Abstract: A sensor comprises: a pump cell comprising an inner pump electrode, an outer pump electrode, a pump cell electrolyte layer interposed between the inner pump electrode and the outer pump electrode and a cell isolation layer disposed on the inner pump electrode on a side opposite the pump cell electrolyte, wherein the outer electrode is in fluid communication with a reducing gas. A reference cell is in operable communication with the pump cell, the reference cell comprising an outer reference electrode and an inner reference electrode, and a reference cell electrolyte interposed between the outer reference electrode and the inner reference electrode.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a core formed of magnetically-permeable material extending along a main axis, a primary winding disposed about the core, a secondary winding disposed on a secondary winding spool wherein at least one of the secondary winding leads is connected to a high-voltage connector terminal configured for connection to a spark plug, a case formed of electrical insulating material, and a magnetically-permeable shield disposed inwardly of the case and allowed to electrically float with respect to ground and a power source.

Abstract: A casing for a heat exchange system defines a blower compartment (18), an evaporator compartment (20), and a diffuser (22). The diffuser (22) defines an exit (28) and an entry area in a cutoff plane (30). A vane wall (38) curves inwardly from the diffuser (22) and includes a plurality of parallel vanes (46), (48), (50), and (52). The plurality of vanes (46), (48), (50), and (52) include a first vane (46) and a second vane (48).

Abstract: A fuel pump for supplying fuel at high fuel pressures includes a stationary body having a plurality of radial cylinders connecting with a central fuel chamber. Inlet and outlet passages communicate with the fuel chamber. Plungers are reciprocated in the cylinders by cam followers reciprocable in follower recesses of the body. A rotary internal cam engages the cam followers and is configured to reciprocate the plungers in timed relation to sequentially draw fuel from the inlet passage into the central fuel chamber and alternately force fuel from the central fuel chamber to the outlet passage in response to rotation of the rotary cam. A preferred embodiment includes paired smaller and larger diameter cylinders and pistons which are sequentially actuated in overlapping fashion to minimize pulsing of the pressurized fuel discharged from the pump into associated engine fuel lines.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an operational state of a variable valve lift (VVL) device in an engine, wherein the VVL device is capable of operating in two modes of operation. The method includes measuring a rotational speed of an engine crankshaft while the engine is running or cranking, correlating the measured crankshaft speed with an estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque, comparing the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque with an expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values for the two modes of operation for the VVL device, determining if the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque falls within the expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values, and activating an alert if the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque falls outside the expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values to provide notification that the VVL device is operating in an improper mode of operation.

Abstract: An electronic package is provided having a connector and a solder joint that is less susceptible to thermal fatigue. The package includes a die including a first electrically conductive connecting surface having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a substrate including electrical circuitry and a second electrically conductive connecting surface having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The package further includes a solder joint connecting the first connecting surface to the second connecting surface. One of the first and second connecting surfaces includes a plurality of pads spaced from each other. By employing an electrical connection having a plurality of pads spaced from each other, the solder joint is relieved to reduce fatigue caused by thermal cycling.

Abstract: A device and method for venting a tank comprising an intermediate shutoff valve as part of a cover that closes a tank opening. The intermediate shutoff valve is placed between an existing valve and a vent port in a liquid storage tank. The shutoff valve is operable to substantially fluidly seal the vent port when the vent valve is displaced greater than a predetermined amount. The intermediate shutoff valve facilitates complete removal of the existing vent valve during an impact wherein a wall of the storage tank impacts the existing valve. Upon impact, the intermediate shutoff valve is operable to close and seal a tank opening created by the displacement and removal of the existing vent valve.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes a comparator having a fixed and a variable reference input for detection of a positive quasi-sinusoidal waveform pulse. A signal detection circuit includes a low pass input filter, a voltage input clamp, a variable detection threshold, and a zero crossing detector. The circuit produces an approximately square wave output substantially coinciding with the positive pulse of the quasi-sinusoidal waveform received, from a variable reluctance sensor. The circuit has a positive to negative zero crossing detector armed by a variable threshold of the positive quasi-sinusoidal pulse, thus providing variable noise immunity and a fixed phase relationship between the input and output signal for an input signal having a variable amplitude.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for supplying pressurized fuel to a fuel injector, the fuel injection system comprising an accumulator volume for supplying fuel at a first injectable pressure level to the fuel injector through a fuel supply passage, a pump arrangement for increasing the pressure of fuel supplied to the injector to a second injectable pressure level, and a valve arrangement operable between a first position in which fuel at the first injectable pressure level is supplied to the injector and a second position in which communication between the injector and the accumulator volume is broken so as to permit fuel at the second injectable pressure to be supplied to the injector. The injection system may include a valve arrangement in the form of a three-position valve or may include a shut off valve for controlling the supply of fuel through the fuel supply passage.

Abstract: A sealed electronic module includes a housing having an open end and a circuit board that is both peripherally and centrally supported within the housing, where potting material applied to the exposed face of the circuit board peripherally and centrally affixes the circuit board to the housing and also environmentally seals the module. The central support for the circuit board is provided by a support post that is integral with the housing. A reduced size tip of the support post extends through an opening formed in a central area of the circuit board, and potting material applied to the exposed face of the circuit board for sealing the module also flows into the circuit board opening around the tip of the support post. The cured potting material structurally bonds the periphery of the circuit board to the housing walls and the central area of the circuit board to the housing support post.

Abstract: An improved dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA), for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising a hollow body and a plunger assembly disposed in a bore of the engine. A one-piece plunger body includes a first chamber for forming a low-pressure oil reservoir and receiving a lash adjustment mechanism, and a second chamber open at one end and partially closed hemispherically for supporting a rocker arm and providing valve deactivating oil thereto for an auxiliary valve actuation system. The first and second chambers are separated by a transverse web, optionally having a small-diameter passage therethrough for air evacuation. The one-piece plunger body provides a high degree of resistance to side loads which may be imposed on the HLA in use.

Abstract: A steering column assembly has a hand wheel rotatable about an axis having at least one guide member and at least one guide bracket. A guide member is spaced adjacent the axis of the hand wheel and a guide bracket and a guide member have surfaces supporting and guiding the guide member and the guide bracket for relative sliding movement therebetween. At least one shear member acting between the guide member and the guide bracket maintain the guide member within the guide bracket. The shear member is shearable under a predetermined force permitting the guide member and the guide bracket to move relative to one another. Additionally, a mounting plate supporting the hand wheel and at least one guide member may provide for controllable relative movement between the hand wheel and the guide member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for reducing internal combustion engine contaminate and additive particulate matter from a particulate filter the method including accessing the filter and entraining particulate matter in a fluid stream. Further disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine particulate filter system including a canister, a filter media mounted in said canister and an access opening in said canister. Yet still further disclosed herein is a method for determining condition of a particulate filter in situ including establishing a vacuum value for a clean particulate filter in situ, establishing a vacuum value for a used particulate filter in situ; and comparing the established value for the clean filter versus the used filter.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes an electrode member with two spaced-apart electrodes and an air gap therebetween. A position reference plate, which can be straight for sensing linear position or curvilinear for sensing angular position, is disposed in the air gap, with the electrode member being attached to a moving component and the reference plate mounted on a stationary object or vice-versa. The reference plate is formed with an opening, the width of which varies throughout the length of the opening, so that the capacitance between the electrodes varies depending on the position of the plate relative to the electrode member.

Abstract: A level shifting circuit functions by taking an input signal, producing a complement of the input signal, applying the input signal and its complement to comparable voltage divider pairs to set up a differential input signal that is applied to a comparator that produces a shifted output signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a compression ignition engine comprises introducing enriching component to a combustion chamber of the compression ignition engine, wherein the enriching component comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; introducing bulk fuel to the combustion chamber; heating a glow plug to cause the enriching component to release thermal energy; and initiating combustion of the bulk fuel with the released thermal energy from the enriching component.

Abstract: Reconfigurable sensor and method for selectively reconfiguring a sensor are provided. The reconfiguration of the sensor may be performed according to applicable requirements for sensing the position of an object. The method allows providing an array of sensing elements. The method further allows selecting at least one of the sensing elements of the array to supply a sensing element output signal. One or more operational parameters of the one sensing element may be adjusted to meet the applicable sensing requirements.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyolefin composition suitable for slush molding comprising a blend of polypropylene, styrenic elastomer, linear low density polyethylene and a hydrocarbon-based process oil. Optional components include an ethylene copolymer elastomer, polymer additives such as polymer surface modifiers, powder flow additives, stabilizers and/or color pigments. The compositions exhibit a low melt viscosity during processing and improved surface quality for the molded article. An exemplary composition includes about 20-50 wt. % polypropylene or copolymer thereof, about 20-60 wt. % of a styrenic elastomer, about 5-50 wt. % linear low density polyethylene, and about 2-25 wt. % of a hydrocarbon-based process oil. The zero shear viscosity of the composition suitable for slush molding is in the range of about 300-900 Pa·s over a processing temperature range of 180-260° C.

Abstract: A thick-film resistor component may include a thick film component formed between a thick-film resistor and an electrically conductive sheet, wherein a portion of the sheet is selectively removed to form resistor contacts while exposing a portion of the thick-film component. Electrical terminals to a thick-film resistor may be sized to reduce stress and/or be selectively positioned relative to the resistor to define a desired resistor value. A thick-film resistor may include one or more resistor segments configured to be selectively open-circuited to incrementally adjust the value of the resistor.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a torque current in an electric machine coupled to a polyphase bus. The method comprises: detecting a rotational position of the electric machine with a position encoder; controlling an inverter comprising a plurality of switching devices, the inverter having an input coupled to a direct current bus, and an output coupled to the polyphase bus. Where the inverter is responsive to commands from a controller coupled to the inverter and to the position encoder. The method also includes measuring a current from the direct current bus; and capturing the current at a predefined interval of time.