Abstract: A composition and plate-making process for a lead acid battery for reducing active material shrinkage in negative battery plates. A polymer is mixed with lead oxide, water, an expander and sulfuric acid to form a negative paste composition comprising the expander and basic lead sulfate crystals with the polymer absorbed on the crystal surfaces. The paste having the polymer addition is then pasted onto a grid where the paste is dried, cured and reacted to form a negative battery plate of the lead acid battery. The negative battery plate comprises a sponge lead negative active mass that exhibits less shrinkage by virtue of the polymer addition.

Abstract: A capacity control system for a variable capacity refrigerant compressor includes an internal bleed passage coupling a crankcase chamber of the compressor to a suction port, an electrically-operated two-port control valve that selectively opens and closes a passage between the crankcase chamber and a discharge chamber, and pressure sensors for measuring the compressor discharge pressure and suction pressure. A plunger of the control valve is disposed within the passage coupling the crankcase chamber and the discharge chamber, and a solenoid armature linearly positions the plunger within the passage to open and close the passage. The plunger has an axial bore that forms a continuous passage between the discharge chamber and a cavity in which the discharge pressure sensor is retained so that the sensor is continuously exposed to the discharge pressure regardless of the plunger position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for manufacturing an exhaust emission control device, and the exhaust emission control device formed thereby. The method of manufacturing an exhaust emission control device, comprises: disposing a viscous-elastic material around at least a portion of a substrate to form a wrapped element. The wrapped element is compressed at a first compression rate and at a second compression rate that is slower than the first compression rate, and the wrapped element is introduced into a housing.

Abstract: A dual-coil outwardly-opening fuel injector including a fuel tube connected at a lower end to a lower injector housing. Within the fuel tube are a lower (opening) solenoid pole piece, a specially-formed armature, and an upper (closing) solenoid pole piece. A seat assembly including an injector nozzle, swirler, and valve seat are adjustably threaded into the lower housing. A pintle assembly, including a solid pintle portion supporting a valve head and a tubular portion welded thereto, is axially disposed within the fuel tube and is welded to the armature which is spaced from the lower pole piece by a distance equal to the opening stroke of the valve. A return spring adjustment mechanism disposed on the upper pole piece engages the upper end of the pintle assembly for varying the closing force of the return spring. Opening and closing solenoid preassemblies are mounted external to the fuel tube for magnetically engaging the pole pieces and armature within in known fashion.

Abstract: An aluminum-based die casting alloy exhibiting improved corrosion resistance and good die-castability contains from about 4.5 to about 12 percent silicon by weight, at least 87 percent aluminum by weight, from about 0.25 percent to about 0.6 percent manganese by weight, and a maximum of 0.2 percent copper by weight. The alloys preferably contain iron in an amount sufficient to improve hot tear resistance and to decrease the tendency for die sticking or soldering during die casting.

Abstract: A fuel rail permeant collection system includes a substantially impermeable enclosure surrounding a fuel rail on an internal combustion engine. Preferably, the enclosure is in communication with air intake means for the engine, for example, the intake manifold or runners from the manifold to the engine cylinders, such that fuel collected by the enclosure can be evaporated and passed into the intake means for combustion by the engine. The system may be included in a vehicle vapor purge circuit from a fuel tank emissions-control canister system.

Abstract: An assembly for sensing travel by a piston in a master cylinder comprises a magnet and a retainer for retaining the magnet proximate the piston. An orientation screw engages an axial slot in the piston to inhibit rotation of the piston.

Abstract: A dynamic side-to-side braking method is disclosed. First, when the vehicle is in a combined braking and cornering maneuver, a desired braking force among tires of a vehicle is determined. Second, a brake force distribution of the desired braking force among the tires is determined. The brake force distribution is approximately proportional to a normal force distribution among the tires during the combined braking and cornering maneuver by the vehicle. When the vehicle excludes an active steering system, front or rear, the brake force distribution is determined as a function of a feedback correction to counterbalance a portion of a yaw moment experienced by the vehicle during the combined braking and cornering maneuver. When the vehicle includes an active steering system, front or rear, a steering correction is determined to counterbalance a portion of the yaw moment experienced by the vehicle during the combined braking and cornering maneuver.

Abstract: A control method for controlling the timing of fuel injection in a fuelling system for an engine comprising a fuel injector supplied with fuel from a source of fuel at high pressure, comprises varying a drive current which is supplied to the fuel injector at a first time so as to initiate or terminate a primary injection of fuel and monitoring the pressure of fuel within the source so as to detect when a variation in fuel pressure occurs. A time delay is measured, which represents the difference in time between the first time and a second, later time at which a variation in fuel pressure within the source is detected.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt, a detent that holds the forkbolt in a latched position, a release mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock mechanism for disabling the release mechanism. The detent is moved by an intermittent lever that is part of the release mechanism and part of the locking mechanism. A lock lever forming part of the lock mechanism moves the intermittent lever back and forth between an unlock position where the intermittent lever drives the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock position where the intermittent lever free wheels with respect to the detent. The intermittent lever is pivotally connected to an unlatching lever of the release mechanism that is operated by inside and outside release levers. The lock lever includes a lower lock lever, an upper lock lever and a spring that stores energy when the lower lock lever pivots with respect to the upper lock lever.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser control system including a camshaft target wheel, the target wheel having first and second teeth for measuring camshaft oscillatory instability. The trailing edge of the first tooth coincides with the negative camshaft oscillation peak, and the trailing edge of the second tooth coincides with the positive camshaft oscillation peak. During each camshaft rotation, each tooth initiates an input signal to generate first and second input signals in known fashion. During crankshaft rotation, a third input signal is generated corresponding to the rotational position of the crankshaft. From these signals, operational camshaft oscillatory instability is computed by an engine monitoring system (EMS). Any deviation from the operational instability while the engine is operating is a direct measurement of oscillatory instability of the camshaft about its nominal holding position. A change in oscillatory instability is inferred as system malfunction, permitting defensive action to be taken by the EMS.

Abstract: A motor vehicle automatic climate control determines HVAC parameter values for satisfying the required heating or cooling effort for steady-state cabin air temperature regulation, and controls the HVAC settings based such parameter values and on the deviation of the cabin air temperature (Tcabin) from the set temperature (TSET). If Tcabin is within a specified control band about TSET, the HVAC settings are controlled in accordance with the determined HVAC parameter values, but when Tcabin overshoots or undershoots the control band, the control enters a quasi-steady-state mode in which the control parameters are reset to drive Tcabin back in to the control band, and then brought into correspondence with the respective determined values based on the degree to which the overall control objective of regulating Tcabin at TSET is achieved.

Abstract: A side curtain air bag assembly for use in protection of an occupant within a vehicle which has a roof and a side structure below the roof. The assembly includes an inflatable air bag curtain adapted for inflation away from the vehicle roof in covering relation to at least a portion of the side structure between the side structure and an occupant. The assembly further includes a directional guide assembly including a dynamic guide element operatively connected to the inflatable air bag curtain such that upon inflation of the inflatable air bag curtain away from the vehicle roof, the dynamic guide element is carried in a direction extending away from the vehicle roof. Upon application of a tensioning force between the inflatable air bag curtain and the dynamic guide element having a vertical force component projecting towards the vehicle roof and a horizontal force component projecting into the inflatable air bag curtain the dynamic guide element is substantially locked into place at a position below the roof.

Abstract: A heating, venting, and air conditioning system utilizes a reformer to provide supplemental heat to a passenger compartment and to improve start-up emissions of an engine of a vehicle or power system. A pump circulates a fluid through the engine and throughout the system. A radiator and heater core transfer heat from the fluid. A first circuit cools the fluid upon circulation through the radiator after circulation through the engine to cool the engine, and a second circuit heats the passenger compartment and cools the fluid upon circulation through the heater core after circulation through the engine to cool the engine. The reformer, which converts a hydrocarbon or alcohol fuel into a reformate, generates heat. A third circuit, defined between the reformer and the pump and interconnected with the heater core, provides the supplemental heat from the reformer to the passenger compartment through the heater core and also to the engine.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint includes a rotatable wheel hub for mounting a wheel of a vehicle which serves as the outer race of the joint. The hub is formed with a through bore that includes a part spherical surface at an inboard end of the hub. An inner joint is installed through the open outboard end and is formed with a plurality of ball grooves whose centers are offset with respect to the center of the joint, forcing balls within the grooves toward the installation end of the hub. A ball retainer device is disposed in the wheel hub bore to retain the balls and seal the joint.

Abstract: An all wheel steering system for a vehicle comprising a controller having a first input for receiving a signal from a hand wheel position sensor, a second input for receiving a signal from a vehicle speed sensor, and a third input for receiving a signal that varies depending upon whether a trailer is hitched the vehicle. The controller generates an output for controlling a rear wheel steering actuator. The output varies as a function of the first, second, and third inputs such that when a trailer is hitched to the vehicle the out-of-phase rear steer amount at low speeds is reduced and the in-phase rear steering amount at high speeds is increased.

Abstract: An air bag cover assembly for disposition within an automotive vehicle dash panel in overlying relation to an inflatable air bag cushion. The cover assembly includes a door structure having a displaceable interior portion. Upon application of force from the inflatable air bag cushion, the interior portion is displaceable in a hinging manner relative to dash panel and undergoes internal deformation to facilitate desired deployment characteristics for a given configuration.

Abstract: A metering valve arrangement comprises a metering valve member which is angularly adjustable within a metering valve bore provided in a metering valve housing and an adjustment arrangement for adjusting the axial position of the metering valve member within the metering valve bore. The metering valve arrangement includes a first opening provided in the metering valve member which is registerable with a first outlet provided in the metering valve housing to control a first rate of flow of fluid through the first outlet depending on the angular position of the metering valve member within the bore, and a second opening provided in the metering valve member which is registerable with a second outlet provided in the metering valve housing to control a second rate of flow of fluid through the second outlet.

Abstract: A torque bias coil spring for a camshaft phaser disposed on the outside of a cover plate for the rotor chamber and connected between the stator and rotor for angularly biasing the rotor. A rotor extension, such as a sleeve for a locking pin mechanism or a target wheel unit, extends from the rotor chamber through an opening in the cover plate for engaging a first spring tang. The second tang of the spring is engaged by a phaser binder bolt. The spring thus is able to follow the rotary motion of the rotor within the rotor chamber and to bias the rotor toward a predetermined rotational extreme.

Abstract: A multi-stage internal gear fuel pump for a vehicle includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a motor disposed in the housing. The multi-stage internal gear fuel pump also includes a shaft extending axially and disposed in the housing for rotation by the motor. The multi-stage internal gear fuel pump further includes a plurality of pumping modules disposed axially along the shaft and each having an internal gear and an external gear cooperating with each other for rotation by the motor to pump fuel from the inlet to the outlet.