Abstract: A method of horizontally structured manufacturing process modeling for large process models comprising: selecting a blank for machining into an actual part; and establishing a coordinate system. The method also includes: creating a master process model in a first file comprising: a virtual blank corresponding to said blank and a manufacturing feature; virtual machining of the manufacturing feature into the virtual blank, the manufacturing feature exhibiting an associative relationship with the coordinate system; and generating a group reference link of selected manufacturing features of the master process model. The method also includes generating an in-process model in a separate file from the first file employing the group reference link, the in-process model exhibiting another associative relationship with the master process model. The method also includes generating manufacturing instructions to create the actual part by machining the manufacturing feature into the blank.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric motor assembly having an electric motor with a first end and a second end spaced from the first end. The electric motor also includes a motor shaft extending along a first axis between a first tip cantilevered from the second end and a second tip spaced from the first tip along the first axis. The electric motor assembly also includes a worm gear disposed on the motor shaft between the second end and the first tip for rotation with the motor shaft about the first axis. The electric motor assembly also includes a housing having an internal surface with a first portion correspondingly shaped with respect to the first end to locate the electric motor in the housing. The housing also includes a second portion disposed along the first axis spaced from the first tip. The electric motor assembly also includes a first thrust bearing disposed between the first tip and the second portion.

Abstract: An improved nozzle for use in kinetic spray systems is disclosed. The nozzle includes a supersonic portion comprising a tubular section and a flow regulator. A portion of the flow regulator is received in the tubular portion. The flow regulator includes a biconical flow concentrator that allows one to create very small dimension coatings on substrates. Using the present nozzle enables one to create spot coatings and very narrow width line coatings that find use in electrical components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a side airbag device for use in a vehicle, comprising: an inflatable cushion for deployment from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. The inflatable cushion is positioned behind a headliner of the vehicle in an un-inflated state and the inflatable cushion is configured to traverse a side of the vehicle when it is inflated. The inflatable cushion also comprising a deploying edge that defines a portion of a periphery of the inflated cushion, wherein the inflatable cushion is folded in a manner that causes the deploying edge to deploy as a first leading edge as said inflatable cushion is inflated to an expanded state by an inflator wherein the deploying edge is the first portion of the inflatable cushion to expand around the headliner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a throttle position sensor for a motorcycle including a handlebar having an end. The throttle position sensor includes a rotor having a first end and a second end. The rotor is positioned within the handlebar and rotated relative to the handlebar. The second end is closer than the first end to the end of the handlebar. The throttle position sensor also includes a sensor operable to detect rotation of the rotor relative to the handlebar and generate a signal corresponding to the rotation of the rotor relative to the handlebar. The throttle position sensor further includes at least one electrical conduit passing into the rotor from the first end. The at least one electrical conduit is routed through the rotor and is accessible from the second end of the rotor.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a connector body that is equipped with a cam lever that is pivotally attached to the connector body for movement between a transit position and a lock position. The electrical connector has a retainer to prevent detachment of the cam lever from the connector body during transit.

Abstract: A suspension system having a frame, a cab having a front portion pivotally mounted to the frame and at least one actuator mounted between a rear portion of the cab and the frame. A position sensor is mounted adjacent the rear portion of the cab for generating a first signal indicating a position of the cab relative to the frame, an accelerometer is mounted to the frame for generating a second signal indicating an acceleration of the frame relative to gravity and an electronic control receives the first and second signals from the position sensor and the accelerometer and generates a control signal for controlling the actuator in response to the first and second signals.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrode comprises: combining a platinum precursor with a gold precursor to form an electrode ink; forming the electrode ink into an electrode precursor; firing the electrode precursor to form the electrode; treating the electrode in an environment having an oxygen partial pressure of less than or equal to 500 ppm oxygen for a period of time sufficient produce an electrode with an exposed surface gold concentration of greater than or equal to about 6 times a bulk gold concentration in the electrode.

Abstract: An electrical connector provides terminal position assurance and wire cover features in a single integrated structure. The connector has a body defining a cavity for receiving one or more terminal carriers having aligned terminal receiving passageways opening at an end surface. A slide member cooperates with the connector body to positionally fix the terminal carrier and to integrally support the wire cover to overlay the end surface to dress conductors emerging there from in a preferred orientation.

Abstract: A seat belt device for adjusting the tension of a seat belt webbing drawn across a user's body when the seat belt is in a latched condition, the seat belt device comprising: a housing defining a receiving area configured to slidably receive the seat belt webbing therethrough; a clamp member slidably mounted to the housing, the clamp member being configured for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein a clamping surface of the clamp member urges a portion of the seat belt webbing against an engagement portion of the housing when the clamp member is in the first position, the engagement portion being included in the receiving area; and a biasing member being configured to urge the clamp surface toward the engagement portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting a fuel leak from a component includes providing a fuel leak enclosure about the component being monitored.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is disclosed for measuring the position of a target object as it traverses a linear path of travel within a defined range of measurement. The sensor assembly comprises a ferromagnetic magnetic flux concentrator assembly. The flux concentrator assembly is configured as a generally u-shaped structure including a permanent magnet with elongated ferromagnetic flux concentrator elements affixed at the poles thereof and extending in substantially parallel fashion there from. A galvanomagnetic sensing element is disposed within an air gap between the free end portions of the flux concentrator elements and is displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the flux concentrator assembly. The galvanomagnetic sensing element is configured to provide an output signal indicative of the measured linear position as it travels along the longitudinal axis of the flux concentrator assembly.

Abstract: A button assembly comprising a panel having a hole and a button configured to extend through the hole. The assembly further includes an integral switch pad and gasket member, with the switch pad having a base and a flexible dome including a contact extending from the base. The gasket member is integrally connected to the switch pad at a transition line and includes an opening. The button is configured to be placed through the hole in the panel and the gasket member is configured to be repositioned relative to the switch pad along the transition line such that the opening in the gasket member is aligned with the hole in the panel and the button engages the gasket member. The flexible dome of the switch pad is configured to be aligned with the hole in the panel such that depression of the button collapses the dome of the switch pad.

Abstract: The invention provides a fabric valve assembly for a climate control system of a vehicle. The fabric valve assembly includes a housing positionable in a vehicle. The housing has at least one edge defining at least one housing aperture for directing movement of an air stream. The fabric valve assembly also includes a plastic frame defining at least one frame aperture. The plastic frame is operable to move between a first position parallel to and spaced from the at least one housing aperture and a second position spaced from the first position. The fabric valve assembly also includes a cloth member fixedly engaged with the plastic frame. The cloth member extends taut relative to the at least one frame aperture to close and seal the at least one housing aperture when the plastic frame is in the first position.

Abstract: A catalytic converter comprises an exhaust manifold comprising a manifold wall; a catalytic converter shell, wherein a portion of the catalytic converter shell is disposed within the manifold wall; and a catalyst substrate disposed in the catalytic converter shell.

Abstract: Measured engine inlet air temperature and flow parameters are communicated to an engine controller with a single waveform. A variable frequency digital input signal representative of inlet air flow is combined with a variable amplitude analog signal representative of inlet air temperature, and supplied as a single input signal to the engine controller. The controller includes a buffer circuit that re-creates the variable frequency digital signal from the input waveform for application to an input capture circuit that measures the flow-related frequency, and an analog-to-digital converter that is coordinated with the input capture circuit for sampling the temperature-related amplitude.

Abstract: A device to regulate current produced by a permanent magnet machine responsive to a plurality of phase current signals. The motor produces torque for application on a shaft. A processing and drive circuit responsive to a direct current command signal and a quadrature current command signal produces phase current signals for input to the motor. A command circuit responsive to the phase current signals, an angular position of said shaft, and a voltage input command signal to produce a direct current error signal and a quadrature current error signal. A control circuit responsive to the direct and quadrature current error signals produces the direct voltage signal command and the quadrature voltage signal command. The control circuit has a direct and quadrature proportional gain, integrator and clamp circuits. An algorithm produces limited or clamped voltage modulation index signals to obtain maximum efficiency and maximum torque per ampere in the speed range.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an exhaust treatment system comprises a selective catalytic reduction device, an off-line reformer disposed in selective fluid communication with and upstream of the selective catalytic reduction device, and a plasma reactor disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the off-line reformer, and disposed upstream of and in fluid communication with the selective catalytic reduction device. The selective catalytic reduction device is capable of storing ammonia and of enabling the reaction of the ammonia with NOx. The reformer is capable of producing a reformate comprising hydrogen and nitrogen. The plasma reactor is capable of producing ammonia from the reformate, and is a thermal plasma reactor or a surface discharge non-thermal plasma reactor.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for protecting a field effect transistor from high voltage includes a switching device having a first state in which the switching device turns the field effect transistor ON, and a second state in which the switching device turns the field effect transistor OFF. A charging device is connected to the switching device and receives an electrical charge when an electrode of the field effect transistor is shorted to a voltage source. The charging device applies the electrical charge to the switching device to thereby place the switching device in the second state.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device is disposed in series with the HVAC module for heating and cooling air Ta from the HVAC module for delivery to seat passages of a seat assembly. The thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger having cold and hot sides, ductwork, a divider that sends variable air flow to the cold or hot sides of the thermoelectric module, and thermal insulation between the cold and hot sides downstream of the heat exchanger. The fan of the HVAC module is the sole motivation for moving the conditioned air Ta originating from the central HVAC module through the thermoelectric device and to the seat assembly.