Abstract: An eccentric-driven piston pump for a vehicle controlled braking system has a pump drive apparatus including a stub shaft having an eccentric journalled in a pump housing for self-supported rotation about a stub shaft axis by a first and a second rotating bearing disposed on opposite axial sides of the eccentric. The stub-shaft is operatively connected to the rotating drive shaft of a motor, and the eccentric is connected for imparting reciprocating motion to the pistons. A pair of thrust bearings including a counterweight for balancing the pump drive apparatus, are disposed on the stub shaft adjacent the eccentric at opposite axial ends thereof between the eccentric and first and second rotating bearings. The motor includes a spherical bearing for alignment of a motor drive shaft with the stub shaft, and a bushing for loosely supporting the drive shaft prior to attaching the drive shaft to the stub shaft.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling an electric caliper brake system. The method provides for receiving an ignition voltage signal, receiving a caliper position signal, sending a motor shut down signal, sending a back drive control signal based on the received ignition voltage signal and the caliper position signal, and releasing stored energy from a non-linear device to a caliper brake system motor responsive to the back drive control signal. The non-linear device may be implemented as a capacitor. The step of sending a back drive control signal based on the received ignition voltage and the capacitor position signal includes analyzing the ignition voltage signal for an ignition voltage failure, analyzing the caliper position signal for caliper engagement, and transmitting the back drive control signal responsive to the ignition voltage failure and caliper engagement. Ignition voltage failure occurs when the ignition voltage signal is a low value.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle automatic climate control methodology develops HVAC commands for transient phase operation independent of the HVAC commands calibrated for steady-state phase operation. At system activation, a transient phase indicator is initialized based on the cabin temperature and the set temperature, and thereafter updated to reflect progress toward steady-state phase operation. The steady-state HVAC commands are based on ambient conditions and the set temperature, and the HVAC commands at system activation are based on the steady-state commands and offsets based on the initial in-car temperature. A transient modifier based on the transient phase indicator brings the initial HVAC commands into correspondence with the steady-state HVAC commands as the cabin temperature approaches the set temperature.

Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a first electrode and a reference electrode with an electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein the first electrode and said reference electrode are in ionic conmmunication, wherein the reference electrode has a surface on a side of the reference electrode opposite the electrolyte and the surface has a surface area. The gas sensor also comprises a reference gas channel in fluid communication with the reference electrode, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the reference electrode physically contacts at least a portion of the reference gas channel, and wherein the portion of the reference electrode in physical contact with the reference gas channel is less than about 90% of the surface area.

Abstract: A pass through seat restraint tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for allowing belt webbing of the seat restraint system to pass therethrough. The pass through seat restraint tension sensing assembly also includes at least one spring disposed in the housing and at least one magnet disposed in the housing. The pass through seat restraint tension sensing assembly includes a Hall effect sensor disposed in the housing and cooperable with the at least one magnet. The pass through seat restraint tension sensing assembly further includes a movable actuator disposed in the housing and cooperable with the belt webbing and the at least one spring to move the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.

Abstract: The presence of sufficient condensate flow for odor-free operation of an air conditioning system is detected based on the surface temperature of a thermistor disposed in a condensate drainpipe of the evaporator and the power supplied to the thermistor. The surface temperature is used to calculate the temperatures of stagnant circumambient air and water. If the temperature for stagnant air is approximately equal to the evaporator temperature, the evaporator is too dry and the operating point of the air conditioning system is lowered to reduce the surface temperature of the evaporator. If the temperature for stagnant water is approximately equal to the evaporator temperature, the drainpipe is plugged. Alternately, a constant power is supplied to the thermistor, and its surface temperature is compared to a set of experimentally determined reference temperatures to deduce the evaporator state.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma reactor and method provides individually retained reactor plates. The method comprises stacking an alternating sequence of positive and negative reactor plates to form a reactor stack, placing temporary spacers between the positive and negative reactor plates. In one embodiment, individually retained reactor plates are secured by folds of a ceramic insulating layer extending between plate pairs, with reactor plates secured by the stack retention material and the folds of the ceramic insulting layer. In a second embodiment, individually retained reactor plates are secured with a permanent pleated insulting mica separator disposed on each side of the reactor. In a third embodiment, a retention material extends slightly into the exhaust gas passage at each side of the stack supplying permanent support for the stacked plates.

Abstract: A no-flow underfill material and process suitable for underfilling a bumped circuit component. The underfill material initially comprises a dielectric polymer material in which is dispersed a precursor capable of reacting to form an inorganic filler. The underfill process generally entails dispensing the underfill material over terminals on a substrate, and then placing the component on the substrate so that the underfill material is penetrated by the bumps on the component and the bumps contact the terminals on the substrate. The bumps are then reflowed to form solid electrical interconnects that are encapsulated by the resulting underfill layer. The precursor may be reacted to form the inorganic filler either during or after reflow.

Abstract: A collision detection system and method of estimating a miss distance of an object and estimating length and width of the object are provided. The collision detection system includes a sensor for sensing an object within a field of view and measuring range and range rate of the sensed object. The collision detection system further includes a controller for estimating a miss distance of the object and further estimating length and width of the object as a function of the range and the range rate.

Abstract: An integrated sensor comprising a thermopile transducer and signal processing circuitry that are combined on a single semiconductor substrate, such that the transducer output signal is sampled in close vicinity by the processing circuitry. The sensor comprises a frame formed of a semiconductor material that is not heavily doped, and with which a diaphragm is supported. The diaphragm has a first surface for receiving thermal (e.g., infrared) radiation, and comprises multiple layers that include a sensing layer containing at least a pair of interlaced thermopiles. Each thermopile comprises a sequence of thermocouples, each thermocouple comprising dissimilar electrically-resistive materials that define hot junctions located on the diaphragm and cold junctions located on the frame. The signal processing circuitry is located on the frame and electrically interconnected with the thermopiles.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to obtain a consistently stable needle lift damping effect in an injector 8b for fuel injection. In an injector 8b that relieves fuel pressure inside a pressure control chamber 37 and lifts a needle valve 36, there are provided a damper member 62 that is slidably mounted to the needle valve 36, a damping chamber 63 formed between the damper member 62 and the needle valve 36, a leak passage 64 for extracting and leaking out the fuel in the damping chamber 63, and a stopper member 41 to restrict the lift position of the damper member 62. Damping of the lift of the needle valve 36 is carried out by extracting and leaking out the fuel in the damping chamber 63 through the leak passage 64. The needle valve 36 functions as a guide for the damper member 62, and prevents vibration of the damper member 62, allowing a consistently stable damping effect to be obtained.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of fabricating a sensor element for an exhaust gas sensing device, comprises disposing an electrolyte in ionic communication with a sensing electrode and a reference electrode to form the sensor element. The sensing electrode comprises an activator comprising silica and an oxide of an element. The element is selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth elements, rare earth elements, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing elements.

Abstract: A torsion pedal feel emulator assembly for a motor vehicle and a method of operating the same. The assembly includes a pedal member for receiving an applied pedal force. A torsion member is operably attached to the pedal member. A portion of the torsion member is positioned adjacent a reaction surface. The torsion member rotates as a result of the applied pedal force, and a dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force. A pivot is operably attached to the torsion member and the motor vehicle. The method includes receiving an applied pedal force. A torsion member is rotated as a result of the applied pedal force. A dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force as a result of the torsion member rotation.

Abstract: A flat twisted electrical terminal is provided for connecting a first circuit element to a second circuit element on respective first and second circuit boards. The terminal includes a flat conductive member having a first end for connecting to a first circuit element and a second end for connecting to a second circuit element. The conductive member is axially twisted about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the velocity of a rotating device is described herein. The system includes an apparatus with a set of sense magnets affixed to a rotating shaft of the rotating device and a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly includes a circuit interconnection having a plurality of sense coils and sensors affixed thereto. The circuit assembly is adapted be in proximity to the set of sense magnets on the rotating part. A controller is coupled to the circuit assembly, where the controller executes an adaptive algorithm that determines the velocity of the rotating device. The algorithm is a method of combining a derived velocity with a velocity from the tachometer.

Abstract: A method for metallurgically attaching a tube to a member. A member having a wall is obtained. The wall includes opposing first and second sides and includes a partial extrusion extending above the first side. The partial extrusion has a through hole. A tube having an end portion is obtained. The tube and the member are positioned with the end portion contacting the second side of the wall proximate the partial extrusion. A resistance welding current path is created through the tube and the member proximate the end portion and the partial extrusion, and the end portion is relatively moved into and deformingly against the partial extrusion creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the end portion and at least some of the partial extrusion.

Abstract: A method for resistance welding a tube to a member. A tube is obtained having an axially-extending first portion and having a tube form which extends transversely from the first portion. The tube form has at least one axial projection. The tube and the member are positioned with the at-least-one axial projection in contact with the member. A resistance welding current path is created through the member and the tube including the at-least-one axial projection creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the at-least-one axial projection and at least some of the member.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve member which is engageable with a valve seating to control fuel delivery from the injector, an actuator arrangement and an amplifier arrangement for transmitting movement of the actuator arrangement to the valve member. The amplifier arrangement comprises a piston member with which the actuator arrangement is cooperable to apply a retracting force to the piston member, and a control chamber for fluid. The amplifier arrangement preferably comprises a mechanical coupling arrangement for coupling movement of the piston member to the valve member upon application of an initial retracting force to the piston member.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper with integrated hydraulic fluid filter. A vehicle suspension damper assembly is provided. A damper containing hydraulic fluid and a filter screen internal to the suspension damper are provided. Hydraulic fluid in the damper is filtered by the internal filter during operation of the suspension damper assembly. A vehicle including a vehicle suspension damper assembly with internal hydraulic fluid filtration is also provided.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling a traction control system including a controllable center coupling and a controlled brake system. The method provides for receiving axle speed information, receiving a vehicle speed, determining at least one difference value between the vehicle speed and the axle speed information, and activating the controllable center coupling and the controlled brake system responsive to the difference values. The step of activating the controllable center coupling responsive to at least one of the difference values may include comparing the at least one difference value to at least one associated threshold value, and activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison. The step of activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison may include determining an engine torque request value based on the comparison, and engaging an engine with the controllable center coupling based on the engine torque request value.