Abstract: Disclosed herein are fuel reformers utilizing dew point plateau process control and methods of using the same. In one embodiment the fuel reformer can comprise a mixing zone capable of receiving a fuel mixture, a reforming zone disposed downstream from the mixing zone, an exhaust zone disposed downstream from the in operable communication with the reforming zone, a temperature sensor, and a system controller connected in operable communication with the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor can be disposed in fluid communication with the exhaust zone and capable of measuring a gas temperature of the gas stream, or in fluid communication with the mixing zone and capable of measuring a mixture temperature of the fuel mixture. The system controller can be capable of adjusting an operating variable of the fuel reformer and determining a dew point plateau temperature.

Abstract: Electrical coupling apparatus providing transition between a high radio frequency waveguide and a perpendicularly oriented microstrip line without use of a shorting cap fixes an open end of the waveguide perpendicularly to a dielectric substrate. The microstrip line is carried on the substrate and couples through a hole in the waveguide wall to a microstrip patch on the substrate within the waveguide having a resonance with the waveguide encompassing a predetermined high radio frequency bandwidth of signals to be conducted by the apparatus. A plurality of parallel conducting members form a via fence aligned with the waveguide wall and extending through the substrate to electrically connect the waveguide to a planar ground conductor that covers the opposite side of the substrate, including the area under the open end of the waveguide.

Abstract: A dual pressure sensor apparatus configured for attachment to a manifold includes a molded plastic housing with a body portion featuring an upper cavity, a measurement port, and a lower cavity closed by the manifold. First and second pressure sensor modules are mounted in first and second wells formed in the upper cavity, and electrically coupled to a set of leadframe terminals disposed in the upper cavity. An opening in the first well couples the first pressure sensor module to the measurement port, and an opening in the second well couples the second pressure sensor module to the lower cavity. The measurement port sealingly extends through an opening in the manifold so that the first pressure sensor module measures pressure in the manifold, and the body portion walls bounding the lower cavity are notched so that the second pressure sensor module measures atmospheric or barometric pressure outside the manifold.

Abstract: A method for balancing brake force is disclosed. The method includes determining whether a deceleration value reaches a first deceleration threshold in response to a braking event and determining brake condition and vehicle motion. Based on brake condition and vehicle motion determination and the first deceleration threshold determination, the method determines whether the deceleration value reaches a second deceleration threshold, and applies threshold balancing when the second deceleration threshold is reached.

Abstract: A pressure locking master cylinder including a fluid reservoir for storing a hydraulic fluid, a housing, a piston slidably received within the housing and defining a working chamber and a blocking chamber, wherein the blocking chamber is in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a valve positioned between the blocking chamber and the reservoir, the valve being adapted to selectively trap the hydraulic fluid within the blocking chamber to lock the piston in a position with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is provided including a multi-function boiling chamber having a top wall and a bottom wall parallel to the top wall and a first side wall and a second side wall both extending inwardly from the bottom wall to the top wall and a pair of end walls closing the chamber. First and second condensing tubes attached to the first and second side walls, respectively, of the boiling chamber have an elongated width presenting an upper surface and a lower surface and extend in opposite respective directions to distal ends of the tubes at an inclined angle relative to the bottom wall of the boiling chamber. The condensing tubes include a plurality of channels across the width and extending from the boiling chamber to the distal end of the tube. A tank disposed at each of the distal ends of the condensing tubes is in fluid communication with the channels tubes.

Abstract: The invention provides a controller for determining the presence of faults within a fuel injection system of an engine system. The engine system comprises a first injector and at least one further injector, each injector comprising a needle control valve and a pressure control valve. The controller comprises: inputs for receiving data relating to a first engine system parameter; outputs for outputting a control function for controlling the injector valves of each of the injectors, and; a processor for controlling the control function output from the controller.

Abstract: An inflation device for an airbag module, the inflation device comprising: a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber having a first volume of inflation gas and the second chamber having a second volume of inflation gas; a first inflation opening for allowing the first volume of inflation gas to pass therethrough and a first sealing member, the first sealing member sealing the first inflation opening; a second inflation opening for allowing the second volume of inflation gas to pass therethrough and a second sealing member, the second sealing member sealing the second inflation opening, the second inflation opening being substantially smaller than the first inflation opening; a conduit member for providing fluid communication with the first inflation opening and the second inflation opening; an initiator for removing a portion of the first sealing member from the first inflation opening; and a puncture device disposed within the conduit member, the puncture device being configured to remove a por

Abstract: A themosettable material having excellent processability, and which cures to form a thermoset composition having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and a high glass transition temperature includes functionalized nanoscopic silica particles dispersed in a curable resin comprising a polyepoxide having at least three epoxide groups per molecule. The composition is useful as an underfill for flip-chip circuit assemblies.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining when to update a surface estimation value indicative of a condition of a roadway surface are provided. The method includes determining a front axle cornering force error value based on a predicted front axle cornering force value and a first front axle cornering force value. The method further includes determining a threshold yaw rate error value based on the front axle cornering force error value. The method further includes indicating that the surface estimation value is to be updated when a yaw rate error value is greater than the threshold yaw rate error value.

Abstract: A key fob for keyless entry into an automobile includes a substantially rigid housing having an outer surface with a ridge or a recess. Signal transmission circuitry is disposed within the housing and is operable to transmit a signal to the automobile. A flexible shell includes a cavity in which the housing is at least partially received. A rim is engaged with the ridge or recess of the housing such that the shell is secured to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high performance polymer-base material capable of dissipating transient thermal energy generated by an electronic module, such as a heat-generating power device. The methods of the present invention involve adding a suitable thinner to reduce the viscosity and increase the volume of a polymer-base matrix material so that a large amount of thermal absorbing particles may be added. The final cured product may have a filler content of more than 80 weight %. Further, the present invention provides a new and reduced cost formulation of a polymer-base thermal transient suppression material containing organic wax particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic commutation of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled motor involves temporarily increasing the frequency of one or more PWM drive signals applied to the motor upon the occurrence of an asynchronous commutation event.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator, comprising, an inner ring, an outer ring disposed around the inner ring, a first pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of inner teeth having a first angular dimension, a second pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of inner teeth having a second angular dimension, a first pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of outer teeth having a third angular dimension and a second pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of outer teeth having a fourth angular dimension.

Abstract: The invention provides a boot for a universal joint. The boot includes a first sleeve portion defining a first circular opening. The boot also includes a second sleeve portion spaced from the first sleeve portion along a boot axis. The second sleeve portion defines a second circular opening having a smaller diameter than the first circular opening. The boot also includes a plurality of convolutions defined along the boot axis between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion by a plurality of roots extending radially inward toward the boot axis and by a plurality of crests extending radially outward away from the boot axis. The plurality of roots includes a first root and a second root immediately adjacent to one another. The first root is closer to the first sleeve portion than the second root. The first root extends radially further toward the boot axis than the second root.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the contrast within an image. An enhanced image can be generated in a real-time or substantially real-time manner from an initial image. A low-contrast image is enhanced, including the visibility of text within the low-contrast image. A logarithm transform method is used to enhance the overall contrast and visibility within the image. A power transform method is used to enhance the visibility and contrast of written text, symbols and other forms of signs within the enhanced image.

Abstract: A motor vehicle exhaust aftertreatment system includes an exhaust conduit that includes a NOx adsorber, a particulate filter, a reformer for generating reformate containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a fuel source, a reformate conduit, and an oxygen sensor. In response to a pressure drop through the particulate filter attaining a threshold value, reformate is introduced under selected controlled flow conditions into the exhaust conduit and caused to undergo combustion. The resulting exotherm maintains the temperature within the particulate filter within a selected range that is effective to cause oxidation and removal of soot from the particulate filter. Introduction of reformate into the exhaust conduit is discontinued when the pressure drop through the particulate filter is decreased to a selected value.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a steering wheel arrangement for motor vehicles having a steering wheel, an airbag module held at the steering wheel and movable in the direction of the axis of the steering wheel, and an electrical contact system arranged between the steering wheel and the airbag module for the actuation of an electrical functional unit, in particular of a vehicle horn by a relative movement between the steering wheel and the air-bag module taking place in the direction of the steering wheel axis, where-in the contact system includes elongate extended electrical conductors which are attached to mutually confronting sides of the steering wheel and of the airbag module or only to the steering wheel or to the airbag module and extend in such a way that conductors spaced apart in the direction of the steering wheel axis cross at least one contact position.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a piezoelectric actuator (10) having a stack (26) of one or more piezoelectric elements, the electrical connector arrangement including positive and negative terminals (30, 32) for connection with distribution electrodes (44a, 44b) of the piezoelectric stack (26). Each of the positive and negative terminals (30, 32) has a lower end face (30d, 32d) which locates adjacent to an upper end face of the stack (26), in use, and a radially outer contact face (30e, 32e) for contact with the distribution electrodes (44a, 44b). The terminals (30, 32) also connect with an external voltage supply, in use. A block (30c, 32c) of each terminal (30, 32) defines the radially outer contact face (30e, 32e) for the stack distribution electrodes (44a, 44b) and thus provides a robust terminal structure.

Abstract: A steering column switch, especially for a motor vehicle, contains a switch lever, which is activated transversely and which has a magnetic signal transmitter, to which several stationary magnetic-field sensors coupled to an evaluation unit are allocated for determining the switch positions of the switch lever. The switch lever supports a rotary switch and the signal transmitter and also the magnetic-field sensors are used for determining the switch positions of the rotary switch.