Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting a vehicle rollover or near-rollover event that may precede a rollover of a vehicle. The system comprises controller connected to at least one right and at least one left vehicle tire pressure sensor, performing the assessment of pressure signals on the basis of pressure characteristics corresponding to rollover or near-rollover events, and generating an output activation signal that determines the vehicle rollover or near-rollover event if said assessment is positive. The controller is preferably connected to at least one additional sensor and performs the additional assessment of this sensor signal on the basis of this signal characteristics corresponding to rollover or near-rollover events. The protection devices are activated sequentially, starting with the resetable protection devices, in dependence of estimated rollover confidence.

Abstract: A vehicle vision system displays a vehicle pathway image that includes a reticle for visually identifying the in-path portion of the image. A reticle array is disposed between a video camera chip and a lens, and includes a conical or frustro-conical region of substantially un-attenuated light transmissivity surrounded by a region of perceptibly attenuated light transmissivity, such that in-path portions of the displayed image are substantially unchanged and out-of-path portions of the displayed image are perceptibly attenuated. The reticle array may also include a number of reduced transmissivity lines traversing its conical or frustro-conical region to produce a series of receding stadia lines in the in-path portion of the displayed image, enabling the driver to reliably discern the range of displayed objects.

Abstract: A wire bundle routing assembly for routing and at least partially enclosing and sealing a wire bundle between a a vehicle door frame and a vehicle door body. A door mounting base is slidably receivable in a slot formed in a front wall of a door body and includes a wire bundle through-hole. A door mounting base cover at least partially encloses and holds the wire bundle against an inner side of the door mounting base when the cover is installed over the inner side of the door mounting base. A base slide track detent surface on the door mounting base engages a corresponding cover slide track detent surface on the cover and guides the cover as the cover is slid into an installed position on the mounting base.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser having a rotational authority between 40 crank degrees before TDC and 30 crank degrees after TDC. The phaser includes a stator seat formed at a rotation position intermediate between full advance and full retard. A locking pin in a vane of the rotor engages the seat, locking the rotor at the intermediate position. The pin is disengaged by pressurized engine oil independent of oil flows for advance and retard of the rotor. The oil is controlled by a dedicated valve. Preferably, the seat and the ends of the locking pin are vented by passages in the rotor and stator which are aligned when the rotor is at the selected locking angle to remove oil resistance to entry of the pin into the seat. To position the locking pin over the seat, phasing rate is reduced to allow time for the locking pin to engage the seat.

Abstract: A method for welding/brazing a tube to a member. The tube has an axially-extending first portion and has a tube form which extends transversely from the first portion. A filler material is obtained. The tube, the member and the filler material are positioned such that the filler material contacts the tube form and the member. A resistance current path is created through the tube, the filler material and the member which melts at least some of the filler material creating a weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the tube, at least some of the member, and at least some of the filler material.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser includes a vaned camshaft rotor disposed within a lobed stator, defining phase advance and retard chambers filled with oil. The height of the rotor is less than the height of the stator, providing space for a vaned brake rotor alongside the camshaft rotor. The brake rotor is free to rotate independently of the camshaft rotor. The volume of each advance and retard chamber is a function of the rotational position of both the camshaft rotor and the brake rotor, and the volume of each chamber is constant. Rotation of the brake rotor in one direction causes rotation of the camshaft rotor in the opposite direction. The brake rotor is connected to a controllable brake mechanism. By sensing of the camshaft rotor position and feedback control of the braking mechanism, the camshaft rotor may be maintained at any position.

Abstract: A surface mount connector and assembly including the surface mount connector is shown and described. The assembly comprises a substrate and a connector including a carrier, and at least one electrical connecting element having first and second ends, wherein at least a portion of the first end extends through the carrier to electrically adjoin and physically secure the connector to the substrate. A reinforcement medium is disposed about at least a portion of surface mount connector and said substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing in real-time the playback of a broadcast data signal. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a broadcast data signal at a player device; (b) storing the broadcast data signal on the player device; (c) generating an output signal based on the broadcast data signal substantially simultaneous to the storage of the broadcast data signal; (d) creating a time delay between the storage of the broadcast data signal and the generation of the output signal; and (e) adjusting the time delay between the storage of the broadcast data signal and the generation of the output signal, thereby manipulating the output signal from the player device.

Abstract: A child restraint system and a method for monitoring installation of the child restraint system are provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat has at least a first seat belt guide member configured to engage a vehicle seat belt webbing for securing the child seat to a vehicle seat. The child restraint system further includes a first sensor coupled to the first seat belt guide member. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of an amount of tension being applied to the vehicle seat belt webbing. The child restraint system further includes a controller coupled to the child seat configured to receive the first signal and to compute a first tension value based on the first signal. The controller further is configured to induce a first device disposed on the child seat to indicate when the first tension value is less than a predetermined tension value.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, an integrated air supply system provides oxygen for the fuel cell cathode reaction via a first air flow through a heat exchanger and a second air flow bypassing the heat exchanger, at least one of the first and second flows being throttled by a control valve responsive to a fuel cell control system, the flows subsequently being combined to provide air to the cathodes at a desired temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides for a power steering assembly and method of actuation for assisting a driver in moving the steerable wheels of a vehicle. The power steering assembly includes a housing that defines a chamber. A steering rod is disposed in the chamber and is longitudinally moveable within the chamber. A shoulder is fixed to the steering rod and has opposing sides. A shaft is supported by the housing and engages the steering rod translating the rotational movement of the shaft into a longitudinal movement of the steering rod. A first actuator and second actuator are disposed in the chamber on opposing sides of the shoulder. The first and second actuators each have an excitable material that is controlled in a series of actuations to advance the actuators in a linear movement for pushing against the shoulder to move the steering rod longitudinally within the chamber.

Abstract: An improved vertical integrated circuit device package that eliminates or reduces the need for wire bond connections and/or solder connections is provided. The package includes a vertical device having electrodes on opposite surfaces, and a compressed spring member that is used to establish compression electrical connections between the electrodes and corresponding electrically conductive elements.

Abstract: A method for implementing a virtual inspection of a virtually machined workpiece is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes defining a set of master reference planes, defining a set of positioning planes with respect to the set of master reference planes, and defining a pair of intersecting cutting planes from the set of positioning planes. The pair of intersecting cutting planes define an inspection line at the intersection thereof, wherein the inspection line is swept through a selected area of the workpiece, thereby collecting inspection data for the workpiece.

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus comprising a fuel injection arrangement for delivering a fuel injection pulse sequence to a combustion chamber during a combustion cycle, the fuel injection pulse sequence comprising a plurality of discrete fuel injection pulses, each discrete fuel injection pulse having a fuel injection pulse type (for example: disabled, common rail pressure, pump pressure etc); a calculation module for monitoring a plurality of vehicle operating parameters, calculating a fuel injection mode in response thereto, and determining a fuel injection mode identifier; a controller arranged to receive the fuel injection mode identifier from the calculation module and operate the fuel injection arrangement in response thereto; wherein the fuel injection mode identifier (for example, a hexadecimal representation in the form of a data string) comprises a plurality of markers, each of the plurality of markers having an ordinal number and a value, wherein the ordinal number of each marker is indicative of the s

Abstract: A steering column assembly having a column jacket defining a longitudinal axis and moveable in a telescoping direction and a tilting direction is disclosed. A first bracket defines a telescoping slot having a first tooth rack extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. A second bracket defines a tilting slot having a second tooth rack extending transverse to the telescoping slot. A first locking member and a second locking member are moveable along a pivot axis transverse the longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking members have a first locking surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second locking surface transverse to the longitudinal and pivot axes. The locking surfaces are disposed in the telescoping and tilting slots, respectively when in the locked position such that the locking surfaces engage the first and second tooth racks, respectively for preventing movement of the column jacket.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket coupled to a support bracket. The column jacket is moveable in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and in a pivotable direction relative to the support bracket about a pivot axis. A locking mechanism interconnects the support bracket and the column jacket, and includes a torsion shaft rotatable about a shaft axis in a first direction and a second direction to move the locking mechanism between a lock position and a release position. A motor includes an output shaft rotatable about a primary axis in a single rotational direction. A linkage interconnects the motor and the torsion shaft of the locking mechanism. The linkage is actuated by rotation of the output shaft in the single rotational direction to rotate the torsion shaft in alternating fashion between the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a backplate, a substrate and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The backplate includes a cavity and the substrate includes a plurality of interconnected electrical components. The substrate is positioned within the cavity and a wall height of the cavity is greater than a combined thickness of the substrate and the adhesive, which bonds the substrate to the backplate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling a vehicle with a braking system including a modulator pump. A first fluid line can communicate brake fluid from the master cylinder to a brake caliper. An isolation valve including a pressure bypass can be disposed along the fluid line between the master cylinder and the brake caliper. A second fluid line can extend from a first position along the first fluid line between the master cylinder and the isolation valve to a second position along the first fluid line between the isolation valve and the brake caliper. A modulating pump is disposed along the second fluid line to pump fluid to the brake caliper during a controlled brake event. The modulator pump is engaged to pump fluid to the brake caliper until the pressure in the first fluid line reached slightly below the predetermined pressure to prevent the isolation valve from opening in response to excessive pressure.

Abstract: An electrical housing has a first member and a second member that can be locked and unlocked with a cover lock. The cover lock itself can include a male member disposed on one of the members, and a female member disposed on the other of the members for mating with the male member. A rib can also be provided on either the first or second member to help mate the male member with the female member.

Abstract: A sensor interface filter having adjustable gain and Q is provided. The sensor interface includes a first operational amplifier coupled to gain circuitry, a gain stage, and a resistor. The gain circuitry and gain stage are electrically coupled to each other. The gain stage includes a gain stage switch, and is coupled to control circuitry. The control circuitry controls the state of the gain stage switch to vary the number of feedback current paths providing feedback to the inverting input of the first operational amplifier, altering the gain provided by the first operational amplifier. The sensor interface further includes a second operational amplifier coupled to filter circuitry and feedback switches. The feedback switches are coupled to the control circuitry, which controls the state of the feedback switches to vary the gain provided by the second operational amplifier and the filter Q of the sensor interface. A method is also provided.