Abstract: A method for metallurgically capping an end of a tube. A tube is obtained having a tube end portion and having a passageway which extends to the tube end portion A cap is obtained and positioned on the tube end portion covering the passageway. The tube end portion of the tube is folded around the cap creating an end portion fold while leaving a space within the fold. A resistance welding current path is created through the tube and the cap proximate the fold and the fold is moved deformingly against the cap creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the fold and at least some of the cap.

Abstract: A method for determining the axle load on a rotating tire or the percentage axle load of a first axle of a moving vehicle. The relationship between the axle load on a test tire and the rolling radius of the test tire under a constant pressure is empirically determined, and optionally the relationship between the pressure of the test tire and the rolling radius of the test tire at a constant axle load is empirically determined. A measurement of the rotational speed of the rotating tire is taken, and optionally a measurement of the pressure of the rotating tire is taken using a pressure sensor. The axle load or percentage axle load is determined from the measurement (or optionally from the measurements) and from the relationship (or optionally from the relationships).

Abstract: A constant velocity joint has outer and inner joint members formed with aligned ball grooves. A torque-transmitting ball is contained in each set of grooves and is captured within windows of a cage disposed between the joint members. The radial groove profile provides a large operating joint angle but with a relatively low Rx ratio. At zero joint angle the balls are positioned in a ball center plane and define a ball center radius (BCR) in the ball center plane. As the joint angulates, the balls roll on the grooves and, while maintained in a ball plane, are displaced radially relative to the ball center radius (BCR). Rx=BCR/x, which is the ball displacement. The groove profile includes a straight section coupled with a double arc or polynomial curved section which attains high joint angle at a relatively low Rx ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing labels onto cylindrical items includes an apparatus for applying a label onto a cylindrical object including a feed mechanism for feeding a label strip. A plate having a sharply angled separator edge is positioned to receive the label strip and peel a label from the label strip. A guide member has a pair of opposed rollers. The guide member and opposed rollers are positioned to receive the label. The opposed rollers are adapted to allow the cylindrical object to contact the label and affix the label to the cylindrical object as the cylindrical object is passed between the opposed rollers.

Abstract: An improved marine engine control methodology is utilized in either single or twin engine applications, and provides a safe and logical transitioning between manual and automatic operating modes. A standard software instruction set is installed in a microprocessor-based engine control module for each engine, and a discrete input informs the control module if the respective engine is a master engine or a slave engine. In single engine applications, the engine is identified as a master engine, while in twin engine applications, one of the engines is identified as a master engine, and the other as a slave engine. The control software provides an operator activated speed control function for a master engine, and an operator activated sync control function for a slave engine. Each engine has an operator manipulated throttle lever for controlling the respective engine throttle position during the manual operating mode, and for defining a limit throttle position during the automatic operating modes.

Abstract: A composition of metal powder for powder metallurgy applications comprising an iron-based powder metal admixed with a minority fraction of a ferrite powder having a lesser particle-size distribution. The ferrite particles are associated with an exterior surface of the iron-based particles and, after compression molding by a powder metallurgy technique, are incorporated into the microstructural pores between adjacent particles of iron-based powder. A composite structure formed from the composition of the present invention has an improved overall permeability and overall resistivity. A binder, such as a thermoplastic polyacrylate, may be added to the admixture of iron-based and ferrite powders for promoting the association of the ferrite powder with the iron-based powder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is steer-by-wire control systems comprising: a road wheel unit responsive to a road wheel command signal including a road wheel position sensor and a road wheel force sensor. The steer-by-wire control system also includes a steering wheel unit responsive to a steering wheel torque command signal, including a steering wheel position sensor and a torque sensor. The steer-by-wire control system further includes a vehicle speed sensor, and a master control unit operatively connected to the vehicle speed sensor, the steering wheel unit, and the road wheel unit. The steering wheel unit is also responsive to the steering wheel position signal.

Abstract: A process for forming a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device by a deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process during which a substrate overlying a cavity is etched to form trenches that breach the cavity to delineate suspended structures. A first general feature of the process is to define suspended structures with a DRIE process, such that the dimensions desired for the suspended structures are obtained. A second general feature is the proper location of specialized features, such as stiction bumps, vulnerable to erosion caused by the DRIE process. Yet another general feature is to control the environment surrounding suspended structures delineated by DRIE in order to obtain their desired dimensions. A significant problem identified and solved by the invention is the propensity for the DRIE process to etch certain suspended features at different rates.

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 disc brake assembly has a hub that is rotatable about an axis and at least a pair of discs supported on the hub for relative axial movement along the axis of the hub with the discs having opposite sides presenting braking surfaces. A non-rotatable support structure supports a plurality of friction elements for relative axial movement into and out of frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs. An electric actuator is mounted on the support structure adjacent at least one of the friction elements and is operative when actuated to move the friction elements into frictional braking engagement with the braking surfaces of the discs.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an amplified effect in an asymmetrical hysteretic system is disclosed. The asymmetrical hysteretic system comprises an internally-graded transponent, an energy source that drives the internally-graded transponent, and a small stimulus amplified by a gain factor of the internally-graded transponent. A method for generating an amplified effect in an asymmetrical hysteretic system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of thermal management of a fuel cell transportation vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises directing a first air having a temperature less than a chamber temperature towards at least one surface of a chamber. At least a portion of the air is passed through at least one chamber wall to an interior of the chamber, reducing the surface temperature.

Abstract: A method for direct application of a catalyst to a substrate for treatment of atmospheric pollution including ozone. The method includes applying a catalytic metal to a substrate utilizing a kinetic spray process. The process can be utilized to apply a base metal such as copper to a substrate and the base metal becomes the catalytically active oxide following application to the substrate. This system replaces a multi-step process with a single step process to provide a catalytically active surface that can be utilized to reduce ground level ozone and other atmospheric pollutants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing a gas sensor, comprising disposing a reference electrode on a side of an electrolyte, disposing a measuring electrode on a side of the electrolyte opposite the reference electrode, disposing a first protective coating on a side of the measuring electrode opposite the electrolyte, treating the sensor with an aqueous salt solution comprising chloride and carbonate salts comprising elements selected from the group consisting of Group IA and IIA elements of the Periodic Table to form a treated sensor comprising the chloride and the carbonate salt mixture, drying the treated sensor, and disposing a second protective coating on a side of the first protective coating opposite the measuring electrode.

Abstract: A ceramic resistor card assembly for a fuel sensor includes a card portion made of a ceramic material. The ceramic resistor card assembly also includes a first conductive ink disposed on the card portion to form a fuel level portion. The ceramic resistor card assembly further includes a second conductive ink disposed on the card portion to form at least one contact for the fuel level portion. The first conductive ink is void of Silver and the second conductive ink contains Silver.

Abstract: An electric circuit module has a case made of a non-magnetic material. The case has an attachment portion for fixed mounting on a vehicle part made of a magnetic material and a permanent magnet fixed within the case. The module further has a Hall effect sensor fixed within the case in positional relation to the permanent magnet and the attachment portion such that the Hall effect sensor generates a first signal when the attachment portion of the case is fixedly attached to the vehicle part and a second signal different from the first signal when the attachment portion of the case is not so mounted. The module also has an electric circuit in the case with circuit elements responsive to the Hall effect sensor to provide a first mode of operation in response to the first signal and a second mode of operation in response to the second signal. The module is particularly useful when at least one of the electric circuit elements is an accelerometer, for example in a vehicle passive restraint deployment system.

Abstract: A power booster comprises a rear housing section and a piston. An inner bearing is disposed around the piston, and is adjustable relative to the rear housing section to translate the piston. A method of setting an axial dimension of the power booster is also provided.

Abstract: An injection nozzle for use in delivering fuel to a combustion space comprises a nozzle body provided with a blind bore within which a valve member is slidable. The valve member comprises a first region of substantially frusto-conical form defining a seating surface which is engageable with a valve seating surface, defined by the blind bore, to control fuel delivery from the injection nozzle, and a second region arranged such that, when the valve member is seated against the valve seating surface, in use, the second region is located downstream of the valve seating surface. The first region subtends a first cone angle which is greater than a second cone angle subtended by the second region.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat occupant detection system, a transponder in a seat cushion is responsive to an activating signal to generate an electromagnetic signal containing unique seat identification data. An occupant detection system module senses a seat characteristic and derives therefrom an occupant detection signal. The module further generates the transponder activating signal and receives and processes the electromagnetic signal to derive the contained seat identification data. The module determines if there is seat identification data in a dedicated memory location in rewritable, non-volatile memory and, if there is, compares it to the seat identification data from the electromagnetic signal. If they do not match, the derivation of a valid occupant detection signal is prevented.

Abstract: Method, control system and computer-readable medium are respectively provided for determining angular crankshaft position prior to a cranking event of an internal combustion engine. Upon issuance of an engine shutdown command, the method allows determining an initial crankshaft position based on a crankshaft position sensor. The method further allows providing a rulebase for relating angular travel of a rotor in an accessory device to crankshaft angular travel. Angular travel of the rotor in the accessory device is sensed since issuance of the engine shutdown command until the engine reaches a resting position. The rulebase is accessed to relate the value of the angular travel of the rotor in the accessory device to crankshaft angular travel and provide an incremental crankshaft angular travel relative to the initial crankshaft position at engine shutdown.