Abstract: An active steering system with variable assist includes a differential actuator having an input gear and an output gear. The differential actuator has a default kinematic relationship between the input gear and the output gear such that magnitude of an output speed and an output torque is approximately equal to a magnitude of an input speed and an input torque with opposing directions. The system also includes an input device that is in operable communication with the differential actuator and an output device that is in operable communication with the differential actuator. The differential actuator is operable to vary a ratio between the input device and the output device. The system also includes a steering mechanism that is in operable communication with the differential actuator and the steering mechanism is configured to reverse the opposing directions to the output device.

Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed. The antenna system includes at least one first and second antenna. The at least one first antenna is located about a first portion of a mobile structure and is capable of receiving satellite and terrestrial re-transmitted satellite signals. The at least one second antenna is located about a second portion of a mobile structure and is capable of receiving satellite and terrestrial re-transmitted satellite signals. Either the at least one first or second antenna receives the satellite and terrestrial re-transmitted satellite signals and the other of the at least one first or second antenna becomes operative when the satellite and terrestrial re-transmitted satellite signals being received by the at least one first or second antenna is obstructed. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting current and voltage in a PM electric machine comprising: receiving a command indicative of a desired position control; obtaining a velocity value indicative of the rotational velocity of the electric machine; and computing a first voltage threshold for the electric machine based on a selected operating condition. If the voltage command exceeds the first voltage threshold, the method also includes establishing a modified voltage command as substantially equivalent to the first voltage threshold, otherwise establishing a modified voltage command as substantially equivalent to the voltage command.

Abstract: A collapsible steering assembly features a guide bracket for attachment to a vehicle. A steering mechanism is interconnected with the guide bracket by a steering mechanism support. A plurality of guide rods are arranged about a common collapse axis and extend in non-parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of the steering mechanism. The guide rods support the steering mechanism for axial movement along the collapse axis in response to a predetermined collapse force on the steering mechanism.

Abstract: A process for forming magnetic targets for position and speed sensors, and magnetic targets formed according to the process. The targets are formed on a conductor-clad substrate by first applying a layer of photoresist material and then patterning and etching the photoresist to form trenches defining the shape and dimensions of the targets. Magnetic material is formed in the trenches and magnetized to form the targets.

Abstract: Thermally managing high-power IC devices through the use of a circuit assembly comprising a ceramic substrate and an organic substrate. The ceramic substrate has at least one circuit component on a first surface thereof and a periphery defining a lateral surface surrounding the first surface. The organic substrate also comprises a first surface and a periphery defining a lateral surface surrounding the first surface. A portion of the lateral surface of the organic substrate is adjacent a portion of the lateral surface of the ceramic substrate so as to define an interface therebetween. At least one conductor common to both the ceramic and organic substrates and bridging the interface therebetween serves to physically connect the ceramic and organic substrates together.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is manufactured by assembling a bundle of pipes to a pair of header tanks by inserting the ends of the pipes into corresponding holes in the header tanks. The ends of the pipes include a brazing material. The assembled heater core is placed into an adapted enclosure, and heated, for example, by induction or laser heating, to a temperature above the melting temperature of the brazing material to mechanically fix the ends of the pipes to the holes. Subsequently, the heater is switched off and the heat exchanger is cooled within the enclosure.

Abstract: An airbag module includes a gas generator comprising at least one snap connection element and a gas generator holder for the gas generator which has a complementary snap connection element to the snap connection element of the gas generator, with the snap connection elements being formed such that the gas generator can be fixed to the gas generator holder by means of a snap connection.

Abstract: The invention provides a locking pin for a steering column lock assembly. The locking pin includes a dual taper defined by the first and second truncated cone portions. The first truncated cone portion narrows at a first angle and the second truncated cone portion narrows at a second angle, wherein the first and second angles are different from one another. The second angle can be less than the first angle. The dual taper of the locking pin reduces the likelihood that extreme torsion will not induce camming forces urging the locking pin out of engagement with a locking plate connected to the steering shaft.

Abstract: An integrated capacity control valve for a variable capacity refrigerant compressor includes an integral pressure sensor that is continuously coupled to a discharge port of the valve for measuring the refrigerant discharge pressure. A plunger of the control valve is disposed within a passage coupling the compressor crankcase to the discharge port, and is positioned by pneumatic and electric control elements to regulate the refrigerant suction pressure. The plunger has intersecting axial and lateral bores that define a continuous passage between the discharge port and a cavity in which the pressure sensor is retained so that the sensor is continuously exposed to the discharge pressure regardless of the plunger position, and refrigerant discharge pressure in the lateral bore produces a bias force on the plunger that compensates the pneumatic suction pressure setpoint for a pressure drop between the evaporator and the suction port of the valve.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing the operational state of a variable valve lift device (VVL) is provided. The method includes providing a first signal indicative of an estimated position of the VVL, the first signal having a first signal-to-noise ratio; determining that the first signal represents either a first condition indicating that the VVL is operating in one of two modes of operation, a second condition indicating that the VVL is not operating in the two modes of operation, and a third condition where the first signal is not in the first or second conditions; and adjusting a camshaft phase angle when the first signal is in the third condition so that the first signal has a second signal-to-noise ratio, wherein the second signal-to-noise ratio is greater than the first signal-to-noise ratio, whereby the operational state of the VVL is identified as one of the first and second conditions.

Abstract: An injection nozzle (10), for use in a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine, has an inner valve needle (26) which is engageable with an inner valve seating (24, 58) to control fuel delivery through one or more first nozzle outlets (14), and an outer valve (28) which is engageable with an outer valve seating (24, 70) to control fuel delivery through one or more second outlets (16). The outer valve (28) is provided with a valve bore (36) within which at least a part of the inner valve needle (26) is received. Coupling means (46, 48) are provided for coupling movement of the inner valve needle (26) to the outer valve (28) in circumstances in which the inner valve needle (26) is moved away from the inner valve seating (24, 58) through an amount exceeding a predetermined threshold amount (D). This allows the outer valve (28) to be lifted away from the outer valve seating (24, 70) to provide an increased injection rate.

Abstract: Certain characteristics of Diesel engine lubrication oil are determined. A sensor formed as a capacitor is immersed in the oil. An inductor is in series with the sensor, and a high frequency voltage with a varying frequency is applied to the resonance circuit formed by the inductor and capacitor. Resonance is sensed, and the resonant frequency and/or the resonant current are used to determine the soot content and/or the dielectric constant of the oil. The electronics temperature can be used to compensate for temperature variations in the resonant frequency and the electronics temperature and the oil temperature can be used to compensate for temperature variations in the resonant current. The compensated values are preferably used in the determination of soot content and the dielectric constant.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling position of a device by replacing the combination of a feedforward term, a calibrated step, and an integration term in a control scheme with an adaptive feedforward term. An embodiment is provided including a flow control valve on an internal combustion engine. The invention includes characterizing the flow control valve, and determining an error term, based upon monitored position and commanded input to the flow control valve. The adaptive feedforward term is determined based upon the monitored position, the characterization of the flow control valve, and the error term. The flow control valve is controlled to a position, based upon the adaptive feedforward term and the error term. When an absolute value of a derivative term, i.e. a time-rate change of the monitored position, is less than a preset value, the control system updates the characterization of the flow control valve.

Abstract: A method for improving vehicle battery state-of-charge (SOC) for initial vehicle customer delivery is disclosed. The method is focused on vehicle assembly plant practices and ensuring that battery discharge is minimized or eliminated during the vehicle assembly process. The method includes determining the available maximum percentage of duty cycle voltage output from the vehicle alternator and determining a minimum idle boost speed necessary to provide minimum discharge or positive charge to the battery when the vehicle's accessories are in the “on” state during vehicle assembly. The method further includes programming the vehicle's controllers to force the maximum percentage of duty cycle voltage output available and the minimum idle speed necessary to provide minimum battery discharge or positive charge during the earliest part of the vehicle life.

Abstract: In a prior art camshaft phaser having a biasing spring, the stator spring tang is anchored to a first binder screw passing through a stator lobe adjacent the locking pin-containing vane of the rotor, and the rotor spring tang is anchored to a first target wheel protrusion opposite such a vane. In an improved installation method in accordance with the invention, during assembly of an improved phaser the biasing spring is rotated about 180° from the prior art position such that the stator spring tang is anchored to a first fixed stop generally opposite the pin-containing vane, and the rotor spring tang is anchored to a second fixed stop generally adjacent such a vane.

Abstract: A frame-based occupant weight estimation apparatus for a vehicle seat that is supported by two or more floor brackets secured to the vehicle floor spans an open space between the floor brackets to prevent shunting of the occupant weight through a foreign object lying on the floor between the floor brackets. The weight estimation apparatus includes a fluid filled bladder sandwiched between first and second rigid plates, and is held in place between the seat frame and the floor brackets by a set of fasteners. A spring preloads the bladder so that deviations of the bladder fluid pressure from the preload pressure will be indicative of occupant weight. The first plate spans the open space between the floor brackets so that the fluid pressure is indicative of occupant weight even in cases where a portion of the occupant weight is supported by a foreign object disposed between the floor brackets.

Abstract: A metal tank cap is integral with a reinforcing member via a narrow connection and is flared outwardly at the narrow connection portion to be over an open end of the tank simultaneously with moving the metal tubes of the core into the tank. By unbending the connection portion, the respective tank caps are deflared into the open ends of the respective tanks and the entire assembly is placed in a furnace and brazed together.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly having a laminate construction of multiple layers, such as a LTCC ceramic substrate, with conductor lines between adjacent pairs of layers. A heat sink is bonded to a first surface of the substrate, and a cavity is defined by and between the heat sink and the substrate such that a base wall of the cavity is defined by one of the layers with conductor lines thereof being present on the base wall. A surface-mount circuit device is received within the cavity, mounted to the base wall, and electrically connected to the conductor lines on the base wall. The device is received within the cavity such that a surface of the device contacts a surface region of the heat sink. The surface of the device is bonded to the surface region of the heat sink to provide a substantially direct thermal path from the device to the heat sink.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus having a first steering column member with a first confronting surface. The apparatus also includes a second steering column member engaged with the first steering column member for one of pivoting and telescoping movement. The first and second steering column members can be engaged for both telescoping and tilting adjusting movement. The second steering column member includes a second confronting surface engageable with the first confronting surface. The first and second confronting surfaces cooperate with one another to limit the relative movement between the first and second steering column members. The apparatus also includes a bumper disposed between the first and second confronting surfaces to absorb impact of the first and second confronting surfaces substantially contacting one another during the adjusting movement. The bumper is fixedly connected to one of the first and second steering column members in a snap-fit connection.