Patents Assigned to Delphi Technologies, Inc.
  • Fuel injector
    Patent number: 6997166
    Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising a supply passage for high pressure fuel and an injection nozzle for receiving high pressure fuel. The injection nozzle includes a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seating to control fuel delivery from the injector. A surface associated with the valve needle is exposed to fuel pressure within a control chamber and a first restricted flow path provides communication between the supply passage and the control chamber. A supplementary flow path also provides communication between the supply passage and the control chamber under the control of a control valve, so as to allow high pressure fuel to flow from the supply passage into the control chamber through two flow paths when it is required to terminate an injection of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Stringfellow
  • Vehicle actuator with valve seat cushioned by o-ring
    Patent number: 6997436
    Abstract: A valve for a control system of a vehicle includes a plunger slidably supported in a valve housing. Within the housing is a valve seat member that defines a valve seat configured for engaging the plunger in a closed configuration. The edges of the valve seat member are slightly spaced from the housing, and a resilient support element such as an o-ring is disposed between the valve seat member and the housing to permit lateral motion of the valve seat member relative to a long axis of the plunger as the plunger moves to the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis F. Barron, Conrado Carrillo
  • Thermally enhanced electronic module with self-aligning heat sink
    Patent number: 6999317
    Abstract: A thermally enhanced electronic module includes a thermally conductive case, a self-aligning thermally conductive heat sink and an integrated circuit (IC) package. The case includes an aperture sized for receiving a portion of the heat sink. The IC package includes a first surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface, and is mounted to a substrate with the first surface of the IC package facing the substrate. The second surface of the IC package is in thermal contact with the heat sink, when the heat sink is positioned in the aperture and secured to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh K. Chengalva, Gary E. Oberlin, Matthew R. Walsh
  • Method for metallurgically joining a tube to a member
    Patent number: 6998560
    Abstract: A method for metallurgically joining a tube to a member. A tube having a flange is obtained, and a member is obtained. A welding/brazing electrode wheel is obtained having an axis of rotation and having a rim. The tube and the member are positioned with the flange contacting the member directly and/or indirectly through an intervening welding/brazing joining material. The rim of the electrode wheel is positioned in direct contact with the flange. A resistance welding/brazing current path is created through the flange and the member using at least the electrode wheel creating a seam weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the flange and at least some of the member. During the current path creation step, the electrode wheel is rotated about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra
  • Linear position sensor having enhanced sensing range to magnet size ratio
    Patent number: 6998838
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for measuring linear position is provided. The assembly comprises a ferromagnetic magnetic flux concentrator. The flux concentrator is configured as a generally rectangular structure including an air gap at one side thereof. A magnet is slidable along the longitudinal axis of the concentrator. A galvanomagnetic sensing element is disposed in the air gap for sensing magnetic flux passing therethrough. The sensing element is configured to provide an output signal indicative of the measured linear position as the magnet travels along the longitudinal axis of the concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yingjie Lin
  • Method and apparatus for detecting the removal of a vehicle antenna and subsequently authenticating the user
    Patent number: 6999858
    Abstract: A vehicle security apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of a vehicle includes an antenna communicating with at least one remote device. Detection circuitry detects damage to and/or removal of the antenna. An operator authentication device determines whether a operator has authorization to operate the vehicle. A shutdown device at least partially disables the vehicle if the detection circuitry detects the damage to and/or removal of the antenna, and if the operator authentication device determines that the operator does not have authorization to operate the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Walker, Christopher A. Hedges
  • Hollow plunger with guide integrated to bobbin assembly
    Patent number: 6998948
    Abstract: An actuator suitable for use with a fluid flow control valve includes a frame, a bobbin, a coil and a plunger assembly. The frame is generally cylindrical and has a longitudinal axis. The bobbin, which is wound with the coil, includes a central cavity. The plunger assembly is received within the central cavity and includes a plunger portion and a rod portion. The plunger portion is formed of magnetic material. The rod portion may be snapped on the plunger portion to form the plunger assembly. The plunger assembly is configured to move within the cavity in response to an actuator control signal applied to the magnetic coil. Separating the plunger portion and the rod portion improves manufacturability as well as reduces the occurrence of rod damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolando Huerta, Conrado Carrillo
  • Tension sensing assembly
    Patent number: 6997478
    Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system. The tension sensing assembly also includes a movable member operatively supported by the rigid frame and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure. The movable member is movable relative to the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly includes a strain member operatively supported by the moveable member and the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly further includes a strain gage sensor operatively supported by the strain member to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system when the strain member is displaced by the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Hlavaty, James L. Webber, Michael T. Moury, George R. Kohut
  • Relaxed tolerance flip chip assembly
    Patent number: 6998706
    Abstract: A method and assembly (10) for conducting heat from a semiconductor device, such as a power flip chip (12). The assembly (10) is generally constructed to dissipate heat from the flip chip (12) when mounted to a flexible or rigid substrate (20). Heat is conducted from the flip chip (12) through upper and lower pedestals (26, 28) each of which includes a pliable pre-cured silicone adhesive pad (32, 36). The pre-cured silicon adhesive pads (32, 36) promote thermal contact while also decoupling any lateral mechanical strains that may arise as a result of different thermal expansion and movement between the flip chips (12). The housing portions (16, 18) form a housing (14) when assembled, with each housing portion (16, 18) including a configured edge (37, 41) that controls the travel of the pedestals (26, 28) toward each other, to thereby limit the pressure exerted on the flip chip (12) disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Lawlyes
  • Lock-pin cartridge for a valve deactivation rocker arm assembly
    Patent number: 6997152
    Abstract: A lock-pin cartridge for a valve deactivation rocker arm assembly. The cartridge comprises a body having an axial bore having first and second ends, the second end having a closure and a passage therethrough. A piston assembly comprising a locking pin and a piston is disposed in the bore. The locking pin extends through the second end passage to provide latching and unlatching of rocker arm elements. The piston is spaced apart from the ends to define a hydraulic chamber and a spring chamber within the bore on opposite sides of the piston. A spring is disposed in the spring chamber for urging the piston assembly toward one of the first and second ends. The hydraulic chamber includes means for communicating with a supply of hydraulic fluid for actuating the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne S. Harris
  • Universal magnetostrictive force sensor
    Patent number: 6993983
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive force sensor universally usable in any environment with similar signals unaffected by the surrounding material. To this end, a sensor comprising a shaft of magnetostrictive material with an inductance coil wound around the shaft is provided with a magnetic shell enclosing the coil only or both the coil and the shaft. Upon application of the magnetic field, the resultant flow of magnetic flux is confined to a path through the shaft and the magnetic shell. By confining the magnetic flux path, the dependency of the sensor signal on the surrounding material and environment is essentially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno Patrice Bernard Lequesne, Donald T. Morelli, Thaddeus Schroeder, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Thomas Allen Baudendistel
  • Check valve for fuel pump
    Patent number: 6994108
    Abstract: A check valve for a fuel pump of a vehicle includes a valve housing adapted to be disposed in an outlet member of the fuel pump and a valve seat formed on the valve housing. The check valve also includes a valve member disposed in the valve housing and having a closed position to engage the valve seat to prevent fuel from flowing through the outlet member and an open position to allow fuel to flow through the outlet member. The valve housing has a vortex abating geometry located near the valve seat to add turbulence to fluid flow past the valve seat when the valve member is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Roth, Partab Jeswani
  • Pressure sensor module having stress isolation platform
    Patent number: 6993975
    Abstract: A pressure sensor module is provided with an isolation platform which isolates stress. The pressure sensor module includes a base structure and a cantilever member formed in the base structure by an isolation gap. A pressure sensing element is located on the cantilever member such that the cantilever member provides stress isolation to the pressure sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid R. Borzabadi, Dennis M. Koglin, Gregory J. Manlove, Stephen P. Long
  • Air bag assembly having controlled cushion deployment
    Patent number: 6991253
    Abstract: An air bag system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflatable air bag cushion adapted to be inflated from a storage chamber to an inflated deployed condition within an occupant compartment. A gas emitting inflator is housed in fluid communication with the air bag cushion. At least one drag-inducing member engages the air bag cushion as the air bag cushion is inflated from the stored condition to the inflated deployed condition such that the period of energy transfer between the air bag cushion and the occupant is increased relative to unrestrained deployment from the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Lloyd Webber
  • Method and apparatus for lean spin forming transition portions having various shapes
    Patent number: 6990841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for spin forming a portion of a workpiece where the formed portion has a formed axis that is non-coaxial with the non-processed axis of the workpiece includes at least two rollers rotatable about a spin axis. Each one of the rollers is axially and radially offset from the others. An axial drive mechanism reciprocates the rollers or workpiece to causes the first roller and then the second roller to sequentially engage the workpiece. A pivoting mechanism rotates the rollers or workpiece about a pivot point from a first angular position to a second angular position during a forming operation to create a formed portion that is oblique to the non-processed portion or is substantially curved. A higher reduction ratio is achieved which enables improved efficiency. The present invention reduces floor space requirements as the forming operation may be completed on a single machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Egas Jose Desousa, John C. Boehnke, James M. Ciosek, Frederick D. Wagner
  • Magnetic sensor array configuration for measuring a position and method of operating same
    Patent number: 6992479
    Abstract: A magnetic position sensor for measuring a position of a ferromagnetic target over a range. The sensor comprises a magnet at least as long as the range and a sensor array mounted upon a surface of the magnet. The array is at least as long as the range and includes a plurality of sensing elements mounted a fixed distance from the surface of the magnet. The magnet length and the fixed distance have values such that a set of relatively constant values, preferably values of magnetic flux density, is measurable in the sensor array in the absence of the ferromagnetic target. A method of making a position sensor is also disclosed, as is a method of measuring the position of a ferromagnetic target over a range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno P. B. Lequesne, Avoki M. Omekanda, Thaddeus Schroeder
  • Frontal air bag system
    Patent number: 6991258
    Abstract: A frontal air bag system for a vehicle includes an air bag module having a housing for mounting to vehicle structure of the vehicle and an air bag operatively connected to the air bag module. The frontal air bag system also includes an inflator disposed in the housing for inflating the air bag with an inflation gas. The frontal air bag system further includes at least one tether interconnecting the air bag and either one of the housing and the inflator to cause some of the inflation gas to vent through the housing to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura A. Hawthorn, Michael W. Donegan, James L. Webber
  • Combined incremental and linear magnetic sensor
    Patent number: 6992480
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor provides an output voltage range having first and second linear slopes. Proper selection of magnetic sensor dimensions enables changes in magnetic flux density upon the passage of at least one tooth and one slot of a target wheel past the magnetic sensor to be represented as a linear magnetic sensor output comprised of at least one linear range whereby linear interpolation of position is possible with appropriate signal processing algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Bruno P. B. Lequesne, Avoki M. Omekanda, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Rassem Ragheb Henry
  • Electrically actuated disc brake assembly
    Patent number: 6991075
    Abstract: A disc brake assembly has a hub that is rotatable about an axis and at least a pair of discs supported on the hub for relative axial movement along the axis of the hub with the discs having opposite sides presenting braking surfaces. A non-rotatable support structure supports a plurality of friction elements for relative axial movement into and out of frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs. An electric actuator is mounted on the support structure adjacent at least one of the friction elements and is operative when actuated to move the friction elements into frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Osterday, Michele M. Fiste, Garry J. Hill
  • Apparatus and method for sensing particle and water concentrations in a medium
    Patent number: 6989676
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting soot and/or water concentrations in diesel engine oil having a dielectric constant may include a device for measuring a change in the dielectric constant at a first frequency, a device for measuring a change in the dielectric constant at a second frequency and a processor configured to calculate at least one of a percentage of soot content and a percentage of water content as a function of the measured changes in the dielectric constant at the first and second frequencies. The first frequency may be within approximately the ultrasonic and sub-AM frequency bands and the second frequency may be within approximately the microwave frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis L. Nagy