Abstract: A control system for an electric heater, e.g., an electric catalyst heater (ECH), includes a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a switching element, and a control circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the current sensor, the voltage sensor and a control terminal of the switching element and varies a control signal on the control terminal to maintain the temperature of the heating element within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A tripot universal joint has a plurality of roller assemblies that are rotatably mounted on respective trunnions of a spider that is attached to a drive shaft and that run in respective longitudinal grooves or tracks of a housing. Each roller assembly includes a roller and a needle roller bearing for rotatably mounting the roller on a roller carrier. Each needle bearing includes a plurality of needle rollers and a cage. The cage has spaced end rings that are connected by a plurality of cross bars to form a plurality of roller receiving pockets for receiving the needle rollers and retaining the needle rollers with respect to the roller in the longitudinal or axial direction, and conformations that cooperate with the roller to retain the cage with respect to the roller in the longitudinal or axial direction.

Abstract: A coil assembly includes a spool having a wire wound therearound to establish a coil. A spool terminal extends from the spool and the end of the wire is wound around the spool terminal. A connector housing is coupled to the spool and a connector terminal extends therefrom. A portion of the connector terminal is adjacent to a portion of the spool terminal. Thus, the connector terminal can be relatively easily resistance welded or soldered to the spool terminal.

Abstract: A multi-pin electrical connector including a first connector portion and a second connector portion. Seal retaining rings snapped into the connector portions seal and retain cavity terminal blocks located within each respective connector portion. A locking collar employs a ramped locking feature to snap and secure the first and second connector portions in an interlocked, assembled state. The multi-pin electrical connector can be composed entirely of non-metallic components.

Abstract: A gas sensor is created comprising an electrochemical cell having a solid electrolyte layer disposed between an exhaust gas electrode and a reference electrode. A resistor is disposed in electrical communication with a heater and the reference electrode. The resistor can be disposed on a side of the gas sensor; on a side of the gas sensor such that the resistor is electrically connected through a via hole; over at least a portion of at least two sides of the gas sensor; or disposed in a void extending at least from the heater to the pump electrode, such that the void extends to at least a surface of the gas sensor, extends to at least partially through the gas sensor, or extends completely through the gas sensor. A method for using this gas sensor comprises applying a voltage to the heater within the gas sensor. A current is directed through the resistor to the reference electrode to pump oxygen into the reference electrode.

Abstract: A roll arming sensor is provided for determining an arming signal for use on a vehicle for rollover detection. The roll arming sensor includes a light source for generating a light beam and a receiver for detecting the light beam. Disposed substantially horizontal between the light source and receiver are first and second cylindrical members, both oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The first and second cylindrical members each have a window extending therethrough for passing the light beam during normal vehicle travel. Each of the first and second cylindrical members are movable to a second position upon experiencing an armed condition, such as a roll event, to prevent the optical beam from passing to the receiver, thereby generating an arming signal for use with a rollover sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a solenoid-actuated charcoal canister purge valve to control the flow of purge fuel that is supplied via the purge valve to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The method includes generating a preselected input duty cycle for use in energizing the solenoid-actuated purge valve that is registered by a microcontroller. The solenoid-actuated purge valve is energized using the input duty cycle to generate an output duty cycle from a current driver in operable communication with the microcontroller. The output duty cycle dictates the quantity of purge fuel flow to the cylinder by controlling the active period of energizing the solenoid. A feedback voltage (Vfb) from the solenoid-actuated purge valve is measured, wherein the feedback voltage (Vfb) corresponds to a feedback duty cycle (DCfb).

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a high voltage (HV) terminal formed of stamped sheet metal configured to be disposed in a secondary winding spool, and to which a high voltage end of the secondary winding is attached and soldered. The ignition apparatus further includes an electrically conductive cup configured to surround the high voltage terminal when the secondary winding spool is inserted in the case. The high voltage terminal has one end that comes into engagement with an inner annular surface of the cup. The cup includes an annular sidewall that extends axially up to a winding flange where a HV end of the secondary winding exits a winding bay thereby surrunding the exiting HV secondary winding wire. The cup provides for a reduced electric field concentration.

Abstract: A locking pin mechanism disposed in a bore in a cam phaser rotor vane for controllably engaging the camshaft sprocket to rotationally lock together the rotor and stator of a vane-type camshaft phaser. A lock pin sleeve in the bore extends from the vane through a slot in the cover plate. Disposed within the sleeve is a slidable lock pin having a locking head for engaging the sprocket and a tail portion extending through the outer end of the sleeve. The tail portion of the lock pin may be manually retracted by an operator while the phaser is being installed or removed from the engine, thus preventing damage from high torque exerted via the phaser attachment bolt in bolting the phaser to the engine.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor including a first electrode that has at least one conducting surface being disposed for receiving an alternating current signal, and a second electrode that has at least one conducting surface being disposed to generate an input signal for a detecting device. The sensor further includes a middle electrode that has at least one conducting surface placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, as well as being grounded to a ground. The at least one conducting surface of the middle electrode, the at least one conducting surface of the first electrode, and the at least one conducting surface of the second electrode are contained within a holding material holding within itself the first electrode, the second electrode and the middle electrode.

Abstract: A method of making an interior trim panel for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes the steps of placing a trim insert into a cavity of an apparatus and over a first seal thereof. The method also includes the steps of loading a retainer over the trim insert to sandwich the trim insert between the retainer and the first seal and closing the apparatus. The method further includes the steps of filling the cavity with a plastic material and introducing steam into the apparatus to expand the plastic material to form a substrate and bonding the substrate against the trim insert to form an interior trim panel.

Abstract: An impulse noise suppression circuit for an integrator-based ion current signal processing system includes a one-shot circuit activated by a trigger signal that is produced when a noise transient in a bandpass filtered ion current signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. The output pulse of the one-shot circuit is selected to have a pulse width configured to mask a substantial portion of the noise transient without masking the remaining filtered ion current signal during the remainder of a knock window in which knock is detected.

Abstract: A central bolt for attaching a camshaft phaser to a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The bolt also functions as oil supply means and is provided with a first longitudinal passage, for supplying engine oil under pressure from a front camshaft bearing to an oil control valve disposed in an outer cover of the phaser, and with second and third longitudinal passages for supplying phaser control oil from the oil control valve to advance and retard chambers within the phaser.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a rotatable hub and at least one disc supported on the hub for rotation therewith about an axis, and slideable axially along the hub. A guide member is disposed between the hub and disc. A spring member is separately formed from the guide member and acts between the guide member and the hub to impart a constant radial force against the guide member and thus the disc in such manner as to position the guide member in constant engagement with the disc to maintain alignment and prevent rattling of the disc on the hub.

Abstract: A steering lock mechanism having an actuator communicating with a lock bolt is provided allowing for more space in the vicinity where a steering wheel is supported by an upper steering shaft. Additionally, a bolt engaging device is supported adjacent a lower end of the upper steering shaft in a position to engage a lock bolt such that any torque forces transmitted through the bolt engaging device will not cause damage to either the device or other components of the steering column. The actuator is rotated about an axis from a first position to a second position to cause the lock bolt communicating with the actuator to advance towards the lower end of the upper steering shaft from a locked position to an unlocked position, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical contacts that comprise spaced electrically conductive particles embedded and bonded into the surface of conductors in which the particles have been kinetically sprayed onto the conductors with sufficient energy to form direct mechanical bonds between the particles and the conductors in a pre-selected location and particle number density that promotes high surface-to-surface contact and reduced contact resistance between the conductors.

Abstract: A balanced angular accelerometer is provided having a substrate, a fixed electrode with a plurality of fixed capacitive plates, and a rotational inertia mass with a central opening and substantially suspended over a cavity and including a plurality of movable capacitive plates arranged to provide a capacitive coupling with the first plurality of fixed capacitive plates. The accelerometer has a central member and an outer member fixed to the substrate. According to one embodiment, a plurality of inner support arms extend between the central member and the inertia mass and a plurality of outer support arms extend between the inertia mass and the outer member to support the mass over the cavity. According to another embodiment, one or more cut out apertures are formed in the inertia mass to compensate for a channel and signal line so as to balance the inertia mass about the center of the inertia mass.

Abstract: An independent steering and/or braking control to improve motor vehicle stability and stopping utilizes a steer-by-wire system that includes a steering input system, a controller in electronic communication with the steering input system, and a plurality of roadwheel systems. Each of the roadwheel systems is in electronic communication with the controller, and each roadwheel system includes a steering actuator and a steerable wheel rotatably and operably connected to the steering actuator. The steerable wheel is configured to be angled independent of other steerable wheels and relative to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle. A method of stopping the motor vehicle as it travels includes angling a pair of the steerable wheels thereof in opposing directions.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a power operated release mechanism for moving a detent from a latched position to a release position comprising a slide that engages the detent at one end and a rotary cam that engages an opposite end of the slide sot that the slide reciprocates when the rotary cam is rotated by an electric motor. The electric motor drives the cam via a concentric gear wheel that has a pin engaging the rotary cam. A forkbolt rotates a rotary block out lever from a by-pass position to a block out position where the block-out lever engages a shoulder of the gear wheel to stop rotation of the gear wheel when the forkbolt is moved to an unlatched position. The vehicle door latch also includes a mechanical override mechanism to rotate the rotary cam to unlatch the vehicle door latch.