Abstract: A conductor pad, formable on a substrate or a printed circuit board, for conducing the reduction of gas voids in solder when an electronic device is soldered to the conductor pad, wherein the conductor pad includes a uniform and electrically conductive base layer having an interface surface, and also includes a patterned layer formed on the interface surface of the base layer, wherein one of the base layer and the patterned layer is substantially non-wettable and the other is substantially wettable, and wherein the base layer and the patterned layer cooperatively define strips of non-wettable surface areas which extend across the interface surface of the base layer. The strips of non-wettable surface areas can be defined upon the interface surface of the base layer in various ways to thereby create various non-wettable patterns upon the base layer. Preferably, the base layer is substantially wettable, and the patterned layer is both substantially non-wettable and electrically conductive.

Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a pencil coil to a spark plug is provided. The interface device comprises a substantially C-shaped spring adapted to mechanically and electrically engage a pencil coil shield and also adapted to make electrical contact with a spark plug ground while the spring remains mechanically and electrically engaged to the pencil coil shield. Also provided is a pencil coil shield assembly for interfacing a pencil coil to a spark plug. The pencil coil shield assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical pencil coil and a spring. The substantially cylindrical pencil coil shield is adapted to surround the pencil coil. The spring is mechanically and electrically engaged with the pencil coil shield and is adapted to make electrical contact with a spark plug ground while the spring remains mechanically and electrically engaged to the pencil coil shield.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the torque of a permanent magnet (PM), synchronous, alternating-current (AC) motor, wherein the motor is powered by an inverter connected to a direct-current (DC) power source, is proposed. The method includes the steps of communicating a torque command signal from a user to a microcontroller, sensing the alternating-current phase currents of the motor and communicating electrical signals representing data concerning the phase currents to the microcontroller, sensing the position of the rotor of the motor and communicating electrical signals representing data concerning the position of the rotor to the microcontroller, and utilizing the microcontroller to implement a modulation technique to generate electrical switching signals for creating electrical sinusoidal waveforms.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pre-ignition combustion condition in an internal combustion engine. An ion sensing circuit measures an ion current during the ignition coil charging time. An ion current level above a predetermined reference level indicates pre-ignition combustion. A powertrain control module is responsive to a pre-ignition signal for discontinuing delivery of fuel to the cylinder in which the ion current was measured.

Abstract: An electrical control popout actuator mechanism preferably integrated with a trimmer potentiometer is vertically mounted directly to a printed circuit board. The electrical control popout actuator mechanism has a cam cylinder member, a spring biasing member, a shaft member, and a follower member which allow it to extend during use and retract when not in use. Flanges on said follower member follow cooperating cam paths to allow activation of the mechanism.

Abstract: An environmentally protected (sealed) BEC (10) at the upper and lower housing seams (16u, 16l) and at each of the connector receptacle (18a, 18b, 18c). A lower housing (14) of the BEC is formed conventionally, as for example by plastic injection molding and may carry a printed circuit board (PCB) (70), a spacer plate (72) and an electrical assemblage (74) including upstanding blade terminals (76). An upper housing (14) of the BEC is formed in two shots. Firstly, an upper housing body (14b) is formed by a plastic injection molding process using a first upper mold member (42) mated to a lower mold member (44). Next, the first upper mold member is removed, and a second upper mold member (52) is mated to the lower mold member. A liquid injection molding process now injects a resilient seal (silicone) over all mating surfaces of the upper housing body, including the upper housing seam (16u) and each connector receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus 10 and method of ultrasonic injection molding a plastic part including: providing plastic pellets 12; passing the pellets into a defined space 14 in an ultrasonic horn apparatus 16; applying ultrasonic energy to the horn thereby permitting flow of the melted plastic; applying a force to a plunger 18 which forces the melted plastic into a mold 24 of a desired shape; and recovering the desired part.

Abstract: The sensor is formed by disposing an electrolyte between and in intimate contact with a first electrode on the one side and a second electrode on the other side to form an assembly, heating the assembly, treating the assembly with an alkaline solution and removing the impurities to obtain optimal sensor performance. Alternatively, an electrolyte is formed, sintered, treated with alkaline solution, and then the electrodes are applied.

Abstract: A floated fuel strainer assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a strainer adapted to be connected to an inlet of either one of a fuel pump and fuel reservoir disposed in the fuel tank. The floated fuel strainer assembly also includes a float connected to the strainer to elevate the strainer off a bottom of the fuel tank as a fuel level rises in the fuel tank.

Abstract: A weight sensing system is provided for use with a seat disposed within an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The weight sensing system includes a sensing mechanism positioned on a seat frame of the seat for measuring a strain on the seat frame due to a seated occupant weight.

Abstract: A reduced noise automotive ventilation system uses two blowers, a front mounted blower that pulls outside air in, and a rear mounted fan that exhausts interior air from the cabin space. By pulling and pushing in series, the speed of each blower is reduced, and the attendant blower noise is considerably reduced. In addition, a closed floor duct routes recirculated air from the rear to the front blower, eliminating the conventional open blower noise path to the vehicle interior in recirculation mode.

Abstract: Improved control for a hydraulic system useful in automotive braking applications, particularly in dry interface automotive braking applications, includes the use of a valve for holding pressure in a hydraulic system constant while relieving the pressure load on the pressure source. Preferably, the valve is a normally-open solenoid valve that is closed and opened in response to a desired pressure being sensed at a pressure actuated mechanism, such as a brake caliper. The use of the improved control for a hydraulic system improves brake response times during ABS applications, and increases the energy efficiency and life expectancy of the pressure providing motor.

Abstract: A closed loop steer by wire control system has three main components, a steering wheel unit, a roadwheel unit, and a master control unit. Signals generated by sensors in the steering wheel unit and roadwheel unit are passed back to the master control unit for processing. These signals include tie-rod force signals, and a steering wheel position signal. The master control unit uses these signals to calculate a steering wheel reaction torque signal which is sent back to the steering wheel unit to provide the operator with tactile feedback, while roadwheel command signals are sent to roadwheel units to provide steering direction. An Ackerman correction unit is also used to correct the left and right roadwheel positions to track about a common center.

Abstract: A sealed, electrically controlled compressor provides for two way optical data transmission to and from its sealed interior. An optical window, securely sealed through the compressor shell, and a pair of optical devices located to either side of the window, allow data transfer with no separate lines piercing the shell.

Abstract: A radio having a detachable pod assembly and a pair of silicone keypads. The first silicone keypad is located within the detachable pod assembly, while the second silicone keypad is closely coupled with a printed circuit board that is electrically coupled with a microprocessor based controller. When the pod assembly is snapped into the radio faceplate, there is preferably a 0.2 mm interference fit between the two silicone keypads. When the user depresses the first silicone keypad, the actuation forces depress the second silicone keypad in series. As the second silicone keypad is depressed, a carbon contact “pill” on the second silicone keypad contacts the printed circuit board and signals the circuit board's microprocessor that a button has been depressed. The microprocessor then directs the radio to respond accordingly.

Abstract: A battery protection system for a battery having a switching mechanism positioned intermediate to the positive terminal and an electrical load of the battery. A controller manipulates the switching mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the closed position connects the electrical load to the battery and the open position disconnects the electrical load from the battery. The battery protection system utilizes a battery state-of-charge detection system, which instructs the controller to open the switching mechanism when the detection system detects a battery state-of-charge that is lower than a threshold value. The battery protection system is also equipped with a vehicle status detection system, which instructs the controller to close the switching mechanism when a vehicle startup condition is detected by the vehicle status detection system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the speed of a vehicle, the apparatus manipulates a cable having one end secured to a throttle and the other secured to a motor for applying a force to the cable. A motor controller provides commands to the motor and the motor controller receives an input in the form of a vehicle velocity setting and in response to the value of the setting setting the motor controller instructs the motor to pull the cable a predetermined distance corresponding to a predetermined throttle position, the predetermined distance is stored in a lookup table and the predetermined throttle position corresponds to a vehicle velocity that is similar to the vehicle velocity setting.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an exhaust constituent sensor comprising a planar sensing element securely held in place within a tubular shield by disposing a high temperature mat support between the tubular inner shield and the planar sensing element. The high temperature mat support comprises suitable mat material, e.g., ceramic fibers or metal mesh, and preferably, comprises silica fibers, alumina fibers, alumina fibers with vermiculite, or any other suitable mat material providing the desired support, strength, and thermal and electrical insulating properties described herein. It is within the scope of the invention that the high temperature mat support may be in the form of a fibrous material or a more rigid perform structure, wherein in both instances, the high temperature mat support is adapted to be disposed concentrically around the planar sensing element for secure packaging thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle wiring assembly for supplying power to a sliding door even when the door is open. The assembly includes a cable having a first end attached to the vehicle and a second end attached to a predetermined position on the sliding door. The assembly also includes a winding device disposed along the cable and attached to either the vehicle or the sliding door. The assembly also includes a cable guide at a point spaced away from the winding device for guiding the cable when the sliding door opens and closes.

Abstract: A vehicle steering command module as disclosed wherein the command module is necessary to start and control the motion of a vehicle, and once removed from the vehicle the command module can function as a personal computer. The vehicle steering command module includes a housing having a computer processing unit and a connection port. The connection port releasably connects the command module to one of a pair of spaced apart mating connection ports on an instrument panel of the vehicle, thereby completing a steer by wire circuit of the vehicle. Rotation of the command module controls the direction of travel of the vehicle when the command module is connected to one of the mating connection ports. The command module includes at least one input device operably connected to the computer processing unit. A cover of the steering command module is moveable between a closed position and an opened position, and includes a display screen operably connected to the computer processing unit.