Abstract: A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine, the fuel injector comprising: a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seat to control fuel injection through an injector outlet; an actuator arrangement arranged to control fuel pressure within a control chamber, a surface associated with the valve needle being exposed to fuel pressure within the control chamber such that fuel pressure variations within the control chamber control movement of the valve needle relative to the valve needle seat; damping means for damping opening movement of the valve member, the damping means comprising a damper chamber and the damping means being arranged such that fuel pressure variations within the damper chamber damp opening movement of the valve member wherein the damping means is arranged such that in use there is a through flow of fuel through the damper chamber.

Abstract: An occupant presence sensor apparatus disposed in a seat includes first and second substantially non-compliant force translation plates generally parallel to the seating surface of the seat, an elastomeric mat disposed between the first and second force translation plates, and a switch mechanism disposed between the first and second force translation plates within an opening formed in the elastomeric mat. The elastomeric mat includes a distributed array of hollow protuberances that extend toward and contact the force translation plates, and the mat has a stiffness that normally provides a clearance between the switch mechanism and one of the force translation plates. When an occupant of specified or higher weight sits on the seating surface, the protuberances collapse and the force translation plates activate the switch mechanism.

Abstract: An interlock plate slidably affixed to a multi-bay connector header ensures a preordained connection sequence of multiple plug-in connectors. The interlock plate covers portions of the connector header, and can move with respect to the connector header to prevent access to selected bays of the header. When in a base position, the interlock plate allows insertion of one or more make-first/break-last connector plugs, but blocks insertion of one or more make-last/break-first connector plugs. When in a shifted position, the interlock plate prevents removal of the inserted make-first/break-last connector plug(s), and allows insertion of the make-last/break-first connector plug(s). Insertion of the make-last/break-first connector plug(s) locks the interlock plate in the shifted position, so that the make-last/break-first connector plug(s) must be removed prior to the make-first/break-last connector plug(s).

Abstract: The invention provides for a motor attachment assembly that includes an electric motor having spring clips adapted to securely lock onto the isolation posts of a plastic post vibration isolation system. The motor includes an end cap that has notches which cooperate with locator tabs of the motor housing to lock the cap onto the housing with the spring clips therebetween. Each clip includes an axial slot that is expandable in an open direction to receive an isolation post and biased in the closed direction to retain the isolation post. Each clip also has an inner surface with barbs protruding into the channel to allow insertion of the isolation post into the channel in the direction of the output shaft and to resist movement of the isolation post in a direction opposite to the output shaft. The inner surface has a retention groove to receive plastically deformed portions of the isolation post.

Abstract: A pump includes a piston block defining piston bores, and pistons disposed in the piston bores. A swash device defines a swash bore about a swash central axis (CSW) and a swash rotation axis (CR). A pivotal connection pivotally connects each of the pistons to the swash device for rotation about a connection pivot point during relative movement between the swash device and the piston. The connection pivot points are aligned in a plane (P). A shaft supported by the housing passes through the swash bore and defines a shaft central axis (CSH). A hinge assembly pivotally supports the swash device about a hinge axis (CHI) disposed on the opposite side of the plane (P) from the piston block. The swash rotation axis (CR) of the swash device is offset from the plane (P) away from the hinge axis (CHI) and is radially offset from the swash center axis in a direction toward the hinge axis (CHI).

Abstract: A stripline to waveguide transition is provided that includes a shielded stripline having a transmission line in a dielectric, between two ground planes. The transition includes a stripline patch electrically coupled to the transmission line within an opening of the first ground plane and a stripline impedance matching transformer. The transition further includes a waveguide comprising a waveguide wall defining a waveguide opening. The waveguide is arranged substantially perpendicular to the patch, and the waveguide opening is aligned with an opening in the first ground plane. The electric field of the stripline transitions to a transverse electric propagation in the waveguide. The transition may be integrated with a transceiver and antenna.

Abstract: A control methodology for dynamically adjusting the switching limits of a cycled refrigerant compressor in an air conditioning system with the objective of achieving an optimal or specified tradeoff between compressor cycling frequency and discharge air temperature variation under all operating conditions. In a first embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled to maintain a virtually constant discharge air temperature variation for all operating conditions. In a second embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled so that the discharge air temperature variation changes in relation to the discharge air temperature to provide a virtually constant human comfort level for the occupants. And in a third embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled so that the discharge air temperature variation changes in relation to the ambient or outside air temperature to provide a virtually constant human comfort level for the occupants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a distortion corrected video signal. A camera is directed toward a test pattern for producing a raw video signal. An image processor is operatively connected to the camera for receiving the raw video signal. The image processor is operable to capture at least one calibration image of the test pattern using the raw video signal from the camera, analyze the at least one calibration image to provide a calibration data table, and store the calibration data table within the image processor.

Abstract: An image classification system configured to classify a target and method thereof is provided, wherein the system includes at least one light source configured to emit light with at least one line pattern towards the target, wherein at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern is reflected by the target. The system further includes an imager configured to receive at least a portion of the reflected light and line pattern, such that an obtained 2-D line pattern is produced that is representative of at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern reflected by the target, and a controller configured to compare the 2-D line pattern to at least one previously obtained 2-D line pattern stored in a database, such that the controller classifies the 2-D line pattern as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: An oxygen generating system includes an oxygen generating unit including a housing having disposed therein i) at least two sieve beds, ii) a piston disposed between and operatively connected to the sieve beds, and iii) at least one magnet operatively disposed on the piston. A coil is wrapped around an exterior surface of the housing and is in operative communication with the magnet(s). The coil is configured to drive the piston along a length of the housing between the sieve beds during at least one stage of an oxygen generating cycle. The driving of the piston is accomplished via an electromagnetic field formed between the coil and the magnet(s). Also disclosed herein is a method for generating an oxygen-enriched gas using the oxygen generating system.

Abstract: A display device having integral photo-sensors for touch sensing is used to detect and mitigate the effects of veiling glare that obscures information being conveyed by the display device. The photo-sensors are periodically sampled to identify optically saturated regions of the display device. If the saturated regions of the display device are being used to convey relevant information, one or more counter-measures are initiated to mitigate the effects of the glare. The counter-measures may include: increasing the display brightness at least in the identified glare region, tilting the display or its cover lens away from estimated direction of the glare source, re-sizing or re-formatting the displayed information, using an alternate display device to convey the information, and presenting the information with a different layer of a multi-layer display.

Abstract: A closure assembly for an inflator comprises a housing and an outlet plate disposed within the housing. The outlet plate has an outlet opening configured to receive a burst disk. The outlet plate is joined to the housing by a deformation resistance weld. The deformation resistance weld is formed by contacting the outlet plate with a first electrode, contacting an exterior portion of the housing with a second electrode, and applying a voltage through the first and second electrodes to adhere a portion of the housing to a portion of the outlet plate.

Abstract: A roller finger follower assembly for variably activating a valve in an internal combustion engine includes at least one vertical recessed channel formed inside an outer arm and a shaft. The channel includes a machined upper surface closing the channel. The shaft engages with the recessed channel, the shaft reciprocates within the recessed channel, and the upper surface stops an upward movement of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator, in particular for airbag modules in motor vehicles, comprising two generator stages each of which includes in its pressure housing at least one igniter, at least one propellant charge and at least one combustion chamber. An inner generator stage is arranged at least substantially inside an outer generator stage and the two generator stages are arranged at least partly in a common filter housing together with a common filter unit arranged outside a pressure housing of the outer generator stage.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a cylindrical core made from magnetically-permeable material and a C-shaped magnetic return path structure that is made from a stack of silicon steel laminations. A tightly controlled air gap is provided between one leg of the C-shaped structure and an end face of the core, forming a magnetic circuit having a high magnetic permeability, which overall reduces the number of primary winding turns needed, thereby reducing the amount of copper wire. In addition, the circular cross-section of the core reduces the mean length per turn (MLT) of the primary winding because the primary winding can be wound directly on the core, which in turn also reduces the MLT of the secondary winding. The reduced MLT also reduces the amount of copper wire. The structure may be replaced using a magnetically-permeable, U-shaped shield.

Abstract: A closure assembly for an inflator comprises a housing and an outlet plate disposed within the housing. The outlet plate has an outlet opening configured to receive a burst disk. The outlet plate is joined to the housing by a deformation resistance weld. The deformation resistance weld is formed by contacting the outlet plate with a first electrode, contacting an exterior portion of the housing with a second electrode, and applying a voltage through the first and second electrodes to adhere a portion of the housing to a portion of the outlet plate.

Abstract: An actuator includes a motor operated by a controller through a pulse width modulation drive signal applied to a drive circuit that drives the motor. The actuator has an output shaft connected to a coupling structure for manipulating a device such as a variable geometry turbine (VGT) or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The device has a range of motion limited by first and second mechanical stops located at opposing low and high ends of the range. The controller learns the location of the mechanical stops during calibration. An external control unit transmits a desired position to the actuator. A protocol allows the external control unit to implicitly request a positioning mode by virtue of what value range the desired position falls into. The controller is configured to limit the drive signal to a non-harmful level when one of the positioning modes calls for pushing the device against one of the stops.

Abstract: A method and structure use characteristics of a plasma discharge for verifying a hermetic seal. The plasma discharge is created in a hermetically sealed cavity by a pair of spaced electrodes that extend from tips inside the hermetically sealed cavity to contacts outside the sealed cavity. An electrical bias is applied to the contacts that is sufficient to create a plasma discharge in a properly hermetically sealed cavity but not in an unsealed cavity.

Abstract: A method includes measuring a first frequency response of an electrode at a first frequency across a range of environmental conditions, measuring a second frequency response of the electrode at a second frequency across the range of environmental conditions, and comparing the first and second frequency responses measured to define a data set representing an effect of the environmental conditions. An occupant detection system includes an electrode and a detector circuit. The detector circuit is configured to measure an actual frequency response of the electrode and compare the actual frequency response to the data set to determine the effect of the current environmental condition.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of a camshaft phaser, the rotor is split along an equatorial plane thereof, defining first and second rotor portions. A resilient seal is compressively disposed between the rotor portions to prevent leakage therebetween and to urge the rotor vanes against the cover plate and sprocket surfaces to prevent leakage around the vanes. Preferably, the seal includes radial seal elements to seal against the stator wall. Preferably, pressurized hydraulic fluid can enter between the first and second rotor portions and thereby assist the resilient seal in urging the rotor portions apart. In a second embodiment, the rotor is not split, and a resilient seal is provided on at least one axial face of the rotor vanes to seal the rotor vanes against the cover plate and sprocket surfaces.