Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column module for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering angle sensor (13) that is inserted into a module housing (1,2). The rotor of the steering angle sensor is assigned to a steering column and co-operates with at least one fixed measuring wheel (37), in which angular modifications of the steering column are registered by electronic measuring sensors (22), operating as the stator and connected to the vehicle electric system by means of a central printed circuit board (6). The measuring sensors (22) are fastened to the printed circuit board (6) and the measuring wheel or wheels (37) is/are mounted in a housing (38) that is fixed to the printed circuit board (6).

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an electric machine using voltage mode control comprising: receiving a voltage command, the voltage command corresponding to a voltage control command for a position control loop, the position control loop configured to control a position of the electric machine; receiving a motor velocity signal; and determining a q-axis current. The method also includes computing a d-axis current to supplement the torque if a magnitude of a voltage supply for exciting the electric machine is not sufficient to provide a torque corresponding to the q-axis current, otherwise establishing the d-axis current at about zero; and generating command voltages for controlling the electric machine corresponding to the q-axis current and the d-axis current.

Abstract: An electronics assembly is provided having a heat pipe device for cooling electronics. The assembly includes a substrate and an electronics package supported on the substrate. The assembly also includes a heat pipe device in thermal communication with an exposed surface of the electronics package. The heat pipe device includes a thermal conductive pipe having an internal volume and an open end. The heat pipe device also includes a thermal conductive end cap positioned to close the open end of the pipe. The end cap has an outer surface for receiving in thermal communication an electronics package. The heat pipe device further includes a cooling fluid disposed in the internal volume of the pipe for transferring thermal energy from the end cap to the outside environment.

Abstract: Valve lift variation associated with a deactivation roller hydraulic valve DRVHL (DRHVL) can result in unacceptable valve overlap and idle conditions for an internal combustion engine. Two sources of length variation in a DRHVL are leakdown and residual mechanical lash. Total length variation is the sum of these two factors, and each factor has an associated tolerance. In the prior art, the two factors are independent, resulting in a total population variation that is the sum of the two independent variations. A DRHVL assembly process in accordance with the invention includes the step of associating leakdown test results for individual lash adjusters with residual lash results by adjusting the residual lash characteristics of individual DRHVL assemblies to complement the leakdown characteristics in minimizing total length variation in the population of assembled DRHVLs.

Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a combustion engine in a motor vehicle, namely for optimally adjusting an air/fuel ratio which is distinguished in that the air/fuel ratio is the result of a regulation process. Individual aspects of the invention further address a regulation method particularly suitable for such regulation in consideration of the available input values and readings. For the purposes of supporting regulation, an adaptation method is specified which can also be used independently of the regulation method or with other regulation methods and which enables the regulation to be continuously adapted to the respective operating conditions, such as, for example, the engine operational performance, and signs of wear and tear and disruptions due to deposits etc. which accompany it.

Abstract: Welded structures having a first and a second member formed from sheet metal, tubes, and similar shapes, are economically fabricated through use of a method for joining a second member to a first member having a folded rim extending therefrom. The folded rim defines an air gap within the folded rim. The first and second members are joined together by forcing the folded rim against the second member under sufficient pressure to flatten the folded rim to a point that there remains substantially no air gap inside the folded rim, and resistance welding together the first and second members. The second member and the rim respectively define faying surfaces thereof. The air gap inside the folded rim extends generally parallel to the faying surfaces. The faying surfaces of the rim and second member are forced against one another by applying pressure through the folded rim in a direction generally perpendicular to the faying surfaces.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly that makes use of a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate, and a process for producing the assembly. The substrate contains at least first and second regions formed by a plurality of first ceramic layers and at least one second ceramic layer, respectively, that are superimposed and bonded to each other. Conductor lines are present on at least some of the first ceramic layers so as to be between adjacent pairs of the layers. Electrically-conductive vias electrically interconnect the conductor lines on different first ceramic layers, and a surface-mount IC device is mounted to the substrate. The first ceramic layers are formed of electrically-nonconductive materials, while the one or more second ceramic layers contain thermally-conductive particles dispersed in a matrix of electrically-non-conductive materials, such that the one or more second ceramic layers are more thermally conductive than the first ceramic layers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes hollow reinforcing members that define openings for receiving supports therein. An end cap is disposed in each open end of cylindrical header tanks and each of the header tanks includes a tubeless length (X) extending inwardly a predetermined distance from each end cap. An inlet and an outlet are disposed in a tubeless length (X). The ends of the reinforcing members extending over the tubeless lengths (X) of the header tanks which include a slot outside each end cap with a tab extending from each end of reinforcing members and into the adjacent slot. All of the components are brazed together in one operation.

Abstract: A method/system for measuring cylinder pressures of an internal combustion engine includes a crank angle sensor utilized to generate pressure readings at known angular intervals. Additional time-based pressure measurements are taken in selected angular windows between a pair of the angle-based pressure readings. Because the angle-based pressure measurements and the time-based pressure measurements occur at known times, the pressure as a function of the crank angle for the time-based pressure measurements can be determined. The cylinder pressure measurements can be utilized to calculate combustion parameters used for closed-loop engine control of fuel supply or other engine inputs.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a load displacement system allowing transient loads of the steering mechanism to be displaced. The steering system also includes a first coupling mechanism coupling an electric motor to a rack housing, and a second coupling mechanism coupling a ball nut to a rack and method.

Abstract: A rotor-locking mechanism for a vane-type camshaft phaser. A locking pin is disposed in the rotor and is permitted to travel into a well in either the rear cover or the front cover of the phaser. The pin is urged into the well by a return spring, and the end of the pin end is exposed to oil pressure for unlocking the pin. A first channel is provided between the advance-oil feed and the end of the pin, and a second channel is provided between the retard-oil feed and the end of the pin. The channels may be formed in either of the covers. The pin is unlocked whenever a predetermined oil pressure is exceeded in either the advance or retard oil feeds, permitting the pin to be unlocked through most modes of engine operation and to be locked only under specific predetermined low-pressure conditions, such as during engine starting.

Abstract: Knee support element for motor vehicles for absorbing energy in a knee region in case of a crash of the vehicle, including a first deformation element for absorbing energy upon impact of the knees in a first impact zone and a second deformation element for absorbing energy upon impact of the knees in a second impact zone, where the first deformation element is linked to the second deformation element in order to deform the second deformation element and thereby limit the resistance of the second deformation element against deformation, upon impact on the first impact zone.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the operational status of one or more fuel pumps in a fuel system of a vehicle, the system comprising an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel, one or more injectors arranged in fluid communication with the accumulator volume and one or more high pressure fuel pumps arranged in fluid communication with the accumulator volume so as to supply high pressure fuel thereto, the operation of the one or more fuel pumps being controlled by a filling pulse signal from a control means, the detector comprising inputs for receiving data representing at least one current system parameter; processing means arranged to compare the at least one current system parameter against one or more predetermined system parameters in order to identify the operational status of the one or more fuel pumps.

Abstract: In a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having intake valve deactivation apparatus providing de-activation of the intake valves of selected cylinders during engine operation, correct cylinder activation status is verified by measuring gas pressure in a conduit conducting combustion related gases through the cylinders of the engine, detecting consecutive pulses in the pressure due to predetermined activations of the intake valves, comparing the time periods between the consecutive pulses to reference time periods based on crankshaft position and corresponding to expected time periods between the consecutive pulses and providing verification signals and cylinder identification of faulty intake valve deactivation or activation in response to the comparisons.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly and method of connecting an electrical connector to a substrate are provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a substrate having first electrical circuitry formed on a surface, an elastomer, and second electrical circuitry disposed at least partially between the substrate and the elastomer. Elements of the second electrical circuitry are pressed into contact with contact pads of the first electrical circuitry. The electrical connector assembly also includes a holder securing the elastomer in a compressed state to provide a pressure contact between the circuit elements and the contact pads.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan assembly including a housing having a lower surface and a parallel inlet wall that defines an inlet opening. A shaft is supported by the housing for rotating about an axis. A plurality of fan blades are disposed about the shaft and extend radially from the axis for drawing air axially into the fan blades and blowing air radially outwardly. The housing defines a scroll wall that spirals about the axis and defines an outlet air passage that extends substantially tangentially to the axis. The fan blades include extensions that extend through the inlet opening and outside of the inlet wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling valve stiffness in a power steering system. The method includes the step of engaging a pinion and a spool shaft with respect to one another for turning at least two wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel from an on-center orientation. The method also includes the step of variably assisting movement of the pinion with a hydraulic power steering device having a valve movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The method also includes the step of moving the valve from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to rotation of the spool shaft relative to the pinion from an on-center orientation to assist the pinion in rotation for turning the at least two wheels.

Abstract: A valvetrain system mechanization for an internal combustion engine using compression ignition, including homogeneous charge compression ignition, having two intake and one or more exhaust valves per cylinder. The valves are operated by dual overhead camshafts having two-step cams. The intake and exhaust camshafts are provided with phasers for varying the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. A two-step roller finger follower is disposed for each valve between the cam lobes and the valve stem. The two sets of intake and exhaust valves are controlled by separate oil control valves. Swirl of gases may be introduced by mismatching the lifts of the valves. The valve opening times, closing times, lifts, fuel injection, compression ratio, and exhaust gas recirculation may be varied to optimize combustion conditions for a range of engine operating modes.

Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a vehicle is disclosed wherein the imaging system images an object spaced apart from the vehicle in a first configuration and images an object supported by the vehicle in a second configuration. The imaging system may include a fluid lens. An imaging system for use in a vehicle is disclosed wherein the imaging system has a first configuration corresponding to a first imaging application and a second configuration corresponding to a second imaging application. The imaging system may include a fluid lens.