Abstract: An apparatus measures relative displacement between a first end and a second end of a shaft. The first and second ends being centered on a shaft axis. The apparatus includes first and second ferromagnetic plates. The first ferromagnetic plate has a first side and a second side and is connected to the first end. The first ferromagnetic plate is centered on the shaft axis and has a plurality of ferromagnetic teeth extending from the first side and in a first direction parallel to the shaft. The second ferromagnetic plate has a first side and a second side and is connected to the second end. The second ferromagnetic plate is centered on the shaft axis. The first and second ferromagnetic plates form a gap. The apparatus further includes a plurality of magnets having a magnetic field and a sensing device. The magnets are coupled to the first side of the second ferromagnetic plate. The sensing device is disposed within the gap for sensing a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle anti-lock brake system is disclosed. The method includes determining an ABS failure condition has occurred, configuring a failure condition operating mode of the ABS control and, finally, activating the ABS control based on the failure condition operational mode. A computer readable medium storing a computer program for operating a vehicle ABS control is also described. Computer readable code for determining that an ABS failure condition has occurred, configuring a failure condition operating mode of the ABS control, and then activating the ABS based on the failure condition operational mode is described. A vehicle including an anti-lock brake system configured for operation when a failure condition occurs is described. Operating the anti-lock brake system comprises determining an ABS failure condition has occurred, configuring a failure condition operating mode of the ABS, and activating the ABS based on the failure condition operational mode.

Abstract: An evaporative solenoid valve assembly for use in a vehicle fuel system between a filtration canister and an intake manifold includes a plunger having a plunger body with central-bore and an elastomeric insert molded therein to define a stop cushion at the end of the insert proximal the valve stop and a valve tip at the end of the insert proximal the valve seat. The valve assembly may include a valve stop having a non-conducting insert received in an end proximal the plunger to reduce noise and wear as well as to improve magnetic flux path. Yet another improvement includes an enlarged pre-load spring disposed within the plunger to provide better spring force distribution and plunger to valve seat alignment.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly having means for providing tempered air to, and removing spent air from, air-flow passages across the cathode. The air flow path includes means for reversing the direction of flow across the cathode periodically to reverse the roles of the leading and trailing edges of the cathode to prevent temperature differences across the cathode from exceeding 200° C., and thus to prevent damage to the cathode from thermally-induced stresses during startup heating and steady-state cooling.

Abstract: An anti-rotation clip for joining a fuel injector body to a fuel rail socket. A C-shaped base is formed to slide into an annular groove in the injector body. A pair of tangs extend from the base to straddle a rib on the injector body to prevent rotation between the clip and the injector. Opposed sidewalls extending from the base include windows for receiving a radial flange of the fuel rail socket to correctly position the fuel injector axially within the socket. Each window is divided by a locking bar for reception in a notch in the socket flange to prevent rotation between the clip and the socket. The radial positions of the injector rib and flange notch are selected such that the injector will be properly oriented with respect to the engine after installation therein.

Abstract: A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer, preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers. The capacitive plates are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers, and the capacitive gap therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor interface circuit is configurable on the fly by an electronic controller such as an engine controller to support oxygen sensors having unique interface requirements, to reliably identify various oxygen sensor faults, and to enable rapid detection of a warmed up sensor. The interface circuit is configurable in a first respect to enable operation with any of a number of different sensors, and in a second respect to enable more reliable fault detection, including measurement of leakage to ground or battery.

Abstract: An actuation lever is provided that comprises a lever having a first end configured to engage and support a knob, a second end configured for connection to a lever-actuated device and a longitudinal axis. The mating knob includes at least one pocket having at least one inner peripheral surface. The first end of the lever includes a resiliently deflectable retaining member having a tine that includes a barb-like tip that engages the inner peripheral surface of the pocket. As the knob is inserted onto the first end of the lever, the tine deflects inwardly towards the longitudinal axis. The spring force generated by the deflected tine causes the retaining member to exert oppositely directed forces against the inner peripheral surface of the pocket. The barb-like tip on the end of the tine imbeds into an inner peripheral surface of the pocket to retain the knob on the first end of the lever.

Abstract: A fuel strainer assembly includes a filtration member and an inlet connector connected to the filtration member for connection to an inlet of a fuel pump. The fuel strainer assembly also includes a push pad connected to the filtration member. The fuel strainer assembly further includes a compression retainer operatively supported by the push pad to engage the inlet connector to cause an interference fit between the inlet connector and the inlet of the fuel pump to secure the inlet connector to the fuel pump.

Abstract: An absolute angular position sensor assembly for use with a vehicle steering column that generally includes a digitally encoded disk, an optical output device and an optical input device. The encoded disk has numerous circumferentially extending, concentric data tracks; some of these tracks include cutouts representing absolute angular position bits and some include cutouts representing error correcting bits. Preferably, the absolute angular position bits are arranged according to a grey-code type arrangement, while the error correction bits include Reed-Solomon error detecting and correcting information. The optical output device shines light against the encoded disk such that a pattern, generally determined by the cutouts, is formed on the optical input device. The optical input device, in turn, utilizes that pattern to generate an angular position signal representative of the absolute angular position of the steering wheel and having error correction information.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a solenoid having a plunger being actuatable from a first position to a second position, comprising: a housing, comprising a first port, a second port and a third port and a central opening being defined by a plurality of first channels, a plurality of second channels and a reduced opening disposed between the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels; a movable element disposed within the central opening, the movable element being moved when the plunger moves from the first position to the second position; wherein the first port is in fluid communication with the second port via the plurality of first channels when the plunger is in the first position; and wherein the first port is in fluid communication with the third port via the plurality of second channels, the reduced opening and the plurality of first channels when the plunger is in the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic olefin composition, comprising, based on the total weight of the composition: about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % polypropylene; about 20 wt % to about 70 wt % ethylene copolymer; and less than or equal to about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene, a process of forming the thermoplastic olefin composition, a process for vacuum forming an article comprising the composition, an article of manufacture comprising the composition, and an automotive assembly comprising, based on the total weight of the assembly: about 20 to about 40 wt % polypropylene; about 20 to about 70 wt % ethylene copolymer; and less than or equal to about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: A leak detection apparatus includes one or more detection devices that envelope the various pipe joints of a liquid circulation cooling system. In one approach, the detection devices include a pair of conductors separated by a wicking material impregnated with a crystalline salt that provides a low resistance electrical path between the conductors in the presence of a leak. In another approach, the detection devices include a pair of dissimilar metal mesh electrodes separated by an electrolyte-impregnated wicking material to form a water-activated battery that energizes an alarm in the presence of a leak. In either case, the electrodes and wicking material may be encased with a water-activated sealing material that hardens in the presence of a leak to contain the leakage.

Abstract: An infrared sensor including an absorber for absorbing incident infrared power to produce a signal representing the temperature of a target object, a frame supporting a membrane which carries the absorber, the frame including a plurality of reflecting surfaces disposed about the circumference of an opening over which the membrane spans for reflecting incident infrared power toward the absorber. By concentrating incident infrared power through reflection, the temperature difference between the absorber and the surrounding frame is increased, thereby producing an increased electrical output from the sensor.

Abstract: A process using integrated sensor technology in which a micromachined sensing element and signal processing circuit are combined on a single semiconductor substrate to form, for example, an infrared sensor. The process is based on modifying a CMOS process to produce an improved layered micromachined member, such as a diaphragm, after the circuit fabrication process is completed. The process generally entails forming a circuit device on a substrate by processing steps that include forming multiple dielectric layers and at least one conductive layer on the substrate. The dielectric layers comprise an oxide layer on a surface of the substrate and at least two dielectric layers that are in tension, with the conductive layer being located between the two dielectric layers. The surface of the substrate is then dry etched to form a cavity and delineate the diaphragm and a frame surrounding the diaphragm.

Abstract: A sensor including at least two active areas for receiving light energy and a resistive layer disposed on each of the at least two active areas for providing a pair of current signals corresponding to a position of light energy of a predetermined wavelength striking the active area. The two or more active areas are electrically isolated from each other and operate independent of each other. Preferably, the two or more active areas are electrically isolated with silicon dioxide.

Abstract: An apparatus monitors at least one fuel quality characteristic of fuel passing through a fuel delivery system of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a fuel rail assembly connectable to the fuel delivery system of the motor vehicle. A fuel rail assembly has at least one housing associated with either a pressure regulator or an accumulator. A sensor is associated with the fuel rail assembly for measuring at least one characteristic of fuel quality of fuel passing through the fuel rail assembly. At least one characteristic includes temperature and/or impedance. The sensor can include a pair of plates spaced from one another by a gap of between approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1.0 mm, inclusive, for measuring impedance across the gap.

Abstract: For a motor vehicle, a brake system, an antilock electro-hydraulic hybrid brake system, and a method of braking. The brake system includes at least one first wheel assembly including a non-antilock brake apparatus with a first actuator, and at least one wheel assembly including an antilock brake apparatus with a second actuator. A received brake signal activates at least one of the first and second actuators to provide a braking force for the vehicle. A front wheel set may include the first wheel assembly with the first actuator being hydraulic. A rear wheel set may include the second wheel assembly with the second actuator being electric. The method includes receiving a brake signal, applying a non-antilock brake force to at least one wheel assembly based on the received brake signal, and applying an antilock brake force to at least one wheel assembly based on the received brake signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for providing an improved controlled airflow within a vacuum booster system. The system includes a vacuum booster assembly having a primary chamber and a secondary chamber, and an outer tube having a first end and a second end, the first end in communication with the secondary chamber of the vacuum booster assembly. The system additionally includes an airflow control assembly operably coupled to the second end of the outer tube, and an inner tube, concentric to the outer tube, having a first end and a second end, the first end operably coupled to the airflow control assembly, the second end in communication with the primary chamber of the vacuum booster assembly. In the system, air flows from the primary chamber of the vacuum booster assembly to the airflow control assembly within the inner tube and air flows from the airflow control assembly to the secondary chamber of the vacuum booster assembly within the outer tube.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid formulation comprising magnetizable particles dispersed in a non-aqueous, glycol-based liquid vehicle thickened effectively by either a fully treated fumed silica or an organoclay. The surface treated fumed silica is fully treated with a treatment molecule having a molecular weight of at least about 200. The organoclay comprises sepiolite and/or palygorskite. The glycol-based fluid advantageously consists essentially of propylene glycol and optionally ethylene glycol.