Abstract: A device to regulate current produced by an induction machine responsive to a plurality of phase current signals. The motor produces torque for application on a shaft. A processing and drive circuit responsive to a direct current command signal and a quadrature current command signal produces phase current signals for input to the motor. A command circuit responsive to the phase current signals, an angular position of said shaft, and a voltage input command signal to produce a direct current error signal and a quadrature current error signal. A control circuit responsive to the direct and quadrature current error signals produces the direct voltage signal command and the quadrature signal command. The control circuit has a direct and quadrature proportional gain, integrator and clamp circuits. An algorithm produces limited or clamped voltage modulation index signals to obtain maximum efficiency and maximum torque per ampere in the speed range.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive composite having large magnetostriction by virtue of 2-50 vol. % magnetostrictive particles dispersed throughout a resin matrix formed from a thermosetting resin, an amine curing agent, fumed silica and a flexibilizing agent, wherein the magnetostrictive particles are aligned in the direction of their magnetic easy axes by the presence of a magnetic field prior to or during curing of the resin matrix. In an exemplary embodiment, an epoxy-Terfenol composite is formed by mixing an epoxy resin, fumed silica, a cycloaliphatic amine curing agent, and a flexibilizing agent that is a flexible diepoxide of EEW 390-470 or a mixture of a high molecular weight polyamine of MW 2000-5000 and a low molecular weight polyamine of MW 230-450 with Terfenol particles and curing the mixture in the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: A tuneable radio and method for automatically adjusting the seek sensitivity alignment for seek operations. The radio has a radio receiver for receiving broadcast radio wave signals, and a tuner adjustable for selecting from a plurality of radio wave signal channels. A detector detects signal strength of the received radio wave signals, and a seek input allows a user to initiate a seek operation to select a signal channel having a signal strength exceeding a seek sensitivity threshold. A controller calculates an average signal value and adjusts the seek sensitivity threshold based on the average value. The controller adjusts the seek sensitivity when it is determined that the radio has travelled beyond a minimum distance.

Abstract: A steering switch for vehicles, especially a switch for front and back windscreen wiping/washing switches, including two rotating switches arranged as a distance from each other and integrated into a switch lever, said rotating switches including contact bridges provided with a plurality of contact arms which are respectively secured onto a rotating switch element, and impinge upon the switch contact bridges with associated connecting contacts which are connected to the contacts on the edge of the network.

Abstract: A vibration damping feature for a sensor assembly, particularly a variable reluctance position sensor including a spool assembly, a harness assembly mechanically and electrically joined to the spool assembly, and a cap which sealingly encloses the spool and harness assemblies. The vibration damping feature preferably is in the form of a plurality of crush ribs provided on the periphery of an upper disk of the spool assembly adjacent the joints. The crush ribs contactingly abut the cap sidewall so as to positively locate, in a fixed relationship, the spool assembly relative to the cap adjacent the joints.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for motor vehicles, comprising an inflatable airbag (12) and a deflection pocket which is arranged in the region of an inflow opening of the airbag and which consists of at least two material layers, of which a lower layer (16a) has a flow-through opening (18) which is aligned with the inflow opening and is at least partly covered over by an upper layer (16b), and is secured at a holder element (22) for the airbag, with the upper layer being connected region-wise to the lower layer for forming radial gas propagation paths (24) for gas flowing via the deflection pocket into the airbag.

Abstract: A method and control system that directly determines combustion quality by measuring an ionization signal of each combustion event during initial engine operation is shown. The determined combustion quality is used to optimize engine performance for emissions and driveability by compensating various engine control parameters during initial engine operation, including starting. Compensation of engine control parameters may include changes to fuel delivery, spark ignition timing, and engine load. Any compensation of the engine control acts to ensure that a sufficient quantity of vaporized fuel is delivered to the engine to effectively start and operate the engine at the load level demanded by the engine, engine loads, and the operator.

Abstract: An over-molded beaded driving cable which has an inner core, a plurality of inner core structures. An outer jacket may encompass the inner core and inner core structures. Each of a plurality of outer beads concentrically surrounds an inner core structure. The outer beads are over-molded in this position, forming an interlocking inner core structure and outer bead configuration capable of high load and high flexible performance. An end fitting placed at each end portion of the inner core provides for a driving cable assembly with a variety of end fitting configurations, including a closed loop connection, for automotive and non-automotive applications.

Abstract: An improved method of selectively suppressing deployment of a vehicular inflatable restraint utilizes dynamic variation in the apparent weight of a vehicle occupant to infer a free mass of the seat occupant. The free mass of the occupant is inferred by filtering out portions of a weight-responsive signal due to occupant position adjustment and inferring the occupant free mass based on the variation of the apparent weight with respect to the variation in vertical acceleration of the vehicle. The decision to allow or suppress deployment of the restraint is determined based on a comparison of the static weight reading with at least one threshold, and the occupant free mass is used to adjust the threshold in a direction to minimize the overall variability of the system. Measures of the seat belt tension and the seat temperature are also be used to adjust the threshold in a direction to minimize system variability.

Abstract: A thermocouple structure capable of providing a more compact thermopile-based thermal sensor. The thermocouple structure has a stacked configuration that includes a plurality of first conductors on a surface, a dielectric layer on each of the first conductors, and a plurality of second conductors on the dielectric layer and formed of a different material than the first conductors. Each first conductor has first and second ends, and each second conductor has a first end overlying and contacting the first end of one of the first conductors, and a second end overlying but separated from the second end of the first conductor by the dielectric layer. A plurality of third conductors electrically interconnect one of the second ends of the second conductors with one of the second ends of the first conductors. Each third conductors is thicker than the second conductors to promote the robustness of the connection.

Abstract: An optical sensor package with a substrate that supports a membrane carrying an optical sensor and through which radiation passes to impinge the sensor. The substrate has a first surface in which a cavity is defined, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a wall between the cavity and the second surface. The optical sensor is supported on the membrane, which is bonded to the substrate and spans the cavity in the substrate. A window is defined at the second surface of the substrate for enabling infrared radiation to pass through the wall of the substrate to the optical sensor.

Abstract: A method for metallurgically joining a tube to a member. A tube is obtained having a longitudinal axis and having an end portion, wherein the end portion includes a fold, and wherein the fold includes longitudinally-spaced-apart first and second fold portions. A member (such as, but not limited to, a plate or a second tube) is obtained. The tube and the member are disposed with the end portion contacting the member. A resistance welding current path is created through the tube and the member proximate the end portion and the end portion is relatively longitudinally moved deformingly against the member creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the end portion and at least some of the member.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal project into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a retractable terminal blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a dual fastening feature constructed and arranged between the male connector body and the stabilizer, which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and restricts further insertion of the stabilizer into the blind bore. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals and the remaining portion of the blades are shielded and thus protected from possible damage.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a secondary winding spool having a secondary winding wound thereon. The secondary winding includes a low voltage end and a high voltage end that is configured for connection to a spark plug. The secondary winding at the high voltage end is configured in accordance with a predetermined radial thickness profile taken in the direction from the high voltage end towards the low voltage end. The profile is determined as a function of (1) a reflected voltage associated with the spark gap breakdown of the spark plug and (2) an induced voltage due to magnetic flux coupled through a central core. The profile is determined so as to reduce layer-to-layer voltage levels in the secondary winding near the high voltage end. The profile can be wound or can be molded in the secondary spool itself.

Abstract: A disc brake system of the kind comprising an axially fixed hub and at least one slideable brake disc comprises a resilient device acting between the disc and the hub to control certain aspects of the movement of the brake disc during use. Despite the thermal differential arising in use between the brake disc and the central hub due to the localized heat generation of the brake system and the mass and thermal capacity differences between the hub and the brake disc, whereby the hub would be expected to provide a more satisfactory mounting, the resilient device acting between the disc and the hub to control the disc dynamics is mounted on the disc.

Abstract: A fuel system for use in an internal combustion engine comprising a fuel pump having a pumping cycle during which fuel is pressurised to a high level within a pumping chamber for delivery to an injector. The injector is arranged to provide a primary fuel injection event, and a secondary fuel injection event within the same pumping cycle. The injector includes a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seating to control fuel delivery and an injection control valve arrangement for controlling movement of the valve needle so as to control the primary and secondary fuel injection events. The fuel system further comprises an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel for delivering the secondary fuel injection quantity, and additional valve arrangement for controlling the supply of fuel stored within the accumulator volume to the injector for the secondary injection event.

Abstract: An optical sensor package capable of being surface mounted, and in a form that enables multiple packages to be fabricated simultaneously and then array tested in a wafer stack prior to singulation. The package comprises a chip carrier, a device chip electrically and mechanically connected to a first surface of the chip carrier with solder connections, and a capping chip secured to the chip carrier to hermetically enclose the device chip. The device chip has an optical sensing element on a surface thereof, while the capping chip has means for enabling radiation to pass therethrough to the device chip. The chip carrier includes conductive vias that are electrically connected to the solder connections of the device chip and extend through the chip carrier to bond pads on a second surface of the chip carrier, enabling the package to be surface mounted with solder connections to a suitable substrate.

Abstract: A tool for aligning a stator with respect to a crankshaft of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The tool comprises a central hub, a plurality of alignment members, and an actuating device. The central hub has a mating surface configured to secure the central hub to the crankshaft. The alignment members are configured to engage the stator and are slideably mated with the central hub for movement between a first position and a second position. The actuating device moves the plurality of alignment members between the first and second positions. The second position is further away from the crankshaft than the first position. The stator is moved to an aligned position with respect to the crankshaft when the aligning members are at the second position.

Abstract: This system for controlling the combustion noise of a motor vehicle diesel engine of the type including means for feeding each of its cylinders with fuel by multiple injections of fuel, which means are adapted to trigger fuel feed into each cylinder in the form of at least one pilot injection and a main injection of fuel, comprises: means for determining pressure gradients in the engine cylinder while in operation, at least during the pilot and main injection stages; and means for determining the quantity of fuel to be injected into the cylinder during pilot injection for a predetermined quantity of fuel injected during main injection so as to optimize a criterion based on the ratio between the pressure gradients corresponding to the pilot and main injection stages, thereby optimizing the operating noise of the engine.

Abstract: An ignition coil durability testing apparatus and method utilizing an electronic spark timing circuit, a plurality of SCRs, a plurality of LEDs, and a voltage detection circuit. The electronic spark timing circuit activates an ignition switching transistor which applies a time varying voltage to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The plurality of SCRs are connected in series. A sustaining voltage device in the form of a spark gap or zener box is connected in series with the plurality of SCRs. The secondary winding of the ignition coil is connected to one end of the spark gap or an input of the zener box and to one input of a comparator through a voltage divider and a voltage reference is also connected to the other input of the comparator. When the output voltage of the secondary winding exceeds a preset breakdown voltage, the comparator turns on the plurality of LEDs which activate the plurality of SCRs.