Abstract: The transport of singulated die devices (110) is improved by utilizing condition sensitive adhesive tape (102) in a die transport system (100). Condition sensitive adhesive tape (102) is adhered to the bottom surface of a carrier plate (104) so as to cover a series of holes (106) formed in the carrier plate (104). The tape (102) is preferably heat sensitive adhesive tape (102) and may alternatively be ultraviolet light sensitive adhesive tape (102). The die transport system (100) contains die devices (110) in the carrier plate (104) by adhering the condition sensitive adhesive tape (102) to the bottom surface of the die devices (110). To release the die devices (110), the tape (102) is exposed to a certain condition in order to diminish its adhesiveness. Then, a vacuum suction force is used to pick up the die device (110) and remove it from the transport system (100).

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve needle slidable within a first bore, a surface associated with the valve needle being exposed to the fuel pressure within a first control chamber and movement of the valve needle away from the valve needle seating being limited by a moveable stop member. The stop member has a surface exposed to fuel pressure within a second control chamber. The fuel injector also includes a control valve arrangement for controlling the fuel pressure within the first and second control chambers to control movement of the valve needle and the stop member. The invention also relates to a fuel injector in which the control valve arrangement is arranged to permit the rate of valve needle movement away from the valve needle seating to be varied, in use.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microelectronic device package is provided. The method includes a continuous processing mode of microelectronic device packages wherein process steps for fabricating the microelectronic device package are performed resulting in savings from the removal of more expensive batch processing steps.

Abstract: A steering column switch comprises, located on a steering column jacket tube of a motor vehicle, a support (2) for individual switches and comprises a housing (3). At least the visible wall sections (19) of the housing (3) and at least the visible wall sections (16) of the support (2) consist of a core (17, 21) and a sleeve (18, 22) each, whereby the core and the sleeve are connected with each other in one piece. This results in the optimal utilization of space, as well as in a pleasant exterior appearance of the steering column switch.

Abstract: A wheel spindle flange (and the like) has stud holes with soft surface hardness formed therein which permit non-rotational splines, studs and the like to be press-fitted therein with minimal press force at a centered press zone established between intentionally formed and dimensioned counterbores within the flange to minimize flange distortion and lateral run out of the spindle.

Abstract: An airvalve assembly for a brake booster includes first and second members movable relative to each other to allow the passage of fluid, and a clip. The clip engages one of the first or second members, and has a spring arm which engages the other of the first or second members to normally position the first and second members relative to each other.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a vehicle brake system comprises a piston disposed in a bore, a reservoir, and a solenoid. A channel is in fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir, and the solenoid is disposed in the channel. The solenoid is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the solenoid blocks fluid communication between the bore and the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved vehicle crash sensing apparatus quickly and reliably characterizes frontal impacts with only minimal data processing requirements. Two or more longitudinally separated piezoelectric strips strategically located in a frontal portion of the vehicle produce impact signals that are analyzed to characterize the type of impact and the structural crush rate. In a simple implementation involving only two piezoelectric strips, a first strip extends laterally along a forward portion of the front bumper, and a second strip extends laterally along a forward portion of the hood panel, above and rearward of the first strip. In cases where an impact signal is developed by only one of the two strips, a high (under-ride) or low (over-ride) impact is indicated. If impact signals are developed by both strips, the intervening time is measured as an indication of the structural crush rate.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount control system for a vehicle including at least one hydraulic mount, each mount including a hollow body defining a fluid-filled chamber. A pressure sensor is positioned to sense the fluid pressure in the chamber and generate a pressure signal. A control unit is electrically connected to the pressure sensor. The control unit is adapted to generate an electric control signal in response to the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and a control device is responsive to the electric control signal for controlling the hydraulic mount.

Abstract: A very low power quadrature position sensing system that includes a first sensor, which defines a starting point of a first channel. First sensor is coupled to a first square wave generator. A second sensor, in quadrature with first sensor, defining a starting point of a second channel, with second sensor coupled to a second square wave generator. The system further includes a moving member having a magnetized surface with a magnetic distribution disposed on the magnetized surface.

Abstract: A NOx adsorber composition comprising a substrate; and a washcoat, wherein said washcoat comprises a catalytic metal component, a trapping material, and a porous support, wherein said porous support comprises cerium oxide and an oxygenated metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum oxide, yttrium oxide, neodymium oxide, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing oxygenated metals.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a sensing circuit for use with a proximity sensor having a first electrode and a second electrode and a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensing circuit includes a signal generator for generating an alternating signal. The signal generator is for connection to the first electrode of the sensor. A synchronous detector has a first input for connection to the second electrode of the sensor. A phase shifter is coupled to the signal generator and generates a phase shifted signal in response to the alternating signal. The phase shifted signal is provided to a second input of the synchronous detector. The synchronous detector detects a change in the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode in response to a signal from the second electrode and the phase shifted signal.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint comprises an outer race, an inner race, a plurality of balls and a cage. The outer race and inner race have crossed grooves of multiform length. The outer race grooves and the inner race grooves are circumfercntially spaced and paired to hold the balls. The central planes of paired grooves are inclined from the longitudinal direction and are crossed relative to one another. The outer race, inner race and cage having mating part-spherical surfaces that accommodate joint angulation while supporting the components against axial stroking about a fixed center. The grooves have a substantially uniform depth along their lengths including toward the closed end of the outer race to provide full support to the balls at high joint angles.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an easy-to-use radio that enables quick selection of radio station channels according to program type. The radio includes a receiver for receiving radio wave signals on radio station signal channels having radio data information, and has a tuner tuneable to one or more of the radio station signal channels. The radio has a processor for receiving and deciphering the radio data information and memory for storing a plurality of programmable preset channels according to a program type indicative of the type of the radio station broadcast. The radio further has a user input for selecting one of the programmable presets and for further selecting one of the preset radio station signal channels based on the selected preset.

Abstract: An evaporative control valve for a vehicle, the valve has a valve body for containing a solenoid that manipulates a plunger between an open position and a closed position, the plunger has a valve end and an adjustment end. The valve body also has a receiving area, a first port, as well as a conduit for connecting the first port to the receiving area. A port member is received and engaged within the receiving area and the port member provides a passageway from the receiving area to outside the valve body and the valve end seals the passageway when the plunger is in its closed position. The first port is aligned with and provides access to set the stroke of the solenoid.

Abstract: A thermistor assembly holding device includes a holder and locking mechanism. The holder is comprised of a first member and a second member. The first member includes a projection and the second member includes a receiving slot. When the projection is inserted into the receiving slot the first and second members are in a closed position and form a cavity. The thermistor assembly is received within the cavity. The holder is inserted into the locking mechanism that is coupled to an HVAC unit of an automobile. The locking mechanism includes a base and a locking plate with an aperture disposed throughout. A locking channel is disposed between the locking plate and the base. The locking channel receives a locking projection that is integrally formed with the first member. The locking projection in conjunction with a knob interacts with the locking mechanism to secure the holder to the HVAC unit.

Abstract: A sparkplug boot keeper assembly interconnects between a heat shield and an ignition wire boot of a spark plug. A spring clip is pre-assembled internally to the heat shield which then engages a bottom portion of the spark plug after the spark plug is threaded to a head of an engine block. During assembly, as the heat shield moves axially inward over the spark plug, the pre-assembled spring clip rasps over a hexagonal portion of the spark plug and snap fits to the bottom portion. An outward facing surface of the boot is engaged to a compressed spring which in turn is engaged to an outward wall of the heat shield. Either a rotation, or an axially outward withdrawal force placed upon the heat shield, will radially expand the spring clip permitting disengagement of the heat shield and spring clip assembly from the stationary spark plug.

Abstract: A position sensor system capable of self compensation over wide temperature ranges, air gaps and tilts. Three matched MRs are aligned in the direction of movement of a magnetic target. The middle MR is the position sensor, and the two outer MRs serve as reference sensors which sense the magnetic field at the limits of the position sensing range. The cooperating magnetic target assures that one of the two outer MR elements is always exposed to some maximum magnetic field, BMAX, corresponding to a position XMAX, and the other MR element is always exposed to some minimum magnetic field, BMIN, corresponding to a position XMIN, such that BMIN≦BX≦BMAX, corresponding to XMIN≦X≦XMAX, where BX is the magnetic field measured by the middle MR and varies with the position, X, of the target. The actual position, X, is computed assuming a linear relation between MR resistance in the magnetic field range from BMIN to BMAX and the position, X, of the target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high oxygen ion conducting/oxygen storage (OIC/OS) materials, a catalyst employing the OIC/OS materials, and a method for converting hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides using the catalyst. The OIC/OS materials have significantly higher oxygen storage capacity than that predicted based on Ce content due to the unexpected high and facile redox activity of the added niobium. These materials are further characterized by having a tetragonal crystalline structure under oxidizing conditions (in air) up to about 1,200° C. and a cubic crystalline structure in reducing conditions (5% hydrogen) up to about 1,000° C. for 24 hours. These materials comprise, based upon 100 mole % of the metal component in the material, up to about 95 mole % zirconium, up to about 50 mole % cerium, about 0.5 to about 15 mole % rare earth metal(s), alkaline earth metal(s) or a combination thereof, and about 0.5 to about 15 mole % niobium.

Abstract: A roller finger follower. includes an elongate body having first and second opposing sides each having respective inside surfaces. First and second grooves are defined by the respective inside surfaces. A slider bracket includes a top plate having a top surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides. First and second projections are affixed to or integral with the top plate, and protrude therefrom in a generally parallel manner relative to the top surface. The first projection is slidably disposed within the first groove and the second projection is slidably disposed within the second groove. A locking pin assembly is carried by the slider bracket, and selectively couples and decouples the slider bracket to and from the body.