Abstract: A fuel pump module assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a reservoir adapted to be disposed in the fuel tank having a top defining an overflow fuel level of the reservoir. The fuel pump module assembly also includes a conduit conducting return fuel from an engine of the vehicle to the reservoir and a one-piece jet pump disposed in the reservoir and having an inlet operatively connected to the conduit. The jet pump has a nozzle to discharge fuel into the reservoir.

Abstract: An integrated fuel delivery module for a fuel injected engine includes a fuel rail having a fuel distribution channel and a plurality of spaced-apart fuel injector sockets connected with the fuel distribution channel. A high-pressure fuel pump has a high-pressure chamber connected internally to the fuel distribution channel without external high-pressure fuel lines.

Abstract: A poison resistant lean NOx catalyst comprising: a protective coating of a first catalyst support material including a metal-zirconium phosphate component, coated on a second NOx occluding catalyst material.

Abstract: A latch handle assembly for permitting power or manual unlatching of a door latch. The assembly includes a latch handle for manual unlatching of the vehicle door. A mechanical linkage is attached to the latch handle and is adapted to interconnect with the door latch. The latch handle assembly also includes a switch disposed on the latch handle. The switch interconnects with a power-assisted unlatching mechanism that allows the switch to unlatch the door. Finally, there is a handle lock disposed adjacent the latch handle for disabling the latch handle in the normal condition when power is on and the power-assisted unlatching function is operable. The handle lock is operative to move from a locked position preventing the latch handle from moving, and an unlocked position allowing movement of the latch handle.

Abstract: Described is an expanding mounting system for a light emitting cable lead having a cable lead and a lens housing encasing the lead. The housing and lead are routed through a hole in a panel from a bottom side. A mounting bezel is installed about the cable from above the panel. A slot within the bezel permits installation of the bezel on the cable from a radial direction. Closure of the slot thereby causes the installed bezel to encompass the cable. Rigidly attached to a bottom surface of the bezel are a plurality of ribs which are positioned to extend through the panel hole when the bezel bottom surface contacts the panel top side. Engagement of the housing within the bezel causes the ribs to expand thereby locking the bezel to the panel.

Abstract: System and method for controlling a synchronous machine are provided. The method allows for calculating a stator voltage index. The method further allows for relating the magnitude of the stator voltage index against a threshold voltage value. An offset signal is generated based on the results of the relating step. A respective state of operation of the machine is determined. The offset signal is processed based on the respective state of the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the return-to-center motion of a steering wheel (16) wherein a determination of a first and a second value; secondly, derive a set of two values from the first value; thirdly, compute a third value from the set of two values and the first value according to a predetermined formula; and fourth, calculate a steering command using the third value and the second value for enhancing the return-to-center motion.

Abstract: An improved splined cam phaser includes four assemblies: a sprocket assembly, an inner hub assembly, a cover assembly, and a piston assembly. The joined assemblies provide phaser function at reduced manufacturing cost. The component parts of the assemblies are re-configured from analogous parts in the prior art cam phaser to permit much of the improved phaser to be manufactured inexpensively by powdered metal forming or by stamping or drawing from sheet metal, in contrast with the prior art phaser wherein all parts are formed expensively either by machining from forged blanks or by investment casting. These changes reduce not only the cost of manufacture but also reduce the weight and axial length of the phaser, an important customer acceptance criterion, and improve the speed of response.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the collisions between elements of an automotive rack and pinion steering apparatus and an end-of-travel stop is presented. The system comprises a sensor for sensing a set of dynamic variables of the rack and pinion steering apparatus and operative thereby to generate as output therefrom a first set of signals indicative of the set of dynamic variables; a controller responsive to the first set of signals and operative thereby to provide as output therefrom a modified torque assist command; and a motor drive assembly drive assembly responsive to the modified torque assist command and operative thereby to provide modified torque assistance to the rack and pinion steering apparatus. In another embodiment, the dynamic data is used to calculate a torque limit to be imposed upon the torque assist command whenever the steering system is close to end-of-stop. The two embodiments may also be superimposed.

Abstract: A fuel tank cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein, a return guide rod extending from the fuel reservoir toward the cover, and a valve disposed between the cover and the return guide rod to allow one-way flow of fuel from the cover to the fuel reservoir.

Abstract: A joint for a shaft assembly includes a housing fitted with a boot seal that encircles and seals about a stub end of a shaft extending into the housing. The boot seal has a collar-like neck portion whose inner surface is formed with an annular wiper rib. Prior to assembly with the shaft, a shipping plus is disposed in the neck of the seal to guard against the escape of grease and the ingress of contaminants. The wiper rib of the seal is operative to engage and wipe grease from the inserted shank of the shipping plug upon its removal to prevent the grease from accumulating in the neck region and impairing the performance of the seal.

Abstract: A motor vehicle mounted system is responsive to sensed or estimated vehicle lateral acceleration and vehicle speed for detecting and signaling when the vehicle is operating on a racetrack. The system determines whether the vehicle is in a high lateral acceleration state or a low lateral acceleration state and when the vehicle is maintaining a minimum speed. The system increments a count when the vehicle is in the high lateral acceleration state if the vehicle has maintained the minimum speed for a first time since the last increment or decrement of the count and decrements the count when the vehicle is in the low lateral acceleration state if the vehicle has maintained the minimum speed for a second time since the last increment or decrement of the count. The system detects and signals operation on a racetrack while the count exceeds a predetermined threshold count and otherwise detects and signals no operation on a racetrack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing or eliminating electrostatic discharge damage to circuitry components on printed wiring boards. The method comprises the steps of maximizing the electric field between an input connector pin and a discharger and minimizing the impedance value between the input connector pin and discharger so that electrostatic discharge will preferentially jump from the input connector pin to the discharger, where the electrostatic discharge energy may be dissipated without adversely affecting the circuit components.

Abstract: A fuel pump comprises a pumping plunger reciprocable within a plunger bore under the action of a cam drive arrangement. The cam drive arrangement comprises first and second surfaces defining therebetween a chamber, the volume of which can be controlled to control the spacing of the first and second surfaces so as to permit control of the axial length of the cam drive arrangement. The first surface may be defined by a tappet member which acts to transmit a force from the cam drive arrangement to the pumping plunger, the second surface being defined by a piston member which is slidable within a tappet bore formed in the tappet member. The invention also relates to an arrangement for use in a fuel pump comprising a pumping plunger which is reciprocable within a plunger bore under the action of a drive arrangement and a tappet member which is slidable within a further bore provided in a housing for transmitting a force from the drive arrangement to the pumping plunger.

Abstract: Described is a lithium ion battery 10 comprising: A housing having a front side 13 and a backside 15 and an anode cell terminal 60 and a cathode cell 44 terminal separated therefrom; Positioned within the housing a plurality of bipolar lithium ion cells 40 having an lithium ion permeable plastic separator 32 there between; the cell electrodes being comprised of a thin film plastic substrate 34 and being electrically connected appropriately to the anode and the cathode cell terminals; wherein the cells are longitudinally placed in the housing parallel to the sides of the housing; and wherein the housing is enclosed by the cathode cell terminal at one end and the anode cell terminal at the opposite end of the cell sleeve; and the enclosed housing is capable of receiving an electrolyte placed between the cells and the electrolyte is capable of carrying ions between the anode and the cathode. Also described is a method of manufacturing the lithium ion batteries.

Abstract: A combined drive circuit for a split brake system of a motor vehicle has a switched reluctance motor and a brush motor. The switched reluctance motor has multiple phase windings. The combined drive circuit includes a DC power source with first and second supply buses. A SR motor driver supplies current to the switched reluctance motor. The SR motor driver has a first capacitor coupled to the phase windings for storing energy from the phase windings and a second capacitor coupled to the first capacitor and a third supply bus, thereby developing a third supply bus voltage across the second capacitor. A brush motor driver is coupled to the first and second capacitor. The SR motor driver is adapted to supply current to the brush motor. The brush motor driver has a first switching element and a second switching element coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the sensitivity of certain radar sensors that works by placing target objects within a sensor's field of coverage at strategic locations and adjusting the sensor's radar parameters as a function of the sensor target location and performance characteristics of the sensor, including bin resolution and spatial constraints. The proposed methods are ideally suited for a wide variety of uses, including for use on production lines. The methods are equally appropriate for use in other areas, including sensor maintenance and recalibration and in the development and validation of sensors.

Abstract: A self-retaining transmission sensor includes a sensor housing having a retaining ring extending radially from the sensor housing. When the self-retaining transmission sensor is inserted in a bore in a transmission housing having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the retaining ring, the outer edge of the retaining ring engages the inner wall of the bore and holds the self-retaining transmission sensor firmly in place. Thus, the need for a mounting bracket, a mounting bolt, or a similar device is eliminated.

Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an injector arrangement including a fuel pump having a pump chamber and a spill valve arrangement including a spill valve member which is engageable with a valve seating to control communication between the pump chamber and a low pressure drain. The fuel injector further comprises a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seating, a control chamber arranged such that the fuel pressure therein urges the valve needle towards its seating, a control valve arrangement, including a control valve member, for controlling the fuel pressure within the chamber, and an actuator arrangement for controlling movement of the spill valve member and the control valve member. The actuator arrangement comprises a double pole actuator having a first armature which is movable with the spill valve member and a single pole actuator having a second armature which is movable with the control valve member.

Abstract: Multiple annular electrical connectors are each positioned floatably through a respective aperture of a tray. A shield plate is secured over the tray by bolts which thread into a cylinder head. The shield plate has holes centered above the apertures for access to spark plugs disposed below. Each annular electrical connector is centered about an annular pressure sensing device which encompasses the spark plug. The inboard side of the electrical connector is in electrical contact with the outboard side of the sensing device beneath the tray. Insulated wires extend between the tray and shield plate from each electrical connector and connect to a common panel mounted electrical connector at one end of the tray.