Abstract: An improved deployment method for a vehicular supplemental restraint system having an acceleration sensor and a restraint device to be deployed for occupant protection in a crash event, where the deployment threshold is adaptively adjusted based on the magnitude and rate of change of a filtered acceleration signal and the progression level of the sensed event. The deployment threshold is periodically adjusted based on the rate of change of the filtered acceleration signal, if the magnitude of the filtered acceleration signal is within a range specified for the progression level of the sensed event. The maximum amount of adjustment is also specified based on the progression level of the event. As a result, the deployment threshold tends to follow or track the filtered acceleration signal, particularly for non-deployment events where the magnitude of the filtered acceleration signal is within the specified range, thereby preventing deployment of the restraints.

Abstract: An improved vacuum fluorescent (VF) display panel includes a VF display device having an integral VF light source that is shielded from viewer of the display, and that provides illumination for panel indicia formed in the vicinity of the VF display. The integral light source for indicia illumination is produced at one or more marginal areas of the VF display by secondary anode segments and an integral reflector structure that directs the light produced by the secondary anode segment(s) laterally through a transparent side glass of the display housing. A light-pipe structure adjacent the VF display receives the laterally directed light, and uses the received light to illuminate the panel indicia.

Abstract: A method of forming a bond between a resilient rubber member with a chlorinated surface and a bracket, especially in a vehicle mount assembly, includes forming a cured epoxy coating on the bracket member and heating the bracket member and the chlorinated surface of the rubber body to a bonding temperature while pressing them together to form a bond between them.

Abstract: A compact disc player includes an optical pickup supported by a carriage and a microprocessor for controlling the movement of a coarse actuator and a fine actuator. The coarse actuator controls the movement of the carriage and maintains its position when power is interrupted to the coarse actuator. The fine actuator is disposed between the carriage and the pickup and provides fine movement for the pickup when power is supplied to the actuator. The fine actuator moves the pickup to a neutral position when power is interrupted. A resume function is provided that restores the position of the pickup after a power interruption to its position before the interruption. A value indicative of the position of the pickup relative to the carriage is stored in memory. When power is restored to the disc player, the value is read from memory. The disc control microprocessor directs incremental movements of the fine actuator until the position of the pickup corresponds to the position represented by the stored value.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical structure including a semiconductor layer mounted to an annular support structure via an isolation layer wherein the semiconductor layer is micromachined to form a suspended body having a plurality of suspension projections extending from the body to the rim and groups of integral projections extending toward but spaced from the rim between said suspension projections. Each projection in said groups has a base attached to the body and a tip proximate the rim. The structure includes a plurality of inward projections extending from and supported on the rim and toward the body. Each such projection has a base attached to the rim and a tip proximate the body; wherein the grouped projections and the inward projections are arranged in an interdigitated fashion to define a plurality of proximate projection pairs independent of the suspension elements such that a primary capacitive gap is defined between the projections of each projection pair.

Abstract: An assembly for rotably supporting a magnet, the assembly has an outer ring member with a bearing member rotably mounted within the outer ring member and the bearing member has an inner opening for receiving and engaging a magnet. The magnet has an inner opening and a shaft at one end engaged within the inner opening of the magnet and the other end of the shaft is coupled to a mechanism for providing a rotational force to the shaft. A Hall effect sensor is mounted to the outer ring member and the Hall effect sensor is receptive to the angular position of the magnet.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the torque ripple produced by unbalanced phase currents in a sinusoidally excited motor is disclosed. The method comprises measuring the position of the motor; sampling the phase currents of the motor generating thereby at least one phase current; synchronizing the at least one phase current of the motor with the position of the motor; determining the imbalance in the magnitudes of the at least one phase current of the motor; generating a set of modulation index terms for reducing the imbalance in the magnitudes of the at least one phase current to ensure acceptable torque ripple characteristics over the operating velocity of the motor; and generating a set of minimized line-to-ground voltage commands.

Abstract: A power operating system for opening and closing a vehicle liftgate has a pair of drive units supported on the vehicle roof and connected to the liftgate for opening and closing the liftgate. Each drive unit includes a housing having a curved track and a curved gear rack that is bodily movable endwise in the housing and guided by the curved track, the rack also serving as the drive link between the housing and the liftgate. The combined rack and drive link is extended and retracted by a pinion gear that is journalled interiorly in the housing and engages the teeth of the curved gear rack. The pinion gear is rotated by the output shaft of the motor, which in turn is fastened to the side of the housing. The motor is a reversible electric motor and is adapted to be operably coupled to the vehicle ECU unit and preferably includes an internal transmission and electrically operated clutch controlled by the ECU unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an enclosure for an electronic component and a plurality of lead traces that connect the electronic component to a circuit board is used. The enclosure has a flexible diaphragm on one side and a sealing flange supporting said diaphragm and providing an attaching surface to fix the enclosure to the circuit board. This enclosure surrounds the electronic component and creates a barrier resistant to the external environment.

Abstract: A fuel injector of the outwardly opening type comprising a nozzle body provided with a first bore, a valve needle slidable within the bore and engageable with a seating to control the supply of fuel from the bore, first and second control chambers for receiving fuel under pressure and a control valve arrangement for controlling the fuel pressure within the first and second control chambers. The valve needle is moveable in response to a change in fuel pressure in at least one of the first and second control chambers.

Abstract: An analog signal gain circuit includes an input receiving an analog input signal defined by an ac signal component due to a driving force and a dc offset component independent of the driving force and an output providing an analog output signal defined by an amplified representation of the analog input signal and a dc offset component corresponding to a reference signal. A digital/analog feedback circuit includes a comparator having the reference signal as a switching threshold connected to an up/down counter having a number of digital outputs. The outputs of the up/down counter are connected to a D/A converter which converts the digital count to an analog feedback signal. The feedback signal is provided to the input of the analog signal gain circuit to minimize variations in the dc offset signal component of the analog output signal by compensating for the dc offset signal component of the analog input signal.

Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator assembly for use in an air conditioning system including an evaporator and a compressor. The accumulator-dehydrator assembly also includes a canister with an upper portion, an inlet, an outlet and a delivery tube with a first tube end positioned in the upper portion of the canister and a second tube end connected to the outlet. A baffle is disposed within the canister that includes a first end connected to the canister and a second end positioned to define a partition between the first tube end of the delivery tube and the inlet. The purpose of the baffle is to reduce pulsations that result from pressure fluctuations in the air-conditioning system.

Abstract: A air bag module comprises an inflator, a unitary polymeric housing, and an air bag retainer of the same or similar material. The housing has integral walls forming an inflator chamber which include an inflator mounting stud aperture, a plurality of integral supports for the inflator, an integral peripheral rim forming an airbag chamber, and an integral upper wall having inflator gas diffuser apertures. An inflator stud fastener secures the inflator to the housing. The retainer and housing have integral cooperating fasteners for securing the retainer to the housing. A polymeric cover closes the retainer and confines the attached air bag. The housing and retainer are formed of the same recyclable material such that the air bag assembly can be recycled by simply removing only the stud fastener and the inflator. Several embodiments of the housing, retainer and fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inflator gas diffuser that is integral with the housing.

Abstract: An engine management system for an internal combustion engine for an automobile includes an architecture for a super ultra low evaporative emission capability. In the present architecture, the fuel rail and injectors are located within the intake manifold such that permeating and evaporative emissions are contained within the intake manifold and a sealing throttle body and/or shut-off check valve is located between the air cleaner/induction components and the throttle body prevent hydrocarbon emissions from reaching the atmosphere. Additionally, a shut-off valve and/or programmable valve train are included to prevent hydrocarbons from the PCV valve and fresh air supply line from being vented to atmosphere. A one way check valve is located between the air induction and cleaner and the PCV fresh air supply such that hydrocarbons that are produced within the intake manifold may pass into the PCV fresh air supply line.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve needle which is slidable within a bore and engageable with a seating to control fuel delivery through first and second outlet openings. The valve needle is moveable between a closed position and first and second fuel injecting positions. The fuel injector further comprises a fuel supply passage for supplying fuel under pressure to the bore and a control chamber which is arranged to receive fuel from the fuel passage, in use. The valve needle is acted upon in use by a force due to fuel pressure within the control chamber. An actuator arrangement controls fuel pressure within the control chamber, and a damping means are provided for damping movement of the valve needle away from the seating into the first or second fuel injecting position. The supply passage for fuel may be provided with a restricted flow passage which serves to limit the amplitude of pressure waves within the supply passage.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided that includes a case and at least one battery module disposed within the case. The battery pack further includes a flexible circuit to which the battery module may be electrically coupled. The flexible circuit includes a plurality of airflow openings configured to distribute air throughout the battery pack. In a preferred embodiment, the airflow openings vary in size relative to their proximity to an air source.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) assembly for a motor vehicle includes an evaporator core for cooling air and a heater core for heating air. A heater casing of the HVAC assembly surrounds the heater core. A drain portion of the HVAC assembly extends from the heater casing and includes a partition. The partition defines two basins in the drain portion for separate drainage of evaporator condensate generated at the evaporator core and liquids from the heater core.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper with an integral parking brake includes a caliper housing defining a cavity therein and a piston axially translatable within the cavity and having an internal bearing surface. At least one brake pad is affixed to either the piston or the caliper housing. A parking brake mechanism is mounted within the cavity and is interposed between a portion of the housing and the piston. The parking brake mechanism includes a thrust pin substantially axially aligned with the piston and rotatable within the housing. A first radial clutch is engageable with the thrust pin, and a second axial clutch is operable upon the piston. Rotation of the thrust pin in a first direction causes engagement of the first radial clutch and of the second axial clutch causing axial displacement of the piston. Rotation of the thrust pin in an opposite direction causes disengagement of the first and said second clutches.

Abstract: A variable valve mechanism includes an elongate input shaft having a central axis. An input cam lobe is disposed on the input shaft and is eccentric relative to the central axis. A guide member is pivotally mounted on the input shaft. A frame is disposed in engagement with the input cam lobe, and is pivotally and slidably coupled to the guide member. A link has a first end pivotally coupled to the frame. An output cam is pivotally mounted on the input shaft. The output cam is pivotally coupled to a second end of the link arm. The output cam is configured for oscillating engagement of a roller of a roller finger follower.

Abstract: A speed sensor for sensing a rotating speed of a wheel is provided. The speed sensor includes a thermoplastic sensor body. A mounting ring is connected to the sensor body. The mounting ring can include a flange portion. A plastic insert is integrally molded into the sensor body adjacent the mounting ring. An active sensor element is located in a lower end of the plastic insert, a face of the active sensor element being vertically spaced a predetermined distance from the flange portion. A pair of terminals is electrically connected to the active sensor element. The pair of terminals extends from an upper end of the plastic insert. The flange portion, when pressed onto a hub associated with the wheel, is adapted to space the active sensor element an operating distance from a tone wheel mounted to the hub.