Abstract: An improved system for accurately determining the travel path of a host vehicle and the azimuth angle of a target vehicle through an automatic calibration that detects and compensates for FLS mis-alignment and curve sensor drift. Selected FLS tracking data (range and azimuth angle) are transformed to cartesian coordinates and characterized by a second order curve fitting technique to determine both FLS misalignment and curve sensor bias. Successively determined FLS misalignment and curve sensor bias values are averaged and used to correct subsequently supplied azimuth angle and curve sensor data, thereby compensating an underlying control for both sensor misalignment and curve sensor bias.

Abstract: An improved restraint deployment control with central and frontal acceleration sensing, where the deployment is initiated when a filtered version of the central acceleration signal exceeds a deployment threshold that is periodically adjusted based on secondary measures of crash severity, the secondary measures being determined at least from the frontal acceleration signal. The threshold adjustment also takes into account the progression level of the crash event, as judged by the filtered version of the central acceleration signal. In a preferred implementation, the deployment threshold is set to a relatively high default level during periods of inactivity to provide good immunity to rough road impacts, while providing timely deployment for high speed crash events, and is periodically adjusted from the default level in the course of a sensed event.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system that operates in a running loss mode and an active weathering mode during purge to substantially eliminate running losses during operation of an internal combustion engine. The evaporative emission control system includes a charcoal canister, a canister vent valve, and a purge valve that permits fuel vapors from the canister and engine fuel tank to be purged into the engine's air intake manifold. The running loss mode operates to close the canister vent valve when the gas pressure within the fuel tank increases above a threshold. The vent valve is maintained closed until the fuel tank pressure drops below a lower limit. This prevents running losses by closing the vent when higher pressures are detected that cannot be reduced by purging under the current engine operating conditions. The active weathering mode cycles the canister vent valve open and closed when the volatility of the fuel is determined to be too high for the current ambient temperature.

Abstract: A mounting mechanism for an inflatable restraint system includes at least one pair of flat mounting members extending from an inflatable restraint module and adapted to extend through at least one pair of apertures in a support structure. The mounting mechanism also includes a bushing disposed over and cooperating with each of the at least one pair of flat mounting members to form a round pin. The mounting mechanism further includes a spring housing adapted to be disposed adjacent the support structure and a spring disposed in the spring housing to engage the flat mounting members to attach the inflatable restraint module to the support structure.

Abstract: A signal amplifying circuit (24) includes level shifting input circuits (D1-D4) permitting input common-mode voltages (VIN1 and VIN2) of an amplifier and fault detection circuit (50) to vary between preset limits. The sense amplifier circuit (24) includes a DC offset buffer circuit (52) operable to receive an analog DC offset compensation signal and provide this signal to an input of the amplifier and fault detection circuit (50). The buffered DC offset compensation signal provided to the amplifier and fault detection circuit (50) is operable to reduce an aggregate DC offset voltage attributable to signal amplifying circuit (24) to a desired DC offset level. The amplifier and fault detection circuit (50) also includes a fault detection function whereby an output (VSENSE) of the amplifier circuit (50) is forced to a predetermined output state if either, or both, of the inputs (VIN1 and VIN2) of the sense amplifier circuit (24) are unconnected; i.e., floating.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed including a seat cushion and a seat back. The vehicle seat includes a plurality of electronic devices secured to both the seat cushion and the seat back. These electronic devices allow the occupant of the vehicle seat to control the features of the vehicle seat that are electronically modified, i.e., position, orientation, temperature, and the activation of lumbar support and/or massage devices, if any. The vehicle seat also includes a plurality of sensors associated with each of the electronic devices. Each of the sensors determines the condition or status of the electronic device to which the sensor is associated. At least one serial bus connects all of the electronic devices and sensors to a single control unit that receives all of the data from the sensors and, depending on the instructions input by the occupant of the vehicle seat, controls the electronic devices. The control unit can be integrated into the occupant position switch assembly.

Abstract: The present invention presents an inflator providing variable output inflation of an air bag cushion in response to full or reduced level deployment conditions. The inflator of the present invention includes a first chamber for storing an inert gas, a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber, and a third chamber in selective fluid communication with the second chamber, the third chamber for storing a heat modifier for varying a heat value of the inert gas. The inflator also includes a pyrotechnic device having a combustible material for heating the inert gas and a first initiator for actuating the pyrotechnic device upon first and second deployment conditions. A second initiator for opening the third chamber to the second chamber is provided wherein actuation of the second initiator causing the heat modifier to fluidly communicate with the combustible material and vary the heat value of the inert gas during a combustion process.

Abstract: Ceramic-coated powdered ferromagnetic materials for forming magnetic articles, and which maintain the mechanical and magnetic properties of the articles at high temperatures, such as during annealing to relieve stresses induced during the forming operation. The ceramic coatings are formed by one of several techniques to provide an encapsulating layer on each ferromagnetic particle. The particles are then compacted to form a solid magnetic article, which can be annealed without concern for degrading the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A spark plug connector (10) includes a cap (22) that mounts a terminal (30) for relative rotation with respect to a lock body (50) and outer heat shield (12). The lock body has an oval opening (58) aligned about a snap ring (48) of the terminal. When the cap member and terminal are in one rotated position, the snap ring is allowed to expand and be either installed or disconnected from the spark plug post (20). The oval minor axis is dimensioned such that when the cap and terminal are rotated approximately 90°, the snap ring abuts the lock body (50) about the oval opening and is prevented from expanding to lock the terminal (30) to the spark plug post (20).

Abstract: A DC offset compensation circuit (34) for compensating for a DC offset voltage of a signal amplifier (24) includes a first sample and hold circuit (40) having an input receiving an amplifier output signal (VOUT2) and an output supplying the sampled and held output signal (VOUT2) to a non-inverting input of a comparator 42. A first digital-to-analog (D/A) circuit (46) is responsive to a number of digital input signals to produce an analog DC target signal at an output (VD) thereof. The analog DC target signal is provided to an input of a second sample and hold circuit (50) having an output supplying the sampled and held analog DC target signal to an inverting input of the comparator 42. The output of the comparator 42 is provided to an offset cancellation control circuit (56) including a state machine (66) and a counter circuit (68) operable to modify a count value (OFFDAC) thereof depending upon statuses of a number of input control signals (CLK1, CLK2, STRT, STP) and the comparator output signal (CO).

Abstract: A robust hybrid fiber optic lighting distribution system incorporating a light source and two fiber optic media to thereby provide high temperature tolerance adjacent the light source and inexpensive and easily maintained light distribution to geographically independent illumination features downstream from the light source. The hybrid fiber optic distribution system includes a light source, a plurality of multi-stranded glass optical fiber (GOF) leads forming part of an optical jumper optically interfaced with the light source, and a plurality of solid core plastic optical fiber (POF) leads forming part of an optical distributor optically interfaced with the optical jumper which provide light distribution to various illumination features throughout the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a first heat exchanger (14) positionable outside the passenger compartment; a second heat exchanger (18) positionable inside the passenger compartment; a first fluid passage (22) between the first and second heat exchangers; a second fluid passage (24) between the first and second heat exchangers; an expansion device (16) positioned in the first fluid passage; an accumulator/dryer (20) fluidly connected with the second fluid passage; an electronically controlled variable stroke compressor (12) for pumping fluid into the second fluid passage and either in a first direction (X) sequentially through the first heat exchanger, the expansion device, the second heat exchanger and the accumulator/dryer, or in a second direction (Y) sequentially through the second heat exchanger, the expansion device, the first heat exchanger and the accumulator/dryer; reverse flow means (32) in the second fluid passage for controlling the direction of

Abstract: Circuitry for driving an electrical load (18) and regulating a load current (IL) therethrough includes a multiple output load driving device (20) having an input (26) receiving a gate drive signal (GD) thereat and operable to direct the load current (IL) therethrough from a collector (28) to main (22) and sense (24) outputs thereof. A control circuit is provided including an error amplifier (52) having a non-inverting input operable to receive a reference voltage and an inverting input operable to receive a sense voltage proportional to the portion of load current (IL) flowing through the sense output (24) of the load driving device (20), and producing an output based thereon to which a gate drive control circuit (54) is responsive to supply the gate drive signal (GD). A feedback capacitor (CFB) is disposed between the collector (28) of the load driving device (20) and a resistor string (R8, R9, RTRIM) establishing the reference voltage, and provides an AC coupling therebetween.

Abstract: This invention provides a female terminal of one-piece construction for a printed circuit board in which the rectangular receptacle has an interlock arrangement that reduces the length of the open seam at the fourth corner of the rectangular receptacle. The interlock arrangement is accomplished by fabricating one side wall of interlocking segments that are integrally attached to opposite end walls of the rectangular receptacle so that the open seam does not run the entire length of the receptacle. The interlocking side wall segments are preferably shaped to minimize the size of the sheet metal blank to save material and reduce manufacturing costs. The contact tongues of the female terminal are also preferably shaped to provide one or more of the following features—an open and controlled contact gap to lower terminal engage force while maintaining a stable contact force; over stress projection; and double sided mating capability.

Abstract: A refrigerant filter (40) designed for installation into a block fitting (10) of the type that detachably connects refrigerant lines (12,14) to an evaporator. The filter (40) includes a cylindrical mesh screen (42) and a supporting frame (44) that fits into the open end (30) of the liquid refrigerant supply (14) line before the supply line (14) is connected by the fitting (10) to the evaporator lines (16,18). The filter supporting frame (44) has an end plug (48) that fits closely into the line (14), assuring and all refrigerant flow is forced through the screen (42), without by passing the filter (40). The plug (48) also has a stop member (50) that both assures that the filter (40) is not over inserted at installation, and that the plug (48) is not ejected from the line (14) during operation.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a fuel tank having a tank opening therein includes an access cover adapted to close the tank opening. The seal assembly also includes a first seal made of a compressible material adapted to be disposed between the access cover and a tank surface of the fuel tank. The seal assembly includes a second seal made of a non-permeating material adapted to be disposed between the access cover and the tank surface. The seal assembly further includes an attachment plate for attachment to the tank surface and adapted to be disposed about the tank opening. The seal assembly includes at least one attachment fastener cooperating with the attachment plate to secure the access cover to the attachment plate and to seal the tank opening via the first seal and the second seal.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a nozzle body provided with a first bore and defining a first seating, a valve member engageable with the first seating to control fuel flow from the first bore towards an outlet opening located downstream of the first seating, the valve member being provided with a second bore defining a second seating. A valve needle is slidable within the second bore and is engageable with the second seating to control fuel flow from the second bore towards a second outlet opening provided in the valve member. The fuel injector also includes a transmission arrangement whereby movement of the valve needle beyond a predetermined position is transmitted to the valve member.

Abstract: A simplified EGR valve for automotive engines is actuated by compact single or dual solenoids having a short stroke. The short stroke is made possible by one or more annular orifices in a preferably flat valve seat or valve plate, the orifices being fed from both radially inner and outer sides upon opening movement of the valve plate a short distance away from the valve seat. The use of annular orifices allows a relatively large gas flow through the valve with a short stroke or movement of the valve plate. This permits the use of a solenoid or solenoids of relatively low power and mass. The valve may be operated by pulse width modulation of an electrical signal controlled by the vehicle ECM to vary the percentage of open time of the valve in order to vary EGR flow in a known manner. Thus, the need for a valve position sensor and feedback control is avoided which, together with reduced actuator mass and volume, provides a substantially reduced cost and operating complexity for the system.

Abstract: An air conditioning system (10) for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle having a windscreen comprises a first heat exchanger (14) positionable outside the passenger compartment; a second heat exchanger (18) positionable inside the passenger compartment; an expansion device (16) positioned in a first fluid passage (22) between the heat exchangers; an electronically controlled variable stroke compressor (12) for pumping fluid into the second fluid passage and either in a first direction (X) or in a second direction (Y); reverse flow means (32) in the second fluid passage for controlling the direction of the flow of fluid; first sensing means (36, 40) providing a first output signal indicative of the dewpoint temperature of the air leaving the second heat exchanger; second sensing means (53; 44,46,48) providing a second output signal indicative of the temperature of the windscreen; and control means (26,30) electrically connected to the first and second sensing means and to the compressor for receiving th

Abstract: An FM diversity feed for a solar-ray antenna system formed in the windshield of a vehicle. The FM diversity feed includes a conductive patch formed on an inside surface of an inner glass layer of the windshield at one of the lower corners of the windshield. The diversity feed is capacitively coupled to an impedance matching element of the solar-ray antenna formed between an outer glass layer and the inner glass layer of the windshield.