Abstract: In a vehicle solenoid valve, the spool that holds the actuation coil is formed with a hexagonal or octagonal inner chamber in which a cylindrical armature can slide. Owing to the different cross-sectional shapes between the spool and armature, a longitudinal fluid vent passageway is established along each edge of the chamber between the non-cylindrical walls of the chamber and the cylindrical armature so that movement of hydraulic fluid relative to the armature is promoted when the armature moves. The face of the spool that is oriented toward the valve end can be formed with radial vent grooves to further facilitate fluid venting when the armature moves.

Abstract: A method of estimating the quantity of secondary reaction airflow supplied to the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine by an air injection reaction (AIR) system models airflows in an AIR pump, an AIR valve, and a plenum coupling the pump to the valve. The pump flow is modeled based on the pump speed (or pump motor voltage), the pump inlet air temperature and the pressure ratio across the pump, and the valve flow is modeled based on the pressure ratio across the valve and the valve inlet air temperature. The plenum pressure used in the pump and valve pressure ratios is modeled based on the net plenum airflow and the plenum air temperature. The estimated AIR airflow is useful for managing the air/fuel ratio in the engine exhaust system and enhancing the reliability of AIR diagnostics.

Abstract: An electrical female terminal is provided of two piece construction comprising an outer body and an inner body. The outer body has a forward shield portion and rearward conduction attaching portion. The inner body has a forward receptacle portion and a rearward conduction contacting portion enabling current to flow from a mating terminal to an attached electrical cable via the inner body. The receptacle portion includes resilient contact arms. The shield portion of the outer body surrounds the receptacle portion. The shield portion includes back-up spring members that enable the receptacle portion to maintain a normal force on a mating terminal even if the contact arms relax.

Abstract: One method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having an outward fold. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet with the fold contacting one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the outward fold and a second electrode in contact with the one side of the tubesheet. Another method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having a tube end. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the first tube end and a second electrode is positioned in contact with one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. The first electrode is moved against the first tube end to create an outward fold with the outward fold contacting the one side of the tubesheet.

Abstract: An illuminated indicator is disclosed. The illuminated indicator includes graphics disposed on a rear surface of a lightpipe and a housing that supports the rear surface of lightpipe. The housing defines an outer perimeter light channel. The illuminated indicator also includes a plurality of light sources that are disposed about the outer perimeter light channel. The outer perimeter light channel directs light from the plurality of light sources to an outer perimeter edge of the lightpipe to evenly illuminate the graphics.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring an eye to determine eye closure. The system includes a video imaging camera oriented to generate images of an eye. The system also includes a video processor for processing the images generated with the video imaging camera. The processor includes an edge detector for detecting edges of the eye in the image and a line selector for generating substantially horizontal first and second lines representative of the detected edges. The processor determines the state of eye closure, such as eye open or eye closed, based on distance between the first and second lines. The system may be employed on a vehicle to determine the eye closure of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A solenoid-type fuel injector assembly having at least one component formed of stabilized, solenoid-quality ferritic stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, an austenitic fuel tube is laser-welded to an injector body and to a solenoid pole piece formed of the subject material. The stabilized, solenoid-quality ferritic stainless steel, preferably a free-machining grade thereof, comprises from about 10% to about 35% chromium, and at least one stabilizing element selected from the group consisting of titanium and columbium. Components thus formed are weldable, exhibit soft magnetic properties sufficiently strong for carrying a magnetic flux in a solenoid pole piece, have desired structural and mechanical properties, and reduce the susceptibility of a solenoid-type fuel injector to metallurgical sensitization and intergranular corrosive attack at weld sites.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring an eye to determine eye closure. The system includes a video imaging camera oriented to generate images of an eye, and a video processor for processing the images. The processor includes an edge detector for detecting edges of the eye in the image, and a line selector for generating a plurality of lines at multiple angles representative of the detected edges. The processor determines the state of eye closure, such as eye open or eye closed, based on the number of lines at selected angles. The system may be employed on a vehicle to determine the eye closure of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A target wheel/rotor pre-assembly for a camshaft phaser. A phaser rotor includes a central bore. A target wheel axial extension having a plurality of barbs is entered into the bore to fix the target wheel to the rotor, both axially and rotationally, prior to assembly of the rotor into a phaser stator during manufacture of the phaser. Simple gauge blocks or a fixture can be used to index the target wheel to the rotor such that all such rotor/wheel subassemblies are substantially identical, to a high degree of precision. Alternatively, the axial extension may be formed without barbs, the extension inserted into the rotor bore, and then the extension immobilized as by stamping of the barbs, tack welding, or the like. For another example, the axial extension may be formed as a separate intermediate barbed retainer that engages both the rotor bore and the target wheel.

Abstract: A player for a media unit. The player includes a front plate formed of metal and having an opening configured to receive a media unit. The player also includes a cover mounted over the opening and having a slit. The slit is aligned with the opening and configured to allow the media unit to pass through the cover and enter the opening. The cover includes an electrical conductor that contacts the front plate and is in electrostatic communication with the slit. The conductor conducts electrostatic charge from the media unit to the front plate as the media unit passes through the slit. The media unit may be a CD, DVD, memory stick, minidisc or the like.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a camshaft phaser. A plug or a cap is provided with either a radially-sealing gasket seal or a face-sealing gasket seal, the seal being formed by insertion of the plug into a bore, or by installation of a cap over a neck formed in a cover plate. The closure is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart locking elements, and the plate is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending second locking elements in the form of fingers surrounding a central opening. During assembly, the closure is mated to the plate with the first locking elements interspersed with the second locking elements. The closure is rotated to bring the locking elements into locking engagement with each other, preventing counter-rotation of the closure. No threads or torque specifications are required.

Abstract: A catalyst for preferentially reducing carbon monoxide in a hydrogen stream. The catalyst is formed from a chemical composition including a hexaaluminate, a metal hydroxide and a precious metal. The composition may be disposed on a support or may be extruded or cast into or onto a support. Incorporation of hexaaluminates allows inclusion of metal hydroxides that flux the active precious metal surface at higher temperatures than can aluminum oxide-based catalytic compositions, thereby enhancing resistance of the catalyst and monolithic support and increasing the durability and thermal range of the PROX catalyst. An additional advantage is that lesser amounts of precious metal oxides need be deposited onto the hexaaluminate, while retaining activity similar to aluminum oxide compositions.

Abstract: An integrated patch antenna is disclosed. The integrated patch antenna receives at least a first and second band of signals. The integrated patch antenna includes a bottom metallization and first and second upper metallizations disposed about a dielectric material to receive the first and second signal bands. The first and second signal bands may be, for example, a satellite digital audio radio systems (SDARS) band and a global positioning system (GPS) band.

Abstract: An improved box-shaped female electrical connector featuring an optimized conductive (electrical and thermal) path, a spring contact insensitive to deformation, minimization of male blade insertion force, and maximization of contact force with the blade, all made possible by inclusion of the following structural aspects: an optimized conductive path, a spring contact carried by a dual spring contact member operative interfaced with an over stress abutment, a spring contact shield at the mouth of the electrical connector, and a basal contact, disposed opposite the spring contact, which is part of the direct conductive path of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A method for generatig a fault tolerant sensor signal for a motor control system in a vehicle steering system. The method includes receiving at least three sensor signals indicative of a sensed parameter and generating a plurality of parameter pair signals responsive to the at least one sensor signal of the at least three sensor signals. Additionally, the method includes selecting one parameter pair signal of the plurality of parameter pair signals and generating a measured parameter signal responsive to the selecting.

Abstract: A ring out system including a ring out holder and an electrical connector to be tested therewith. The holder has a plurality of ring out pins which are received into openings at the floor of each terminal passage of the connector, wherein continuity is impossible unless the terminals are properly at their locked position. For final ring out, a plurality of stabilizer pins of the holder enter stabilizer pin openings of the connector to provide terminal position stability during testing.

Abstract: A machine for terminating electric cable has a feeding segment that is decoupled from a terminating segment. The feeding segment has two feeders on which electric cable is wound. A length of cable is paid off one feeder and cut to length while another length of cable that has been paid off another feeder and cut to length is terminated at least at one end of the cable. A process for terminating electric cable provides a cable feed comprising a plurality of feeders and pays off a length of cable from one feeder of the cable feed while another length of cable that has been paid off another feeder of the cable feed is terminated at least at one end of the another length of cable. Alternatively lengths of cable are paid off two feeders and accumulated in a buffer segment associated with a feeding segment and a terminating segment. In an alternative process several lengths of cable are cut off and accumulated in a buffer while several other lengths of cable are being terminated.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a blind-zone sensing system including leading and trailing passive IR sensors periodically determines a separation distance between coverage areas of the leading and trailing sensors to diagnose sensor alignment. Signals produced by the leading and trailing sensors are sampled and stored over a defined interval of time for processing. A condition in which the sensor coverage areas abruptly encounter a stationary region of cooler temperature is detected when corresponding signal deflections are identified. The elapsed time between the identified signal deflections is measured and used along with an accurate measure of the vehicle speed to compute the separation distance between coverage areas of the leading and trailing sensors.

Abstract: A linear accelerometer is provided having a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. Adjacent capacitive plates vary in height. The accelerometer further includes support tethers for supporting the inertial mass and allowing movement of the inertial mass upon experiencing a linear acceleration along a sensing axis. The accelerometer has inputs and an output for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of both magnitude and direction of vertical acceleration along the sensing Z-axis. A microsensor fabrication process is also provided which employs a top side mask and etch module.

Abstract: An additives package for use in an MR fluid formulation is provided, as well as an MR fluid formulation containing the additives package. In one embodiment, the additives package comprises an organomolybdenum dithiocarbamate, an ashless dithiocarbamate, and a triazole compound, such as a tolutriazole compound. In another embodiment, the additives package may further include an aminic antioxidant, such as an alkylated diphenylamine. In another embodiment, the additives package is free of an organomolybdate ester. In another embodiment, the additives package consists of the organomolybdenum dithiocarbamate, the ashless dithiocarbamate, the triazole compound, and optionally the aminic antioxidant. In addition to the additives package, the magnetorheological fluid formulation comprises magnetizable particles, a carrier fluid, and a thickening agent.