Abstract: A shock absorber includes a dust tube that surrounds a shock body. The shock body is movable relative to the dust tube in response to road load inputs. A plurality of magnets is mounted to one of the dust tube and shock body, and a module is mounted to the other of the dust tube and shock body. The module interacts with the plurality of magnets to determine a position of the dust tube relative to a position of the shock body. This position information can be used to adjust suspension ride height as needed.

Abstract: A manifold for a multicylinder internal combustion engine which includes a plurality of outlets (1) comprises upper, lower and central shells (15, 5, 51) that are connected with one another and define inlet channels and outlet spaces (63, 65). A baffle plate (35) is attached to different shells (5, 15) by means of a fixed/movable bearing and can expand thermally without transferring thermal stresses to the shells (5, 15).

Abstract: An emission abatement device comprises a hydrocarbon trap, a 3-way catalyst downstream from the hydrocarbon trap, and a valve movable to control flow of exhaust gas to the hydrocarbon trap and the 3-way catalyst.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel reformer includes advancing a first air/fuel mixture having a first air-to-fuel ratio into the fuel reformer. The method further includes determining if a soot purge is to be performed and generating a purge-soot signal in response thereto. Further, a second air/fuel mixture having a second air-to-fuel ratio is advanced into the fuel reformer in response to generation of the purge-soot signal. The second air-to-fuel ratio is greater than the first air-to-fuel ratio in order to burn soot present within the fuel reformer. A fuel reformer system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A particulate filter assembly includes an electrode assembly, a particulate filter positioned in an electrode gap defined between two electrodes of the electrode assembly, a power supply electrically coupled to the electrode assembly, and a controller for controlling operation of the power supply to apply a regenerate-filter signal to the electrode assembly to oxidize particulates collected by the particulate filter. An associated method of regenerating the particulate filter is disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit for providing a potential difference across a gap between two electrodes of a fuel reformer, oxides of nitrogen trap or soot filter regenerator for an internal combustion engine or the like. The circuit includes a power source, a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding for coupling across the electrodes. The power source is coupled to the primary winding. A switch or switches is/are coupled to the primary winding.

Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust system includes a NOx absorber and a diesel fuel fired burner operated at an enriched fuel-to-air ratio to generate a sufficient quantity of CO and H2 for regenerating the NOx absorber. A method of operating a diesel exhaust system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a feed-forward arrangement and a closed-loop controller. The feed-forward arrangement is configured to determine a change of a system, the system change being independent of an output of a component of the system. The feed-forward arrangement is further configured to generate a feed-forward signal representative of the system change. The controller is configured to modify a state of the controller in response to the feed-forward signal and to perform closed-loop control of the component based on its modified state.

Abstract: A plasma fuel reformer assembly for producing reformate gas includes a fuel reformer having an air/fuel input assembly, an electrode assembly, and a soot trap positioned downstream of the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode that is spaced apart from the first electrode. The fuel reformer further includes a reformer controller electrically coupled to the air/fuel input assembly. The reformer controller includes a processing unit electrically connected to a memory unit.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly includes a valve body supported on a shaft for rotation within an exhaust component. The shaft is coupled to a solenoid with a linkage assembly. A controller controls the solenoid to rotate the shaft via the linkage assembly. The solenoid includes a plunger that moves between an actuation position and a release position. The controller utilizes pulse width modulation to control actuation and release of the plunger. This significantly reduces operational noises generated as the solenoid is moved between the actuation position and the release position.

Abstract: A method of monitoring engine performance as a function of soot accumulation in a particulate filter includes determining characteristics of soot accumulation in the filter, analyzing the characteristics, and generating an error signal if the characteristics are indicative of predetermined engine performance conditions. An electronic controller configured to monitor soot accumulation in such a manner is also herein disclosed.

Abstract: A plasma fuel reformer comprises an electrode assembly and a cap. The cap defines an interior region. At least a portion of the electrode assembly is positioned in the interior region.

Abstract: A vehicle includes front and rear suspension systems. The vehicle includes front left and right strut assemblies respectively including front left and right knuckles. Rear left and right strut assemblies respectively include rear left and right knuckles. The knuckles are common with one another with each knuckle having a common lower attachment boss. The front left and right knuckles respectively receive front left and right connection members at the lower attachment boss. The lower attachment boss is respectively interconnected to the front left and right suspension components. The rear left and right knuckles respectively receive rear left and right connection members at the lower attachment boss respectively interconnected to rear left and right suspension components. The overall suspension for the vehicle is designed by determining the left knuckle position parameters such as suspension member, brake, and wheel assembly attachment points. Similarly, the right knuckle position parameters are determined.

Abstract: An exhaust gas system of a vehicular internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of exhaust gas catalytic converters having different working temperature ranges. Depending on the temperature of the exhaust gas the latter is directed to the one or those converters into whose working temperature range the exhaust gas temperature falls.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling sound of an engine comprises a sound sensor, an exhaust valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a sound level of a peak sound frequency within a predetermined sound frequency range by use of output from the sound sensor, compare the sound level of the peak sound frequency to a predetermined sound level, and change the position of the exhaust valve based on the comparison between the sound level of the peak sound frequency and the predetermined sound level. An associated method is disclosed.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling operation of a fuel-fired burner includes a housing having an air inlet which is open to an interior chamber of the housing. An air pump is positioned in the interior chamber of the housing and has an air inlet which is open to the interior chamber of the housing. The air pump generates reduced air pressure in the interior chamber which draws air into the housing and into the pump's inlet. This flow of air cools an electronic controller along with other components position in the housing. The air pump may be operated to draw air from the interior chamber of the housing and supplies the air to a combustion chamber of the fuel-fired burner to facilitate operation of the burner. An associated method of advancing air to a fuel-fired burner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power mechanism for opening and closing a vehicle trunk decklid includes power-operated guides that move the linkages on the decklid. The guides are moved by push-pull cables operated by a motor and disposed in a guide rail located in a trunk sill. The motor may be controlled by a controller that receives a user signal and operates the motor based on the signal.

Abstract: A filter apparatus comprises a filter element to be positioned in an interior region defined by a housing. The filter element comprises a quick-drain valve member to block a flow of fluid from the interior region through a quick-drain outlet defined by the housing when the filter element is positioned in the interior region and to allow a flow of fluid from the interior region through the quick-drain outlet when the filter element is removed from the interior region.

Abstract: A powered system to selectively position a vehicle liftgate at a multiple of positions intermediate a fully open and a fully closed position. A controller receives commands from a remote, such as a key fob, and/or from a selector located within the vehicle to selectively operate the liftgate to move the liftgate through a multiple of liftgate positions through a combination of button presses or selector positions.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement assembly includes supplying a reduced amount of fuel to the fuel-fired burner in response to detection of a burner shutdown request. Such a reduced fuel supply continues for a predetermined time period after which fuel is no longer supplied to the burner. The supply of both combustion air and atomization air, along with spark generation, continues for a period of time after the fuel is shutoff. An emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.