Abstract: A heat pump is operable in a heating mode and a cooling mode and includes two identical heat exchangers. The heat exchangers alternate between operating as a condenser and an evaporator as the heat pump switches between the heating mode and the cooling mode. The heat exchangers include a fluid passageway for directing a refrigerant therethrough and a bypass bisecting the fluid passageway into a first portion and a second portion. A valve interconnects the first portion and the second portion of the fluid passageway and the bypass for directing the refrigerant through the first portion of the fluid passageway and into the bypass to prevent refrigerant flow through the second portion of the fluid passageway when the heat exchanger is operable as the evaporator.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling valve stiffness in a power steering system. The method includes the step of engaging a pinion and a spool shaft with respect to one another for turning at least two wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel from an on-center orientation. The method also includes the step of variably assisting movement of the pinion with a hydraulic power steering device having a valve movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The method also includes the step of moving the valve from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to rotation of the spool shaft relative to the pinion from an on-center orientation to assist the pinion in rotation for turning the at least two wheels.

Abstract: An electronic control unit and a method of diagnosing an electronic control unit on a vehicle are provided. The method includes the steps of storing in memory information on variables to collect, selecting a trigger, monitoring for a predetermined event, activating the trigger based on the detection of the event, collecting the variables upon activation of the trigger, and storing the collected variables in memory. The collected variable may be read via a pre-existing production serial link to diagnose the electronic control unit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) wafer includes a plurality of die and a first die indicator (FDI) formed on the wafer in a metal layer. The plurality of die include a first potentially good die and the FDI, which is detectable by a machine vision recognition system, provides a unique indication of the first potentially good die.

Abstract: A steering column assembly (10) of the collapsible type includes a mounting plate (30) for rigid attachment to a vehicle body structure. The mounting plate (30) supports the steering column (12) during normal operation through interconnecting release capsules (24) which allow the steering column (12) to collapse, away from the rigidly attached mounting plate (30), during a frontal collision. An energy absorbing tear strip (44) in formed integrally in the mounting plate (30) and is connected via tab (43) to a fixed connection (42) which adjoins a portion of the column bracket (18). The column bracket (18) moves together with the steering column (12) during a collapse situation. The tear strip (44) simultaneously bends and tears in a peeling fashion as the steering column (12) collapses to provide energy absorption for the assembly (10).

Abstract: A fuel injection system for supplying pressurised fuel to a fuel injector (200) comprises an accumulator volume (606) for supplying fuel at rail pressure (P1) to the fuel injector (200) through a rail fuel supply passage (608) and a fuel pressurising arrangement (604) for supplying fuel at a selected pressure greater than rail pressure (P2) to the fuel injector (200) through a pressurised fuel supply passage (614). A fuel shut-off valve (618) is provided in the system which is operable between a closed position in which fuel is retained within the pressurising arrangement (604) and an open position in which pressurised fuel is supplied to the injector (200) from the pressurising arrangement (604) during an injection of fuel from the rail fuel supply passage (608). Operating the shut-off valve in this way provides a boost in the fuel pressure delivered during an injection event.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column for a vehicle. The steering column includes a steering column jacket defining a column axis. The steering column jacket is operable to at least partially encircle a steering shaft in a vehicle. The steering column also includes a tilt housing engaged with the steering column jacket for tilting movement about a tilt axis between a plurality of tilt positions. The steering column also includes a locking member supported for linear movement by the tilt housing. The locking member has a tip moveable outwardly with respect to the column axis to a locked position contacting the steering column jacket and inwardly towards the column axis to an unlocked position spaced from the steering column jacket.

Abstract: A method and an article of manufacture for determining a rate of change of orientation of a plurality of fibers disposed in a fluid are provided. The method includes determining a first tensor indicative of the rate of change of orientation of the plurality of fibers in the fluid in a predetermined region due to rigid body rotation of the plurality of fibers and the fluid. The method further includes determining a second tensor indicative of the rate of change or orientation of the plurality of fibers in the fluid in the predetermined region due to deformation of the plurality of fibers and the fluid in the predetermined region, utilizing a first scalar value that reduces the rate of change of orientation of the plurality of fibers due to deformation of the plurality of fibers and the fluid. The method further includes determining a third tensor indicative of a total rate of change of orientation of the plurality of fibers based on the first and second tensors, wherein the third tensor is an objective tensor.

Abstract: A valve lifter assembly for deactivating a cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter assembly is provided with a plunger movably disposed within a bore of a main body member to controllably isolate the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve of the engine. The plunger is normally locked in an extended position to transmit cam lift to reciprocatingly operate the valve. At least one locking pin is moveably disposed within the plunger to engage an inner annular groove of the main body member. Pressurized oil is provided to dislodge the locking pins from the annular groove and allow the plunger to move within the main body member, thereby isolating the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve. The deactivating lifter is preferably disposed within the recess conventionally provided for hydraulic valve lifters.

Abstract: A secondary heat exchanger subassembly, such as a transmission oil cooler, is disposed in a metal tank of a radiator and has a pair of metal fluid fittings. Either a connector ring engages a fitting extending through the opening in the tank or a connector nut extends into the opening to threadedly engage the fitting whereby the metal fittings are held to the metal tank and inserted into a furnace for being brazed into sealed relationship with the metal tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical terminal element for pushing through an opening, in particular a round opening, in an elastic material along a pushing through direction of the terminal element, comprising a contact part which has a connection section for the electrical and mechanical connection of the terminal element to an electrical lead, a dilating section and a contact section for the contacting of another terminal element arranged in series in the pushing through direction and comprising a reception part which at least partly surrounds the contact part in the region of the contact section and adjoins the dilating section. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a terminal element in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A multiplex signal system for use with a vehicle steering column assembly includes a steering wheel electronic module mounted to a steering wheel and a column electronic module mounted remotely from the steering wheel. The steering wheel electronic module includes a resistive switch network and a voltage controlled oscillator to transform activation by an operator of one or more steering wheel mounted controls, such as audio volume controls, into an oscillating signal having a frequency representative of the particular control that was activated. This oscillating signal is provided to the column electronic module, which utilizes an electronic processing device to determine which of the steering wheel mounted controls has been activated. Once this is determined, the electronic control module operates the electrical or electromechanical device, such as an audio system, that corresponds to the activated steering wheel mounted control.

Abstract: A high-side driver circuit for driving a load, including a low-side driver IC having a drive output and a feedback input, a first transistor coupled to the drive output, and a second transistor coupled between a power source and the load. The second transistor is configured to enter an “OFF” state when the first transistor is driven into an “OFF” state by the drive output, and to enter an “ON” state when the first transistor is driven into an “ON” state by the drive output.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for adjusting a position of a steering wheel. The invention includes a steering column for supporting the steering wheel. A telescoping mechanism and a tilting mechanism are associated with the steering column to move the steering column. The invention also includes a motor having a rotatable shaft for generating a moving force. A first linkage is selectively engageable with the rotatable shaft to transmit the moving force to the telescoping mechanism. A second linkage is selectively engageable with the rotatable shaft to transmit the moving force to the tilting mechanism.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly. A plurality of parallel tubes conveys fuel cell stack exhaust gas from a first manifold means to a second manifold means. The tubes are highly corrugated to increase the wall area and decrease the wall thickness. The tubes are disposed in a jacket through which is passed incoming air to be heated. The tubes may be linear between two manifolds, or they may be curved such that the first and second manifold functions are accommodated within a single component.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for operating a vehicle packages mechanical components and electrical devices normally found in or around the steering column of the vehicle into a single unit. An on-board processor accepts signals from the electrical devices, which may include a steering sensor, an acceleration pedal sensor, a brake pedal sensor, a turn signal switch, a cruise control switch, a windshield wiper switch, etc. The on-board processor connects to a vehicle communications bus to communicate data received from the electrical devices to various systems throughout the vehicle. The on-board processor also receives data from the various systems. The steering column assembly also includes a display connected to the on-board processor. The operator receives information about the operation of the vehicle from the display. All components, including the on-board processor, are operatively connected to a column support, allowing the steering column assembly to be installed as a unit.

Abstract: A control cartridge has a circuit board that includes a Hall effect sensor, the position of which is fixed in a housing that has a cam. The control cartridge includes a shaft that carries a magnet and that rotates and translates with respect to the housing. The shaft has a cam follower that engages the cam and translates the shaft with respect to the housing when the shaft is rotated with respect to the housing in one direction but not in an opposite direction. The control cartridge is shown as part of a control handle for a motorcycle in which the relative angular position of the shaft with respect to the Hall effect sensor is used to control engine speed manually while the relative axial position of the shaft with respect to the Hall effect sensor is used to deactivate a cruise control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyromechanical securing element for the mechanical connection of two components. The securing element comprises a covering (1) and a pyrotechnical propellant charge (6) is arranged in the head part thereof (5), said propellant charge being adjacent to an adapter (2), and securing means or a stop for the first component are arranged on the rear part of the covering (1) and a second component can be pushed onto the covering between the first component and the head part (5). The covering (1) on the head part (5) comprises expected fracture indents extending in the longitudinal direction which tear open the covering (1) in the head area when the propellant charge (6) is ignited and the first component is rigidly connected to the second component in order to allow the adapter (2) to bend. The aim of the invention is to securely anchor the covering (1) to the adapter (2) without using extreme force.

Abstract: An advance arrangement for controlling timing of fuel delivery by a fuel pump in an engine comprises an advance piston which is movable in either an advance or a retard direction to advance or retard, respectively, the timing of fuel pump delivery, wherein a surface associated with the advance piston is exposed to fuel pressure within a main advance control chamber. The advance piston has a supply port to allow fuel to flow into the main advance control chamber and a drain port to allow fuel to flow out of the main advance control chamber. A servo piston is movable relative to the advance piston to control opening and closing of the supply port and the drain port. The advance arrangement is characterised by a restricted flow means for restricting the flow of fuel out of the main advance control chamber through the drain port when the advance piston moves in the retard direction beyond a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A rack and pinion gear train actuator for a pintle valve. A motor shaft has a pinion gear that engages a large reduction gear having an integral hub gear. The hub gear is a planet gear for a ring gear segment that pivots on a shaft and includes a pinion gear segment that engages a linear rack. The rack is attached to a valve pintle shaft, causing the valve to be opened and closed in response to rotation of the motor shaft. The pintle shaft, return spring, rack, and gears are all assemblable by slip fit. The actuator has a high actuation force, a fast response time, and compact design by virtue of a rack and internal gearing. The stroke of the rack may be changed for use with pintle valves having differing strokes by varying the angle through which the motor operates.