Abstract: An apparatus and method for flud flow measurement are provided. The apparatus includes a first thermistor; a second thermistor; a first deflecting member configured to shield the first thermistor from fluid flowing in a first direction; a second deflecting member configured to shield the second thermistor from fluid flowing in a second direction where the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction; and a circuit in electrical communicati with the first thermistor and the second thermistor. The circuit includes a comparator for comparing a first signal from the first thermistor to a second signal from the second thermistor. The comparator provides an output indicative of a direction of fluid flowing past the first thermistor and the second thermistor.

Abstract: An holder or support for a backlit component is disclosed which provides display lighting for the backlit component. The holder may be a one-piece holder and may be made from a polymeric material including one or more fluorescing materials and/or diffusing substances. A trim plate for a backlit display is disclosed. The trim plate may have a front face which provides both a solid support for graphic indicia and display lighting for the graphic indicia.

Abstract: An illuminated display system is disclosed. The illuminated display system includes a circuit board with a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of light-passing holes. At least one light pipe is arranged on the rear surface of the circuit board. The at least one light pipe includes at least one entrance port and a plurality of corresponding facets and exit ports. Each of the plurality of facets, exit ports, and light passing holes are aligned in a corresponding relationship to the location of individual components of a display surface positioned over the front surface of the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a CPA plug (connector position assurance plug) for assuring that the electrical connector is properly connected to a mating electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a right-angled connector body having a plurality of longitudinal channels that open into an axial shroud that plugs into a socket of the mating connector in the axial direction, and a plurality of right angled terminals that are disposed in the plurality of longitudinal channels respectively with their respective contacts disposed in the axial shroud. The axial shroud has a cover at one end and the CPA plug is attached to the cover for movement between a prestaged position and a final locked position assuring that the electrical connector is properly connected to the mating electrical connector. Three embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A common rail fuel pump for an internal combustion engine includes a pumping plunger (10) that is reciprocable within a plunger bore (14) provided in a pump housing (16) under the influence of a drive arrangement (18, 20) to cause fuel pressurisation within a pump chamber (12). An inlet metering valve (46) is operable to meter the quantity of fuel supplied to the pump chamber (12) during the return stroke of the plunger (10). An outlet valve (58) controls the supply of pressurised fuel from the pumping chamber (12) through an outlet passage (30) to the common rail fuel volume in circumstances in which the inlet metering valve is closed. The outlet passage (30) has a pump outlet (38), from where fuel is supplied to the common rail fuel volume. The inlet metering valve (46), the plunger (10) and the pump outlet (38) are arranged in axial alignment, providing a compact and lightweight pump for installation in existing and purpose-built engines.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connection system has a pair of electrical connectors each comprising an inner insulator housing and an outer housing of conductive material. A shunt member of conductive material contacts conductive plug and socket portions of the respective electrical connectors when mated, to enhance electrical continuity between the outer housings. The shunt member is disposed in a shunt chamber and a connector seal seals the chamber at one end. A terminal attached to a shielded electric cable is disposed in a terminal passage in electrical connector that has a second shunt chamber at an inlet of the terminal passage. A second shunt member engages the conductive shield of the cable in the second shunt chamber and the outer housing of the connector. A cable seal seals an inlet of the second shunt chamber. The outer housing of electrical connector is adapted for connection to a conductive casing for grounding the shielded electrical connection.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photonic sensor and method of operation, in one embodiment a photonic has: a sensing element; a dielectric layer; a first electrode disposed between the sensing element and the dielectric layer; a second electrode positioned in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the dielectric layer, the second electrode being disposed upon a substrate; and wherein an applied voltage between the first and second electrodes attracts the first electrode towards the second electrode resulting in a movement of the sensor and the first electrode and dielectric layer with respect to the second electrode, wherein a path of thermal conductance is provided between the substrate and the sensing element through the first electrode, the dielectric layer and the second electrode, and the dielectric layer and the first electrode return to the facing spaced relationship when the applied voltage is removed.

Abstract: An advance arrangement for use in controlling timing of fuel delivery by a fuel pump for use in an engine comprises an advance piston (12) which is slidable within a first bore (14) and which cooperates, in use, with a cam arrangement of a fuel pump to adjust the timing of fuel delivery by the pump. A surface associated with the advance piston (12) is exposed to fuel pressure within a first control chamber (38). The pressure of fuel within the first control chamber (38) is controlled by means of a servo piston (24) which is slidable within a further bore (22) provided in the advance piston (12). The servo piston (24) is responsive to speed dependent fuel pressure variations within a servo control chamber (37), thereby to permit adjustment of the timing in response to engine speed.

Abstract: An electronic package having enhanced heat dissipation is provided exhibiting dual conductive heat paths in opposing directions. The package includes a substrate having electrical conductors thereon and a flip chip mounted to the substrate. The flip chip has a first surface, solder bumps on the first surface, and a second surface oppositely disposed from the first surface. The flip chip is mounted to the substrate such that the solder bumps are registered with the conductors on the substrate. The package further includes a stamped metal heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the second surface of the flip chip. The heat sink includes a cavity formed adjacent to the flip chip containing a thermally conductive material.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the integrity of a leak detection test for a purge valve of a fuel system in a vehicle reduces or eliminates false failures. The method is executed on an engine control module (ECM) and is configured to determine when vehicle soak conditions meet first criteria conducive to fuel vapor condensation in the fuel tank. The first criteria include a predetermined temperature drop in ambient air temperature between successive drive cycles. The ECM is further configured to determine when a vehicle maneuver meets second criteria indicative of the capability of the maneuver to initiate fuel slosh in the fuel tank, to thereby establish a trigger event. The ECM is further configured to determine, after the trigger event, the maximum slope of a fuel tank vacuum increase. The ECM is still further configured to produce a slope ratio as a function of the maximum vacuum increase slope and a reference vacuum slope corresponding to a slope that is unaffected by any slosh/condensation events.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a connect or shroud. A pin block disposed in the connector body supports a plurality of terminal pins that have head portions projecting out a forward end of the pin block and tail portions projecting out a rearward end of the pin block. The connector shroud has a socket at a forward end that receives a terminal stabilizer that is locked to the pin block to hold the terminal stabilizer and the pin block in assembly with the connector shroud to form a module. The module may include a block seal that can be sandwiched between the terminal stabilizer and the pin block during assembly of the module. The rear end of the connector shroud is truncated at an angle for a direct top down assembly of the module to a housing that has an attachment collar that is truncated at the same angle. The pin terminal tail portions are bent at a right angle and project through holes in a pin alignment member and a printed circuit board that are mounted inside the housing.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser control system for reducing rotor positional instability. A phaser system includes a target wheel mounted on the phaser rotor such that during camshaft rotation wheel teeth chop a signal to generate first and second interruption signals indicative of amplitude of rotor instability. An instability monitor is used to monitor the level of instability against predetermined acceptable levels, depending upon engine operating conditions (RPM, temperature). An excessive level of instability is established by engine calibration. When measured instability exceeds a predetermined threshold level for a predetermined period, an instability diagnostic becomes alarmed. A default strategy is used to correct the excessive instability by applying a bias to the phaser control duty cycle. The system continues to monitor the level of instability, and when instability falls below the threshold limit, normal phasing operation is resumed.

Abstract: Improved encapsulated, overmolded and/or underfilled electrical components having a complete encapsulation, overmolding and/or underfilling with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is uniform and substantially free of gradients includes a polymeric matrix and an inorganic filler having a platelet geometric structure. The platelet structure of the filler allows a desirable coefficient of thermal expansion to be achieved using a very low level of filler material. This low level of filler material facilitates lower viscosity during forming of the encapsulation and/or overmolding, thereby facilitating complete filling of a mold cavity and underfilling of space between a circuit board and a semi-conductor chip electrically connected to the circuit board. In addition, the low viscosity has processing advantages that reduce the potential for damage to electrical components during encapsulation, overmolding and/or underfilling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for repairing defects in kinetically sprayed surfaces. The typical defects comprise isolated or connected conical shaped holes in the kinetic spray coating. The repair involves thermally spraying a molten material into the defective area to fill in the cone followed by continued kinetic spraying to complete the coating.

Abstract: A transparent overlay input device includes a transparent non-conductive substrate, a plurality of transparent conductive electrode pairs and a transparent non-conductive cover. The plurality of transparent conductive electrode pairs are formed on the substrate and each form a proximity sensitive region and include a first electrode that receives an input signal and a second electrode that provides an output signal. The first and second electrodes are capacitively coupled and the capacitance of the electrode pair changes when a conductive member, e.g., a user's finger, is located near the electrode pair. The transparent non-conductive cover is formed on the substrate over the electrode pairs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator, in particular for airbag modules in motor vehicles, comprising a plurality of separate generator stages which can be ignited independently of one another and each of which includes in its own pressure housing at least one igniter, at least one propellant charge and at least one combustion chamber. The generator stages are arranged at least partly in a common filter housing together with a common filter unit and the space remaining in the filter housing is designed at least regionally as an outflow passage system leading from outflow apertures formed in the pressure housings to the filter unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connector including a housing defining a receptacle extending to an opening and a cavity block assembly retained in the receptacle. The cavity block assembly includes a base seated in the receptacle and a terminal inserter attached to the base and moveable in a terminal insertion direction from a pre-staged inserter position to a final inserter position. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of terminal passages extend in parallel through the base and terminal inserter. When the terminal inserter is in the pre-staged position, terminals may be inserted into the passages to a range of partially inserted positions with respect to the housing or to fully inserted positions. Preferably after all of the terminals are inserted, an urging force is applied to the terminal inserter causing it to move from the pre-staged position to the final position.

Abstract: An antenna having a plurality of elongated conductors is disclosed. The elongated conductors have a substantially straight portion and a substantially helical portion.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for improved monitoring and controlling of mechanically commutated DC motors. The system and method include DC motors, pulse-count driver circuitry for driving the motors, motor position sensing circuitry, and motor control circuitry. The system and method provide for improved motor current waveform sensing that is able to effectively reject false brake pulses, avoid erroneous processing due to fluctuating battery voltage levels, and reduce the sensitivity to variations in motor current signals due to dynamic motor load, manufacturing variation, system aging, temperature, brush bounce, EMI, and other factors. The system and method also include an improved ability to multiplex additional external motor drivers to the motor control circuitry, select between sequential and simultaneous drive modes using an SPI bit, and monitor the system controller for an error condition and drive the connected motors in response to the error condition.

Abstract: A mechanical clock arrangement includes a linkage apparatus rotatingly driving an hour hand and/or a minute hand of a mechanical clock. A sensing device senses a time of day displayed by the mechanical clock. A control device is in communication with both the sensing device and a source of an actual time of day. The control device actuates the linkage apparatus to thereby cause the time of day displayed by the mechanical clock to correspond to the actual time of day.