Abstract: The invention provides a magnetorheological piston and damper assembly. The piston includes a piston body including at least one bypass port and an annular gap formed therein. The bypass port is in fluid communication with the annular gap. The bypass port includes a longitudinal portion extending substantially parallel to a piston longitudinal axis, and a bend portion extending substantially away from the longitudinal axis. The annular gap is spaced apart from the longitudinal portion and extends substantially parallel to the piston longitudinal axis. During operation, fluid flows through the bypass port and annular gap. The damper assembly includes a rod and a housing including the fluid carried therein. The piston is slidably carried in the housing and operably attached to the rod.

Abstract: A wireless local area network communication system for a vehicle to provide a voice and/or data connection from a wireless wide area network to a wireless local area network and on to a vehicle wired bus is disclosed. The communication system includes a wireless electronic communication device disposed in or in proximity to the vehicle for communication with the wireless wide area network, a wireless local area network unit disposed in the vehicle in such a manner as to communicate with the wireless electronic communication device and with a wired vehicle bus disposed within the vehicle, and a plurality of electronic devices disposed in or in proximity to the vehicle and in communication with the local area network unit or the wireless electronic communication device.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) includes a central processing unit (CPU), a non-volatile memory bank, a volatile memory bank and a state machine. The state machine is in communication with the CPU and functions to selectively capture information available on an internal bus of the CPU on a cycle-by-cycle basis and store the captured information in the volatile memory, which is also coupled to the CPU.

Abstract: A 3/2 normally closed module includes a main body, a housing and a magnetically energizable coil. The main body includes a bore, an armature and a rod. The housing includes first and second valve seats and is configured to receive a first and second ball. The housing also includes a first, a second and a third port. When the module is in an energized state, current flows through the coil, generating a magnetic field. The magnetic field forces the armature against the rod, which in turn, forces the first ball to engage the first valve seat. As the first ball engages the first valve seat, the first ball forces the second ball to disengage from the second valve seat. As a result, a fluid flow path is created between the first and second ports. When the module is in a de-energized state, a spring, disposed between the main body and the second ball, forces the second ball to engage with the second valve seat.

Abstract: A method for resistance welding/brazing a tube to a container. A tube is obtained having an axially-extending first portion and a tube form which extends transversely from the first portion. A container is obtained having an orifice. A support tool is obtained with an expandable head. The tube form is positioned proximate the outer surface of the container and surrounding the orifice. The unexpanded head of the support tool is passed through the orifice of the container. The head of the support tool is expanded inside the container. The inner surface of the container is supported with the expanded head of the support tool. A resistance current path is created through the tube form and the container creating a weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the tube form and at least some of the container.

Abstract: A solenoid-actuated pintle valve assembly having a pintle shaft extending from a metering base sub-assembly into a solenoid actuator sub-assembly, the pintle shaft being equipped with a radially-extending fixed shield outside the metering base sub-assembly. The shield moves axially with the pintle during valve actuation and is located on the shaft so that when the pintle is in the valve-closed position, the shield cooperates with the pintle bushing to form an effective impedance to gas leakage from the metering base sub-assembly along the pintle shaft. When the valve is in the fully open position at the opposite extreme of pintle travel, the shield cooperates with an armature shield in the actuator to prevent entrance of gases into the solenoid. The invention is especially useful for exhaust gas recirculation valves on internal combustion engines.

Abstract: Method for providing current regulation and a current controller (10) for an electric machine (30) are provided. The method includes receiving a state vector time signal (36) indicative of a time interval when a switching state vector is activated and comparing the received state vector time signal to a commanded state vector time signal (38). The method further includes using the result of the comparison to regulate a direct axis current signal (42, 44) input to an electric machine controller. The current controller (10) includes a state vector error comparator for comparing a received state vector time signal to a commanded state vector time signal and generating a state vector time error. This error is processed by a PI controller, coupled to the state vector error comparator, for providing a direct axis current signal output responsive to the state vector time error to an electric machine.

Abstract: A condenser (10) with a return header tank (14) has a receiver tank (22) physically attached along side a return header tank (14). The bottom of receiver tank (22) is closed by an end cap (42) that is attached during the single, high temperature braze process that forms the entire condenser. The desiccant cartridge assembly (24) of the invention has components of a material and design that allow it to be installed within tank (22) before the end cap (42) is attached during the braze process, with no subsequent steps.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system master cylinder that can handle pressure pulses within the brake fluid of a vehicle braking system without the destruction of components internal to a master cylinder. A vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for component subassembly external to the master cylinder and is self-aligning when assembled. Finally, a vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for variable travel of the primary piston and the secondary piston within the master cylinder and greater fluid flow in the vehicle braking system.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, apparatus for and method of eye tracking, including, in sequence, the steps of: viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of the person to identify or not the said person; if the person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of the person based on said predetermined facial features; using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person. If the person is not identified, an ocular profile is created.

Abstract: An electrical clip connector has a terminal clip which is electrically mated to a ground stud by hand. The terminal clip is protected by an erogonomically friendly housing which supports the functional requirements of the terminal clip. The housing has a hoop portion which defines a through hole orientated concentrically to a bore defined by a resilient barrel segment of the terminal clip. Communicating transversely with the rough hole is a channel carried by a first portion of the housing which encases a first arm of the terminal clip engaged to a circumferential first end of the barrel segment. A second or activation arm of the terminal clip extends from an opposite end of the barrel segment and crosses over the first arm so that compression of the arms toward one-another causes the loop segment to enlarge for receipt of the ground stud. The second arm is encased by a second portion of the housing which is preferably hinged to the first portion near the hoop portion.

Abstract: A new kinetic spray process is disclosed that enables the coating to withstand severe bending and stress without delamination. The method includes use of a low pressure kinetic spray supersonic nozzle having a throat located between a converging region and a diverging region. A main gas temperature is raised to from 1000 to 1300 degrees Fahrenheit and the coating particles are directly injected into the diverging region of the nozzle at a point after the throat. The particles are entrained in the flow of the gas and accelerated to a velocity sufficient to result in partial melting of the particles upon impact on a substrate positioned opposite the nozzle and adherence of the particles to the substrate. The coating also has a desirable shinny surface. The method finds special application in coating substrates for use in formation of electrical connections.

Abstract: A variable force actuator with a double needle poppet assembly includes a housing in which a first poppet and a second poppet are slidably disposed. The second poppet fits within the first poppet, and both poppets move when a nearby coil is energized to establish, in combination, a fluid flow configuration in response to the amount of energy applied to the coil.

Abstract: A two-piece electromagnetic shield includes an electrically conductive first cover and an electrically conductive second cover. The first cover has a plurality of mating protrusions approximate a lower edge of the first cover. The second cover has a plurality of mating recesses approximate a lower edge of the second cover, which each receive one of the mating protrusions of the first cover to interlock the first and second covers. The mating protrusions are formed on different first mating arms that extend from the lower edge of the first cover.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an engine coolant crossover assembly includes a crossover conduit member carrying an integral liquid cooled alternator and liquid cooled exhaust gas recirculation valve. The integration of one or both of these parts into the coolant crossover eliminates many parts from the total assembly. These parts include; attachment brackets, coolant hoses, hose clamps, cast mounting blocks, coolant tubes and attachment bolts. Reduction of these parts reduces system costs, assembly time, mass and potential coolant leak paths. A temperature sensor and a thermostat housing may also be included in the crossover assembly. The assembly may also be made part of an intake manifold for an integrated air fuel module of a V-type engine.

Abstract: An electronic assembly equipped with a heat-conductive structure, and to a method of conducting heat from a circuit device within such an assembly. The heat-conductive structure comprises an interconnect layer, a contact layer, and an electrically insulating layer between the interconnect and contact layers. The interconnect layer contacts circuit elements on the topside of the device, and comprises extensions that contact conductors on the substrate to which the device is attached. The interconnect and contact layers are both formed of thermally and electrically conductive materials, such that the heat-conductive structure electrically interconnects the topside of the device with the substrate and thermally interconnects the topside with a heat sink placed in contact with the contact layer. Because of the presence of the insulating layer, the heat sink does not interfere with the electrical connections provided by the interconnect layer.

Abstract: A tracking system and method of estimating position and velocity of an object are provided. The tracking system includes first and second sensors for sensing an object in first and second fields of view, respectively. The first and second fields of view partially overlap to provide an overlapping coverage zone. Each of the sensors measures range and range rate of the object. The system further includes a controller for estimating position and velocity of the object as a function of the measured range and range rate signals, without requiring sensing of the azimuth angle of the object.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic field of a magnetostrictive material disposed on a shaft, the torque sensing apparatus having: a first integrating ring; a second integrating ring; a first fluxgate return strip and a second fluxgate return strip each being connected to the first integrating ring at one end and the second integrating ring at the other end; an excitation coil; and a feedback coil; wherein the first integrating ring and the second integrating ring are configured to be positioned to pick up flux signals along the entire periphery of the ends of the magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensing angular position of an object is provided. The assembly may comprise at least one magneto-sensing magnet having a second axis of rotation. The assembly may further comprise a magnet having a second axis of rotation. At least one of the magnet and the magneto-sensing element are rotatable relative to the other. The respective axes of rotation of the magneto-sensing element and the magnet are non-coincident with respect to one another. The magnet is magnetized along one of the following directions: an axial direction and a radial direction.

Abstract: A fuel rail damper includes a hollow member having a first end and a second end, opposing first and second sides, a first face and a second face interconnecting and spacing apart the first and second sides, and a width. Each of the first and second ends are sealed in an air tight manner to thereby define a chamber in conjunction with the first and second sides and the first and second faces and wherein the widths of the ends do not substantially exceed the hollow member width.