Abstract: A method by which contaminant (soot) content in Diesel engine oil is determined using electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a high frequency, or by which contaminant (soot and/or water and/or anitfreeze) content is determined using the ratio of electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a high frequency to the electrical conductivity measurements of the Diesel oil at a low frequency. Both the conductivity ratio and the high frequency conductivity are essentially independent of the brand of oil. High frequency is defined to be above 2 MHz whereas low frequency is defined to be D.C. to about 1 kHz.

Abstract: A vehicle locating system includes a first transmitter within the vehicle, the first transmitter is configured to transmit a location signal; and a key fob including: a receiver, a direction indicator, and wherein the direction indicator is configured to point towards the first transmitter in response to receipt of the location signal by the receiver.

Abstract: A collapsible steering column is used with motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a frame. The steering column has an outer jacket and a stationery bracket. The outer jacket is releasably coupled to the frame. The stationery bracket is coupled to the frame. The outer jacket and stationery bracket are collapsible in response to release of the outer jacket from the frame. An electrically actuated brake mechanism is coupled between the stationery bracket and the outer jacket and provides an infinitely variable resistive force to the collapse of the outer jacket and the stationery bracket.

Abstract: Each blow-off valve includes a valve body with a first movable wall defining a portion of the liquid fluid passage therein and a second movable wall defining a portion of the suction fluid passage therein. An actuator interconnects the movable walls for simultaneously moving the walls and opening the fluid passages in response to the electrical leakage-warning signal. In the species of FIGS. 2 and 3, the movable walls are integrally united with the valve body and include frangible sections that are fractured by an explosive squib to separate the movable walls from the body to simultaneously open the liquid and suction fluid passages. In the species of FIG. 5, the movable walls are separate valve elements disposed in a circular bore that opens the passages to the ambient surroundings. The actuator includes a spring, for biasing each of the valve elements out of its respective bore, and a holding device that weakens in response to the electrical leakage-warning signal.

Abstract: With an ignition coil module comprising a coil system which includes a primary winding and a secondary winding and a flux conducting, soft magnetic device to increase and/or to conduct a magnetic flux generated by one of the windings and comprising an electronic component to control the coil system which has an electrical circuit and a heat sink to cool the electronic component, at least one section of the heat sink is connected to a section of the flux conducting device in a thermally conductive manner such that waste heat of the electronic component can be dissipated over the section of the flux conducting device.

Abstract: An electronic assembly and/or a mold is constructed to reduce deflection and resultant damage to components and/or an associated printed circuit board of the electronic assembly when the electronic assembly is overmolded.

Abstract: A backlit display allowing one or more colors to be properly illuminated. Included in the backlit display is a light source that emits light upon a backside of a substrate. A selectively applied opaque layer prevents light from a light source from passing through at least one selected portion of said substrate. Incorporated into the substrate is one or more fluorescing materials to diffuse the light and/or change the color of the light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A method of controlling an injector or the like suitable for use in an internal combustion engine, includes providing a first data map having a plurality of first data map points, each of the first data map points representing a first data map output value, and providing a function map comprising a second data map having a plurality of second data map points, each corresponding to a respective one of the first data map points, and wherein the second data map is divided into at least a first-type data map region containing second data map points representing second data map output values only of a first type and a second-type data map region containing second data map points representing second data map output values only of a second type, wherein a portion of the second data map defines a hysteresis region.

Abstract: A sensing element for use with a controller adapted to receive input signals corresponding to the sensing element, the sensing element having: a housing defining a conduit adapted to be in fluid communication with a fluid; a pair of sensing arrays disposed within the conduit, the pair of sensing arrays being in a facing spaced relationship to define a gap disposed therebetween; a plurality of sensors disposed on the pair of sensing arrays, the plurality of sensors being adapted to sense and provide signals corresponding to a plurality of parameters of the fluid; a microprocessor adapted to receive the signals of the plurality of sensors, the microprocessor being adapted to determine at least one condition of the fluid upon receipt of the signals corresponding to the plurality of parameters of the fluid.

Abstract: A switchable fluid control valve assembly having a regulating spool and a pilot spool disposed within a common bore. A regulating spring urges the regulating spool toward a rest position wherein an oil supply port is fully uncovered. Supply oil entering the assembly causes the regulating spool to assume a position wherein oil flow is throttled to a downstream pressure insufficient to activate an associated valve deactivation mechanism but sufficient to provide lubrication to the engine. When activation of the mechanism is desired, a solenoid moves the pilot spool wherein oil at full pressure is engaged against the regulating spool, de-throttling the flow of oil to the mechanism. When the solenoid is again deactivated, a dump port is opened into the oil flow path, immediately reducing the pressure on the regulating spool which then moves to eclipse the supply port and open a path from the mechanism to drain.

Abstract: A multi-function condenser for an air conditioning system includes a first header, a second header, a plurality of tubes, and a conduit. The tubes extend in parallel relationship between the headers for establishing fluid communication between the first header and the second header. The second header includes a header portion and a receiver portion. A conduit extends into and out of and is surrounded by the receiver portion to define a space between the conduit and the receiver portion. Heat is transferred between hot refrigerant flowing in the receiver portion, the header portion, and cooler refrigerant flowing through the conduit as the refrigerant flows through the conduit independently of the refrigerant flowing in the space and in the header portion to increase an overall efficiency of the air conditioning system.

Abstract: The invention provides a controller and cylinder deactivation system to regenerate an exhaust aftertreatment device for a multicylinder engine that operates primarily at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry. The invention uses the cylinder deactivation system to control temperature and air/fuel ratio of an exhaust gas feedstream going into an aftertreatment device. The invention also increases the amount of fuel delivered to each non-deactivated cylinder by an amount sufficient to maintain operating power of the engine. The regeneration action includes desorbing NOx from a NOx adsorber catalyst, desulfating the NOx adsorber catalyst, and purging a diesel particulate trap.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (10) includes a thermal sensing device (20) and a power-switching device (12) such as an IGBT. The power device (12) is fabricated in a conventional manner on a semiconductor substrate, and the thermal sensing device (20) is fabricated on an electrical insulation layer (74) formed over the substrate. The thermal sensing device (20) may be provided in the form of a number of series-connected polysilicon diodes (D1-D3) positioned adjacent to the power device (12) such that the operating temperature of the thermal sensing device (20) is near that of the power device (12). In response to an input current IC, the thermal sensing device (20) produces an output voltage (VD) that is substantially linear with surface die temperature, and which reacts rapidly to changes in surface die temperature. The thermal sensing device (20) is completely electrically isolated from the power device, thereby eliminating any electrical interaction therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rotationally immobilizing a hub on a rotatable shaft. A portion of the shaft is cylindrical and has a first diameter. The hub has a cylindrical axial bore having a second diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft. At least one axially-extending keyway is provided in the surface of the shaft. When the shaft is inserted into the hub bore, the hub is free to rotate upon the shaft. To immobilize the hub rotationally with respect to the shaft, at least one tapered key having a height greater than the maximum depth of the at least one keyway is inserted axially into the at least one keyway. Preferably, the at least one key is inserted along the at least one keyway to a point at which the maximum height of the at least one key is positioned at the axial midpoint of the hub bore.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, a computer usable medium including a program, and a system for operating a vehicle control system. A plurality of measured vehicle variables is determined. At least one suspension force is determined based on at least one of the determined measured vehicle variables. At least one tire vertical force is determined based on the at least one determined suspension force and at least one of the determined measured vehicle variables. At least one tire longitudinal force is determined based on at least one of the determined measured vehicle variables. At least one axle lateral force is determined based on at least one of the determined measured vehicle variables. At least one tire lateral force is determined based on the at least one determined axle lateral force and the at least one determined tire vertical force.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a housing that establishes a supply port, a control port, and an exhaust port. A fluted bushing is statically affixed within the housing and a poppet slides within the bushing. The poppet is movable between a de-energized configuration wherein flow is prohibited between the control port and the exhaust port, and permitted between the control port and the supply port, plural partially energized configurations wherein flow is permitted between the supply port and the control port, between the control port and the exhaust port, and between the exhaust port and the supply port, and a fully energized configuration wherein flow is prohibited between the control port and the supply port and flow is permitted between the control port and the exhaust port.

Abstract: A fluid pulse damper having increased dynamic range and sensitivity, being especially useful in suppressing pulsations in the fuel supply rail of an internal combustion engine. The damper is a longitudinal gas-filled plastic pillow having walls formed by opposed flexible short sides and opposed flexible long sides, and includes at least one internal self-contact element, and preferably a plurality of such elements. As the short sides flex, the elements make contact internally, shifting the damper into a different compression regime and extending the pressure/response over an increased range of pressures. A feature of some embodiments is that the inner surface within the contact elements is shifted into tension after the elements make contact, thereby stiffening the damper and increasing the damper's resistance to further deformation. The damper is formed of a plastic such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes, high flow polyetherimides, or tubing grade polyphthalamides.

Abstract: An integral plastic bracket, generally indicated at (34) in FIGS. 1-6 and at (134) in FIGS. 7-9, is in gripping engagement with each of first and second manifolds. Each bracket and includes a pocket complementary to and surrounding the associated manifold or and a pair of spaced flanges extending from the pocket to engage the faces of the heat exchanger core. Each bracket and also includes a plurality of recesses disposed about projections along the manifolds and for preventing the bracket and from moving along the associated manifold. The flanges have inside surfaces engaging the faces of the heat exchanger core that are closer together at a distance (B) than the transverse dimension (A) of the manifolds and for retaining the bracket and on the heat exchanger core.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag system and method of removably securing the same is disclosed. The method and system include an instrument panel disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle having an opening to receive an airbag module and a cover removably secured thereto. The cover is configured to cover the opening and to flushly mount with a surface defining the instrument panel. A chute extends from a bottom surface of the cover and is configured to operably connect with the airbag module. A securement feature extends from one side wall defining the chute and is configured to slidingly engage one edge defining the opening of the instrument panel to mechanically wedge the one edge between the bottom surface of the cover and the securement feature. A plurality of apertures are configured in an opposite side of the cover that are configured to receive a mechanical fastener therethrough to secure the opposite side of the cover to the instrument panel.

Abstract: An electrical spring connection assembly electrically connects a conducting case, and a spark plug. The electrical spring connection assembly includes a base having a securing aperture for receiving the conducting case therein. The base fixedly secures the electrical spring connection assembly within the conducting case. The electrical spring connection assembly also includes a leaf spring portion that extends radially out from the base for receiving the spark plug therein. The leaf spring portion creates an engagement force the spark plug must overcome to be positioned within the electrical spring connection assembly. The electrical spring connection assembly also includes a beam spring portion extending out from the leaf spring portion. The beam spring portion creates a retention force to retain the spark plug within the electrical spring connection assembly. The retention force is greater than the engagement force.