Abstract: The invention provides a communications interface module mountable in a vehicle. The communications interface module includes a first electrical interface for electrically communicating with a control system of a vehicle. The communications interface module also includes a second electrical interface spaced from the first electrical interface for being positioned in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The communications interface module includes a plurality of communication lines extending in parallel between the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface. The plurality of communication lines exchange a plurality of different communication formats between the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pyromechanical separation comprising a housing (4) and a conducting rail (2) which is arranged therein and embodied in such a way that it is separable at a separation point (13) by a separating tool (6) which is actuated by a propulsion pyrotechnical charge (12). In order to protect said conducting rail against manipulations and ensure an unequivocal positioning, the conducting rail (2), the propulsion charge (12) and the separating tool (6) are fixed in the housing (4) in an irremovable manner by a latch (5) which is inserted into the housing (4) and are nondetachably fixed thereto. Said latch (5) is also used as a support for the separating tool (6), i.e. it comprises a cutting edge (7) along which said separating tool (7) cuts.

Abstract: The invention provides a controller for determining the presence of faults within a fuel injection system of an engine system. The engine system comprises a first injector and at least one further injector, each injector comprising a needle control valve and a pressure control valve. The controller comprises: inputs for receiving data relating to a first engine system parameter; outputs for outputting a control function for controlling the injector valves of each of the injectors, and; a processor for controlling the control function output from the controller.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method for transmitting data having primary and secondary data. A first transmit signal is transmitted from a first communication satellite wherein the first transmit signal is produced when the transmitter modulates the primary and secondary data on a first carrier wave associated with the first communication satellite, with secondary data having a first polarity. A second transmit signal is transmitted from a second communication satellite wherein said second transmit signal is produced when the transmitter modulates the primary and secondary data on a second carrier wave associated with the second communication satellite with secondary data having a second polarity opposite the first polarity.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining when to update a surface estimation value indicative of a condition of a roadway surface are provided. The method includes determining a front axle cornering force error value based on a predicted front axle cornering force value and a first front axle cornering force value. The method further includes determining a threshold yaw rate error value based on the front axle cornering force error value. The method further includes indicating that the surface estimation value is to be updated when a yaw rate error value is greater than the threshold yaw rate error value.

Abstract: A system for discrimination of spurious crankshaft encoder signals. A position encoder connected to an engine crankshaft sends a pulsed signal indicative of crankshaft rotational performance to an engine controller. The controller is programmed to trigger an interrupt service routine (ISR) on every falling or rising edge of each pulse. The ISR calculates and stores the period of each pulse and the period of the previous pulse and calculates the rotational speed and instantaneous acceleration or deceleration of the engine at all times. The controller is further programmed with realistic engine acceleration and deceleration limits and recognizes a next signal only within a time window corresponding to those limits and the engine speed. Signals arriving outside the calculated time window are considered spurious and are rejected. The system improves engine performance by preventing loss of synchronization between spark and fuel injection and piston and valve timing.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a steering column with an outer jacket moveable along an axis. An instrument panel is coupled to the outer jacket. An instrument panel hood is connected to the instrument panel and the outer jacket. A support bracket includes a pair of support arms including flanges, with a first mounting component and a second mounting component connected to the flanges. The outer jacket is slideably coupled to the first mounting component and the instrument panel is slideably coupled to the second mounting component. The support bracket is pivotable about a pivot axis between an upper limit and a lower limit. A spring is attached to the support bracket for biasing the support bracket toward the upper limit. Coordinated movement between the instrument panel and the outer jacket is possible and the load from the instrument panel is diverted from the outer jacket to the support bracket.

Abstract: A brake-by-wire braking system including a braking unit, an electro-hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with the braking unit by way of a first fluid path, a master cylinder in fluid communication with the braking unit by way of a second fluid path, a normally open solenoid valve operatively associated with the second fluid path, and a control unit adapted to actuate the normally open solenoid valve, wherein actuation of the normally open solenoid valve generally fluidly isolates the master cylinder from the braking unit.

Abstract: A key fob for keyless entry into an automobile includes a substantially rigid housing having an outer surface with a ridge or a recess. Signal transmission circuitry is disposed within the housing and is operable to transmit a signal to the automobile. A flexible shell includes a cavity in which the housing is at least partially received. A rim is engaged with the ridge or recess of the housing such that the shell is secured to the housing.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is provided including a multi-function boiling chamber having a top wall and a bottom wall parallel to the top wall and a first side wall and a second side wall both extending inwardly from the bottom wall to the top wall and a pair of end walls closing the chamber. First and second condensing tubes attached to the first and second side walls, respectively, of the boiling chamber have an elongated width presenting an upper surface and a lower surface and extend in opposite respective directions to distal ends of the tubes at an inclined angle relative to the bottom wall of the boiling chamber. The condensing tubes include a plurality of channels across the width and extending from the boiling chamber to the distal end of the tube. A tank disposed at each of the distal ends of the condensing tubes is in fluid communication with the channels tubes.

Abstract: Electrical coupling apparatus providing transition between a high radio frequency waveguide and a perpendicularly oriented microstrip line without use of a shorting cap fixes an open end of the waveguide perpendicularly to a dielectric substrate. The microstrip line is carried on the substrate and couples through a hole in the waveguide wall to a microstrip patch on the substrate within the waveguide having a resonance with the waveguide encompassing a predetermined high radio frequency bandwidth of signals to be conducted by the apparatus. A plurality of parallel conducting members form a via fence aligned with the waveguide wall and extending through the substrate to electrically connect the waveguide to a planar ground conductor that covers the opposite side of the substrate, including the area under the open end of the waveguide.

Abstract: An inflation device for an airbag module, the inflation device comprising: a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber having a first volume of inflation gas and the second chamber having a second volume of inflation gas; a first inflation opening for allowing the first volume of inflation gas to pass therethrough and a first sealing member, the first sealing member sealing the first inflation opening; a second inflation opening for allowing the second volume of inflation gas to pass therethrough and a second sealing member, the second sealing member sealing the second inflation opening, the second inflation opening being substantially smaller than the first inflation opening; a conduit member for providing fluid communication with the first inflation opening and the second inflation opening; an initiator for removing a portion of the first sealing member from the first inflation opening; and a puncture device disposed within the conduit member, the puncture device being configured to remove a por

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fuel reformers utilizing dew point plateau process control and methods of using the same. In one embodiment the fuel reformer can comprise a mixing zone capable of receiving a fuel mixture, a reforming zone disposed downstream from the mixing zone, an exhaust zone disposed downstream from the in operable communication with the reforming zone, a temperature sensor, and a system controller connected in operable communication with the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor can be disposed in fluid communication with the exhaust zone and capable of measuring a gas temperature of the gas stream, or in fluid communication with the mixing zone and capable of measuring a mixture temperature of the fuel mixture. The system controller can be capable of adjusting an operating variable of the fuel reformer and determining a dew point plateau temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic commutation of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled motor involves temporarily increasing the frequency of one or more PWM drive signals applied to the motor upon the occurrence of an asynchronous commutation event.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator, comprising, an inner ring, an outer ring disposed around the inner ring, a first pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of inner teeth having a first angular dimension, a second pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of inner teeth having a second angular dimension, a first pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of outer teeth having a third angular dimension and a second pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of outer teeth having a fourth angular dimension.

Abstract: The invention provides a boot for a universal joint. The boot includes a first sleeve portion defining a first circular opening. The boot also includes a second sleeve portion spaced from the first sleeve portion along a boot axis. The second sleeve portion defines a second circular opening having a smaller diameter than the first circular opening. The boot also includes a plurality of convolutions defined along the boot axis between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion by a plurality of roots extending radially inward toward the boot axis and by a plurality of crests extending radially outward away from the boot axis. The plurality of roots includes a first root and a second root immediately adjacent to one another. The first root is closer to the first sleeve portion than the second root. The first root extends radially further toward the boot axis than the second root.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a steering wheel arrangement for motor vehicles having a steering wheel, an airbag module held at the steering wheel and movable in the direction of the axis of the steering wheel, and an electrical contact system arranged between the steering wheel and the airbag module for the actuation of an electrical functional unit, in particular of a vehicle horn by a relative movement between the steering wheel and the air-bag module taking place in the direction of the steering wheel axis, where-in the contact system includes elongate extended electrical conductors which are attached to mutually confronting sides of the steering wheel and of the airbag module or only to the steering wheel or to the airbag module and extend in such a way that conductors spaced apart in the direction of the steering wheel axis cross at least one contact position.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the contrast within an image. An enhanced image can be generated in a real-time or substantially real-time manner from an initial image. A low-contrast image is enhanced, including the visibility of text within the low-contrast image. A logarithm transform method is used to enhance the overall contrast and visibility within the image. A power transform method is used to enhance the visibility and contrast of written text, symbols and other forms of signs within the enhanced image.

Abstract: A motor vehicle exhaust aftertreatment system includes an exhaust conduit that includes a NOx adsorber, a particulate filter, a reformer for generating reformate containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a fuel source, a reformate conduit, and an oxygen sensor. In response to a pressure drop through the particulate filter attaining a threshold value, reformate is introduced under selected controlled flow conditions into the exhaust conduit and caused to undergo combustion. The resulting exotherm maintains the temperature within the particulate filter within a selected range that is effective to cause oxidation and removal of soot from the particulate filter. Introduction of reformate into the exhaust conduit is discontinued when the pressure drop through the particulate filter is decreased to a selected value.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a piezoelectric actuator (10) having a stack (26) of one or more piezoelectric elements, the electrical connector arrangement including positive and negative terminals (30, 32) for connection with distribution electrodes (44a, 44b) of the piezoelectric stack (26). Each of the positive and negative terminals (30, 32) has a lower end face (30d, 32d) which locates adjacent to an upper end face of the stack (26), in use, and a radially outer contact face (30e, 32e) for contact with the distribution electrodes (44a, 44b). The terminals (30, 32) also connect with an external voltage supply, in use. A block (30c, 32c) of each terminal (30, 32) defines the radially outer contact face (30e, 32e) for the stack distribution electrodes (44a, 44b) and thus provides a robust terminal structure.