Abstract: A default engine control method for an internal combustion engine recovers from the loss of a high-resolution engine position signal by calculating a high resolution pulse period based on a recognized pattern of a low resolution engine position signal. Interrupts for signaling the execution of cycle-related control algorithms are scheduled in time based on the calculated pulse period, and pulse period errors due to changing engine speed are periodically corrected based on the timing of subsequent transitions in the low resolution position signal relative to the scheduled interrupts.

Abstract: A sealing member for use in an electrical distribution center has a housing overlain by a terminal connector body. The connector body has a plurality of cavities. Terminals project from the housing into the cavities through an inner surface of the connector body. The sealing member is interposed between the housing and the connector body and seals around each of the terminals and against the inner surface of the connector body around each of the cavities. The sealing member has a substrate layer covered on both sides by layers of silicone rubber. Cable terminals are adapted to be inserted into the cavities through an outer surface of the connector body to make electrical contact with the terminals projecting from the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for detecting lining wear and fluid level in a dry interface corner actuator for a single wheel brake including a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir for containing fluid for the actuator and a sensor assembly positioned in the reservoir having a single set point to indicate both low reservoir fluid level and a need for brake lining replacement.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for use in regulating the outlet pressure of a pump for use in an engine comprises a piston member which is moveable with respect to an outlet opening under the influence of fluid pressure acting on the piston member to control the degree by which the outlet opening is obscured. The pressure regulator comprises a biasing arrangement for applying a biasing force to the piston member which opposes the pressure of fluid acting on the piston member. The biasing arrangement comprises a moveable abutment member which is cooperable with a stop member so as to vary the rate at which the displacement of the piston member varies with fluid pressure acting on the piston member. The stop member is pre-set in a fixed position relative to the regulator housing such that movement of the abutment member is terminated when the abutment member is urged into engagement with the stop member. The invention also relates to a transfer pump comprising a pressure regulator.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanolaminate structure is provided which comprises plating a substrate with layers of substantially a first metal and substantially a second metal using an electrolytic plating process and controlling the plating current to obtain a desired current density at the cathode, which is maintained within a predefined range.

Abstract: A satellite crash sensor for use in a noisy area such as a crush zone has a crash dependent clock that uses an accumulated velocity signal derived from the acceleration signal, rather than the acceleration signal itself, to determine initiation and counting of the clock count. Successive velocity values are accumulated in an accumulated velocity value that is limited between zero and a maximum limit value. The clock count is incremented away from an initial zero value when the accumulated velocity value is greater than zero and back toward the zero value when the accumulated velocity value is equal to zero. The clock count is used as a measure of time from initiation of a possible crash event in the generation of a restraint deploy indicating signal in the satellite crash sensor.

Abstract: A variable control steering actuator for mechanically adjusting an angle of the steerable wheel of a motor vehicle includes a controller, a braking device in operable communication with the controller, and a clutch device associated with the braking device. The clutch device is disposed on an input pinion of the steering shaft. The input pinion is in operable mechanical communication with the steerable wheel through both the clutch device and the braking device. A method for mechanically adjusting the angle of the steerable wheel of the vehicle in order to control the vehicle includes disengaging the clutch device and rotating the steering shaft independently of an input from an operator of the vehicle. The rotation of the steering shaft may be effectuated through a motor disposed in operable communication with the steering shaft.

Abstract: A linear vibration damping system includes a piston slideably disposed within a cylinder, a magneto-rheological fluid disposed within the cylinder, and a magnet disposed in magnetic communication with the magneto-rheological fluid. A rotary vibration damping system includes a cylinder having a steering shaft extending therethrough, a magneto-rheological fluid disposed between an inner surface of the cylinder and an outer surface of the steering shaft, and a magnet disposed in magnetic communication with the magneto-rheological fluid. In either system, the magnet is controllable to provide variable control of the magneto-rheological fluid. A method of damping vibrations in a motor vehicle includes disposing a magneto-rheological fluid at a source of vibration in the motor vehicle, controlling the magneto-rheological fluid to effectuate a structural change in the magneto-rheological fluid, and subjecting the magneto-rheological fluid to a vibration from the source of the vibration.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster includes a generally cylindrical shaped piston. The piston has a first piston end and a second piston end and defines a chamber at the first piston end and a piston bore at the second piston end separated by an air flow aperture. The piston bore includes a plunger aperture located at the second piston end. A plunger includes a first plunger end and a second plunger end and is movable between first and second positions. The second plunger end is located within the plunger aperture. An air valve has a first valve end and a valve second end and is movable between first and second positions and defines a valve bore for receiving the first plunger end. A collapsing spring is located within the valve bore and is adapted to couple the plunger and the air valve.

Abstract: A voltage regulating control system for vehicle systems which includes a power supply providing electrical power to the system and having a predefined maximum voltage. A controller controls an actuator performing a vehicle system function and the electrical load in the system wherein the controller has a first predefined minimum operating voltage. A voltage regulator communicates with the controller and the power supply and senses a system input voltage in the system. In response to a sensed voltage dip in excess of a predetermined value, the regulator changes an effective electrical impedance of the system to maintain the system voltage at a predefined minimum voltage greater than the first predefined minimum operating voltage required by the controller.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic body and a gas sensor is disclosed. The method comprises mixing a ceramic material and an organometallic material with a solvent to form a mixture. The organometallic material comprises both a metallic component and an organic ligand. The mixture is disposed onto a surface, dried, and removed to form the ceramic body. The sensor is made by disposing the ceramic body adjacent to an unfired electrolyte body having an electrode disposed on each side thereof to form a green sensor. The green sensor is co-fired to form the sensor.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes an outlet tube and a plunger stop. A plunger is slidably disposed within the solenoid valve between the outlet tube and the plunger stop. The plunger is movable between a closed position wherein the plunger engages the outlet tube to block fluid flow through an outlet passage formed in the outlet tube and an open position wherein the plunger is distanced from the outlet tube to permit fluid flow through the outlet passage. The solenoid valve also includes a coil that is energizable to bias the plunger between the closed position and the open position. The plunger stop is configured so that the magnitude of the force of attraction between the plunger and the plunger stop is linearly proportional to the magnitude of the current applied to the coil. Moreover, the magnitude of the force of attraction between the plunger and the plunger stop is independent of the position of the plunger.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor element having an electrochemical cell, a protective material in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell, and a reactive inhibitive coating disposed over the protective material. The reactive inhibitive coating prevents the reaction of compounds with acids(e.g., phosphates) in the exhaust gas, which may form a dense glass layer on the outside of the gas sensor. The reactive inhibitive coating is either an alkaline earth oxide ethoxide, and/or carbonate that is deposited on the gas sensor to a thickness so as to preferably provide an excess of either the alkaline earth material.

Abstract: A control system for a motor vehicle subsystem comprises a reference model and a feedforward controller. The reference model computes desired states of the subsystem. The feedforward controller computes a first control value based on input from the reference model, and computes a second control value based on yaw rate of the vehicle and a control variable for the subsystem.

Abstract: A retainer clip includes a U-shaped body, first and second legs, and a resilient segment interconnecting first ends of the legs. The legs are adapted to resiliently engage opposite sides of a wall of a rockable actuator member. A second end of the first leg includes a guide recess having a clip edge. A second end of the second leg includes a gripping recess and opposing resilient edges adapted to frictionally grip opposite sides of a cylindrical member engaged with a socket in a second side of the wall. The resilient edges frictionally grip the cylindrical member at points on an axis intersecting and normal to the axial center line of the cylindrical member. The retainer clip is adapted to frictionally retain the cylindrical member in the socket to thereby form a subassembly for installation in a valve train.

Abstract: A system for containing leakage along a pintle shaft in a pintle-type gas control valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine or a reformate diverter valve for a fuel cell, comprising a novel seal element and means for sealing the element to the valve's pintle shaft bearing and to an interrupted pintle shaft. The system comprises two elements: a positive vapor block in the form of an elastomeric boot or folded diaphragm disposed across the pintle interruption, and a pintle shaft bearing disposable in the valve's body and sealingly secured to the boot or diaphragm. The system may include a coil spring disposed in compression within the boot or diaphragm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing at least one ignition coil to an ignition coil cassette, the ignition coil cassette having a main body portion being adapted to receive and engage a plurality of coils for generating a high voltage signal to be received by a spark plug of an internal combustion engine. The coils being ultrasonically welded to the main body portion of the ignition coil cassette. The coils being secured in a manner which correctly positions the coils in an appropriate location as well as providing a rigid securement of the coil to the main body portion.

Abstract: A dual variable-tooth rack and single pinion steering system includes a first elongated rack having an inner end, an outer end, and a set of teeth with a predetermined variable tooth profile located between its ends, a second elongated rack having an inner end, an outer end, and a set of teeth with a predetermined variable tooth profile located between its ends; and a pinion disposed to engage the inner end of the first rack and the inner end of the second rack to thereby define a set of rack displacements between the outer end of the first rack and the outer end of the second rack.

Abstract: A cam phaser assembly having an improved configuration of the C1 oil gallery in the camshaft supplying oil to the cam phaser. An axial bore in the camshaft is formed over its non-threaded outer portion at a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the bolt connecting the phaser to the camshaft. Upon assembly of the cam phaser to the camshaft, an annular, cylindrical gallery is formed between the bolt surface and the bore, which gallery replaces the plurality of axial bores required for the C1 gallery in the prior art camshaft. The prior art C2 gallery, which utilizes a second axial bore in the bolt itself, is substantially unchanged, and an O-ring around the cam bolt in the first axial bore seals the C1 and C2 pressure galleries from communicating with each other.

Abstract: A wobble joint for use in automatic washing appliances and the like includes inner, outer and intermediate joint members which have nesting curved sliding surfaces that enable the joint members to pivot relative to one another. The joint has motion limiting features acting between the intermediate joint member and each of the inner and outer joint members to restrict relative movement between the outer joint member and the intermediate joint member to pivotal movement within a first plane and to restrict relative movement of the intermediate member and inner joint member to pivotal movement within a second plane transverse to the first plane. The motion limiting features comprise first and second arcuate grooves extending parallel to the first and second planes and retainers captured in the grooves and relatively moveable therealong.