Abstract: An electronic interconnect includes a flexible circuit which has a plurality of contacts formed thereon. A plurality of springs is positioned so as to apply a compressive force to at least one of the contacts when the electronic interconnect is mated. A resilient material is configured to apply a compressive force to at least one of the springs.

Abstract: A variable valve train device for installation in an internal combustion engine to controllably vary the intake valve lift, open duration, and timing. A rotary camshaft has a cam lobe for rotation in timed relationship to the motion of the pistons of the engine. A close-fitting frame is rotationally disposed on the camshaft and is pivotably connected to a control shaft such that the angular orientation of the frame may be controlled with respect to the camshaft. A rocker arm disposed on the frame is provided with an input roller which follows the lobe of the camshaft to oscillate an output roller in response to rotary motion of the cam. The output roller drives an output cam which cooperates with a cam follower to open an engine intake valve conventionally against a valve spring. A curved return spring disposed between the output cam and the frame returns the output cam as the valve closes.

Abstract: A head up display system is disclosed that includes a housing, an aspheric reflector, and a modular projection unit. The modular projection unit includes a backlight, a spherical reflector, an infrared mirror, one or more display devices, and cooling apparatus. The backlight has a spherical reflector with inner and outer reflective spherical surfaces and a central opening that is used to recycle light and provide a desired aperture shape. The one or more display devices may be liquid crystal displays, such as active matrix liquid crystal displays. Exemplary cooling apparatus includes an air inlet, a fan and an air outlet that forces air past heat generating components of the projection unit.

Abstract: A ring assembly manufacturing apparatus (30) and method provides heat to a ring (216) such as a polymeric ring from an infrared source (48). A ring assembly (214) includes a ring (216) and a hub (218) within the ring. The ring (216) is traversed into a chamber (46) such that the ring (216) is exposed to infrared energy from the infrared source (48). The infrared energy causes the ring (216) to expand thereby facilitating assembly with the hub (218).

Abstract: An oscillator circuit includes an oscillation circuit producing a RAMP signal and at least two control signals STATE2 and STATE3, and a comparator comparing an externally produced error signal ERR with the RAMP signal. When the ERR signal is between minimum and maximum levels of the RAMP signal, the duty cycle of a PWMOUT signal of the oscillator circuit varies as a function of the difference between the ERR and RAMP signals, and preferably accounts for approximately 85% of the total period. When the ERR signal is less than or equal to the minimum level of the RAMP signal, the duty cycle of the PWMOUT signal is fixed at a first value which is preferably approximately 5% of the total duty cycle. When the ERR signal is greater than or equal to the maximum level of the RAMP signal, the duty cycle of the PWMOUT signal is fixed at a second value which is preferably approximately 90% of the total period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing absolute rotative position of a steering wheel. A short section (10) of the steering shaft (12) is threaded and threadably engaged with a nut. The nut includes a sliding bar (16) which carries a magnetic irregularity (18, 18′). A sensor assembly (22) includes a galvanomagnetic sensor (30) mounted within a stationary channel (20). The channel receivably guides axial movement of the sliding bar as the steering shaft is rotated. Since the rotation of the steering shaft translates to axial movement of the sliding bar, and since the galvanomagnetic sensor has an electrical output indicative of axial position of the magnetic irregularity, the exact rotative position of the steering wheel is known from the output of the galvanomagnetic sensor.

Abstract: An electronic compass system using information on a communications bus to eliminate magnetic noise which is integrated with an instrument cluster. A vehicle accessory, such as a blower motor, generates a known, consistent, magnetic field of intensity sufficient to cause a static magnetic offset in the electronic compass for each of its' electrical states. An electronic controller commands the vehicle accessory to change electrical states and transmits a vehicle event message on a communications bus. A magnetic field sensor detects a combination of Earth's magnetic field and the stray magnetic field produced by the vehicle accessory. A controller is coupled to the communications bus and uses the vehicle event message to look up a predetermined correction factor, corresponding to the electrical state, to eliminate the effect of the static magnetic offset. The controller then displays a heading unaffected by the static magnetic offset.

Abstract: A disk drive resumes supplying audio information without the hesitation normally attributed to disk access time. Initially, an indication is received that the disk drive should be deactivated. Next, audio information is stored from a beginning position, where audio information was last provided, to a resume position. Then, the resume position at which the disk drive should begin retrieving audio information, when the disk drive is reactivated, is stored. Finally, the disk drive is deactivated. In this manner, when the disk drive is reactivated, the stored audio information is supplied without the hesitation normally attributed to the disk access time of the disk drive.

Abstract: A fuel pump comprising a first pumping plunger reciprocable within a first bore and defining, with the first bore, a first pumping chamber. A second pumping plunger is reciprocable within a second bore and defines, with the second bore, a second pumping chamber. The fuel pump further comprises a supply passage, whereby fuel from the first pumping chamber is supplied to the second pumping chamber. A drive arrangement is provided for driving the first and second pumping plungers in both an extending direction and a retracting direction such that when the drive arrangement drives the first pumping plunger in its retracting direction, the second pumping plunger is driven in its extending direction to expel fuel from the second pumping chamber, and when the drive arrangement drives the first pumping plunger in its extending direction, the second pumping plunger is driven in its retracting direction and fuel is expelled from the first pumping chamber through the supply passage to the second pumping chamber.

Abstract: An illuminated switch member assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an applique coupled to a faceplate and substantially parallel to a circuit board such that a first light channel is defined. The assembly also includes a switch member casing coupled to the faceplate such that a second light channel is defined by the walls of the casing. And, an actuator is connected to the circuit board through a contact mechanism and to the button member casing. The assembly further includes a light filter attached to the applique and disposed between the faceplate and the circuit board such that the light filter substantially divides the first light channel from the second light channel. Furthermore, a light source is disposed within the first light channel and emanates a light. Upon activation of the assembly, the light emanates from the light source and through the first light channel and the light filter.

Abstract: A fuel permeation barrier fuel tank for a vehicle includes a tank shell having a wall formed from a plurality of layers. The layers include at least an inner layer, an outer layer, a fuel permeation barrier layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, and at least one adhesive layer being made of at least one of a chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene disposed between either the inner layer and the outer layer and the fuel permeation barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of estimating the volumetric efficiency of an internal combustion engine having independent intake and exhaust cam phase variation, compensates a nominal or base estimate of the volumetric efficiency in two successive stages: an intake stage, and an exhaust stage. The intake stage compensates for the effects of intake cam variation, using the base volumetric efficiency estimate as a starting point; and the exhaust stage compensates for the effects of exhaust cam variation, using the output of the intake stage as a starting point. The volumetric efficiency so compensated is then used to accurately compute the mass intake airflow for engine control purposes.

Abstract: An angular accelerometer having a substrate, a fixed electrode supported on the substrate and including a first plurality of fixed capacitive plates, and a ring-shaped rotational inertia mass substantially suspended over a cavity and including a plurality of movable capacitive plates arranged to provide a capacitive coupling with the first plurality of fixed capacitive plates. A central member is fixedly attached to the substrate. A plurality of support arms extend between the central member and the ring-shaped mass for supporting the mass relative to the fixed electrode during rotational movement of the mass. The angular accelerometer also includes an input electrically coupled to the fixed electrode for receiving an input signal, and an output coupled to the mass for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of angular acceleration.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension control stores, for each direction of vehicle lateral acceleration, a first set of enhanced vehicle damping commands that provide enhanced damping in compression for the suspension dampers on the outside of a turn and in rebound on the inside of the turn and a second set of enhanced body damping commands that provide enhanced damping in compression and rebound on both sides of the vehicle. Responsive to a sensed vehicle lateral acceleration, the control applies the first set of enhanced damping commands to the suspension dampers if a sensed steering angle is in the same direction as the sensed lateral acceleration and applies the second set of enhanced body damping commands to the suspension dampers if the sensed steering angle is in the opposite direction as the sensed lateral acceleration.

Abstract: A suspension damper or shock absorber for a vehicle suspension system includes a piston assembly across which damping fluid is metered to control relative movement between the vehicle body and chassis. The piston assembly includes a piston plate in which a first set of openings are provided for fluid communication during the rebound stroke of the piston assembly and a second set of openings for communication of damping fluid during the opposite compression stroke. A wall circumscribes the first set of openings to define a recess receiving damping fluid from the first set of openings. A valve disc engages the wall and opens at a predetermined pressure differential. At pressure differentials less than the predetermined pressure differential, highly restricted flow is permitted through a bypass passage formed by a coined depression in the rim of the wall having a continuously curved, preferably semicircular cross section, to provide damping for low level inputs.

Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant. One or more profile restraining tether elements extend from locations on the air bag cushion to a releasable anchor structure so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether elements. An actuation mechanism activatable in response to a signal from a sensor measuring occupant conditions is used to release the tether elements from the releasable anchor thereby extending the operative profile of the air bag cushion upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions.

Abstract: A thick-film conductor, a method for forming the conductor, and a method for attaching a surface-mount circuit device to the conductor with a solder connection. The conductor is formed of a thick-film conductive ink that would normally produce a solderable conductor, but is rendered unsolderable by additions of a fine inorganic particulate material. A solderable region, preferably a pillar, is then selectively formed on the unsolderable conductor to determine the distribution and height of the solder connection on the conductor. In order to suitably affect the solderability of the conductor, the particulate material is present as a fine dispersion and in a sufficient quantity, but not in quantities that significantly affect the electrical, mechanical and processing characteristics of the conductor.

Abstract: A retainer assembly is provided for attaching a splined shaft with a splined hub. The retainer assembly is particularly useful in a constant velocity joint to attach the halfshaft with an inner hub (either an inner race or spider assembly). The retainer comprises specifically designed grooves at the outboard end of the splined shaft and splined bore of the hub. The grooves are located outside of the splined area. A retaining ring is also provided. The retaining ring has a specific geometry that includes a pair of opposing legs that are integrally connected to provide a v-shaped cross section and are flexible with respect to one another. The first of the legs of the retaining ring engages the groove on the shaft and the second of the legs engages the groove on the hub to prevent relative axial movement between the shaft and the hub when in the retained position. A method of assembling the retainer is also provided.

Abstract: This brake booster comprises an enclosure (40), a diaphragm (42) dividing the enclosure into a front chamber (46) connected to a source of vacuum and a rear chamber (48), a piston (44) that can move axially in the enclosure and on which the diaphragm is mounted, a plunger (50) mounted so that it can move axially in the piston between a forward unstable braking position and a retreated stable position of rest, and a valve (54) intended to collaborate with seats (56, 58) on the piston and on the plunger. The or each seat (56) on the piston (44) is formed on the edge of a passage (60, 62) allowing the said chambers (46, 48) to communicate.

Abstract: A vehicle solenoid valve includes an inlet port circumscribed by a rounded cup-shaped valve seat and an outlet port. A two-piece poppet is installed within the valve and includes a non-magnetic poppet shaft connected to a frustum-shaped poppet head. The poppet head includes an integrally formed, rounded nose that is sized and shaped to engage the rounded cup-shaped valve seat. The poppet is movable between an open configuration, wherein the rounded nose is distanced from the valve seat, and a closed configuration, wherein the rounded nose engages the valve seat to block fluid communication through the valve.