Abstract: The invention concerns an electrical terminal element with a crimp section and a socket section which forms a receiving chamber for a plug and which has a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein in each case a locking projection is provided in the region of an insertion opening for the plug on opposed first side walls of the socket section. The invention further concerns a terminal element housing with at least one receiving chamber for receiving an electrical terminal element of this kind.

Abstract: A novel air flow control valve for an air outlet in an HVAC housing provides for strong, even seal pressure all the way around the edge of the opening. In stead of a swinging door hinged at one edge of the opening, in which seal pressure is strong on the hinge edge but weaker on the opposite edge, a flat panel is moved straight toward and away from the opening. In the closed position, the sealing pressure is even all the way around. The sealing panel is moved back and forth by a rotary cam mechanism.

Abstract: A filter-balun combination for filtering an RF input signal and balancing output RF signals is provided. The filter-balun combination is formed in a multi-layer planar substrate having multiple dielectric layers and multiple planar device layers having conducting material. The filter section includes first and second symmetrical inductors formed in the substrate. The inductors provide filtering for an input signal. The balun section includes a balun central transmission line connected to an output of the filter, and two output structures for providing the output from the filter-balun combination. The central transmission line follows a path through the substrate that includes first and second coil areas. The input line is sandwiched between upper and lower transmission lines in the first and second coil areas. The output of the filter-balun combination is a filtered, balanced signal at each of the two balun output structures.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine has a valve member moveable within a bore of a nozzle body, and a seating surface defining a seat cone angle the valve member including a first frustoconical valve region, a second frustoconical valve region, and an annular groove defining, in part, a delivery chamber in communication with at least one nozzle outlet. The annular groove is disposed intermediate the first and second valve regions such that a first seating line is defined at the mutual interface between the first valve region and the annular groove and is engageable with the seating surface to control delivery of fuel from a first supply chamber to the deliver chamber, and a second seating line is defined at the mutual interface between the second valve region and the annular groove and is engageable with the seating surface to control delivery from a second supply chamber to the delivery chamber.

Abstract: An internal pulse damper for use in a fuel rail for an internal combustion engine. The damper is formed from a length of tubular metal stock having a flat oval cross-section and ends flattened by crimping to form a captive-air pillow. The end crimps are improved through use of tooling to eliminate a creased sidewall area vulnerable to stress failure in prior art pulse dampers. Such tooling includes constraints to prevent the tubing sides from flaring out and forming a longitudinal crease adjacent the end crimp during squeezing-shut of the tube end.

Abstract: An axially actuated battery terminal post clamp in which a threaded fastener causes clamping action of a concave post seat onto the convex surface of a battery terminal post, and wherein the threaded fastener is oriented axially, that is, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the battery terminal post. A clamp body has a concave post seat defining a post seat axis, a first sidewall member and a second sidewall member. First and second U-shaped clips are interfaced with the first and second sidewall members and have guide holes, wherein at least one clip has tapered guide holes. A threaded fastener is oriented parallel to the post seat axis and has tapers which interact with the guide holes to cause the diameter of the post seat to decrease as the threaded fastener is actuated.

Abstract: The presence of a rear-facing infant seat on a motor vehicle seat is reliably and cost-effectively detected based on the buckle state and tension of the seat belt, and the position of the seat belt relative to the seat bight region where the seat bottom and back cushions meet. These seat belt parameters are measured and applied to a predefined decision matrix to detect the presence of a rear-facing infant seat.

Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injection apparatus (16) including at least one fuel injector (18), the fuel injection apparatus (16) being arranged to inject fuel at high pressure into an associated combustion space, and a primary supply line (11) through which fuel is supplied from a low pressure reservoir (10) to the fuel injection apparatus (16). The system also includes a return flow line (20) for a return flow of fuel from the fuel injection apparatus (16) to the low pressure reservoir (10), and a filter arrangement (32) including a primary filter (14) arranged within the primary supply line (11) for filtering contaminants in the fuel flow through the primary supply line (11) and a secondary filter (30) arranged within the return flow line (20) for filtering contaminants from the flow through the return flow line (20).

Abstract: The invention is a hemodialysis system in which at least one disposable sensor is combined with a dialysis circuit, in combination with an optional transceiver, to provide real-time or near-real-time patient data. Sensors for any or all of blood pressure, conductivity, temperature, oxygenation, sodium levels, calcium levels, phosphorus levels, urea levels, potassium levels, without limitation, may be included in the blood circuit. Preferably, the sensors are MEMS or ISFET sensors and are positioned in the overall system upstream of, or within the upstream portion of, the dialyzer.

Abstract: A steering column assembly (18) of the type for controlling one or more steerable wheels in a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel (14) interface secured to the free end of a steering column (20). The steering column assembly (18) includes powered telescope adjust and tilt adjust features which a driver (16) uses to adjust the position of the steering wheel (14) for maximum comfort. One or more condition sensors (48) monitor numerous parameters about the vehicle. When an emergency condition is detected, such as the seat belt warning, a door that is ajar, various engine conditions, or erratic driving activity, a haptic controller (50) rapidly vibrates the steering wheel (14) through the telescoping and tilt adjusting motors (32, 40) as a means of alerting the driver (16) to the emergency condition.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine has a nozzle body (36) provided with a nozzle bore (42), an inner valve (16) which is engageable with an inner valve seating (48) to control fuel delivery through one or more first nozzle outlets (38), and an outer valve (18) which is received within the nozzle bore (42) and engageable with an outer valve seating (48) to control fuel delivery through one or more second nozzle outlets (40). An actuator (14) for controlling movement of the inner and outer valves (16, 18) transmits an actuation force to the valves (16, 18) so as to permit either movement of the inner valve (16) only to provide a first injection state in which fuel is delivered through only the or each of the first outlets (38), or movement of the outer valve (18) only to provide a second injection state in which fuel is delivered through only the or each of the second outlets (40).

Abstract: A rollover detection apparatus and method are provided for anticipating a potential vehicle rollover event. The apparatus includes an input for receiving a plurality of input signals including sensed parameters of the vehicle. A first memory buffer stores data representative of one or more predetermined driving scenarios that represent possible rollover scenarios. A second memory buffer stores data representative of a history of recent conditions of the vehicle based on the plurality of sensed vehicle parameters. The apparatus further includes a processor for comparing the data representative of a history of recent driving events to the data representative of one or more predetermined driving scenarios. The processor further determines a possible rollover event of the vehicle based on the comparison and generates an output signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein an evaporative emission treatment device comprising: a housing; and an adsorption member disposed in the housing, the adsorption member comprising an adsorption component comprising an activated carbon textile made from a novoloid precursor.

Abstract: A process for making a microelectromechanical device having a moveable component defined by a gap pattern in a semiconductor layer of a silicon-on-insulator wafer involves the use of a plurality of deep reactive ion etching steps at various etch depths that are used to allow a buried oxide layer of the silicon-on-insulator wafer to be exposed in selected areas before the entire moveable component of the resulting device is freed for movement. This method allows wet release techniques to be used to remove the buried oxide layer without developing stiction problems. This is achieved by utilizing deep reactive ion etching to free the moveable component after a selected portion of the buried oxide layer has been removed by wet etching.

Abstract: A method of main reformer startup is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a first supply of fuel and a first supply of air into a micro-reformer. The first supply of fuel is increased to produce a heated reformate in the micro-reformer. The heated reformate is directed through a main reformer in order to heat the main reformer. At least a portion of the heated reformate is burned in the main reformer. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air is introduced into the main reformer to produce a main supply of reformate. A method for maintaining a vehicle device in standby condition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the front suspension containing elastic (14) and damping (11) elements, for vehicles with front steerable wheel, such as bicycles, motor-bicycles, motorcycles or tricycles. To minimise the total mass of the unsprung suspension elements, by relocating the elastic and the damping elements to the springing side, the suspension contains at least one cable (10) connected at one end to the upper part of the front wheel fork (1), able to shift in relation to the fork column (6) of the handle bar (7), and at the other end to the elastic element (14) and/or the damping element (11), supported on at least one end by the vehicle frame (8), wherein the cable (10) goes through the handle bar (7) steering axis. The cable (10) is preferably led on at least one leading element (16) supported by the vehicle frame. Optionally, the cable (10) may be connected on the other end to the fork (18) of the vehicle rear suspension.

Abstract: An electronic throttle control having a piezo actuator that, when energized, will deliver a force to the throttle gear sufficient to free it from a stuck condition.

Abstract: A bearing module for a pintle valve including a pintle bearing, bearing spring, and two-part housing. The bearing has an axial face for sealing against an inner axial surface of the housing. The bearing diameter is less than the diameter of the housing, permitting the bearing to float radially. The housing fits into a port in the valve body and also extends over an axial surface of the body, thus forming a seal against the wall of the port and the surface of the body. The bearing spring, preferably a wave washer, is compressed within the housing as the two housing parts are assembled to form the module. In a currently preferred embodiment, the housing further comprises a coking shield extending along the surface of the pintle shaft within the valve port to reduce the tendency for coking gases to enter the bearing module.

Abstract: A ferrule for a light guide comprises a continuous metal sleeve which has a first tubular section and, at an axial spacing therefrom, a coaxial second tubular section which are connected to one another via an intermediate section, and a first plastic molded part formed around the free end of the first tubular section and a second plastic molded part which is provided at an axial spacing therefrom and which is formed around the ends of the two tubular sections adjacent to the intermediate section and around the intermediate section.

Abstract: A universal anchor for a vehicle, comprising: a magnet being fixedly secured to an anchor portion defining an opening; a flux deflector movably mounted to the anchor for movement in a range defined by a first position and a second position, the flux deflector effectively blocking said opening when said flux deflector is in said first position; a magnet fixedly secured to the anchor; a sensing switch configured to detect the magnetic field of the magnet, wherein the magnetic field is increased as the flux deflector moves from the first position towards the second position, the sensing switch providing a detectable signal when the magnetic field is increased.