Abstract: The invention concerns a method using a system (10) for heating or cooling air in a motor vehicle passenger compartment provided with a windscreen, by input into the passenger compartment air which has passed through an exchanger (12) comprised in a refrigerant loop. The invention is characterized in that it comprises steps which consist in measuring the temperature of the air leaving the exchanger (12), measuring the humidity of the air leaving the exchanger (12), determining the dew point of the air leaving the exchanger (12) based on said temperature and humidity, determining the windscreen temperature, comparing the dew point with the windscreen temperature and stopping the heating of air in the passenger compartment when the dew point is higher than the windscreen temperature.

Abstract: An electrically actuated steering column system that includes an electrically actuated steering column mechanism. A switch is interconnected with the electrically actuated steering column mechanism to allow for movement of a steering column housing relative to a driver. There is also included electrical control structure that regulates the electrically actuated steering column mechanism. The electrically actuated steering column system allows a driver to activate a switch and apply a force to initiate movement of the steering column housing and then deactivate the switch to halt movement and retain the steering column housing in a secure manner.

Abstract: A roll control system for a motor vehicle comprising a torsion bar (16); a first hydraulic actuator (12) connected to one end (20) of the torsion bar and connectable to an axle (34) of the vehicle; a second hydraulic actuator (14) connected to the other end (28) of the torsion bar and connectable to the axle of the vehicle; a hydraulic control system (62) connected to the hydraulic actuators and including a source of fluid pressure (66), a fluid reservoir (68), at least one supply valve (74, 76), and a pressure control valve (70); and an electrical control system (64) controlling the hydraulic system dependent on sensed vehicle conditions; wherein each hydraulic actuator comprises a rebound chamber (42, 52) and a compression chamber (40, 50) separated by a piston (38, 48), and a piston rod (18, 26) attached to the piston and extending through and out of the rebound chamber; wherein, during straight line motion of the vehicle, the electrical control system actuates the supply valve or valves to isolate the reb

Abstract: A vibration isolating fuel pump assembly comprises a stationary support (14) to be mounted in a fuel tank. An inner retainer (16) is fitted in the stationary support (14). The inner retainer (16) has a retainer body (18) and at least two flexible legs (20) extending substantially vertically and connected to the periphery of the retainer body (18), the upper ends of the flexible legs (20) being firmly supported by the stationary support (14) in the upper part thereof. A fuel pump (12) is received in the retainer body. Each flexible leg has its lower end connected to the retainer body via a resilient connecting element having a generally S-shape profile.

Abstract: A method and control system to control a brushless DC motor to a preferred position is provided. The advantages that accrue to a system employing the method and apparatus to control the brushless DC motor to a preferred position include optimizing response time, energy usage, coil heating, and ability to hold to a fix position. The method to control the brushless DC motor to a position comprises monitoring actual position of the brushless DC motor, monitoring energy used by the brushless DC motor, and determining a commanded position of the brushless DC motor. A zero torque commutation method is employed to control the brushless DC motor to the commanded position only when a time-rate change in the commanded position is less than a first threshold, a difference between the commanded position and actual position is less than a second threshold, and, the monitored energy used is less than a third threshold.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of manufacturing an air conditioning compressor assembly for a vehicle having a front head member. A forming die having a cover half and an ejector half is shaped to define the features of the front head member. A conventional casting process is used to form the front head member. The front head member is cast to include a plurality of sealing surfaces, each concentric with a bore. A fastener passes through the bore to secure the front head member to the compressor housing such that a head portion of the fastener is in sealing engagement with the sealing surface as cast into the front head member to provide a pressure tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: A tubeless actuator includes a frame in which a primary plate and a secondary plate are disposed. A bobbin is disposed within the frame between the primary plate and the secondary plate. The bobbin is keyed to the secondary plate in order to maintain the alignment between the bobbin and the secondary plate. Moreover, the plunger slides in direct contact with the bobbin.

Abstract: A self testing CMOS imager chip includes a controller which outputs a sewer signal, a dump signal, a collect signal, and a read signal, and a pixel array connected to the controller including a plurality of pixels arranged in an array of rows and columns, each pixel having a collect gate disposed adjacent a collect well for receiving a charge in response to application of the collect signal to the collect gate, a sewer for injecting a charge into the collect well in response to the concurrent application of the sewer signal to the sewer and the collect signal to the collect well, a read gate disposed adjacent a read well for receiving the injected charge from the collect well in response to application of the read signal to the read gate and the absence of the collect signal at the collect gate, and a transistor having a gate coupled to the read well, a source for receiving the read signal, and a drain coupled to an output node connected to the controller.

Abstract: A very small fixed current is passed through the coil of a solenoid during use thereof when the solenoid is in its “off” state of cyclic PWM command, the fixed current being less than the current required to actuate the solenoid to the “on” position. While the current is flowing through the coil, the voltage across the coil is measured. The resistance of the coil is calculated according to Ohm's Law. When the actual resistance is known, the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid may be altered to compensate for the resistance deviation from nominal. This allows, for example, fuel injectors for internal combustion engines to deliver the correct amount of fuel under all operating conditions.

Abstract: A fill and bleed valve for filling a liquid cooling system has a single axially movable plunger, slidable within a central block bore, from a normal operating position to a filling position that opens the cooling system to a supply of coolant. The filling operation is continued until all air is purged from the system. The central block bore also retains a solid fill of coolant, and when shifted back to the normal operating system, no air is introduced into the system.

Abstract: An emissions control canister including an insert having an elongate well and flange. The insert extends into a chamber such that a carbon adsorption column is a hollow cylinder around the insert. After vapors flow through the column of adsorbent, flow is directed through holes in the flange and out through an atmosphere port. The flow path through the hollow cylinder has an increased L/D ratio and improves emission performance. In a second embodiment, a cylindrical tube surrounds the exit port and extends into the insert, forcing vapor flow along a tortuous path between the cylindrical wall and the insert. In a third embodiment, a final scrubber is added inside the tube.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly with a substrate having a laminate construction of ceramic layers, such as an LTCC ceramic substrate. The substrate is configured for the purpose of improving the thermal management of power circuit devices mounted to the substrate. Thermally-conductive vias extend through the substrate from a first surface thereof to a second surface thereof. A circuit device is mounted to the first surface of the substrate and is electrically interconnected to conductor lines of the substrate. The device is also thermally coupled to the thermally-conductive vias with a first solder material. A heat sink located adjacent the second surface of the substrate is bonded to the thermally-conductive vias with a second solder material, such that the first solder material, the thermally-conductive vias, and the second solder material define a thermal path from the device to the heat sink.

Abstract: A positive electrode plate-making process for a lead acid battery that produces an active material precursor comprising tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals with an average crystal width less than 20 ?m. The process includes mixing a lead and/or lead oxide powder and a paste additive with sulfuric acid to form a positive electrode paste composition, wherein the paste additive comprises ground tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals having an average particle size in the range of 1-20 ?m. The paste is then cured on a positive battery grid to form a positive electrode plate having the desired active material precursor containing tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals with an average crystal width less than 20 ?m. In an embodiment, curing is performed directly after applying the paste to the grid, with no intermediate steaming process.

Abstract: A fuel pump for supplying fuel at high fuel pressures includes a stationary body having a plurality of radial cylinders connecting with a central fuel chamber. Inlet and outlet passages communicate with the fuel chamber. Plungers are reciprocated in the cylinders by cam followers reciprocable in follower recesses of the body. A rotary internal cam engages the cam followers and is configured to reciprocate the plungers in timed relation to sequentially draw fuel from the inlet passage into the central fuel chamber and alternately force fuel from the central fuel chamber to the outlet passage in response to rotation of the rotary cam. A preferred embodiment includes paired smaller and larger diameter cylinders and pistons which are sequentially actuated in overlapping fashion to minimize pulsing of the pressurized fuel discharged from the pump into associated engine fuel lines.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes an electrode member with two spaced-apart electrodes and an air gap therebetween. A position reference plate, which can be straight for sensing linear position or curvilinear for sensing angular position, is disposed in the air gap, with the electrode member being attached to a moving component and the reference plate mounted on a stationary object or vice-versa. The reference plate is formed with an opening, the width of which varies throughout the length of the opening, so that the capacitance between the electrodes varies depending on the position of the plate relative to the electrode member.

Abstract: A portable digital scale is foldable for ease of storage and transport. The scale includes a fluid-filled elastomeric bladder and electronic module disposed in a hard-sided case that is opened in use and folded to encase the bladder and electronic module during transport and storage. The electronic module includes a pressure sensor for detecting the fluid pressure in the bladder as a measure of the user's weight, and a user interface and digital display for displaying the weight and/or other parameters requested by the user. Preferably, the electronic module includes a memory device capable of storing multiple weight measurements and a data port for down-loading stored weight data to a personal computer or PDA for tracking weight variation of one or more users over time.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an operational state of a variable valve lift (VVL) device in an engine, wherein the VVL device is capable of operating in two modes of operation. The method includes measuring a rotational speed of an engine crankshaft while the engine is running or cranking, correlating the measured crankshaft speed with an estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque, comparing the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque with an expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values for the two modes of operation for the VVL device, determining if the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque falls within the expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values, and activating an alert if the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque falls outside the expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values to provide notification that the VVL device is operating in an improper mode of operation.

Abstract: A method of operating a compression ignition engine comprises introducing enriching component to a combustion chamber of the compression ignition engine, wherein the enriching component comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; introducing bulk fuel to the combustion chamber; heating a glow plug to cause the enriching component to release thermal energy; and initiating combustion of the bulk fuel with the released thermal energy from the enriching component.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a core formed of magnetically-permeable material extending along a main axis, a primary winding disposed about the core, a secondary winding disposed on a secondary winding spool wherein at least one of the secondary winding leads is connected to a high-voltage connector terminal configured for connection to a spark plug, a case formed of electrical insulating material, and a magnetically-permeable shield disposed inwardly of the case and allowed to electrically float with respect to ground and a power source.

Abstract: Reconfigurable sensor and method for selectively reconfiguring a sensor are provided. The reconfiguration of the sensor may be performed according to applicable requirements for sensing the position of an object. The method allows providing an array of sensing elements. The method further allows selecting at least one of the sensing elements of the array to supply a sensing element output signal. One or more operational parameters of the one sensing element may be adjusted to meet the applicable sensing requirements.