Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a high resistivity ferrite central core with a secondary winding disposed directly thereon. The ignition apparatus also includes, in a progressively coaxial fashion, a primary spool, a primary winding disposed on the spool, a case, and an outer core or shield of magnetically permeable material. The ignition apparatus exhibits reduced capacitance, and eliminates radial partial discharge at the inside diameter of the secondary winding.

Abstract: A method for detecting steady-state convergence of a signal compares a filtered version of the signal or its derivative to a threshold over a given time interval, and a measure of the signal variability is used to tune the filter behavior. In one implementation, the signal is filtered with a high-pass filter, and the cut-off frequency of the filter is adjusted inversely with respect to the measured variability of the signal. In another implementation, the signal derivative is filtered with a low-pass filter, and the cut-off frequency of the filter is adjusted in proportion to the measured variability of the signal. In each case, the variability of the signal is measured by computing a differential of the signal and then smoothing the differential.

Abstract: A grounded fuel delivery module for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a fuel pump adapted to pump fuel from a fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle. The grounded fuel delivery module also includes a retainer contacting the fuel pump and a cover adapted to cover an opening in the fuel tank. The grounded fuel delivery module further includes at least one guide rod interconnecting the cover and the retainer to complete an electrical circuit used for grounding of components attached to either one of the cover and the retainer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for motor vehicles, comprising a housing for an inflatable airbag and a gas generator, with the gas generator being coupled to the housing without securing means via at least one elastic and/or oscillation damping coupling member.

Abstract: A thick film resistor strain gauge is applied to a stainless steel shell portion of a spark plug. There are two preferable ways of applying a thick film resistor to the metal shell. In a first embodiment, the thick film resistor may be directly printed on to the shell portion with special screen printing equipment. In a second embodiment, the thick film resistor is printed and applied as a decal to the shell portion. The thick film resistors may be included in a quarter, a half, or a full wheatstone bridge strain gauge circuit. One of two embodiments of an automatic drift compensating circuit is used to determine the change in resistance experienced by the thick film resistors affixed to the spark plug. Either one of the automatic drift compensation circuits output a voltage signal which is proportional to the pressure changes occurring inside the engine cylinder into which the spark plug is threaded.

Abstract: An improved method of estimating the oil temperature of an internal combustion engine models the net heat flow through the oil during operation of the engine based on known engine operating parameters and integrates the net heat flow to update the oil temperature estimate. The net heat flow components include heat added to the oil due to fuel combustion and heat rejected from the oil to the engine coolant and atmospheric air, and are based on heat transfer coefficients that are adjusted to take into account variations in engine speed, vehicle speed and cooling fan operation.

Abstract: An ignition system for use with a spark plug in an internal combustion engine comprising an ignition apparatus for producing a breakdown voltage on a first output thereof configured to breakdown a spark gap of the spark plug a power source having a second output configured for connection to the spark plug, said source being further configured to sustain power to the spark gap during discharge and an impedance having first and second terminals coupled between the first and second outputs, the impedance having an electrical characteristic configured to allow application of the breakdown voltage and suppress high voltage transient.

Abstract: An improved air intake manifold for a V-style internal combustion engine comprising three individual injection molded sections joined by friction welding of flanged mating elements. Each section is formed of a high-melting temperature composite polymer. The welds are all on the exterior of the manifold. The mating surfaces are formed to be directly accessible to welding apparatus and are so oriented that friction welding may be carried out by relative motion between the components in the axial direction. When joined, the lower and middle sections form the individual air distribution runners from the plenum to the intake ports in the engine heads. The lower and middle sections are so configured that each such runner crosses the valley of the engine, providing great strength and rigidity to the module. All runners are identical, so that air flows from the plenum to the individual cylinders are substantially identical.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a crankshaft signal with the stroke cycle of a four-stroke internal combustion engine induces misfiring in a specified engine cylinder, and uses an assumed synchronization to identify the misfiring cylinder. The crankshaft signal is used to identify reference angular positions of the crankshaft intermediate top dead center positions of consecutive cylinders of the engine firing order, and a time difference between successive reference positions is determined. When the assumed synchronization is such that the current rotation of the crankshaft includes the cylinder in which misfiring is induced, the determined time difference is accumulated in a first accumulator; otherwise, the determined time difference is accumulated in a second accumulator. The presence of misfiring causes the two accumulators to diverge in value, and the direction of such divergence is used to determine if the assumed synchronization is correct or incorrect.

Abstract: The invention provides a brake caliper backdrive apparatus and method of backdriving a brake caliper. The apparatus includes a brake caliper, a motor including a shaft operably attached to the brake caliper and, a biasing member operably attached to the shaft. The biasing member backdrives the motor thereby releasing the brake caliper. The method includes rotating a shaft to clamp the brake caliper, storing energy in a biasing member responsive to the shaft rotation, and reversing the shaft rotation using the stored energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement over conventional engine controls by adjusting engine air/fuel [AF] ratio, as a function of fuel volatility, during engine start and initial operation. It is comprised of three detection tests to determine the volatility of the fuel and provide compensation to the AF ratio in proportion to that volatility during engine crank and initial operation. The method includes compensating for incomplete fuel vaporization as a function of predicted intake valve temperature.

Abstract: The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies are overcome or alleviated by a reductant injection system for an internal combustion engine including a selective reduction system communicated with the internal combustion engine, a vehicle sensor communicated with the internal combustion engine, a controller, wherein the controller is communicated with the selective reduction system and the vehicle sensor and a reductant storage device communicated with the selective reduction system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying and containing a flow of reducing gas within a fuel cell is disclosed for a fuel cell having a gas control valve system comprising a fuel cell unit, an inlet and an outlet coupled to the fuel cell unit, an actuator disposed in the gas control valve, and a reducing gas supply for actuating said actuator and for regulating fuel to the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: A vehicle compartment latch has a support that is fastened to a deck lid. A fork bolt is pivotally attached to the support and moved from an unlatched position to a latched position by a striker when the deck lid is closed. The fork bolt is held in the latched position by a moveable detent lever that is moved to a release position to release the fork bolt so that the deck lid can be opened. The closure latch includes a detent lock-out that holds the detent lever in the release position until the deck lid is opened once the fork bolt is released. The detent lock out includes a striker position lever that is moved to an engaged position by the striker being retained by the fork bolt and a detent pawl that holds the detent lever in the released position once the detent lever is released.

Abstract: A force generating apparatus provides a force to a moving element upon receipt of an electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus includes a force applying element coupled to the moving element for applying the force to the moving element and an actuator coupled to the force applying element for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus further includes a controller for receiving a desired force actuation signal, determining a parameter of the desired force actuation signal, selecting a set of gains based on the parameter, applying the set of gains to a linear control function, determining the electrical force signal as a function of the linear control function, and sending the electrical force signal to the actuator.

Abstract: An expansion device that is able to perform the functions of refrigerant expansion, flow control and shut-off. A cage extends from the ends of a body and supports a screen cover. An orifice tube extends through the body and a conical shaped valve seat forms an outwardly flared inlet to the orifice tube. A plunger defines a conical shaped valve end for engaging and sealing the conical valve seat to prevent refrigerant from entering the orifice tube. A rod extends from the valve end to react with a solenoid coil for moving the valve end into and out of engagement with the valve seat. A spring interacts between the plunger and the solenoid for urging the plunger into the valve seat.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake system containing four isolation piston assemblies each of which is comprised of a cylinder, a piston, and a pair of hydraulic lines. The cylinder has only two apertures, and the piston is disposed in the cylinder. The first hydraulic line communicates between a wheel brake and a first side of the piston through one of the apertures. The second hydraulic line communicates between an accumulator and a second side of the piston through the other of the apertures. The system components are arranged in a compact, easy to manufacture package.

Abstract: A spacer for separating a brake booster from a wall comprises a support and a boot. The support is disposed between the booster and the wall, and has a breather port. The boot is integral with the support, and has a generally conical shape tapering from the wall toward a push rod of the booster.

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 magnetorheological fluid formulation exhibiting consistently high yield stress during use. The MR fluid comprises martensitic or ferritic stainless steel particles prepared by a controlled water or inert gas atomization process. The stainless steel particles are resistant to corrosion and oxidation, are generally smooth and spherical, and maintain their shape and size distribution throughout their use under an applied magnetic field.