Abstract: A technique for manufacturing an electronic assembly uses a mold that has a first mold portion and a second mold portion. The first mold portion includes a plurality of spaced mold pins extending from an inner surface. A cavity of the first and second mold portions provides a mold cavity, when joined. A backplate is also provided that includes a plurality of support pedestals and an integrated heatsink extending from a first side of the backplate. A substrate includes a first side of an integrated circuit (IC) die mounted to a first side of the substrate. The backplate and the substrate are placed within the cavity of the second mold portion and the support pedestals are in contact with the first side of the substrate. The first and second mold portions are joined and the mold pins contact a second surface of the substrate during an overmolding process.

Abstract: The invention provides a piezoelectric actuator having a stack body comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements, each element having a positive and negative electrode pair which are electrically isolated from one another by the piezoelectric elements, the electrode pairs being arranged in groups of one or more electrode pairs, each group having a conducting arrangement in electrical connection therewith. The piezoelectric actuator further comprises a distribution electrode arrangement for connecting the conducting arrangement to a power supply, in use, wherein the distribution electrode arrangement includes a fuse arrangement. In the event of a short circuit between electrodes of a pair within one of the groups, the fuse arrangement breaks the electrical connection between the power supply and the conducting arrangement.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column for a vehicle. The steering column includes an outer member having a first portion and a clamping portion cantilevered from the first portion. The clamping portion includes first and second projections and a first aperture defined between the first and second projections. The steering column also includes an inner member received in the first aperture for telescoping movement relative to the outer member along an axis. The steering column also includes a clamping mechanism disposed to selectively urge the first and second projections closer to one another to change a size of the first aperture. The first aperture is relatively smaller when the first and second projections have been urged relatively closer together by the clamping mechanism to lock the inner and outer members relative to one another.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly with a substrate having a laminate construction of ceramic layers, such as an LTCC ceramic substrate. The substrate is configured for the purpose of improving the thermal management of power circuit devices mounted to the substrate. Thermally-conductive vias extend through the substrate from a first surface thereof to a second surface thereof. A circuit device is mounted to the first surface of the substrate and is electrically interconnected to conductor lines of the substrate. The device is also thermally coupled to the thermally-conductive vias with a first solder material. A heat sink located adjacent the second surface of the substrate is bonded to the thermally-conductive vias with a second solder material, such that the first solder material, the thermally-conductive vias, and the second solder material define a thermal path from the device to the heat sink.

Abstract: An electronic control unit and a method of diagnosing an electronic control unit on a vehicle are provided. The method includes the steps of storing in memory information on variables to collect, selecting a trigger, monitoring for a predetermined event, activating the trigger based on the detection of the event, collecting the variables upon activation of the trigger, and storing the collected variables in memory. The collected variable may be read via a pre-existing production serial link to diagnose the electronic control unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling valve stiffness in a power steering system. The method includes the step of engaging a pinion and a spool shaft with respect to one another for turning at least two wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel from an on-center orientation. The method also includes the step of variably assisting movement of the pinion with a hydraulic power steering device having a valve movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The method also includes the step of moving the valve from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to rotation of the spool shaft relative to the pinion from an on-center orientation to assist the pinion in rotation for turning the at least two wheels.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for supplying pressurised fuel to a fuel injector (200) comprises an accumulator volume (606) for supplying fuel at rail pressure (P1) to the fuel injector (200) through a rail fuel supply passage (608) and a fuel pressurising arrangement (604) for supplying fuel at a selected pressure greater than rail pressure (P2) to the fuel injector (200) through a pressurised fuel supply passage (614). A fuel shut-off valve (618) is provided in the system which is operable between a closed position in which fuel is retained within the pressurising arrangement (604) and an open position in which pressurised fuel is supplied to the injector (200) from the pressurising arrangement (604) during an injection of fuel from the rail fuel supply passage (608). Operating the shut-off valve in this way provides a boost in the fuel pressure delivered during an injection event.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) wafer includes a plurality of die and a first die indicator (FDI) formed on the wafer in a metal layer. The plurality of die include a first potentially good die and the FDI, which is detectable by a machine vision recognition system, provides a unique indication of the first potentially good die.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly including a plurality of pairs of plates disposed in series for fluid flow from a pass through one pair of plates to a pass through the next pair of plates. Each pair of plates includes a central rib to define a U-shaped passage having a fluid entering leg and a fluid exiting leg interconnected by an open bottom interconnecting the legs below the lower end of the engaging central ribs. A plurality of dimples project into the passage to interact with fluid flow through the passage and each of the dimples has a hemispherical shape and a divider rib is disposed in the passage to co-act with the hemispherical dimples to reduce whistling noise.

Abstract: A heat pump is operable in a heating mode and a cooling mode and includes two identical heat exchangers. The heat exchangers alternate between operating as a condenser and an evaporator as the heat pump switches between the heating mode and the cooling mode. The heat exchangers include a fluid passageway for directing a refrigerant therethrough and a bypass bisecting the fluid passageway into a first portion and a second portion. A valve interconnects the first portion and the second portion of the fluid passageway and the bypass for directing the refrigerant through the first portion of the fluid passageway and into the bypass to prevent refrigerant flow through the second portion of the fluid passageway when the heat exchanger is operable as the evaporator.

Abstract: A steering column assembly (10) of the collapsible type includes a mounting plate (30) for rigid attachment to a vehicle body structure. The mounting plate (30) supports the steering column (12) during normal operation through interconnecting release capsules (24) which allow the steering column (12) to collapse, away from the rigidly attached mounting plate (30), during a frontal collision. An energy absorbing tear strip (44) in formed integrally in the mounting plate (30) and is connected via tab (43) to a fixed connection (42) which adjoins a portion of the column bracket (18). The column bracket (18) moves together with the steering column (12) during a collapse situation. The tear strip (44) simultaneously bends and tears in a peeling fashion as the steering column (12) collapses to provide energy absorption for the assembly (10).

Abstract: A valve lifter assembly for deactivating a cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter assembly is provided with a plunger movably disposed within a bore of a main body member to controllably isolate the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve of the engine. The plunger is normally locked in an extended position to transmit cam lift to reciprocatingly operate the valve. At least one locking pin is moveably disposed within the plunger to engage an inner annular groove of the main body member. Pressurized oil is provided to dislodge the locking pins from the annular groove and allow the plunger to move within the main body member, thereby isolating the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve. The deactivating lifter is preferably disposed within the recess conventionally provided for hydraulic valve lifters.

Abstract: A method and an article of manufacture for determining a rate of change of orientation of a plurality of fibers disposed in a fluid are provided. The method includes determining a first tensor indicative of the rate of change of orientation of the plurality of fibers in the fluid in a predetermined region due to rigid body rotation of the plurality of fibers and the fluid. The method further includes determining a second tensor indicative of the rate of change or orientation of the plurality of fibers in the fluid in the predetermined region due to deformation of the plurality of fibers and the fluid in the predetermined region, utilizing a first scalar value that reduces the rate of change of orientation of the plurality of fibers due to deformation of the plurality of fibers and the fluid. The method further includes determining a third tensor indicative of a total rate of change of orientation of the plurality of fibers based on the first and second tensors, wherein the third tensor is an objective tensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering column for a vehicle. The steering column includes a steering column jacket defining a column axis. The steering column jacket is operable to at least partially encircle a steering shaft in a vehicle. The steering column also includes a tilt housing engaged with the steering column jacket for tilting movement about a tilt axis between a plurality of tilt positions. The steering column also includes a locking member supported for linear movement by the tilt housing. The locking member has a tip moveable outwardly with respect to the column axis to a locked position contacting the steering column jacket and inwardly towards the column axis to an unlocked position spaced from the steering column jacket.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical terminal element for pushing through an opening, in particular a round opening, in an elastic material along a pushing through direction of the terminal element, comprising a contact part which has a connection section for the electrical and mechanical connection of the terminal element to an electrical lead, a dilating section and a contact section for the contacting of another terminal element arranged in series in the pushing through direction and comprising a reception part which at least partly surrounds the contact part in the region of the contact section and adjoins the dilating section. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a terminal element in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A secondary heat exchanger subassembly, such as a transmission oil cooler, is disposed in a metal tank of a radiator and has a pair of metal fluid fittings. Either a connector ring engages a fitting extending through the opening in the tank or a connector nut extends into the opening to threadedly engage the fitting whereby the metal fittings are held to the metal tank and inserted into a furnace for being brazed into sealed relationship with the metal tank.

Abstract: A multiplex signal system for use with a vehicle steering column assembly includes a steering wheel electronic module mounted to a steering wheel and a column electronic module mounted remotely from the steering wheel. The steering wheel electronic module includes a resistive switch network and a voltage controlled oscillator to transform activation by an operator of one or more steering wheel mounted controls, such as audio volume controls, into an oscillating signal having a frequency representative of the particular control that was activated. This oscillating signal is provided to the column electronic module, which utilizes an electronic processing device to determine which of the steering wheel mounted controls has been activated. Once this is determined, the electronic control module operates the electrical or electromechanical device, such as an audio system, that corresponds to the activated steering wheel mounted control.

Abstract: A high-side driver circuit for driving a load, including a low-side driver IC having a drive output and a feedback input, a first transistor coupled to the drive output, and a second transistor coupled between a power source and the load. The second transistor is configured to enter an “OFF” state when the first transistor is driven into an “OFF” state by the drive output, and to enter an “ON” state when the first transistor is driven into an “ON” state by the drive output.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for adjusting a position of a steering wheel. The invention includes a steering column for supporting the steering wheel. A telescoping mechanism and a tilting mechanism are associated with the steering column to move the steering column. The invention also includes a motor having a rotatable shaft for generating a moving force. A first linkage is selectively engageable with the rotatable shaft to transmit the moving force to the telescoping mechanism. A second linkage is selectively engageable with the rotatable shaft to transmit the moving force to the tilting mechanism.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly. A plurality of parallel tubes conveys fuel cell stack exhaust gas from a first manifold means to a second manifold means. The tubes are highly corrugated to increase the wall area and decrease the wall thickness. The tubes are disposed in a jacket through which is passed incoming air to be heated. The tubes may be linear between two manifolds, or they may be curved such that the first and second manifold functions are accommodated within a single component.