Abstract: An improved O-ring retainer arrangement for retaining an O-ring on a fuel tube of a fuel injector. An overmolded hard plastic ring is disposed on the cylindrical outer surface of the fuel tube. The end of the fuel tube is radially flared to retain the ring on the tube, the radial extent of the flare being less than or equal to the radial thickness of the ring such that the flare cannot come into contact with the bore of a fuel rail socket. The ring is formed such that axial compressive forces exerted on the ring are outside the fuel tube body and preferably are directly opposed, thus exerting no toroidal torque on the ring. The ring is free to move axially on the fuel tube surface. In one aspect of the invention, the ring can move freely along only a limited region on the fuel tube.

Abstract: A technique for providing better detection of close range truck trailers for a motor vehicle with Stop and Go Adaptive Cruise Control determines if a range parameter to a target requires modification if such target is a truck trailer, for example. Truck trailer geometry is such that a standard adaptive cruise control system may have difficulty accurately determining the range to the rearmost position of the truck. The technique determines an initial range from the motor vehicle to a target. Then, the technique determines whether the range rate of the target is above a predetermined rate. When the range rate of the target is not above the predetermined rate, the technique determines whether the initial range to the target is less than a current range to the target. If so, the technique provides an adjusted range, which is then utilized in the control operation of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a load carrying body configured to strain in response to a load applied along a load path. The sensor further includes a magnetostrictive electrical conductor affixed to the body but out of the load path. Application of the load causes the body to strain, which in turn results in a proportional stress being imparted to the magnetostrictive conductor, altering its magnetic permeability. A circuit is electrically connected to the conductor to detect such changes in permeability, which are indicative of the applied load.

Abstract: A flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a flow of a fluid includes a housing member including a first section configured to matingly couple with a second section. The flow meter further includes an integrally formed laminar flow member removably held within at least a portion of the first section of the housing member. The laminar flow member includes a body and a plurality of channels integrally formed within the body, wherein each of the plurality of channels is substantially continuous in the longitudinal direction and substantially continuous in the transverse direction.

Abstract: MOSFETs are provided to connect the sensor input terminals of a ratiometric output sensor to a pair of power terminals, and the gate of each MOSFET is coupled to the opposite power terminal so that both MOSFETs are rendered conducting to power the sensor when a supply voltage of a predetermined polarity is connected across the power terminals but one of the MOSFETs is rendered non-conducting when a voltage of the opposite polarity is so applied. The MOSFET that is rendered non-conducting is oriented so that any internal source-drain diode does not bypass current around the MOSFET when voltage of the opposite polarity is applied. Optionally, over-voltage protection is provided by an input voltage sensor controlling the other MOSFET through a third MOSFET.

Abstract: An electronic device that facilitates improved electrical and thermal performance and/or allows fabrication of smaller electronic devices exhibiting excellent performance characteristics, especially for devices operating at microwave frequencies, includes an input/output pad, and a carbon nanotube extending from the input/output pad to provide wafer-level nano-interconnect for flip chip interconnections and die stacking on a substrate.

Abstract: An indicator device for vehicles includes a fixed support mounted in the vicinity of a steering column, an actuation lever, a moveable finger mechanically connected to the actuation lever, and safety means. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the moveable finger is mounted on the fixed support slidingly between a position of engagement of its free end, pivoting of the moveable finger being possible only in the engagement position. Return means are provided to return the finger into its disengaged position. The moveable finger and the fixed support each include an indexing surface, and the two surfaces are superimposed as to co-operate with an elastic push button on the end of the actuation lever.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve member which is engageable with a valve seating to control fuel delivery from the injector, an actuator arrangement and an amplifier arrangement for transmitting movement of the actuator arrangement to the valve member. The amplifier arrangement comprises a piston member with which the actuator arrangement is cooperable to apply a retracting force to the piston member, and a control chamber for fluid. The amplifier arrangement preferably comprises a mechanical coupling arrangement for coupling movement of the piston member to the valve member upon application of an initial retracting force to the piston member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: self-tuning engine control algorithms using inputs from transducers that measure pressure in the engine cylinders, and from an engine crankshaft rotational position sensor; methods of processing the input signals to “self-tune” or learn accurate values for a) pressure transducer voltage offset, b) crank position encoder error and c) engine compression ratio; improved pressure-ratio-based algorithms for calculating cylinder heat release fraction as a function of crank angle.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for steering travel limit determination for electric power steering. Exemplary embodiments include a method, computer program product and system incorporating the method, for implementing steering travel limit determination for electric power steering, including measuring end of travel positions of a handwheel of a vehicle, recording the end of travel positions, comparing the end of travel positions with current travel limit values and recording new travel limits with respect to the end of travel positions.

Abstract: A device and a method for recognizing the occupancy of a seat has two sensor mats which independently of one another detect the pressure exerted on them.

Abstract: A current distribution bus comprises an electrically conductive conduit which has been brought into a flattened shape at least regionally by pressing and whose end sections are made in sleeve shape for the connection of electrical leads.

Abstract: A plurality of direct die cooled semiconductor power device packages are vertically stacked with both coolant and electrical interfacing to form a liquid cooled power electronic circuit. The packages are individually identical, and selectively oriented prior to stacking in order to form the desired circuit connections and laterally stagger the package leads.

Abstract: A power striker assembly effects final positioning of a vehicle closure member and includes a fixed frame and a striker member carried on a striker plate for selective engagement of a latch carried on the closure member, to displace the closure member from a presented position to a cinched position. Guide means interconnects the frame and striker plate to effect simultaneous translational and rotational displacement of the striker plate between end limits of travel to produce linear displacement of the striker member. An actuator selectively displaces the striker plate between its end limits of travel in response to a control signal. Finally, an interlock fixes the striker plate in the cinched position in the absence of the control signal.

Abstract: An improved vertical integrated circuit device package that eliminates or reduces the need for wire bond connections and/or solder connections is provided. The package includes a vertical device having electrodes on opposite surfaces, and a compressed spring member that is used to establish compression electrical connections between the electrodes and corresponding electrically conductive elements.

Abstract: Prior art fuel line check valves remain closed after engine off and cool down. Diurnal heating and the resultant pressure increase in the fuel line causes fuel vapor emissions through small openings in the fuel line (e.g., at the injector tips). The invention provides a check valve for a vehicle fuel line which opens in response to engine cooling and remains open while the engine is off to relieve subsequent increasing pressure in the fuel line due to diurnal heating thereof.

Abstract: A child restraint system includes an electronic control unit having an event data recorder for storing data relating to proper adjustment or installation of the child restraint system. The control unit receives an electrical signal from one or more sensors mounted on the child seat and determines conditions of the child seat based upon the value of the property indicated by the signal. The event data recorder is configured to store the resulting data and to allow the stored data to be retrieved in response to an inquiry. Thus, in the event of a vehicle accident or other incident, the electronic control unit may be connected to an external diagnostic unit, and the relevant data may be downloaded to the diagnostic unit for evaluation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining likelihood of rollover of a vehicle and/or mitigating rollover of the vehicle is responsive to measured vehicle lateral acceleration and a measured one of vehicle roll rate and vehicle suspension displacements to derive estimates of roll angle and roll rate. First, preliminary, estimates of roll angle and roll rate are derived and used as pseudo-measurements in a dynamic, closed loop observer equation which represents a model of the vehicle in a first roll mode for roll angles small compared to a reference value indicating two wheel lift-off and a second roll mode for roll angles at least near a reference value indicating two wheel lift-off. The observer equation has parameters and gains with values for each mode stored as a function of roll angle index derived from measurements and pseudo-measured values. The observer equation produces second, improved values or roll angle and roll rate together indicating the likelihood of vehicle rollover.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a compact disc includes an actuator for rotating the compact disc. An air-moving device is driven by the actuator and moves air about the compact disc.

Abstract: An electronic package is provided for dissipating heat away from electronic devices. The package includes a substrate and electronic devices mounted on the substrate. The package also has a thermally conductive heat sink assembled over the electronic device. The heat sink includes compliant pedestals each having a contact surface for contacting a surface of an electronic device to conduct thermal energy away from the electronic device. The package is held together such that the heat sink is in contact with the surface of an electronic device such that each compliant pedestal applies a compressive force to the surface of the electronic device.