Abstract: A machine for terminating electric cable has a feeding segment that is decoupled from a terminating segment. The feeding segment has two feeders on which electric cable is wound. A length of cable is paid off one feeder and cut to length while another length of cable that has been paid off another feeder and cut to length is terminated at least at one end of the cable. A process for terminating electric cable provides a cable feed comprising a plurality of feeders and pays off a length of cable from one feeder of the cable feed while another length of cable that has been paid off another feeder of the cable feed is terminated at least at one end of the another length of cable. Alternatively lengths of cable are paid off two feeders and accumulated in a buffer segment associated with a feeding segment and a terminating segment. In an alternative process several lengths of cable are cut off and accumulated in a buffer while several other lengths of cable are being terminated.

Abstract: A ring out system including a ring out holder and an electrical connector to be tested therewith. The holder has a plurality of ring out pins which are received into openings at the floor of each terminal passage of the connector, wherein continuity is impossible unless the terminals are properly at their locked position. For final ring out, a plurality of stabilizer pins of the holder enter stabilizer pin openings of the connector to provide terminal position stability during testing.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a camshaft phaser. A plug or a cap is provided with either a radially-sealing gasket seal or a face-sealing gasket seal, the seal being formed by insertion of the plug into a bore, or by installation of a cap over a neck formed in a cover plate. The closure is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart locking elements, and the plate is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending second locking elements in the form of fingers surrounding a central opening. During assembly, the closure is mated to the plate with the first locking elements interspersed with the second locking elements. The closure is rotated to bring the locking elements into locking engagement with each other, preventing counter-rotation of the closure. No threads or torque specifications are required.

Abstract: A linear accelerometer is provided having a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. Adjacent capacitive plates vary in height. The accelerometer further includes support tethers for supporting the inertial mass and allowing movement of the inertial mass upon experiencing a linear acceleration along a sensing axis. The accelerometer has inputs and an output for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of both magnitude and direction of vertical acceleration along the sensing Z-axis. A microsensor fabrication process is also provided which employs a top side mask and etch module.

Abstract: An additives package for use in an MR fluid formulation is provided, as well as an MR fluid formulation containing the additives package. In one embodiment, the additives package comprises an organomolybdenum dithiocarbamate, an ashless dithiocarbamate, and a triazole compound, such as a tolutriazole compound. In another embodiment, the additives package may further include an aminic antioxidant, such as an alkylated diphenylamine. In another embodiment, the additives package is free of an organomolybdate ester. In another embodiment, the additives package consists of the organomolybdenum dithiocarbamate, the ashless dithiocarbamate, the triazole compound, and optionally the aminic antioxidant. In addition to the additives package, the magnetorheological fluid formulation comprises magnetizable particles, a carrier fluid, and a thickening agent.

Abstract: Prior art fuel line check valves remain closed after engine off and cool down. Diurnal heating and the resultant pressure increase in the fuel line causes fuel vapor emissions through small openings in the fuel line (e.g., at the injector tips). The invention provides a check valve for a vehicle fuel line which opens in response to engine cooling and remains open while the engine is off to relieve subsequent increasing pressure in the fuel line due to diurnal heating thereof.

Abstract: An antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an externally-located vehicular mirror housing and an antenna assembly. The externally-located vehicular mirror housing includes a cable exit passage. The antenna assembly includes at least one antenna element mounted on a circuit board. The antenna assembly is located within the externally-located vehicular mirror housing. The cable exit passage passes an antenna cable extending from the circuit board and into the vehicle cabin.

Abstract: A compact ceramic fuel property sensor comprises a plurality of laminated ceramic layers. The heater, temperature sensor, and capacitance measurement electrodes are embedded between the layers. The capacitance electrodes include interdigitated electrodes and fuel traps for containing a sample of liquid fuel disposed between the interdigitated electrodes. The dimensions of the fuel traps are selected so that the fuel traps remain filled with liquid after said sensor has been bathed in fuel. A method for monolithically preparing the sensors provides a reduced cost method and a sensor that can survive indefinitely in liquid fuel.

Abstract: A deactivating hydraulic valve mechanism includes a hydraulic element assembly disposed 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 groove in the body to selectively lock together the body and the pin housing. A lost motion spring is disposed in an 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 and bypasses the lost motion chamber. A ring holds the lifter assembly together and also sets mechanical lash. The ring may be provided as 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: A two-step chemical treatment method for chemically conditioning a sensor element comprising an electrolyte in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode is described. The method comprises treating at least a portion of a sensor element with a first solution comprising an inorganic base, a carbonate salt and an acid salt; heating the sensor element; treating at least a portion of the sensor element with a second solution comprising an inorganic base and a carbonate salt; and drying the sensor element. The gas sensors comprising the two-step treated sensor elements have reduced lean shift, green effect, sensor output amplitude drop, and the light-off time is improved.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter assembly including a lifter body and a cam follower. The cam follower is mounted to an end of the lifter body wherein the lifter body has a first diameter over a first body portion for engaging a wall of an engine bore. The lifter body also including a second diameter smaller than the first diameter over a second body portion supportive of the cam follower. The hydraulic valve lifter assembly further including a contiguous annular transitional chamfer between the first and second diameter portions of the lifter body.

Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle and method for dispersing fuel during a normal combustion operation and a supplemental combustion operation, the fuel injector nozzle comprising: a plurality of first outlet openings configured to disperse fuel in a first arrangement; and a plurality of second outlet openings configured to collide with the fuel passing through the plurality of first openings to disperse fuel in a second arrangement, wherein either the first or second arrangement is selected by the position of the piston.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a coated article comprises a substrate with a coating comprising diamond like carbon layer, wherein the diamond like carbon layer comprising carbon and sulfur as terminal sulfur functional groups, wherein greater than or equal to about 70 wt % of the carbon present in the diamond like carbon layer comprises a sp3 carbon-to-carbon bond. The diamond like carbon layer has a concentration gradient such that the diamond like carbon layer on a side toward the substrate comprises a lower concentration of sulfur than a surface of the diamond like carbon layer disposed on a side of the layer opposite the substrate. The surface comprises about 0.1 at % to about 15 at % sulfur.

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing motor damping network integrity, the motor damping network configured for selective short-circuiting of the windings of a motor in a motor control system. The apparatus includes a motor controller with a motor drive portion thereof electrically isolated from the windings of the motor. A resonant network is based on the windings of the motor, the damping network, and a remaining non-isolated portion of the controller. An amplifier circuit applies an excitation signal to the resonant network. A detector circuit detects a response of the resonant network based on the excitation signal. A state of the damping network is determined based on the response.

Abstract: A silicon-based high pressure sensor module incorporates a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The LTCC substrate can withstand high pressures. A bossed container filled with oil is mounted on the substrate and houses a sensor cell. The top surface of the bossed container is flexible and deflects under pressure. By controlling the surface area and the thickness of the top surface, the pressure sensor can be configured to measure a wide range of pressures. The oil transfers pressure from the bossed container to the diaphragm of the sensor cell while protecting the sensor cell from high pressures and harsh media.

Abstract: A diesel exhaust gas system includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF), a trap for nitrogen oxides (LNT), a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer for generating reformate, and an air supply. A method for controlling the rate of burn of soot in a DPF limits the oxygen percentage in the exhaust to about 6%. The LNT may be located ahead of the DPF in the exhaust line. Reformate is directed with exhaust through the LNT. The second flow of air cools the exhaust gas and thereby prevents overheating of the DPF substrate. The DPF also may be located ahead of the LNT. Reformate is controllably combusted by the second air flow in the DPF, reducing the oxygen percentage to about 6%, thus limiting the rate at which soot in the DPF can burn and thereby preventing overheating of the DPF substrate.

Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a substrate and at least one surface mounted electronic component. The substrate includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the substrate includes a plurality of conductive traces formed thereon. The plurality of conductive traces includes a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The electronic component is electrically coupled between the first and second conductive traces. A component body of the electronic component is subject to interaction with a flux, which is utilized during electrical coupling of the electronic component to the first and second conductive traces, to form a current leakage path. The substrate is configured to prevent the formation of the current leakage path.

Abstract: A cost efficient electrical feedthrough is provided for forming a hermetic seal with a container and allowing a desired number of inputs to be connected between varied environmental conditions. The electrical feedthrough can be employed for environmental conditions including high pressures, high temperatures, low temperatures and the presence of corrosive gases. A first wire situated in a first environmental condition and a second wire situated in a second environmental condition are connected via a conducting material. The first environmental condition and the second environmental condition are separated by a divider having an opening for passing therethrough either the first wire or the second wire. A first seal extends from the divider to a material in contact with the conducting material.

Abstract: A satellite antenna module is disclosed. The satellite antenna module includes at least one antenna element disposed on a ground plane. The ground plane is capacitivly coupled to a vehicle surface. The ground plane is disposed over the vehicle surface at an elevation angle that achieves a higher gain of the at least one antenna element.