Abstract: A method of maintaining a non-obstructed interior opening in a kinetic spray nozzle is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a mixture of particles including first particle population and a second particle population; entraining the mixture of particles into a flow of a gas at a temperature below the melt temperature of the particle populations; and directing the mixture of particles entrained in the flow of gas through a supersonic nozzle to accelerate the first particle population to a velocity sufficient to result in adherence of the first particle population on a substrate positioned opposite the nozzle. The operating conditions of the kinetic spray system are selected such that the second particle population is not accelerated to a velocity sufficient to result in adherence when it impacts the substrate.

Abstract: A fuel swirler plate for improving atomization of fuel in a fuel injector. A plurality of identical fuel supply passages is formed in the plate, each passage including an outer fuel reservoir region; a region having converging walls wherein fuel is accelerated and turned partially tangential to the axis of the plate and fuel injector; a metering region wherein flow is regulated; and an exit region wherein the fuel is combined with similar fuel flows from the other passages to form a high velocity swirl annulus between the swirler plate and a pintle ball of the fuel injector. An advantage of the novel swirl plate over prior art plates is that, when the injector valve is closed, only a very small volume of fuel resides in the swirl annulus between the pintle ball and the exit region of the plate, and such residual fuel is urged rotationally and becomes the leading edge of a new vortex the next time the valve is opened, thus minimizing SAC spray formation.

Abstract: An air bag module, comprising: a housing having at least one vent opening; an inflatable cushion being stored in an un-deployed position in the housing; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion and having a plurality of inflation openings for allowing an inflation gas to pass therethrough, at least one of the plurality of inflation openings being in fluid communication with the at least one vent opening; a deployable member being secured to an interior surface of the inflatable cushion at one end and a portion of the airbag module at the other end; wherein the deployable member is configured to allow venting through the at least one vent opening when the inflatable cushion is in the un-deployed position and the at least one vent opening is covered by the deployable member when the inflatable cushion inflates towards a fully deployed position.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for use in regulating the outlet pressure of a pump for use in an engine comprises a piston member which is moveable with respect to an outlet opening under the influence of fluid pressure acting on the piston member to control the degree by which the outlet opening is obscured. The pressure regulator comprises a biasing arrangement for applying a biasing force to the piston member which opposes the pressure of fluid acting on the piston member. The biasing arrangement comprises a moveable abutment member which is cooperable with a stop member so as to vary the rate at which the displacement of the piston member varies with fluid pressure acting on the piston member. The stop member is pre-set in a fixed position relative to the regulator housing such that movement of the abutment member is terminated when the abutment member is urged into engagement with the stop member. The invention also relates to a transfer pump comprising a pressure regulator.

Abstract: A diffraction grating device operable as a reflection or transmission grating, and a method of manufacturing and using any number of such grating devices so that each device is individually electrically addressable to diffract radiation of different wavelengths. The grating device comprises first and second sets of interdigitated elements so that each element of the first set defines an element pair with an immediately adjacent element of the second set, a first gap is defined between the elements of each element pair, and a second gap is defined between each adjacent pair of element pairs. The elements of an element pair are selectively movable toward and away from each other. As such, the widths of the gaps can be selectively sized to diffract radiation of a desired wavelength.

Abstract: An improved system for more uniformly distributing gaseous fuel over the anode surface of a fuel cell, comprising an interconnect subassembly for electrically connecting anodes and cathodes of adjacent fuel cells in a fuel cell stack. The subassembly includes a perforated plate disposed adjacent the anode surface. The plate may be parallel to or inclined to the anode surface and forms a first wall of a fuel plenum for uniformly distributing fuel via the perforations over the entire surface of the anode. The second wall of the plenum is a plate separating the fuel flow from air flowing across the cathode. Electrical continuity across the interconnect subassembly may be provided, for example, by non-planar upsets such as bumps and dimples in the two plenum plate components, or by metallic foam or filaments disposed between the plates and the electrodes.

Abstract: A temperature compensation method for controlling a damping force of a magnetorheological (MR) damper is disclosed. First, a base operating current as a function of a desired force level of a damping force of the MR damper is determined, and a temperature compensation as a function of an operating temperature of the MR damper is determined. Finally, the temperature compensation is applied to the base operating current to generate a compensated operating current as a function of the desired force level of the damping force and the operating temperature of the MR damper. To refine the compensated operating current, the temperature compensation can be determined as both a function of the operating temperature of the MR damper and a relative velocity of the MR damper.

Abstract: An axially potted progressive wound remote mount ignition coil (axially potted ignition coil) includes a coil case, at least one coil assembly, and a quantity of potting material. Each coil assembly is progressively wound. The coil case includes a coil cavity for each coil assembly, a primary connector, and two secondary connectors for each coil cavity. Each primary coil is connected to the primary connector and an end of each secondary coil is connected to a single secondary connector. A quantity of potting material is poured over the open end of each coil cavity. A second embodiment of the axial potted ignition coil includes a modular coil case, at least one coil assembly, and a quantity of potting material. The modular coil case includes at least one coil tube, a rear end cap and a forward end cap. Each coil assembly is inserted into a respective coil tube.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling a differential within an active antilock brake system. The method provides for receiving a secondary axle wheel speed, receiving a vehicle speed, determining a difference value between the vehicle speed and the secondary axle wheel speed, and activating the differential responsive to the difference value. The step of activating the differential responsive to the difference value may include steps for comparing the difference value to a threshold value and activating the differential based on the comparison.

Abstract: Modified contoured crushable structural members and methods for making the same are described. The contoured structural members comprise composite or metal materials sandwiching a support or stabilizing structure. The structural members are made crushable by incorporating an initiator into the structural members. The structural member crushes at the location of the initiator by absorbing the energy of an exerting load. The modified structure is provided by attaching additional structural components or elements to the end or outside of the structural member or by modifying the shape of the structural member. With a modified, contoured, crushable, and generally non-flat structure, applications and uses for the structural members of the present invention are nearly limitless.

Abstract: In an automotive steering wheel-airbag module assembly a gear system is coupled to a steering wheel and to a steering shaft or column for transferring torque applied to the steering wheel directly to the steering shaft or column. An airbag module is positioned within the diameter of the steering wheel, wherein the airbag module remains in a stationary position during rotation of the steering wheel.

Abstract: An improved distributed architecture system including multiple electronic modules that communicate with each other over a communication bus through concurrent modulation of bus current and bus voltage, wherein the bus voltage detected by a receiver in the remote module is compensated to ensure reliable reception of a voltage modulated bus communication despite the modulation of bus current by the remote module. A remote module is coupled to the communication bus via input resistors to provide resistive isolation from the bus in the event of a short circuit failure in the remote module, and a charge pump and current mirror circuit in the remote module produce a compensation voltage across a resistor coupling the receiver to the bus, with the compensation voltage substantially canceling the influence of bus current modulation on the received bus voltage.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower impeller includes a central hub and a plurality of impeller blades. The central hub includes a conical section and an outer edge. The conical section is centered with respect to a center axis and extends from the center axis towards the outer edge. The plurality of impeller blades includes first and second ends. The conical section is coupled to the first ends of the impeller blades which extend axially upward from the first ends towards the second ends. The centrifugal blower impeller also includes a rim which has a generally circular shape and is connected to the second ends of the impeller blades.

Abstract: A device for controlling motor operation for adjusting a car seat using at least two switches wherein one switch is a multi-function switch and the other switch is a selector switch. The multi-function switch controls horizontal, vertical, and incline adjustments and the selector switch selects the portion of the seat to which the adjustment of the multi-function switch will be directed.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor has magnetically sensitive element located at a side surface, instead of the bottom surface, of a bias magnet, the magnet being located adjacent a magnetic target wheel, wherein the bias magnet is magnetized parallel to the direction of motion of the teeth/slots of the target wheel. The output may be of a single or double frequency. Sampling of output slope can provide information regarding direction of movement of the target wheel. In a second embodiment the bias magnet is magnetized perpendicular to the movement.

Abstract: A hand wheel actuator having a stationary hub is provided by a housing supporting a first shaft via bearings such that it is rotatable about its own axis. The first shaft has an upper end configured for attaching a hand wheel. The actuator also includes a position sensor for detecting an angular displacement of the first shaft from a selected origin and producing a signal indicative of the angular displacement and an electric motor in operative communication with the first shaft for providing feedback to a driver. A steering post is maintained in a fixed position with respect to the housing for maintaining the hub in a fixed position centrally of the hand wheel, so that the hub faces the driver when the hand wheel is operated. The steering post extends along an axis of rotation of the hand wheel and through the first shaft, which is fixed to the hand wheel and rotates therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sensing the position of a point of contact through use of a sensor having a movable element, disposed between a sensing element and a source of magnetic flux, and having an aperture therein for allowing a portion of the magnetic flux from the source of magnetic flux to pass through the aperture and impinge on the sensing element. The aperture may have various shapes to provide a desired linear or non-linear relationship between the position of the movable element and the intensity of the flux that passes through the aperture and impinges on the sensing element for a given position of the movable element.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma reactor is provided. The reactor includes a plasma-generating substrate, a housing, a voltage supplied to the plasma-generating substrate, and a retention material. The plasma-generating substrate has one or more flow paths for an exhaust gas. The plasma-generating substrate includes at least one weak area and at least one strong area. The housing has an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The voltage is supplied to the plasma-generating substrate for generating a plasma field. The retention material retains the plasma-generating substrate in the housing such that the one or more flow paths are in fluid communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The retention material is configured to provide a higher retention force to the at least one strong area and a lower retention force to the at least one weak area.

Abstract: A method of making composite electric machine components. Magnetic segments and non-magnetic segments are separately formed to green strength, and then arranged adjacent to each other in a desired magnetic pattern. A small amount of powder material is added in-between the segments, and the whole assembly is then sintered to form a sinterbonded composite component of high structural integrity.

Abstract: A pintle bushing assembly for a poppet valve assembly including a tolerance ring which is disposable between the pintle bushing and a bore in the body of the valve to both seal and center the bushing in the bore. The tolerance ring includes a plurality of radially-extending dimples which are deformable during assembly such that the valve pintle can be aligned coaxially with the valve seat under all conditions. An axial flange on the tolerance ring is sealed against axial surfaces of the valve body adjacent the bore and a flange on the bushing to prevent leakage past the bushing.