Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sensing the position of a point of contact through use of a sensor having a movable element, disposed between a sensing element and a source of magnetic flux, and having an aperture therein for allowing a portion of the magnetic flux from the source of magnetic flux to pass through the aperture and impinge on the sensing element. The aperture may have various shapes to provide a desired linear or non-linear relationship between the position of the movable element and the intensity of the flux that passes through the aperture and impinges on the sensing element for a given position of the movable element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and control scheme to operate a motor-driven actuator. This includes determining actuator force on an external device, determining a command force, and monitoring actuator position. A determination is made whether to operate in a force-control mode or a position-control mode. Both the force-control mode and the position-control mode employ a common feedback control method (e.g. PI or PID). The system operates the actuator in the force-control mode, using actuator force as feedback to the control scheme when the controller determines that the force sensor is operating in its linear range. When the force sensor is operating outside or near the limits of its linear range, the control scheme determines a pseudo-force, comprising estimated force based upon measured position. The pseudo-force is input to the common feedback control method to control the actuator.

Abstract: A suspension damper including a tube and a damping piston assembly disposed within the tube and slidably mounted therein for reciprocal movement in the tube. The suspension damper also includes a piston rod extending through the tube and connected to the damping piston assembly, a rod guide assembly closing a bottom end of the tube, and a rebound cut-off disk and spring suspended in the tube between the rod guide assembly and the damping piston assembly and cooperating with the damping piston assembly to provide a rebound cut-off effect between the rebound cut-off disk and the damping piston assembly. The rebound cut-off disk and spring have specific gravities that are greater than the specific gravity of the fluid in the tube, such that the disk and the spring sink in the fluid.

Abstract: A method of forming a recess in a body having a surface of substantially cylindrical form utilises a grinding wheel having a first axis in the form of a drive axis, and a circumferential surface concave to a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The grinding wheel also includes first and second opposing radial surfaces of substantially planar form. At least a portion of the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel is engaged with an outer surface of the body and the grinding wheel is rotated about the drive axis to cause a region of the body to be ground, thereby to define a recess in the body having a periphery including at least two substantially square corners and at least one pair of substantially parallel facing edges. The method is conveniently used to provide an opening or port of at least partially square or rectangular form in a cylindrical body such as a metering valve.

Abstract: A high current circuit disconnect system includes a fuse, current limiting resistor, a manual disconnection unit, and a holder having a pair of connections for connecting the high current disconnect system to an electrical circuit. The manual disconnection unit is wired in series with the fuse and provides a user selectable circuit interrupt. A first portion of the manual disconnection unit is located in the holder, while a second portion thereof is selectively connectable to the first portion, wherein when in the connected state the path therethrough is closed, but when in the disconnected state, the path therethrough is open. The current limiting resistor is wired in parallel with the manual disconnection unit, and also in series with the fuse.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method provides a sensor assembly for sensing rotor sector position relative to a plurality of angular sectors. The method allows starting the machine in a brushless direct current mode of operation using a calculated initial rotor position based on angular sector position information from the sensor assembly. Upon reaching a predefined mode-crossover criterion, the method allows switching to a sinusoidal mode of operation using rotor angle position based on extrapolating angular sector position information from the sensor assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting the axial distance between the front and rear walls of a vacuum booster, from outside of the booster, after the booster has been assembled. The booster includes a housing having a front housing and a rear housing joined together and defining a longitudinal axis of the booster. The front housing defines a front wall of the housing and an inner surface of the front wall. The rear housing defines a rear wall of the housing and includes a captive nut having threads adapted for threaded engagement with a threaded end of a tie rod. The front and rear walls are spaced an axial distance from one another along the longitudinal axis. A tie rod extends axially through the housing and has a first end engaging the rear wall of the housing and a second end engaging the front wall of the housing. The first end of the tie rod has threads for engaging the threads of the captive nut in the rear wall of the housing.

Abstract: A wheel-speed-sensor connector-plug bracket and a vehicle wheel bearing including such bracket. The bracket is adapted for removable attachment to a sensor ring of a wheel speed sensor of a vehicle wheel bearing, is adapted for attachment to a non-bearing vehicle component, and is adapted for attaching thereto a connector plug of the wheel speed sensor. The wheel bearing includes a vehicle-wheel-bearing non-rotatable section and a wheel speed sensor having a sensor ring assembly. The sensor ring assembly has a sensor ring attached to the non-rotatable section, a connector plug adapted for electrical connection to a vehicle computer cable, an electrical conductor, and a bracket. The electrical conductor electrically connects the sensor ring to the connector plug. The bracket is adapted for removable attachment to the sensor ring, and is adapted for attachment to a non-bearing vehicle component. The connector plug is attachable to the bracket.

Abstract: A securing system, in particular for motor vehicles, comprises at least one multi-functional sensor, which is simultaneously provided both as a radar unit and as a transmitter/receiver unit for communicating with an external device such as a user identifying transponder. The device may have multiple transmitters and/or receivers spatially situated to determine whether the external device is inside or outside the vehicle and may emit a HF-modulated signal that is frequency shifted and re-emitted by the external device and received by the multi-function sensor, wherein a security function may be performed based on both identifying information in the re-emitted HF-modulated signal and the distance to the transponder determined from the time duration between emission of the HF-modulated signal and reception of the re-emitted HF-modulated signal.

Abstract: A backup power supply, comprising: a storage medium for holding an electrical charge and being configured to be connected and disconnected from an electrical device; a source of intermittent power coupled to a power supply and the electrical device being configured to provide an amount of power to the electrical device for a period of time long enough to connect the storage medium to the electrical device. An operating system for determining whether the electrical device requires power from the storage medium. In one embodiment the operating system monitors the current of the source of intermittent power and if the current exceeds a predetermined limit the operating system couples the storage medium to the electrical device by manipulating the position of a switching device disposed between the electrical storage medium and the electrical device.

Abstract: An electrode fluid distributor includes a fluid passageway having a plurality of segment pairs each including an inlet segment in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet segment in fluid communication with an outlet. The fluid passageway may have a length greater than the longest dimension of the distributor. Further, a plurality of fluid passageways may be provided, wherein at least one of the fluid passageways includes at least one turn. A baffle is disposed between adjacent inlet segments and outlet segments of the fluid passageway. Each inlet segment is in fluid communication with adjacent inlet segments and adjacent outlet segments, and each outlet segment is in fluid communication with adjacent outlet segments.

Abstract: A weldless flanged catalytic converter includes a body having an exhaust inlet end and an outlet end, and a snorkel tube disposed at one or both the exhaust inlet and outlet ends. The snorkel tube has a first end extending from the converter body and a second, distal end having a weldless flange that is integrally formed from the snorkel tube. A movable flange is disposed about the snorkel tube prior to the formation of the weldless flange. A method for preparing the weldless flanged catalytic converter includes disposing a movable flange (configured with the required tapped holes or other connecting means) over the snorkel tube of the converter. A second, weldless flange is prepared by flanging out a portion of the catalytic converter snorkel tube using appropriate metal forming techniques. In use, the weldless flange is held between the movable flange on the snorkel tube and a connecting flange from, for example, the exhaust system.

Abstract: A gas treatment device, comprises a substrate disposed within a shell. The substrate comprises a catalyst composition comprising a support, a catalyst, and a sufficient amount of SMSI material such that, upon exposure to a gas stream (at a gas treatment device operating temperature), less than or equal to about 35 wt % of hydrocarbons in the gas stream are burned. A method for forming a gas treatment device, comprises applying a slurry to a substrate, wherein the slurry comprises a support and a sufficient amount of SMSI material such that, upon exposure to a gas stream at a gas treatment device operating temperature, greater than or equal to about 50 wt % of hydrocarbons in the gas stream are cracked to a light fraction; applying a catalyst to the substrate; calcining the catalyst; and disposing the calcined substrate into a shell, with a retention material disposed between the shell and the calcined substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM modeling and manufacturing for concurrent product and process design, comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part establishing a coordinate system; and creating a master product and process concurrent model comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to the blank; a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank; where the manufacturing feature exhibits an associative relationship with the coordinate system. The method also includes generating a product drawing of the actual part; and generating machining instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: In an electronic sensor having a spool assembly and a housing cap, the spool assembly has a pair of grooves formed in the exterior surface and located diametrically opposed from each other. The housing cap has a pair of apertures configured and positioned in the cap to align with the grooves in the spool. The grooves and aperture are configured for receiving portions of a mounting bracket. When the mounting bracket is installed on the electronic sensor, a radial spring in communication with the spool assembly and housing cap maintains the mounting bracket in a locked relationship with the spool assembly and housing cap and minimizes the stack up tolerances from a reference surface to the tip of the electronic sensor.

Abstract: Method and control system for controlling propulsion equipment in a hybrid vehicle including a traction motor and a propulsion unit, such as an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell, are provided. In one implementation, the control system includes a sensor coupled to sense a signal indicative of vehicle torque demand. The control system further includes memory for storing a threshold torque range indicative of conditions of relatively low vehicle torque demand. A processor is configured to process the signal indicative of vehicle torque demand to determine whether the vehicle torque demand is within the threshold torque range. During conditions when the signal indicative of vehicle torque demand is within the threshold torque range, an actuator is configured to generate a signal configured to activate the electric traction motor to drivingly propel the vehicle while de-engaging the internal combustion engine from propelling the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing the angular position of a rotatable body including a stationary transmitter plate with at least one transmitter electrode, a stationary receiver plate with at least a first and a second receiver electrode, and a rotor formed of a dielectric material and positioned between the facing electrodes of the plates. The rotor is smaller than the plates and rotates with the rotatable body to change the capacitance between the transmitter electrode(s) and opposed receiver electrodes. The induced voltages on the receiver electrodes indicate the angular position of the rotatable body. Preferably, the sensor uses a square waveform signal and two transmitter electrodes receive signals 180 degrees out of phase. Then, four receiver electrodes forming two receiver pairs are connected so that the current flowing between each pair is measured and converted to a voltage. A lookup table compares the values of the voltage pairs to known values from calibration, giving the angular position.

Abstract: An integrated intake manifold assembly including a first poppet valve assembly disposed at the manifold air inlet to regulate air flow into the manifold; a second poppet valve assembly disposed on the manifold to regulate exhaust gas flow into the air intake system; and a bi-directional camshaft with cams for operating simultaneously the manifold vacuum regulating valve and the exhaust gas recirculation valve. The valve bodies are integrally formed in the wall of the intake manifold. The cams are arranged on the shaft to provide optimum synchronized opening and closing of the related valves. When used on a diesel engine, the manifold assembly may further include a swirl valve plate disposed between the manifold and the engine head and having a plurality of ganged swirl valves actuated by levers, connected to the camshaft internally of the manifold and swirl plate, for coordinated motion with the MVR and EGR valves.

Abstract: A wheel-speed sensor mechanism assembly, a vehicle wheel bearing including such assembly and a wheel speed sensor. The assembly includes a vehicle wheel-speed sensor mechanism (such as, but not limited to, an ABS wheel-speed sensor mechanism), a sensor-mechanism housing supporting the sensor mechanism, and an electrical plug. The electrical plug is substantially immovable attached to the sensor-mechanism housing, is electrically connected to the sensor mechanism and is adapted for electrical connection to a vehicle wire. The vehicle wheel bearing includes a target ring attached to a rotatable section of the wheel bearing and includes a sensor mechanism assembly having a sensor mechanism, a sensor-mechanism housing, and the previously-described electrical plug wherein the vehicle wire is a vehicle computer cable. The sensor mechanism senses rotation of the target ring. The sensor-mechanism housing supports the sensor mechanism and is attached to a non-rotatable section of the wheel bearing.

Abstract: A hermetic package of a type used to contain a sensing element, such as an infrared sensing element. The package comprises a base having a base wall and sidewalls surrounding the base wall to define a first recess within the base. The sensing element is fabricated on a device chip disposed within the first recess. A lid is hermetically sealed with the base to enclose the sensing element. The lid defines a second recess that communicates with the first recess, such that the first and second recesses define a continuous cavity between the lid and the base and in which the device chip is contained. The depth of the second recess is preferably at least about half the depth of the sensing element within the first recess, such that neither the lid nor the base are required to have a deep recess that defines essentially the entire cavity in which the device chip is contained.