Abstract: A method and system for determining the velocity of a rotating device is described herein. The system includes an apparatus with a set of sense magnets affixed to a rotating shaft of the rotating device and a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly includes a circuit interconnection having a plurality of sense coils and sensors affixed thereto. The circuit assembly is adapted be in proximity to the set of sense magnets on the rotating part. A controller is coupled to the circuit assembly, where the controller executes an adaptive algorithm that determines the velocity of the rotating device. The algorithm is a method of combining a derived velocity with a velocity from the tachometer.

Abstract: A method for metallurgically attaching a tube to a member. A member having a wall is obtained. The wall includes opposing first and second sides and includes a partial extrusion extending above the first side. The partial extrusion has a through hole. A tube having an end portion is obtained. The tube and the member are positioned with the end portion contacting the second side of the wall proximate the partial extrusion. A resistance welding current path is created through the tube and the member proximate the end portion and the partial extrusion, and the end portion is relatively moved into and deformingly against the partial extrusion creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the end portion and at least some of the partial extrusion.

Abstract: A method for resistance welding a tube to a member. A tube is obtained having an axially-extending first portion and having a tube form which extends transversely from the first portion. The tube form has at least one axial projection. The tube and the member are positioned with the at-least-one axial projection in contact with the member. A resistance welding current path is created through the member and the tube including the at-least-one axial projection creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the at-least-one axial projection and at least some of the member.

Abstract: A method is directed to controlling a traction control system including a controllable center coupling and a controlled brake system. The method provides for receiving axle speed information, receiving a vehicle speed, determining at least one difference value between the vehicle speed and the axle speed information, and activating the controllable center coupling and the controlled brake system responsive to the difference values. The step of activating the controllable center coupling responsive to at least one of the difference values may include comparing the at least one difference value to at least one associated threshold value, and activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison. The step of activating the controllable center coupling based on the comparison may include determining an engine torque request value based on the comparison, and engaging an engine with the controllable center coupling based on the engine torque request value.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve member which is engageable with a valve seating to control fuel delivery from the injector, an actuator arrangement and an amplifier arrangement for transmitting movement of the actuator arrangement to the valve member. The amplifier arrangement comprises a piston member with which the actuator arrangement is cooperable to apply a retracting force to the piston member, and a control chamber for fluid. The amplifier arrangement preferably comprises a mechanical coupling arrangement for coupling movement of the piston member to the valve member upon application of an initial retracting force to the piston member.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension damper with integrated hydraulic fluid filter. A vehicle suspension damper assembly is provided. A damper containing hydraulic fluid and a filter screen internal to the suspension damper are provided. Hydraulic fluid in the damper is filtered by the internal filter during operation of the suspension damper assembly. A vehicle including a vehicle suspension damper assembly with internal hydraulic fluid filtration is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetorheological piston includes a body having a substantially magnetically energizable passageway and a substantially magnetically non-energizable passageway. The substantially magnetically non-energizable passageway has a valveless passageway throat and has a flow cross-sectional area which has a minimum at the passageway throat and which is larger away from the passageway throat. A magnetorheological damper includes a cylinder and the above-described magnetorheological piston, wherein the piston is positioned in, and slideably engages, the cylinder.

Abstract: A motor for reducing torque ripple includes a shaft having a shaft axis, a rotor positioned about the shaft, a first magnet ring positioned on the rotor, the first magnet ring having magnets each occupying a magnet angle &dgr; on the rotor, and a second magnet ring positioned on the rotor, the second magnet ring having magnets each occupying a magnet angle &dgr; on the rotor, wherein the second magnet ring is shifted a non-zero number of degrees relative to the first magnet ring and wherein ends of each magnet within the second magnet ring are located at different angular positions than ends of each magnet within the first magnet ring relative to the shaft axis of the shaft. The magnet angle &dgr; is preferably an optimal magnet angle for minimizing cogging torque and line to line back emf harmonics.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-rattle valve feature for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning assembly. In a typical HVAC assembly each end of an air valve shaft is received in a pivot hole permitting the air valve shaft to rotate within the assembly. Because the inside diameter of the pivot holes are larger than the outside diameter of the ends of the air valve shaft, the air valve shaft may rattle within the pivot holes. Disclosed is a finger that contacts the air valve shaft to apply pressure to the air valve shaft and biases an end of the air valve shaft against the inside of it pivot hole, thereby preventing rattling of the air valve shaft within its respective pivot holes.

Abstract: An MR fluid formulation comprising water-atomized iron powder dispersed in a liquid vehicle, wherein the atomized iron powder contributes to a higher magnetic effect, a lower viscosity and suitability for high temperature applications. The magnetizable particles are prepared by controlled water atomization and comprise iron having a passivating oxide surface layer. The passivating oxide surface layer advantageously comprises iron oxide and at least one alloying metal oxide, such as manganese oxide. Advantageously, the particles have a grain size of at least 4 &mgr;m and a mean diameter in the range of about 8-25 &mgr;m. The liquid vehicle advantageously comprises a mixture of at least two liquid components of different surface functionality and an organoclay stabilization mixture in which at least one organoclay is selected for each liquid vehicle component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an accumulation of particles with a medium such as the soot content in diesel engine oil including generating a first waveform at a first frequency and a first voltage level to produce a standing wave having a voltage null point where at least a portion of the standing wave is passed within a portion of the oil. Generating a second waveform at a second frequency and a second voltage level to place a signal associated with a second voltage null point at a detection location for determining the signal's null point voltage level. The percentage soot content of the oil may be determined by taking the ratio of the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage over the null point voltage at the detection point. This ratio is indicative of the percentage soot content. The first and second waveforms may be produced by a variable frequency microwave source that is coupled with a coaxial cable have a probe affixed to its distal end for immersion in the oil.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for steering a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a back-drivable steer-by-wire system including a road wheel actuator assembly coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The road wheel actuator assembly defines a steering axis and the steering axis is off-set from a longitudinal axis of the wheel by a positive scrub radius. In an embodiment for a method in accordance with the present invention, a method to steer a vehicle after failure of a road wheel actuator assembly in a back-drivable steer-by-wire steering system is disclosed. The method includes the acts of applying a braking force to the wheel and generating a torque on the road wheel actuator assembly by the applied braking force acting through a positive scrub radius.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, a computer usable medium including a program, and a system for determining a vehicle payload condition. The method and computer usable medium include the steps of determining a first payload-state parameter, a second payload-state parameter, and at least one roll value. A first differential is determined based on the first payload-state parameter and the second payload-state parameter. A second differential is determined based on the first payload-state parameter and the roll value. A multiplier is determined. A payload estimate is determined based on the first payload differential, the second payload differential, and the multiplier. The system includes means for achieving the method steps of the invention.

Abstract: A valve and method of constructing same for a purge control device are provided. The valve includes an integral body. The valve further includes a resilient member inserted into the integral body. The resilient member is electromagnetically responsive so that the member can be selectively actuated between respective open and close conditions. An electromagnetic actuator is affixed to the integral body to generate an electromagnetic field for selectively actuating the resilient member between the open and closed conditions. The mass of the resilient member is sufficiently low so that the level of noise produced by the valve is correspondingly low.

Abstract: The present invention employs cylinder deactivation hardware and control systems to increase the heat rejected to the engine cooling system to improve heating of an internal combustion engine and a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The heat rejected to the cooling system is a result of an increase in combustion temperatures in the non-deactivated cylinders, due to increased work. The invention also includes a system to reduce the cooling system heat capacity. The invention provides heat quickly after a cold start and while operating at low engine operating points. This method and system are particularly suited to compression-ignition engines and direct-injection spark ignition engines that primarily operate lean of stoichiometry.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) mechanism includes a partial wrap output cam assembly and a partial wrap frame assembly. Each of the partial wrap cam assembly and the partial wrap frame assembly include a respective body and a respective shaft engaging means coupled to the body. The shaft-engaging means are configured for engaging an input shaft with a snap fit to thereby pivotally dispose the output cam assembly and the frame assembly upon the input shaft.

Abstract: In a retractable air supply connection system for air supply lines extending between a blower supply plenum and hot zone components of a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, each such hot zone component is provided with a socket for receiving a retractable connector. Each connector has first and second concentric expandable bellows connected between the plenum and a nipple element having a central passage and nipple for mating with the socket. The inner bellows is coaxial with the socket element and is connected to an individual supply port in the plenum for the particular hot zone component. The outer bellows is connected to the main blower output. A return spring between the hot zone component and the nipple element urges the nipple element from the socket to disconnect the supply line from the hot zone by collapsing the outer bellows to break the conductive heat path when the blower is inoperative.

Abstract: Sensor assembly and method for non-intrusively sensing instantaneous speed of an engine are provided. The engine includes a crankshaft have a respective end connected to an externally accessible bolt. The sensor assembly comprises a housing including a recess configured to affixingly engage the externally accessible bolt. The sensor assembly further comprises at least one motion-sensing device configured to provide a respective output signal indicative of angular motion information of the crankshaft. A signal transmitter coupled to the motion-sensing device configured to wirelessly transmit the output signal from the motion-sensing device.

Abstract: An actuator assembly operates a device in a normally open mode and a normally closed mode. The actuator assembly includes a bobbin around which a coil is wound. The coil receives an electrical current to induce a magnetic field thereabout. A rod extends along the longitudinal axis. The rod is movable along the longitudinal axis in response to the magnetic field. The actuator assembly also includes a plunger extending through a portion of the bobbin. The plunger is movable with respect thereto in response to changes in the magnetic field. The plunger includes a rod receptacle for fixedly securing the rod therein allowing the rod to move with the plunger. The plunger also includes an opposing rod receptacle allowing the rod to be received thereby when the actuator assembly is in the normally closed orientation.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning compressor with a capacity control valve improves oil retention in the crankcase with a crankcase to suction chamber passage that is formed through the central shaft. The passage inlet opening in the shaft is located within a central chamber inset into the cylinder block, and is thereby sheltered from the main chamber of the crankcase, although still open to the crankcase. So sheltering the inlet of the shaft passage between crankcase and suction chamber isolates the inlet from the greater turbulence and higher velocity gradients within main chamber of the crankcase. Less oil is thus forced through the passage and back out of the crankcase.