Abstract: A navigation system suitable for installation in a host-vehicle includes a navigation-device, a display, and a receiver. The navigation-device is configured to determine a first-location of a host-vehicle. The display is configured to show navigation-information to an operator of the host-vehicle. The navigation-information indicates the first-location relative to a map. The receiver is configured to receive profile-information associated with an other-vehicle. The profile-information includes a second-location of the other-vehicle. The system indicates the second-location on the map.

Abstract: Combined reformer and fuel cell systems, and their methods of operation, are described in which air is introduced to the system to produce additional water by reacting with hydrogen produced from the reformer during the reformer's startup partial oxidation mode of operation.

Abstract: A relay assembly configured for use in a vehicle electrical distribution center. The relay assembly includes a circuit board, a first and second relay disposed the circuit board and a plurality of terminals electrically coupled to the first and second relays. The relay assembly also includes removable fuses to protect the circuits controlled by the first and second relays against over-current conditions. In one embodiment, the relay assembly is packaged as a mini-ISO relay package.

Abstract: A method of assembling the ignition coil assembly including a first spool, a first coil, and a second spool. The first coil is wound around a first spool outer surface. The first spool and the first coil are disposed within a cavity of the second spool and an electrically insulating material injected into an annular space defined between a first coil outer surface and a second spool inner surface. The first spool is configured to allow a decrease of a circumference of the first spool when the first coil is wound around an outer surface of the first spool. Decreasing the circumference of the first spool increases the annular space sufficient to inject the electrically insulating material into the annular space without creating substantial voids in the electrically insulating material.

Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, an electrical signal shaping device including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first inductive coil disposed external to the vehicle and a second inductive coil attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second inductive coil is positioned relative to the first inductive coil so that the second inductive coil receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first inductive coil. The energy received by the second inductive coil is electrically shaped by the electrical signal shaping device and further transmitted through the electrical signal shaping device as controlled by the controller to charge the battery. Methods for transmitting energy through the electrical charging system to charge the battery are also presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical plug connector for a safety restraint system, preferably for an airbag ignition system, including at least two contact terminals disposed within the plug connector and a shorting clip, that is configured to short circuit the at least two contact terminals in an uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. The shorting clip includes at least two shorting tongues. Each shorting tongue is electrically connected with a respective contact terminal. Each shorting tongue further includes at least one electrical contact surface and at least one of the shorting tongues includes an actuating member. The actuating member is provided with an actuating surface that is configured to interact with a separator device. The contact surfaces are not arranged within the same plane as the actuating surface(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical connector system including a terminal, configured to be conductively connected to a printed circuit board and a cavity body element. The cavity body element has a cavity and a primary locking member. The cavity is configured to receive the terminal. The cavity extends from a front end to a rear end of the cavity body element. The front end is arranged opposite of the rear end. The primary locking member is configured to lock the terminal. The primary locking member includes a releasing arm protruding through a lateral surface of the cavity body element.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis; a camshaft rotatable by the crankshaft about a camshaft axis; an engine cover defining an engine cover volume within the internal combustion engine; a drive member disposed within the engine cover volume which transfers rotational motion from the crankshaft to the camshaft; a camshaft phaser disposed within the engine cover volume which controllably varies the phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft; an actuator which operates the camshaft phaser; and an actuator mount within the engine cover volume which mounts the actuator structurally independent of the engine cover, thereby allowing removal of the engine cover independently of the actuator.

Abstract: A connector system including a first connector body, a second connector body configured to mate with the first connector body, a locking feature configured to secure the second connector body to the first connector body, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device that, when engaged, inhibits operation of the locking feature. A portion of the second connector body and the CPA device cooperate to form a box to completely enclose the locking feature, thereby inhibiting disengagement of the CPA device from the locking feature. The CPA device has a flexible lock arm configured to secure the CPA device to the second connector body. A portion of the CPA lock arm may be configured to be frangible. The second connector body and/or the CPA device may define an aperture configured to provide access to the CPA lock arm. The aperture is at least partially blocked by a frangible tab.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is presented. The electrical connector assembly includes an electrical socket terminal having a frustoconical body that defines a first cylindrical cavity configured to receive a corresponding electrical plug terminal. The frustoconical body defines a plurality of axially slots extending to the first cylindrical cavity. The terminal further includes a cylindrical member extending from the frustoconical body. The cylindrical member defines a circumferential flange extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical member. The electrical connector assembly also includes a terminal cartridge formed of a dielectric material and defining a generally U-shaped slot having an open end, a closed end, two side walls, and a floor. The U-shaped slot is configured to receive the circumferential flange of the socket terminal. The floor defines a locking protrusion configured to contact the flange and retain the socket terminal within the U-shaped slot.

Abstract: A heater includes a fuel cell stack assembly disposed within a heater housing and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. A combustor disposed within the heater housing receives an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack assembly and combusts a mixture of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to produce a heated combustor exhaust. The combustor includes a combustor exhaust outlet for discharging the heated combustor exhaust into the heater housing. A baffle disposed around the fuel cell stack assembly and the combustor defines a heat transfer channel radially between the heater housing and the baffle. A flow director in fluid communication with the combustor exhaust outlet and the heat transfer channel communicates the heated combustor exhaust to the heat transfer channel.

Abstract: An electrical shield connector configured to be attached to an end of a shielded cable having a conductive wire and a shield conductor longitudinally surrounding the conductive wire. The shield connector includes a connection portion that is configured for connection with a corresponding mating electrical shield connector and a cable attachment portion that is configured to longitudinally receive an end of the shield conductor. The connection portion defines a shroud surrounding an electrical terminal attached to the conductive wire. The cable attachment portion and/or crimp wings projecting therefrom define a projection that is configured to contact and indent the shield conductor, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the shield connector to the shield conductor. The cable attachment portion may also define a knurled pattern in an interior surface of the cable attachment portion, such as a knurled pattern having a number of rhomboid-shaped indentations.

Abstract: A control module includes a fixed control apparatus which is provided with a touch-sensitive surface so as to provide a control signal representative of the position or of the movement of a finger on the sensitive surface. The sensitive surface of the control apparatus includes a toroidal portion arranged about a main axis. The control module includes a control unit which is designed to detect an axial component and a circumferential component of a tactile movement on the sensitive surface so as to produce a processed control signal which is a function of these two components.

Abstract: The circuit board assembly includes a first circuit board having a first plurality of electronic components attached to a major surface of the first circuit board. The first plurality of electronic components is electrically interconnected to a first plurality of conductive pads defined on the major surface of the first circuit board. A second circuit board has a second plurality of electronic components attached to a first major surface of the second circuit board. The second plurality of electronic components is electrically interconnected to a second plurality of conductive pads defined on a second major surface of the second circuit board. The first and second circuit board are attached by coupling the first and second plurality of conductive pads. A portion of the first plurality of electronic components on the first circuit board are disposed within a cavity defined by the second major surface of the second circuit board.

Abstract: A connector system is described herein. The connector system includes cam lever devices to assist the mating of the connector bodies of the connector system to one another. The handles of the cam lever devices are movable from an extended position that provides increased leverage to a retracted position that can be used to stow the handles after the connector bodies of the connector system have been successfully mated. A method of assembling such a connector system is also described herein.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes an input member connectable to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine; an output member connectable to the camshaft of the internal combustion engine and defining an advance chamber and a retard chamber with the input member; a valve spool coaxially disposed within the output member such that the valve spool is rotatable relative to the output member and the input member, the valve spool defining a supply chamber and a vent chamber with the output member; and an actuator which rotates the valve spool in order to change the position of the output member relative to the input member by supplying pressurized oil from the supply chamber to one of the advance chamber and the retard chamber and venting oil to the vent chamber from the other of the supply chamber and the advance chamber.

Abstract: An improved SOFC repeating fuel cell unit comprising three flat plates and a cell retainer. The three flat plates are metallurgically joined (brazed or laser welded) into a subassembly to which is added the fuel cell and cell retainer (which may also be joined as a second subassembly). Each flat plate performs a specific set of functions and can be optimized for those functions. Since the plates are flat and designed to overlap in loaded areas, the fuel cell unit is not prone to dimensional collapse which eliminates the internal reinforcements of the prior art design. The cell retainer is formed to provide a self-locating and locking feature for the fuel cell and decouples thermal stresses from the thin ceramic fuel cell.

Abstract: An electrical assembly including a first element, such as a connector body, formed of a conductive composite material and a second element formed of a solid metallic material, such as a sheet metal electromagnetic interference shield, defining a fibrous conductive region formed of a plurality of metallic filaments. The conductive composite material forming the first element completely surrounds a portion of the fibrous conductive region. Conductive fibers in the conductive composite material are in intimate contact with the fibrous conductive region, forming a very high number of electrical contact points between the conductive fibers in the conductive composite material and the fibrous conductive region and thereby providing a robust electrical connection between the first element and the second element.

Abstract: A wireless electrical charging system and a method of operating same wherein operating parameters from a remote portion of the system are wirelessly transmitted to a charging controller controlling the output voltage of an alternating power supply. The charging controller executes an adaptive model control algorithm that allows the charging controller to update the output voltage at a greater rate than the transmission rate of the operating parameters from the remote portion of the system.

Abstract: An object-detection system suitable for use in an automated vehicle includes a transceiver, and object-detector, and a controller. The transceiver is suitable to install on a host-vehicle. The transceiver is used to receive an indicated-location of an object proximate to the host-vehicle. The object-detector is suitable to install on the host-vehicle. The object-detector is used to detect a relative-location of the object relative to the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the transceiver and the object-detector. The controller determines a confirmed-location of the object relative to the host-vehicle based on the indicated-location and the relative-location.