes an external signal source and a control module. The external signal source has an external voltage reference supply for generating an external reference voltage and a gain & offset circuit for generating a signal voltage. The value of the signal voltage is varies so that the ratio of the signal voltage to the external reference voltage is proportional to the position of a transducer. The control module receives the signal voltage and the external voltage reference. The control module includes an analog to digital converter that converts the signal voltage to a digital signal. The digital signal is proportional to the ratio of the signal voltage to the external reference voltage. A microprocessor may then use the digital signal to infer the position of the transducer.

Abstract: A method for preparing a non-thermal plasma reactor reactor characterized by multiple concentric exhaust channels and multiple concentric conductor channels having alternating polarity, each connected to its respective polarity via bus paths is provided. The method comprises forming a substrate having a curved, swept shape comprising a thick outer wall surrounding a plurality of channels separated by dielectric barriers, coating selected channels with a conductive material to form conductor channels capable of forming an electric field around uncoated exhaust channels. Masking is employed to effect selective coating of conductive material while preventing the conductive material from being applied to non-value added areas. A first mask is employed to apply conductive material forming conductor channels and bus paths. An additional mask may be employed to cover the conductor channels and bus paths with a sealant. The method minimizes manufacturing steps as compared to prior methods.

Abstract: Herein described is an exhaust gas sensor that is used to detect gas concentration in a “lean only” exhaust stream. The gas sensor comprises a single cell within a dielectric substrate. The cell has an electrolyte with an inner and outer electrode disposed against opposite sides of the electrolyte. A porous protective layer is disposed against the outer electrode. Gases can enter and exit the galvanic cell through the porous protective layer. A voltage is applied across the electrodes, and ions are actively pumped out of the cell. The applied current can be used to determine a specific gas concentration in the exhaust stream.

Abstract: The present invention is an exhaust sensor seal and a method for making the same. A talc disk disposed between two support disks forms a talc assembly where at least one of which is metal. As pressure is applied to the assembly, the talc is forced into any voids in the sensing end of the exhaust sensor body from exhaust gases.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma reactor element is provided comprising a multi-cell stack prepared from a plurality of formed building blocks of dielectric material, the walls of the building blocks defining a cell having an exhaust passage for flowing gas to be treated therethrough. A conductive print forming an electrode and connector is disposed on at least one wall of each of the cells and outer insulative plates, disposed on opposite ends of the multi-cell stack, are provided to protect the conductive print. The simplified design eliminates the need for spacers between individual cells, thus reducing the total number of components. Use of a three-dimensional conductive print further simplifies preparation by eliminating the need for a secondary conductive print along the edge of the multi-cell stack after assembly.

Abstract: A plastic fuel tank including a hollow plastic tank body and a variable length plastic strut in the hollow tank body. A pair of flat plastic sheets are vacuum formed at a forming temperature in upper and lower mold cavities to the shape of upper and lower plastic shells. The plastic strut includes an upper foot, a lower foot, and a coupling means operable to support the upper foot on the lower foot for back and forth linear translation against a controlled resistance. With the mold cavities separated, the plastic strut is interposed between the upper and lower shells. The mold cavities are closed to form the hollow tank body by fusion bonding the upper and lower shells at respective attachment flanges on each. When the tank body thereafter cures and shrinks, the plastic strut is squeezed between the upper and lower shells against the controlled resistance of the coupling means to fusion bond the upper and lower feet of the strut to the shells.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of detecting leaks and blockages in a fuel system. The leaks are detected using a RAMPOFF mode and a TANK mode. The RAMPOFF mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to increase the ramp down rates of the evaporative purge duty cycle to aggressively shut off the purge solenoid valve for tests used to detect leaks as small as 0.02 inches in diameter. The TANK mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to support aggressive purging requirements for tests used to detect larger leaks of greater than 0.04 inches in diameter. The MASS FLOW mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to hold a constant purge mass flow rate necessary to detect blockages across a vent solenoid valve. The RAMPOFF mode, TANK mode, and MASS FLOW modes support evaporative diagnostics that are run continuously within a fuel system when acceptable engine operating conditions are present.

Abstract: An improved method of diagnosing an engine cooling system through the use of a coolant temperature model based on existing sensor information. Proper operation of the engine thermostat and coolant temperature sensor is diagnosed based on an initial comparison of coolant temperature to ambient air temperature at key-on and a later comparison of coolant temperature to a predetermined regulated temperature. The coolant temperature model is used to trigger the initiation of the later comparison to ensure that the diagnostic is performed when the engine is fully warmed up. Advantageously, the modeled coolant temperature may be used for control purposes in the event that the diagnostic detects faulty operation of the coolant temperature sensor.

Abstract: A fuel control system that estimates the fuel quantity received from purging of an evaporative emission control system and then accounts for the purge fuel in determining the amount of fuel to be injected into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. Purge fuel quantity is represented by a purge equivalence ratio which is computed based upon an estimate of the hydrocarbon concentration in the purge gas. The hydrocarbon concentration is adaptively learned using an iterative routine that updates the estimate based on the integrated error between the actual and desired air/fuel ratios. Wall wetting and closed loop corrections are applied only to the non-purge fuel portion of the total fuel delivered to the engine cylinder. The closed loop control includes a block learn memory that provides a correction to the factory fuel calibration.