Abstract: A deactivating hydraulic valve mechanism includes a hydraulic element assembly disposed within cup within a pin housing slidably disposed within a bore in a body. A transverse bore in the pin housing contains selectively-retractable locking pins that engage a locking feature in the body to selectively lock together the body and the pin housing. A lost motion spring is disposed in a vented annular chamber between the body and the pin housing. An oil passage from an engine gallery to the hydraulic element assembly includes an axial component formed in the cup and bypasses the lost motion chamber. A ring holds the lifter assembly together and also sets mechanical lash. The ring may combine a standard-thickness ring and a shim selected to provided a predetermined amount of mechanical lash in the assembled mechanism to ensure facile engagement and disengagement of the locking pins in the body.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, a catalytic reformer unit provides reformate fuel for use by the cells in generating electricity. Both the reformer and the fuel cells require elevated temperatures for satisfactory operation. The reformer unit is provided with a combustion chamber and igniter ahead of the catalytic reformer plates such that, during start-up, fuel/air mixture normally destined for reformation may be ignited in the combustion chamber to provide a hot combustion exhaust which is fed through the catalytic reformer and the anode reformate flow spaces to assist in rapidly bringing the fuel cell system to operating temperature.

Abstract: A method and radio receiver are provided for receiving and deciphering RF signals having encrypted data information relevant to the receiver environment. According to one aspect of the present invention, the receiver includes an input for receiving an RF signal having a data stream including a key selector and encrypted data including a message, and a demodulator for demodulating the data stream and outputting encrypted data including the message. The receiver further includes a data decryption circuit including memory for storing one or more groups of decryption keys based on a characteristic of the receiver environment. The data decryption circuit selects a decryption key based on the key selector and decrypts the message based on the selected decryption key.

Abstract: A child restraint system that is adapted to be mounted within a vehicle is provided. The child restraint system includes a child seat configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat has a frame, at least first and second docking stations, and a child seat monitoring device. The first and second docking stations are disposed at first and second locations on the frame. Both of the first and second docking stations are configured to receive and hold the child seat monitoring device therein.

Abstract: A pair of rotary valves for opening and closing two outlets of an HVAC system. A shaft has oppositely threaded and axially spaced sections each engaging one of the valves for moving the valves axially. Each valve includes a guide plate defining an upper surface curved along the periphery of one of the outlets to define a guide for limiting rotational moving of each valve in response to rotation of the shaft. Each guide plate defines a lower surface that is a contoured shape and parallel to the axis for directing air flow through each outlet.

Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and an aperture extending into the chamber. A rack is disposed within the chamber and moveable along a longitudinal axis. A pinion extends into the chamber for meshing engagement with the rack. A bearing supports the rack within the chamber relative to the housing. The bearing includes a wall having a continuously varying radial thickness. An adjustment mechanism includes a shaft partially disposed within the aperture in threaded engagement with the aperture and engaging the bearing for rotating the bearing about the longitudinal axis, thereby repositioning the rack relative to the pinion. A plug is disposed within the aperture. A spring is disposed within the aperture between the plug and the shaft to bias against the shaft, thereby urging rotational threaded movement of the shaft to produce linear movement of the shaft into engagement with the bearing.

Abstract: A system for steering a vehicle including: an actuator disposed in a vehicle to apply torque to a steerable wheel; a driver input device receptive to driver commands for directing the vehicle; and a sensor for determining an intent of a driver and generating a signal indicative thereof. The system also includes: a lane keeping system for detecting a location of the vehicle relative to a lane marker and generating a lane position signal indicative thereof; a controller in operable communication with the actuator, the driver input device, the first sensor, and the lane keeping system. The controller provides a command to the actuator responsive to the intent of the driver, the lane position, and a desired lane position. The controller executes a lane keeping algorithm consisting of a single control loop based on at least one of the lane position and the lane position deviation.

Abstract: A seat occupant sensing apparatus includes a notched foam bottom seat cushion and a pressure-responsive sensor disposed between the bottom cushion and a frame of the seat. The notch is a narrow channel on the underside of the foam cushion that extends upward into the foam to limit and direct dispersion of occupant loading through the cushion. A rectangular notch smaller in dimension than a child seat frame is formed in a central region of the foam cushion, and a fluid-filled bladder or other force-responsive sensor mat is disposed substantially within the perimeter of the notch. The sensor will detect a normally seated occupant due to the relatively uniform seat load, but will not detect a cinched-down child seat because the notch limits dispersion of child seat loading in the direction of the sensor.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for operating a vehicle packages mechanical components and electrical devices normally found in or around the steering column of the vehicle into a single unit. An on-board processor accepts signals from the electrical devices, which may include motor actuators for steering column adjustments and/or pedal position adjustments. The on-board processor connects to a vehicle communications bus to communicate data received from the electrical devices to various systems throughout the vehicle. The on-board processor also receives data from the various systems. The steering column assembly also includes a display connected to the on-board processor. The display and on-board processor moves with the steering column as it is adjusted for telescope and/or tilt position. The operator receives information about the operation of the vehicle from the display.

Abstract: A thermosiphon cooling assembly cools an electronic device with a conical condensing tube disposed about a curved central axis curving upwardly from a top of the evaporating unit to an upper distal end and a shroud disposed outward of an exterior surface of the condensing tube at the upper distal end extending axially along the central axis from the upper distal end to a lower edge spaced from the top defining an air opening. An air moving device moves air about the central axis within the shroud to the air opening. A plurality of condensing fins are disposed in the condensing tube and each condensing fin forms a pair of corners with an interior surface of the condensing tube and a wick material is disposed in each of the corners to return condensed vapor to the evaporating unit.

Abstract: Described is an insulated non-halogenated, heavy metal free vehicular cable comprising an inner core of a copper based metal wire having a cross sectional area of at least about 0.1 mm2, and an outer insulation, covering the length of the inner core, comprised of a thermoplastic polyphenylene ether composition that has no halogen or heavy metal added thereto, the insulated cable capable of meeting the testing standard ISO 6722.

Abstract: An accumulator fuel system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of engine cylinders, includes an accumulator fuel volume (12; 112) for supplying high pressure fuel to one or more of a plurality of injectors (10) of the fuel system, each of which is arranged to supply fuel to an associated one of the engine cylinders. The accumulator fuel volume (12; 112) is integrated within an engine component, where the engine component provides a purpose other than that solely of an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel. For example, the accumulator volume (12; 112) is defined in one embodiment within a rocker shaft (32) of the engine and in another embodiment within the engine cylinder head (16).

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for lane change detection and handling of lane keeping torque during an un-signaled lane change. Disclosed herein is an exemplary embodiment for a method including calculating a distance between a center of a vehicle and a center of a lane, determining a discontinuity in the calculation of the distance between the center of the vehicle and the center of a lane and disabling torque corrections to compensate for the discontinuity until the vehicle is near the center (position based) of the new lane and a certain time has elapsed (time based) from the detection of the discontinuity. Hysterisis or smoothly changing torque controls are offered to work with the Time and Position based lane change handling method.

Abstract: A fuel injection system comprising an accumulator volume (10) arranged to be charged with fuel by means of a high pressure fuel pump (12) and for supplying fuel at a first injectable pressure level to a plurality of fuel injectors (22), wherein each injector (22) includes a delivery passage (16, 20), a valve needle (30), which is engageable with a seating to control fuel injection, and a control valve (26) for controlling fuel pressure within a control chamber (28) so as to control movement of the valve needle (30). The control valve (26) has a first operating position in which the control chamber (28) communicates with a low pressure drain and communication between the control chamber (28) and the delivery passage (16, 20) is prevented and a second operating position in which the control chamber (28) communicates with the delivery passage (16, 20) and communication between the control.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine, the injection nozzle including an outer valve needle which is engageable with an outer valve seating so as to control injection through a first nozzle outlet, an inner valve needle which is movable within the outer valve needle and engageable with an inner valve seating so as to control injection through a second nozzle outlet, and a coupling arrangement for coupling movement of the outer valve needle to the inner valve needle in circumstances in which the outer valve needle is moved away from the outer valve seating beyond a predetermined amount, thereby to permit fuel injection through both the first and second nozzle outlets.

Abstract: A watercraft steer-by-wireless control system including: a directional control system responsive to a directional command signal for steering a watercraft, the directional control system including a rudder position sensor to measure and transmit a rudder position signal, and a helm control system responsive to a helm command signal for receiving a directional input to a helm control unit from an operator, the helm control system including a helm position sensor to produce and transmit a helm position signal to a master control unit in operable communication with the helm control system and the directional control system; the master control unit includes a position control process for generating the directional command signal in response to the helm position signal; and wherein the helm control unit wirelessly communicates with the helm control system.

Abstract: A primary pole piece (PPP) for an electrical solenoid linear actuator includes an inner skirt portion extending axially from a radial flange portion and having a substantially uniform cylindrical thickness and a non-uniform axial length. The skirt is formed into a plurality of “saw teeth” or other axially-extending and circumferentially tapered elements separated by axially extending notches or similar axial inlets along the terminal skirt edge. Whereas in the prior art the magnetic flux is intensified radially by conical formation of the skirt, in the present invention the magnetic flux is intensified azimuthally by being collected in and directed to terminal flats of the saw teeth. The entire PPP may be net-formed by conventional powdered metal press/sintering, requiring no post-forming machining. Preferably, the molded PPP is conventionally sintered to increase density and is impregnated for plating.

Abstract: A method produces PWM voltage waveforms in a PWM motor controller of a three phase PM DC brushless motor, wherein the motor controller has first, second and third half H-bridge transistor pairs to generate the voltage waveforms to electronically commutate the motor. The first transistor pair is always assigned to the first phase for every commutation state requiring a voltage waveform from the first transistor pair. The second and third transistor pair are similarly assigned. The first method also includes always starting a voltage waveform generated by the first transistor pair substantially at the beginning of the PWM period when a commutation state requires a voltage waveform from the first transistor pair but delaying starting a voltage waveform generated by the second transistor pair by substantially ? of the PWM period and delaying starting a voltage waveform generated by the third transistor pair by substantially ? of the PWM period.

Abstract: A method for monitoring tire pressure of a system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of detecting a signal other than that of an in-use tire pressure signals and in response to the detection of the signal, maintaining the proper reception of the in-use tire pressure signals by a receiver.

Abstract: An electrical connector (12) has a body (20) with a shorting clip (26) mounted at a distal end (24) of the body (20). The clip (26) axially extends into a cavity (22) of the body and normally shorts two electrical male terminals (25) housed within the body (20).