Abstract: A rocker arm includes a follower which follows a first lobe of a camshaft and is mounted to a rocker arm body; a lock pin that is selectively moveable in a lock bore between a first position and a second position in order to prevent relative movement between the rocker arm body and the follower in one of the first position and the second position and to permit relative movement between the rocker arm body and the follower in the other of the first position and the second position; and a rocker arm oil passage in fluid communication with the lock bore for communicating oil therethrough to move the lock pin between the first position and the second position. The rocker arm oil passage is elongated in a circumferential direction relative to the lock bore.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser is provided for controllably varying the phaser relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine which includes a camshaft bearing for supporting the camshaft and which defines a mounting bore for mounting the camshaft phaser to the internal combustion engine. The camshaft phaser includes a housing with a gear drive unit disposed within the housing. The gear drive unit includes an input gear member and an output gear member such that the input gear member is attachable to the crankshaft and such that the input gear member is attached to an output shaft of an electric motor. The output gear member is attachable to the camshaft such that rotation of the input gear member by the electric motor causes relative rotation between the crankshaft and the camshaft. The camshaft phaser is disposed between the mounting bore and the camshaft bearing.

Abstract: An electrical contact element and a method of manufacturing an electrical contact element having a connecting segment which is formed of a copper sheet and comprising a coating overlaying the copper sheet having at least two layers. A first layer contains at least 60% by weight of tin. A second layer is disposed between the first layer and the copper sheet. The second layer contains a copper-containing alloy. The copper-containing alloy contains 40 to 80% by weight of copper and 20 to 60% by weight of zinc. The combined percentage by weight of copper and zinc in the second layer is at least 90%. A third layer containing tin may be disposed between the second layer and the copper sheet. A fourth layer containing zinc may be disposed on a side of the first layer opposite the second layer.

Abstract: A female electrical terminal includes a generally planar base member formed of a first conductive material. The base member includes a connection portion configured to electrically and mechanically contact with a corresponding male electrical terminal. The base member further includes an attachment portion configured to be attached to a wire cable. The female electrical terminal also includes a cover member that is formed of a second conductive material. The cover member longitudinally encircles the connection portion and defines a biasing member depending from the cover member and into a cavity formed by the cover member. The biasing member is configured to bias the male electrical terminal into electrical and frictional contact with the connection portion of the base member of the female electrical terminal. A method of producing such female terminal assemblies wherein the cover members are interconnected by a carrier strip is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit adapter system comprising a conduit adapter that is assigned to an electrical connector assembly. The conduit adapter comprises a first shell and a second shell, wherein the first shell comprises first fixing elements and the second shell comprises corresponding second fixing elements. The first shell further comprises a pre-locking means that can be engaged with corresponding pre-locking means of the electrical connector assembly, to lock the first shell to the electrical connector assembly in a pre-assembled condition. A method of assembling such a conduit adapter system is also presented.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a heater including a heater housing extending along a heater axis; a plurality of fuel cell stack assemblies disposed within the heater housing along the heater axis and having a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel cell fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with a fuel cell oxidizing agent; and a plurality of combustors disposed within the heater housing along the heater axis. The method includes supplying a combustor fuel to the plurality of combustors, combusting the combustor fuel to produce a heated combustor exhaust when the fuel cell stack assemblies are substantially electrochemically inactive, and using the heated combustor exhaust to elevate the temperature of the fuel cell stack assemblies to be electrochemically active.

Abstract: A fuel rail assembly includes a hollow fuel rail extending along a fuel rail axis and includes at least one outlet for dispensing fuel from the fuel rail. A fuel rail damper is disposed within the fuel rail and extends along a fuel rail axis from a first fuel rail damper end to a second fuel rail damper end for damping pressure pulsations within the fuel rail. A fuel rail damper support is included for positioning the fuel rail damper within the fuel rail. The fuel rail damper support includes an attachment section for fixing the fuel rail damper support to the fuel rail damper and a biasing section that applies a biasing force to prevent axial movement of the fuel rail damper within the fuel rail.

Abstract: A heater includes a heater housing extending along a heater axis. A fuel cell stack assembly is disposed within the heater housing and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. A combustor disposed within the heater housing receives an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack assembly and combusts a mixture of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to produce a heated combustor exhaust. The combustor includes a combustor exhaust outlet for discharging the heated combustor exhaust into the heater housing. The heater housing is heated by the fuel cell stack assembly and the heated combustor exhaust.

Abstract: An entertainment system suitable for use in a vehicle and configured to control an output volume of the system includes a microphone and a processor. The microphone is configured to detect sound in a cabin of the vehicle, and output a microphone signal indicative of the sound. The processor is configured to determine a difference signal based on a difference between the microphone signal and an output signal corresponding to sound being output by the system, determine if the difference signal corresponds to human speech, and decrease the output volume of the system when the difference signal corresponds to human speech.

Abstract: An optical sensor system adapted to operate through a window of a vehicle includes a lens, a plurality of optoelectronic devices, and an optical device. The lens is configured to direct light from a field-of-view toward a focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices are arranged proximate to the focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices includes a first optoelectronic device operable to detect an image from a first portion of the field-of-view, and a second optoelectronic device operable to detect light from a second portion of the field-of-view distinct from the first portion. The optical device is configured to direct light from outside the field-of-view toward the second portion.

Abstract: An electronic assembly including a printed circuit board (PCB), a housing, and a shock absorbing device that is intermediate the printed circuit board and the housing. The shock absorbing device is formed of an insulative and compliant material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer material. The side walls of the shock absorbing device defines a groove surrounds and at least partially encloses the edges of the printed circuit board. The shock absorbing device defines an aperture through which a fastener is configured to pass to secure the shock absorbing device to the housing and thus securing the printed circuit board within the housing. The shock absorbing device is intermediate the fastener and the printed circuit board so that there is no direct contact between the fastener and the printed circuit board which could transmit impact shock directly from the housing to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes a steering mechanism having a pinion gear and a rack, the steering mechanism being configured to translate rotation of the pinion gear into movement of the rack which is configured to affect the position of a steer tire of the autonomous vehicle, thereby affecting the lateral position of the autonomous vehicle; a steering wheel which provides a mechanical input to the pinion gear from an operator of the autonomous vehicle; a steering actuator which rotates to apply torque to the steering mechanism, thereby inducing movement of the rack which affects the position of the steer tire of the autonomous vehicle; and a variable coupling member operatively between the steering actuator and the steering mechanism which is configured to vary the torque that can be transmitted from the steering actuator to the steering mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic assembly including a first connector having a first set of terminals physically and operationally compliant with a data transmission connector standard, such as USB 2.0, and a second set of terminals distinct from the first set of terminals physically compliant and operationally non-compliant with this data transmission connector standard. An electronic controller is connected to the first connector. The controller includes a memory device to store configuration data, such as a battery charging profile, used by the controller to control a first electronic device, such as a battery charging device. The second set of terminals receive new configuration data to update the configuration data stored in the memory device. The assembly may include a specially configured data cable to interconnect the assembly to a separate electronic device to transmit the updated configuration data. The assembly may reduce the current supplied for battery charging by monitoring a battery voltage.

Abstract: A cognitive-driver-assist system includes an object-detection device, an operator-detection device, and a controller. The object-detection device is operable to detect when an object is proximate to a host-vehicle. The operator-detection device is operable to determine when an operator of the host-vehicle is aware of the object. The controller is configured to output a warning-signal for the operator of the host-vehicle when the object-detection device detects the object. The warning-signal is characterized by a warning-intensity that is variable. The controller is configured to increase the warning-intensity when the operator is not aware of the object.

Abstract: A heater includes a heater housing with a fuel cell stack assembly disposed therein. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell manifold for receiving the fuel within a fuel inlet and the oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent inlet and distributing the fuel and oxidizing agent to the fuel cells. A fuel supply conduit supplies the fuel to the fuel inlet and an oxidizing agent supply conduit supplies the oxidizing agent to the oxidizing agent inlet. A sonic orifice is disposed between the fuel supply conduit and the fuel inlet or between the oxidizing agent supply conduit and the oxidizing agent inlet, thereby limiting the velocity of the fuel or the oxidizing agent through the sonic orifice.

Abstract: An electrical adapter device includes an electrical receptacle defined by a first technical standard, e.g. NEMA 6-15R, NEMA 5-20R, or NEMA 6-20R, disposed within a first face of the electrical adapter device and configured to receive a first electrical plug defined by the same first technical standard. The adapter also includes a second electrical plug, e.g. NEMA 5-15P defined by a second technical standard projecting from a second face of the electrical adapter device. The adapter further includes a moveable locking tang projecting from the first face of the electrical adapter device and configured to be received within a complementary aperture defined by a first plug housing containing the first electrical plug. The locking tang is removable from the aperture when in a disengaged position and the locking tang is secured within the aperture when in an engaged position.

Abstract: A heated fuel injector for supplying fuel to a fuel consuming device includes a fuel inlet for receiving fuel, a fuel outlet for dispensing fuel from the fuel injector, and a fuel injector body extending along an axis and fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet such that fuel flows within the injector body. A cylindrical heating element radially surrounds the fuel injector body and operates to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector body. An annular space is defined between the heating element and the fuel injector body sufficiently large to accommodate thermally caused radial differential expansion between the fuel injector body and the heating element. A conductive material fills the annular space and has a melting point sufficiently low to be a liquid as the heating element operates to thereby substantially prevent transfer of mechanical stress to the heating element due to the radial differential expansion.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes an input member; an output member defining a phasing advance chamber and a phasing retard chamber with the input member; and a rotary valve spool coaxially disposed within the output member such that the rotary valve spool is rotatable relative to the output member and the input member, the valve spool defining a rotary valve spool advance chamber and a rotary valve spool retard chamber. Oil supplied to the rotary valve spool advance chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in a retard direction and oil supplied to the rotary valve spool retard chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in an advance direction.

Abstract: A system for silently communicating a horn-signal between vehicles is provided. The system includes a sending-vehicle equipped with a horn-button operable by a horn-operator, a transmitter configured to transmit, using electromagnetic-energy, a horn-signal in response to the horn-operator operating the horn-button, and a first location-device configured to determine a send-location of the sending-vehicle. The transmitter is configured to incorporate the send-location into the horn-signal. The system may also include a receiving-vehicle different from the sending-vehicle. The receiving-vehicle is equipped with a receiver configured to detect the horn-signal, and a second location-device configured to determine, based on the horn-signal, a relative-location of the sending-vehicle relative to the receiving-vehicle.