Abstract: Fuel concentrations are determinable in a solid oxide fuel cell through voltage measurement of one or more fuel cell units, which voltage is a function of hydrogen gas present in the fuel feed stream to the one or more fuel cell units. The voltage in the one or more fuel cell units is proportionally related to the fuel concentration in the fuel feed stream to the entire fuel cell. A sensor determines concentrations of the fuel flowing in the fuel cell. The sensor comprises a fuel cell unit, and an indicator electrically coupled to the fuel cell unit, the indicator being capable of displaying a voltage or being adapted to convert a voltage to a fuel concentration display. The voltage measured is correlated to the fuel concentration flowing in the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing a vehicle employing an electric power steering system is disclosed. The method includes receiving as inputs, a desired torque command representative of a steering wheel torque and a vehicle speed signal. The method also includes acquiring an acceleration signal representative of vehicle acceleration. The method further comprises generating an assist torque command, which is a combination of the desired torque command and a compensating torque command where the compensating torque command is responsive to the vehicle speed signal and the acceleration signal.

Abstract: A control system for variable activation of valves in an internal combustion engine. A solenoid is disposed on the outer surface of the valve cam cover to avoid exposure to the hot-oil environment within the valve activation chamber. The solenoid armature extends through the cam cover into the valve activation chamber. A bellcrank is mounted between the solenoid armature and the latching pin of a latchable cam finger follower such that energizing and de-energizing of the solenoid causes corresponding actuation and deactuation of the finger follower, which may be suitable for high-lift and low-lift activation. Preferably, the bellcrank is compliant such that when the solenoid is actuated during the lift portion of the valve cycle the pin is placed under compression so that the pin is subsequently actuated into latching position when the follower moves to the base circle portion of the valve cam.

Abstract: A ball nut drive assembly includes a ball nut having a bore extending axially therethrough, a ball screw extending through the bore of the ball nut and being cooperatively engaged with the ball nut, and a spring compliant member received on the ball screw and positioned adjacent the ball nut. The spring compliant member is tensioned to bias the ball nut in the axial direction along the ball screw. The ball nut is positioned within a housing, which is preferably fabricated of aluminum, and is generally rotatably supported therein by first and second sets of ball bearings. The spring compliant member is in intimate contact with a first inner surface of the housing and biases the ball nut against a second inner surface of the housing. Races encapsulating the first and second sets of bearings may be positioned adjacent the ball nut and in intimate contact with the first and second inner surfaces of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for ABS stability control is provided, the method comprising the steps of determining whether a first wheel is in an ABS mode; determining whether the first wheel is in an apply mode; determining whether a second parallel wheel is in the release mode; calculating an adjusted wheel slip if the first wheel is in the ABS mode, the first wheel is in the apply mode, and the second parallel wheel is in the release mode; and determining a control mode for the first wheel using the adjusted wheel slip.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic engine mounting device is provided which includes a main body defined by first and second shells. Each of these shells contains a chamber separated from each other by an orifice assembly. The first shell includes a flange for supporting the orifice assembly the second shell interengaging with the first shell at the flange area. The diaphragm is interposed between the second shell and the orifice assembly within the second chamber. The orifice assembly includes a ledge portion extending about an outer perimeter of the orifice assembly, the perimeter of the diaphragm captured between the ledge portion and the perimeter of the second shell. A plastically deforming perimeter of the first shell presses the diaphragm between the orifice and the second shell to provide a tight hydraulic seal.

Abstract: A process for forming a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device by a deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process during which a substrate overlying a cavity is etched to form trenches that breach the cavity to delineate suspended structures. In order to eliminate or at least reduce heat and/or charge accumulation that accelerates the DRIE etch rate of certain suspended structures, means are provided to electrically and/or thermally tie the suspended structures to each other and/or the surrounding bulk substrate. As a result, the process window is increased to allow slower-etching structures to be etched to completion without overetching the more rapidly-etched structures.

Abstract: A modular motor and controller assembly for a rear steering system of a motor vehicle includes a motor portion and a controller portion disposed in direct mechanical communication therewith to form a unitary package. The motor portion may include a motor and a motor port, the motor port being configured to provide a communicational interface between the motor and the controller portion. The controller portion may include a controller port configured to be matingly engaged with the motor port. Electronic communication is generally maintained through the controller port and the motor port through a pronged connector.

Abstract: The vehicle rack and pinion steering system has an elongated rack bar. Tie rod connectors are provided on the ends of the bar. A rack gear teeth section is provided on the rack bar in a position parallel to and spaced from the rack axis. A cylindrical bearing surface is on the opposite side of the rack axis from the rack gear teeth section. The bearing surface has a fixed radius and is concentric with the rack axis. The rack section width is at least twice the fixed radius. Secondary bearing contact surfaces join the bearing surface, extend toward the rack gear teeth section and diverge from each other. Contact between the bearing and surface shifts the point of convergence of forces on the rack toward the pitch point.

Abstract: A fuel pump for a vehicle includes a pump section having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with said flow channel to pump fuel therethrough. The fuel pump also includes a motor section disposed adjacent the pump section and having a motor to rotate the impeller. The fuel pump further includes an outlet section disposed adjacent the motor section to allow pumped fuel to exit the fuel pump. The pump section includes a mechanism for minimizing leakage of fuel from the flow channel radially and equalizing pressure across a sealing surface of the impeller.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system including a torsion bar having a longitudinal axis and first and second end portions disposed along the longitudinal axis. A first arm includes a passive end fixed to the first end of the torsion bar and extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. A second arm is provided having an active end rotatably coupled to the second end portion of the torsion bar and also extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. The opposite ends of the first and second arms are each configured to couple to the vehicle chassis. An actuator including a cam locking element is provided for selectively locking and unlocking the active end of the second arm to thereby selectively prevent and allow rotation of the active arm relative to the torsion bar.

Abstract: An exhaust control system for an automotive internal combustion engine having an exhaust system that includes a NOx adsorber to trap and reduce NOx emissions from the engine. The engine is operated using an air/fuel ratio that alternates between lean and rich, with the adsorber storing NOx during the lean periods of combustion and catalytically reducing the NOx during the rich periods of combustion. The system determines the amount of NOx stored in the adsorber using upstream and downstream O2 sensors. The release of stored NOx and O2 at the beginning of the rich regeneration causes a delay between switching of the sensors. The system determines how much of this delay is due to the release of stored O2 and subtracts that amount from the total delay. There is also a switching delay at the beginning of each lean period due to the storage of O2 in the adsorber.

Abstract: A method for controlling a two-phase stepping motor gauge for an instrument cluster includes the steps of: providing a two-phase motor for displaying information to a driver, determining a desired position of the two phase motor at a rate and in a manner consistent with an intended application; updating a waveform to the input of a first inverter coupled to one of the motor coils; integrating the waveform using a first and second inverter to energize one of the motor coils. Thus, the present invention allows the control of a conventional two-phase motor coil using only one control signal. Additionally, the present invention requires low actual current to maintain gauge position.

Abstract: A metering subassembly for use with a modular EGR valve includes a metering subassembly having an elongate metering shaft. A flanged end of the metering shaft is disposed a predetermined distance above a top surface of the metering subassembly. The metering subassembly is configured for being coupled to an actuator subassembly such that the flanged end of the metering shaft is disposed proximate the actuator subassembly. A gas arrestor includes a side wall interconnected with a collar. The collar surrounds a periphery of the flanged end. The side wall extends from the collar in a direction generally toward the top surface of the metering subassembly.

Abstract: A sliding vane pump comprising a rotor housing having a pumping chamber, a rotor in the pumping chamber having a plurality of radially disposed slots, and a plurality of sliding vanes disposed in the slots configured to extend to follow an inner wall of said pumping chamber.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an object out of a plurality of materials having differing structural characteristics and capable of being placed in a molten state, the melted materials are deposited in an open mold having a pair of complementary mold portions. Various non-melted but possibly pre-heated structural, reinforcing, or energy absorbing materials can be placed in the mold with the melted materials. A closing force is applied to the mold and the item is removed after it has cured. According to one embodiment, a molding apparatus is provided to form a cross car beam with integral HVAC ductwork and knee energy absorbers.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use with an MR fluid damper. The piston assembly has a piston core and a flux ring positioned in a desired alignment with the piston core so that the flux ring forms an annular flow gap the piston core. The flux ring is secured to the piston core in the desired alignment by a plurality of projections extending across the flow gap between an inner surface of the flux ring and an outer surface of the piston core. The projections are molded through flux ring holes intersecting the inner and outer surfaces of the flux ring. A method for making the piston assembly is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A structural attachment system for a vehicle is provided. The structural attachment system includes a first structural member and a vehicle component. The structural attachment system also includes an attachment assembly arranged relative to the first structural member and the vehicle component. The attachment assembly is designed and positioned to reinforce a load bearing area and to distribute a load of the vehicle component over the first structural member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the torque of and reducing torque ripple in a permanent magnet motor without using current sensors. By eliminating the need for current sensors, low frequency torque ripple is reduced. A voltage mode control method is implemented to control the motor. In response to the position and speed of the rotor and a torque command signal, a controller develops motor voltage command signals indicative of the voltage required to produce the desired motor torque. A rotor position encoder determines the angular positions of the rotor. From the angular positions of the rotor, a speed measuring circuit determines the speed of the rotor. The position and speed signals are applied to the controller. The controller uses this information and develops the motor voltage command signals indicative of the voltage needed to produce the desired motor torque. An inverter is coupled between a power source and the controller.

Abstract: A deactivation hydraulic valve lifter includes an elongate lifter body having a substantially cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall defines at least one annular pin chamber therein. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine. An elongate pin housing includes a substantially cylindrical pin housing wall and pin housing bottom. The pin housing wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The pin housing bottom defines a radially directed pin bore therethrough. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the inner wall of the lifter body such that the outer surface of the pin housing wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner wall of the lifter body. A plunger having a substantially cylindrical plunger wall with an inner surface and an outer surface is concentrically disposed within the pin housing such that the outer surface of the plunger wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner surface of the pin housing wall.