Patents Assigned to Delphi Technologies
  • Fuel rail damping device
    Patent number: 6871635
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Curran, Michael A. Bradley, Charles W. Braun, Peter E. Bartell, Kern E. Haynes
  • Seat restraint buckle and tension sensing assembly
    Patent number: 6868745
    Abstract: A seat restraint buckle and tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a buckle assembly having a housing for receiving a portion of a latch plate of the seat restraint system. The buckle assembly senses latching of the latch plate. The seat restraint buckle and tension sensing assembly also includes a tension sensing assembly disposed in the housing and cooperating with belt webbing of the seat restraint system for sensing a tension level in the seat restraint system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart S. Sullivan, Phillip E. Kaltenbacher, II, James F. Patterson, Morgan D. Murphy
  • Frameless variable valve actuation mechanism
    Patent number: 6868811
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation mechanism includes a control shaft and a rocker arm. A second end of the rocker arm is connected to the control shaft. The rocker arm carries a roller for engaging a cam lobe of an engine camshaft. A link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the first end of the rocker arm. An output cam is pivotally coupled to the second end of the link arm, and engages a corresponding cam follower of the engine. A spring biases the roller into contact with the cam lobe and biases the output cam toward a starting angular orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuat Koro, Ronald J. Pierik, Thomas H. Fischer
  • Method for starting a fast light-off catalytic fuel reformer
    Patent number: 6869456
    Abstract: A method for starting a fast light-off catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate fuel from hydrocarbon fuel and air, the reformer having means for receiving flows of fuel and air, a reforming catalyst for reforming the fuel and air mixture, and an ignition device. A control system selects fuel and air flow rates to form a lean fuel/air mixture and operates the ignition device to ignite the lean mixture to produce hot exhaust gases that flow over and heat the reforming catalyst for a first length of time. Fuel flow is then stopped temporarily for a second length of time, and further ignition is terminated. Fuel flow is then restarted and adjusted to provide a rich fuel/air mixture which is directed to the heated catalyst for reforming into reformate fuel. Air flow may also be adjusted in setting the lean and/or rich fuel/air mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Salemi, Jonathon R. Bennett, Richard Nashburn, John Kirwan, Ather A. Quader, James M. Haller
  • Apparatus and method for controlling an inflatable cushion
    Patent number: 6869103
    Abstract: An airbag module, having a housing; an inflatable cushion being stored in an un-deployed position in the housing; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion; a tension device; a tether element being secured to the inflatable cushion at one end and the tension device at the other; the tension device applies tension to the tether after the inflatable cushion is inflated to a first configuration by the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn G. Ryan, Steven A. Damian
  • Electrical connector having improved elastomeric contact pressure pad
    Patent number: 6869291
    Abstract: A high-density electrical connector includes a rigid member having an array of electrical contact pads, a clamp housing attached to the rigid member, and a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit has a back surface, a front surface and a contact portion having a matching array of electrical contacts protruding outwardly of the front surface of the flexible printed circuit. The contact portion is disposed between the clamp housing and the rigid member and an elastomeric contact pressure pad is disposed between the clamp housing and the flexible printed circuit pressing each of the protruding electrical contacts into one of the electrical contact pads. The elastomeric pad is shaped and resiliently deformed by the clamp housing to provide a substantially uniform contact pressure to the array of electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Jose Norland, Israel V. Castaneda, Blake F. Woith
  • Bearing configuration and method for reducing noise in a bearing
    Patent number: 6868749
    Abstract: A bearing configuration in which a shaft is supported by a first and second bearings, the second bearing being spaced from the first bearing. The first bearing and said second bearing are supported by a corresponding first bore and second bore in a shaft housing, a first axis being coincident with an axis of the first bore and a second axis being coincident with an axis of the second bore. The first axis and the second axis are purposefully offset from one another a sufficient distance to substantially eliminate internal clearance within the first bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Cashatt, Alexander J. Murray
  • Seat restraint tensioner
    Patent number: 6866296
    Abstract: A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is operatively connected to a seat restraint of the seat restraint system. The seat restraint tensioner also includes a movable mechanism connected to the second end of the cable to apply a force for tightening the seat restraint when activated. The seat restraint tensioner further includes a rotatable cam cooperating with the cable to generate a clamping force toward the seat restraint to clamp the cable between the cam and a clamping surface to prevent reverse travel of the cable after tightening the seat restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Webber, David G. Hlavaty
  • Anti-rotation guide for a deactivation hydraulic valve lifter
    Patent number: 6866014
    Abstract: An anti-rotation guide for a deactivation hydraulic valve lifter for an internal combustion engine. The guide includes a through bore accommodating of a hydraulic valve lifter and is sized such that the outer end of the lifter may be inserted into the through bore of the guide. The guide is securable to the engine such that the lifter is reciprocable within the guide. The guide is provided with two opposing keepers for mating with corresponding flats on the lifter to prevent rotation of the lifter. Further, a keyway means is provided in the guide and lifter to prevent the lifter being inserted into the guide 180° from the correct orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Spath
  • Piston damper assembly, and dust tube subassembly, having a velocity sensor
    Patent number: 6866127
    Abstract: A piston damper assembly includes a piston damper and a relative velocity sensor. The piston damper includes a damper body, a piston rod, and a dust tube which is attached to the piston rod. The relative velocity sensor includes an axially extending first magnet supported by the dust tube, a flux collector, and a first sensor coil. The flux collector is supported by the dust tube, includes an axially-extending first prong in axially-extending contact with the first magnet, includes an axially-extending second prong, and includes a joining member connecting the first and second prongs. The first sensor coil surrounds the joining member and/or one of the first and second prongs. A piston-damper dust tube subassembly includes the dust tube and the relative velocity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Nehl, Fang Deng
  • Low leak pressure control actuator
    Patent number: 6866063
    Abstract: A low leak pressure control actuator for, e.g., controlling pressure in an automatic transmission system, includes a poppet and a check ball slidably disposed within a housing. The poppet and check ball are movable between a de-energized configuration, plural partially energized configurations, and a fully energized configuration. In the de-energized configuration, the poppet and check ball prohibit all flow to and from the supply port and permit flow between the control port and the exhaust port. In the partially energized configurations, the poppet and check ball permit flow to and from all of the ports, and incremental changes in the internal displacement of the poppet produce incremental changes in a control pressure. In the fully energized configuration flow, the poppet and check ball prohibit all flow to the exhaust port and permit fluid flow between the supply port and the control port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Miguel I. Avila
  • Vacuum management system for engine with variable valve lift
    Patent number: 6866020
    Abstract: A vacuum management system for an engine with variable valve lift includes a vacuum control valve at the entrance to the intake manifold to increase vacuum within the manifold as needed and preferably only when it can be done without impairing fuel economy or engine performance. Vacuum may then be used for any of various vacuum-assisted devices and functions, for example, boosting a vehicle braking system. The numerical relationships among important operating parameters are determined in a laboratory, and a programmable engine control module (ECM} is provided with algorithms and tables of such values by which the ECM is able to vary valve lift and vacuum control valve position to provide optimum flow across the intake valves and optimum manifold vacuum under all engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Allston, James F. Burkhard
  • Method for measuring high frequency resistance in diesel engine lubrication oil
    Patent number: 6867603
    Abstract: Soot content in Diesel engine lubrication oil is determined using electrical resistance measurements of the oil at high frequency. A sensor in the form of a capacitor is immersed in the oil, wherein the oil serves as a dielectric between the plates. The capacitance and resistance between the plates change as a function of engine oil condition. An inductor is placed in series with the sensor, and high frequencies are sweeped over a range to find resonance where the capacitive and inductive reactances cancel. At this frequency, the resistance of the oil is measured and the condition of the oil thereby determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Baxter Nicholson, Yingjie Lin, Larry M. Oberdier, Joseph Pierre Heremans
  • Cap assembly for sealing system and method of assembling same
    Publication number: 20050050970
    Abstract: A cap assembly (10) is used during the assembly of a sensor (22) that is to be mounted to a support (30). The support (30) will eventually be mounted to a structure (16) that will hold a fluid therein. Epoxy (56) holds the sensor (22) to the support (30). The cap assembly (46) includes a body (48) having a predetermined length and a shape matching the shape of the support (30). This allows the body (48) to be removably securable to the support (30). The cap assembly (46) also includes an end plate (50) covering the body (48) to prevent epoxy (56) from flowing passed the cap assembly (46). The cap assembly (46) also includes a handle (52) for removing the cap assembly (46) from the support (30) when the epoxy (56) has cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel Palfenier, Manuel Quintana, Clemente Marquez
  • Stator winding pattern for reduced magnetic noise
    Patent number: 6864667
    Abstract: An electrical generator having a stator, a rotor, two windings, and a rectifying circuit. The stator has a first winding arranged in a wye configuration and a second winding arranged in a delta configuration. The wye winding is wound in a full pitch pattern around three stator teeth while the delta winding is wound in a short pitch pattern around two stator teeth, or vice versa. The wye and delta windings are connected to a single bridge rectifying circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Joseph Buening, Ronald John Krefta
  • Vacuum system for engine with variable valve lift
    Patent number: 6863048
    Abstract: A vacuum system for an engine with variable valve lift includes a controllable vacuum-forming valve at the entrance to the intake manifold and a programmable engine control module (ECM) to increase vacuum as desired within the manifold by modulating the valve as needed to optimize fuel economy. To provide vacuum brake assist, a brake booster diaphragm is connected conventionally to the manifold and a vacuum storage tank and check valve are disposed between the booster diaphragm and the manifold. During periods of vehicle deceleration, when engine load is low, the ECM may switch the VVL-controlled intake valves to a higher lift to increase the pumping capacity of the engine, while simultaneously partially closing the vacuum-forming valve to create vacuum in the intake manifold, the brake booster, and the vacuum storage tank at little or no expense to engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Burkhard, Brian K. Allston, John S. Lylak, Jr.
  • Automatic defog control method for a vehicle climate control system
    Patent number: 6862893
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control develops a fog factor signal based on a water vapor mass flow between the windglass and the air in the vehicle cabin, and uses the index to override the normal control settings. The potential for windglass fogging is characterized as a vapor concentration differential, normalized to form a dimensionless indication of fog potential, and fog potential values within a calibrated range are applied to a variable path function for transitioning between normal climate control and full defog control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mingyu Wang
  • Anti-rotation terminal connection assembly
    Patent number: 6864015
    Abstract: An anti-rotation terminal connection assembly wherein the stud, nut and terminal components thereof are co-configured so as to prevent rotation of the terminal as the nut is threaded onto the stud. The nut is provided with a central recess defined by an annular lip so that the nut tightens only against the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Peterson, Anthony Quagliato
  • Alkaline earth / rare earth lean NOx catalyst
    Patent number: 6864213
    Abstract: A catalyst for treating an exhaust gas stream comprising a NOx occluding catalyst structure having an outer layer comprising an alkaline earth component and a rare earth component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. LaBarge, Mark Hemingway, Joachim Kupe, Galen B. Fisher
  • Actuator controller for selecting a communication language
    Patent number: 6864788
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an actuator controller for use in an actuator assembly. The actuator controller includes a processor for controlling an actuator associated with the actuator controller. A communication device is in communication with the processor. The communication device receives control commands from a master controller and is capable of communicating in multiple languages. A memory is accessible by the processor and the processor determines the language of the control commands and retrieves a control program from the memory corresponding to the language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Crawford, Joyce D. Carsey, Thomas E. Gyoergy