Abstract: A fuel tank cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein and an insert disposed within the cover and adapted to decouple inertia of the fuel reservoir from the cover under severe impact conditions.

Abstract: A ball screw assembly for a motor vehicle electric caliper comprises a ball screw, a carrier, and a ball screw nut. The ball screw has at least one internal groove, and the carrier has at least one projection engaging the at least one groove. The ball screw nut operatively engages the ball screw.

Abstract: An improved engine torque management control that coordinates engine throttle, spark and EGR under predefined highly throttled conditions so as to maximize the fuel economy improvement of EGR without degrading engine performance. Under the predefined conditions, EGR is increased to a level that maximizes the fuel economy improvement without causing combustion instability, and the throttle position and spark timing are controlled to compensate for the anticipated torque loss while increasing volumetric efficiency and reducing pumping losses. During idle and steady state cruising operation, EGR is increased, and engine throttle position is controlled to regulate the estimated engine output torque in accordance with the driver requested output torque. During transient torque increases, throttle control alone is used to regulate the output torque, while in transient torque decreases, the throttle position is maintained and spark timing is used to regulate the output torque.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle pillars at the sides of the liftgate opening. Each drive unit includes a vertically oriented channel and a rack bar that moves in the channel. A link is universally attached to the rack bar at one end and universally attached to the liftgate at the opposite end. The rack bar is raised and lowered by a power unit that has a motor driven pinion gear that meshes with the rack bar. Raising and lowering the rack bar opens and closes the liftgate via the link.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling application of return torque in a vehicle power steering system. The method includes detecting a current hand wheel center and comparing the current hand wheel center to a previous hand wheel center. A change in hand wheel center is detected in response to the comparison. Application of return torque is controlled in response to detecting a change in hand wheel center.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for determining the state of battery life of a starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery comprising; 1) determining the number of starting engine cranks the battery has performed and comparing that number with a desired number for starting engine cranks to ascertain a state of health of the battery, calculated as a percentage of the desired number; 2) determining the percentage of battery life diminished due to battery exposure to a maximum temperature and the minimum state of charge the battery has been exposed to at that temperature, calculated as a decrease from 100 percent; and 3) calculating the lower of the values of step 1 or step 2 thereby determining the state of the battery life.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil coupled to a spark plug in a combustion chamber of the engine, and a switch responsive to an ignition control signal for causing a primary current to flow through a primary winding of the ignition coil. A control circuit is configured to generate the ignition control signal so as to produce a plurality of sparks at the spark plug during a combustion event in the cylinder. A combustion detection circuit in sensing relation with the combustion cylinder is configured to generate a combustion detect signal when combustion occurs. The control circuit is further configured to terminate the generation of the ignition control signal during the combustion event in response to the combustion detect signal, thereby terminating multicharge operation when the need for further sparks is no longer present. Unnecessary spark plug wear is avoided.

Abstract: A belt-driven variable valve actuating mechanism includes a rocker having a central rocker axis that is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of a rotary input shaft. A frame member has a first end configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft and a second end pivotally carrying the rocker. A connecting rod has a first end configured for engaging an eccentric of the rotary input shaft and a second end pivotally attached to the rocker. The connecting rod transfers rotation of the input shaft to oscillation of the rocker relative to the rocker central axis. An output cam is configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. A belt engages the rocker and the output cam, and transfers oscillation of the rocker to oscillation of the output cam.

Abstract: An improved modular igniter package designed for bus communication with a central control module has an internal bridge element that is electrically accessible for factory testing of the bridge element. Temporary electrical interconnects internal to the igniter package electrically couple the bridge element to a pair of external bus communication terminals, enabling direct access to the bridge element by factory test equipment for accurate measurement of electrical parameters such as electrical resistance and thermal capacitance. Following measurement of the electrical parameters, the temporary interconnects are electrically destroyed, isolating the bus communication terminals from the bridge element. The temporary interconnects are preferably in the form of a pair of metal fuse elements, which are electrically destroyed by electrical currents passing through the fuse elements and respective diodes coupling the bridge element to a ground terminal of the igniter package.

Abstract: A process for removal of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas from lean-burn, diesel and other engines which produce exhaust gases containing excess oxygen is disclosed. An exhaust gas from an engine operating at an air-fuel ratio above about 18 is contacted with a multi-component catalyst having at least two catalytic components, each capable of reducing nitrogen oxides within a range of exhaust gas temperatures that is different from the range of exhaust gas temperatures within which each other component is capable of reducing nitrogen oxides. Oxidation of the remaining reducing gases is also accomplished. One example of a two catalytic component catalyst of this invention has a first component of Au supported on alumina, which reduces nitrogen oxides at exhaust gas temperatures between about 600° C. and 900° C., and a second component of Pt supported on Y-zeolite, which reduces nitrogen oxides at exhaust gas temperatures below 600° C.

Abstract: A method and assembly (10) for conducting heat from a semiconductor device, such as a power flip chip (12). The assembly (10) is generally constructed to dissipate heat from the chip (12) when mounted to a flexible substrate (16). Heat is conducted from the chip (12) with a heat-conductive member (26) brought into thermal contact with the surface of the chip (12) opposite solder bump connections (18) that attach the chip (12) to the substrate (16). A biasing member (30) biases the substrate (16) against the chip (12) so as to maintain thermal contact between the chip (12) and the heat-conductive member (26). A thermally-conductive lubricant (32) is preferably provided between the surface of the chip (12) and the heat-conductive member (26) in order to promote thermal contact while also decoupling any lateral mechanical strains that may arise as a result of different thermal expansions and movement between the chip (12), substrate (26) and heat-conductive member (26).

Abstract: An injector valve armature/spacer is formed as an integral tri-function multiple thickness member for an engine fuel injector. The member includes an armature having a center portion with an upper side engagable by a biasing spring and an outer portion with spaced radial openings extending outward from the center portion. An outer rim is connected to the inner portion of the armature by flexible legs extending radially through the radial openings. The rim has a thickness greater than that of the armature by a differential dimension establishing a stroke of the armature. The legs have a thickness less than that of the armature to permit flexing of the legs upon movement of the armature. The integral member is designed for manufacture in multiple layers using electroforming, optionally combined with metal etching.

Abstract: A substantially constant brake assist gain is provided in a vehicle braking system having a vacuum booster providing braking assist to a brake fluid master cylinder in response to an operator input braking force, even though the gain of the booster falls off from its maximum value in a non-linear manner in a runout initiating portion of the working vacuum range near zero booster vacuum. A brake fluid pump, such as is used in an ABS/TCS modulator, is used to supplement the booster output as it falls so as to maintain a constant, linear brake system gain into runout. In the runout initiating portion of the working vacuum range, a runout assist gain is derived from stored data expressing booster assist gain as a function of booster vacuum, and a target wheel pressure is calculated from the derived runout boost assist gain and a corresponding change in master cylinder pressure.

Abstract: A vane pump, having an inlet for receiving fuel and an outlet from which fuel is supplied, comprising a generally cylindrical member, a driven rotor arranged within the cylindrical member and a closure member. The cylindrical member and the closure member co-operate to define a recirculation passage interconnecting the outlet and the inlet, the output pressure of fuel discharged from the pump being regulated by a resiliently biased valve means controlling the flow of fuel through said recirculation passage.

Abstract: An advance arrangement for a fuel injection pump, comprising a housing slidably receiving an advance piston which, in use, cooperates with the fuel injection pump to adjust the timing of fuel delivery by the pump, and, a light load piston associated with the advance piston, the housing supporting an externally accessible, adjustable abutment which cooperates with the light load piston to permit setting of a rest position of the light load piston relative to said housing and thereby to permit adjustment, from the exterior of said housing, of the datum setting from which the advance arrangement adjusts fuel injection timing.

Abstract: An accumulator (24) for an air conditioning system (10) comprising a housing (26) having a first end wall (28), a second end wall (30), and a side wall (32) joining the end walls; a fluid outlet pipe (36) mounted in, and passing through, the first end wall; and a fluid inlet pipe (34) mounted in, and passing through, the first end wall; wherein the outlet pipe has an open end (38) inside the housing positioned adjacent the first end wall; and wherein the inlet pipe comprises a first section (40) and a second section (42) inside the housing, the first section being attached at one end (44) to the first end wall and being attached at the other end (46) to the second section, the second section being open at at least one end (48) with the or each open end facing a portion (50) of the side wall. Reduces the risk of liquid refrigerant fluid passing into the outlet pipe.

Abstract: Thermal management of an electronic switch, that provides power to a load, is achieved by monitoring a switch temperature of the electronic switch. When the switch temperature exceeds a first set temperature, the control signal is modified such that an average power dissipated by the electronic switch is reduced. In one embodiment, the control signal is modified by increasing a slew rate of the control signal when the switch temperature exceeds the first set temperature. In another embodiment, a frequency of the control signal is reduced when the switch temperature exceeds the first set temperature.

Abstract: A steering knuckle sensor assembly includes a steering knuckle that forms a central bore and a sensor bore that extends radially from the central bore. A target ring that circumscribes a shaft rotates within the central bore. A speed sensor is disposed in the sensor bore so that it senses the angular speed of the target ring. If the speed sensor is damaged or otherwise fails, it can easily be replaced without the need to replace any other parts within the steering knuckle.

Abstract: A heater for a gas sensor has a first thermistor element and a second thermistor element arranged in an electrically parallel configuration. Each thermistor element may be deposited onto a substrate such that the first thermistor element extends about a perimeter of the substrate and the second thermistor element extends across a portion of the substrate intermediate the perimeter of the substrate. The thermistor elements are preferably fabricated of materials having differing thermal coefficients of resistivity. A method of heating the gas sensor includes disposing the two thermistor elements in an electrically parallel configuration over a surface of the substrate and passing an electric current through the elements.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for supplying fuel to the cylinders of an associated engine is disclosed. The system comprises a fuel pump for supplying high pressure fuel to a delivery line, a plurality of injectors connected to the delivery line and means operable to deliver fuel through the injectors to respective cylinders of an associated engine, and a control valve connected to the delivery line and operable to control the pressure of fuel within the delivery line.