Abstract: A method for throttle progression control to minimize tip-in noise of an internal combustion engine by allowing the engine to receive only the required air for the commanded engine acceleration. The method comprises the steps of a) providing an electronically controlled throttle body and valve, b) providing an electronic control module, c) determining the engine air flow required to satisfy a desired engine acceleration, d) providing an input to the electronic control module corresponding to the engine air flow required, e) programming the electronic control module to limit the inflow of air during engine acceleration to match the engine air flow required for achieving said desired engine acceleration, and f) actuating the throttle body and valve to provide the limited air flow through the throttle body during the desired engine acceleration.

Abstract: A control assembly comprising a switch pad and a circuit board. The switch pad has a connection member, a first contact adjacent the connection member, and a flexible dome having a second contact. The circuit board is engaged with the switch pad and includes an engagement area engaged with the connection member, third contacts adjacent the engagement area and fourth contacts. The flexible dome of the switch pad is configured to be depressed to engage the second contact with the fourth contacts to electrically connect the fourth contacts. The first contact electrically connects the third contacts when the circuit board is engaged with the switch pad. The first contact and the third contacts form a first circuit for determining if the switch pad is properly engaged with the circuit board such that the second contact will form a second circuit with the fourth contacts when the flexible dome is depressed.

Abstract: A heated steering wheel with a preformed heating member, having an inner rim portion; a cushion layer disposed about the inner rim portion; and a preformed heating element disposed about the cushion layer; wherein the cushion layer is applied using a molding process and the preformed heating element and the inner rim portion are inserted in a mold used for the molding process prior to the application of said cushion layer therein.

Abstract: A technique for implementing an extended bit timer with a time processing unit (TPU), without using the channel hardware of the TPU includes a number of steps. A timer of the TPU is periodically read to determine the value of the timer. A counter is incremented when rollover of the timer has occurred and a coherency flag is de-asserted after the timer transitions through a first count. The coherency flag is asserted after the value of the timer transitions through a third count and the value of the timer is combined with the value of the counter to provide a current count. When the coherency flag is asserted and the value of the timer is equal to or between the first and second counts, the current count is adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicle audio system is provided that includes an audio receiver having a radio tuner and a random access media reader adapted for accessing audio data files such as those stored on a compact disc. The audio system includes a display having a plurality of display formats for displaying a label associated with an audio data file, and a display switch having a first mode operable for shifting the display from one of the plurality of display formats to another of the plurality of display formats, a second mode operable for setting the default display format to another display format, and a third mode operable for initiating sequential display of a plurality of display pages to displaying the label.

Abstract: A voice responsive system controls a device in response to both a manual input and a voice input. The system includes a processor, a memory system coupled to the processor and processor executable code. The processor executable code includes an operating system and a voice recognition application for causing the processor to perform a number of steps. Initially, a voice message is provided from the operating system to the voice recognition application. Next, an appropriate simulated manual input event is provided from the voice recognition application to the operating system in response to the received voice message. Then, an appropriate manual input event message is provided from the operating system to the voice recognition application in response to the simulated manual input event. The voice recognition application then initiates control of the device responsive to the manual input event message.

Abstract: The problem of maintaining fluid modulus during a fast mode release of fluid pressure in a force generating apparatus having a force generating actuator fluidically coupled to a force generating device is solved by limiting the rate at which the actuator can reduce fluid pressure in an apply chamber of the actuator to a rate low enough to preclude a change in modulus of the fluid during the fast mode release.

Abstract: An electronic module adapted to sense light and configured to minimize the entry of stray light into the module. The module includes a housing having an opening through which light enters the housing, a first substrate coupled to the housing, a second substrate on the first substrate opposite the housing, and a chip on the second substrate. The first substrate defines a window aligned with the housing so that light traveling through the housing also passes through window. The second substrate defines an opening aligned with the window, and the chip is located over the opening in the second substrate so that a light-sensing element on the chip senses light passing through the opening. The module is equipped with features that prevent light from entering the module through the second substrate, the first substrate, and between the chip and second substrate.

Abstract: An ignition control circuit (12) is responsive to a control signal (ESTC) to apply a drive signal (GD) to a power switching device (22) to conduct ignition coil current (IC) therethrough. A resistor (RS) included within the circuit (12) receives, and dissipates heat generated by, the coil current (IC). The circuit (12) includes a first transistor (QHOT) positioned adjacent to the resistor (RS) such that an operating temperature thereof is near that of the resistor (RS), and a second transistor (QREF) positioned remote from the resistor (RS) and having an operating temperature defining a reference temperature. The first and second transistors (QHOT, QREF) are configured to produce an output voltage (VOUT) proportional to a difference in operating temperatures thereof, and a latch circuit (L1) disables the control signal (ESTC) to thereby turn off the power switching device (22) when the output voltage (VOUT) difference exceeds a reference voltage (VREF).

Abstract: A viscosity measurement apparatus, or viscometer, including a fluid flow channel, a heating element disposed at least around an exterior portion of the fluid flow channel near an inlet end, and a temperature sensor disposed within the fluid flow channel downstream from the heating element. The viscometer may also include a thermally insulating jacket disposed around the heating element and the fluid flow channel. A method of measuring viscosity with the viscometer includes immersing a fluid flow channel in the fluid, heating a portion of the fluid in the fluid flow channel near the inlet end of the fluid flow channel, and measuring a temperature of the fluid in the fluid flow channel at a position downstream from the inlet end of the fluid flow channel. The method further includes recording temperature changes of the fluid for a time period and comparing recorded temperature change characteristics to known fluid viscosities to determine viscosity.

Abstract: A collision detection system and method of estimating a miss distance are provided. The collision detection system includes a sensor for sensing an object in a field of view. The sensor measures range and range rate of the object. The collision detection system further includes a controller for estimating a miss distance as a function of the measured range and range rate, without requiring a measured azimuth angle measurement.

Abstract: Passive balanced probes are disclosed for use with a signal analysis device. The probes are very low cost relative to typical commercially available probes and provide an extremely flat response over a frequency range of approximately 0 to at least 1.5 gigahertz. The probes include a probe body constructed primarily from conventional components, a first surface mount resistor electrically connected between a probe tip and a center conductor, and two surface mount resistors electrically connected and parallel between the center conductor and a conductive shield. The probes further include a coaxial cable for connection to an instrument combiner or other instrument connection device.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor assembly includes a housing and a slider slidably received within the housing, the slider is configured for movement between a first position and a second position within the housing. A first and second magnets is associated with the slider for slidable movement therewith. The first and second magnetss are positioned side by side with opposite polarization while first and second hall effect devices are fixed relative to the housing. The first hall effect device protrudes between the first and second magnetss when the slider is in the second position, the first hall effect device being configured to produce an output signal indicative of a seat belt tension of a seat belt as applied to the sensor assembly. The second hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing and aligned with at least one of the first and second magnetss when the slider is in the second position.

Abstract: A method for collision avoidance using automated braking and steering comprising: determining an actual distance to an obstacle in a path of a vehicle; determining a relative velocity between the obstacle and the vehicle; determining a first distance sufficient to avoid collision by braking only; determining a second distance sufficient to avoid collision by combined braking and steering around the obstacle. The method also includes: applying braking if at least one of, the first distance exceeds the actual distance and the first distance is within a selected threshold of the actual distance. If the actual distance exceeds the second distance and a lane change is permitted, steering control to affect a lane change is applied.

Abstract: A clutch pedal (1) for a vehicle, in particular, a motor vehicle, includes at least one side plate (2a, 2b) mounted for rotation spindle (3) connectable to the bulkhead of the vehicle. A peg (5) is fixed to one end of a pedal web (4) and slides in a first slot (21) provided in the side plate. A movement mechanism (7) causes the peg to slide in the slot, defining a length (L) between the rotation spindle of the side plate and the other end of the pedal web. A stud (8) is mounted in the side plate (2a) at a distance (R) from the rotation spindle, for receiving the end of the rod of the clutch mechanism of the vehicle. The clutch pedal operates to provide a constant step-down ratio (L/R).

Abstract: An electronic circuit for protecting a field effect transistor from high voltage includes a switching device having a first state in which the switching device turns the field effect transistor ON, and a second state in which the switching device turns the field effect transistor OFF. A charging device is connected to the switching device and receives an electrical charge when an electrode of the field effect transistor is shorted to a voltage source. The charging device applies the electrical charge to the switching device to thereby place the switching device in the second state.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including an air intake manifold having a rotary valve for regulating air flow within the manifold. The valve comprises a cylindrical shaft formed of stainless steel and butterfly vanes formed of plastic overmolded onto the shaft. The composite valve has a natural frequency of about 300 Hz and can resonate with engine noise. In accordance with the invention, the valve shaft is additionally provided with one or more sound-absorbing elastomeric dampers, formed preferably of a silicone rubber, that make contact with saddles in the intake manifold for extinguishing harmonic frequency response of the valve below 660 Hz. Preferably, the plastic butterfly vanes also are overcoated with the elastomer to further damp harmonic flexure and wave propagation in the valve.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-lock brake system determines when an ABS failure condition has occurred, configures a failure condition operating mode of the ABS control, and, finally, activates the ABS control based on the failure condition operational mode. When a brake actuator failure occurs, this allows the system to configure the failure condition operating mode to exclude the wheel having the failed brake actuator. Alternately, the system may configure the failure condition operating mode to exclude wheel speed data when an invalid wheel speed indicator is determined for a wheel.

Abstract: An automotive steering system with a torque sensor is disclosed. The steering system comprises a shaft linked to a set of road wheels; a sensor connected to the shaft for sensing torque applied to the shaft and operative to provide as output a signal indicative of said torque; a controller in signal communication with the sensor and operative thereby to accept as input from the sensor the signal indicative of the torque applied to the shaft; and a motor coupled to the shaft and in signal communication with the controller and operative thereby to accept as input from the controller a command to apply torque to the shaft.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly or system including flexible metal bellows elements in one or more tubes intended for carrying hot gases during operation of the assembly. The bellows elements include a tubing element having plurality of annular corrugated folds. Thermal expansion and contraction of rigid tubes and of the non-tubular elements of the assembly can lead to buckling, cracking, and failure of the tubes and failure of the assembly or system. The flexible bellows elements, having relatively low axial and radial spring rates thus are able to absorb thermal and vibrational dimensional changes in the assembly. In addition, the corrugations provide significant resistance to axial heat flow and large radiant surface area, thus increasing thermal isolation where desired between relatively hot and relatively cold regions of the assembly.