Abstract: A variable displacement compressor with a discharge pressure compensated suction shutoff valve (SSV). The SSV prevents noise generated at low refrigerant flow rates by a suction valve from propagating out of the compressor and to an air conditioner evaporator by variably restricting a fluid communication with the suction valve. The SSV is configured so the variable restriction is increased correspondingly with the discharge pressure if the discharge pressure is less than a threshold that is an indicator of low refrigerant flow rates, and the restriction is decreased if the discharge pressure is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided, and includes a first connector, a second connector, and a CPA device. The first connector has a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end. The stopper feature has a recess provided therein and a stopper surface. The second connector is received by the first connector. The second connector includes a shroud that slides over the first end of the first connector in a first direction. The CPA device is slidingly engaged with the second end of the first connector in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction. The CPA device has a flexible arm that is selectively deformable. In a pre-stage position, the flexible arm abuts against the stopper surface to restrict relative movement of the CPA device in the second direction.

Abstract: A method for determining an optimal combustion interval during start-up of a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer under various conditions of temperature, fuel type, and combustion fuel flow rate. An initial catalyst temperature is measured and an algorithm is used to calculate a rate of heating of the catalyst by combustion based upon heat content of the fuel, selected fuel flow rate, and heat capacity and mass of the catalyst and reformer passages. From the initial temperature and the heating gradient, an optimal combustion interval is inferred through the algorithm and used to terminate combustion, initiate a combustion quench interval, and change over the fuel flow rate and mixture from combustion to reforming.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating systematic uni-directional torque bias imposed on a bi-directional drive actuator shaft, comprising a pallet disposed on an arm for rotation with the actuator shaft. A bucket tappet is engaged by the pallet and contains a helical compression spring. As the actuator shaft rotates and compresses the spring, the load on the pallet increases linearly but the length of the lever arm changes non-linearly at a rate different from the force applied to the pallet. This results in a non-linear torque about the actuator shaft. The torque can be the same at the compression spring preload state as it is at the full load state or it can be biased to be unsymmetrical based on the layout and size of the components and the stroke of the actuator shaft.

Abstract: A display for displaying images that includes a transreflective electrowetting layer operable to a transparent-state where light passes through the transreflective electrowetting layer and a reflective-state where light is reflected by the transreflective electrowetting layer; a non-reflective layer underlying the transreflective electrowetting layer; and an emissive layer proximate to the transreflective electrowetting layer. The display combines light emitting elements such as OLED's with transreflective electrowetting elements to provide a display that can operate in high ambient light conditions without undesirably high power dissipation by the OLED's, and can operate under low ambient light or no ambient light conditions.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield for an electrical connector comprises a sheet formed of conductive material and has a top side with at least two depending, conductive, reinforcement sidewalls that each have a plurality of conductive depending sidewall legs distributed about a periphery of the sheet and extending upwardly. The shield includes at least one conductive ground tab extending from an edge such that the shield provides a ground path directly from a circuit board to a connector housing. The shield defines at least one opening for receiving an alignment post and at least one additional opening to permit access to an electrical terminal positioned below the sheet. The openings may be rectangular in shape and aligned with terminals positioned within connector housing.

Abstract: A system for operating a hybrid vehicle that includes a chargeable energy storage device, a single dynamo (motor/generator combination) an internal combustion engine, and a torque coupling device configured to variably couple the engine to the dynamo. The torque coupling device is such that using only a single dynamo, the system is able to operate in different modes expected of hybrid vehicles, such as: electric drive only, engine drive only, electric and engine drive combined, and charging of the chargeable energy storage device.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided, and includes a first connector, a second connector, and a CPA device. The first connector has a stopper feature, a first end and a second end that generally opposes the first end. The stopper feature has a recess provided therein and a stopper surface. The second connector is received by the first connector. The second connector includes a shroud that slides over the first end of the first connector in a first direction. The CPA device is slidingly engaged with the second end of the first connector in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction. The CPA device has a flexible arm that is selectively deformable. In a pre-stage position, the flexible arm abuts against the stopper surface to restrict relative movement of the CPA device in the second direction.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes. A rotor is disposed within the stator includes vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a lock pin seat for preventing relative rotation between the rotor and the stator. Pressurized oil disengages the lock pin from the seat while oil is vented for engaging the lock pin with the seat. A phase relationship control valve is coaxial with the rotor and controls the flow of oil into and out of the chambers. A lock pin control valve is coaxial with the phase relationship control valve and controls the flow of oil to and from the lock pin. The control valves are operational independent of each other.

Abstract: A planar magnetic structure has an electrically insulating carrier made up of a base portion and opposed upstanding sidewalls. A plurality of planar primary windings and planar secondary windings are interstitially disposed within the carrier with planar dielectric spacers located between each adjacent pair of windings. A ferrite core envelopes the assembly to magnetically couple the windings. The carrier and windings form at least two spaces-apart sets of cooperating registration features which maintain the windings in fixed alignment with the carrier.

Abstract: A method for fault identification of gas sensors exposed to a gas mixture is disclosed for gas sensors having an output that depends on concentrations of two gas species in the gas mixture. The method includes receiving output signals from two such sensors, processing the output signals in a controller that implements a model of the sensors so as to identify a fault in the first gas sensor or the second gas sensor; and providing an indication of any identified faults.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning compressor assembly that includes a compressor capable of exhibiting an over-torque condition, an electromagnetic clutch, and an over-torque protection device located between the compressor and the accessory drive. The over-torque protection device is configured to decouple the compressor and the accessory drive when the over-torque condition occurs. The over-torque protection device uses a frangible part that breaks when an over-torque condition occurs and parts equipped with helical ramps to force the rotor and stator of the clutch apart to disengage the compressor from the vehicle accessory drive.

Abstract: An electrical distribution center assembly includes a housing having a connector shroud. The shroud defines a shroud cavity adapted for receiving a mating electrical connector body. A blade stabilizer is formed integral with the shroud in a first position within the shroud cavity. The blade stabilizer has blade apertures formed therein. Bladed terminals extend from the housing into the blade apertures. In this position, the blade stabilizer protects the terminal blades from being bent away from a terminal axis. The blade stabilizer is movable to a second position to enable female terminals of the mating electrical connector to electrically connect to the blade terminals.

Abstract: A method of forming a seal about an electrically conductive core of a cable having an insulative outer cover and a terminal includes the steps of providing a lead of the core extending beyond an axial edge of the insulative outer cover; spraying a conformal coating onto the lead; crimping the terminal onto the cable while the conformal coating is still wet to displace the conformal coating from between the lead and the abutting contact surfaces of the terminal and to cover and seal remaining portions of the lead not in direct contact with the terminal with the conformal coating and curing the conformal coating over the remaining portions of the lead.

Abstract: A condenser having a receiver for use in an air conditioning system, having a plurality of refrigerant tubes, at least one header in hydraulic communication with the plurality of refrigerant tubes, and a receiver housing connected to the header. The receiver housing includes a refrigerant conduit nested within the spine of a desiccant bag. The spine divided the desiccant bag into two desiccant compartments, which are folded over the refrigerant conduit such that the desiccant compartments urge the refrigerant conduit onto the spine, thereby holding the desiccant bag in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture integrally forms a resilient beam portion adjacent an edge thereof carrying a grounding pad. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment.

Abstract: A three-port flow control valve comprising a valve body having two opposite-facing valve seats disposed along a central bore terminating in an exhaust port. A supply port communicates with the first valve seat, and a common port communicates with the second valve seat. A pintle shaft connected to an actuating linear solenoid extends along the central bore. A first valve head actuated by the pintle shaft mates with the first valve seat. A second valve head disposed colinearly with the pintle shaft mates with the second valve seat. Opening of the first valve closes the second valve and vice versa. While the solenoid is de-energized the supply pressure keeps the first valve closed. A spring may be disposed between the second valve head and the exhaust port to urge the second valve head to close with the second valve seat.

Abstract: A valve train system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust valve moveable between an exhaust closed position and an exhaust open position. A camshaft includes a main exhaust lobe for moving the exhaust valve between the exhaust closed position and the exhaust open position for expelling exhaust constituents from the combustion chamber and an exhaust rebreath lobe for moving the exhaust valve between the exhaust closed position and the exhaust open position for allowing exhaust constituents into the combustion chamber. A two-step device is provided for transmitting motion from the camshaft to the exhaust valve and is switchable between a motion transmitting position and a motion preventing position such that the motion transmitting position allows motion to be transmitted from the exhaust rebreath lobe to the exhaust valve and the motion preventing position prevents motion from being transmitted from the exhaust rebreath lobe to the exhaust valve.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) having a plate type hot-side heat exchanger assembly, a cold-side heat exchanger assembly, and electrically driven compressors and coolant pumps. The plate type hot-side heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of plates stacked and hermetically sealed between an upstream end plate and a downstream end plate, defining a condenser/chiller portion having a first coolant passageway, a sub-cooler portion having a second coolant passageway, and a refrigerant receiver portion sandwiched between the condenser/chiller portion and the sub-cooler portion. The first coolant passageway and the second coolant passageway are in non-contact thermal communication with the refrigerant passageway.

Abstract: A sealed electrical splice assembly includes a housing defining a cavity and including an opening. A conductive bus plate is retained in the cavity. A plurality of electrically conductive terminals are received in the cavity are electrically connected to the bus plate. The plurality of terminals are connected to a plurality of wire conductors. A seal plug is disposed in the cavity through the opening adapted to sealingly engage an interior surface of the housing surrounding the seal plug. An end cover overlies the seal plug disposed in the opening. The cavity receives the plurality of terminals through the end cover and the seal plug thereby allowing the seal plug to sealingly engage the plurality of wire conductors.