Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes: an injector body of substantially elongate form and defining an injector body axis; an injector nozzle disposed at one end of the injector body; and a plurality of element connectors for providing fluid and/or electrical connection into and/or out of the fuel injector wherein at least some of the element connectors are arranged to be rotatable relative to one another about the injector body axis.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charge coupler for both mechanically and electrically coupling and decoupling a charger to a vehicle includes a handle. The handle includes a handle connector configured for manually coupling and decoupling the handle with an inlet connector disposed on the vehicle. The handle connector further defines an aperture. The handle also includes a light source configured for activation to emit light. When the light source is activated, light emits from the light source and passes through the aperture to illuminate an area directionally out from the aperture away from the handle connector.

Abstract: A vehicle control system for controlling a vehicle deceleration rate that includes a dynamo (e.g. generator/motor) coupled to the vehicle to provide a dynamo deceleration force to the vehicle corresponding to an electric load, an internal combustion engine coupled the vehicle to provide an engine deceleration force to the vehicle corresponding to a throttle position, and a controller coupled to the internal combustion engine and the dynamo. The controller is configured determine a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) request based on an accelerator pedal position, and when a DFCO request is determined increase the throttle position to decrease the engine deceleration force, and increase the electric load on the dynamo to increase the dynamo deceleration force, to control the vehicle deceleration rate.

Abstract: The handle of a charge coupler includes a mechanical latch that securely mechanically locks the handle to the vehicle passively when the handle is manually attached to the vehicle by a human operator to create an electrical connection between the vehicle and the charger. The handle also has an actuator movable by the operator from a deactivated state to a first and a second position activated state. The mechanical latch operates independently of the state of the actuator when the handle is being manually attached but being mechanically released by the actuator when it is moved to its second activated state. A non-contact electrical switch means associated with the actuator breaks the electrical connection when the actuator is moved to the first position activated state before releasing the mechanical latch at said second activated position.

Abstract: Methods of making a sealed crimp connection attaching a terminal to a wire conductor are provided. A layer of fluid conformal coating is applied to overlie a terminal and underlie at least a lead of the wire conductor upon at least the lead being received into the terminal. The terminal, the fluid layer, and at least the lead of the wire conductor are crimped to form the crimp connection. Fluid conformal coating is displaced where an abutting surface of the terminal makes contact with at least the lead of the wire conductor. The fluid conformal coating is cured to a non-fluid state. The fluid conformal coating may be formed of an acrylated urethane material that may provide an increased pull force and a low crimp resistance in the crimp connection. The crimp connection may be constructed using a manufacturing process on an automated assembly line.

Abstract: A relative motion sensor mounted in the headrest of a vehicle driver seat is used to assess the head pose of a vehicle driver and adjust the headrest position to optimize both the safety of the driver and the sensitivity of the relative motion sensor. At the beginning of each ignition cycle, the relative motion sensor is used to adjust the position of the headrest relative to the driver's head for optimal driver safety, and the relative motion sensor is oriented to provide optimal sensitivity for head pose assessment when the headrest is positioned for driver safety.

Abstract: A fuel pump for use in an internal combustion engine, the fuel pump comprising a pumping plunger for pressurising fuel within a pump chamber during a plunger pumping stroke, a rider member co-operable with a drive, and an interface member, for example a foot of the plunger or an intermediate tappet, for imparting drive from the rider member to the pumping plunger to perform the plunger pumping stroke. The interface member comprises an arcuate contact surface co-operable with the rider member. The inventive concept also extends to a pumping plunger for pressurising fuel within a pump chamber of a fuel pump, the pumping plunger comprising a foot having an arcuate contact surface for engaging a rider member of a fuel pump in use.

Abstract: A method for controlling a glow plug at a desired temperature. In a glow plug off state, the glow plug temperature status is monitored to prepare for the next combustion event. When ignition is requested, a determination is made as to how long full voltage can be applied to bring the glow plug to ignition temperature. A resistance/temperature map is provided to determine the resistance as a function of temperature. Another map is provided of temperature as a function of powering time at a full battery voltage in a First Heating Phase to ensure that the surface temperature of the glow plug will reach a predetermined temperature required to start combustion of an air/fuel mixture. A third map is provided of a PWM duty cycle for a Second Heating Phase to maintain the temperature of the glow plug to ensure flame propagation without damage to the glow plug.

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor includes first and second electrodes spaced from each other with a bias resistor connected between the first and second electrodes. The particulate matter sensor allows an open circuit fault condition in the sensor or in the connectors or wiring to the sensor to be detected. A sensing system using the particulate matter sensor and a method for diagnosing faults in a sensing system are also provided.

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: The invention relates to a method for the assistance of a driver of a vehicle during a journey along a road, in which bend data indicating the course of a bend in the road extending in front of the vehicle seen in the direction of travel and road condition data indicating the condition of the road surface disposed in front of the vehicle seen in the direction of travel are determined and a recommended maximum speed allowing a safe driving through the bend is determined with reference to the bend data and to the road condition data.

Abstract: A communication system for recasting information communicated between a host system (smart phone, internet server) outputting an application generated signal, and a remote interface (in-vehicle display) so application content is displayed in a specified manner on the remote interface in accordance with a recast rule. The recast rules define how to interpret or analyze the application generated signal and recast content in that signal for output by the remote interface. The recast rules may be configured to detect control commands input by an operator, and in accordance with recast rules, generate a host control signal configured to operate some aspect of the host system.

Abstract: A device configured to be installed in a vehicle seat for estimating an occupant weight. The device includes a bladder and a pressure sensor. The bladder is configured to define a cavity characterized as having a center of gravity. The bladder is effective to retain a fluid and pressurize the fluid in response to an occupant weight upon the bladder. The bladder is also configured to define an opening to the cavity. The pressure sensor is coupled directly to the opening in a manner effective to seal the opening and locate the pressure sensor proximate to the center of gravity. The pressure sensor provides a pressure signal indicative of the occupant weight.

Abstract: A method of making a structural connection in a metallic tubular assembly is provided. It comprises providing a node having at least two legs and forming a radially extending rib extending from an exterior surface of each of the legs by deforming a corresponding interior portion of each of the legs. At least one tube is provided having a radially extending flange adjacent an open end. The tube is placed over the exterior surface of one of the legs abuts the radially extending flange and the radially extending rib. By applying opposing forces to one of the legs and one tube to hold the radially extending flange and the radially extending rib in abutting contact at a joint, resistance welding can take place at the joint when at least one electrode is applied to the joint.

Abstract: A pump unit has an inlet valve, an outlet valve, a supply line for supplying fuel, a pumping chamber, and a plunger for pressurising fuel in the pumping chamber. The inlet valve includes an inlet valve member movable between a first position and a second position. The inlet valve member has an aperture formed therein. The aperture provides a first fluid pathway between the pumping chamber and the supply line when the inlet valve member is in its first position, and the aperture provides a second fluid pathway between the pumping chamber and the outlet valve when the inlet valve member is in its second position.

Abstract: A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The major components and subassemblies self-ground by establishing an interference fit with exposed, resilient, embossed portions of wire mesh.

Abstract: A weight based occupant detection device that includes a weight sensing device installed in a vehicle seat in a manner effective to sense weight on a seating surface. The weight sensing device is configured to output a weight signal indicative of an occupant weight of a seat occupant residing on the vehicle seat. The occupant detection device also includes a seat orientation angle sensing device that is configured to output an orientation angle signal indicative of a seat orientation angle. The occupant detection device may also include an accelerometer for sensing vertical acceleration of the vehicle seat, and a seat backrest angle device for measuring the angle of the seat backrest. The occupant detection device compensates a signal from the weight sensing device for errors caused by seat orientation, seat vertical acceleration and seat backrest angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for testing a multi-hole fuel injector nozzle. The apparatus comprises mounting means for the multi-hole nozzle and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the multi-hole nozzle. The multi-hole nozzle is mounted outside a measurement chamber for capturing the fuel spray from an individual spray hole outlet of the multi-hole nozzle. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a spray target plate, located within the measurement chamber, at which the fuel spray is directed. The spray target plate (28) is connected to a remote pressure sensor, which is used to determine the spray force of the fuel spray acting on the spray target plate. The apparatus is further arranged to determine the mass flow rate of the fuel spray. A new parameter, referred to as ‘momentum efficiency’ is defined, and calculated using the determined values of spray force and mass flow rate.

Abstract: In a pressure control system having a solenoid-operated fluid valve that has an output hydraulic pressure which varies in accordance with a solenoid input signal, a dynamic learning block is configured to adjust the initial, default values for control points stored in a pressure-current (P-I) data table based on observed (measured) operating points that reflect the solenoid's actual transfer characteristic. A feed forward control block is configured to generate the solenoid input signal having a level based on the adjusted control points in the data table, which improves the accuracy of the solenoid input signal. An adjustment method uses a plurality of circular buffers each configured to store observed operating points falling within a respective range, and provides a mechanism to allow adjustment of the control points based on only partial data.

Abstract: Long-range remote communication and control of a vehicle is achieved with primary and secondary cellular devices provided by the vehicle user. The primary cellular device is retained by the user, while the secondary cellular device is dedicated to the vehicle and placed in a docking station provided in the vehicle passenger compartment. The vehicle docking station is equipped with typical cell phone electrical interfaces to supply power and to establish a bi-directional data communication link between the secondary cellular device and an on-board vehicle computer. The secondary cellular device remains activated, and provides a low-cost remotely accessible communication link between the on-board vehicle computer and the primary cellular device or any other phone, provided that specified security conditions are satisfied.