Abstract: A frangible cover for a vehicle air bag assembly having a displaceable flap portion of controlled flexibility for rotation in hinging fashion generally away from a tear seam at the interior of the cover and towards the perimeter of the cover to form an opening across the cover for egress of an underlying air bag cushion. One or more stiffness reducing members are arranged at the flap portion to control the internal stiffness of the flap portion and to facilitate ease of outward rotational displacement of the flap portion. Such stiffness reducing members may be arranged in a pattern extending in the region between the outer edge of the cover and a portion of an interior tear seam.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) includes a microcontroller, a first non-volatile memory bank, a second non-volatile memory bank and a volatile memory. The microcontroller is coupled to an external tool and executes a control algorithm, which controls a subsystem coupled to the ECU. The first non-volatile memory bank is coupled to the microcontroller and initially stores a plurality of initial calibration tables. The second non-volatile memory bank and the volatile memory are also coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller executes code, which calibrates the ECU without interrupting the normal operation of the subsystem.

Abstract: Controllable dampers are used to improve vehicle responses and stability during severe vehicle handling maneuvers. A total handling damping value for the vehicle is derived, preferably from the greatest of a yaw rate error value, a lateral acceleration value and a time derivative of lateral acceleration value. In addition, a control ratio of front axle roll damping to total roll damping is derived, preferably from the yaw rate error value, an oversteer/understeer indication and possibly vehicle speed. From these values, handling damping values are derived for each wheel of the vehicle and blended with damping values for the same wheels derived from suspension component movement to determine a corner damping command for each controllable damper. Preferably, the damping values derived from suspension component movement are shifted away from damping control of the vehicle body toward handling damping control when yaw rate error is large in magnitude.

Abstract: An oil level sensor for a vehicle includes a receiver tube oriented upright in the oil pan of the vehicle. A level tube is disposed in the receiver tube and below the level tube is a reference tube. A circuit is electrically connected to the tubes for outputting a signal representative of oil level in the oil pan. As the engine oil level decreases within the level tube, the output of the sensor drops. When the engine oil level is below the bottom of the level tube but higher than the top of the reference tube, the output reaches the lowest value. As the engine oil level continuous decreasing (below the top of the reference tube), the output increases for a first circuit configuration (i.e., level with reference tube), and will stay constant for the second configuration level.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower includes an elongate body having a first side member and a second side member. A first end and a second end interconnect the first and second side members. The first and second side member define first and second pin orifices, respectively. A center roller is disposed between the first and second side members. The center roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. A shaft extends through the shaft orifice. A first shaft end is disposed proximate the first side member, and the second shaft end is disposed proximate the second side member. The second shaft end defines a shaft bore therein. The first shaft end defines a pin chamber therein. The shaft bore being is substantially concentric with and intersects the pin chamber. A locking pin assembly is disposed partially within the shaft bore, the pin chamber and at least one of the pin orifices.

Abstract: A tension sensing switch assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for mounting to a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system and an actuating member disposed in the housing for movement therein and cooperating with belt webbing. The tension sensing switch assembly also includes a spring disposed in the housing for cooperating with the actuating member. The tension sensing switch assembly further includes a switch disposed in the housing and cooperable with the actuating member to indicate a first tension level and a second tension level in the seat restraint system when the spring is deflected.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing including a bore formed therein. A piston is slidably positioned in the bore, the piston and bore defining a fluid chamber therebetween. A screw member is operatively engaged with the piston. The piston and screw member are movable based on fluid pressure in the fluid chamber and movable in a linear direction based on the rotational movement of the screw member.

Abstract: A non-contact Hall Effect position sensor integral to a master cylinder for an automotive hydraulic braking system provides reliable brake pedal position information without regard to the geometry and placement of the brake pedal input, decreasing the complexity of integration into each type of automobile. Moreover, reliable performance of brake position sensing is provided by avoiding use of contact sensors that are subject to wear and performance variation.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle suspension damper configured to be arranged between a wheel assembly and a body of a vehicle, the adjustable damper including a tube. A piston is slidably carried in the tube. A coil is carried on the piston adjacent a first flow passageway in the piston to produce a magnetic field thereacross and a control valve is carried on the piston controlling fluid flow through a second flow passageway in the piston.

Abstract: A door mounted side restraint system is provided. The door mounted side restraint system includes an air bag module and a retention mechanism. The air bag module includes an inflatable cushion and an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion. The inflator is activatable to inflate the inflatable cushion. The retention mechanism includes a retention strap and a tensioning device. The retention strap is connected to the inflatable cushion and is deployable across a side window of a vehicle such that a tarp-like effect is provided to the inflatable cushion by the retention strap.

Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing a vehicle employing an electric power steering system is disclosed. The method includes receiving as inputs, a desired torque command representative of a steering wheel torque and a vehicle speed signal. The method also includes acquiring an acceleration signal representative of vehicle acceleration. The method further comprises generating an assist torque command, which is a combination of the desired torque command and a compensating torque command where the compensating torque command is responsive to the vehicle speed signal and the acceleration signal.

Abstract: Fuel concentrations are determinable in a solid oxide fuel cell through voltage measurement of one or more fuel cell units, which voltage is a function of hydrogen gas present in the fuel feed stream to the one or more fuel cell units. The voltage in the one or more fuel cell units is proportionally related to the fuel concentration in the fuel feed stream to the entire fuel cell. A sensor determines concentrations of the fuel flowing in the fuel cell. The sensor comprises a fuel cell unit, and an indicator electrically coupled to the fuel cell unit, the indicator being capable of displaying a voltage or being adapted to convert a voltage to a fuel concentration display. The voltage measured is correlated to the fuel concentration flowing in the fuel cell.

Abstract: An air bag cushion folded for storage within a vehicle to achieve a predefined folded surface geometry corresponding to a desired storage location for the folded air bag cushion. A portion of the air bag cushion extending along a first lateral boundary edge for deployment inboard of the passenger seating location is folded in a construction inwardly to establish a first lateral edge of the predefined folded surface geometry. A portion of the air bag cushion disposed along the opposing lateral boundary edge is folded inwardly along a second internal lateral boundary line corresponding to a second lateral edge of the predefined folded surface geometry. The top and bottom edges are folded inwardly to finalize the desired geometry. The folding arrangement is such that upon encountering an obstacle during the initial stage of deployment the air bag is deployed in a lateral direction to the side of and around the occupant to be protected.

Abstract: A system and method for ABS stability control is provided, the method comprising the steps of determining whether a first wheel is in an ABS mode; determining whether the first wheel is in an apply mode; determining whether a second parallel wheel is in the release mode; calculating an adjusted wheel slip if the first wheel is in the ABS mode, the first wheel is in the apply mode, and the second parallel wheel is in the release mode; and determining a control mode for the first wheel using the adjusted wheel slip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the control of the bandpass width in the filtering of an intermediate frequency signal of an audio receiver of a radio reception apparatus. A signal parameter of a user signal of the audio receiver which is received at a reception frequency is determined and taken into account and a signal parameter of at least one neighboring signal which is received at a neighboring frequency which is adjacent to the reception frequency is determined. The bandpass width of the intermediate frequency filtering is selected in dependence at least on the signal parameter which is determined from the user signal, on the signal parameter which is determined from the neighboring signal and on the frequency distance between the reception frequency and the user frequency. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding radio reception apparatus.

Abstract: A process for forming a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device by a deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process during which a substrate overlying a cavity is etched to form trenches that breach the cavity to delineate suspended structures. In order to eliminate or at least reduce heat and/or charge accumulation that accelerates the DRIE etch rate of certain suspended structures, means are provided to electrically and/or thermally tie the suspended structures to each other and/or the surrounding bulk substrate. As a result, the process window is increased to allow slower-etching structures to be etched to completion without overetching the more rapidly-etched structures.

Abstract: A control system for variable activation of valves in an internal combustion engine. A solenoid is disposed on the outer surface of the valve cam cover to avoid exposure to the hot-oil environment within the valve activation chamber. The solenoid armature extends through the cam cover into the valve activation chamber. A bellcrank is mounted between the solenoid armature and the latching pin of a latchable cam finger follower such that energizing and de-energizing of the solenoid causes corresponding actuation and deactuation of the finger follower, which may be suitable for high-lift and low-lift activation. Preferably, the bellcrank is compliant such that when the solenoid is actuated during the lift portion of the valve cycle the pin is placed under compression so that the pin is subsequently actuated into latching position when the follower moves to the base circle portion of the valve cam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modularly constructed plug connector comprising at least one plug module which can be plugged into a housing module and can be latched in the housing module, wherein the plug module and the housing module are in each case formed for receiving contact elements, and wherein the plug module has a locking arrangement at least at one outer side by means of which contact elements which are arranged in the plug module and/or in the housing module can be locked.

Abstract: A fuel pump for a vehicle includes a pump section having a flow channel and a rotatable impeller cooperating with said flow channel to pump fuel therethrough. The fuel pump also includes a motor section disposed adjacent the pump section and having a motor to rotate the impeller. The fuel pump further includes an outlet section disposed adjacent the motor section to allow pumped fuel to exit the fuel pump. The pump section includes a mechanism for minimizing leakage of fuel from the flow channel radially and equalizing pressure across a sealing surface of the impeller.

Abstract: A ball nut drive assembly includes a ball nut having a bore extending axially therethrough, a ball screw extending through the bore of the ball nut and being cooperatively engaged with the ball nut, and a spring compliant member received on the ball screw and positioned adjacent the ball nut. The spring compliant member is tensioned to bias the ball nut in the axial direction along the ball screw. The ball nut is positioned within a housing, which is preferably fabricated of aluminum, and is generally rotatably supported therein by first and second sets of ball bearings. The spring compliant member is in intimate contact with a first inner surface of the housing and biases the ball nut against a second inner surface of the housing. Races encapsulating the first and second sets of bearings may be positioned adjacent the ball nut and in intimate contact with the first and second inner surfaces of the housing.