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: A system and method of vehicle stability enhancement control the method comprising the steps of determining a Delta Velocity of the vehicle, determining one of an understeer and an oversteer condition of the vehicle, applying a percentage of the Delta Velocity to an outside front and an outside rear wheel in the oversteer condition, and applying a percentage of the Delta Velocity to an inside front and an inside rear wheel in the understeer condition. The system and method may further comprise the step of applying the Delta Velocity to a rear wheel during the oversteer condition or applying the Delta Velocity to a front wheel during the understeer condition using fluid pressure from a master cylinder when braking is occurring.

Abstract: A multipurpose console for use in a vehicle having a support structure having an internal compartment, a latching mechanism being fixedly secured to a lower surface of the support structure and providing a method for releasably engaging a mounting member of the vehicle. The internal compartment has a lid pivotally secured to an upper portion of the support structure and moves between a first position and a second position. The lid covers the internal compartment when the lid is in the first position and the lid has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is pivotally secured to the lower portion for movement between the first position and the second position. The upper portion and the lower portion define a surface area for changing a child's diaper when the upper portion is in the second position. The internal compartment provides a plurality of storage areas for products necessary to facilitate the changing of the child's diaper.

Abstract: A power booster comprises a housing, a tube, and a seal. The housing includes a front housing section, a rear housing section, and a divider. The tube is mechanically fastened proximate the rear housing section and generally stationary relative to the rear housing section, with the seal between the divider and the tube.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a motor and a soft-disable controller in signal communication with the motor for reducing the abruptly increased reaction torque felt by a driver when an assist torque is abruptly disabled.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes a cylinder deactivation system mechanically coupled to an internal combustion engine, and electrically coupled to an engine management system. The engine management system signals the cylinder deactivation system to selectively deactivate one or more engine cylinders. The engine continues to operate using the remaining available active engine cylinders, and generates an inconsistent torque output. A torque-smoothing device mechanically coupled to the engine, and electrically or hydraulically coupled to an energy storage device, removes and releases energy periodically to compensate for the inconsistent torque output.

Abstract: A temperature sensor incorporating flexible circuit technology. A flexible circuit sensor subassembly is composed of a flexible printed circuit substrate on which is printed a sensor circuit. In a preferred example the flexible circuit sensor subassembly, the sensor circuit has a sensor at a distal end, as for example a surface mount device (SMD) thermistor, a plurality of trace pads at a proximate end, and an interconnecting conductive trace between each trace pad and the sensor. A crimp terminal is respectively crimped onto each trace pad to provide a flexible circuit sensor assembly, wherein the crimp terminals are configured as needed for interfacing with an external circuit. The location of the sensor may be selectively located anywhere on the conductive traces to thereby easily size the probe length of the flexible circuit sensor subassembly to suit a any particular application and fit into any housing. A housing id molded over the flexible circuit sensor assembly.

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: A method and apparatus for determining a volatility of a fuel sample. A fuel sample is collected in a container and heated for a time period using a heater device. Periodically during the heating, the capacitance of the fuel sample and the temperature of the heater device are determined. After a time period passes, the volatility of the fuel sample is determined using the capacitance decrease and the temperature increase. Specifically, a voltage across the heater device is used, along with the current through the heater device to determine the resistance of the heater device, which gives the temperature of the heater device and the sample. The capacitance and temperature are compared to values derived from experimentation for fuels of varying DI. The first measurement of capacitance with a known sample volume can be used to determine the MTBE or ethanol content in gasoline fuels.

Abstract: A traction control for a motor vehicle responds to detection of a rough road surface so as to shift control away from propulsion power reduction and toward brake control to an over-spinning driven wheel when the rough road surface is detected. This better adapts the traction control to a road surface that may have a high coefficient of friction but produces intermittent loss of traction due to wheel hop or normal force fluctuations due to the rough road surface. The lower power reduction is obtained by increasing a target brake pressure used to derive a brake pressure error signal from which from which a power reduction command is derived. A delta target brake pressure may also be increased to provide a higher target velocity for the driven wheel propulsion.

Abstract: A thermosiphon for cooling an electronic device having a mean width of dimension “b” comprises a boilerplate having a top surface and including a plurality of pyramid shaped fins projecting upwardly from the top surface. The boilerplate also has a bottom surface for receiving the electronic device to be cooled. A plurality of spaced apart condenser tubes is mounted above the boilerplate such that the boilerplate and the condenser tubes define a vapor chamber therebetween for receiving a working fluid therein. A plurality of convoluted fins extends between each adjacent pair of condenser tubes.

Abstract: An engine oil contamination sensor includes a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode. A sensing area is established between the electrodes. The sensor is oriented in an oil pan such that the sensing are is completely submerged in engine oil. A microprocessor is connected to the sensing electrodes and includes a program for determining whether antifreeze is dispersed in the engine oil.

Abstract: A pump and a pump piston assembly. The pump piston assembly includes a pump piston, a pump check valve, and a spring. The pump piston has a piston bore extending from a first piston end toward a second piston end. The pump check valve is positioned proximate the first piston end. The spring has an attached portion attached to the pump piston proximate the first piston end and has a biasing portion biasing the pump check valve to fluidly block the piston bore. The attached portion of the spring is closer to the second piston end than is the biasing portion of the sprint. The pump includes the pump piston assembly and a pump sleeve, wherein the pump piston is slidably engaged in the sleeve bore of the pump sleeve.

Abstract: Method, system and controller for electronically controlling a park-interlock device in a land-based vehicle are provided. The method allows for providing a driver-selectable shifter for selecting a respective one of a plurality of propulsion modes of the vehicle. One of the propulsion modes is a park mode. The method further allows for sensing at least one vehicle parameter for determining whether or not the park interlock device is to be actuated to a respective interlock state corresponding to the driver-selected mode and/or an operational mode automatically determined by a controller for stopping and starting during a Hill-hold function in an electric, hybrid electric vehicle. Memory is provided for storing nominal values for each vehicle parameter. A comparing action allows to compare the sensed vehicle parameters relative to the nominal parameter values stored in memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for steering a vehicle (not shown) provides an input member or steering wheel for receiving steering inputs from a user; a steering-torque sensor mechanically coupled to the input member for sensing the torque applied to the steering wheel; a control circuit electronically coupled to the steering-torque sensor for producing a signal corresponding to the measured driver steering torque; an output actuator electronically coupled to the control circuit and road wheel for receiving the electronic signal and translating it into mechanical motion; and an output member or road wheel mechanically coupled to the output actuator for steering the vehicle (not shown).

Abstract: A methodology for applying ultrasonic welding processes to insulation jacketed wires without firstly stripping them. A preferred acronym therefor is “UWTI” (Ultrasonic Welding Through Insulation). A wire with its insulation jacket thereon and intact is placed upon a top surface of a base of a terminal to which it is to be bonded and the staking wings of the terminal are staked down onto the wire. The operator places the insulation jacketed wire and terminal combination into a conventional ultrasonic welder, such that the a bottom surface of the base rests upon the anvil and the insulation jacketed wire is aligned with the tip. The operator then causes the sonic welder to automatically sequence so as to provide an ultrasonic weld of the wire to the terminal.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag system having an inflatable curtain-like cushion element for inflated deployment away from a storage position along the roof rail portion of the vehicle frame to provide coverage over an expanded region of the vehicle interior. The cushion element is inflated by the rapid introduction of a substantially inert gas such as helium from an elongate gas storage receptacle extending at least partially along the roof rail portion of the vehicle frame. The gas storage receptacle serves as a profiling and stiffening support member for the cushion element in the storage position extending along the roof rail. The inflation gas may be discharged directly into an interior portion of the cushion element so as to promote rapid expansion and deployment of the cushion element over centralized regions of the surface to be covered.

Abstract: A fuel permeation resistant 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 and a fuel permeation barrier layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and being made of a liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) material.