Abstract: An emissions control canister including an insert having an elongate well and flange. The insert extends into a chamber such that a carbon adsorption column is a hollow cylinder around the insert. After vapors flow through the column of adsorbent, flow is directed through holes in the flange and out through an atmosphere port. The flow path through the hollow cylinder has an increased L/D ratio and improves emission performance. In a second embodiment, a cylindrical tube surrounds the exit port and extends into the insert, forcing vapor flow along a tortuous path between the cylindrical wall and the insert. In a third embodiment, a final scrubber is added inside the tube.

Abstract: A tubeless actuator includes a frame in which a primary plate and a secondary plate are disposed. A bobbin is disposed within the frame between the primary plate and the secondary plate. The bobbin is keyed to the secondary plate in order to maintain the alignment between the bobbin and the secondary plate. Moreover, the plunger slides in direct contact with the bobbin.

Abstract: A very small fixed current is passed through the coil of a solenoid during use thereof when the solenoid is in its “off” state of cyclic PWM command, the fixed current being less than the current required to actuate the solenoid to the “on” position. While the current is flowing through the coil, the voltage across the coil is measured. The resistance of the coil is calculated according to Ohm's Law. When the actual resistance is known, the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid may be altered to compensate for the resistance deviation from nominal. This allows, for example, fuel injectors for internal combustion engines to deliver the correct amount of fuel under all operating conditions.

Abstract: A self testing CMOS imager chip includes a controller which outputs a sewer signal, a dump signal, a collect signal, and a read signal, and a pixel array connected to the controller including a plurality of pixels arranged in an array of rows and columns, each pixel having a collect gate disposed adjacent a collect well for receiving a charge in response to application of the collect signal to the collect gate, a sewer for injecting a charge into the collect well in response to the concurrent application of the sewer signal to the sewer and the collect signal to the collect well, a read gate disposed adjacent a read well for receiving the injected charge from the collect well in response to application of the read signal to the read gate and the absence of the collect signal at the collect gate, and a transistor having a gate coupled to the read well, a source for receiving the read signal, and a drain coupled to an output node connected to the controller.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly with a substrate having a laminate construction of ceramic layers, such as an LTCC ceramic substrate. The substrate is configured for the purpose of improving the thermal management of power circuit devices mounted to the substrate. Thermally-conductive vias extend through the substrate from a first surface thereof to a second surface thereof. A circuit device is mounted to the first surface of the substrate and is electrically interconnected to conductor lines of the substrate. The device is also thermally coupled to the thermally-conductive vias with a first solder material. A heat sink located adjacent the second surface of the substrate is bonded to the thermally-conductive vias with a second solder material, such that the first solder material, the thermally-conductive vias, and the second solder material define a thermal path from the device to the heat sink.

Abstract: A positive electrode plate-making process for a lead acid battery that produces an active material precursor comprising tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals with an average crystal width less than 20 ?m. The process includes mixing a lead and/or lead oxide powder and a paste additive with sulfuric acid to form a positive electrode paste composition, wherein the paste additive comprises ground tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals having an average particle size in the range of 1-20 ?m. The paste is then cured on a positive battery grid to form a positive electrode plate having the desired active material precursor containing tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals with an average crystal width less than 20 ?m. In an embodiment, curing is performed directly after applying the paste to the grid, with no intermediate steaming process.

Abstract: A pulse count accumulator includes a plurality of counters and a communication port. The plurality of counters are each coupled to a different one of a plurality of actuators and a value of each of the counters corresponds to a position of a corresponding one of the plurality of actuators. The communication port is in communication with the plurality of counters and provides the value of each of the plurality of counters to an external device through the communication port.

Abstract: Lane marker coordinate data obtained from a previous frame of a vehicle vision system is projected into the current video frame based on measured translation and rotation of the host vehicle. The projected lane marker coordinate data is consolidated with lane marker coordinate data from the current video frame for lane detection or display applications.

Abstract: A portable digital scale is foldable for ease of storage and transport. The scale includes a fluid-filled elastomeric bladder and electronic module disposed in a hard-sided case that is opened in use and folded to encase the bladder and electronic module during transport and storage. The electronic module includes a pressure sensor for detecting the fluid pressure in the bladder as a measure of the user's weight, and a user interface and digital display for displaying the weight and/or other parameters requested by the user. Preferably, the electronic module includes a memory device capable of storing multiple weight measurements and a data port for down-loading stored weight data to a personal computer or PDA for tracking weight variation of one or more users over time.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a position of an object is provided that may include a magnet having a set of magnetic flux properties, the magnet mounted for movement about an axis relative to the object and a magnetic field-sensing device mounted in fixed relation to and spaced from the magnet, the magnetic field-sensing device calibrated to sense a change in at least one magnetic flux property in response to movement of the magnet relative to the object and generate a data signal indicative of a position of the object. In one aspect the magnet is configured to have a substantially diamond shaped cross section and the magnetic field-sensing device is calibrated to sense a change in flux density distribution in response to a change in an air gap defined between an exterior surface of the magnet and the magnetic field-sensing device.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body and an electrical terminal. The connector body has a terminal receiving cavity that includes a lock nib that extends from a floor into the cavity. The terminal has a lock bar that engages the lock nib to retain the terminal in the terminal receiving cavity. The lock nib and lock bar are shaped to increase terminal retention.

Abstract: A device for filtration of gas-oil intended to supply a diesel engine comprises an electric heating unit which includes a casing internally defining a chamber for heating the gas-oil to be filtered, a filtration unit which includes a casing internally defining a chamber for filtration of the heated gas-oil, means for connecting the heating and filtration chambers and means for assembly of the casings of the heating and filtration units. The connection means include means for directly and tightly connecting the chambers of the said units. The assembly means include means for detachable fixing of the casing of one of the heating and filtration units to the casing of the other of the said units, and means for retention in translation of one of the units relative to the other.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring performance of an internal combustion engine equipped with individually actuated valve control mechanisms, such as a two-step finger-follower rocker-arm assembly, using a strategy that identifies cylinder-to-cylinder variations, is disclosed. The method and system preferably include monitoring engine operating conditions, based upon input from an exhaust gas sensor and engine sensors, and determining an engine operating point. Individual cylinder fueling modifiers are determined, each corresponding to one of the cylinders at the determined engine operating point, based upon input from the exhaust gas sensor. It is determined that the each individually actuated valve control mechanism is operating properly when a difference between the individual cylinder fueling modifier and a predetermined individual cylinder fueling modifier, each said modifier determined for the corresponding cylinder at the determined engine operating point, is less than a predetermined difference.

Abstract: A parking brake system including at least one braking unit actuated by at least one cable, a cylinder having a piston chamber and a rod chamber, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and having a rod connected thereto, the rod extending through the rod chamber and operably connected to the cable, a pressurized fluid source connected to the piston chamber, and a valve for controlling the flow of the fluid to the piston chamber, wherein the piston and rod move through the cylinder when the fluid pressurizes the piston chamber, thereby actuating the braking unit.

Abstract: A sensor comprises: a pump cell comprising an inner pump electrode, an outer pump electrode, a pump cell electrolyte layer interposed between the inner pump electrode and the outer pump electrode and a cell isolation layer disposed on the inner pump electrode on a side opposite the pump cell electrolyte, wherein the outer electrode is in fluid communication with a reducing gas. A reference cell is in operable communication with the pump cell, the reference cell comprising an outer reference electrode and an inner reference electrode, and a reference cell electrolyte interposed between the outer reference electrode and the inner reference electrode.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a core formed of magnetically-permeable material extending along a main axis, a primary winding disposed about the core, a secondary winding disposed on a secondary winding spool wherein at least one of the secondary winding leads is connected to a high-voltage connector terminal configured for connection to a spark plug, a case formed of electrical insulating material, and a magnetically-permeable shield disposed inwardly of the case and allowed to electrically float with respect to ground and a power source.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control device is manufactured by sizing a housing of over a substrate and intumescent mat subsequently to heating said emission control device. The step of heating causes said intumescent mat to at least reach a temperature at which it swells. If the substrate has a washcoat layer, it may be left unfired until after it is assembled with the housing, in which case the step of heating causes the washcoat layer to sinter.

Abstract: A casing for a heat exchange system defines a blower compartment (18), an evaporator compartment (20), and a diffuser (22). The diffuser (22) defines an exit (28) and an entry area in a cutoff plane (30). A vane wall (38) curves inwardly from the diffuser (22) and includes a plurality of parallel vanes (46), (48), (50), and (52). The plurality of vanes (46), (48), (50), and (52) include a first vane (46) and a second vane (48).

Abstract: A fuel pump for supplying fuel at high fuel pressures includes a stationary body having a plurality of radial cylinders connecting with a central fuel chamber. Inlet and outlet passages communicate with the fuel chamber. Plungers are reciprocated in the cylinders by cam followers reciprocable in follower recesses of the body. A rotary internal cam engages the cam followers and is configured to reciprocate the plungers in timed relation to sequentially draw fuel from the inlet passage into the central fuel chamber and alternately force fuel from the central fuel chamber to the outlet passage in response to rotation of the rotary cam. A preferred embodiment includes paired smaller and larger diameter cylinders and pistons which are sequentially actuated in overlapping fashion to minimize pulsing of the pressurized fuel discharged from the pump into associated engine fuel lines.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an operational state of a variable valve lift (VVL) device in an engine, wherein the VVL device is capable of operating in two modes of operation. The method includes measuring a rotational speed of an engine crankshaft while the engine is running or cranking, correlating the measured crankshaft speed with an estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque, comparing the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque with an expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values for the two modes of operation for the VVL device, determining if the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque falls within the expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values, and activating an alert if the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque falls outside the expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values to provide notification that the VVL device is operating in an improper mode of operation.