Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for reducing internal combustion engine contaminate and additive particulate matter from a particulate filter the method including accessing the filter and entraining particulate matter in a fluid stream. Further disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine particulate filter system including a canister, a filter media mounted in said canister and an access opening in said canister. Yet still further disclosed herein is a method for determining condition of a particulate filter in situ including establishing a vacuum value for a clean particulate filter in situ, establishing a vacuum value for a used particulate filter in situ; and comparing the established value for the clean filter versus the used filter.

Abstract: A parking brake system including at least one braking unit actuated by at least one cable, a cylinder having a piston chamber and a rod chamber, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and having a rod connected thereto, the rod extending through the rod chamber and operably connected to the cable, a pressurized fluid source connected to the piston chamber, and a valve for controlling the flow of the fluid to the piston chamber, wherein the piston and rod move through the cylinder when the fluid pressurizes the piston chamber, thereby actuating the braking unit.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for supplying pressurized fuel to a fuel injector, the fuel injection system comprising an accumulator volume for supplying fuel at a first injectable pressure level to the fuel injector through a fuel supply passage, a pump arrangement for increasing the pressure of fuel supplied to the injector to a second injectable pressure level, and a valve arrangement operable between a first position in which fuel at the first injectable pressure level is supplied to the injector and a second position in which communication between the injector and the accumulator volume is broken so as to permit fuel at the second injectable pressure to be supplied to the injector. The injection system may include a valve arrangement in the form of a three-position valve or may include a shut off valve for controlling the supply of fuel through the fuel supply passage.

Abstract: A sealed electronic module includes a housing having an open end and a circuit board that is both peripherally and centrally supported within the housing, where potting material applied to the exposed face of the circuit board peripherally and centrally affixes the circuit board to the housing and also environmentally seals the module. The central support for the circuit board is provided by a support post that is integral with the housing. A reduced size tip of the support post extends through an opening formed in a central area of the circuit board, and potting material applied to the exposed face of the circuit board for sealing the module also flows into the circuit board opening around the tip of the support post. The cured potting material structurally bonds the periphery of the circuit board to the housing walls and the central area of the circuit board to the housing support post.

Abstract: A casing for a heat exchange system defines a blower compartment (18), an evaporator compartment (20), and a diffuser (22). The diffuser (22) defines an exit (28) and an entry area in a cutoff plane (30). A vane wall (38) curves inwardly from the diffuser (22) and includes a plurality of parallel vanes (46), (48), (50), and (52). The plurality of vanes (46), (48), (50), and (52) include a first vane (46) and a second vane (48).

Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes a comparator having a fixed and a variable reference input for detection of a positive quasi-sinusoidal waveform pulse. A signal detection circuit includes a low pass input filter, a voltage input clamp, a variable detection threshold, and a zero crossing detector. The circuit produces an approximately square wave output substantially coinciding with the positive pulse of the quasi-sinusoidal waveform received, from a variable reluctance sensor. The circuit has a positive to negative zero crossing detector armed by a variable threshold of the positive quasi-sinusoidal pulse, thus providing variable noise immunity and a fixed phase relationship between the input and output signal for an input signal having a variable amplitude.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body and an electrical terminal. The connector body has a terminal receiving cavity that includes a lock nib that extends from a floor into the cavity. The terminal has a lock bar that engages the lock nib to retain the terminal in the terminal receiving cavity. The lock nib and lock bar are shaped to increase terminal retention.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring performance of an internal combustion engine equipped with individually actuated valve control mechanisms, such as a two-step finger-follower rocker-arm assembly, using a strategy that identifies cylinder-to-cylinder variations, is disclosed. The method and system preferably include monitoring engine operating conditions, based upon input from an exhaust gas sensor and engine sensors, and determining an engine operating point. Individual cylinder fueling modifiers are determined, each corresponding to one of the cylinders at the determined engine operating point, based upon input from the exhaust gas sensor. It is determined that the each individually actuated valve control mechanism is operating properly when a difference between the individual cylinder fueling modifier and a predetermined individual cylinder fueling modifier, each said modifier determined for the corresponding cylinder at the determined engine operating point, is less than a predetermined difference.

Abstract: A level shifting circuit functions by taking an input signal, producing a complement of the input signal, applying the input signal and its complement to comparable voltage divider pairs to set up a differential input signal that is applied to a comparator that produces a shifted output signal.

Abstract: A sensor comprises: a pump cell comprising an inner pump electrode, an outer pump electrode, a pump cell electrolyte layer interposed between the inner pump electrode and the outer pump electrode and a cell isolation layer disposed on the inner pump electrode on a side opposite the pump cell electrolyte, wherein the outer electrode is in fluid communication with a reducing gas. A reference cell is in operable communication with the pump cell, the reference cell comprising an outer reference electrode and an inner reference electrode, and a reference cell electrolyte interposed between the outer reference electrode and the inner reference electrode.

Abstract: An improved dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA), for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising a hollow body and a plunger assembly disposed in a bore of the engine. A one-piece plunger body includes a first chamber for forming a low-pressure oil reservoir and receiving a lash adjustment mechanism, and a second chamber open at one end and partially closed hemispherically for supporting a rocker arm and providing valve deactivating oil thereto for an auxiliary valve actuation system. The first and second chambers are separated by a transverse web, optionally having a small-diameter passage therethrough for air evacuation. The one-piece plunger body provides a high degree of resistance to side loads which may be imposed on the HLA in use.

Abstract: An electronic package is provided having a connector and a solder joint that is less susceptible to thermal fatigue. The package includes a die including a first electrically conductive connecting surface having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a substrate including electrical circuitry and a second electrically conductive connecting surface having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The package further includes a solder joint connecting the first connecting surface to the second connecting surface. One of the first and second connecting surfaces includes a plurality of pads spaced from each other. By employing an electrical connection having a plurality of pads spaced from each other, the solder joint is relieved to reduce fatigue caused by thermal cycling.

Abstract: A device and method for venting a tank comprising an intermediate shutoff valve as part of a cover that closes a tank opening. The intermediate shutoff valve is placed between an existing valve and a vent port in a liquid storage tank. The shutoff valve is operable to substantially fluidly seal the vent port when the vent valve is displaced greater than a predetermined amount. The intermediate shutoff valve facilitates complete removal of the existing vent valve during an impact wherein a wall of the storage tank impacts the existing valve. Upon impact, the intermediate shutoff valve is operable to close and seal a tank opening created by the displacement and removal of the existing vent valve.

Abstract: Lane marker coordinate data obtained from a previous frame of a vehicle vision system is projected into the current video frame based on measured translation and rotation of the host vehicle. The projected lane marker coordinate data is consolidated with lane marker coordinate data from the current video frame for lane detection or display applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a position of an object is provided that may include a magnet having a set of magnetic flux properties, the magnet mounted for movement about an axis relative to the object and a magnetic field-sensing device mounted in fixed relation to and spaced from the magnet, the magnetic field-sensing device calibrated to sense a change in at least one magnetic flux property in response to movement of the magnet relative to the object and generate a data signal indicative of a position of the object. In one aspect the magnet is configured to have a substantially diamond shaped cross section and the magnetic field-sensing device is calibrated to sense a change in flux density distribution in response to a change in an air gap defined between an exterior surface of the magnet and the magnetic field-sensing device.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control device is manufactured by sizing a housing of over a substrate and intumescent mat subsequently to heating said emission control device. The step of heating causes said intumescent mat to at least reach a temperature at which it swells. If the substrate has a washcoat layer, it may be left unfired until after it is assembled with the housing, in which case the step of heating causes the washcoat layer to sinter.

Abstract: A steering column assembly has a hand wheel rotatable about an axis having at least one guide member and at least one guide bracket. A guide member is spaced adjacent the axis of the hand wheel and a guide bracket and a guide member have surfaces supporting and guiding the guide member and the guide bracket for relative sliding movement therebetween. At least one shear member acting between the guide member and the guide bracket maintain the guide member within the guide bracket. The shear member is shearable under a predetermined force permitting the guide member and the guide bracket to move relative to one another. Additionally, a mounting plate supporting the hand wheel and at least one guide member may provide for controllable relative movement between the hand wheel and the guide member.

Abstract: A device for filtration of gas-oil intended to supply a diesel engine comprises an electric heating unit which includes a casing internally defining a chamber for heating the gas-oil to be filtered, a filtration unit which includes a casing internally defining a chamber for filtration of the heated gas-oil, means for connecting the heating and filtration chambers and means for assembly of the casings of the heating and filtration units. The connection means include means for directly and tightly connecting the chambers of the said units. The assembly means include means for detachable fixing of the casing of one of the heating and filtration units to the casing of the other of the said units, and means for retention in translation of one of the units relative to the other.

Abstract: A pulse count accumulator includes a plurality of counters and a communication port. The plurality of counters are each coupled to a different one of a plurality of actuators and a value of each of the counters corresponds to a position of a corresponding one of the plurality of actuators. The communication port is in communication with the plurality of counters and provides the value of each of the plurality of counters to an external device through the communication port.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyolefin composition suitable for slush molding comprising a blend of polypropylene, styrenic elastomer, linear low density polyethylene and a hydrocarbon-based process oil. Optional components include an ethylene copolymer elastomer, polymer additives such as polymer surface modifiers, powder flow additives, stabilizers and/or color pigments. The compositions exhibit a low melt viscosity during processing and improved surface quality for the molded article. An exemplary composition includes about 20-50 wt. % polypropylene or copolymer thereof, about 20-60 wt. % of a styrenic elastomer, about 5-50 wt. % linear low density polyethylene, and about 2-25 wt. % of a hydrocarbon-based process oil. The zero shear viscosity of the composition suitable for slush molding is in the range of about 300-900 Pa·s over a processing temperature range of 180-260° C.