Abstract: A method of assessing the functioning of an EGR cooler of an EGR system in an internal combustion engine, wherein the EGR cooler can be selectively operated in a first and a second operating condition; and wherein the engine comprises at least one cylinder equipped with a pressure sensor. The assessment of the functioning of the EGR cooler is based on the variation of a combustion characteristic value depending on cylinder pressure (CA50), upon switching of the EGR cooler from a first to a second operating condition.

Abstract: A heads-up display system is configured for use in a vehicle. The system includes a standard vehicle window (i.e. no special coatings), an image projector, and a vehicle dashboard equipped with a faceted reflective surface. The image projector is configured to project an image onto the faceted reflective surface. The faceted reflective surface is configured to reflect the image from the image projector onto a window surface of the standard vehicle window. The window surface is oriented to reflect the image from the faceted reflective surface toward an occupant. The faceted reflective surface may be disposed within a plurality of troughs separated by a plurality of diffuse reflecting partitions. The plurality of troughs may be configured to shield the occupant from extraneous reflections. The faceted reflective surface may include a plurality of electrically controlled facets. The plurality of electrically controlled reflective facets may be an array of electrowetting cells.

Abstract: A heads-up display system suitable for use in a vehicle. The system includes a projector configured to project a projected image. A faceted reflector is included to overlay a dashboard area of the vehicle and define an array of reflective facets. Each facet is configured to reflect cooperatively a portion of the projected image to form a reflected image directed toward a windshield of the vehicle. A light diffusive layer is included to diffuse the reflected portion of the projected image such that the reflected image can be seen by an occupant of the vehicle as a reflection in the windshield. A light control film interposed between the windshield and the faceted reflector is included to propagate preferentially the projected image and thereby reduce the occurrence of ambient light washout of the reflected image being displayed.

Abstract: A battery safety system that includes a battery terminal configured for making an electrical connection to the system, an electrical disconnect operable to a disconnected state whereby a battery voltage is electrically isolated from the battery terminal, and a connected state, whereby the battery voltage is electrically coupled to the battery terminal. The battery safety system also includes and a terminal guard movable to an exposed position effective to allow making the electrical connection to the battery terminal, and a protected position effective to prevent electrical contact with the battery terminal other than via the electrical connection. The system is configured to prevent the electrical disconnect from being operated to the connected state if the terminal guard is not at the protected position.

Abstract: A heated fuel injector system and controller that includes a temperature sensing means to provide closed-loop control of a heating element heating fuel dispensed by a heated fuel injector. Closed-loop control provides more accurate temperature control of the heating element so that fuel heating is provided as quickly as possible while also protecting the fuel from being boiled and protecting the heated fuel injector from being damaged by excessive temperature. By monitoring how the signal from the temperature sensing means varies over time, fault conditions such as a lack of fuel flow, and fuel ethanol percentage may be detected.

Abstract: A thermal-protection apparatus disposed in a vehicle cabin or storage compartment includes a housing enveloping a chamber in which a thermally-sensitive consumer electronic device is received, a thermoelectric module mounted in a wall of the housing, and a remote electronic controller and power source coupled to the housing via an electrical cable for activating the thermoelectric module, and optionally the consumer electronic device, in a manner to prevent the temperature in the chamber from exceeding a prescribed maximum operating temperature of the consumer electronic device or falling below a prescribed minimum operating temperature of the consumer electronic device.

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: Long time interleaver and listenable audio performance enhancements for a satellite receiver are presented. One enhancement includes comparing a correlation and a predetermined threshold value and blocking satellite signal data transmission from entry into long time interleaver (LTI) device circuitry and forward error correction (FEC) circuitry when the correlation value is the same as, or less than the predetermined threshold value. Another enhancement includes using Reed-Solomon codeword error checking to prevent erroneous baseband signal data from being accepted as good baseband signal data. A further enhancement includes storing symbol timing and frequency data during a strong signal condition of the satellite receiver and using this stored data when the satellite receiver encounters a weak signal condition. Another enhancement includes mitigating DC offset noise in a satellite receiver having a zero-IF tuner.

Abstract: A system, controller, antenna, and method for detecting obstruction and misalignment of a ground vehicle radar having an antenna configured to detect objects in a first direction characterized as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane about the ground vehicle, and detect objects in a second direction characterized as being toward a roadway surface proximate to the ground vehicle. The second direction radar return from the roadway is expected to have certain characteristics. If the characteristics are outside of a predetermined window, then obstruction and/or misalignment of the first direction and the second direction is likely, and so the radar may not reliably detect an object in the first direction, such as a vehicle in an adjacent lane.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system on a by-product gas containing a fuel constituent. The fuel cell system includes a fuel reformer for forming a reformate stream, a combustor for supplying heat energy to the fuel reformer, and a fuel cell stack. The method includes the steps of separating a by-product gas into a purified gas stream and a residual stream with a gaseous fuel purifier, feeding the purified gas stream to the fuel reformer configured to transform the purified gas stream to produce a reformate stream, and feeding the residual gas stream to a combustor configured to provide heat energy to the fuel reformer. The purified gas stream contains a higher concentration of preferable fuel constituents and a lower concentration of contaminants than the residual gas stream.

Abstract: A plug assembly is provided for a high-pressure valve of the type with a tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis and in which, under the action of a piloted actuator, a needle moves longitudinally between a closed position and an open position. The plug assembly includes a plug having a flat part able to be fixed onto the body transversally to the longitudinal axis, and a spring intended to apply to the needle a force biasing it axially towards the closed position. The spring is fixed to the plug forming with it an integrated assembly.

Abstract: A multiple function control knob assembly that includes a knob, a three dimensional Hall effect sensor, a magnet, and a processor. The knob is configured to be movably rotated about an axis and movably positioned along the axis. The three dimensional Hall effect sensor is located proximate to the axis. The magnet is fixedly coupled to the knob so a magnet direction of the magnet relative to the sensor can be detected by the sensor. The processor is configured to receive a signal from the sensor indicative of the magnet direction, and determine an angular direction of the magnet about the axis and a linear position of the magnet along the axis based on the signal.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat recovery (EGHR) heat exchanger, for recovering waste heat from the hot exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, having a housing and a cylindrical body disposed within the housing. The cylindrical body defines a central passageway and together with the housing defines an annular passageway for the flow of hot exhaust gases. A bypass means is disposed within the central passageway and adapted to selectively by-pass at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the central passageway to the annular passageway. The EGHR heat exchanger also includes at least one fluid tube extending along a tube axis and having at least one lobe extending the length of the tube thereby defining a lobed tube. The lobed tube is twisted about the tube axis forming a twisted lobed tube which is then coiled about the longitudinal axis within the annular exhaust gas passageway.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a knurl pattern disposed along at least a portion of an interior surface of the electrical contact. The portion receives a lead of a wire cable along a longitudinal axis and is attached thereto to form a crimp connection. The knurl pattern includes a plurality of recessed elements and each recessed element has a rhombus shape that includes inner corners. An orientation of a first pair of opposing, generally axial inner corners define an axial minor distance therebetween and an orientation of a second pair of opposing, inner corners define a major distance therebetween. The axial minor distance is less than the major distance. The recessed elements of the knurl pattern are especially suitable for engagement with an aluminum wire cable to form the crimp connection. A wire assembly that includes the crimp connection is associated with a cable harness disposed in a motorized vehicle.

Abstract: A system, controller, and method for displaying an image corresponding to a field of view about a vehicle. The controller stores images from a camera, and outputs a processed signal to display to a vehicle operator stored images from a time period prior to the controller receiving an operator input signal. A vehicle equipped so will allow a vehicle operator actuate the operator input device in order to review images and thereby verify that another vehicle or a pedestrian has moved away from the vehicle.

Abstract: A lightweight audio player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a fold-up case formed of polymer based material molded to provide details to accept audio devices, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case is of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen. The wire mesh provides shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Side wall closure members define self-engaging attachment features for affixing to the case, providing electrical self-grounding with the wire screen and thermal grounding with internal power devices. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes at least one grooved channel defined in an interior surface of the electrical contact along at least a portion the electrical contact disposed along a longitudinal axis. The portion is configured to axially receive a lead of a wire cable for attachment thereto and thereby allow the attached lead to at least engagingly make contact against a recessed surface of the grooved channel. The grooved channel has a depth and includes at a least one sidewall extending along the depth. The sidewall includes at least one section that angularly extends from the interior surface to a point recessed from the interior surface disposed on the sidewall along the depth.

Abstract: A volumetric display for displaying three dimensional (3D) images. The volumetric display uses a flat panel display to output light into a volumetric diffuser, and an array of electrowetting lenses between the flat panel display and the volumetric diffuser to direct light emitted by one or more of the pixels of the flat panel display toward a location within the display volume such that the location is illuminated brighter than other locations within the display volume.

Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift system for actuating a combustion valve of an engine includes a camshaft having a camshaft lobe rotatable about an camshaft axis of rotation. A rocker assembly is pivotable for providing reciprocating motion to the combustion valve. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis of rotation such that rotation of the control shaft about the control shaft axis of rotation changes the position of the rocker assembly to vary the lift of the combustion valve. An actuator selectively rotates the control shaft between a minimum lift position and a maximum lift position. A bias spring surrounding the control shaft axis of rotation biases the control shaft only from the minimum lift position to a predetermined position which is intermediate the minimum lift position and the maximum lift position upon failure of the actuator.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly and a method of assembling the ignition coil assembly including a first spool, a first coil, and a second spool. The first coil is wound around a first spool outer surface. The first spool and the first coil are disposed within a cavity of the second spool and an electrically insulating material injected into an annular space defined between a first coil outer surface and a second spool inner surface. The first spool is configured to allow a decrease of a circumference of the first spool when the first coil is wound around an outer surface of the first spool. Decreasing the circumference of the first spool increases the annular space sufficient to inject the electrically insulating material into the annular space without creating substantial voids in the electrically insulating material.