Abstract: A fuel injector having a nozzle body defining a bore, an outwardly opening valve member slidable within the bore, the valve member defining a blind bore within which an inwardly opening valve needle is slidable, the valve needle being engageable with a seating to control fuel flow towards a first outlet opening provided in the valve member, and a second outlet opening provided in the valve member, the second outlet opening being in constant communication with a part of the blind bore upstream of the seating and being located such that, in a closed position of the valve member, the second outlet opening is closed by the nozzle body, outward movement of the valve member to an open position permitting fuel delivery through the second outlet opening.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma reactor element is provided comprising a multi-cell stack prepared from a plurality of formed building blocks of dielectric material, the walls of the building blocks defining a cell having an exhaust passage for flowing gas to be treated therethrough. A conductive print forming an electrode and connector is disposed on at least one wall of each of the cells and outer insulative plates, disposed on opposite ends of the multi-cell stack, are provided to protect the conductive print. Also provided is a simplified, low cost method for preparing the non-thermal plasma reactor. The method comprises forming cell building blocks of material having a high dielectric constant, printing a conductive print onto the walls of the cells, assembling the cells into a multi-cell stack, providing electrical connections for connecting said cells to a high voltage source, applying insulation to said multi-cell stack, and inserting the multi-cell stack into a non-thermal plasma reactor housing.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly adapted to be mounted directly in a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. The coil assembly includes a primary coil and a secondary coil. The spool upon which the secondary coil is wound is cylindrical in shape and has ramp structures provided at each end thereof. The ramps decrease voltage concentration between the secondary and primary windings, decrease the voltage gradient along the end wall of the secondary spool, and minimize adverse effects of gaps created during thermal expansion/contraction.

Abstract: A spring clip assembly for connecting a fuel injector to a fuel rail in an internal combustion engine comprises a substantially circular ring having a circumferential outer surface, to which are attached a first and a second plurality of elongate fingers. The first plurality of elongate fingers extends in a first direction parallel to the axis of the ring and includes connecting means for attaching the ring to a fuel injector. The second plurality of elongate fingers extends in a second, opposite axial direction and includes connecting means for attaching the ring to the fuel rail. The spring clip assembly further comprises spring means held proximate a surface of the ring by either the first plurality or the second plurality of elongate fingers. The spring means provides a compressive load between the fuel injector and the fuel rail.

Abstract: A fuel vapor control apparatus on a motor vehicle fuel tank including a vapor storage canister, a plurality of vent valves on the fuel tank, a plurality of vapor ducts between the vent valves and the vapor storage canister, a plurality of primary liquid traps, and a secondary liquid trap which cooperates with the primary liquid traps in preventing liquid fuel leaking through the vent valves from reaching and contaminating the vapor storage canister. The primary liquid traps are segments of respective ones of the vapor ducts defining standpipes above corresponding ones of the vent valves when the fuel tank is inclined. The primary liquid traps retain liquid fuel leaking through the vent valves and drain by gravity to the fuel tank when the incline of the fuel tank is reduced to zero. The secondary liquid trap is a secondary tank on the top of the fuel tank interposed between the vapor storage canister and the segments of the vapor ducts defining the standpipes.

Abstract: An improved cruise control which produces a desired throttle position that is based in part on a selectively updated integral term. The integral term is only updated when the magnitude of the speed error exceeds a predefined value, thereby eliminating changes in the integral term when the speed error is smaller than the predefined threshold. In other words, the integral term is dynamic and responsive to a current error condition when the speed error magnitude exceeds the threshold, and static when the speed error is within the threshold. In this way, the operational advantages of the integral term are retained while avoiding its disadvantages, and the transition between the static and dynamic states of the integral term are smooth and seamless.

Abstract: Improved control for a hydraulic system pump motor useful in automotive braking applications, particularly in motor-based ABS, includes a routine for controlling a pump motor so that it is operated in a manner that is not disturbing to automotive vehicle occupants. In particular, the control routine of the present invention controls pump motor operation after an ABS braking event so that the motor is running only when the motor noise is masked by the pulsing of the ABS solenoids or after driver braking pressure is released from the master cylinder. In this way, the amount of objectionable noise transmitted to the automotive vehicle occupants is reduced, while important ABS pump functions, such as the draining of the accumulators following an ABS braking event, are facilitated.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser wherein a coil spring under torsional compression or extension is disposed coaxially within an annular cavity formed in either the cover plate or back plate. A first end of the spring is connected to the cover plate or back plate, and a second end extends from the cavity and is connected to the phaser rotor. The spring constant is selected such that a biasing torque is exerted on the rotor in the valve-opening-advancing direction which counters the inherent valve-opening-retarding torque bias of the camshaft during operation. The bias spring permits more rapid response to a demand on the cam phaser for advancing valve timing, and is also useful in orienting the camshaft advantageously, especially an exhaust valve camshaft, in a timing-advanced position when the engine is shut off or operating at low engine speed.

Abstract: A master cylinder provides separate flow paths through its secondary piston to provide greater fluid flow capacity from the reservoir to both the primary and secondary pressure chambers in response to the removal of brake fluid from the brake lines fed by the primary and secondary pressure chambers by a pump providing brake pressure for activation of one or more wheel brakes independently of the master cylinder. The secondary piston is provided with an axial fluid flow passage having check valves at each axial end permitting fluid flow only out of the axial fluid flow passage into the primary and secondary pressure chambers. A cross flow passage intersects the axial fluid flow passage between the primary and secondary check valves to communicate the axial fluid flow passage with the intermediate chamber and thus with the reservoir through the secondary compensation opening. The additional flow capacity to both pressure chambers provides improved reaction time for a traction control system at any wheel brake.

Abstract: A power connector system includes a female connector and a male connector. The female connector includes a female terminal in a female housing. The female terminal is in the form of a U-shaped channel defining a recess. A U-shaped contact member in the channel recess forms a second recess. The male connector includes a male terminal in a male housing. The male and female housings are releasably connected together with the male terminal extending into the recess in the contact member.

Abstract: A side restraint assembly includes a side air bag having a main portion secured to the vehicle roof rail, a tubular portion extending from the main portion and a neck portion connected to an inflator for inflating the side air bag. A braided tube encircles the tubular portion and is secured to the rear pillar. The front of the main portion of the side air bag is secured to the front pillar. When the side air bag is inflated, the braided tube increases in diameter and significantly decreases in length. The decreased length induces tension along the bottom edge of the side air bag thereby positively positioning and retaining the air bag relative to the vehicle. The braided tube has an enlarged bulged portion to enhance the constriction of the braided tube during inflation. A fabric shield may be secured to the braided tube to provide an additional barrier for a rear-seated occupant.

Abstract: A high fill rigid stator winding and core design for use in generators. The stator design consists of a plurality of stator teeth with slots between the teeth. Flattened magnet wire with rounded edges is stacked in the slots. The slots are angled slightly to produce a wedging effect to keep the wire in the slots.

Abstract: A roll control system for installation between axially aligned wheels of a motor vehicle, the roll control system comprising a torsion bar; a first hydraulic actuator attached to one end of the torsion bar and attachable to one of the wheels; a second hydraulic actuator attached to the other end of the torsion bar and attachable to the other wheel; and an electronic control unit monitoring one or more predetermined vehicle operating conditions; wherein the first and second hydraulic actuators are substantially identical, each comprising a compression chamber containing hydraulic fluid, a rebound chamber containing hydraulic fluid, a movable piston between and fluidly isolating the compression chamber and the rebound chamber, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through the rebound chamber, a gas chamber containing pressurised gas acting on the hydraulic fluid in the rebound chamber, and an electrically operated valve between the compression chamber and the rebound chamber and actuated by the con

Abstract: A horizontal-mount bracket system for holding sensor position with respect to a horizontal-mount bracket, wherein facial interaction between the bracket and the sensor body provides automatic setting of the air gap which setting is preserved such that if the sensor is ever reinstalled, the air gap is precisely reset to its original value. A multi-component bracket has first and second bracket components which lay juxtaposed, one atop the other. The first bracket component has a first sensor opening and the second bracket component has a second sensor opening wherein initially the first and second sensor openings are mutually communicating and aligned just sufficiently so that the sensor body is free to vertically move therein. The sensor body is placed into a sensor port of an engine block so that the tip of the sensor body rests upon a surface of a reluctor.

Abstract: A mounting means for an automotive condenser (16) includes a pair of aligned through holes (24) at the upper ends of a pair of manifolds (20), which are pierced outboard of upper end plugs (22). The lower ends of the manifolds (20) are unmodified. The tanks (14) of a radiator (10) include a pair of mounting features (30, 32) spaced apart by substantially the end to end length of the manifolds (20). One pair of mounting features (30) fits closely within the lower ends of the manifolds (20), while the other pair (32) fits closely within the aligned through holes (24) at the upper ends.

Abstract: A vehicle heating, air conditioning and ventilation system comprises a housing (10) within which an evaporator (12) and heater (14) are arranged generally in a diverging V shape enclosing a mixing space (M) between. All forced air passes through the evaporator (12) first, after which it is can go straight through to the mixing space (M), or be diverted down under the heater (14) to flow through the heater (14) and into the mixing space (M), or some combination of the two. The combination of cold and hot flows into the mixing space (M) is determined by a solid dividing wall (30), which partially blocks the evaporator (12) and heater (14) from one another, and a pair of separate rolling film belts (32, 34), one between the evaporator (12) and the dividing wall upstream side (36) and the other located between the dividing wall downstream side (38) and the heater (14).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an exhaust control valve includes casting first and second subhousings as separate pieces and machining smooth the inner faces of both. Each subhousing has a stem portion and a flow portion. Each flow portion defines a cylindrical bore from which a seat arc extends radially inward and approximately 180° along. The seat arc of the first subhousing lies below, and the seat arc of the second subhousing lies above, a horizontal plane that bisects the subhousings. Each seat arc has a semicircular inner sidewall that serves as a valve seat. Their inner faces facing each other, the two subhousings are mated so that their two stem portions form a stem housing and their two flow portions form a flow housing. During the mating step, the cylindrical bores are aligned to form a flow passage through the flow housing, with the two valve seats spaced equidistantly from a vertical plane defined by the inner faces along which the subhousings mate.

Abstract: A dual stage air bag suppression system based upon seat position. A deceleration sensor senses the deceleration of the vehicle during a crash/collision. If the deceleration exceeds a first threshold value, and the seat is rearward of a predetermined value, then the SIR Controller initiates a first/low stage inflation. If the deceleration exceeds a second higher threshold value, and the seat is rearward of a predetermined value, then the SIR Controller initiates both first/low and second/high stages of inflation. If the seat is positioned at a point forward of a predetermined position, then the SIR Controller initiates the first/low stage inflation only when the deceleration exceeds the first/lower or second/higher threshold value and suppresses deployment of the second stage. Thus the SIR Controller initiates the inflation stages not only based on the severity of the collision or deceleration, but also based on the position of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A method for activating air bags in motor vehicles without the use of electrically powered deceleration sensors. This method utilizes the impact of one mass of quartz against another to generate a flash of visible light to initiate activation of the air bag system under conditions of extremely sudden deceleration. This flash of light, which is detected by a photo-sensitive element, initiates deployment of the air bag system without reliance on the electrical cables currently used for this purpose, but which could be damaged in the first moment of a collision, thus preventing inflation of the air bags. This substitution of a photo-sensitive activation system for a system dependent on electric cables substantially enhances the reliability of the air bag deployment concept.

Abstract: This method for controlling the behaviour of an automotive vehicle during cornering consisting in measuring the rotational wheel speed of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle, establishing the wheel speed difference between the front and rear wheels and modifying the brake pressure applied to the rear wheel brakes of the vehicle according to a vehicle behaviour to be obtained, comprises the steps of elaborating a function of the absolute value of the wheel speed difference between the inner front wheel and the outer rear wheel, considering the cornering direction and using said function to determine the brake pressure variations to be applied to the rear wheel brakes.