Abstract: The invention provides an electric brake system and method. The electric brake system includes an electric motor having a portion moveable along a path between a plurality of positions for moving a brake pad and applying a selectable amount of braking force on a brake rotor. One of the plurality of positions is a minimal contact position. The minimal contact position is operable to change among the plurality of positions over time. The electric brake system also includes an electric controller for controlling the electric motor to move the portion along the path between the minimal contact position and at least one other of the plurality of positions for moving the brake pad and for selecting the amount of braking force. The electric brake system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one of motor current, motor acceleration, controller voltage, motor speed, motor voltage, and motor temperature, and communicating a sensed condition to the controller.

Abstract: A steering column (10) according to the invention includes a steering column jacket (12) having an engaging surface (14). The steering column jacket (12) is operable to at least partially encircle a steering shaft (16) in a vehicle. The steering column (10) also includes a tilt housing (18) engaged with the steering column jacket (12) for tilting movement about a tilt axis (20) between a plurality of tilt positions. The steering column (10) also includes a locking member (22) pivotally supported at a pivot end (24) by the tilt housing (18). The locking member (22) extends to a distal locking end (26) moveable outwardly from the tilt axis (20) along a first arcuate path (28) to a locked position contacting the engaging surface (14) and inwardly towards the tilt axis (20) along the first arcuate path (28) to an unlocked position spaced from the engaging surface (14).

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensing system includes an ultrasonic transmitter, an ultrasonic receiver, a processor and a memory subsystem. The transmitter is positioned to transmit an ultrasonic signal into a predetermined volume. The receiver is positioned to receive a composite signal from the predetermined volume. The processor is coupled to the transmitter, the receiver and the memory subsystem. The memory subsystem stores code that when executed by the processor instructs the processor to perform a number of steps to determine whether an occupant is present in the predetermined volume and whether the detected occupant has a respiration rate.

Abstract: A position sensor assembly including a circular-shaped or rhombus-shaped magnet and at least one magnetic flux density sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, wherein rotation of the magnet is detected by the at least one sensor. The magnet may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of a rotor shaft of a motor and provided within a support. A position extraction algorithm may be employed using the output from the sensors to detect the position of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping apparatus comprising a base body and two clamping straps which are arranged opposite one another on one side of the base body, are made flexible at least sectionally, extend convexly to one another in a non-clamping state of the clamping apparatus and can be brought into engagement by being pressed together in order thereby to fasten an object located between the clamping straps and the base body to the clamping apparatus of a clamping fit.

Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed and may comprise an actively cooled valve actuation section, an actuator, and a valve section comprising a rotationally actuated valve plate that is structured to be rotationally actuated by the actuator to direct flow wherein the actuation section may be thermally insulated from the valve actuation section.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing an electronic assembly includes a number of steps. Initially, a backplate with a cavity formed into a first side of the backplate is provided. Next, a substrate with a first side of an integrated circuit (IC) die mounted to a first side of the substrate is provided. The IC die is electrically connected to one or more of a plurality of electrically conductive traces formed on the first side of the substrate. The substrate includes a hole approximate an outer edge of the IC die. The first side of the substrate is then positioned in contact with at least a portion of the first side of the backplate. The IC die is positioned within the cavity with a second side of the IC die in thermal contact with the backplate. The substrate and at least a portion of the backplate are overmolded with an overmold material, which enters the cavity through the hold to substantially underfill the IC die and substantially fill an unoccupied portion of the cavity.

Abstract: Digital beamforming is provided for use with electronically scanned radar. In an aspect, the present invention provides enhanced sensitivity, wide angle or field of view (FOV) coverage with narrow beams, minimized number of receivers, reduced sidelobes, eliminated grating lobes and beam compensation for target motion. In an aspect, the present invention employs a uniform overlapped subarray feed network, a time multiplexed switch matrix, and a restructured digital signal processor. Antenna channels share a receiver, rather than maintain a dedicated receiver for each antenna element, as in conventional systems. In an aspect, Doppler/frequency filtering is performed on each antenna element or subarray output prior to digital beamforming. Further, Doppler compensation is employed following Doppler/frequency filtering, followed by digital beamforming.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting use of RF transmit devices (e.g., cellular phones) in a vehicle. The system includes a first RF antenna for detecting signal strength of an RF signals transmit device at a first location in a vehicle and a power first detector for generating a first output signal indicative thereof. The system also includes a second antenna for detecting signal strength of the RF signals at a second location in the vehicle and a second power detector for generating a second output signal indicative thereof. The system further includes a signal processor for processing the first and second output signals to determine the presence of an RF transmit device in use in the vehicle and to further determine the location of the RF transmit device to determine if a driver is using the device.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control system that provides on-board ammonia generation includes a valve disposed upstream of the LNT and SCR catalyst that operates to selectively control the flow of engine exhaust gas to an LNT and/or an SCR catalyst; while reformate fuel is being conveyed from a reformer to the LNT, the valve operates to cause the exhaust gas to bypass the LNT and flow directly to the SCR catalyst. The exhaust emission control system further includes a controller provided with an algorithm that monitors engine operating conditions and exhaust gas conditions, estimates the cumulative amount of exhaust gas created by the engine and the amount of NOx stored in the LNT, and calculates the amount of NOx required to be converted to NH3.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for improved monitoring and controlling of mechanically commutated DC motors. The system and method include DC motors, pulse-count driver circuitry for driving the motors, motor position sensing circuitry, and motor control circuitry. The system and method provide for improved motor current waveform sensing that is able to effectively reject false brake pulses, avoid erroneous processing due to fluctuating battery voltage levels, and reduce the sensitivity to variations in motor current signals due to dynamic motor load, manufacturing variation, system aging, temperature, brush bounce, EMI, and other factors. The system and method also include an improved ability to multiplex additional external motor drivers to the motor control circuitry, select between sequential and simultaneous drive modes using an SPI bit, and monitor the system controller for an error condition and simultaneously driver motors in response to the error condition.

Abstract: A method for converting a vertically structured CAD/CAM model to a horizontally structured CAD/CAM model, comprising: identifying and establishing a base feature; establishing a parent coordinate system; identifying a parent modeling element; identifying each dependency for each feature from the parent modeling element; restructuring each dependency for each feature for placement, such that each feature exhibits a direct associative relationship with a reference feature; and restructuring each dependency for each feature for positioning, such that each feature exhibits a direct associative relationship with another reference feature.

Abstract: True Top Dead Center (TDC) of an engine piston is determined through determination of the Location of Peak Pressure (LPP) using either of two simplified algorithms. A Heat Loss Offset (HLO), drawn from a look-up table based on engine speed, molar mass of the air being compressed, and heat loss rate to the cylinder walls, is added to the calculated LPP to provide a corrected and true TDC position for each piston, which corrects for errors in target wheel tooth location of a camshaft position sensor and for any misalignment in the target wheel during installation on an engine. Preferably, such a calculation is carried out for each cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine during operation thereof, thus further correcting for machining errors in the crankshaft and for crankshaft bending during the life of the engine. The invention thus allows for more accurate combustion calculations for each individual cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a snap-on lower bracket (14, 14a) and bearing support for supporting a collapsible steering shaft in a vehicle. The invention includes a lower steering column jacket (12, 12b) defining a depression and a bracket (14, 14a) defining a tab that cooperates with the depression. For example, when the lower steering column jacket (12, 12b) and the support bracket (14, 14a) are engaged with respect to one another, the tab engages the depression in a snap-fit relationship. The snap-fit relationship provides sufficient strength to maintain the position of the lower steering column jacket (12, 12b) relative to the vehicle during normal vehicle handling. In the event of an impact situation, the lower steering column jacket (12, 12b) can move in response to the driver impacting the steering wheel and urge the tab out of engagement with the depression.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell system having a relatively large primary fuel cell sub-assembly for steady-state operation and a relatively small secondary fuel cell sub-assembly which is rapidly heatable to a threshold operating temperature to a) produce usable power in a short time period, b) cascade a hot exhaust into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to assist in preheating thereof, and c) provide steam into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to prevent coking of the anodes thereof. As the primary sub-assembly reaches its threshold temperature, it too begins to generate electricity and continues to self-heat and to be heated by the secondary sub-assembly. Preferably, the secondary sub-assembly continues to provide electricity in complement with the primary sub-assembly until the primary sub-assembly reaches full power, at which time the secondary sub-assembly may be shut down or switched to standby status for fuel efficiency, as desired.

Abstract: A force sensor system including at least one portion of piezo-electric material and a thrust bearing having at least one roller associated therewith, the roller being adapted to move relative to the thrust bearing and contact the portion of piezo-electric material when the thrust bearing is subjected to an external force.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion and method of making an inflatable cushion for deployment along an interior side of a vehicle, comprising: a first inflatable portion having an opening providing fluid communication into a low permeable inflation chamber of the first inflatable portion; a second inflatable portion having an opening providing fluid communication into a low permeable inflation chamber of the second inflatable portion; a fluid dispersing conduit being in fluid communication with the first inflatable portion and the second inflatable portion, the fluid dispersing conduit comprising an inlet opening configured to receive an inflation force for inflating the first inflatable portion and the second inflatable portion, wherein the fluid dispersing conduit traverses a gap between the first inflatable portion and the second inflatable portion; and a non-inflatable member disposed in the gap between the first inflatable portion and the second inflatable portion, wherein the non-inflatable member reduces the require

Abstract: A method of classifying vehicle occupants utilizes a neural network engine having a state machine for determining if an occupant has changed preferably between an adult and adult, an adult and child, and a child and child from a pair of images. If no change has occurred, the method utilizes the prior occupant type and then decides if the occupant has changed in position. If no, the occupant is deemed static and the prior type is valid as a classification or output to preferably a vehicle restraint system. If the occupant has changed in position, a dynamic classification process is initiated by either an adult or a child dynamic classifier as dictated by the state machine. Valid dynamic classifier outputs or classifications can be sent to the restraint system and invalid dynamic classifier outputs are sent to a static classifier for update of the occupant type.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) with negative potential protection includes at least one double-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor (DMOS) cell formed in a first-type epitaxial pocket, which is formed in a second-type substrate. The IC also includes a second-type+ isolation ring formed in the substrate to isolate the first-type epitaxial pocket and a first-type+ ring formed through the first-type epitaxial pocket between the second-type+ isolation ring and the DMOS cell.

Abstract: A method for designing a pole piece for a power assist steering system, includes: selecting a number of teeth, k, for the pole piece where k=n/2 and n represents an even number of poles; and selecting a ratio between an angle made by an inner tooth tip and an outer tooth tip, ?tp, and an angle made by a magnet pole width, ?mp, to provide a desired torque function for the steering system.