Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method as well as a system for controlling an electric power steering system. The method includes: receiving a torque signal from a torque sensor responsive to a torque applied to a handwheel; obtaining a motor velocity signal, the motor velocity signal indicative of a speed of an electric motor which applies torque to a steerable wheel; and generating a command for the electric motor with a controller coupled to the torque sensor, and the electric motor. The command includes torque control and motor velocity compensation, responsive to at least one of the torque signal, and a motor velocity signal. Also disclosed herein is a storage medium encoded with a computer program code for controlling an electric power steering system, the storage medium includes instructions for causing controller to implement the disclosed method.

Abstract: The fabrication of a heat exchanger assembly by disposing a metal fitting of an oil cooler subassembly into an opening in a first tank and disposing a tubular connector into a bore in the fitting. These components are mechanically held together prior to brazing by disposing an outer clinch cylinder to extend from the fitting though the opening and by disposing an inner clinch cylinder to extend from the fitting to above an annular rib on the tubular connector and placing V-shaped first stakes in the inner clinch cylinder for mechanical engagement with the rib and placing V-shaped second stakes in the outer clinch cylinder for mechanical engagement with the first tank.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of reducing NOx contaminant in an exhaust stream includes: introducing diesel fuel and an oxidant to a reformer to produce a reformer effluent comprising hydrogen and nitrogen, introducing the reformer effluent to a non-thermal plasma reactor to produce ammonia, and introducing an exhaust stream and the ammonia to a SCR catalyst, whereby the NOx contaminant reacts with the ammonia.

Abstract: A brake transmission shift interlock actuator includes a bobbin that has an open end and a closed end. A plunger is slidably disposed within the bobbin and a plunger rod extends from the plunger. Moreover, a primary plate is installed within the open end of the bobbin. The plunger is movable between an unlocked position, wherein the plunger rod does not extend through the primary plate and a locked position, wherein a first end of the plunger rod extends through a bore formed by the primary plate. Further, a magnetic force of attraction between the plunger and the primary plate diminishes as the plunger approaches the primary plate.

Abstract: A control system manages yaw-plane motion, while simultaneously comprehending and managing roll motion. The system reduces excessive maneuver-induced roll motion by properly shaping yaw-plane motion, which may include increasing yaw damping and/or decreasing a yaw gain, under various conditions, to avoid excessive excitation of roll dynamics.

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle braking system, a hydraulic brake actuator includes a wedge for locking a hydraulic piston in a brake position for purposes of applying a park brake. To apply the park brake, hydraulic pressure is increased to advance the piston to urge the brake pads against the rotor. With the piston in the brake position, an electrical solenoid is energized to advance the wedge to engage the piston. The wedge includes an inclined surface that contacts an inclined surface connected to the piston or the housing, with sufficient frictional force to maintain the wedge in the advanced position without requiring hydraulic pressure or electrical power. Thus, the park brake remains applied even when the vehicle is turned off.

Abstract: An integrated driver with improved load current sense capability includes a first transistor, a first amplifier, a second transistor, a third transistor, a second amplifier and a fourth transistor. The integrated driver allows for significantly better fault handling capability, provides accurate thermal and current sensing capability and reduces I/O pin count over prior designs.

Abstract: A braking system including a pre-charge with a plurality of pumps disposed in parallel with respect to one another. The pumps can direct pressurized brake fluid to the brakes during a controlled braking maneuver. The pumps operate with offset operating cycles such that a first pump is drawing fluid while a second pump is pushing fluid to the brakes. The invention provides an embodiment having three pumps operated in parallel, wherein the pumps define operating cycles offset 120 degrees from one another. The invention also provides a separate master cylinder reservoir feed circuit to improve response of the system, especially cold weather response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overmolding a plastic shroud onto a bobbin including the step of providing a protrusion ring on the surface of the bobbin surrounding each standoff between the bobbin and a mold wall and extending outwards from the surface of the bobbin. A plurality of standoffs and protrusion rings is presently preferred. The protrusion rings are small relative to the standoffs, have low thermal mass, and thus are readily melted by the injected molten plastic, causing interstitching between the bobbin material and the overmolding material. The interstitching creates a highly effective hermetic seal against moisture leakage along the surface of the bobbin away from the standoff site. Perfect melting of the standoffs is no longer required, and standoffs can be designed to assure proper positioning of the bobbin during the complete overmolding process.

Abstract: A collapsible steering assembly features a steering mechanism and a pedal assemble united and supported together by a support structure as a unitized module for shipping and attachment to a vehicle. The support structure supports the pedal assembly for movement beyond the fully depressed position of one of the pedal therein in response to a predetermined collapse force on the pedal.

Abstract: A circuit component and method by which degradation of a solder connection by electromigration can be prevented or reduced. The component generally includes an interconnect pad on a surface of the component, a metallic multilayer structure overlying the interconnect pad and having a solderable surface layer, and a solder material on the multilayer structure. According to a preferred aspect of the component and method, a stud is wire-bonded to the solderable surface layer of the multilayer structure and encased by the solder material to provide a low electrical resistance path through the solder material.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly has a hub that is rotatable about an axis and at least a pair of discs supported on the hub for relative axial movement along the axis of the hub with the discs having opposite sides presenting braking surfaces. A non-rotatable support structure supports a plurality of friction elements for relative axial movement into and out of frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs. An electric actuator is mounted on the support structure adjacent at least one of the friction elements and is operative when actuated to move the friction elements into frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic cutting device has a guiding housing in which there is arranged a part to be severed, which is fashioned so as to be severable at a cut point by a cutting tool having a cutting chisel. A pressure pulse generator containing a pyrotechnic driving charge is arranged in the cutting device for generating a pressure pulse to drive the cutting tool. In the guiding housing there is arranged, between the pressure pulse generator and the cutting tool, an impact capsule that can be accelerated by the pressure pulse of the triggered pressure pulse generator toward an inner thrust base of the cutting tool on the end of the cutting tool opposite to the cutting chisel. The cutting tool has its cutting chisel abutting the cut point before the impact capsule strikes the thrust base.

Abstract: A telescopically collapsible vehicular steering column assembly includes inner and outer shaft tubes which are joined in a sliding fit by a bushing. The bushing includes a pair of spaced journal bearings formed of steel-backed PTFE held in a plastic carrier body. The bushing is located in a receiving chamber in the outer shaft tube. A clearance compensator reacts against the receiving chamber to exert a radial compressive force through the carrier body and the journal bearings to improve the sliding fit with the inner shaft tube and remove lash. The clearance compensator can take any form, such as a hollow annular rib, a skirt with a flexible free end, or an array of nubs carried in thinned sections of the carrier body. The clearance compensator in all of these variations operates within a clearance space and has dimensional attributes which can be changed during the design and manufacturing phases of the bushing to optimize a characteristic of the steering column assembly.

Abstract: An occupant recognition system for vehicles comprises at least one pressure sensor arranged beneath the foam of a vehicle seat, at least one temperature sensor and an electronic control and/or evaluation unit to which the sensors are connected. Means are provided to match the time behavior, in particular the time behavior present on changes in the ambient temperature, of the output signal of the temperature sensor arranged at a distance from the pressure sensor or from the seat foam to the time behavior of the temperature prevailing in the region of the pressure sensor or of the seat foam.

Abstract: A minimum joint thickness can be assured by incorporating beads or particles having a diameter corresponding to the joint thickness desired and which are infusible at the brazing temperature. Preferably such particles are formed of high-melting metals, metal oxides, ceramics, or cermets and are mixed into the alloy paste prior to fusing. In a preferred embodiment, the particle-containing paste is mixed with a non-flux carrier to facilitate application to the elements to be brazed. Exemplary application methods may include painting, rolling, screening, or extrusion dispensing. Brazing alloys in accordance with the invention are useful in bonding ceramics to ceramics, ceramics to metals, and metals to metals.

Abstract: A laminate-type evaporator includes U-channel plates in combination with various configurations of dual cup and single cup plates, to control refrigerant pressure drop and achieve enhanced temperature spreads within the evaporator. The U-channel plates define one or more of the final refrigerant passes in the evaporator, and the dual cup and single cup plates define refrigerant passes upstream therefrom. Fins are disposed between adjacent plate pairs and extend to selected end edges of the U-channel plates to maximize the surface area available for heat exchange in the final refrigerant passes.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for improved monitoring and controlling of mechanically commutated DC motors. The system and method include DC motors, pulse-count driver circuitry for driving the motors, motor position sensing circuitry, and motor control circuitry. The system and method provide for improved motor current waveform sensing that is able to effectively reject false brake pulses, avoid erroneous processing due to fluctuating battery voltage levels, and reduce the sensitivity to variations in motor current signals due to dynamic motor load, manufacturing variation, system aging, temperature, brush bounce, EMI, and other factors. The system and method also include an improved ability to multiplex additional external motor drivers to the motor control circuitry, select between sequential and simultaneous drive modes using an SPI bit, and monitor the system controller for an error condition and simultaneously driver motors in response to the error condition.

Abstract: A compressor includes a housing and a drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and rotatably supported by the housing. A pocket is defined in the drive shaft and extends to a bottom portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the pocket. A pair of sealing lip portions disposed between the housing circumscribing the drive shaft. A pair of channels is defined in the drive shaft with one of the channels exposed between the spaced lip portions to deliver a lubricant therebetween under pressure.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing silicon structures includes etching a cavity into a first side of an epitaxial wafer. A thickness of an epitaxial layer is selected, based on a desired depth of the etched cavity and a desired membrane thickness. The first side of the epitaxial wafer is then bonded to a first side of a handle wafer. After thinning the epitaxial wafer until only the epitaxial layer remains, desired circuitry is formed on a second side of the remaining epitaxial layer, which is opposite the first side of the epitaxial wafer.