Abstract: A direct current electric motor having a reduced inertia rotor includes a stator affixed to a housing wherein the stator comprises a plurality of electrically conductive windings. The stator further defines a central cavity in which is mounted a rotor. The rotor comprises a shaft, at least two magnets affixed in a radially spaced manner from the shaft, and a rotor core between the shaft and magnets that is rotationally de-coupled from the shaft and the magnets.

Abstract: An encapsulation material suitable for dissipating heat generated by an electronic module, such as by directly contacting a heat-generating power device or contacting a heat sink of a heat-generating power device. The encapsulation material comprises phase change particles dispersed in a gel material. The phase change particles preferably comprise a solder alloy encapsulated by a dielectric coating so the phase change particles are electrically insulated from each other. The encapsulation material may further comprise dielectric particles dispersed in the gel material for the purpose of increasing the thermal conductivity of the encapsulation material. Alternatively or in addition, the dielectric coating on the phase change particles may comprise dielectric particles that are dispersed in a dielectric matrix, again with the preferred effect of increasing the thermal conductivity of the encapsulation material.

Abstract: A fuel pressure control for an alternate-fuel engine utilizes adaptively learned corrections for fuel injection pulsewidth to dynamically adjust a base fuel pressure control signal. The resulting fuel pressure control can thus be characterized as open-loop with closed-loop correction based on air/fuel ratio error. The control dynamically adjusts the fuel pressure in a manner to optimize the air/fuel ratio control instead of controlling to a predetermined pressure, and fuel pressure measurement is not required.

Abstract: A method for incorporating a conditional reset vector into a microprocessor's boot system to scan memory for a reset vector locator for finding valid boot software throughout the microprocessor's memory space. The conditional reset vector method of the present invention contains conditional logic that determines where in memory the reset vector locator can be found.

Abstract: A vehicle corner apparatus and method of fabricating a vehicle corner apparatus, utilize a wheel spindle adapted for receiving a self-tapping screw for securing a brake rotor to the wheel spindle. Using a self-tapping screw allows manufacturing and assembly costs to be significantly reduced, in comparison to prior vehicle corners that used a machine screw and a threaded hole in a wheel spindle for securing a rotor to the spindle, and provides greater assurance that the lateral run out of the brake rotor will be maintained at a lower value than can be achieved in prior vehicle corners. The wheel spindle includes a retaining screw hole having a conical web adapted to receive and facilitate installation and increase holding force of the self-tapping screw. The retaining screw hole may also include a counter bore for receipt of a locator pin that is used during subsequent formation of wheel bolt holes in the spindle.

Abstract: A suspension damper comprises a cylinder tube and a control partition. The cylinder tube is disposed within a reservoir tube to define a fluid reservoir, and has at least one first hole. The control partition is disposed in the fluid reservoir, and communicates with the at least one hole.

Abstract: An adaptive audio system that determines the status of various portal covers such as vehicle doors, windows, sun roofs, hatchbacks, and the like and uses this status information to modify properties of the audio output signal. By adapting the audio output signal of the audio system to the position or status of various vehicle portal covers, the quality and performance of the audio system can be further optimized.

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: An automatic gain control circuit that maximizes front-end signal attenuation is disclosed. The automatic gain control circuit comprises a keyed automatic gain control circuit and an intermodulation detector. The intermodulation detector detects signal interference and generates an intermodulation detection flag. The keyed automatic gain control circuit uses the intermodulation detection flag to control front-end signal attenuation. A method for maximizing front-end signal attenuation for the automatic gain control circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermopile structure containing improved heat sinks for thermocouples in the detectors is described. The heat sinks are provided without additional processing. The heat sinks are added by using “dummy traces” to the polysilicon mask. The “dummy traces” act as heat sinks to transfer of thermal energy from the narrow metallic traces used in the thermocouple. The “dummy traces” are not electrically connected to the thermopile, therefore they do not affect the electrical resistance of the thermopile. Also, the “dummy trace” does not add significant mass to the thermopile/membrane system; therefore they do not adversely affect the thermal conductance of the system.

Abstract: A pedal emulator assembly and method for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes at least one pedal for generating a dynamic reaction force against an applied pedal force. The pedal is deformed as a result of the applied pedal force. The assembly further includes at least one sensor operably attached to the pedal for estimating the applied pedal force based on the pedal deformation. The method includes deforming at least one pedal with an applied pedal force. A dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force with the pedal. The applied pedal force is estimated based on the pedal deformation.

Abstract: A method for validating a signal indicative of a speed of a vehicle includes receiving a plurality of signals indicative of vehicle speed; correlating at least a first of the received signals with at least a second of the received signals to determine if either signal is invalid; and signaling a rejection of any signal found to be invalid.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method of determining the temperature of the core of an inductive coil sensor so that the effective inductance of the coil sensor can be temperature compensated to thereby provide an accurate measure of the level of fuel in a tank. The method comprises energizing the sensor with a prescribed voltage, de-energizing the sensor, measuring the resultant voltage across the sensor, and determining the core temperature from the measured resultant voltage across the sensor.

Abstract: An improved series-pass over-voltage protection circuit includes at least one N-channel enhancement mode MOSFET (NFET) coupling a DC voltage supply such as a motor vehicle storage battery to one or more high current electrical loads. The drain of the NFET is connected to the positive terminal of the DC voltage supply, and a high impedance gate voltage power supply biases the NFET to a fully enhanced state in normal operation to provide very low pass-through on-resistance.

Abstract: Optimized control algorithms for a vehicle automatic climate control system (ACCS) are developed using math-based models of the vehicle, the ACCS and a vehicle occupant. The models are cross-coupled in closed-loop fashion with feedback from both vehicle systems and occupant. A first feedback loop including the vehicle and the ACCS, simulates how the ACCS interacts with the cabin environment; and a second feedback loop including the vehicle, the ACCS and the occupant, simulates how the occupant will adjust the ACCS to optimize comfort. When the system arrives at a control algorithm that satisfies control objectives and optimizes occupant comfort, an auto-code generation tool is used to create program code directly from the control model, which may be downloaded into a test vehicle for final system confirmation and calibration.

Abstract: A lead alloy coating for a positive grid of a lead acid battery is provided. The lead alloy coating includes a tin content of at least about 0.1%, but not more than about 3%; and a residual lead content. The lead alloy coating optionally includes a calcium content of at least about 0.01%, but not more than about 0.1%, with or without a silver content of at least about 0.01%, but not more than about 0.1%. Alternatively, the lead alloy coating optionally includes a barium content of at least about 0.01%, but not more than about 0.1%, with or without a silver content of at least about 0.01%, but not more than about 0.1%.

Abstract: An electronic assembly for conducting heat from a semiconductor device, such as a power flip chip, attached to a substrate. The substrate has a first region with conductors thereon, a second region surrounding and supporting the first region, and a third region surrounding and supporting the second region, with the second region being more flexible than the first and third regions. The chip is mounted to the first region of the substrate, and has solder connections on a first surface thereof that are registered with the conductors on the first region of the substrate. A heat-conductive member thermally contacts a second surface of the chip oppositely disposed from the first surface. A biasing element contacts the first region of the substrate to bias the chip into thermal contact with the heat-conductive member.

Abstract: An improved vehicle heating and air conditioning system includes a driver-manipulated temperature selector that is physically coupled to a discharge temperature control mechanism. The selector is operable in a normal mode in which movement of the selector away from a full cold setting produces a corresponding movement of the temperature control mechanism that increases the discharge air temperature by re-heating or a high fuel efficiency mode in which movement of the temperature selector away from the full cold setting allows the temperature control mechanism to remain in a full cold position for a limited range of selector movement while the discharge air temperature is increased by capacity reduction of the refrigerant compressor. The temperature selector is in the form of a rotary knob that is axially shiftable to change modes when the selector is positioned at the full cold setting and spring-biased so that the normal mode is established as the default mode.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a central core extending along a main axis, and a primary winding disposed radially outwardly thereof. The ignition apparatus further includes a secondary winding. The primary winding has a greater axial length than the secondary winding, this additional axial length being implemented on the low-voltage axial end of the ignition apparatus, relative to the main axis. The extended primary winding provides an increased leakage inductance spike, which may be used by an ion sense system to (i) obtain increased bias voltages, and, (ii) increase the effective turns ratio, thereby reducing the amount of wire required for the secondary winding.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor assembly is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly includes a capacitive strip having an elongated body for flexible mounting to a panel along a bottom surface of the elongated body. A first elongated planar conductor is contained within an upper section of the elongated body, while a longitudinal cavity is formed through a central portion of the elongated body. The longitudinal cavity is disposed between the planar conductor and the bottom surface. A capacitance detector module is inserted within the longitudinal cavity, the capacitance detector module including a capacitance detector circuit therein that is coupled to the first elongated planar conductor.