Abstract: The present invention relates a method of detecting leaks and blockages in a fuel system. The leaks are detected using a RAMPOFF mode and a TANK mode. The RAMPOFF mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to increase the ramp down rates of the evaporative purge duty cycle to aggressively shut off the purge solenoid valve for tests used to detect leaks as small as 0.02 inches in diameter. The TANK mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to support aggressive purging requirements for tests used to detect larger leaks of greater than 0.04 inches in diameter. The MASS FLOW mode modifies the evaporative diagnostic purge logic to hold a constant purge mass flow rate necessary to detect blockages across a vent solenoid valve. The RAMPOFF mode, TANK mode, and MASS FLOW modes support evaporative diagnostics that are run continuously within a fuel system when acceptable engine operating conditions are present.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: An antenna adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle for receiving digital audio signals from a satellite. The antenna includes a base configured to be secured to a vehicle, and an elongated mast constructed of a polymer material and including at least one antenna-forming conductor extending along the mast to receive signals. A spring member flexibly connects the elongated mast to the base, and an elastomeric cover extends between the base and the elongated mast and envelops the spring member. A flexible conductor is connected to the antenna-forming conductor and extends through the elastomeric cover.

Abstract: An air bag has a neck portion for containing an inflator and receiving the inflator gas therein. A main body portion extends from the neck portion to an outermost edge. The main body portion is folded about a main fold line intermediate the top and bottom edges to substantially fold the main body portion in half The main body portion is then folded about a plurality of accordion folds working from the outer edge to the neck portion to form a compact stack. The stack may be further folded about a pleat fold line to position the folded stack adjacent the neck portion. The air bag and inflator are then stored in a housing. The air bag fold inhibits the air bag from unfolding about the main fold line until the air bag is fully extended.

Abstract: An engine fuel injector (10) having a fuel inlet tube (12) and a biasing spring (56) loading a solenoid actuated injection valve (50) within the injector (10) is provided with a calibration assembly (58) combining the calibration member (74) or tube with an internally mounted fuel inlet filter (76). The calibration member (74) may include a body (78) with an enlarged end (88) that is interference fitted within the fuel inlet tube (12) and an opposite stepped in end (80) forming a seat (82) which is engaged by the biasing spring (56). The fuel filter (76) has an enlarged annular base (92) fixed within the enlarged end (88) of the calibration member (74) and having an associated filter screen (98) or element through which fuel passing through the calibration member is filtered for passage through the injector (10).

Abstract: An improved method of detecting the presence of an obstacle in the path of a motor-driven panel by computing the slope of a measured motor speed signal in a way that cancels the effect of periodic undulation of the speed signal, and comparing the computed slope to a slope threshold that is selected as a function of the average motor speed. A position sensor produces a series of pulses corresponding to panel movement, and a microprocessor-based controller stores an array of speed-related samples corresponding to the time periods between successively produced sensor pulses. The average speed is computed at two different points in the array, and the slope of the stored speed samples is determined according to a difference between the computed average speeds.

Abstract: A thick-film paste for printing thick-film circuit elements, including solder stops, conductors, resistors and capacitors, and a method for using the paste. The paste has a composition that includes an organic vehicle, a filler material that contributes the desired electrical and/or material properties to the thick film fired from the paste, and an additive that is insoluble in the organic vehicle and contributes pseudoplastic Theological properties to the paste during printing. The additive also preferably evaporates, burns off, sublimates or is otherwise removed below the firing temperature of the paste.

Abstract: A control method for controlling the operation of a compression ignition internal combustion engine comprising the steps of measuring the change in the engine speed which occurs during a period leading up to substantially the top-dead-center position of a cylinder of the engine, using the measured engine speed change in a delta speed change algorithm, and using the output of the delta speed change algorithm to derive a pilot fuel correction factor. The pilot fuel correction factor may be derived using a fuel balancing or correction algorithm. The method may also be used in conjunction with a fuel balancing algorithm for correcting or balancing the fuel quantities delivered in the main injections.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus using the method that generates an index pulse which includes firstly the generation of a first electronic signal which includes a first level and a second level based upon a multiphase sinusoidal motor control circuit. Secondly, the generation of at least a second electronic signal that includes a first level and a second level based upon a multiphase sinusoidal motor control circuit wherein the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal are levelly spaced apart based upon the phase number of the multiphase sinusoidal motor control circuit wherein a set difference in level exists for a first specified period between the first and said the signal. Thirdly, the determination of the index pulse based upon a transition from the first level to the second level of the first electronic signal.

Abstract: A magnetosensitive die and actualizing circuit therefor by which a plurality of individual magnetosensitive elements are arranged and configured so as to produce a two dimensional position sensor which does not require the use of active components. Four MR elements are provided, wherein each MR element has an orthogonally serpentine configuration. A first MR sensor is formed of two MR elements that are diametrically opposed along a first axis, and a second MR sensor is formed of the remaining two MR elements which are diametrically opposed along a second, orthogonal axis. Each MR element is interdigitated with both of the MR elements of the other MR sensor, such that each MR sensor is electrically independent and orthogonally oriented with respect to the other MR sensor. Accordingly, one MR sensor consisting of two MR elements senses position along a first axis, and the other MR sensor consisting of the two other MR elements senses position along a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis.

Abstract: A brake system control for use in a vehicle with four wheels comprising the steps of: determining a desired yaw rate (454); determining a yaw torque command responsive to the desired yaw rate (806); if the vehicle is in an anti-lock braking mode during driver commanded braking, applying the yaw torque command to only one of the four wheels to release brake pressure in said one of the four wheels (258-266, 274, 278, 280, 410-418); if the vehicle is in a positive acceleration traction control mode during driver commanded acceleration, applying the yaw torque command to only one of the four wheels to apply brake pressure in said one of the four wheels (258-266, 288-292, 410-418); and if the vehicle is not in the anti-lock braking mode or in the positive acceleration traction control mode, then: (i) determining whether a vehicle brake pedal is depressed (370); (ii) if the vehicle brake pedal is depressed, applying brake force to the vehicle wheels responsive to the depression of the brake pedal (374, 412, 418), w

Abstract: A self contained, supplemental vacuum assist unit is provided for use with a vacuum brake booster and a source of vacuum in a motor vehicle. The unit includes, within a single housing, an electric motor, an air pump driven by the motor, a manifold defining air exhaust and assist vacuum chambers, a pair of check valves permitting air flow from the pump outlet and the assist vacuum chamber to the air exhaust chamber, an outlet from the air exhaust chamber with a fitting for connection to the vacuum source, an opening from the assist vacuum chamber with a fitting providing communication directly to the interior of the vacuum chamber of the booster, and a pressure sensor including a diaphragm, plunger, magnet with a Hall effect sensor and motor control circuitry on a circuit board within the assist vacuum chamber. The unit is compact, light weight and efficient and is designed for attachment directly to the booster with no intervening vacuum hose therebetween.

Abstract: A roller finger follower includes an elongate body having a first side and a second side. A first end and a second end interconnect and space apart the first and second sides. The first and second sides define a first and second pin orifice, respectively. A roller is disposed between the first and second sides intermediate the first and second ends of the body. The roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. An elongate shaft extends transversely through the shaft orifice and has a first shaft end and a second shaft end. The first shaft end is disposed proximate the first side and the second shaft end is disposed proximate the second side. The first shaft end defines a pin chamber therein, the second shaft end defines a shaft bore therein. The shaft bore is concentric with and intersects the pin chamber. A locking pin assembly is disposed within each of the shaft bore, the pin chamber, and at least one of the pin orifices.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an infrared optical position detection system, including: an infrared emitter to emit infrared radiation toward an object; a receiver to receive the infrared radiation scattered by the object and to determine position of the object; the receiver including a detector; and the receiver including an optical system having two and no more than two lenses.

Abstract: An improved method of diagnosing an engine cooling system through the use of a coolant temperature model based on existing sensor information. Proper operation of the engine thermostat and coolant temperature sensor is diagnosed based on an initial comparison of coolant temperature to ambient air temperature at key-on and a later comparison of coolant temperature to a predetermined regulated temperature. The coolant temperature model is used to trigger the initiation of the later comparison to ensure that the diagnostic is performed when the engine is fully warmed up. Advantageously, the modeled coolant temperature may be used for control purposes in the event that the diagnostic detects faulty operation of the coolant temperature sensor.

Abstract: A fuel control system that estimates the fuel quantity received from purging of an evaporative emission control system and then accounts for the purge fuel in determining the amount of fuel to be injected into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. Purge fuel quantity is represented by a purge equivalence ratio which is computed based upon an estimate of the hydrocarbon concentration in the purge gas. The hydrocarbon concentration is adaptively learned using an iterative routine that updates the estimate based on the integrated error between the actual and desired air/fuel ratios. Wall wetting and closed loop corrections are applied only to the non-purge fuel portion of the total fuel delivered to the engine cylinder. The closed loop control includes a block learn memory that provides a correction to the factory fuel calibration.

Abstract: An actively variable energy absorber including a convex anvil on a steering column housing, a flat metal strap attached to a steering column support and slidably engaging the convex anvil on an active surface area of the convex anvil, and a control apparatus for actively varying the geometric relationship between the flat metal strap and the convex anvil in response to changes in a control variable thereby to adjust the magnitude of the active surface area. Adjusting the magnitude of the active surface area changes the severity of plastic deformation of the flat metal strap and the magnitude of the friction between the flat metal strap and the convex anvil thereby to adjust the force resisting linear translation of the steering column housing. In some embodiments of the actively variable energy absorber, the flat metal strap is plastically deformed by being pulled over a single convex anvil during linear translation of the steering column housing.

Abstract: An automotive radiator has an integrated air-liquid cooled oil cooler incorporated directly into the radiator core and header tanks. A pair of nested oil cooler tubes, nested in a general U shape, has parallel upper and lower lengths running through the top and bottom of the basic core, spaced within the same header plates as the standard coolant tubes. Intermediate parallel lengths of the oil cooler tubes run through the center lengthwise of one longer header tank. A shorter header tank allows the upper and lower lengths of the oil cooler tubes to run through its header plate with clearance from its tank ends.

Abstract: A connection assurance bracket system (100) which is interfaced between mutually interconnectable first and second connectors (108, 118) to provide assurance of the connection therebetween and eliminate relative motion therebetween. A connection assurance bracket (102) has a flattened horseshoe-shaped base (104) defining a rectangular cut-out (145), wherein a cantilever beam (106) projects normally therefrom. The first connector includes a pump-handle lock (110) for engaging a ramped boss (120) of the second connector. The pump-handle lock features a beam seat (112) for receiving a distal end portion (106a) of the cantilever beam, wherein the distal end (106b) thereof has a lip (140). The first connector further includes left and right rear guide tabs (114, 116) which abut opposing left and right end walls (126, 128) of the cut-out, as well as left and right forward guide tabs (162, 164) for respectively engaging left and right tab collets (122, 124) of the second connector.

Abstract: A deactivation roller finger follower for use with an internal combustion engine includes an elongate body. The body has a valve pallet end and a socket. The pallet end is configured for engaging a valve stem of the internal combustion engine. The socket is configured for engaging a hydraulic lash adjuster of the internal combustion engine. The body defines a roller aperture. A roller is disposed within the roller aperture. The roller is configured for engaging a cam lobe of the internal combustion engine. The roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. An elongate shaft extends transversely through the shaft orifice. In a default operating position, the shaft is coupled to the body to thereby transfer rotary motion of the cam to pivotal movement of the body about the hydraulic lash adjuster. The shaft is selectively decoupled from the body such that the rotary motion of the cam is not transferred to pivotal movement of the body.