Abstract: A fuel injector includes a seat, a movable member cooperating with the seat, and an orifice plate. The orifice plate includes a member and an orifice penetrating the member. The member includes first and second generally parallel surfaces. The first surface generally confronts the valve seat, and the second surface faces opposite the first surface. The orifice is defined by a wall that couples the first and second surfaces. The wall includes a first portion that extends from the first surface and a second portion extending between the first portion and the second surface. The first portion of the wall extends at a first oblique angle with respect to the first surface, and the first oblique angle varies so as to define an asymmetrical chamfer. The second portion of the wall defines a cylinder extending along an axis at a second oblique angle with respect to the second surface.

Abstract: A module solenoid valve (14) includes a valve body (16) defining an inlet opening (22) and an outlet opening (20). The valve body includes a valve seat (18) at a distal end thereof. A valve member (24) controls flow of fuel through the outlet opening. A movable armature (26) is coupled with the valve member such that movement of the armature moves the valve member between a closed position and an open position. A stator (38) is associated with the armature. An electromagnetic coil (36) is associated with the stator and armature for causing movement of the armature towards the stator. A spring (32) biases the armature and thus the valve member to the closed position. The spring provides a spring force that is greater than a first, normal hydrostatic force applied to the valve seat, but less than a second, overpressure hydrostatic force applied to the valve seat.

Abstract: A module solenoid valve (14) includes a valve body (16) defining an inlet opening (22) and an outlet opening (20). The valve body includes a seating surface (18) at a distal end thereof. A valve member (24) controls flow of fuel through the outlet opening. A movable armature (26) is coupled with the valve member such that movement of the armature moves the valve member between a closed position and an open position. A stator (38) is associated with the armature. A first spring (32) biases the armature and thus the valve member to the closed position. A cover (28) is coupled to the stator. A second spring 34 is between the cover and the armature to provide a biasing force on the armature. An electromagnetic coil (36) is associated with the stator and armature for causing movement of the armature towards the stator.

Abstract: An illuminated gauge for a vehicle instrument panel includes a single LCD having at least a first display configuration and a second display configuration different from the first display configuration. A pointer is selectively actuatable to operate within one of the first and the second display configurations. A selector is used to switch between the first and second display configurations.

Abstract: A communication for a vehicle (10) has a first transmitter (34) for transmitting a first signal relating to a first vehicle system (22) and a second transmitter (42) for transmitting a second signal relating to a second vehicle system (38). (FIG. 1) A single receiver (46) has a first reception mode (50) and a second reception mode (54). The first reception mode (50) is receptive to the first signal while the second reception mode (54) is receptive to the second signal. A control unit (58) switches the receiver (46) between the first reception mode (50) and the second reception mode (54).

Abstract: A fuel injector (10) includes an inlet tube (20). A valve body (12) is associated with the inlet tube to define a fuel passage (23). A valve seat (14) is associated with the valve body and defines an outlet opening (18). An armature (42) is movable with respect to the valve body between a first position and a second position. The armature is associated with a closure member (18) that opens and closes the outlet opening. An electromagnetic coil (40) is energizable to provide magnetic flux that moves the armature between the first and second positions to control fuel flow through the outlet opening. A heat exchanger (50) is provided in the inlet tube and a secondary coil (46) is energizable to provide a magnetic field to inductively heat the heat exchanger and thus fuel prior to exiting the outlet opening.

Abstract: A diesel dosing system for a vehicle includes a control valve (31) controlling fluid flow to a dosing valve (32) for supplying fuel directly into an exhaust passage of the vehicle. A system pressure source (55) feeds the control valve. A shutoff valve (54) is fluidly connected to the pressure source downstream thereof and to the control valve upstream thereof. The shutoff valve permits bidirectional flow there-through. A connection (57) is between the shutoff valve and the control valve defining a fluid volume there-between. The shutoff valve permits fluid flow from the system pressure source through the connection and to the control valve during a regeneration phase of the system. Upon engine shutdown and based on fluid pressure in the volume, the shutoff valve opens so that fluid trapped in the volume will communicate with the pressure source thereby reducing the fluid pressure in the volume.

Abstract: A module, direct fuel injector (10) includes a fuel module (46) having a valve body (12) defining an outlet opening (20) and including a seating surface (18). A needle 14, disposed in valve body, has a sealing surface (16). An armature (28) is coupled with the needle such that movement of the armature moves the needle between a closed position with the sealing surface engaging the seating surface and an open position with the needle moving outwardly from the valve body with the sealing surface being disengaged from the seating. A spring (38) biases the armature and thus the needle to the closed position. An inlet tube (22) is coupled to the fuel module defining an inlet of the injector. A power assembly (42) is separate from, but coupled to, the fuel module. The power assembly includes an electromagnetic coil (44) for causing movement of the armature, and a connector (43).

Abstract: A module, direct fuel injector (10) includes a fuel side sub-assembly (78) having valve body structure (12, 14) defining a main flow passage (16) there-through, an outlet opening (26) and a seating surface (24). A needle (18) is in the main flow passage and has first and second ends. The second end (22) has a sealing surface (20). The needle is movable between a closed position with the sealing surface engaging the seating surface to prevent fuel from passing through the outlet opening, and an open position. A spring (30) biases the needle to the closed position. Manifold structure (36, 48) is coupled to the valve body structure. The injector also includes a dry side sub-assembly including a piezo stack (42) coupled to the manifold structure and changes length when voltage is applied thereto. The piezo stack is associated with the first end of the needle so that when the length of the piezo stack changes, the needle moves from the closed position to the open position thereof.

Abstract: A fuel delivery module (10) for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a mounting flange (37) constructed and arranged to be mounted to an opening in a fuel tank of a vehicle. A pump and filter structure (20) is provided and includes a fuel pump (14) having an inlet and an outlet, and a fuel filter (22) surrounding at least a portion of the fuel pump for filtering fuel exiting the outlet of the pump. A crimp connection (27) couples the pump and filter structure to the flange. An electrical connector (34) is provided through the flange and is constructed and arranged so as not to be exposed to fluid pressure of the module. The electrical connector is electrically connected to the fuel pump. A fuel regulator (28) is coupled to the pump and filter structure.

Abstract: A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system 105 and a centralized server system 120. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link 110, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites 140, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system 125 at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving transmissions of different modulations includes cycling between a first mode for receiving transmissions of a first modulation that occurs frequently and a second mode for receiving transmission of a second modulation that occurs infrequently. The example RF receiver is cycled between a first modulation for receiving a frequency shift keyed (FSK) transmission from a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system and a second modulation for receiving an amplitude shift keyed (ASK) transmission from a remote keyless entry (RKE) system. The RF receiver cycles between different modulations to detect the most frequent FSK modulated transmissions while also detecting and receiving the relatively infrequent ASK modulated RKE transmissions without an undesirable delay.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring sensor includes resilient spring members to support and resist movement during rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a battery energy management system includes discharging a detector circuit to a minimum battery voltage, measuring an elapsed time that the minimum battery voltage is detected, resetting a timer circuit, and sampling the minimum battery voltage and the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage in response to a predefined prompt. The discharge of the detector circuit, the measurement of the minimum battery voltage, the elapsed time of the minimum battery voltage, and the reset of the timer circuit are performed in response to an input voltage being less than the voltage stored within the detector circuit.

Abstract: An instrument cluster includes a gauge with selectively and visually variable features to communicate vehicle information to a vehicle operator. A border is illuminatable by colored LED assemblies to provide an indication of the range of a vehicle operating condition. A pointer assembly is also selectively illuminatable to provide a visual reference of a specific operating condition that is responsive and varies depending on a specific current operating condition. A digital display within the gauge includes telltales that are also selectively illuminatable and visually variable, responsive to specific operating conditions to communicate not only a problem or an issue with a specific feature but also a range or magnitude of alert to the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A flange assembly 10 is provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The assembly 10 includes a flange 12 constructed and arranged to cover an opening in a fuel tank. The flange has an interior portion constructed and arranged to be exposed to fuel. The interior portion is in communication with an outlet 15 provided at an exterior of the flange. A plastic manifold 16 is mounted to the interior portion of the flange so as to communicate with the outlet. The manifold is constructed and arranged to mount at least one fuel supply component 22 thereon.

Abstract: A switch/power conditioning module may be added to a hybrid vehicle to selectively supply power from an AC power bus to a load, providing on-vehicle standby power generating capability with a minimum of added hardware and/or when the vehicle is stationary.

Abstract: Fuel port structure (10) of a fuel pump (20) includes a fuel port (12) having a periphery (14), an internal portion defining a fuel passage (16), and a free end (18). An electrically conductive grounding structure (22) has a first portion (24) disposed at least partially within the fuel passage and a second portion (26) extending from the free end. A fuel delivery tube (28) is coupled to the periphery of the fuel port at the free end thereof. The fuel delivery tube has an electrically conductive portion (30) in contact with the second portion of the grounding structure to provide a discharge path for static electricity created when fuel flows through the fuel passage.

Abstract: A flange assembly 23 of a fuel supply unit includes a flange 22 constructed and arranged to be mounted to a fuel tank and a strut support structure 18 separate from the flange. The support structure includes a body 20 and at least a pair of strut supports 30 integral with the body and disposed in spaced relation. Each strut support is constructed and arranged to engage and support a strut. The body 20 is coupled to the flange 22 at one of a plurality of possible orientations such that the strut supports 30 are located at one of a plurality of selectable positions with respect to the flange 22.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle power junction box includes a first mounting unit and a second mounting unit having a positioning relative to the first mounting unit. A weld bead is positioned between the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit to vibration weld the first mounting unit relative to the second mounting unit.