Abstract: The present invention employs cylinder deactivation hardware and control systems to increase the heat rejected to the engine cooling system to improve heating of an internal combustion engine and a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The heat rejected to the cooling system is a result of an increase in combustion temperatures in the non-deactivated cylinders, due to increased work. The invention also includes a system to reduce the cooling system heat capacity. The invention provides heat quickly after a cold start and while operating at low engine operating points. This method and system are particularly suited to compression-ignition engines and direct-injection spark ignition engines that primarily operate lean of stoichiometry.

Abstract: An actuator assembly operates a device in a normally open mode and a normally closed mode. The actuator assembly includes a bobbin around which a coil is wound. The coil receives an electrical current to induce a magnetic field thereabout. A rod extends along the longitudinal axis. The rod is movable along the longitudinal axis in response to the magnetic field. The actuator assembly also includes a plunger extending through a portion of the bobbin. The plunger is movable with respect thereto in response to changes in the magnetic field. The plunger includes a rod receptacle for fixedly securing the rod therein allowing the rod to move with the plunger. The plunger also includes an opposing rod receptacle allowing the rod to be received thereby when the actuator assembly is in the normally closed orientation.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) mechanism includes a partial wrap output cam assembly and a partial wrap frame assembly. Each of the partial wrap cam assembly and the partial wrap frame assembly include a respective body and a respective shaft engaging means coupled to the body. The shaft-engaging means are configured for engaging an input shaft with a snap fit to thereby pivotally dispose the output cam assembly and the frame assembly upon the input shaft.

Abstract: Sensor assembly and method for non-intrusively sensing instantaneous speed of an engine are provided. The engine includes a crankshaft have a respective end connected to an externally accessible bolt. The sensor assembly comprises a housing including a recess configured to affixingly engage the externally accessible bolt. The sensor assembly further comprises at least one motion-sensing device configured to provide a respective output signal indicative of angular motion information of the crankshaft. A signal transmitter coupled to the motion-sensing device configured to wirelessly transmit the output signal from the motion-sensing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-rattle valve feature for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning assembly. In a typical HVAC assembly each end of an air valve shaft is received in a pivot hole permitting the air valve shaft to rotate within the assembly. Because the inside diameter of the pivot holes are larger than the outside diameter of the ends of the air valve shaft, the air valve shaft may rattle within the pivot holes. Disclosed is a finger that contacts the air valve shaft to apply pressure to the air valve shaft and biases an end of the air valve shaft against the inside of it pivot hole, thereby preventing rattling of the air valve shaft within its respective pivot holes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, a computer usable medium including a program, and a system for determining a vehicle payload condition. The method and computer usable medium include the steps of determining a first payload-state parameter, a second payload-state parameter, and at least one roll value. A first differential is determined based on the first payload-state parameter and the second payload-state parameter. A second differential is determined based on the first payload-state parameter and the roll value. A multiplier is determined. A payload estimate is determined based on the first payload differential, the second payload differential, and the multiplier. The system includes means for achieving the method steps of the invention.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning compressor with a capacity control valve improves oil retention in the crankcase with a crankcase to suction chamber passage that is formed through the central shaft. The passage inlet opening in the shaft is located within a central chamber inset into the cylinder block, and is thereby sheltered from the main chamber of the crankcase, although still open to the crankcase. So sheltering the inlet of the shaft passage between crankcase and suction chamber isolates the inlet from the greater turbulence and higher velocity gradients within main chamber of the crankcase. Less oil is thus forced through the passage and back out of the crankcase.

Abstract: A magnetorheological piston includes a body having a substantially magnetically energizable passageway and a substantially magnetically non-energizable passageway. The substantially magnetically non-energizable passageway has a valveless passageway throat and has a flow cross-sectional area which has a minimum at the passageway throat and which is larger away from the passageway throat. A magnetorheological damper includes a cylinder and the above-described magnetorheological piston, wherein the piston is positioned in, and slideably engages, the cylinder.

Abstract: A valve and method of constructing same for a purge control device are provided. The valve includes an integral body. The valve further includes a resilient member inserted into the integral body. The resilient member is electromagnetically responsive so that the member can be selectively actuated between respective open and close conditions. An electromagnetic actuator is affixed to the integral body to generate an electromagnetic field for selectively actuating the resilient member between the open and closed conditions. The mass of the resilient member is sufficiently low so that the level of noise produced by the valve is correspondingly low.

Abstract: A sensor package and method of making the same is disclosed in which the sensor package includes a sensor component for electromagnetic sensing having a holder assembly with the sensor component disposed at one end and sensor terminals in electrical communication with the sensor component extending from an opposite end. A harness assembly having a harness head configured with harness terminals extending therefrom for electrical connection with corresponding sensor terminals. The holder assembly and harness head are configured with a means for snap-fit assembly that provides space to mechanically connect corresponding sensor terminals and harness terminals with each other forming a resultant subassembly for insertion into a sensor housing. The housing further includes a heat-staked interface with the harness head that secures the subassembly relative to the sensor housing.

Abstract: A motor for reducing torque ripple includes a shaft having a shaft axis, a rotor positioned about the shaft, a first magnet ring positioned on the rotor, the first magnet ring having magnets each occupying a magnet angle &dgr; on the rotor, and a second magnet ring positioned on the rotor, the second magnet ring having magnets each occupying a magnet angle &dgr; on the rotor, wherein the second magnet ring is shifted a non-zero number of degrees relative to the first magnet ring and wherein ends of each magnet within the second magnet ring are located at different angular positions than ends of each magnet within the first magnet ring relative to the shaft axis of the shaft. The magnet angle &dgr; is preferably an optimal magnet angle for minimizing cogging torque and line to line back emf harmonics.

Abstract: An MR fluid formulation comprising water-atomized iron powder dispersed in a liquid vehicle, wherein the atomized iron powder contributes to a higher magnetic effect, a lower viscosity and suitability for high temperature applications. The magnetizable particles are prepared by controlled water atomization and comprise iron having a passivating oxide surface layer. The passivating oxide surface layer advantageously comprises iron oxide and at least one alloying metal oxide, such as manganese oxide. Advantageously, the particles have a grain size of at least 4 &mgr;m and a mean diameter in the range of about 8-25 &mgr;m. The liquid vehicle advantageously comprises a mixture of at least two liquid components of different surface functionality and an organoclay stabilization mixture in which at least one organoclay is selected for each liquid vehicle component.

Abstract: In a retractable air supply connection system for air supply lines extending between a blower supply plenum and hot zone components of a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, each such hot zone component is provided with a socket for receiving a retractable connector. Each connector has first and second concentric expandable bellows connected between the plenum and a nipple element having a central passage and nipple for mating with the socket. The inner bellows is coaxial with the socket element and is connected to an individual supply port in the plenum for the particular hot zone component. The outer bellows is connected to the main blower output. A return spring between the hot zone component and the nipple element urges the nipple element from the socket to disconnect the supply line from the hot zone by collapsing the outer bellows to break the conductive heat path when the blower is inoperative.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an accumulation of particles with a medium such as the soot content in diesel engine oil including generating a first waveform at a first frequency and a first voltage level to produce a standing wave having a voltage null point where at least a portion of the standing wave is passed within a portion of the oil. Generating a second waveform at a second frequency and a second voltage level to place a signal associated with a second voltage null point at a detection location for determining the signal's null point voltage level. The percentage soot content of the oil may be determined by taking the ratio of the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage over the null point voltage at the detection point. This ratio is indicative of the percentage soot content. The first and second waveforms may be produced by a variable frequency microwave source that is coupled with a coaxial cable have a probe affixed to its distal end for immersion in the oil.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir for a hydraulic power system includes a reservoir housing having an internal chamber for containing a supply of hydraulic fluid, an outlet for communicating the fluid from the housing to an inlet of a hydraulic pump, and a return flow inlet for receiving a return flow of fluid into the chamber. The reservoir includes a flow diffuser having a diffuser inlet communicating with the return flow inlet for receiving at least a fraction of the return flow into the diffuser. The diffuser has an inner fluid guide wall that is preferably conical which diverges in the downstream direction in order to quiet any turbulence in the flow within the diffuser and to discharge into the bulk of the fluid into the chamber to be deaerated.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling a differential within an active antilock brake system. The method provides for receiving a secondary axle wheel speed, receiving a vehicle speed, determining a difference value between the vehicle speed and the secondary axle wheel speed, and activating the differential responsive to the difference value. The step of activating the differential responsive to the difference value may include steps for comparing the difference value to a threshold value and activating the differential based on the comparison.

Abstract: A slurry composition and a method for producing a friction material from the slurry composition, wherein long fiber lengths and large particle sizes are incorporated without fracture and without a high content of pulp and other processing aids. The slurry comprises water and 10-50% by weight solids, the solids comprising 2-15 vol. % organic fibers of 2-15 mm length, 2-20 vol. % organic pulp of up to 8 mm length, 2-10 vol. % inorganic fibers of 2-15 mm length, 2-15 vol. % metallic fibers of 2-15 mm length, 2-10 vol. % inorganic flake materials of ½-10 mm in the largest dimension, 5-20 vol. % carbonaceous particles of ½-10 mm in the largest dimension, and resin binder. The slurry is placed in a die cavity, and the water from the slurry is extracted by pressing on the slurry in the die cavity with a die punch sized to form a gap between the punch and the die sidewall.

Abstract: An actuating element for an electric switch, especially for a steering wheel switch in a motor vehicle, impinges upon at least one switching contact and is pivotally mounted on a housing of said switch. A firm hinge is provided as a bearing, connecting the actuating element to a latched wall. The wall runs parallel to the wall of the housing or replaces the wall of the housing.

Abstract: An overmolded electronic package includes a circuit-carrying substrate and a connector housing or shroud interconnected via a suitable interconnection arrangement. Some embodiments may include a backplate affixed to the substrate and, in some cases, also to the connector housing or shroud. In some embodiments, the connector housing or shroud may be affixed to the substrate, and in any case the entire subassembly of components is overmolded with a rigidly formable molding compound to bond together all components of the subassembly and form the overmolded electronic package. The subassembly of components with the exception of the backplate may alternatively be overmolded with the molding compound, and a backplate thereafter affixed to the subassembly via a compliant bonding medium.