Abstract: A vane pump, having an inlet for receiving fuel and an outlet from which fuel is supplied, comprising a generally cylindrical member, a driven rotor arranged within the cylindrical member and a closure member. The cylindrical member and the closure member co-operate to define a recirculation passage interconnecting the outlet and the inlet, the output pressure of fuel discharged from the pump being regulated by a resiliently biased valve means controlling the flow of fuel through said recirculation passage.

Abstract: An accumulator (24) for an air conditioning system (10) comprising a housing (26) having a first end wall (28), a second end wall (30), and a side wall (32) joining the end walls; a fluid outlet pipe (36) mounted in, and passing through, the first end wall; and a fluid inlet pipe (34) mounted in, and passing through, the first end wall; wherein the outlet pipe has an open end (38) inside the housing positioned adjacent the first end wall; and wherein the inlet pipe comprises a first section (40) and a second section (42) inside the housing, the first section being attached at one end (44) to the first end wall and being attached at the other end (46) to the second section, the second section being open at at least one end (48) with the or each open end facing a portion (50) of the side wall. Reduces the risk of liquid refrigerant fluid passing into the outlet pipe.

Abstract: An improved modular igniter package designed for bus communication with a central control module has an internal bridge element that is electrically accessible for factory testing of the bridge element. Temporary electrical interconnects internal to the igniter package electrically couple the bridge element to a pair of external bus communication terminals, enabling direct access to the bridge element by factory test equipment for accurate measurement of electrical parameters such as electrical resistance and thermal capacitance. Following measurement of the electrical parameters, the temporary interconnects are electrically destroyed, isolating the bus communication terminals from the bridge element. The temporary interconnects are preferably in the form of a pair of metal fuse elements, which are electrically destroyed by electrical currents passing through the fuse elements and respective diodes coupling the bridge element to a ground terminal of the igniter package.

Abstract: A process for removal of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas from lean-burn, diesel and other engines which produce exhaust gases containing excess oxygen is disclosed. An exhaust gas from an engine operating at an air-fuel ratio above about 18 is contacted with a multi-component catalyst having at least two catalytic components, each capable of reducing nitrogen oxides within a range of exhaust gas temperatures that is different from the range of exhaust gas temperatures within which each other component is capable of reducing nitrogen oxides. Oxidation of the remaining reducing gases is also accomplished. One example of a two catalytic component catalyst of this invention has a first component of Au supported on alumina, which reduces nitrogen oxides at exhaust gas temperatures between about 600° C. and 900° C., and a second component of Pt supported on Y-zeolite, which reduces nitrogen oxides at exhaust gas temperatures below 600° C.

Abstract: A steering column switch for motor vehicles comprises at least one wiper/washer switch (6 and 31), which is an integral part of a switch lever (1), whereby the contact bridge (16 and 37) of the wiper/washer switch is held in position on a rotary switch member (11 and 32) and acts with several contact arms (18) on switch contact paths (21 and 43) with associate connection contacts (23 and 41). The contact bridge (16 and 37) and the switch contact paths (21 and 41) interact to transfer switch function data in Gray code. This type of coding permits a reduced number of connection lines (25) and connection contacts (23 and 41), compared with the number of switch positions and, at the same time, permits relatively high switching reliability.

Abstract: A MOSFET control circuit for use in generators with dual windings. The MOSFET switch consists of two or more MOSFETs connected between the upper and lower windings of a three-phase generator to permit the windings to operate in series or in parallel. The gate of one of the MOSFETs is controlled by a gate drive circuit that turns the MOSFET ON when the windings are to operate in series. The MOSFET is OFF when the windings are to operate in parallel.

Abstract: The sensor of the present invention comprises a solid electolyte with an electrode disposed on both sides thereof and an electrical lead connected to each electrode. The solid electrolyte is yttria doped zirconia. The first electrode, the sensing electrode, is exposed to the sensing gas such as an exhaust gas. The second electrode, the reference electrode, is exposed to a reference gas, wherein at least one of the sensing electrode and the reference electrode comprises a noble metal, platinum, metal oxide and alumina or in mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and assembly (10) for conducting heat from a semiconductor device, such as a power flip chip (12). The assembly (10) is generally constructed to dissipate heat from the chip (12) when mounted to a flexible substrate (16). Heat is conducted from the chip (12) with a heat-conductive member (26) brought into thermal contact with the surface of the chip (12) opposite solder bump connections (18) that attach the chip (12) to the substrate (16). A biasing member (30) biases the substrate (16) against the chip (12) so as to maintain thermal contact between the chip (12) and the heat-conductive member (26). A thermally-conductive lubricant (32) is preferably provided between the surface of the chip (12) and the heat-conductive member (26) in order to promote thermal contact while also decoupling any lateral mechanical strains that may arise as a result of different thermal expansions and movement between the chip (12), substrate (26) and heat-conductive member (26).

Abstract: A check valve plunger assembly for use in a fluid channel is provided. The check valve plunger assembly includes a check valve plunger having a first end, a second end, and a body portion. The body portion extends between the first and second end of the check valve plunger. The plunger assembly also includes an integral breakaway retention device having a ring shaped portion. The retention device is capable of being positioned around the check valve plunger such that the ring shaped portion surrounds at least a portion of the first end of the check valve plunger. Breakaway connectors are provided which connect the first end of the check valve plunger with the ring shaped portion of the retention device. After assembly, the check valve plunger is separated from the breakaway connectors and the plunger is able to freely move within the fluid channel. The present invention also provides a method of inserting this check valve plunger within the fluid channel.

Abstract: A sealed, electrically controlled compressor provides for two way optical data transmission to and from its sealed interior. An optical window, securely sealed through the compressor shell, and a pair of optical devices located to either side of the window, allow data transfer with no separate lines piercing the shell.

Abstract: An air lift shock absorber for an automotive suspension system includes a damping piston slidable within a housing, a piston rod extending from the housing to a top mount assembly including a rigid top mount housing and a force absorbing member within the housing for transferring damping forces from the piston to the top mount housing. A jounce bumper absorbs impact forces from the housing. An air lift mechanism includes an inflatable sleeve and a pressure retainer connecting the inflatable sleeve with a flexible force receiving member that is bonded to the pressure retainer and to the top mount housing. The flexible force receiving member allows the pressure retainer to flex relative to the top mount during normal operation of the suspension system and also provides a force transmitting path for transferring forces from the air lift mechanism and the jounce bumper to the top mount housing independent of the resilient force absorbing member within the top mount housing that transfers damping forces.

Abstract: A method for locating an injector ball valve guide in alignment with a valve seat mounted in a common recess of an injector valve body. The valve guide is a disk that has a central opening which guides a valve ball of an associated valve member. During assembly, the guide disk is aligned with the valve seat by a locating tool having an oversized ball on a load rod. The oversized ball is fitted closely within the central opening of the guide and is seated on the ball seat to align the seat and opening. The valve seat and guide disk are then locked in the recess by crimping edges of the recess against the valve seat. The locating tool is removed and assembly of the remaining injector components is completed. The method simplifies alignment of the seat and guide components. In a variation of the method, the guide is aligned with and fixed to the valve seat with the oversized ball in place to form an aligned subassembly for subsequent installation into a fuel injector.

Abstract: A radio having a detachable pod assembly and a pair of silicone keypads. The first silicone keypad is located within the detachable pod assembly, while the second silicone keypad is closely coupled with a printed circuit board that is electrically coupled with a microprocessor based controller. When the pod assembly is snapped into the radio faceplate, there is preferably a 0.2 mm interference fit between the two silicone keypads. When the user depresses the first silicone keypad, the actuation forces depress the second silicone keypad in series. As the second silicone keypad is depressed, a carbon contact “pill” on the second silicone keypad contacts the printed circuit board and signals the circuit board's microprocessor that a button has been depressed. The microprocessor then directs the radio to respond accordingly.

Abstract: An environmentally protected (sealed) BEC (10) at the upper and lower housing seams (16u, 16l) and at each of the connector receptacle (18a, 18b, 18c). A lower housing (14) of the BEC is formed conventionally, as for example by plastic injection molding and may carry a printed circuit board (PCB) (70), a spacer plate (72) and an electrical assemblage (74) including upstanding blade terminals (76). An upper housing (14) of the BEC is formed in two shots. Firstly, an upper housing body (14b) is formed by a plastic injection molding process using a first upper mold member (42) mated to a lower mold member (44). Next, the first upper mold member is removed, and a second upper mold member (52) is mated to the lower mold member. A liquid injection molding process now injects a resilient seal (silicone) over all mating surfaces of the upper housing body, including the upper housing seam (16u) and each connector receptacle.

Abstract: A low vent pressure master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm assembly is used to keep brake fluid in the reservoir but allow air to freely pass to and from atmosphere. The diaphragm assembly includes a flexible sealing component having an aperture and a fluid flow restrictive material bonded to the flexible sealing component covering the aperture. The fluid flow restrictive material allows a limited amount of brake fluid to pass through but allows air to freely pass through. The flexible sealing component is preferably made from a rubber material. The fluid flow restrictive material is preferably made from a material such as nylon that is either mesh or has small pores.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the torque of a permanent magnet (PM), synchronous, alternating-current (AC) motor, wherein the motor is powered by an inverter connected to a direct-current (DC) power source, is proposed. The method includes the steps of communicating a torque command signal from a user to a microcontroller, sensing the alternating-current phase currents of the motor and communicating electrical signals representing data concerning the phase currents to the microcontroller, sensing the position of the rotor of the motor and communicating electrical signals representing data concerning the position of the rotor to the microcontroller, and utilizing the microcontroller to implement a modulation technique to generate electrical switching signals for creating electrical sinusoidal waveforms.

Abstract: Apparatus for the connection of an optical fibre via its end, which is provided with a connection piece (1), to an electro-optical or opto-electrical converter (2) having a housing (3), an optical lens (16) which is inserted in the housing and is accessible with one side from the outside, an apparatus for the conversion of light into electrical signals or vice versa which is arranged in the housing (3) and an electrical signal output (5), with, for the improvement of the performance of the system, in particular for the reduction of the damping at the connection point, mechanical connection means (8, 12) being moulded at the converter housing (3) through which an optical fibre can be secured at the converter housing (3) with its end surface lying opposite to the optical lens (16).

Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a pencil coil to a spark plug is provided. The interface device comprises a substantially C-shaped spring adapted to mechanically and electrically engage a pencil coil shield and also adapted to make electrical contact with a spark plug ground while the spring remains mechanically and electrically engaged to the pencil coil shield. Also provided is a pencil coil shield assembly for interfacing a pencil coil to a spark plug. The pencil coil shield assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical pencil coil and a spring. The substantially cylindrical pencil coil shield is adapted to surround the pencil coil. The spring is mechanically and electrically engaged with the pencil coil shield and is adapted to make electrical contact with a spark plug ground while the spring remains mechanically and electrically engaged to the pencil coil shield.

Abstract: A governor for use in an engine, the governor including a drive shaft and a plurality of weights carried by the drive shaft. The weights are rotatable with the drive shaft and are moveable relative to the drive shaft. A lever is moveable in response to movement of the weights, the lever being moveable against the action of a return biasing arrangement. The governor further includes a further arrangement for holding at least one of the weights against movement so as to permit adjustment of the operating speed of the governor.

Abstract: A satellite crash sensor for a motor vehicle occupant restraint system that provides multi-stage deploy signaling in a manner that detects a second stage deploy crash event having an initial velocity rise followed by a loss of velocity that delays the continuation of the velocity rise. The sensor derives a velocity value from an accelerometer signal. The initiation of a possible crash event is detected and a clock count indicating a time progression into the event is initiated. A constant second stage threshold value and data defining a first stage threshold varying as function of the clock count are stored. Only for a time indicated by a first predetermined value of the clock count, a second stage datum is stored if the velocity exceeds the second stage threshold value.