Abstract: An HVAC system includes a housing defining an auxiliary aperture, an occupant aperture, a circulation aperture, an inlet opening, a drip aperture, having at least one treatment device disposed therein, and defines a pre-treatment space between the inlet opening and the treatment device. An instrument panel has a façade and a backside opposite the façade and defines a passage extending from the façade to the backside and terminates at the housing. An auxiliary article module is disposed in the passage, abuts the housing and has walls defining an auxiliary article compartment, an auxiliary hole, an outer circulation hole, and a drip hole. The holes and their corresponding apertures are aligned and abutting for receiving air and liquid between the housing and the auxiliary article compartment. A circulation duct extends between the circulation aperture and the pre-treatment space for carrying air therebetween.

Abstract: An occupant detection system emits an ultrasonic signal for detecting the presence of an occupant by reflecting the signal off the occupant and then determines that an occupant is present by detecting motion of the occupant. One type of motion that is detected is the small rhythmic motion associated with respiration. The motion detection system improves detection of motion smaller than a wavelength of the ultrasonic signal by shifting the wavelength of the ultrasonic signal to increase the detected motion signal. The system may also determine the presence of an occupant by comparing the motion signal to a motion pattern that corresponds to respiration.

Abstract: A pump head suitable for use in a fuel pump for a common rail fuel injection system, comprises a pump head housing defining a plunger bore and a pumping chamber. Fuel is pressurized within the pumping chamber by a plunger reciprocating within the plunger bore. The pump head housing includes an inlet valve arrangement for controlling fuel flow into the pumping chamber. The inlet valve arrangement includes a valve member movable between open and closed positions in response to fuel pressure within a gallery. The gallery communicates with an external chamber defined by a closure means externally mounted to the pump head housing. In use, the gallery communicates with a source of low-pressure fuel via the external chamber. The pump head housing has a projection which locates the closure member on the pump head housing.

Abstract: An immersion cooling apparatus includes a multi-terminal thermally conductive module that supports and encloses a power semiconductor device and a housing defining a flow-through chamber in which the thermally conductive module is mounted and through which liquid coolant is circulated. The thermally conductive module has first and second oppositely disposed connector headers housing terminal pins or blades electrically coupled to the semiconductor device, and the connector headers protrude through openings in oppositely disposed sidewalls of the housing so that the portion of the thermally conductive module between the connector headers is suspended in the chamber and immersed in the circulating coolant. The thermally conductive module is sealed against the housing sidewalls around the openings, and one of the sidewalls is removable to facilitate installation of the thermally conductive module in the housing or its subsequent removal.

Abstract: A lifter oil manifold assembly for variable actuation of engine valves having first (top) and second (valve) plates having portions of oil control and oil exhaust passages formed therein. The assembly further includes a carrier member having an oil supply passage integrated thereby separating the oil supply path from the oil control and oil exhaust path. Further, the assembly includes towers for receiving and positioning the electro-magnetic oil control valves used to control oil flow in the assembly. The towers are molded separate from the carrier and are held in place by the valve plate or are molded integral with the carrier. In another aspect of the invention, oil control valve retention springs are molded integral with either the tower or the oil control valve. In a further aspect of the invention, a combined polymer restrictor/strainer in the oil circuit replaces a prior art metal die-cast restrictor.

Abstract: A manifold for a heat exchanger includes a header radially surrounding and in spaced relationship to an axially extending distributor conduit. The distributor conduit is formed by bending the sheet along the leading edge, and the header is formed by bending a remainder of the sheet including a trailing edge about an axis in radially spaced relationship to the distributor conduit. The cross sections are completed and closed by placing the leading and trailing edges into contact with, and sealing the edges to the sheet.

Abstract: An insulated electric wire having a conductive core and an insulation jacket is center stripped by cutting a pattern in one side of the insulation jacket with a laser beam, and then cutting a coordinated pattern in an opposite side of the insulation jacket with a laser beam to produce two axially spaced circumferential cuts connected by a plurality of generally axial cuts that define at least two removeable insulation slugs for exposing the conductive core while the insulation jacket on either side of the exposed conductive core is left intact. An in-line center stripping device or a multiple wire rotation device may be used for center stripping the insulated electric wire. The insulated slugs may by removed by an insulation removal device on an offal removal assembly.

Abstract: A clip for securing a sleeve to the body of a piezoelectric actuator in an actuator assembly, the clip taking the form of a band comprising first and second axially spaced ring-like members joined by a plurality of inwardly facing substantially arch shaped sections, the arch shaped sections defining the minimum inner diameter of the band, whereby axial displacement of the ring-like members way from one another causes flexing of the arch shaped sections to increase the minimum inner diameter of the band while axial displacement of the ring-like members towards one another causes flexing of the arch shaped sections to reduce the minimum inner diameter of the band thereby, when in use, to increase a clamping force applied to the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic component assembly is disclosed comprising disposing an electronic component in a housing such that there is at least one void space between the component and the housing, disposing non-conductive microspheres in the void space to substantially fill the void space, and disposing a fluid potting material in the housing and hardening or curing the potting material to pot the component in the housing. An assembly is also disclosed comprising a housing, an electronic component disposed in the housing such that there is at least one space between the component and the housing and the space is substantially filled with non-conductive microspheres, and a material that potting the first electronic component in the housing. The invention enables an electronic component in a housing with a space left between the housing to be potted with reduced formation of bubbles in the hardened potting material.

Abstract: A bussed electrical center has a power cable for feeding electrical power to the bussed electrical center. A printed circuit board subassembly is interposed between a first housing member and a second housing member that are connectable together. An electrically conductive connector has a prong end and a distal end. The prong end is operably connected to the printed circuit board subassembly. A first fastener and a second fastener are positioned on opposite sides of the first and second housing members. When the first and second fasteners are tightened together to a draw the first and second housing members together to mechanically fasten the bussed electrical center together, the distal end and the terminal end are pressed against each other for electrical connection to each other to electrically connect the power cable to the printed circuit board subassembly.

Abstract: A method of assembling vehicles is provided that includes providing a first engine with a first engine manifold having a first opening, and installing a first fitting in the first opening. A second engine is provided with a second engine manifold having a second opening, and a second fitting substantially identical to the first fitting is installed in the second opening. A seal portion of the first fitting is separated from a body portion of the first fitting at a weakened joint between the seal portion and the body portion. The body portion of the first fitting is then connected with a brake system on a first vehicle to enable vacuum assist of the brake system via a vacuum within the first engine manifold. The second engine is operated without separating a seal portion of the second fitting so that the second opening is plugged by the second fitting.

Abstract: A technique for addressing frame loss in a video system includes a number of steps. Initially, a first video stream and a second video stream are received. The first and second video streams each include related video information having a plurality of video frames. At least one of the first and second video streams is buffered and lost or corrupted video frames associated with the first video stream are replaced with uncorrupted video frames from the second video stream.

Abstract: A fault detection method for detecting short circuit faults in an injector arrangement at engine start-up. The injector arrangement comprises one or more piezoelectric fuel injectors, which are connected in a drive circuit. In one aspect of the invention, the potential at a bias point in the drive circuit is determined and compared with a predicted voltage. A short circuit fault signal is generated if the potential at the bias point is not within a predetermined tolerance voltage of the predicted voltage. In another aspect of the invention, a first charge pulse is applied to the injectors to charge the injectors. A discharge current path is provided during a delay period following the first charge pulse by closing a discharge switch. A faulty injector will discharge through the discharge current path during the delay period. A second charge pulse is applied to the injectors following the delay period.

Abstract: A method for equalizing fuel injector flows among a plurality of fuel injectors in an internal combustion engine including the steps of a) characterizing the electrical and/or mechanical performance of each fuel injector; b) imprinting characterization data on each fuel injector; c) reading the imprinted data into a control computer, preferably at the time of engine assembly or sub-assembly; and d) using the characterization data in an algorithm to adjust at least one electrical parameter such as hold current, peak current, and boost time for each fuel injector in an assembled engine during each fuel injection cycle.

Abstract: A battery pack assembly having a casing enclosing stacks of cells. The casing defines a plurality of air intake chambers for receiving a flow of air and a plurality of slots diametrically opposite of the air intake chambers for dispensing the flow of air, and the air flows circumferentially through a gap around the cell walls to cool the cells. A plurality of circumferentially and radially spaced flow interrupters are disposed on at lest one of the cell wall and the casing for disrupting the flow of air to increase the heat transfer coefficient of that air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the junction temperature (Tj) and drain-source current (Ids) of a standard FET within a multi-FET module includes a control IC managing one or more 3 terminal standard FETs within the same package, calculating Tj and Tds for one or more FETs in one or more packages, and protecting each FET against short circuit faults while allowing high current transients, such as inrush currents from a lamp load.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system is described for diagnosing an operating condition of a conductive particulate matter sensor. The sensor has a substrate and two electrodes on the substrate adapted to collect particulate matter between the electrodes, thereby establishing an electrically conductive path through collected particulate matter between the electrodes that can be detected by measuring electrical resistance between the electrodes, Relect. The diagnosis is performed by detecting whether water vapor condensate may be present between the electrodes and if it is, then measuring resistance between the electrodes while subjecting the sensor to conditions sufficient to evaporate any water vapor condensate and diagnosing a validation that the sensor is in proper operating condition if resistance increases in a manner consistent with evaporation of condensate.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system is described for diagnosing an operating condition of a conductive particulate matter sensor. The sensor has a substrate with electrical resistance that varies with temperature and two electrodes on the substrate adapted to collect particulate matter between the electrodes, thereby establishing an electrically conductive path through collected particulate matter between the electrodes that can be detected by measuring electrical resistance between the electrodes, Relect. The diagnosis is performed by heating the substrate in the area between the electrodes and detecting whether resistance varies with temperature as expected, and then cooling the substrate back down and detecting whether resistance varies with temperature as expected. If resistance varies as expected during both heating and cooling, then a validation is diagnosed that the sensor is in proper operating condition if resistance increases in a manner consistent with evaporation of condensate.

Abstract: An armature for a solenoid actuator is disclosed. The armature comprises a first face comprising a recess suitable for receiving a biasing spring in use of the armature; a second face opposite the first face; and fluid communication means for providing a fluid flow path through the armature between the recess and the second face in use of the armature. The first face is uninterrupted by the fluid communication means. The invention reduces the risk of cavitation damage during operation of the actuator. In one application, the actuator is used in a fluid pump for a selective catalytic reduction system.

Abstract: A system for managing regeneration of a CDPF in a diesel engine. The system determines volatility of the accumulated soot by a weighting/indexing method to select a regeneration control strategy that protects the CDPF from thermal damage. The system determines the mass of wet soot and dry soot accumulated over the previous driving cycle and selects a management strategy to control the rate of temperature increase and the thermal gradient imposed upon the filter. The wet soot percent is an index for setting the regeneration temperature control profile for an allowable total accumulated soot mass as a function of the accumulated wet soot. The method also scales the soot mass regeneration threshold value based upon wet soot accumulation and accumulation rate and provides an indicator of combustibility of the soot accumulation. The method provides a temperature ramp rate, total regeneration time, and exhaust oxygen level required to control regeneration.