Abstract: A torsion pedal feel emulator assembly for a motor vehicle and a method of operating the same. The assembly includes a pedal member for receiving an applied pedal force. A torsion member is operably attached to the pedal member. A portion of the torsion member is positioned adjacent a reaction surface. The torsion member rotates as a result of the applied pedal force, and a dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force. A pivot is operably attached to the torsion member and the motor vehicle. The method includes receiving an applied pedal force. A torsion member is rotated as a result of the applied pedal force. A dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force as a result of the torsion member rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of estimating the temperature of a piezoelectric actuator body for controlling the operation of a fuel injector mounted within an engine housing and supplied with fuel from a high pressure fuel pump. The piezoelectric actuator body is housed within a volume of fuel. The method comprises determining a temperature (T—INJ IN, T—PUMP IN) of fuel upstream of the fuel volume, determining a temperature (T—CYL) of the engine housing, and estimating a temperature (T—STACK STEADY STATE; T—STACK DYNAMIC) of the piezoelectric actuator body based on the upstream temperature (T—INJ IN, T—PUMP IN) and the temperature (T—CYL) of the engine housing. By considering the heat transfer between the piezoelectric actuator body, the injector and fuel within the volume, and the heat transfer due to fuel flow through the volume for an injection, the temperature of the piezoelectric actuator body can be estimated by modelling or mapping.

Abstract: A child seat monitoring system for a child seat and a method for determining a type of child seat are provided. The child seat has a first region and an opposite second region. The child seat has first and second patterns disposed on the first and second regions, respectively, both indicating whether the child seat is a forward-facing child seat or a rearward-facing child seat relative to a vehicle seat. The system includes a first detection apparatus configured to detect either the first pattern on the first region of the child seat or the second pattern on the second region of the child seat. The system further includes a controller operably communicating with the first detection apparatus. The controller is configured to generate a first signal when the child seat is a forward-facing child seat.

Abstract: Impending rollover events are detected based on vehicle roll rate, roll angle and lateral acceleration, and an assessment of the relative polarities of vehicle roll rate and lateral acceleration. When the vehicle roll rate and lateral acceleration are opposite in polarity, the roll rate vs. roll angle thresholds used to distinguish between rollover events and non-rollover events are more sensitive than for conditions for which the vehicle roll rate and lateral acceleration are of the same polarity. Additionally, the roll rate vs. roll angle thresholds are adaptively modified based on roll angle and lateral acceleration to provide increased detection sensitivity under conditions that typically precede a rollover event, and reduced detection sensitivity under conditions for which a rollover event is unlikely.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of operating a NOx abatement system comprises: introducing an exhaust stream to an ammonia generator in a normal flow direction, adsorbing NOx from the exhaust stream in the ammonia generator, diverting the exhaust stream around the ammonia generator, introducing hydrogen to the ammonia generator in a direction opposite the normal flow direction, and generating ammonia within the ammonia generator.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, a sealing gasket is disposed between spaced, parallel components and includes a gas-filled pillow structure formed in the general shape of the manifold opening to be sealed. The gasket acts as a passive gas spring that responds with increased seating force to increased temperature. The gasket comprises first and second elements formed from sheet or foil metal stock having mating concavities and joined along their mutual surfaces to form the gas-filled pillow structure in the shape of each opening to be sealed. The first and second elements are respectively formed of the same material as the components and diffusion bonded on their outer surfaces to their respective component surfaces.

Abstract: A method of initializing a brake-by-wire system is provided. The method includes connecting multiple braking actuators to a controller to allow for communication between the braking actuators and the controller. The braking actuators are associated with one or more wheels of a vehicle. Subsequent to connecting the multiple braking actuators to a controller, the method includes dynamically assigning a primary identifier to the braking actuators using the controller.

Abstract: In a vane-type camshaft phaser, one vane extends over a much larger internal angle than the other two vanes. Because of its size and strength, the large vane is the vane designated for contact with the stator. The other vanes and lobes have extra clearance to prevent contact regardless of rotor position. In one embodiment, a first surface of the large vane engages a surface of a first adjacent lobe at one extreme rotor rotation, and a second surface of the large vane engages a surface of a second adjacent lobe at the opposite extreme of rotation. The contact surfaces of the lobes and the vane may be equipped with hardened wear pads. One or more wear pads may be machined to provide a desired rotor displacement angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable loom, in particular for use in a motor vehicle, the cable loom comprising at least one electrical cable and a stretching device longitudinally engaging at least a section of the cable loom, wherein the stretching device exerts a force aligning the cable loom so as to be substantially free of curvature on the portion of the cable loom engaged by the stretching device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the response of an electric steering system by implementing damping for over-speed conditions, the method comprising the steps of determining the velocity of an electric motor comprised within the electric steering system, and determining a voltage limit value, wherein the voltage limit value is calculated as a function of the velocity of the electric motor. The method further comprises the steps of associating the voltage limit value with a motor voltage command in order to produce a limited voltage command, and applying the limited voltage command to the motor in order to provide a braking torque to the motor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a core having first and second header tanks covered by tank caps. A pair of core reinforcing members presenting terminal ends extend between the first and second header tanks. A least one tab and an opening for receiving the tab are used for connecting the core reinforcing members to the tank caps.

Abstract: A method of communicating data in a satellite digital audio radio (SDAR) system includes transmitting two radio frequency digital signals to a SDAR receiver within a motor vehicle. The two signals include substantially identical information. Each signal includes universal data, and also group-specific data that may or may not be relevant to the particular receiver. The group-specific data is located in a predetermined time location within the signals. This method includes combining the group-specific data from one of the two signals with group-specific data from the other signal to create a group-specific output signal. Similarly, the universal data from one of the two signals is combined with universal data from the other signal to create a universal output signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel injection pump comprising a pump housing and a pumping arrangement associated therewith, wherein the pumping arrangement includes a pumping plunger and a plunger drive arrangement, the pumping plunger having a first end reciprocably received within a plunger bore provided in the pump housing and a second end coupled to the plunger drive arrangement. A biasing spring is provided having first and second spring ends, the first spring end coupled to a spring plate member associated with the pump housing and the second spring end coupled the plunger drive arrangement. The pump housing includes first and second portions aligned on a common axis, the upper portion including a further bore in which at least an upper portion of a locking pin is receivable and wherein the spring plate member defines support means for supporting a lower end portion of the locking pin.

Abstract: A ball assembly (118) for a tripot-style joint includes an annular outer ball (124) having a central axis (L) extending therethrough and a depression (182) formed therein. A plurality of needle rollers (122) is positioned along an interior of the outer ball (124). A needle roller retainer (140) is provided for retaining the needle rollers (122) within the outer ball (124) during operation of the ball assembly (118). The retainer (140) has a base portion (142) axially opposed to an end portion (121) of the needle roller (122), and a flange portion (144) extending from the base portion (142) into the depression (182), the flange portion (144) of the retainer (140) being resiliently pivotable within the depression (182) in response to application of an axial load to the retainer (140). In a particular embodiment, an inner ball (120) is positioned in the interior of the outer ball (124f), and a series of resilient tabs (148f) extends from the base portion (142f) of the retainer (140f).

Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.

Abstract: The evaporative emissions control device comprises a housing having an inlet connectable to a vent port of an evaporative emissions control canister and an outlet for venting to the atmosphere, the housing containing a carbon filter, a bypass passage, and a valve for selectively closing the bypass passage and/or outlet. In a first operating state the valve closes the bypass passage and opens the outlet, whereby gases from the vent port of the canister pass through the adsorbent material before the air is released via the outlet port. In a second operating state the valve opens both the outlet and the bypass passage, whereby the gases can bypass the adsorbent material to provide a high flow rate, for example during refuelling. In a third operating state the valve closes both the outlet and bypass passage, preventing the release of any fuel vapour through the outlet and into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An electrical connector has terminals that are retained in terminal cavities of a connector body by rigid lock nibs that project into the terminal cavity from a rigid wall and rigid lock nibs that are attached to a flexible beam that is opposite the rigid wall and that project into the terminal cavity.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing enhanced steering pull compensation are provided. The method compensates for steering pull in a vehicle steering system that includes a handwheel. The method includes monitoring the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle is heading forward along a substantially linear straight-ahead path and, if so, measuring handwheel torque, as a sensed torque signal, to determine an amount of steering pull existing at the handwheel. The method also includes generating a torque assist signal in response to the sensed torque signal and calculating an offset signal for reducing the amount of steering pull to substantially zero. The method further includes producing a modified torque assist signal by adding the offset signal to the torque assist signal, and applying the modified torque assist signal to the vehicle steering system.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system, comprising a front torsion bar, a front hydraulic actuator (34) attached to the front torsion bar; a rear torsion bar, a rear hydraulic actuator (34) attached to the rear torsion bar; and control means (70-99) connected to the front and rear hydraulic actuators and controlling the operation thereof on detection of a predetermined vehicle condition; wherein each front and rear hydraulic actuator comprises a housing, a piston (62,62) making a sealing sliding fit inside the housing to define a first fluid chamber (58,58) and a second fluid chamber (60,60), and a piston rod (64,64) connected to the piston and extending through the second fluid chamber and out of the housing; wherein the control means acts on detection of the predetermined vehicle condition to apply a fluid pressure to the first fluid chamber of the front hydraulic actuator which is different from the fluid pressure applied to the first fluid chamber of the rear hydraulic actuator and/or apply a fluid pressure to the

Abstract: An electronic shunt resistor assembly comprises a planar shunt resistor and an electronic monitoring unit. The planar shunt resistor has a resistance element and first and second terminal bars at opposite ends of the resistance element. The electronic measuring unit has a circuit board that is supported on the planar shunt resistor and that includes input contacts for electronic components carried by the circuit board arranged along one edge of the circuit board and input/output contacts for the electronic components arranged along a opposite edge of the circuit board. A first plurality of electrical connectors connect the first terminal bar to the input contacts and a second plurality of electrical connectors connect the second terminal bar to the output contacts of the circuit board. The electrical connectors are attached to the terminal bars and the contacts solderlessly.