Abstract: A method of dynamically damping an electric motor (12) that is controlled by an H-bridge driver (16) by interdigitating power pulses with braking pulses by switching from a power switch mode to a shorting circuit mode with switches (22 and 26) closed that brakes the electric motor.

Abstract: A sensing assembly senses liquid levels in a reservoir and creates a sensing signal. The sensing assembly includes a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor extending into the reservoir. A first electrode is electrically connected to the first electrical conductor. A second electrode is electrically connected to the second electrode conductor. The sensing assembly also includes a plurality of equidistantly spaced plates that are operatively connected to the second electrode. Each of the plurality of plates combines with the first electrode to create a capacitance such that the sensing signal generating by the sensing assembly determines the level of the liquid in the reservoir. The plates, an inductor and resistors are connected together in series with each of the groupings being connected in parallel to each other along the second electrode length. The sensing signal will generate spikes that, based on amplitude, will identify the amount of a liquid in the reservoir.

Abstract: A circuit powering an electrical device based on a commanded current signal is provided. The circuit includes a linear current amplifier which sets a desired current flow. The circuit also dynamically controls a supply voltage in order to minimize power dissipation of the linear current amplifier. The circuit may also include a voltage drop measurement amplifier, a voltage shaping amplifier, and a switching power supply. The circuit is useful for controlling electrical devices requiring precise current control and minimal power dissipation, for example, driving light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that provide illumination inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle for an imaging occupant detection system.

Abstract: An occupant of a motor vehicle seat is characterized for purposes of air bag suppression based on the seated weight of the occupant, the variation of the seated weight, and the occupant's apparent longitudinal center-of-mass. The method distinguishes between an adult and a child seat, distinguishes between forward-facing and rearward-facing child seats, and detects cinching of a child seat.

Abstract: A torque limiting device features spring arms that extend resiliently and spirally from a driven member to distal ends rotatably supporting cams that engage cam posts on a drive member to transmit rotation from the drive member to the driven member. In response to a predetermined reactive force, the spring arms are resilient and move radially, and the cams rotate to allow the distal ends to spring past the cam posts in response to a predetermined reactive force.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount having first and second fluid tracks, and a decoupler functioning as an air spring with two remotely selectable settings. The settings allow tailoring of the air spring characteristics to provide mount damping for differing engine operating states, such as engine idle. A solenoid is used to select a smaller or larger air volume to control the characteristics of the air spring and, in turn, the dynamic response of the hydraulic mount. An integral controller provides switched operation of the solenoid and compensates for variations in temperature and input voltage, as well as minimizing electrical noise generated by the solenoid when it is energized.

Abstract: Electrical contact surfaces of a bipolar plate for a fuel cell assembly are formed of metals or metal alloys which when oxidized form highly conductive oxide passivation layers, thus maintaining high electrical conductivity and continuity through the fuel cell and forestalling corrosion failure of a cell assembly. Alloy composition systems such as, but not limited to, Ti—Nb, Ti—Ta, La—Sr—Cr, and La—Sr—Co are known to form oxide passivation layers which are highly conductive. The passivation layers may be formed in situ after assembly of a fuel cell or may be provided in an oxidative step during manufacture. The bipolar plate may be formed entirely of one or more of such alloys or may be formed of an inexpensive substrate metal having the alloy layers coated thereupon.

Abstract: A casing for a HVAC system in an automobile for moving air comprises a plurality of sections, each of which is molded of plastic material. The sections of the casing are connected and sealed to one another at a plurality of joints. The improvement resides in the tongue having a slot extending into the distal end thereof for splitting the tongue into first and second forks in frictional engagement with the side-walls of the groove. The forks are compressed together by the groove to narrow the slot from top to bottom to retain the tongue in the groove and to seal the sections together.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polyolefin compositions and a process for preparing the same are provided comprising a blend of polypropylene, and styrenic elastomer. The compositions may further comprise ethylene copolymer elastomer, polymer additive, such as polymer surface modifier, powder flow additive, stabilizer and/or color pigment. The compositions are particularly applicable for use in a slush molding process where low melt viscosity is desired to form improved surface quality thermoplastic polyolefin skin. A process is disclosed for preparing thermoplastic polyolefin into a slush moldable powder by melt compounding the composition to form pellets, and further processing the pellets by cryogenic pulverization or by extruding micropellets in one step using a gear pump to increase the melt pressure.

Abstract: An internal pulse damper for a fuel rail. The damper has an increased captive air volume and consequent improved damping and stress characteristics. The improved damper is a pillow having a modified flat oval cross-sectional profile, with two long diaphragm sides and rigid short sides connecting the two long sides. At least one of the short sides, and preferably both, is strengthened by being provided with a longitudinal reverse bend or inwardly-extending longitudinal rib generally parallel with the long sides. Preferably, the short sides are somewhat higher than the comparable short sides of similar prior art dampers, to increase the captive air volume, yet are not high enough to preclude installation of the improved damper within an existing fuel rail configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including a housing and a spool disposed in the housing for rotation. The apparatus also includes a wire disposed in the housing and having a first end fixedly engaged with the housing and a second end fixedly engaged with the spool. The wire is moveable between a first configuration generally wound around the spool and a second configuration generally unwound with respect to the spool and arranged along an inner surface of the housing. The wire moves between the first and second configurations in response to relative rotation between the spool and the housing. The apparatus also includes at least one guide member disposed in the housing and movable along an arcuate path. The guide member moves in an opposite direction of rotation of the spool to guide movement of the wire between the spool and the housing.

Abstract: An electronic assembly with a plurality of stacked integrated circuit (IC) die includes a base substrate, a first IC die, a second IC die, a signal routing first interconnect and a signal routing second interconnect. The first interconnect is partially positioned between the first and second IC dies. The second interconnect is partially positioned adjacent the first side of the second IC die. The first interconnect couples a first contact of the first IC die to a first trace of the base substrate and a second contact of the second IC die to a second trace of the base substrate. The first and second interconnects, in combination, couple the first contact of the second IC die to the first trace.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus including a steering column movable between first and second positions along a path. The path defines tilting movement of at least a portion of the steering column, telescoping movement of at least a portion of the steering column, or both tilting and telescoping movement. The apparatus also includes a lock moveable between locked and unlocked positions. When the lock is in the locked position, the steering column is locked along the path. When the lock is in the unlocked position, the steering column is moveable along the path. The apparatus also includes a switch operable to emit an second signal. The apparatus also includes a controller communicating with the switch to receive the unlock signal. The controller controls the lock to move to the unlocked position in response to the unlock signal. The apparatus also includes a signal generator operable to emit a second signal to the controller.

Abstract: A condenser for an air conditioning system includes a core assembly having a header tank and a receiver/dehydrator member operably connected to the core assembly for condensing a refrigerant flowing internally. The receiver/dehydrator or receiver member includes two openings to receive male couplers extending from a tubular member connected to the core assembly. The condenser includes a coupler that extends into the receiver/dehydrator member between each opening and the male couplers to form a seal therebetween. The coupler and the male coupler are connected one with the other by brazing. In an alternative embodiment, the male coupler includes a snap-in element to engage the male coupler with the coupler.

Abstract: A cable drive unit for opening and closing a sliding door on a vehicle (not shown) has a cup-shaped front drum having a helical front cable groove and a rear cup-shaped drum having a helical rear cable groove. The front drum is rotated about a longitudinal axis in a first direction to open the sliding door. The rear drum is partially nested in the front drum and rotated about the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction to close the sliding door. The front drum and the rear drum are drivingly connected to each other via a tension spring that biases the front drum and the rear drum in opposite directions when in tension. The front and rear drums are rotated by a concentric clutch that is nested in the rear drum. The clutch includes a drive member that is drivingly connected to the front drum via a first lost motion connection and drivingly connected to the rear drum via a second lost motion connection.

Abstract: A one-piece, molded elastomeric grommet for mounting in a hole that extends through a support panel for passing a member through the support panel has an elongate tubular portion defining a passage that extends from an inlet at one end of the tubular portion to an exit at an opposite end of the tubular portion. An umbrella portion surrounds the tubular portion and has a forward end that is integrally attached to the tubular portion so as to form an open ended acoustic chamber outwardly of the tubular portion. A mounting portion at a rearward end of the umbrella portion comprising a forward mounting flange and the umbrella portion includes a collapsible wall having a substantially uniform thickness and an undulate shape in a circumferential direction to facilitate insertion of the forward mounting flange through an undersized hole in a support panel.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from a reformer comprises removal of particulate matter under operating, or stand-by conditions, or at the start of a shutdown procedure, by introducing a gas mixture to the reformer system having an oxidant-to-fuel ratio concentration leaner than a normal oxidant-to-fuel ratio concentration and at a gas flow rate less than a peak flow rate. The process produces elevated temperatures at the reformer inlet and elevated levels of carbon dioxide and water that combine to remove the contaminants. Another embodiment includes removal of particulate matter during a shutdown procedure by cycling the flow of fuel and air on and off; monitoring an exit temperature of a catalyst substrate and alternatively, cycling the oxidant flow on and off when the exit temperature is less than or greater than a threshold temperature such that the exit temperature of the catalyst substrate is maintained below the temperature at which aging of the catalyst and/or a washcoat material may occur.

Abstract: An electrical inter-connection is provided such that a terminal pin which is positioned in a pin block extends through a plated through-hole in a circuit board substrate and is connected with the circuit board using a conductive bonding agent such as solder. The terminal pin is capable of inter-connection with conductive elements located on each major side of the circuit board and eliminates the need for an interference fit between the terminal pin and circuit board. The pin block includes a body and at least one stand-off. The stand-off maintains the body a sufficient distance from the circuit board substrate to enable a solder fillet to form between the plated through-hole and the terminal pin during re-flow processing. The electrical inter-connection further includes an eccentric aperture in the circuit board suitable for interference fit inter-connection with a protruding cylindrical feature such as on an electrical ground that has poor solderability characteristics.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an assembly for measuring movement of and a torque applied to a shaft extending between first and second ends and being hollow, specifically for measuring rotation and twisting of the shaft. A permanent magnet is disposed within the shaft for producing a parallel magnetic field emanating radially from the shaft. A sensor mechanism is positioned adjacent the shaft to detect the magnetic flux produced in response to the shaft being moved. The sensor mechanism includes a magnetostrictive (MR) material disposed annularly about the shaft and extends between first and second edges. A flux collector extends beyond the first and second edges of the magnetostrictive material to direct the magnetic flux through a Hall sensor to detect an axial component of the magnetic flux in response to twisting.

Abstract: An electric fuel pump includes a pump proper (1) having a pump body (2) that includes an induction orifice (3), a delivery orifice (4), and electrical terminals (5,6). A cage (7) is arranged around said pump body. A filtering element (15) is connected to the cage and communicates with the induction orifice. A tubular vibration damping element (16) is arranged about the cage. A pump casing (17) is assembled about the vibration damping element so that the vibration damping element is disposed between the pump casing and the cage to prevent contact.