Abstract: The protective shield arrangement for an exhaust sensor and method of making and using the same is achieved by providing a protective shield for an exhaust gas sensor that comprises a porous mesh material formed as a cap for placement over an end portion of a sensing element. This is formed by a method that comprises providing a unitary piece of the mesh material, and folding the mesh material to form the cap. Thereby, gas passes through the tortuous pathway created by the mesh material to be sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A first method for metallurgically attaching together two members. A first member is obtained having a through hole and having a longitudinally-projecting flange surrounding the through hole. A second member is obtained having a transversely-projecting annular rim. The second member is at least partially positioned in the through hole of the first member with the flange of the first member projecting away from the rim. The first and second members are resistance welded together, wherein after the weld is created, the rim of the second member is seated on the first member. In an other method, which is similar to the first method, the second member has no rim.

Abstract: A seat restraint buckle presenter assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a seat restraint buckle for receiving a latch plate of the seat restraint system. The seat restraint buckle presenter assembly also includes a buckle support connected to the seat restraint buckle and supporting the seat restraint buckle adjacent a seat of the vehicle. The seat restraint buckle presenter assembly further includes a drive mechanism cooperating with the buckle support for moving the buckle support and the seat restraint buckle longitudinally between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: A variable road feedback device (20) for a steer-by-wire system (50) comprises a housing (31) that contains a magnetorheological fluid (32), a magnetic field generator (34) for generating a variable magnetic field within the housing (31) in order to vary the viscous resistance of the magnetorheological fluid (32) therein, and a rotor (24) rotatably mounted within the housing (31) that rotates through the magnetorheological fluid (32) and is responsive to the variable viscous resistance thereof.

Abstract: A cinching door latch has a fork bolt that pivots between a primary latched position and an unlatched position. A detent lever pivots between a an engaged position and a disengaged position holds the fork bolt in the primary latched position when in the engaged position and releases the fork bolt for movement to the unlatched position when in the disengaged position. A transfer lever pivots between a lock position and an unlock position is operatively connected to the detent lever for pivoting the detent lever to the disengaged position. A cinching mechanism assures that the fork bolt is pivoted to the primary latched position when the door is closed. The cinching mechanism has a cinching gear drivingly connected to the fork bolt, a power driven planetary gear set for driving the cinching gear, and a one-way device.

Abstract: A volume compensator assembly for a vapor canister includes a partition adapted to be disposed in an interior chamber of the vapor canister and having a single opening extending therethrough. The volume compensator assembly also includes a grid pattern disposed on the partition about the opening to guide airflow to the opening. The volume compensator assembly further includes a spring connected to the partition and contacting the vapor canister to move the partition for compensation of a volume of a bed of vapor adsorbing material in the vapor canister.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and computer usable medium, including a program, for steering a vehicle having driver-controlled front wheel steering and active rear wheel steering. A rear wheel steering angle static portion is determined based on a control gain and a front wheel steering angle. A slew-limited magnitude of desired lateral acceleration is determined based on a desired lateral acceleration. A multiplying factor is determined based on the slew-limited magnitude of desired lateral acceleration. A feed-forward rear steering angle is determined based on the multiplying factor, the rear wheel steering angle static portion, and a rear wheel steering angle dynamic portion.

Abstract: A dual stage occupant restraint deployment control provides a signal for first stage restraint deployment if, during a sensed possible crash event, a velocity value derived from a sensed acceleration and one or more immunity measures meet predetermined criteria. A second stage restraint deployment signal is provided if a crash severity measure derived from the time rate of change of the sensed acceleration meets predetermined criteria and the first stage activation signal has been generated. The method and apparatus ensure that the immunity criteria are met for both first and second stage deployment without repeated testing if the crash severity measure is vulnerable to non-crash accelerations produced by “misuse” events and rough road driving.

Abstract: A vehicle pivoting closure assembly has a concealed power actuator remotely operated by a controller to open and close a closure or liftgate. A hinge member of the power actuator is engaged pivotally to a vehicle structure about a hinge axis, and rigidly to the closure. An armature extends pivotally from an elongated linear moving rack about a rack pivot axis and to the hinge member. The armature also pivotally engages the hinge member about a secondary pivot axis disposed parallel to the hinge axis and rack pivot axis. The rack is driven by a pinion gear train powered by a motor through a clutch. The hinge, the rack, the gear train and the motor are all supported by a reinforcement tray forming a modular engaged to the vehicle structure. The tray isolates the extreme dynamic loads placed upon the hinge by the motor, thereby eliminating the need to further reinforce the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A method of estimating the concentration of residual exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine having variable cam phase control is based on engine dynamometer and engine simulator data. Since both the volumetric efficiency and the residual exhaust gas concentration of an engine vary monotonically in response to changes in cam phase, the simulated residual concentration data is deemed to be reliable if the simulated volumetric efficiency data matches volumetric efficiency data determined by engine dynamometer testing. Volumetric efficiency test data is compared to simulated volumetric efficiency data, and the simulation software is tuned until the simulated data matches the test data. At such point, the simulated residual concentration data is deemed to be reliable, and is used to calibrate a model relating residual concentration to cam phase angle, and such model is then used by an engine controller to estimate residual exhaust gas concentration during operation of the engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing rattle in a column mounted electric power steering system. A method of reducing audible noise in a steering system, generated by road impact energy and transmitted through a transmission medium, which includes a column mounted electric power steering system, including interrupting the transmission medium; and absorbing the road impact energy through the steering system. A column assist isolation system includes a sleeve disposed at a housing of an electric power steering system, a first bushing disposed at a first end of the sleeve, and a second bushing disposed at a second end of the sleeve. Both the first bushing and the second bushing include a compliant material.

Abstract: A temperature compensation method for controlling a damping force of a magnetorheological (MR) damper is disclosed. First, a base operating current as a function of a desired force level of a damping force of the MR damper is determined, and a temperature compensation as a function of an operating temperature of the MR damper is determined. Finally, the temperature compensation is applied to the base operating current to generate a compensated operating current as a function of the desired force level of the damping force and the operating temperature of the MR damper. To refine the compensated operating current, the temperature compensation can be determined as both a function of the operating temperature of the MR damper and a relative velocity of the MR damper.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle includes an M-shaped plastically deformable strap for imposing a resistance to collapse of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a vehicle collision. An anvil adjusts the resistance to collapse imposed on the steering column by the strap. A controller produces a signal of a magnitude indicative of an amount of resistance needed to be imposed on the steering column by the strap to better protect from injury a driver seated behind the steering column at the time of the collision. An actuator receives the signal and actuates the anvil to adjust the amount of resistance imposed by the strap in accordance with the magnitude of the signal.

Abstract: A dynamic side-to-side braking method is disclosed. First, when the vehicle is in a combined braking and cornering maneuver, a desired braking force among tires of a vehicle is determined. Second, a brake force distribution of the desired braking force among the tires is determined. The brake force distribution is approximately proportional to a normal force distribution among the tires during the combined braking and cornering maneuver by the vehicle. When the vehicle excludes an active steering system, front or rear, the brake force distribution is determined as a function of a feedback correction to counterbalance a portion of a yaw moment experienced by the vehicle during the combined braking and cornering maneuver. When the vehicle includes an active steering system, front or rear, a steering correction is determined to counterbalance a portion of the yaw moment experienced by the vehicle during the combined braking and cornering maneuver.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating current in a PM electric machine is disclosed. The method includes acquiring a torque value representative of the torque produced by the electric machine; receiving a position value indicative of the rotational position of the electric machine; obtaining a speed value indicative of the rotational velocity of the electric machine; receiving a temperature value representative of a temperature of the electric machine; calculating an estimate of the current. Where the calculating is based upon at least one of the torque value, the position value, the speed value, and the temperature value.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological (“MR”) damper having a damper body tube containing an MR fluid. A piston assembly is disposed in the damper body tube and forms an annular flow gap between the piston assembly and the damper body tube. The piston assembly has a piston core containing ferrous material and an electromagnetic coil mounted on the piston core for generating a magnetic field. The damper further includes a ferromagnetic member positioned outside of the damper body tube substantially adjacent the piston assembly for providing at least a part of a magnetic flux return path for the magnetic field.

Abstract: A sealing member for use in an electrical distribution center has a housing overlain by a terminal connector body. The connector body has a plurality of cavities. Terminals project from the housing into the cavities through an inner surface of the connector body. The sealing member is interposed between the housing and the connector body and seals around each of the terminals and against the inner surface of the connector body around each of the cavities. The sealing member has a substrate layer covered on both sides by layers of silicone rubber. Cable terminals are adapted to be inserted into the cavities through an outer surface of the connector body to make electrical contact with the terminals projecting from the housing.

Abstract: A mechanism for advancing and retarding the injection timing of a mechanically-actuated fuel injection pump. The mechanism includes a housing having a bore slidably receivable of an advance piston which cooperates with a lever of the fuel injector timing mechanism. A light load piston also in the bore cooperates with the advance piston to permit adjustment of timing under light load conditions. A rotatable cam mechanism cooperates with a flange on the light-load piston to set the axial rest position of the light-load piston and the advance piston, and hence the datum timing of the fuel injection pump. The cam may be easily set by external adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of estimating a coefficient of adhesion between a road surface and a plurality of tires disposed on a vehicle. An estimated coefficient of adhesion for each of the plurality of tires is provided. First values of longitudinal and lateral forces on the tires are determined from a first set of vehicle dynamic parameters requiring no explicit knowledge of the coefficient of adhesion; and second values of the same forces are determined from a second set of vehicle parameters in an analytic tire model including the estimated value of the coefficient of adhesion. Differences between the first and the second values of the forces on the tires are determined in the longitudinal and lateral directions. Longitudinal and lateral adaptation speeds are determined for each of the plurality of tires; and a coefficient of adhesion adjustment for each of the plurality of tires is estimated from the differences and the adaptation speeds.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for use in regulating the outlet pressure of a pump for use in an engine comprises a piston member which is moveable with respect to an outlet opening under the influence of fluid pressure acting on the piston member to control the degree by which the outlet opening is obscured. The pressure regulator comprises a biasing arrangement for applying a biasing force to the piston member which opposes the pressure of fluid acting on the piston member. The biasing arrangement comprises a moveable abutment member which is cooperable with a stop member so as to vary the rate at which the displacement of the piston member varies with fluid pressure acting on the piston member. The stop member is pre-set in a fixed position relative to the regulator housing such that movement of the abutment member is terminated when the abutment member is urged into engagement with the stop member. The invention also relates to a transfer pump comprising a pressure regulator.