Abstract: Apparatus and method for substantially reducing or eliminating pressure pulsations caused by the opening and closing of fuel injectors. A preferred embodiment provides a restriction orifice adjacent the inlet end of a fuel injector filter of a respective fuel injector.

Abstract: It relates to a method of operating a compression ignition engine comprising:— determining an instantaneous driver torque demand; selectively operating the engine in a first mode or a second mode dependent on the rate of change of driver torque demand; said first mode comprising an air lead mode whereby the intake air flow rate is controlled to achieve the instantaneous driver torque demand and an amount of fuel injected is controlled to obtain a target air/fuel ratio based upon said intake air flow rate; said second mode comprising a fuel lead mode wherein the amount of fuel injected is controlled to achieve the instantaneous torque demand.

Abstract: A distributed architecture system including a plurality of nodes operatively coupled together by a bus. Each node includes a main controller configured to provide data to the bus and to an actuator, and a supervisory controller configured to provide data to the bus and to the actuator. Each node is configured such that during normal operations the main controller provides data to the actuator that controls the actuator and the supervisory controller generally does not provide data to the actuator that controls the actuator. Each node is configured such that if it is determined that the main controller is providing improper data, the supervisory controller provides data to the actuator that controls the actuator and the main controller does not provide data to the actuator that controls the actuator.

Abstract: A passenger airbag module equipped with an airbag cushion and a tether holder used in a vehicle. The tether holder holds a tether prior to inflating the airbag cushion and inhibits twisting of the tether during deployment of the tether when the airbag cushion is inflated. When the tether is deployed without being twisted or folded, the deployment length of the tether is not reduced. Thus, the airbag is more consistently deployed and inflated.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a wire harness for use in a movable structure, such as a door of a passenger vehicle, is disclosed. The mounting structure may include a mounting frame and a bracket for use in a recess of the movable structure. The mounting structure may be installed on a movable structure such that water may contact the mounting frame. The mounting frame may include water management features that generally direct water away from a dry region. Such water management features may include one or more cut-aways formed in an outer periphery of the mounting frame, and may also include one or more dams and/or sub-dams. The cut-aways, dams, and sub-dams may be used to re-direct water away from the dry region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flow switch can comprise: a deflector having a diverging upstream portion; an aperture located in a downstream portion of the deflector; and a divider disposed downstream of the deflector. The deflector can be capable of diverting a fluid stream that contacts the upstream portion, around the deflector. The aperture can be capable of allowing a flow of a displacing fluid such that the displacing fluid can inhibit the diverted fluid stream from converging to pass through the divider. The divider can be capable of allowing a flow of the displacing fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower having a high-lift follower portion that pivots on a pivot shaft disposed on a low-lift follower portion, and having a lost-motion spring disposed between the high-lift follower and the low-lift follower to bias the high-lift follower toward the high lift cam lobe. Various bearing cups and roller shaft sleeve embodiments are shown, all of which allow for improved shaft and needle bearing arrangements. A z-stop formed by the bearing cups and/or the shaft sleeve limits the range of travel of the high-lift follower with respect to the low-lift follower. Various z-stop embodiments are provided including a non-contacting roller shaft sleeve that grounds the high-lift follower to the low-lift follower independent of the roller shaft.

Abstract: A switched capacitance detection circuit is responsive to changes in the fringing capacitance of a capacitive proximity sensor having at least one capacitive sensor element. In cases where the sensor has a single sensor element, the switching frequency of the detection circuit is controlled to maintain measurement accuracy in the presence of sensor moisture while minimizing power consumption and electromagnetic radiation. In cases where the sensor has multiple sensor elements, the capacitance values for each sensor element are differenced, absolute-valued and summed to form an output in which common-mode effects due to sensor moisture, temperature and sensor aging are canceled out.

Abstract: A torque bias coil spring for a camshaft phaser disposed in an annular well formed in the phaser rotor and having a central arbor for supporting the spring. The radius of the central arbor is such that the spring has radial operating clearance of 5-10%, as in the prior art. However, the improved arbor includes regions of higher radius at the arbor ends supporting the innermost and outermost coils of the spring. These regions serve to prevent the spring from being laterally displaced during torsional motion, thus minimizing the relative motion at the spring contact points, reducing stress on the spring, and improving the efficiency of the spring by reducing frictional hysteresis.

Abstract: A method of detecting a malfunction of an encoder used in a vehicle drive system includes determining an error of a motor speed based on an estimated motor speed, wherein the estimated motor speed is a function of measured current over a predetermined interval of time. The method further includes determining a maximum allowable error of the motor speed at the measured current. Yet further, the method includes comparing the error of the motor speed with the maximum allowable error of the motor speed, thereby detecting the malfunction of the encoder.

Abstract: An improved overmolded electronic assembly includes a backplate provided with a recessed edge, a circuit substrate on the backplate, at least one electronic component mounted on the circuit substrate, conductive traces on the circuit substrate which together with the electronic component(s) defines a circuit device, an electrical connector, and an overmold body that has peripheral edges that wrap around sides of the backplate and onto the edge recesses. The resulting over wrap feature eliminates delamination problems that would otherwise occur during thermal cycling of the electronic assembly, improves corrosion resistance at connector-to-backplate interfaces, and enhances securement of the printed circuit board assembly and electrical connector to the assembly.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser for varying the timing of combustion valves in an internal combustion engine includes a seat formed in the sprocket at the appropriate position of intermediate rotation and a locking pin slidably disposed in a vane of the rotor for engaging the seat to lock the rotor at the intermediate position. A bias spring system disposed on a cover plate urges the rotor toward the locking position from any position retarded of the locking position. A first spring system embodiment comprises a pair of compression spring assemblies. A second spring system embodiment comprises an internal torsion spring. In each embodiment, the phaser may be assembled without having the spring system coupled to the rotor, thereby overcoming a rotor cocking problem inherent in prior art phasers, assuring reliable mounting of an assembled phaser onto an engine camshaft.

Abstract: A vehicle light has at least one light source and a light guide device into which light emitted by the light source can be directed and which possesses output means for outputting the light or a portion of the light. Diverting means are provided between the light source and the output means in such a way that widening and parallelization of the light takes place inside the light guide device. The diverting means comprise at lest one incision constructed on the light guide device which defines internal reflection surfaces for diverting the light laterally from a main beam direction of the at least one light source, and an end face of the light guide device that has external reflection surfaces that divert light already diverted laterally previously in the main beam direction of the at least one light source.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell stack assembly comprising a plurality of sub-stacks, preferably two sub-stacks each containing one-half the total number of fuel cells. Cathode air and fuel gas are passed through the first sub-stack, wherein they are partially reacted and also heated. The exhaust cathode air and the exhaust fuel gas from the first sub-stack are directed to the respective inlets of the second sub-stack, becoming the supply cathode air and fuel gas therefor. A first heat exchanger in the flow paths between the sub-stacks and a second heat exchanger ahead of the sub-stacks can help to balance the performance of the two stacks. The result of dividing the number of cells into a plurality of sub-stacks, wherein the exhaust of one sub-stack becomes the supply for the next sub-stack, is that fuel efficiency and utilization are improved, thermal stresses are reduced, and electrical power generation is increased.

Abstract: A system for validating a proposed crimp includes a pre-crimp modeler configured to establish a geometry for the proposed crimp, a plurality of virtual testing modules configured to determine at least one characteristic of the proposed crimp, and a virtual validation module configured to compare results from each of the plurality of virtual testing modules to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A wireless control apparatus includes a function control device adapted to control a function and a nomadic device. The nomadic device and the function control device communicate by a long-range communication network to control functions on the function control device in response to signals from the nomadic device. The nomadic device and the function control device can also communicate by a mid-range communication network. A portable fob transmits signals to the function control device and/or the nomadic device for controlling functions.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a rotary member to a stationary member. The mounting system includes a carrier adapted to engage the rotary member, wherein the carrier includes a mounting leg portion which terminates into a pair of resilient leg portions. The carrier may also further include a spring member adapted to engage a first surface of the stationary member. At least one of the legs in the pair of resilient leg portions includes a turned-out portion adapted to engage a second surface of said stationary member.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a rake adjustment mechanism, and is attached to a vehicle by a mounting bracket. A rake bracket is coupled to the mounting bracket. A column jacket is collapsible in response to an emergency event and is supported by the mounting bracket and the rake bracket, and is rotationally moveable with the rake bracket about a rake axis relative to the mounting bracket. An instrument cluster is coupled to the rake bracket for movement along with the rake bracket and the column jacket to prevent obstruction of the instrument cluster by a steering wheel upon re-positioning the steering wheel, while not restricting movement of the column jacket during collapse of the column jacket in response to the emergency event. A dynamic absorber interconnects the instrument cluster and the rake bracket to reduce vibration of the steering column assembly caused by additional weight of the instrument cluster.

Abstract: A thermo-electric device has a seat side and a cabin side for delivering heating and cooling air from a HVAC module to seat passages of a vehicle seat assembly. A selector is included for setting a desired or control temperature Tcontrol of the seat assembly. A comparator is included for determining the temperature difference ?T between the actual temperature of the seat assembly Tseat and the desired or selected temperature Tcontrol. A controller simultaneously adjusts a proportioning valve and adjusts the electrical current to the thermoelectric device in relationship to one another in response to the temperature difference ?T.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a compressor assembly for an air conditioning system for a vehicle. The compressor assembly is of the variable displacement angle wobble plate type, and includes a housing that defines a suction cavity, a discharge cavity, and a crankcase. An electronic control valve controls the flow of a fluid between the discharge cavity and the crankcase for pressurizing the crankcase to de-stroke the compressor assembly. The control valve includes a pressure sensing member, which is responsive to a suction pressure to open fluid communication between the discharge cavity and the crankcase when the suction pressure is below a pre-determined set-point. The control valve also includes an actuator port in fluid communication with the discharge cavity for urging the member into the activated position to open fluid communication between the discharge cavity and the crankcase when the suction pressure is above the pre-determined set-point.