Abstract: A variable valve actuation assembly for actuation of an engine intake valve between low-lift and high-lift modes. The VVA assembly includes a special rocker assembly having a pivotable central high-lift cam follower and two peripheral low-lift cam followers; a camshaft having low-lift and high-lift lobes engageable with the respective cam followers; a primary latching assembly including a slidable primary latching pin in the rocker assembly for engaging and disengaging the high-lift follower; a solenoid for causing the primary latching pin to be engaged and disengaged; and a secondary latching mechanism between the solenoid and the primary latching pin to automatically limit engagement and disengagement of the primary latching pin to times in the duty cycle of the camshaft (during lift events) when ejections of the primary latching pin are not possible.

Abstract: A catalytic converter is constructed by measuring a substrate to be placed within the outer shell or can, wrapping the substrate in a selected mat and loading the package (mat and substrate) into the can. The can is larger than it will be at completion of manufacture to render such loading easier. Subsequent to loading, the measurement of the substrate is used to direct the degree to which the can is reduced in outside dimension such that a selected annulus is created between the substrate and can, said annulus being occupied by said mat.

Abstract: A multi layer thermoplastic polymer alloy is provided. The multi layer alloy includes a skin of thermoplastic polymer alloy having non-polar segments and a tie-layer having non-polar segments and polar functional groups. The non-polar segments of the tie-layer are bondable with the non-polar segments of the thermoplastic polymer alloy skin. Similarly, the polar functional groups of the tie-layer are bondable or reactable with a surface layer.

Abstract: A variable power steering system for a motor vehicle is responsive to an activity signal from a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system and a lateral surface coefficient of friction estimator to modify steering assist in an amount dependent on the estimated surface coefficient when the vehicle stability enhancement system is active. The modification is phased in and out with slew limiting in steps also determined by the estimated lateral surface coefficient, with both the maximum modification and the step size varying inversely with lateral surface coefficient. The system preferably determines offset current values for the VSE system and estimated lateral acceleration, as well as for any other vehicle traction limit handling systems such as anti-lock braking (ABS) or traction control (TCS) and chooses the greatest in magnitude as a road surface adaptation offset current for addition to a vehicle speed offset current to provide a total current signal for the modification.

Abstract: A warning system that warns an operator of an impending collision with an object while the operator is backing up. The system scans behind the vehicle with an emitter/sensor system and determines a time-to-collision with the object based on distance to the object and vehicle speed. Based upon the time-to-collision, a simple combination of visual and audio signals is designed to let the operator known of the imminency of a collision with the object so that the operator may react and make appropriate countermeasures.

Abstract: A heat sink for electronic devices comprises a spreader plate having a top surface and having a bottom surface wherein a portion thereof is defined for affixing an electronic device to be cooled thereto. A plurality of columnar pins are spaced apart one from the other in a non-uniform manner and affixed to the top surface of the spreader plate substantially perpendicular thereto. A highly porous heat conducting reticulated foam block substantially fills a space defined by said spaced apart columnar pins.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam configured for being pivotally disposed upon an input shaft. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the output cam. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. A first frame member is configured for being pivotally disposed upon the input shaft. Lash adjusting means pivotally couple together a first end of the first frame member and a second end of the rocker arm. The lash adjusting means adjusts the position of the rocker arm relative to the input shaft.

Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly 10 is provided, including a substrate 14 having at least one substrate contact surface 18, an integrated circuit device 12 having at least one first contact surface 16, and a bar bond element 22. The bar bond element 22 provides communication between the at least one substrate contact surface 18 and the at least one first contact surface 16. The bar bond element 22 includes a conductive plate element 23 having an integrated circuit foot portion 24, a substrate foot portion 26 and a strain relief loop 46 positioned between the integrated circuit foot portion 24 and the substrate foot portion 26.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for motor vehicles comprising a housing for an inflatable airbag and a gas generator, with the gas generator and the housing being movable independently of one another for reduction and isolation of vibration and for ease of horn actuation.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a vehicle equipped with an electronic or “brake-by-wire” braking system includes a brake pedal feel emulator which mimics or emulates the pedal feel of a conventional hydraulic braking system. The brake pedal feel emulator includes a single cantilever spring which reacts against a shaped surface and is mounted such that the free end thereof applies a force to the brake pedal which varies as the point at which the spring diverges from the shaped surface changes in response to movement of the brake pedal. The free length of the spring is therefor varied as the pedal is depressed as a function of the shape of the shaped surface, so the force applied to the pedal may be designed to vary to emulate the feel of a conventional braking system.

Abstract: The lower bracket assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a lower column support bracket with a central passage. A lower bearing adapter slides into the central passage from the rear. A pair of energy absorption straps engage the column support bracket and the lower bearing adapter and resist further forward movement of the lower bearing adapter. During a collision, the energy absorption straps absorb energy while permitting the lower bearing adapter to move forward and out of the central passage through the column support bracket.

Abstract: A method of NOx abatement comprising the steps of generating a gas stream containing hydrocarbons and NOx, maintaining the temperature of the gas stream within the range of about 150° C. to about 550° C., maintaining the residence time of said hydrocarbons upstream of a NOx abatement catalyst so as to reduce the rate of hydrocarbon oxidation, and contacting the gas stream with said NOx abatement catalyst.

Abstract: Described is a method of optimizing performance parameters of a switched reluctance motor comprising ascertaining the parameters of at least three objectives of the motor selected from the group consisting of firing angles, power on the shaft of the motor, drive efficiency, torque ripple coefficient, output torque, torque per rms current per cycle, torque per mean ampere, energy consumption, phase target current level, hysteresis band size, duty cycle, DC voltage and zero-volt control loop; plotting the parameters on an x-y or x-y-z chart; and mapping all of the parameters on to one chart and thereby ascertaining the optimum performance of the at least three parameters.

Abstract: A hydraulic manifold assembly for variable actuation of engine valves. First and second plates have portions of flow passages integrally molded therein. The plates are formed preferably by injection molding of a suitable polymer, for example, glass-filled PPA, and are joined together as by cementing or preferably by fusion welding along mating surfaces to form the full pattern of flow passages. The assembly further comprises a retainer for retaining a plurality of individual solenoid-actuated valves in sockets formed in the plates. The retainer is similarly formed preferably by injection molding of a suitable polymer and is formed to function simultaneously as a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) baffle.

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 including an interior surface 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. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of progressive engagement of all-wheel drive for a mobile vehicle. A set of vehicle parameters is sensed, and an all-wheel drive lock value is determined based on the sensed set of vehicle parameters. Vehicle subsystem control activation is determined, and the all-wheel drive lock value is adjusted based on the vehicle subsystem control activation determination. An all-wheel drive controller is engaged based on the adjusted all-wheel drive lock value.

Abstract: An energy-efficient vehicle air conditioning system includes a variable capacity refrigerant compressor having a capacity control valve with integral refrigerant sensors and control circuitry, and a driver interface panel for selecting the discharge air temperature and inlet air source, and for selecting either a normal control mode or an energy-efficient control mode. When the energy-efficient control mode is selected, control setting indicators prompt the driver to request full-cold discharge air temperature and recirculated cabin air, and the control circuitry initiates a compressor capacity control based on the refrigerant sensor information and a measure of the outside air temperature to produce a suitable discharge air temperature at a reduced power consumption level.

Abstract: A power closure control apparatus including a power operator for moving a panel along a travel path. There is also included a pinch strip that is in communication with the power operator. The pinch strip includes a lower portion mounted to the vehicle and an upper portion that is movably engaged with the lower portion. A spring mechanism is disposed between the upper and lower portions to maintain a positional relationship between the upper and lower portions. The upper portion has a first extended position and a second retracted position such that when a force is applied to the upper portion it moves to its second retracted position thereby causing the power operator to cease moving the panel along the travel path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding an inflatable air bag cushion within an air bag module cover. An open end of the air bag cushion is attached at a moveable holding fixture and a ram cylinder is extended through an opening in the holding fixture and into the air bag cushion. A moveable containment tunnel is passed in substantially surrounding relation over at least a portion of the air bag cushion and the holding fixture and ram cylinder are conveyed through the moveable containment tunnel and towards a base portion of the cover such that the air bag cushion is pressed together irregularly within a region bounded by a wall portion of the cover.

Abstract: An improved dehumidification system for automotive use includes a rotating, wheel like heat exchanger with axially open cells that carry a water adsorbing material. Opposed ambient air and heated air flows, covering opposite halves of the wheel, continually adsorb water on one side and are recharged on the other side. Alternating radially closed cells between the axially open cells carry no desiccant material, but receive a cross cooling flow, on the water adsorbing side of the wheel only, to remove the heat released during the water adsorption process. The desiccant recharging process on the other side of the wheel is not disturbed by the cross cooling flow.