Abstract: An exhaust system can comprise a NOx adsorber, a reformer disposed upstream of a NOx adsorber and in fluid communication with a fuel source, a first valve for controlling the introduction of the fluid to an exhaust conduit; and a particulate filter disposed upstream and in fluid communication with the NOx adsorber and downstream an in fluid communication with the reformer such that the first valve controls introduction of fluid to the exhaust conduit upstream of the particulate filter. The reformer can be designed to generate a fluid comprising sufficient thermal energy, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. Optionally, the particulate filter can be designed to be regenerated by the thermal energy and to adsorb a sufficient amount of the thermal energy to reduce the temperature of a gas stream comprising the fluid from a first temperature of about 600° C. to about 1,000° C. to a second temperature of less than or equal to about 500° C.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a compression bracket for attachment to a vehicle body, and an adjustable steering column assembly movably supported by the compression bracket along a longitudinal axis between adjusted positions. A pair of locking elements are operably connected to the compression bracket and movable between a locked position for preventing longitudinal movement therebetween and a release position for allowing longitudinal adjustment of the steering column. The first element presents a detent recess, and the second locking element is movable between the locked position engaging the detent recess and the release position out of engagement with the detent recess.

Abstract: A refractive block includes a light-entrance surface configured to be mounted in contact with a refractive boundary of a vehicle, and a light-exit surface wherein the refractive block is configured to refract an optical path of light corresponding to an imaged area and to direct the light to an image-sensing component.

Abstract: An ethanol sensing unit and a method of using, wherein the unit is particularly suitable for use in a confined environment such as the passenger compartment of a passenger vehicle. The sensing unit comprises a device for collecting ethanol vapors while the device is at a first temperature, a device for heating the collecting device to a second temperature higher than the first temperature so as to release ethanol vapors from the collecting device, and a device for sensing the ethanol vapors released from the collecting device when heated by the heating device. The sensing unit is also adapted to delay the operation of the heating device until a period of time sufficient for the collecting device to adsorb ethanol vapors from air contained in the confined environment.

Abstract: A fuel cell air supply system disposed in an enclosure. A blower discharge plenum for supplying air individually to various fuel cell functions via individual control valves is provided with an additional controllable purge valve connected to an exhaust port through a wall of the enclosure. At any desired time, the purge valve may be opened and the system process valves closed to draw fresh air into the enclosure and thereby purge stale gases within the enclosure to the exterior of the system. This function is especially useful just prior to start-up of the fuel cells of the system, and may also be used periodically after shut-down to maintain a desirably low temperature in the enclosure during cooling off of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connector assembly and a method of mating the same. The electrical connector assembly includes a panel sub-assembly which mates to at least one electrical connector body. Preferably two cam leveraging devices which rotate in opposing directions are mounted rotatably to the panel sub-assembly for sliding engagement of respective cam studs engaged rigidly to the electrical connector body. Opposing rotations of the cam leveraging devices along respective and parallel rotation axes causes the panel sub-assembly to move linearly along a mating axis disposed orthogonally to the rotation axes and toward the electrical connector body to a staged position. During linear panel sub-assembly movement from the disconnected position to the staged position, the cam studs slide against a first portion of a track carried by respective cam levers and which generally spirals radially inward toward the rotation axis.

Abstract: A high resolution flow valve may comprise a first stage valve for allowing a first flow through the flow valve and a second stage valve located concentrically within the first stage valve and also connected to the inlet for allowing an additional second flow through the flow valve.

Abstract: An airflow valve and method of providing air may comprise a casing; a single air inlet located in the casing; a first chamber located within the casing and connected to the air inlet; a second chamber located within the casing; a first aperture located in the casing that connects the first chamber to the second chamber; a second aperture located in the casing that also connects the first chamber to the second chamber; a first actuatable member structured to adjustably increase, decrease or stop air flow through the first aperture; a second actuatable member structured to adjustably increase, decrease or stop air flow through the second aperture; and a single air outlet located in the casing and connected to the second chamber.

Abstract: An optical receptacle with low transmission loss, which is connectable with an optical plug, is provided. The optical receptacle includes a photoelectric conversion module having the capability of making photoelectric conversion between light signals and electrical signals, and a module housing. The photoelectric conversion module is a molded interconnect device (MID), which is provided with a module body having a post, an optical device mounted on the post, and an electrical circuit mounted on the module body. The module housing has a tubular projection, into which an end of the optical fiber supported by the optical plug can be inserted. When the optical plug is connected with an optical receptacle, the end of the optical fiber is positioned in the tubular projection so as to be in a closely opposing relation to the optical device mounted on the post.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the movement of a fork bolt when it is in a locking position. The apparatus comprising a latch mechanism for use with a striker, the latch mechanism comprising: a housing being configured to movably receive a fork bolt therein, the fork bolt traveling from an open door position to a closed door position to a locked door position, the fork bolt engaging the striker as the fork bolt moves from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position; a protrusion disposed on a surface of the housing, the protrusion having a length corresponding to the movement of the fork bolt from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position, the protrusion gradually increasing in height from the surface along the length wherein the protrusion makes contact with the fork bolt as the fork bolt travels from the open door position to the closed door position and the locked door position and movement of the fork bolt.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining motor current measurements from a DC bus current of an inverter that drives a pulse width modulated electric machine is disclosed. The method may include sensing a DC bus current in a sensor located on a bus of an inverter; sampling the DC bus current via an analog to digital converter wherein the sampling is controlled by sampling timing that is based on a pulse width modulation timing of the inverter; and determining three AC phase currents of the motor from the sampled DC bus current.

Abstract: A combination valve for fuel delivery system of a vehicle having an engine, the fuel delivery system being configured to pump fuel to the engine and the fuel delivery system has a regulator for regulating the pressure of the fuel when it is being pumped to the engine by the fuel delivery system, the combination valve comprising: an outer housing defining an inner opening for slidably receiving a body portion of a system pressure relief valve therein, the body portion of the system pressure relief valve defining an inner opening for slidably receiving a body portion of a check valve therein, the body portion of the check valve being configured to provide a first fluid pathway in a first direction when the body portion of the check valve moves from a closed position to an open position as the body portion of the check valve moves in the first direction within the inner opening of the body portion of the system pressure relief valve, the body portion of the system pressure relief valve being configured to provid

Abstract: A vane pump includes a cylindrical rotor rotatable inside of an oval-shaped rotor chamber of cam ring disposed between a pressed plate and a pressure plate. The rotor has opposite sides and a peripheral outer surface in which radial vane slots are formed and guide slideable vanes. The rotor is coated on its surfaces with a film of abradable coating material which reduces the operating clearance between the rotor and the thrust and pressure plates and cam ring so as to increase the volumetric efficiency of the pump.

Abstract: A method for unlocking a steering system that includes detecting and validating an identity input. After the identity input is validated a vehicle start command is detected and thereafter a steering assist mechanism is enabled. Once the steering assist mechanism is enabled, a force is applied to a steering column utilizing the steering assist mechanism. Following an application of the force by the steering assist mechanism, the steering system is unlocked by an unlocking mechanism. After unlocking of the steering system, a vehicle may then be started. The application of the force to the steering column may be alternating application of a clockwise and counterclockwise torque or may be a directional torque applied to the steering column based on a measured steering characteristic.

Abstract: A manually-operated control for generating a vector signal comprises first and second plates arranged in substantially parallel planes and being movable relative to each other in two directions while remaining substantially parallel. A non-tilt handle connected to one of the plates causes the relative movement of the plates. A CCD camera is fixed to one of the plates focused on the other plate. A microprocessor-based controller is connected to input and process images sequentially input from the camera for detecting and quantifying the relative movement of the two plates in two directions and generating a vector signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A power system used for transferring power between a plurality of power sources is provided. A power system according to the present invention is comprised of a plurality of power sources, wherein each source includes a pair of terminals. The power system is further comprised of a power converter, including a pair of switches for each one of the plurality of power sources. Each of these switches are connected to the respective pairs of terminals for each source. Each switch further includes an associated diode, and each switch pair includes a common node. The power converter further includes a plurality of inductors numbering one less than the number of power sources, wherein each inductor is connected across two of the common nodes. The power converter further includes a control unit configured to actuate the switches in accordance with, and to carry out, one of a plurality of modes of operation.

Abstract: A method for implementing a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system for a vehicle is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a handwheel angle input and adjusting the handwheel angle input in response to a variable steering ratio generated in the vehicle. The adjusted handwheel angle input is inputted into a reference model, the reference model thereby outputting one or more desired vehicle handling aspects.

Abstract: A simulation program that determines a packaging configuration for placement of any math-based part/assembly into a selected shipping container(s) for transfer of the product to customer plants. The simulation program determines either automatically or manually an efficient packaging configuration for placement of any part/assembly into any appropriate shipping container.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system comprises a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending between a pair of spaced header tanks and arranged in groups of tubes with varying number of tubes in each group to cause a refrigerant to flow in multiple passes in the interior of the tubes across another fluid flowing on the exterior of the tubes. The heat exchange tubes comprise a plurality of flow passages having at least one corner formed by a pair of straight or arcuate sides with an included angle of less than or equal to ninety degrees, more preferably less than or equal to thirty degrees, to promote intense pool boiling within the flow passages. In addition to at least one corner region, the flow passage has a passage-specific optimal hydraulic diameter determined by the relationship between the optimal hydraulic diameter of the passage and the optimal hydraulic diameter of a baseline circular passage.

Abstract: An evaporator core for the climate control system of a motor vehicle formed from alternating pairs of plates. Each pair of plates includes two plates having a similar configuration engaged together and a mirrored, back-two-back relationship. Each of the plates includes at least one inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and a return aperture. The structure of the plates and the arrangement of stacking produce an evaporator having a plurality of fluid pathways. Fluid is directed in alternating directions in adjacent pathways.