Abstract: Described is a method of reducing corrosion of a silver-containing surface comprising electro-depositing a layer of an iodine-containing material on the silver-containing surface at a charge density of about 80 mA*s (milliamps second)/cm2 or less. Also described is an electrical contact also produced by the method.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller responsive to at least one of: a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. Where the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and a temperature estimate and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: the temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes the temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a an actuation unit having a triggering device for the moving of a headrest into a predetermined position, with the triggering device comprising a pyrotechnic gas generator and a triggering member which is movable from a blocking position into a release position.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a stack of fuel cell modules includes a bipolar plate that has at least one surface containing a metal alloy oxidizable to form a metal oxide having a surface resistance no greater than about 0.007 ohm-cm2. The metal alloy is oxidized to form a layer of metal oxide having a thickness of about 10?8 cm to about 10?2 cm and a resistivity no greater than about 107 ohm-cm. In addition to their use in fuel cells, the alloys can be employed to form conductive surfaces of electrical contacts useful for various electrical devices.

Abstract: A method of operating an injector having an injector valve needle and a piezoelectric actuator for controlling movement of the injector valve needle, the method comprising reducing the voltage across the actuator at a first rate (RT1) in order to initiate an initial injection, increasing the voltage across the actuator in order to terminate the injection, and once the initial injection has terminated and before a subsequent injection is initiated, reducing the voltage across the actuator at a second rate (RT2; RT3), which is lower than the first rate (RT1), so as to de-energise the actuator but without initiating an injection. The invention ensures the injector spends a significantly reduced period of its life with a high voltage across its actuator.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprises: a pump comprising a pumping plunger which is driven, in use, to cause pressurization of fuel within a pump chamber, an accumulator volume for supplying fuel to a fuel injector, a fuel passage providing fluid communication between the pump chamber and the accumulator volume, and an inlet control valve operable to control fuel flow into the pump chamber from a low pressure reservoir; wherein the inlet control valve is a latching inlet valve. The fuel injection system may be a hybrid fuel injection system, having a rail valve located in the fuel passage between the pump chamber and the accumulator volume. The latching inlet valve may be a two-way electronic latching poppet valve, and the rail valve may be a non-return valve. A method of operating such a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine is also described.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket coupled to a mounting bracket, with the column jacket pivotably movable about a pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket. A wedge arm is pivotably mounted to one of the column jacket and the mounting bracket and wedges against the other of the column jacket and the mounting bracket. The wedge arm prohibits the pivotable movement of the column jacket relative to the mounting bracket in response to an impact event. The wedge arm includes an arcuate shape having a variable radial distance between a pivot attachment point and a contact edge. The variable radial distance permits the wedge arm to fit between components of the column jacket and the mounting bracket when the column jacket is positioned in different positions relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A power actuator assembly includes a torque transmission device, a motor mounted to the torque transmission device extending along a motor axis, and a screw coupled to the torque transmission device and extending along a screw axis. An adjustment mechanism interconnects the screw and the torque transmission device and permits selective rotational adjustment between the adjustment mechanism and the torque transmission device to rotate the motor relative to the torque transmission device. A connecting device releasably interconnects the adjustment mechanism to the torque transmission device to permit repeated re-positioning of the motor relative to the torque transmission device.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises an upper jacket, a lower jacket extending along a longitudinal axis, and a bushing apparatus disposed therebetween. The upper jacket and the lower jacket include a circular cross section. The bushing apparatus includes a first contact surface, a second contact surface and a third contact surface disposed radially about the longitudinal axis and equally spaced from each other. A compression device is coupled to one of the lower jacket and the upper jacket for applying a compressive force to the first contact surface. The second contact surface and the third contact surface resist the compressive force. The compression device is adjustable to vary a slip resistance between the bushing apparatus and one of the upper jacket and lower jacket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic commutation of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled motor involves temporarily increasing the frequency of one or more PWM drive signals applied to the motor upon the occurrence of an asynchronous commutation event.

Abstract: An interactive control module communicates with one or more portable electronic devices to control the portable electronic devices. The interactive control module includes a touch screen display that displays a virtual image of the portable electronic device. A user enters a command into the touch screen display by touching a virtual control feature corresponding to an actual control feature of the portable electronic device. The interactive control module then executes the command by either transmitting the command to the portable electronic device or by executing files downloaded from the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle transmission implements a method of controlling the transmission. The system includes a device for selecting the desired operating mode of the transmission, such as a gear shift lever, and a transmission sensor for sensing the actual operating mode of the transmission. A display is in communication with the device and the transmission sensor and displays both the desired operating mode and the actual operating mode of the transmission. A controller is in communication with the transmission and controls the operating mode of the transmission. An occupancy sensor, in communication with the controller, verifies that the driver is in the driver seat before the controller allows the transmission to be shifted out of a park mode.

Abstract: An auxiliary lean control system is provided for controlling a lean angle of at least a portion of a vehicle. The auxiliary lean control system includes an energy storage device for storing energy to actuate the lean control system, a stabilizing mechanism coupled to the energy storage device and to the at least a portion of the vehicle for applying energy received from the energy storage device to the at least a portion of the vehicle to adjust the lean angle of the at least a portion of a vehicle, and a linkage coupled to the energy storage device and to the stabilizing mechanism for transferring energy from the energy storage device to the stabilizing mechanism. The auxiliary lean control system controls the lean angle of the portion of the vehicle in an absence of control of the lean angle by a primary lean control system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having valve deactivation capability for at least one cylinder, or for an entire bank of cylinders in a multiple-bank engine, is provided with a temperature probe in the exhaust stream of that cylinder or cylinder bank. The temperature probe is connected to an Engine Control Module programmed to determine the rate of temperature change during valve deactivation, to compare the determined value to an acceptable range of rates, and to signal, when the rate exceeds an acceptable range. When the valves of a cylinder are properly deactivated, the temperature in the exhaust pipe decreases slowly. However, when valve deactivation fails, the cylinders pump non-combusted air from the intake manifold into the exhaust manifold, resulting in a relatively rapid decrease in exhaust temperature. This abnormal rate of temperature decrease thus can be used as an indicator of failure of the VVA system.

Abstract: A distributed array of force sensors disposed in the inner lining of a safety helmet measure forces between the inner periphery of the helmet and a user's head, and a microcontroller responsive to the force measurements and other sensor data determines if the helmet fits the user properly. The force sensors are preferably provided at the front, back, sides and top of the inner lining, and the microcontroller compares the measured forces to calibrated threshold values to evaluate and indicate the fit of the helmet.

Abstract: An electrical connector capable of being sealingly connected to a housing structure by using a friction stir welding technique includes a polymeric electrical connector harness, at least one electrical conductor extending through the electrical connector harness, and a welding strip sealingly connected around a perimeter of the electrical connector harness to facilitate welding of the electrical connector to a housing structure, such as a sealed metal housing, to sealingly close an opening defined in the housing structure. The electrical connector can be used in a process that creates a hermetic seal between the connector and the housing structure, eliminates the need for mechanical fasteners and/or adhesives, and/or reduces capital equipment and energy costs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling charge motion in the air intake manifold includes a barrel-style valve rotatably mounted in the lower air intake manifold between the linearly arranged set of air inlets and the first and second sets of laterally offset air outlets which branch to the first and second cylinder banks, respectively. The barrel valve includes a plurality of openings and is rotatable between a fully open position wherein the plurality of openings are in alignment with the respective air inlets and outlets in the lower manifold allowing substantially unimpeded airflow therethrough, and fully closed position wherein the plurality of openings are substantially fully out of alignment with the respective air inlets and outlets substantially preventing air flow therethrough while allowing air flow through an air bypass formed adjacent to each air inlet and outlet pair.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for use in delivering fuel to an internal combustion engine includes an outer valve (24) which is engageable with an outer valve seat (38) so as to control fuel delivery into the engine through a first nozzle outlet (26) and an inner valve (32) which is slidable within a bore (30; 130) provided in the outer valve (24) and engageable with an inner valve seat (40) so as to control fuel delivery into the engine through a second nozzle outlet (28).

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a motor shorting relay failure. Exemplary embodiments include methods and systems for determining a motor shorting relay failure in a motor, the motor having first phase winding in a first leg of the motor, a second phase winding in a second leg of the motor, and a third phase winding in a third leg of the motor, the method including applying a first voltage signal to the first leg, applying a second voltage signal to the second leg, applying a test voltage to a test circuit electrically coupled to the third leg, measuring a third voltage signal in the third leg at a first predetermined time in response to the application of the first and second voltage signals and determining a motor shorting relay in the motor, based on the amplitude of the third voltage signal.

Abstract: A method for generating a return torque signal in an electric servo steering system of a vehicle, including the steps of: determining a current steering wheel position; determining a current vehicle speed; generating a return torque signal as a function of the steering wheel position and the vehicle speed; determining a current directional relationship between a torque exerted on the steering wheel and a speed of steering wheel rotation; determining a scaling factor dependent on the directional relationship; and multiplying the return torque signal by the scaling factor in order to obtain a modified return torque signal. Also, a servo steering system which is designed to carry out such a method.