Abstract: An actuator arrangement for use in a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine includes an inner core (30) comprising a plurality of laminates (30a) and a first outer pole (32) for receiving at least a part of the inner core (30), wherein the inner core (30) and the outer pole (32) together define a first volume (46) for receiving a first electromagnetic winding. An injector is provided in which the actuator arrangement controls a valve arrangement, either a spill valve or a nozzle control valve, or both, so as to control injection by the injector.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus wherein the apparatus includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing also includes a first aperture and a second aperture. The first aperture is positioned to communicate with a first fluid source at a first pressure. The second aperture is positioned to communicate with a second fluid source at a second pressure. The first pressure is greater than the second pressure. The apparatus also includes a first piston disposed in the housing. The first piston is moveable between the first and second ends. The first piston includes a front surface communicating with the second aperture and a back surface communicating with the first aperture. The first piston also includes a first passageway communicating with the front and back surfaces. The apparatus also includes a three-way valve fluidly disposed between the first aperture and the back surface and between the front surface and the back surface.

Abstract: A technique for forming anti-stiction bumps on a bottom surface of a micro-electro mechanical (MEM) structure includes a number of process steps. The MEM structure is fabricated from an assembly that includes a support substrate bonded to a single-crystal semiconductor layer, via an insulator layer. A plurality of holes are formed through the single-crystal semiconductor layer to the insulator layer on an interior portion of a defined movable structure. A portion of the insulator layer underneath the holes is removed. The holes are then filled with a conformal film that extends below a lower surface of the defined movable structure to provide a plurality of anti-stiction bumps. A trench is then formed through the single-crystal semiconductor layer to the insulator layer to form the defined movable structure. Finally, a remainder of the insulator layer underneath the defined movable structure is removed to free the defined movable structure.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and systems for issuing a collision warning to a driver at timing based on the driver's attitude level. The methods involve the steps of determining the driver attitude level based on the driver's actions in a plurality of driving conditions, determining timing for issuing warning based on the driver attitude level, and issuing warning based on the determined timing. The systems include a first device for collecting data associated with driver attitude, and a second device connected to the first device for determining a driver attitude level. The second device includes a processor for processing the data by applying pre-determined algorithm to determine the driver attitude level. The systems may further include a third device connected to the second device for determining timing for issuing warning corresponding to the driver attitude level, and issuing a warning according to the determined timing.

Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.

Abstract: A flexible drive member attachment is connected to a flexible drive member by a yoke having side walls connected by a bridge wall that has a stud connecting the attachment to a driven member. A coupler is disposed between the side walls and attached to the bridge wall. The coupler has teeth that extend through respective windows of the flexible drive member. An outer shoe engages each side wall of the yoke. Each outer shoe has a forward flange engaging the bridge wall and a rearward flange that extends through a rearward slot of the associated side wall. Each rearward flange has fingers that extend behind the flexible drive member and through spaces between adjacent teeth of the coupler and into sockets of the other shoe. The flexible drive member may be a drive chain or a drive belt having spaced windows.

Abstract: A method of interfacing an electromagnetic sensor with a controller in a motor control system, the method including: applying an excitation signal to the electromagnetic sensor; receiving a first electromagnetic sensor output signal based on the excitation signal, the first electromagnetic sensor signal comprising an amplitude modulated signal corresponding to a position of a rotor of the electromagnetic sensor; and receiving a second electromagnetic sensor output signal based on the excitation signal, the second electromagnetic sensor signal comprising another amplitude modulated signal corresponding to the position of the rotor of the electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: A device for enclosing electronics and providing an electrical connection to the enclosed electronics is provided. The device includes a housing having alignment and barrier features, and a circuit board having alignment features and plated through-holes. The circuit board is coupled to the housing such that the alignment features of the circuit board and housing are aligned, and such that the barrier features of the housing are located adjacent the plated through-holes. The device further includes an epoxy material that at least partially coats the surfaces of the housing and circuit board. The barrier features separate the plated through-holes from the epoxy material, such that the epoxy material is not in contact with the interior surface of the plated through-holes. A method for enclosing electronics and providing an electrical connection to the enclosed electronics is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system for a vehicle has a hydraulic actuator attached to a torsion bar. The system includes first and second pressure control valves fluidly connected in series between a pressure source and a reservoir, and a directional valve fluidly connected between the pressure control valves and the hydraulic actuator. The control valves are actuated to control the fluid pressure within the hydraulic actuator to either extend or compress the hydraulic actuator based on the detection of a predetermined vehicle condition for controlling vehicle roll.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle may include a load displacement system allowing transient loads of the steering mechanism to be displaced. The steering system may also include a first coupling mechanism coupling an electric motor to a rack housing, and a second coupling mechanism coupling a ball nut to a rack. A method for providing an actuation force to a rack of a vehicle includes isolating non-axial loads from an electric motor of a steering system and isolating non-axial loads from a linearly actuatable member of a rotary-to-linear conversion device in the steering system. An actuator for a steering system may include a rotary to linear actuator, a movable linear section, and an interface between the rotary to linear actuator and the linear section.

Abstract: A controlled damper assembly includes a controlled-damper-assembly piston, a controlled-damper-assembly piston rod attached to the piston, an insulated wire, and an electrical connector. The insulated wire is positioned in the piston rod, has a first end operatively connected to the piston, and has a second end. The electrical connector has a first connection terminal electrically connected to the second end of the insulated wire and has a second connection terminal electrically connected to the piston rod. An example, without limitation, of a controlled damper assembly is a magnetorheological damper assembly.

Abstract: An improved electrical printed circuit exhibiting a combination of enhanced solderability and outstanding adhesion with a dielectric substrate includes a stack of two different types of conductive films. The stack includes a first conductive film that is printed onto the substrate with an ink that has been specially formulated to achieve enhanced adhesion with the substrate, and a second film that is applied over the first film using an ink that has been specifically formulated to achieve enhanced solderability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of charge motion control devices in the air intake manifold. In a first aspect of the invention, the valves are controlled through a single common drive shaft. In a second aspect, the runners each include an air flow bypass positioned between the valve and the cylinder head mounting end of the runner such that the valve is positioned further away from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling reformate delivered to an electrochemical cell in an electric power system. The system comprises: a reformate pressure sensor disposed in the reformate and configured to measure reformate pressure; a controllable valve configured to control the flow of reformate to the electrochemical cell; and a controller coupled to the reformate pressure sensor and the controllable valve. The controller receives a reformate pressure signal from the reformate pressure sensor, a controllable valve position signal from the controllable valve, and transmits a controllable valve command to the controllable valve.

Abstract: A method for making a subsurface electrical contact on a micro-electrical-mechanical-systems (MEMS) device. The contact is formed by depositing a layer of polycrystalline silicon onto a surface within a cavity buried under a device silicon layer. The polycrystalline silicon layer is deposited in the cavity through holes etched through the device silicon and reseals the cavity during the polycrystalline silicon deposition step. The polycrystalline silicon layer can then be masked and etched, or etched back to expose the device layer of the micromachined device. Through the layer of polycrystalline silicon, a center hub of the device may be electrically contacted.

Abstract: An electronic module adapted to sense light and configured to minimize the entry of stray light into the module. The module includes a housing having an opening through which light enters the housing, a first substrate coupled to the housing, a second substrate on the first substrate opposite the housing, and a chip on the second substrate. The first substrate defines a window aligned with the housing so that light traveling through the housing also passes through window. The second substrate defines an opening aligned with the window, and the chip is located over the opening in the second substrate so that a light-sensing element on the chip senses light passing through the opening. The module is equipped with features that prevent light from entering the module through the second substrate, the first substrate, and between the chip and second substrate.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided for a tilting and telescoping steering column. The drive mechanism can selectively tilt the steering wheel or telescope the steering column in response to input from the driver. A single drive mechanism controls the tilting movement and the telescoping movement. The invention includes a locking device for locking the single drive mechanism in one of first and second modes of operation corresponding to tilting movement and telescoping movement. A pivoting device for engaging the locking device is provided. The pivoting device can be a lever arm or can be a solenoid mounted to the steering column.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical plug connector comprising a first plug part, a second plug part which can be plugged together with the first plug part and an insertion part which is supported displaceably at the first plug part in the plug-in direction and cooperates with at least one spring element of the first plug part, with the insertion part being able to be pushed into the first plug part by the second plug part against the restoring force of the spring element on the plugging together of the plug parts, and with the spring element being substantially relaxed with separated plug parts and in the completely plugged together state of the plug connector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are NOx sensors and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, a method for sensing NOx comprises: contacting a first NOx electrode with the gas, contacting a second NOx electrode with the gas, determining a NO2 emf between the first NOX electrode and a first reference electrode, determining a NOx emf between the second NOx electrode and a second reference electrode, and determining a NO2 concentration and a NO concentration using the NO2 emf and the NOx emf. The first electrode can be at a first temperature of greater than or equal to about 700° C., and the second electrode can be at a second temperature of about 500° C. to about 650° C.

Abstract: A chip cooling system including a semiconductor device having a bulk region, wherein at least one fluid channel extends at least partially through the bulk region, the fluid channel having an inlet and an outlet, a fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the channel inlet, and a fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the channel outlet, and a cooling fluid flows from the fluid inlet port, through the fluid channel and to the fluid outlet port to cool the bulk region.