Abstract: The final rest position of an internal combustion engine crankshaft is determined by counting pulses of a CRANK signal responsive to crankshaft rotation after engine turn-off and evaluating the timing of the pulse edges to detect reversals in the direction of crankshaft rotation. Times are assigned to a given edge of each CRANK signal pulse, and a ratio of specified time intervals is compared to a threshold to detect crankshaft rock-back for controlling the pulse count direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is set forth for measuring a return signal of a magnetostrictive sensor (20) that detects a force, torque, or pressure. The return signal includes noise, a DC resistance (44), an AC resistance and an inductance and the inductance is shifted ninety degrees from the AC resistance. The apparatus (10) includes a sensor filter (22) to remove the noise from the return signal. A sensor filter (22) shifts the return signal and more specifically, the inductance by an additional angle and the sum of the additional angle and the ninety degrees phase shift is defined as the final detection angle. To detect the inductance at the final detection angle, a wave filter (16) and a reference filter (28) shifts a reference signal by the final detection angle to trigger a first demodulator (26) to detect the inductance at the final detection angle. The inductance detected by the first demodulator (26) varies due to temperature.

Abstract: A bushing assembly adapted for application in vehicle suspension systems includes an embedded position sensor and an embedded speed sensor.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for actively illuminating and capturing images of an object, such as a driver of a vehicle to reduce glare. The system includes a video imaging camera orientated to generate images of the subject object (e.g., eye(s)) in successive video frames. The system also includes first and second light sources operable to illuminate the object one at a time. The system further includes a processor for processing the image by performing pixel-wise min operation to combine multiple frames into a single frame to reduce glare in the image. The system may remove glare caused by the illuminators and caused by external energy sources.

Abstract: A method of producing an actuator includes shaping a block of ferroelectric material to provide an active element of the actuator. The element includes a stack of ferroelectric layers with adjacent layers separated by electrodes arranged parallel to end faces of the element. The method includes applying a primary electrode to the end faces, immersing the element and the primary electrode within a dielectric fluid, applying a primary poling voltage to the primary electrode so as to polarize the element in a first polarization direction, applying a secondary external electrode to side faces of the element, and applying a secondary poling voltage to the secondary electrode to polarize alternate layers along the first polarization direction and the other layers along a second, oppositely-directed polarization axis. The method may also include applying a conductive film to the end faces and/or applying heat to help evaporate the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for flud flow measurement are provided. The apparatus includes a first thermistor; a second thermistor; a first deflecting member configured to shield the first thermistor from fluid flowing in a first direction; a second deflecting member configured to shield the second thermistor from fluid flowing in a second direction where the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction; and a circuit in electrical communicati with the first thermistor and the second thermistor. The circuit includes a comparator for comparing a first signal from the first thermistor to a second signal from the second thermistor. The comparator provides an output indicative of a direction of fluid flowing past the first thermistor and the second thermistor.

Abstract: An holder or support for a backlit component is disclosed which provides display lighting for the backlit component. The holder may be a one-piece holder and may be made from a polymeric material including one or more fluorescing materials and/or diffusing substances. A trim plate for a backlit display is disclosed. The trim plate may have a front face which provides both a solid support for graphic indicia and display lighting for the graphic indicia.

Abstract: An electronic package having enhanced heat dissipation is provided exhibiting dual conductive heat paths in opposing directions. The package includes a substrate having electrical conductors thereon and a flip chip mounted to the substrate. The flip chip has a first surface, solder bumps on the first surface, and a second surface oppositely disposed from the first surface. The flip chip is mounted to the substrate such that the solder bumps are registered with the conductors on the substrate. The package further includes a stamped metal heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the second surface of the flip chip. The heat sink includes a cavity formed adjacent to the flip chip containing a thermally conductive material.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a connect or shroud. A pin block disposed in the connector body supports a plurality of terminal pins that have head portions projecting out a forward end of the pin block and tail portions projecting out a rearward end of the pin block. The connector shroud has a socket at a forward end that receives a terminal stabilizer that is locked to the pin block to hold the terminal stabilizer and the pin block in assembly with the connector shroud to form a module. The module may include a block seal that can be sandwiched between the terminal stabilizer and the pin block during assembly of the module. The rear end of the connector shroud is truncated at an angle for a direct top down assembly of the module to a housing that has an attachment collar that is truncated at the same angle. The pin terminal tail portions are bent at a right angle and project through holes in a pin alignment member and a printed circuit board that are mounted inside the housing.

Abstract: An advance arrangement for use in controlling timing of fuel delivery by a fuel pump for use in an engine comprises an advance piston (12) which is slidable within a first bore (14) and which cooperates, in use, with a cam arrangement of a fuel pump to adjust the timing of fuel delivery by the pump. A surface associated with the advance piston (12) is exposed to fuel pressure within a first control chamber (38). The pressure of fuel within the first control chamber (38) is controlled by means of a servo piston (24) which is slidable within a further bore (22) provided in the advance piston (12). The servo piston (24) is responsive to speed dependent fuel pressure variations within a servo control chamber (37), thereby to permit adjustment of the timing in response to engine speed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photonic sensor and method of operation, in one embodiment a photonic has: a sensing element; a dielectric layer; a first electrode disposed between the sensing element and the dielectric layer; a second electrode positioned in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the dielectric layer, the second electrode being disposed upon a substrate; and wherein an applied voltage between the first and second electrodes attracts the first electrode towards the second electrode resulting in a movement of the sensor and the first electrode and dielectric layer with respect to the second electrode, wherein a path of thermal conductance is provided between the substrate and the sensing element through the first electrode, the dielectric layer and the second electrode, and the dielectric layer and the first electrode return to the facing spaced relationship when the applied voltage is removed.

Abstract: A common rail fuel pump for an internal combustion engine includes a pumping plunger (10) that is reciprocable within a plunger bore (14) provided in a pump housing (16) under the influence of a drive arrangement (18, 20) to cause fuel pressurisation within a pump chamber (12). An inlet metering valve (46) is operable to meter the quantity of fuel supplied to the pump chamber (12) during the return stroke of the plunger (10). An outlet valve (58) controls the supply of pressurised fuel from the pumping chamber (12) through an outlet passage (30) to the common rail fuel volume in circumstances in which the inlet metering valve is closed. The outlet passage (30) has a pump outlet (38), from where fuel is supplied to the common rail fuel volume. The inlet metering valve (46), the plunger (10) and the pump outlet (38) are arranged in axial alignment, providing a compact and lightweight pump for installation in existing and purpose-built engines.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a CPA plug (connector position assurance plug) for assuring that the electrical connector is properly connected to a mating electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a right-angled connector body having a plurality of longitudinal channels that open into an axial shroud that plugs into a socket of the mating connector in the axial direction, and a plurality of right angled terminals that are disposed in the plurality of longitudinal channels respectively with their respective contacts disposed in the axial shroud. The axial shroud has a cover at one end and the CPA plug is attached to the cover for movement between a prestaged position and a final locked position assuring that the electrical connector is properly connected to the mating electrical connector. Three embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the integrity of a leak detection test for a purge valve of a fuel system in a vehicle reduces or eliminates false failures. The method is executed on an engine control module (ECM) and is configured to determine when vehicle soak conditions meet first criteria conducive to fuel vapor condensation in the fuel tank. The first criteria include a predetermined temperature drop in ambient air temperature between successive drive cycles. The ECM is further configured to determine when a vehicle maneuver meets second criteria indicative of the capability of the maneuver to initiate fuel slosh in the fuel tank, to thereby establish a trigger event. The ECM is further configured to determine, after the trigger event, the maximum slope of a fuel tank vacuum increase. The ECM is still further configured to produce a slope ratio as a function of the maximum vacuum increase slope and a reference vacuum slope corresponding to a slope that is unaffected by any slosh/condensation events.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connection system has a pair of electrical connectors each comprising an inner insulator housing and an outer housing of conductive material. A shunt member of conductive material contacts conductive plug and socket portions of the respective electrical connectors when mated, to enhance electrical continuity between the outer housings. The shunt member is disposed in a shunt chamber and a connector seal seals the chamber at one end. A terminal attached to a shielded electric cable is disposed in a terminal passage in electrical connector that has a second shunt chamber at an inlet of the terminal passage. A second shunt member engages the conductive shield of the cable in the second shunt chamber and the outer housing of the connector. A cable seal seals an inlet of the second shunt chamber. The outer housing of electrical connector is adapted for connection to a conductive casing for grounding the shielded electrical connection.

Abstract: An illuminated display system is disclosed. The illuminated display system includes a circuit board with a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of light-passing holes. At least one light pipe is arranged on the rear surface of the circuit board. The at least one light pipe includes at least one entrance port and a plurality of corresponding facets and exit ports. Each of the plurality of facets, exit ports, and light passing holes are aligned in a corresponding relationship to the location of individual components of a display surface positioned over the front surface of the circuit board.

Abstract: An antenna having a plurality of elongated conductors is disclosed. The elongated conductors have a substantially straight portion and a substantially helical portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for repairing defects in kinetically sprayed surfaces. The typical defects comprise isolated or connected conical shaped holes in the kinetic spray coating. The repair involves thermally spraying a molten material into the defective area to fill in the cone followed by continued kinetic spraying to complete the coating.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser control system for reducing rotor positional instability. A phaser system includes a target wheel mounted on the phaser rotor such that during camshaft rotation wheel teeth chop a signal to generate first and second interruption signals indicative of amplitude of rotor instability. An instability monitor is used to monitor the level of instability against predetermined acceptable levels, depending upon engine operating conditions (RPM, temperature). An excessive level of instability is established by engine calibration. When measured instability exceeds a predetermined threshold level for a predetermined period, an instability diagnostic becomes alarmed. A default strategy is used to correct the excessive instability by applying a bias to the phaser control duty cycle. The system continues to monitor the level of instability, and when instability falls below the threshold limit, normal phasing operation is resumed.

Abstract: A one-piece electromagnetic circuit board shield has a series of depending legs that extend through corresponding slot openings in a circuit board for mechanically retaining the shield in place on the circuit board, and intervening teeth that bite into a peripheral ground plane conductor trace on the circuit board to provide reliable electrical coupling between the shield and the ground plane conductor trace. Some of the depending legs have buckle features that pass through the circuit board slots with resistance to provide a snap-fit attachment of the shield to the circuit board, and other depending legs of the shield are contoured to facilitate a twist-lock functionality that provides a vibration-resistant mechanical lock between the shield and the circuit board.