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 a steering sensor, an acceleration pedal sensor, a brake pedal sensor, a turn signal switch, a cruise control switch, a windshield wiper switch, etc. 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 operator receives information about the operation of the vehicle from the display. All components, including the on-board processor, are operatively connected to a column support, allowing the steering column assembly to be installed as a unit.

Abstract: A control cartridge has a circuit board that includes a Hall effect sensor, the position of which is fixed in a housing that has a cam. The control cartridge includes a shaft that carries a magnet and that rotates and translates with respect to the housing. The shaft has a cam follower that engages the cam and translates the shaft with respect to the housing when the shaft is rotated with respect to the housing in one direction but not in an opposite direction. The control cartridge is shown as part of a control handle for a motorcycle in which the relative angular position of the shaft with respect to the Hall effect sensor is used to control engine speed manually while the relative axial position of the shaft with respect to the Hall effect sensor is used to deactivate a cruise control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyromechanical securing element for the mechanical connection of two components. The securing element comprises a covering (1) and a pyrotechnical propellant charge (6) is arranged in the head part thereof (5), said propellant charge being adjacent to an adapter (2), and securing means or a stop for the first component are arranged on the rear part of the covering (1) and a second component can be pushed onto the covering between the first component and the head part (5). The covering (1) on the head part (5) comprises expected fracture indents extending in the longitudinal direction which tear open the covering (1) in the head area when the propellant charge (6) is ignited and the first component is rigidly connected to the second component in order to allow the adapter (2) to bend. The aim of the invention is to securely anchor the covering (1) to the adapter (2) without using extreme force.

Abstract: A solenoid-type fuel injector assembly having at least one component formed of stabilized, solenoid-quality ferritic stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, an austenitic fuel tube is laser-welded to an injector body and to a solenoid pole piece formed of the subject material. The stabilized, solenoid-quality ferritic stainless steel, preferably a free-machining grade thereof, comprises from about 10% to about 35% chromium, and at least one stabilizing element selected from the group consisting of titanium and columbium. Components thus formed are weldable, exhibit soft magnetic properties sufficiently strong for carrying a magnetic flux in a solenoid pole piece, have desired structural and mechanical properties, and reduce the susceptibility of a solenoid-type fuel injector to metallurgical sensitization and intergranular corrosive attack at weld sites.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring an eye to determine eye closure. The system includes a video imaging camera oriented to generate images of an eye, and a video processor for processing the images. The processor includes an edge detector for detecting edges of the eye in the image, and a line selector for generating a plurality of lines at multiple angles representative of the detected edges. The processor determines the state of eye closure, such as eye open or eye closed, based on the number of lines at selected angles. The system may be employed on a vehicle to determine the eye closure of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: An illuminated indicator is disclosed. The illuminated indicator includes graphics disposed on a rear surface of a lightpipe and a housing that supports the rear surface of lightpipe. The housing defines an outer perimeter light channel. The illuminated indicator also includes a plurality of light sources that are disposed about the outer perimeter light channel. The outer perimeter light channel directs light from the plurality of light sources to an outer perimeter edge of the lightpipe to evenly illuminate the graphics.

Abstract: An advance arrangement for controlling timing of fuel delivery by a fuel pump in an engine comprises an advance piston which is movable in either an advance or a retard direction to advance or retard, respectively, the timing of fuel pump delivery, wherein a surface associated with the advance piston is exposed to fuel pressure within a main advance control chamber. The advance piston has a supply port to allow fuel to flow into the main advance control chamber and a drain port to allow fuel to flow out of the main advance control chamber. A servo piston is movable relative to the advance piston to control opening and closing of the supply port and the drain port. The advance arrangement is characterised by a restricted flow means for restricting the flow of fuel out of the main advance control chamber through the drain port when the advance piston moves in the retard direction beyond a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring an eye to determine eye closure. The system includes a video imaging camera oriented to generate images of an eye. The system also includes a video processor for processing the images generated with the video imaging camera. The processor includes an edge detector for detecting edges of the eye in the image and a line selector for generating substantially horizontal first and second lines representative of the detected edges. The processor determines the state of eye closure, such as eye open or eye closed, based on distance between the first and second lines. The system may be employed on a vehicle to determine the eye closure of a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical female terminal is provided of two piece construction comprising an outer body and an inner body. The outer body has a forward shield portion and rearward conduction attaching portion. The inner body has a forward receptacle portion and a rearward conduction contacting portion enabling current to flow from a mating terminal to an attached electrical cable via the inner body. The receptacle portion includes resilient contact arms. The shield portion of the outer body surrounds the receptacle portion. The shield portion includes back-up spring members that enable the receptacle portion to maintain a normal force on a mating terminal even if the contact arms relax.

Abstract: One method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having an outward fold. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet with the fold contacting one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the outward fold and a second electrode in contact with the one side of the tubesheet. Another method for welding includes obtaining a heat-exchanger tube having a tube end. The tube is inserted at least partially through the orifice of a tubesheet. A first electrode is positioned in contact with the first tube end and a second electrode is positioned in contact with one of the outward and inward facing sides of the tubesheet. The first electrode is moved against the first tube end to create an outward fold with the outward fold contacting the one side of the tubesheet.

Abstract: In a vehicle solenoid valve, the spool that holds the actuation coil is formed with a hexagonal or octagonal inner chamber in which a cylindrical armature can slide. Owing to the different cross-sectional shapes between the spool and armature, a longitudinal fluid vent passageway is established along each edge of the chamber between the non-cylindrical walls of the chamber and the cylindrical armature so that movement of hydraulic fluid relative to the armature is promoted when the armature moves. The face of the spool that is oriented toward the valve end can be formed with radial vent grooves to further facilitate fluid venting when the armature moves.

Abstract: A rack and pinion gear train actuator for a pintle valve. A motor shaft has a pinion gear that engages a large reduction gear having an integral hub gear. The hub gear is a planet gear for a ring gear segment that pivots on a shaft and includes a pinion gear segment that engages a linear rack. The rack is attached to a valve pintle shaft, causing the valve to be opened and closed in response to rotation of the motor shaft. The pintle shaft, return spring, rack, and gears are all assemblable by slip fit. The actuator has a high actuation force, a fast response time, and compact design by virtue of a rack and internal gearing. The stroke of the rack may be changed for use with pintle valves having differing strokes by varying the angle through which the motor operates.

Abstract: A method of estimating the quantity of secondary reaction airflow supplied to the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine by an air injection reaction (AIR) system models airflows in an AIR pump, an AIR valve, and a plenum coupling the pump to the valve. The pump flow is modeled based on the pump speed (or pump motor voltage), the pump inlet air temperature and the pressure ratio across the pump, and the valve flow is modeled based on the pressure ratio across the valve and the valve inlet air temperature. The plenum pressure used in the pump and valve pressure ratios is modeled based on the net plenum airflow and the plenum air temperature. The estimated AIR airflow is useful for managing the air/fuel ratio in the engine exhaust system and enhancing the reliability of AIR diagnostics.

Abstract: A target wheel/rotor pre-assembly for a camshaft phaser. A phaser rotor includes a central bore. A target wheel axial extension having a plurality of barbs is entered into the bore to fix the target wheel to the rotor, both axially and rotationally, prior to assembly of the rotor into a phaser stator during manufacture of the phaser. Simple gauge blocks or a fixture can be used to index the target wheel to the rotor such that all such rotor/wheel subassemblies are substantially identical, to a high degree of precision. Alternatively, the axial extension may be formed without barbs, the extension inserted into the rotor bore, and then the extension immobilized as by stamping of the barbs, tack welding, or the like. For another example, the axial extension may be formed as a separate intermediate barbed retainer that engages both the rotor bore and the target wheel.

Abstract: A player for a media unit. The player includes a front plate formed of metal and having an opening configured to receive a media unit. The player also includes a cover mounted over the opening and having a slit. The slit is aligned with the opening and configured to allow the media unit to pass through the cover and enter the opening. The cover includes an electrical conductor that contacts the front plate and is in electrostatic communication with the slit. The conductor conducts electrostatic charge from the media unit to the front plate as the media unit passes through the slit. The media unit may be a CD, DVD, memory stick, minidisc or the like.

Abstract: An integrated patch antenna is disclosed. The integrated patch antenna receives at least a first and second band of signals. The integrated patch antenna includes a bottom metallization and first and second upper metallizations disposed about a dielectric material to receive the first and second signal bands. The first and second signal bands may be, for example, a satellite digital audio radio systems (SDARS) band and a global positioning system (GPS) band.

Abstract: A method for generatig a fault tolerant sensor signal for a motor control system in a vehicle steering system. The method includes receiving at least three sensor signals indicative of a sensed parameter and generating a plurality of parameter pair signals responsive to the at least one sensor signal of the at least three sensor signals. Additionally, the method includes selecting one parameter pair signal of the plurality of parameter pair signals and generating a measured parameter signal responsive to the selecting.

Abstract: A catalyst for preferentially reducing carbon monoxide in a hydrogen stream. The catalyst is formed from a chemical composition including a hexaaluminate, a metal hydroxide and a precious metal. The composition may be disposed on a support or may be extruded or cast into or onto a support. Incorporation of hexaaluminates allows inclusion of metal hydroxides that flux the active precious metal surface at higher temperatures than can aluminum oxide-based catalytic compositions, thereby enhancing resistance of the catalyst and monolithic support and increasing the durability and thermal range of the PROX catalyst. An additional advantage is that lesser amounts of precious metal oxides need be deposited onto the hexaaluminate, while retaining activity similar to aluminum oxide compositions.

Abstract: An improved box-shaped female electrical connector featuring an optimized conductive (electrical and thermal) path, a spring contact insensitive to deformation, minimization of male blade insertion force, and maximization of contact force with the blade, all made possible by inclusion of the following structural aspects: an optimized conductive path, a spring contact carried by a dual spring contact member operative interfaced with an over stress abutment, a spring contact shield at the mouth of the electrical connector, and a basal contact, disposed opposite the spring contact, which is part of the direct conductive path of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a blind-zone sensing system including leading and trailing passive IR sensors periodically determines a separation distance between coverage areas of the leading and trailing sensors to diagnose sensor alignment. Signals produced by the leading and trailing sensors are sampled and stored over a defined interval of time for processing. A condition in which the sensor coverage areas abruptly encounter a stationary region of cooler temperature is detected when corresponding signal deflections are identified. The elapsed time between the identified signal deflections is measured and used along with an accurate measure of the vehicle speed to compute the separation distance between coverage areas of the leading and trailing sensors.