Abstract: An electrode fluid distributor includes a fluid passageway having a plurality of segment pairs each including an inlet segment in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet segment in fluid communication with an outlet. The fluid passageway may have a length greater than the longest dimension of the distributor. Further, a plurality of fluid passageways may be provided, wherein at least one of the fluid passageways includes at least one turn. A baffle is disposed between adjacent inlet segments and outlet segments of the fluid passageway. Each inlet segment is in fluid communication with adjacent inlet segments and adjacent outlet segments, and each outlet segment is in fluid communication with adjacent outlet segments.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method provides a sensor assembly for sensing rotor sector position relative to a plurality of angular sectors. The method allows starting the machine in a brushless direct current mode of operation using a calculated initial rotor position based on angular sector position information from the sensor assembly. Upon reaching a predefined mode-crossover criterion, the method allows switching to a sinusoidal mode of operation using rotor angle position based on extrapolating angular sector position information from the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A weldless flanged catalytic converter includes a body having an exhaust inlet end and an outlet end, and a snorkel tube disposed at one or both the exhaust inlet and outlet ends. The snorkel tube has a first end extending from the converter body and a second, distal end having a weldless flange that is integrally formed from the snorkel tube. A movable flange is disposed about the snorkel tube prior to the formation of the weldless flange. A method for preparing the weldless flanged catalytic converter includes disposing a movable flange (configured with the required tapped holes or other connecting means) over the snorkel tube of the converter. A second, weldless flange is prepared by flanging out a portion of the catalytic converter snorkel tube using appropriate metal forming techniques. In use, the weldless flange is held between the movable flange on the snorkel tube and a connecting flange from, for example, the exhaust system.

Abstract: A backup power supply, comprising: a storage medium for holding an electrical charge and being configured to be connected and disconnected from an electrical device; a source of intermittent power coupled to a power supply and the electrical device being configured to provide an amount of power to the electrical device for a period of time long enough to connect the storage medium to the electrical device. An operating system for determining whether the electrical device requires power from the storage medium. In one embodiment the operating system monitors the current of the source of intermittent power and if the current exceeds a predetermined limit the operating system couples the storage medium to the electrical device by manipulating the position of a switching device disposed between the electrical storage medium and the electrical device.

Abstract: A securing system, in particular for motor vehicles, comprises at least one multi-functional sensor, which is simultaneously provided both as a radar unit and as a transmitter/receiver unit for communicating with an external device such as a user identifying transponder. The device may have multiple transmitters and/or receivers spatially situated to determine whether the external device is inside or outside the vehicle and may emit a HF-modulated signal that is frequency shifted and re-emitted by the external device and received by the multi-function sensor, wherein a security function may be performed based on both identifying information in the re-emitted HF-modulated signal and the distance to the transponder determined from the time duration between emission of the HF-modulated signal and reception of the re-emitted HF-modulated signal.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount provides active control of dip rate performance through use of an orifice track connecting a primary pumping chamber of the mount to a secondary fluid chamber having a movable wall, and an actuator for regulating pressure applied to the movable wall for controlling movement of the movable wall. With little or no pressure applied to the movable wall, the mount provides significant isolation and very little damping in a predetermined and designed frequency range. As pressure is applied to the movable wall, the stiffness of the mount is increased significantly, to thereby provide substantial damping.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly transferring data between a plurality of vehicular sensors and an electronic communication unit. The system and the method further conserve energy by providing a method for controlling and intermittently transmitting data. The system further comprises a method and component whereby power may be generated and/or stored for use in powering the wireless vehicular wheel sensor transceivers. Finally, a system and method for identifying the vehicular sensors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hermetic package of a type used to contain a sensing element, such as an infrared sensing element. The package comprises a base having a base wall and sidewalls surrounding the base wall to define a first recess within the base. The sensing element is fabricated on a device chip disposed within the first recess. A lid is hermetically sealed with the base to enclose the sensing element. The lid defines a second recess that communicates with the first recess, such that the first and second recesses define a continuous cavity between the lid and the base and in which the device chip is contained. The depth of the second recess is preferably at least about half the depth of the sensing element within the first recess, such that neither the lid nor the base are required to have a deep recess that defines essentially the entire cavity in which the device chip is contained.

Abstract: An improved low-cost pressure sensor assembly incorporates a stainless steel sensor element welded to an outboard face of a stainless steel insert captured in a low-cost metal pressure port adapted for attachment to a pneumatic valve. The pressure port includes outboard and inboard cavities separated by neck portion; the stainless steel insert is captured in the outboard cavity, while the inboard cavity is adapted for attachment to the pneumatic valve. The stainless steel insert includes a base portion that seats against an O-ring in a floor of the outboard cavity, and a stem portion within the O-ring that extends axially through the neck portion of the pressure port and into its inboard cavity. The insert has a first bore that extends axially from its outboard face into, but not through, the stem portion, and a second bore that intersects the first bore and opens into the inboard cavity of the pressure port.

Abstract: A gerotor pump for pressurizing gasoline fuel is capable of developing pressures up to 2.0 MPa with good mechanical and volumetric efficiency and satisfying the durability requirements for an automotive fuel pump. The pump has been designed with optimized clearances and by including features that promote the formation of lubricating films of pressurized fuel. Features of the improved pump include the use of a shadow port in the side plate opposite the outlet port to promote balancing of high fuel pressures on the opposite sides of the rotors. Inner and outer rotors have predetermined side clearances with the clearances of the outer rotor being greater than those of the inner rotor in order to promote fuel pressure balance on the sides of the outer rotor. Support of the inner rotor and a drive shaft on a single bushing with bearing sleeves maintains concentricity. Additional features are disclosed.

Abstract: A lead-containing glass material of the type suitable for use in a wafer bonding process, wherein the moisture resistance of the glass material is increased by the presence of a lead phosphate coating on an outer exposed surface of the material, thereby acting as a barrier to reaction of moisture with the lead of the glass material. A source of reactive phosphate ions is applied to the glass material so as to spontaneously form the desired lead phosphate coating.

Abstract: A master cylinder comprises a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a proportioner valve. The secondary piston is engaged with the primary piston, and the proportioner valve is disposed within the secondary piston.

Abstract: A valve seat/director unit the combines the functions of an injector valve seat and a separate spray director plate into an integral unit combining both functions. The unit is a generally flat plate having an outer portion with at least one sealing rib. A central portion includes at least one endless rib forming a valve seat and surrounding a spray director including a recessed area communicating with at least one fuel spray opening. Upper surfaces of the sealing rib(s) and valve seat are preferably flat and coplanar with one another for engagement by cooperating surfaces of an injector member and a valve member, respectively.

Abstract: A lead-free solder alloy consisting essentially of, by weight, 3.0% to 3.5% silver, greater than 1% to about 15% copper, the balance tin and incidental impurities, and having an effective melting range of about 215° C. to about 222° C. The solder alloy is noneutectic, and therefore characterized by solidus and liquidus temperatures, the former being in a range of about 215° C. to about 218° C., while the latter is about 290° C. or more. However, the melting mechanism exhibited by the alloy is such that the alloy is substantially all melted and does not exhibit a “mushy zone” above the effective melting range, enabling the alloy to behave similarly to the SnAgCu eutectic alloy.

Abstract: An evaporative control valve for a vehicle. The valve has a valve body for containing a solenoid that manipulates a plunger between an open position and a closed position the plunger has a valve end. The valve body also has a receiving area, a first port, as well as a conduit for connecting the first port to the receiving area. A port member is received and engaged within the receiving area and the port member provides a passageway from the receiving area to outside the valve body and the valve end seals the passageway when the plunger is in its closed position. The port member is inserted into the receiving area by a guide pin and the guide pin sets the stroke of the plunger as it is inserted into the receiving area.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for braking a motor vehicle having a wheel. The apparatus comprises a parking brake switch and a brake. The parking brake switch is actuatable by an operator. The brake is in electrical communication with the parking brake switch, and is adapted to apply a first braking force to the wheel when the parking brake switch is actuated and the vehicle is traveling at a first speed, and to apply a second braking force to the wheel when the parking brake switch is actuated and the vehicle is traveling at a second speed. The present invention also provides a method of controlling an electric parking brake of a motor vehicle having at least two wheels.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic brake rotor having an integral tone ring is provided. A sensor is positioned adjacent to the rotor for sensing magnetic property variations in the ferromagnetic brake rotor. Magnetic property variations in a ferromagnetic brake rotor disc are sensed. Rotational properties for a wheel attached to the ferromagnetic brake rotor disc are determined based on the magnetic property variations. A brake system is then modulated based on to the rotational properties the wheel.

Abstract: A catalyst composition is disclosed for the reduction of soot and undesirable gaseous emissions from engine exhaust, particularly exhaust from diesel engines. The catalyst contains an alkali metal catalytic metal oxide, preferably lithium platinum oxide, in which the catalytic metal is atomically isolated. For improved performance in a diesel particulate filter, the alkali catalytic metal oxide is uniformly dispersed on an alkali metal aluminate such as lithium aluminate. Also disclosed is the catalytic device comprising this catalyst.

Abstract: A canister is attached to a header tank and includes an upper inlet and a lower outlet. Before end cap is brazed to close the bottom of canister, a tube of desiccant material is installed into the canister by a standoff. The standoff includes a disk shaped base and narrow central post which is comparable in length to the height of the inlet above the lower end cap. This is followed by inserting a spur of a higher melting temperature into the canister into a position and extending radially from the post and into an interference fit with the interior wall of the canister that is tighter than the interference fit between the base and the canister.

Abstract: An energy system is formed of a plurality of battery cells, and has an application associated therewith that draws power from the energy system. As the application is being used, voltage and current measurements are taken at a predetermined rate, and stored in a history table to create a series of time-based measurements. The measurements stored in the history table are then processed to compute an impedance parameter value corresponding to the AC impedance of the energy system This impedance parameter value is then stored in a memory buffer where it can be used to carry out various diagnotic and control functions.