Abstract: A detecting device for a vehicle and method thereof is provided. The device includes a first infrared detector, a second infared detector, and a controller. The first infrared detector is configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a first target area by receiving infrared radiation of the first target area over a sampling period. The second infrared detector is configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a second target area by receiving infrared radiation of the second target area over the sampling period. The controller is configured to receive and store the plurality of first and second signals, wherein the controller repeatedly compares a plurality of correlation values to a predetermined tolerance range above a minimum threshold value, wherein the correlation values are determined by repeatedly comparing a plurality of time delayed signals of the second plurality of signals to a real time signal of the plurality of first signals.

Abstract: A rotary knob and push button assembly comprising a rotary knob being configured to rotate, a rotary actuated potentiometer actuated by rotation of the rotary knob, and at least four actuators within the rotary knob. Each actuator is configured to selectively activate a selected circuit. The actuators do not rotate with rotation of the rotary knob.

Abstract: An electronics cabinet for storing a plurality of electronic devices therein is provided and includes a fan and an evaporative cooler. The fan draws a flow of air into the cabinet, circulates the flow of air through the evaporative cooler, and then across the electronic devices for removing heat produced by the electronic devices. The evaporative cooler removes heat from the flow of air by absorbing heat from the flow of air and then dissipating the heat by evaporating a liquid into a secondary airflow, which is directed out of the cabinet. The cabinet includes a cold air plenum having an actuator for adjusting a cross-sectional area of the cold air plenum to control the airflow through each of the supports.

Abstract: Pressure-based combustion parameters of an IC engine are determined based on engine cylinder pressure measurements and crank angle dependent cylinder volume data, where the pressure in a given engine cylinder is periodically sampled at scheduled crank angles to provide a measurement resolution that varies over the combustion cycle for that cylinder, and the cylinder volume data is retrieved from a table of pre-calculated data. The combustion parameter calculations are customized to suit the variable resolution pressure data, and the crank angles used to retrieve the pre-calculated cylinder volume data are offset from the scheduled crank angles to compensate for misalignment of the pressure measurements relative to the scheduled engine crank angles.

Abstract: Magnetic ring systems for attachment to a shaft and methods of making and using are provided. According to an embodiment, a magnetic ring system for attachment to a shaft comprises: a magnetic ring; and an adaptor configured to fit, inside the magnetic ring, the adaptor comprising an inner wall spaced from an outer wall, wherein the inner wall comprises a plurality of grooves for engaging the shaft.

Abstract: The universal joint includes an outer joint member having a rotational axis and three guide grooves extending parallel to its rotational axis. The three guide grooves are equally circumferentially spaced about the axis and each has opposed side portions. The universal joint also includes an inner joint member disposed inside the outer member. The inner joint member has a rotational axis and three arms equally spaced about this rotational axis extending radially into the guide grooves of the outer joint member. Each aim carries a roller having an external surface which engages the opposed side portions of the guide groove into which the arm extends. The roller is constrained to roll along the guide groove and each roller being able to rotate about, move lengthwise of, and tilt relative to the arm by which it is carried.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for degrading and disabling a vehicle's engine throttle. The vehicle disable system includes a throttle position sensor that generates a throttle position signal, an electronic control module (“ECM”) input connected to the ECM on which the throttle position sensor provides the throttle position signal to the ECM, and an override input that enables an idling signal to be transmitted to the ECM instead of the throttle position signal. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving an input signal related to the state of the driver input mechanism, interpreting the input signal, and at least one of degrading and disabling the throttle based on the interpretation of the input signal.

Abstract: A fuel injector including a filter 30 provided within the tip portion 12 of the injector body 10, down stream of the fuel inlet port 14 and upstream of the spray aperture 14. The filter 30 is in the form of a hollow truncated cone with a base region 32 having an outer diameter dimensioned to be a press fit against the inner sides of the tip portion 12 such that the filter is a press fit within the tip portion. The top or upper region of the cone terminates in an aperture 34 through which the pintle 16 passes, the aperture having an inner diameter dimensioned to be a close sliding fit over the pintle 16.

Abstract: A duplexer assembly is provided and includes a circuit board and a duplexer connected to the circuit board by a joint material, wherein the joint material provides a joint thickness of at least about 10 mils.

Abstract: An extrudable wiring harness clip has an elongate base for taping the wiring harness clip to a bundle of cables and an integral self expanding head for attaching the bundle of cables to a support panel or the like. The extrudable wiring harness clip has a constant cross section extending from a front face to a rear face that are preferably parallel to each other. The bottom surface of the elongate base is preferably flat or at least not curved in a direction that is parallel to the length of the elongate base. The extrudable wiring harness clip is made by slicing a portion from an extrusion strip.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column having a selectively collapsible structure that enables said column to collapse in the event of an impact force resulting from a vehicle crash. An adaptive energy absorbing device is associated with said column and operates in a first condition to absorb a first level of energy of the collapsing column and in a second condition to absorb a second level of energy of the collapsing column. The assembly includes a telltale detection device that is associated with the adaptive energy absorbing device and is responsive to a change in condition of the energy absorbing device prior to a collapse event to provide a signal to a user of the condition of the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: A dual mode hydraulic actuator, comprising: a housing; a rod secured to a piston, the rod and piston being slidably received within the housing; a first chamber positioned on one side of the piston; a second chamber positioned on another side of the piston; a sealed reservoir; a fluid disposed in the first chamber, the second chamber and the reservoir; a bidirectional pump for moving the fluid between the first chamber, the second chamber and the sealed reservoir; a bi-mode control valve for providing selective fluid communication between the first chamber, the second chamber and the sealed reservoir, wherein the bi-mode control valve is spring biased into a neutral position wherein fluid communication between the first chamber, the second chamber and the sealed reservoir is prevented; and wherein the bi-mode control valve is capable of being manually manipulated into a manual mode position wherein fluid flow from the first chamber to the second chamber is provided and fluid flow from or to the sealed reservo

Abstract: In a fuel cell assembly, nickel-based anodes are readily oxidized when exposed to oxygen as may happen through atmospheric invasion of the assembly during cool-down following shutdown of the assembly. Repeated anode oxidation and reduction can be destructive of the anodes, leading to cracking and failure. To prevent such oxygen migration, oxygen getter devices containing oxygen-gettering material such as metallic nickel are provided in the fuel passageways leading to and from the anodes. Oxidation of the oxygen-gettering material is readily reversed through reduction by fuel when the assembly is restarted.

Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic system for controlling resistance of a steering wheel. A valve of the hydraulic system is connected to a coil which varies positioning of the valve. A method for controlling the resistance of the steering wheel includes turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle in response to rotation of the steering wheel. The angle of the steering wheel and the speed of the vehicle are sensed and inputted into a controller. A lateral acceleration is determined based on the sensed signals by the controller. A recommended current rate of the coil is determined based on the lateral acceleration. An adjustment to the recommended current rate of the coil is determined based upon the speed of the vehicle. The recommended current rate is also modified based upon the adjustment. The modified current rate of the coil is then applied to the coil to vary the stiffness of the valve, which in turn varies the resistance to turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of heating an exhaust treatment device can comprise: generating reformate in a reformer, wherein the reformate comprises hydrogen; introducing oxygen to the reformate prior to combining the reformate with another stream; combusting a portion of the reformate and generating an exotherm to form heated reformate; and introducing the heated reformate to the exhaust treatment device. In one embodiment the exhaust system can comprise: a reformer; a reformate conduit disposed in physical communication with a reformate outlet of the reformer; an exhaust treatment device disposed in fluid communication with the reformer; and an oxygen supply disposed in fluid communication with the reformate conduit such that oxygen can be introduced into the reformate conduit upstream of a reformate conduit outlet, wherein the reformate conduit outlet is disposed in physical communication with an exhaust conduit and/or the exhaust treatment device.

Abstract: A light analyzer device and a method for detecting objects utilizing the light analyzer device are provided. The light analyzer device includes a focal plane array configured to receive the light that has passed through a light filter and to generate a first digital image based on the light that has passed through the light filter. The light analyzer device further includes a microprocessor operably coupled to the focal plane array. The microprocessor is configured to receive the first digital image, and to determine whether the first digital image corresponds to a stored digital image. The light analyzer device further includes a light emitting device operably coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further configured to induce the light emitting device to output a visual indicator indicating that the first digital image corresponds to the stored digital image.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control system and method which prevents obstructions from forming around a throttle plate during engine soak.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor apparatus is disposed between the bottom cushion and frame of a seat. The sensor apparatus includes first and second mutually parallel rigid force translation plates biased apart by a set of springs, first and second conductor plates centrally affixed to inboard faces of the first and second force translation plates, and a control circuit responsive to the gap capacitance between the first and second conductor plates. The force translation plates are joined in a manner to maintain the conductor plates parallel to each other while permitting movement of either force translation plate relative to the other in a mutually perpendicular direction.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly including a caliper bracket, a caliper housing having an outer portion and an inner portion, the inner portion defining a piston bore therein, wherein the caliper housing is moveable relative to the caliper bracket, a caliper piston received within and extendable from the piston bore, an elastic element positioned relative to the caliper housing and the caliper bracket, and a disc rotor assembly including a hub and at least two rotors, each of the rotors having at least two friction surfaces, at least a portion of each of the friction surfaces being positioned between the outer portion of the caliper housing and the caliper piston, wherein the caliper housing moves relative to the caliper bracket when the caliper piston extends from the piston bore to engage the disc rotor assembly, thereby deforming the elastic element.

Abstract: A warning display system visually warns the driver of a vehicle of an object in a detection zone, such as a blind spot region of the vehicle. The display system includes an imaging medium for displaying a warning indicator and a light source disposed behind the imaging medium for providing a controlled illumination of the warning indicator. An object detection sensor detects an object in a vehicle detection zone. One or more signals are processed to determine an anticipated movement of the vehicle in relation to the object. The system further includes a controller for adaptively controlling illumination of the light source to increase illumination of the warning indicator when the vehicle is anticipated to be moving towards the object.