Abstract: A planar magnetic structure has an electrically insulating carrier made up of a base portion and opposed upstanding sidewalls. A plurality of planar primary windings and planar secondary windings are interstitially disposed within the carrier with planar dielectric spacers located between each adjacent pair of windings. A ferrite core envelopes the assembly to magnetically couple the windings. The carrier and windings form at least two spaces-apart sets of cooperating registration features which maintain the windings in fixed alignment with the carrier.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a housing. A harmonic gear drive unit is disposed within the housing and includes a circular spline and a dynamic spline, a flexspline disposed within the circular spline and the dynamic spline, a wave generator disposed within the flexspline, and a rotational actuator connectable to the wave generator. A wave generator bearing includes an inner race with an inner race axial end, an outer race, a plurality of balls between the inner and outer races, and a ball cage. The ball cage includes an annular section disposed axial from the balls proximal to the inner race axial end and a plurality of ball separators such that consecutive balls are separated by one of the ball separators. A rigid support ring extends axially beyond the inner race axial end toward the annular section to limit axial distortion of the annular section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a fuel pump assembly comprising a plurality of pump elements, each pump element comprising a cam-driven plunger to perform at least one pumping event per engine revolution and a control valve. Each pumping event corresponds to an associated cam lobe of the associated cam. The method comprises, for each pumping event of each pump element, controlling the control valve of said pump element in response to an output control signal derived from at least one previous pumping event. Fuel pressure is measured within a rail volume and compared with a demanded rail pressure value to derive a rail pressure error. A proportional term and an integral term for the rail pressure error are derived and combined to derive the output control signal. Monitoring of the integral term for each pumping event provides a means for identifying and diagnosing a fault condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an algorithm for detecting activation of a tactile pressure sensor having a mechanic structure that includes the steps of: (a) measuring periodically an input quantity (V0; f0) of the sensor, when it is not pressed, the period being set according to sensor dynamic requirements; (b) computing a current idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) depending on the input quantity (V0; f0) measured at step a); (c) computing an activation threshold (?VP; ?fP) based on a quantity characterization of the sensor mechanic structure and depending on the idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) defined at step b); (d) comparing the sensor input quantity (V0; f0) with the last defined idle quantity (Vidle; fidle) increased by the activation threshold (?VP; ?fP) computed in step c) in order to determine whether the sensor is pressed or not.

Abstract: An engine system and a method of controlling a combustion process in an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The combustion process is based on compression ignition of a stratified air-fuel mixture using a high octane fuel such as gasoline. Multiple fuel injections may be used in a given combustion cycle. Fuel injection timing, EGR, exhaust rebreathing, late intake valve closing, and intake boost are controlled to enable autoignition over essentially the entire speed and load operating range of the engine, while providing reduced emissions, low noise, and low fuel consumption.

Abstract: A method to determine a performance characteristic of an exhaust system of an engine, where the exhaust system includes an exhaust gas sensor that outputs an exhaust gas signal. A combustion event in a cylinder is fueled at an air-fuel ratio selected to produce exhaust gas that is expected to be distinguishable by the exhaust gas sensor from exhaust gas produced by other combustion events, and used to determine the performance characteristic. The performance characteristic may be an exhaust gas transport time of the exhaust system, a sensitivity characteristic of the exhaust gas sensor, or a fueling correction value necessary to restore fueling to, for example, stoichiometry. Such a method is useful to detect physical changes in the exhaust system such as relocating the exhaust gas sensor, or detect if the exhaust gas sensor is damaged or not operating properly.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a hydraulic subassembly with a valve member displaceable along a valve axis for controlling flow of fluid. The valve assembly also includes a solenoid subassembly for selectively displacing said valve member. The solenoid subassembly includes a metallic solenoid housing having an open end and a solenoid housing base. The solenoid subassembly also includes a solenoid coil assembly disposed within the solenoid housing, the solenoid coil assembly having a coil wound around a plastic spool defining a spool bore extending through the spool. The solenoid subassembly also includes a metallic solenoid housing cover closing off the open end of the solenoid housing and attached to the solenoid housing with a crimp connection. The solenoid subassembly also includes a metallic column disposed within and passing through the spool bore extending from the solenoid housing base to the solenoid housing cover.

Abstract: In a method for the detection and tracking of lane markings from a motor vehicle, an image of a space located in front of the vehicle is captured by means of an image capture device at regular intervals. The picture elements that meet a predetermined detection criterion are identified as detected lane markings in the captured image. At least one detected lane marking as a lane marking to be tracked is subjected to a tracking process. At least one test zone is defined for each detected lane marking. With the aid of intensity values of the picture elements associated with the test zone, at least one parameter is determined. The detected lane marking is assigned to one of several lane marking categories, depending on the parameter.

Abstract: A seat belt system configured for use in a vehicle includes a seat belt buckle assembly that is configured to determine the both the latch condition of the seat belt buckle assembly with the seat belt tongue, and the tension applied to the seat belt webbing in a seat belt system. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a latch configured to receive and engage the seat belt tongue, a magnet, and a magnetic sensor configured to determine relative displacement of the magnet. The seat belt buckle assembly is configured to cause a first displacement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to engagement of the seat belt tongue with the latch and cause a second displacement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to tension on the seat belt webbing via the seat belt tongue. The first displacement is distinct from the second displacement.

Abstract: A sub-cooled condenser for an air conditioning system includes a condenser portion, a sub-cooler portion located below that of the condenser portion, an integral receiver tank having an upper receiver first chamber with a first fluid port in hydraulic connection with the condenser portion and a lower receiver second chamber having a second fluid port in hydraulic connection with the sub-cooler portion, and a refrigerant conduit disposed in the receiver tank. The refrigerant conduit may include a top entry end extending into the upper receiver first chamber and a bottom discharge end extending in the lower receiver second chamber, wherein the bottom discharge end may extend below the second fluid port. The condenser portion may include multiple passes in which the refrigerant flows in an upward direction from the inlet of the condenser portion to the first fluid port that is in hydraulic connection to the upper receiver first chamber.

Abstract: A system for adding sulfur to a reformate stream feeding a fuel cell stack, having a sulfur source for providing sulfur to the reformate stream and a metering device in fluid connection with the sulfur source and the reformate stream. The metering device injects sulfur from the sulfur source to the reformate stream at a predetermined rate, thereby providing a conditioned reformate stream to the fuel cell stack. The system provides a conditioned reformate stream having a predetermined sulfur concentration that gives an acceptable balance of minimal drop in initial power with the desired maximum stability of operation over prolonged periods for the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is provided having at least one header, a plurality of spaced apart fluid tubes in hydraulic communication with the header, and a plurality of corrugated fins disposed between the tubes. The corrugated fins include a planar portion having a louver segment defined between a pair of primary slits, in which the louver segment includes an intermediate slit splitting the louver segment into a pair of mini-louvers. The mini-louvers are counter-offset such that one of the mini-louvers is on one side of the planar portion and the other one of the mini-lover is on the other side of the planar portion. The mini-louvers may be pivoted about their respective junctures such that each of the mini-louver segments is oblique relative to the planar portion.

Abstract: Control system (10) intended for the choice and the selection of functions in a vehicle, the system (10) comprising a case (14), a lever extending along a main axis from a first end, mounted pivoting about a pivot axis (L, T) to a second end provided with an actuation knob (12), the lever being able to turn about the main axis, and an elastic return device of the lever into a neutral position comprising an action surface in the form of a truncated cone of revolution, the axis of which is the main axis and, on a pivoting of the lever, the active zone is displaced along a generatrix of the cone moving towards the vertex, the elastic means being more biased than in a neutral position.

Abstract: A sensor system and seat assembly includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a seating force exerted on a portion of a seat cushion of a seat. The sensor assembly includes a base, a force transducer configured to output a signal indicative of the seating force, and a lever pivotably coupled to the base. The lever defines a sensing end configured to be disposed proximate to the portion of the seat cushion such that the seating force operates on the sensing end. The lever also defines an actuating end configured to apply an actuation force to the force transducer. The sensor assembly may comprise a plurality of levers. Each sensing end of each lever may be disposed in a separate location within the portion of the seat cushion. The sensor assembly may be configured to detect a child exerting a seating force on a portion of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A plug-in vehicle security system that includes a plug-in wireless relay module and a plug-in telematics device. The relay module includes a relay switch and a wireless receiver coupled to the relay switch in a manner effective to influence operation of the relay switch based on reception of an authorization signal. The telematics device includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the authorization signal in response to a network signal. The telematics device also includes a network transceiver configured to receive the network signal from a communication network. A plug-in vehicle security system is advantageous because installation costs are reduced by reducing the time and installation expertise necessary to do the installation. Such a system will be particularly attractive to vehicle rental fleet operators.

Abstract: An occupant detection system including a seat assembly comprising a seat cushion having a seating surface, a heating element adjacent the seating surface, said heating element formed of electrically conductive material, a heating circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said heating circuit configured to supply an electrical current to the heating element effective to generate heat by the heating element, an occupant detection circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said occupant detection circuit configured to detect an occupant presence near the heating element, and an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit configured to prevent the heating circuit from influencing the occupant detection circuit, said isolation circuit comprising a common mode choke.

Abstract: A windshield display system for installation into a vehicle that includes a windshield, a transparent display overlaying the windshield, and an array of electrowetting lenses overlaying the transparent display. Each lens of the array is operable to a flat-state where light passes through the lens substantially undistorted, and a shaped-state where emitted light from an underlying portion of the transparent display is directed in order to increase an apparent brightness of the emitted light. The array selectively magnifies pixels or portions of the transparent display, while maintaining vision clarity for the operator in regions of the windshield where images are not being displayed. The array may also outline or highlight images being displayed with a region of distortion of surrounding the image to distort the view of the scene outside the vehicle to help the operator discern the image when the outside lighting conditions are less than ideal.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and a method for its use for detecting the proximity of a ferrous target, the sensor arrangement comprising a sensor body including a magnetic field source and a Hall effect device, wherein the magnetic field source is an electromagnetic solenoid. The invention has particularly utility, but is not so limited, to the field of fuel injection pumps in which it is necessary to determine the volume of fuel that is delivered to the cylinders of the engine without affecting the operation of the engine.

Abstract: A projection unit comprising a coherent light source such as a laser diode and a beam shaping element forming a light beam which is directed towards a display, characterized in that it comprises a laser speckle suppression device which is positioned between the laser source and the display and wherein the laser speckle suppression device is a diffusing element actuated randomly by a piezoelectric vibrating structure.

Abstract: A method to determine a performance characteristic of an exhaust system of an engine, where the exhaust system includes an exhaust gas sensor that outputs an exhaust gas signal. A combustion event in a cylinder is fueled at an air-fuel ratio selected to produce exhaust gas that is expected to be distinguishable by the exhaust gas sensor from exhaust gas produced by other combustion events, and used to determine the performance characteristic. The performance characteristic may be an exhaust gas transport time of the exhaust system, a sensitivity characteristic of the exhaust gas sensor, or a fueling correction value necessary to restore fueling to, for example, stoichiometry. Such a method is useful to detect physical changes in the exhaust system such as relocating the exhaust gas sensor, or detect if the exhaust gas sensor is damaged or not operating properly.