Abstract: A valve-deactivation hydraulic valve lifter including a recessed face on the pin housing for making contact with the a crowned surface region of a roller follower. The lifter includes a pin housing that is slidably disposed within an axial bore in a lifter body. Pins for variably locking the pin housing to the lifter body may be disengaged to place the lifter in lost-motion mode by application of engine oil to the outer ends of the pins. A surface of the pin housing, preferably configured as a dished surface, is formed on the bottom end face of the pin housing that approaches the cam-following lifter roller for making contact with the roller follower so as to avoid contacting the roller follower's crowned surface region.

Abstract: Method for operating a delta wound three-phase permanent magnet brushless motor. A transition speed is determined in a quadrant of a speed versus torque curve above which speed continues to increase while current/torque decreases wherein actual phase current can be controlled in a current control modification manner which reduces requested phase current. The modification manner is determined for a quadrant, wherein a controller can use the modification manner to reduce the requested phase current to control the actual phase current when the speed is above the transition speed. The motor is controlled in a quadrant wherein, when the motor has a speed above the transition speed, the controller reduces the requested phase current in the modification manner and the controller supplies the actual phase current to the motor using the reduced requested phase current and using measured phase current of the motor derived from using a single current sense resistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an NH3 concentration in exhaust gases from an engine are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes generating a first signal from an NH3 sensor fluidly communicating with the exhaust gases. The method further includes generating a second signal from an air humidity sensor disposed proximate to an air intake manifold of the engine indicating a humidity level. The method further includes determining an air/fuel ratio associated with the engine. The method further includes determining an NH3 deviation value in a calibration table based on the second signal and the air/fuel ratio, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining an NH3 concentration value based on the first signal and the NH3 deviation value, utilizing the controller. The NH3 concentration value is indicative of the NH3 concentration in the exhaust gases. The method further includes storing the NH3 concentration value in a memory device, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket extending along a longitudinal axis. A mounting bracket is coupled to the column jacket and includes a first plate disposed adjacent the column jacket and a second plate disposed opposite the column jacket from the first plate. A first clamp shaft is coupled to and extends through the first plate along a first transverse axis. A second clamp shaft is coupled to and extends through the second plate along a second transverse axis. The first and second transverse axes intersect the column jacket. A cam mechanism is coupled to the first clamp shaft for moving the first clamp shaft axially along the first transverse axis. A bridge includes a generally U-shaped cross section partially encircling the column jacket to interconnect the first clamp shaft and the second clamp shaft for moving the second clamp shaft concurrently with the first clamp shaft.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket adjustable in at least one of a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and a tilt direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. A locking mechanism is coupled to the column jacket and is moveable between a locking position and an adjustment position. A lever is pivotably mounted to the column jacket and pivotable between a neutral position and an actuated position. The lever engages a switch when in the actuated position. The switch engages an actuator to move the locking mechanism into the adjustment position when engaged by the lever in the actuated position, thereby permitting adjustment of the column jacket in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the tilt direction. When the lever is in the neutral position, the switch does not engage the actuator, and a spring urges the locking mechanism into the locking position, thereby preventing adjustment.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes an electrode in communication with a detector circuit that detects the impedance of the electrode and compensates for environmental conditions, such as humidity or moisture, based on the impedance measurement. Such environmental conditions may interfere with the occupant detection system's ability to detect the presence and/or size of an occupant. Typically, environmental conditions change the impedance of the electrode. The impedance is determined by measuring a frequency response of the electrode. The measured frequency response is compared to predetermined frequency response values that correspond to known environmental conditions. The environmental condition may be detected by matching the peak frequency response or average frequency response to in a lookup table.

Abstract: A housing for use in high-pressure fluid applications, comprising a first passage defining a first axis (P1) and a second passage defining a second axis (P2), wherein the first and second passages intersect at an opening defined by an intersection at one end of the second passage. When sectioned on a plane normal to the second axis (P2) and not intersecting the first passage, the intersection defines an ellipse (E) in the plane and centred on the second axis (P2), the ellipse having a major axis equal in length to the width (D2) of the intersection and a minor axis equal in length to the height (D1) of the intersection. A wall of the intersection describes a curve in the plane, the curve passing through the points where the major and minor axes of the ellipse (E) meet the perimeter of the ellipse (E), and through points which lie outside the ellipse (E) and which are offset from the ellipse (E) by an offset distance (K).

Abstract: A conductive elastomeric shielding device (400) for use with an electronic device includes a raised surface (401) and a sidewall (405) formed with the raised surface (401). A turret section (406) is formed with the sidewall (405) where an engagement member (407) projects from the turret section (406) for frictional engagement with an aperture (408) in a printed circuit (PC) board (410). The raised surface and sidewall are manufactured of an elastomeric shielding material for shielding radio frequency (RF) radiation for electronic components used therewith.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the transmission of GPS reference information, and more particularly, to transmission of GPS ephemeris information for mobile applications. A Telemetry word data is provided by and/or transmitted by a non-cellular, land based network and received by a receiver. A location signal is computed by a processor and transmitted to the GPS receiver. An accumulator accumulates that data and stores it in a data base. The unit may be connected to a Public Safety Answering Point. Also, the present invention provides a method to assist the GPS in mobile applications where the user does not necessarily have a cellular phone. The present invention discloses a method of transmitting ephemeris data to assist the GPS receiver without relying on the cellular telephone network.

Abstract: A vehicle stability monitoring system and a method and an article of manufacture for determining vehicle stability are provided. The vehicle stability monitoring system includes a plurality of vehicle sensors generating a plurality of signals. The vehicle stability monitoring system further includes a computer operably communicating with the plurality of vehicle sensors. The computer is configured to calculate a first value indicative of vehicle stability at a first predetermined time based on the plurality of signals.

Abstract: A plurality of direct die cooled semiconductor power device packages are vertically stacked with both coolant and electrical interfacing to form a liquid cooled power electronic circuit. The packages are individually identical, and selectively oriented prior to stacking in order to form the desired circuit connections and laterally stagger the package leads.

Abstract: A test system and method of analyzing a pin to circuit connection on a substrate is provided. The method includes applying thermal energy to the pin or the substrate at a location outside of the pin to circuit interface, and measuring infrared radiation near the pin to circuit interface. The method also includes the step of analyzing the measured infrared radiation to determine thermal energy distribution near the pin to circuit interface resulting from thermal conductivity at the interface. The method further includes the step of determining sufficiency of the pin to circuit electrical and mechanical connection based on the determined thermal energy distribution.

Abstract: Real-time video images of a human subject's face are processed by a plurality of classification algorithms developed in an off-line training process to determine the open vs. closed eye state of the subject. The off-line training process utilizes a genetic programming loop embedded within an adaptive boosting loop, and forms the classification algorithms and weighting factors for combining their classification scores. In the real-time process, the individual classification scores are combined and compared to a threshold to determine the open vs. closed eye state.

Abstract: A particulate (soot) sensor system has a diagnostic feature for verifying the integrity of the wiring leads. The sensor system includes a sensor and processing circuitry. The sensor has a substrate, first and second sensing electrodes on the substrate and a heater electrode. The heater electrode is electrically isolated from the first and second sensing electrodes, although there is a parasitic capacitance between them. The processing circuitry includes a heater driver, a measurement circuit connected to the sensing electrodes by wire leads, and a detector. The heater driver, in addition to energizing the heater, produces a stimulus signal that is applied to the heating electrode, which is then coupled via the parasitic capacitance to the sensing electrodes. The detector is coupled to the wiring leads and is configured to detect the stimulus signal when there is electrical conductivity over the leads to the sensing electrodes.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an externally-located vehicular mirror housing and an antenna assembly. The externally-located vehicular mirror housing includes a cable exit passage. The antenna assembly includes at least one antenna element mounted on a circuit board. The antenna assembly is located within the externally-located vehicular mirror housing. The cable exit passage passes an antenna cable extending from the circuit board and into the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: An endless filtering sheet, having an interior entrained about rollers, extends in a path of movement over an air inlet in a housing for receiving air flow and presents an exterior from which dirt and debris collected from the incoming air flow and which dirt and debris is removed in a horizontal reach by gravity and/or an air flow. A drive mechanism continuously moves the sheet in the endless path to provide a continuously operating air filtration system for a heat exchanger in a HVAC system that is self-cleaning.

Abstract: A joint assembly for coupling first and second rotating parts, including a first joint member for mounting to the first rotating part, a second joint member including a centering flange having a first length disposed about an axis for mounting to the second rotating part, and at least one torque-transmitting element disposed between the first and second joint members for operatively coupling the first and second joint members. The centering flange has a contact section configured for being in a substantially interference fit with the second rotating part when mounting the centering flange to the second rotating part. The contact section has a second length substantially smaller than the first length of the centering flange such that the substantially interference fit between the centering flange and the second rotating part provides alignment between the centering flange and the second rotating part while minimizing forces necessary to mount the centering flange to the second rotating part.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket extending along a longitudinal axis and a steering shaft rotatably supported by the column jacket. A power assist module includes a housing coupled to the column jacket and a motor. The motor applies a torque to the steering shaft. An isolator connection interconnects the housing and the column jacket to permit rotational flexure of the power assist module relative to the column jacket, i.e., the power assist module may rotate relative to the column jacket, thereby preventing undesirable rotation of a lever mounted to the column jacket in response to the motor applying the torque to the steering shaft.

Abstract: A technique for providing management of a motor vehicle information system includes a number of steps. Initially, a wake-up message is received from a portable transmitter. In general, the wake-up message, unique to the portable transmitter, is provided responsive to user activation of a button that is electrically coupled to the portable transmitter. Next, it is determined whether power capability of the motor vehicle is adequate responsive to receipt of the wake-up message. When the motor vehicle power capability is adequate, power is provided to a wireless interface, a vehicle information system and a mass storage device, all of which are located within the motor vehicle. Information is then received via the wireless interface and stored in the mass storage device, when the power capability of the motor vehicle is adequate.

Abstract: An engine data acquisition and control system measures cylinder pressure at a high degree of resolution and then processes it for portions of the combustion cycle of interest for performing combustion calculations. The data are utilized to calculate combustion parameters, and the combustion parameters may be utilized to control the engine's fuel and/or spark timing/duration, and other variables affecting the combustion process. The system architecture provides for acquisition of very large amounts of data without unduly loading the CPU.