Abstract: An electrical clip connector has a terminal clip which is electrically mated to a ground stud by hand. The terminal clip is protected by an erogonomically friendly housing which supports the functional requirements of the terminal clip. The housing has a hoop portion which defines a through hole orientated concentrically to a bore defined by a resilient barrel segment of the terminal clip. Communicating transversely with the rough hole is a channel carried by a first portion of the housing which encases a first arm of the terminal clip engaged to a circumferential first end of the barrel segment. A second or activation arm of the terminal clip extends from an opposite end of the barrel segment and crosses over the first arm so that compression of the arms toward one-another causes the loop segment to enlarge for receipt of the ground stud. The second arm is encased by a second portion of the housing which is preferably hinged to the first portion near the hoop portion.

Abstract: A fuel rail damper includes a hollow member having a first end and a second end, opposing first and second sides, a first face and a second face interconnecting and spacing apart the first and second sides, and a width. Each of the first and second ends are sealed in an air tight manner to thereby define a chamber in conjunction with the first and second sides and the first and second faces and wherein the widths of the ends do not substantially exceed the hollow member width.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system master cylinder that can handle pressure pulses within the brake fluid of a vehicle braking system without the destruction of components internal to a master cylinder. A vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for component subassembly external to the master cylinder and is self-aligning when assembled. Finally, a vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for variable travel of the primary piston and the secondary piston within the master cylinder and greater fluid flow in the vehicle braking system.

Abstract: An electronic assembly equipped with a heat-conductive structure, and to a method of conducting heat from a circuit device within such an assembly. The heat-conductive structure comprises an interconnect layer, a contact layer, and an electrically insulating layer between the interconnect and contact layers. The interconnect layer contacts circuit elements on the topside of the device, and comprises extensions that contact conductors on the substrate to which the device is attached. The interconnect and contact layers are both formed of thermally and electrically conductive materials, such that the heat-conductive structure electrically interconnects the topside of the device with the substrate and thermally interconnects the topside with a heat sink placed in contact with the contact layer. Because of the presence of the insulating layer, the heat sink does not interfere with the electrical connections provided by the interconnect layer.

Abstract: A tracking system and method of estimating position and velocity of an object are provided. The tracking system includes first and second sensors for sensing an object in first and second fields of view, respectively. The first and second fields of view partially overlap to provide an overlapping coverage zone. Each of the sensors measures range and range rate of the object. The system further includes a controller for estimating position and velocity of the object as a function of the measured range and range rate signals, without requiring sensing of the azimuth angle of the object.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensing angular position of an object is provided. The assembly may comprise at least one magneto-sensing magnet having a second axis of rotation. The assembly may further comprise a magnet having a second axis of rotation. At least one of the magnet and the magneto-sensing element are rotatable relative to the other. The respective axes of rotation of the magneto-sensing element and the magnet are non-coincident with respect to one another. The magnet is magnetized along one of the following directions: an axial direction and a radial direction.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, apparatus for and method of eye tracking, including, in sequence, the steps of: viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of the person to identify or not the said person; if the person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of the person based on said predetermined facial features; using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person. If the person is not identified, an ocular profile is created.

Abstract: A seat restraint buckle and tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a buckle assembly having a housing for receiving a portion of a latch plate of the seat restraint system. The buckle assembly senses latching of the latch plate. The seat restraint buckle and tension sensing assembly also includes a tension sensing assembly disposed in the housing and cooperating with belt webbing of the seat restraint system for sensing a tension level in the seat restraint system.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation mechanism includes a control shaft and a rocker arm. A second end of the rocker arm is connected to the control shaft. The rocker arm carries a roller for engaging a cam lobe of an engine camshaft. A link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the first end of the rocker arm. An output cam is pivotally coupled to the second end of the link arm, and engages a corresponding cam follower of the engine. A spring biases the roller into contact with the cam lobe and biases the output cam toward a starting angular orientation.

Abstract: A high-density electrical connector includes a rigid member having an array of electrical contact pads, a clamp housing attached to the rigid member, and a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit has a back surface, a front surface and a contact portion having a matching array of electrical contacts protruding outwardly of the front surface of the flexible printed circuit. The contact portion is disposed between the clamp housing and the rigid member and an elastomeric contact pressure pad is disposed between the clamp housing and the flexible printed circuit pressing each of the protruding electrical contacts into one of the electrical contact pads. The elastomeric pad is shaped and resiliently deformed by the clamp housing to provide a substantially uniform contact pressure to the array of electrical contacts.

Abstract: An airbag module, having a housing; 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; a tension device; a tether element being secured to the inflatable cushion at one end and the tension device at the other; the tension device applies tension to the tether after the inflatable cushion is inflated to a first configuration by the inflator.

Abstract: A method for starting a fast light-off catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate fuel from hydrocarbon fuel and air, the reformer having means for receiving flows of fuel and air, a reforming catalyst for reforming the fuel and air mixture, and an ignition device. A control system selects fuel and air flow rates to form a lean fuel/air mixture and operates the ignition device to ignite the lean mixture to produce hot exhaust gases that flow over and heat the reforming catalyst for a first length of time. Fuel flow is then stopped temporarily for a second length of time, and further ignition is terminated. Fuel flow is then restarted and adjusted to provide a rich fuel/air mixture which is directed to the heated catalyst for reforming into reformate fuel. Air flow may also be adjusted in setting the lean and/or rich fuel/air mixtures.

Abstract: A bearing configuration in which a shaft is supported by a first and second bearings, the second bearing being spaced from the first bearing. The first bearing and said second bearing are supported by a corresponding first bore and second bore in a shaft housing, a first axis being coincident with an axis of the first bore and a second axis being coincident with an axis of the second bore. The first axis and the second axis are purposefully offset from one another a sufficient distance to substantially eliminate internal clearance within the first bearing.

Abstract: A low leak pressure control actuator for, e.g., controlling pressure in an automatic transmission system, includes a poppet and a check ball slidably disposed within a housing. The poppet and check ball are movable between a de-energized configuration, plural partially energized configurations, and a fully energized configuration. In the de-energized configuration, the poppet and check ball prohibit all flow to and from the supply port and permit flow between the control port and the exhaust port. In the partially energized configurations, the poppet and check ball permit flow to and from all of the ports, and incremental changes in the internal displacement of the poppet produce incremental changes in a control pressure. In the fully energized configuration flow, the poppet and check ball prohibit all flow to the exhaust port and permit fluid flow between the supply port and the control port.

Abstract: A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is operatively connected to a seat restraint of the seat restraint system. The seat restraint tensioner also includes a movable mechanism connected to the second end of the cable to apply a force for tightening the seat restraint when activated. The seat restraint tensioner further includes a rotatable cam cooperating with the cable to generate a clamping force toward the seat restraint to clamp the cable between the cam and a clamping surface to prevent reverse travel of the cable after tightening the seat restraint.

Abstract: A piston damper assembly includes a piston damper and a relative velocity sensor. The piston damper includes a damper body, a piston rod, and a dust tube which is attached to the piston rod. The relative velocity sensor includes an axially extending first magnet supported by the dust tube, a flux collector, and a first sensor coil. The flux collector is supported by the dust tube, includes an axially-extending first prong in axially-extending contact with the first magnet, includes an axially-extending second prong, and includes a joining member connecting the first and second prongs. The first sensor coil surrounds the joining member and/or one of the first and second prongs. A piston-damper dust tube subassembly includes the dust tube and the relative velocity sensor.

Abstract: Soot content in Diesel engine lubrication oil is determined using electrical resistance measurements of the oil at high frequency. A sensor in the form of a capacitor is immersed in the oil, wherein the oil serves as a dielectric between the plates. The capacitance and resistance between the plates change as a function of engine oil condition. An inductor is placed in series with the sensor, and high frequencies are sweeped over a range to find resonance where the capacitive and inductive reactances cancel. At this frequency, the resistance of the oil is measured and the condition of the oil thereby determined.

Abstract: A vacuum management system for an engine with variable valve lift includes a vacuum control valve at the entrance to the intake manifold to increase vacuum within the manifold as needed and preferably only when it can be done without impairing fuel economy or engine performance. Vacuum may then be used for any of various vacuum-assisted devices and functions, for example, boosting a vehicle braking system. The numerical relationships among important operating parameters are determined in a laboratory, and a programmable engine control module (ECM} is provided with algorithms and tables of such values by which the ECM is able to vary valve lift and vacuum control valve position to provide optimum flow across the intake valves and optimum manifold vacuum under all engine operating conditions.

Abstract: An anti-rotation guide for a deactivation hydraulic valve lifter for an internal combustion engine. The guide includes a through bore accommodating of a hydraulic valve lifter and is sized such that the outer end of the lifter may be inserted into the through bore of the guide. The guide is securable to the engine such that the lifter is reciprocable within the guide. The guide is provided with two opposing keepers for mating with corresponding flats on the lifter to prevent rotation of the lifter. Further, a keyway means is provided in the guide and lifter to prevent the lifter being inserted into the guide 180° from the correct orientation.

Abstract: A cap assembly (10) is used during the assembly of a sensor (22) that is to be mounted to a support (30). The support (30) will eventually be mounted to a structure (16) that will hold a fluid therein. Epoxy (56) holds the sensor (22) to the support (30). The cap assembly (46) includes a body (48) having a predetermined length and a shape matching the shape of the support (30). This allows the body (48) to be removably securable to the support (30). The cap assembly (46) also includes an end plate (50) covering the body (48) to prevent epoxy (56) from flowing passed the cap assembly (46). The cap assembly (46) also includes a handle (52) for removing the cap assembly (46) from the support (30) when the epoxy (56) has cured.