Abstract: An edge-connected non-thermal plasma reactor includes an element having an edge-connected frame comprising a pair of dielectric edge connectors secured at opposite ends to a pair of outer dielectric plates. The dielectric edge connectors have a backplane and a plurality of tines protruding along one major surface of the backplane. The tines are spaced apart from one another at regular intervals so as to form pockets between adjacent tines. Alternating polarity electrode plates comprising a dielectric barrier plate having an electrode and terminal connection lead disposed on the dielectric barrier are arranged within the edge-connected frame so as to define the presence of a dielectric barrier next to a plasma cell, with the pockets engaging opposite ends of the electrode plates. Double and single dielectric edge-connected reactor elements are provided.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a motor assembly having improved electromagnetic noise or interference (EMI) filtering and dissipation and includes a motor having at least two terminals. A carrier having an upper and a lower surface with an outer periphery defines apertures for receiving the terminals. First and second conductive regions are disposed on one of the upper and the lower surfaces and adjacent the apertures for electrically connecting to the terminals. A grounding region is disposed on one of the upper and the lower surfaces for grounding the carrier to an electrical ground and insulated from the first and the second conductive regions by a first non-conductive region. A circuit extends electrically connects the first and the second conductive regions to the grounding region for filtering EMI.

Abstract: A fast light-off catalytic reformer and method includes at least one preferably substantially cylindrical reactor tube having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within the reactor tube for converting the fuel and air to a reformate stream, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device disposed within the reactor tube initiates an exothermic reaction between the fuel and air. Heat generated thereby provides fast light-off of the reforming catalyst. An associated control system selects fuel and air flow delivery rates and operates the ignition device to achieve fast light-off of the reforming catalyst at start-up and to maintain the catalyst at a temperature sufficient to optimize reformate yield. The rapid production of high yields of reformate is particularly suitable for use in an on-board reforming strategy for meeting SULEV emissions with spark-ignition engines, especially with larger, higher emitting vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt is provided with multiple seat belt tension sensors providing output signals that are received and averaged. Signals having values outside a band around the average are dynamically tested against a signal from an occupant weight sensor, vertical seat accelerometer or other sensor indicating expected vertical acceleration of an occupant restrained by the seat belt. This test provides variance values and time-averaged values of each signal, derives a reference value for each signal and compares the variance value for each signal to its reference value. If the comparisons indicate that the dynamic variance of the signals is significantly different, the signal is declared invalid and the average value is recalculated without the invalid signal. The final average signal after removal of all invalid signals determines the belt tension value, which may be used to compensate a weight sensor signal in an occupant characterization system to help control deployment of a vehicle airbag.

Abstract: In a method of making available temperature controlled air for a first region and a second region in a vehicle, a cold air flow and a hot air flow are generated. At least one first cold air part flow and one first hot air part flow respectively are formed from the cold air flow and from the hot air flow and the first cold air part flow and the first hot air part flow are mixed to form a first temperature controlled part flow for the first region. Furthermore at least one second cold air part flow and one second hot air part flow respectively are formed from the cold air flow and the hot air flow and the second cold air part flow and the second hot air part flow are transported separately by means of an auxiliary blower and are mixed downstream of the auxiliary blower to form a second temperature controlled part flow for the second region.

Abstract: Circuit and method for coupling signals to a tire pressure monitoring system assembled within the interior of a tire in the absence of a receiver are provided. The circuit comprises a coupling circuit that provides capacitance or electromagnetic coupling to pass an externally-derived stream of pulses to a microprocessor therein by either, in the case of capacitance coupling, connecting an external device that generates the stream of externally-derived of pulses to a valve stem of the tire and an electrical ground. In the case of electromagnetic coupling, by placing a suitable external device proximate the coupling circuit. The stream of pulses carries information usable by the microprocessor to perform a respective operational function.

Abstract: An isolation system for a ball-screw assembly including: a ball-screw; a ball-screw nut wherein the ball-screw is configured to engage the ball-screw nut, the ball-screw nut is enclosed in a ball-screw nut container; and a member disposed between the ball-screw nut and the ball-screw nut container, the member having selected properties. A method of providing a degree of freedom to a steering mechanism, the method including: selecting a member, the member having selected properties; and interposing the member between a ball-screw nut and a ball-screw nut container.

Abstract: An advance arrangement for use in controlling timing of fuel delivery by a fuel pump comprises an advance piston which is moveable within a first bore and which cooperates, in use, with a cam arrangement of a fuel pump to adjust the timing of fuel delivery by the pump, a surface associated with the advance piston being exposed to fuel pressure within an advance piston control chamber. The advance arrangement also includes a servo-piston which is slidable within a further bore provided in the advance piston to control the pressure of fuel within the advance piston control chamber, a surface associated with the servo-piston being exposed to fuel pressure within a servo control chamber.

Abstract: A fast-acting rotor-locking mechanism for a vane-type camshaft phaser. A straight-sided locking pin is disposed in a bushing in the rotor and is urged into a sprocket well by a return spring. A pad disposed at the bottom of the well is a travel stop for the pin. When the pin is fully seated against the pad, the pad covers a portion of the end of the pin. The uncovered portion of the pin end, exposed to oil pressure for unlocking the pin when it is fully seated, is decreased over the prior art pin, permitting use of a lighter locking spring having a lower spring rate. Because of the lighter locking spring, the pin accelerates more rapidly and unlocks significantly faster than in a comparable prior art phaser.

Abstract: An airbag module for restraining an occupant of a vehicle, comprising: a housing; an inflatable cushion being capable of being stored in an un-deployed position in the housing, the inflatable cushion having at least one vent opening disposed on an inboard side and an outboard side of the inflatable cushion, the outboard side being positioned closer to an exterior portion of the vehicle than the inboard side; an inflator for inflating the inflatable cushion, the inflator being in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion; and a biasing device being configured to restrict the deployment of the inflatable cushion in a first direction while allowing for deployment of the inflatable cushion in an inboard direction and an outboard direction, the outboard direction being towards an exterior portion of the vehicle and the inboard direction being opposite to the outboard direction, the biasing device restricts the deployment of the inflatable cushion when a portion of the biasing device makes contact with the oc

Abstract: A brake corner module includes a wheel bearing assembly which is configured to be coupled to the steering knuckle of the module without requiring bolts or press fit. An outer ring of the bearing assembly has a flange on one end which engages the knuckle at one end of a bore through the knuckle and a second end which is configured to be deformed to engage the second end of the knuckle bore. The wheel bearing assembly is thus captured within the bore, eliminating the need for press fit or a snap ring to retain the wheel bearing assembly.

Abstract: A closing system for use with a magneto-rheological (MR) damper. The closing system provides lubrication for a piston rod without a need for periodic replenishment. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lubrication chamber of the closing system utilizes a carrier fluid portion of MR fluid present in a fluid reservoir of the damper as lubricant for a piston rod guide and the piston rod. A seal retainer comprised of a porous material acts as a selective barrier to the micro-particles in the MR fluid in the fluid reservoir, allowing the MR carrier fluid portion to pass through the porous seal retainer to the lubrication chamber while restraining the micro-particles in the fluid reservoir. The seal retainer thus acts as a filter to segregate the abrasive particles of the MR fluid and allows the MR carrier fluid portion of the MR fluid to continuously replenish the lubrication chamber and lubrication passage to lubricate the piston rod guide and piston rod.

Abstract: An actuator for an electro-mechanical-brake motor assembly includes a housing surrounding a rotatable motor shaft presenting a longitudinal axis. A spring is non-rotatably supported on the housing. A latching device is non-rotatably supported by the housing. The latching device has a plurality of teeth. A latch gear is non-rotatably supported on the rotatable motor shaft and circumscribes the longitudinal axis and presents a plurality of axially facing angled teeth presenting a meshing engagement with the teeth of the latching device. The latching device is axially movable relative to the housing in response to magnetic force generated by the electric coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining an approximation to a measure of the volatility of fuel on-board a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of measuring at least one characteristic of the fuel corresponding to a temperature of the fuel, a volume of the fuel, and a concentration of oxygenates within the fuel; determining an approximation of the a measure of the volatility of the sample volume of fuel using a linear function based on the at least one measured characteristic of the fuel corresponding to temperature, volume, and concentration of oxygenates of the fuel. Preferably, at least one temperature measurement is associated with a predetermined volume of the sample as the sample is evaluated. The method can include determining whether a fuel contains ethanol, and if not, whether the fuel is a winter blend of fuel or a summer blend of fuel.

Abstract: The subject invention includes a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) assembly having a housing with an inlet and at least one outlet for directing a flow of air into a passenger compartment. An evaporator core is disposed within the housing downstream of the inlet and upstream from the outlet. A heater core is disposed within the housing between the evaporator core and the outlet with the heater core having an upstream surface generally facing the evaporator core and a downstream surface generally facing the outlet. The heater core includes a first portion and a second portion being angled relative to the first portion such that the upstream surface of the first portion at least partially faces the upstream surface of the second portion to define an angled heater core facing the evaporator core wherein air flowing over the upstream surfaces is evenly distributed across both of the first and second portions, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the heater core.

Abstract: A linear three-port actuation valve for a vehicle has a valve seat member that is engaged with a valve body to a location that establishes a desired poppet stroke. The valve body defines a lower seat and the valve seat member defines an upper seat, and a poppet slides within the member to selectively block the lower seat. When the lower seat is not blocked the upper seat is blocked by a ball positioned against the poppet, and vice-versa. Accordingly, the valve seat member aligns the poppet with the lower seat, it aligns the ball with the upper seat, it directs fluid through the upper seat to a control port, and it establishes the desired stroke of the poppet, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.

Abstract: A watercraft seat suspension includes a damper mounted between a watercraft seat and the watercraft hull. The damper includes an electrically actuated mechanism controlling fluid flow from a first chamber to a second chamber within the damper. A sensor senses motion of the seat relative to the hull. A control unit interpolates the sensor signal and develops an actuating signal controlling the electrically actuated mechanism. In one arrangement, the electrically actuated mechanism is a solenoid actuated by the actuating signal to effect one of two different damping modes. In another arrangement, the electrically actuated mechanism includes a conductor coil and flux ring generating a magnetic field proportional to the actuating signal to vary the viscosity of magneto-rheological fluid in the damper.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor provides an output voltage range having first and second linear slopes. Proper selection of magnetic sensor dimensions enables changes in magnetic flux density upon the passage of at least one tooth and one slot of a target wheel past the magnetic sensor to be represented as a linear magnetic sensor output comprised of at least one linear range whereby linear interpolation of position is possible with appropriate signal processing algorithms.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell assembly having channels for conveying oxygen and fuel along the cathode and anode surfaces of adjacent fuel cell units. The channels are separated by lands for making electrical and mechanical contact with the respective cathode and anode surfaces and preferably are so configured as to provide the minimum area required for satisfactory electrical contact and mechanical support. The lands and channels preferably are formed as peaks and valleys or as raised or recessed dimples for making electrical/mechanical contact with the cathode and anode surfaces and are coated in those contact areas with corrosion-resistant metal such as gold, platinum, ruthenium, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for using vehicle operator intent to adjust a vehicle control system, comprising: at least one vehicle control system associated with a vehicle, the vehicle control system being enabled to execute computer programs, the vehicle control system being enabled to receive data signals, at least one sensor for sensing vehicle operator intent, the sensor being enabled for transmitting data signals to the vehicle control system, and a computer program for developing a response command in relation to a representation of vehicle operator intent, the representation further comprising received data signals.