Abstract: An improved method of estimating the gas pressure in the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine characterizes the engine exhaust system as a restriction, and estimates the exhaust manifold pressure as the gas pressure upstream of the restriction based on calibrated characteristics of the exhaust system and known characteristics of exhaust gas flow through the exhaust system. The estimation is based on a mathematical model that relates the mass flow of gas through the engine exhaust system to the exhaust manifold pressure (i.e., the upstream pressure), the barometric pressure (i.e., the downstream pressure) and the exhaust manifold gas temperature. An estimate of a pressure ratio across the exhaust system is calibrated based on the model parameters, and the exhaust manifold pressure is determined according to the product of the estimated pressure ratio and the barometric pressure.

Abstract: The rack and pinion vehicle steering assembly has a steering rack slidably supported in a rack and pinion housing. An inner tie rod housing has a shank that screws into a threaded rack bore. A housing chamber receives an inner end ball and an open end of the housing chamber is crimped to retain the inner end ball. An inner support nut screws onto the steering rack and into contact with the tie rod housing. An inner support clamp has a central passage that receives an inner rod that is fixed to the inner end ball. Internal clamp threads on the clamp rim of the inner support clamp engage male threads on the inner support nut to retain the clamp and encase the tie rod housing and the inner end ball.

Abstract: A dual evaporator air conditioning system and method for use therewith to cool air in front and rear portions of a cabin. The dual evaporator air conditioning system includes primary and auxiliary HVAC units to cool the air in the front and rear portions of the cabin, respectively. The dual evaporator air conditioning system also includes a control system having cooling and non-cooling modes for each of the HVAC units. The control system automatically diverts cooled air produced by the auxiliary HVAC unit into an air dumping chamber in response to the auxiliary HVAC unit being in the non-cooling mode while the primary HVAC unit is in the cooling mode. The air dumping chamber is partitioned from the cabin to prevent the cooled air generated by the auxiliary HVAC unit from entering the cabin. Maintaining airflow through an auxiliary evaporator prevents refrigerant and lubricant buildup in the auxiliary evaporator.

Abstract: The problem of maintaining fluid modulus during a fast mode release of fluid pressure in a force generating apparatus having a force generating actuator fluidically coupled to a force generating device by a fluid circuit having restrictions and resistance to fluid flow is solved by sensing a pressure remotely from an actuator apply chamber, determining an estimated chamber pressure form the sensed pressure, and limiting the rate at which the actuator can reduce fluid pressure in an apply chamber of the actuator to a rate low enough to preclude a change in modulus of the fluid during the fast mode release.

Abstract: A noise reduction system reduces noise associated with an input signal provided to a control system, while substantially minimizing the adverse affect on the responsiveness and stability of the control system. The noise reduction system includes a processor, a memory subsystem and processor executable code. The processor executable code causes the processor to perform a number of steps. Initially, the processor determines an input signal level of an input signal at an input of a noise reduction system. Next, the processor determines an output signal level of an output signal at an output of the noise reduction system. The processor then determines a magnitude of a difference signal which is the difference between the input signal level and the output signal level. When the magnitude of the difference signal is less than a predetermined noise limit, the input signal is provided to an input of a control system.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rear steering angle of a vehicle includes calibrating a static vehicle speed threshold, detecting an actual vehicle speed below the calibrated static vehicle speed threshold, determining whether the phase of a rear steering angle is correct in response to the detected speed below threshold, ramping to zero the rear steering angle if the determined phase is not correct, deciding whether the rear steering angle is greater than a desired rear steering angle if the determined phase is correct, and ramping down the rear steering angle to the desired rear steering angle in response to the decidedly greater angle by commanding an electric motor operably coupled to the steering rack.

Abstract: A kinetic energy absorption device suitable for use with a collapsible steering column includes a first and second plastically deformable member have a traveling bight, a pusher proximate to a first part of the first member attached to a first body, a catch allowing the second member move a limited distance with respect to the pusher, and an anvil arrangement fixed to a second body. The anvil arrangement is positioned proximate the traveling bights, which have a shape corresponding with an anvil surface of thereof. The anvil arrangement forces the traveling bight of the first member to travel along a length of the first member upon initial relative movement between the first and second bodies, and then forces the traveling bight of the second member to travel along a length of the second member.

Abstract: A method of operation for a motor-driven worm gear actuator coupled to a load device energizes the motor in a series of pulses during an initial period of motor operation when reversal of the motor is commanded. The pulsed energization produces a slow initial axial movement of the motor armature without moving the load device, minimizing the contact force between the armature shaft and a mechanical end stop of the motor. Rotation of the motor is determined by identifying and counting motor current pulses due to commutation, and the pulse count is adjusted at each reversal of motor rotation to compensate for motor current pulses due to the pulsed energization.

Abstract: A disc brake including a pair of friction plates arranged coaxially in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of vanes extending between the pair of friction plates, each of said vanes having a proximal end, a distal end and a mid-portion extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal ends of a plurality of the vanes having a first width, the mid-portion having a second width, the first width being substantially greater than the second width. The vanes can include a T-shaped portion adjacent the proximal end.

Abstract: A vane pump including a rotating group comprising a thrust plate and a pressure plate which cooperate with a cam ring, rotor and vanes to provide a plurality of pump chambers. The thrust plate includes a pair of thrust plate passageways. Each thrust plate passageway comprises a pair of kidney shaped passages. The first kidney shaped passage is radially aligned with the discharge port of the thrust plate. The second kidney shaped passage is radially aligned with the inlet port of the thrust plate. The first and second kidney shaped passages are connected with a metering groove. Each thrust plate passage is isolated or blocked from the next adjacent thrust plate passage in the low-to-high pressure transition area of the thrust plate.

Abstract: A fuel rail damper includes a hollow member having a first end and a second end, opposing first and second sides, a first face and a second face interconnecting and spacing apart the first and second sides, and a width. Each of the first and second ends are sealed in an air tight manner to thereby define a chamber in conjunction with the first and second sides and the first and second faces and wherein the widths of the ends do not substantially exceed the hollow member width.

Abstract: A fuel system comprises a fuel pump arranged to deliver fuel to a single fuel injector. The fuel pump and injector are physically spaced apart from one another, a high pressure fuel line being used to convey fuel between the fuel pump and the injector. The fuel pump is controllable to control the timing of commencement of fuel pressurization. The injector is controllable to control the timing of fuel delivery. A controller is arranged to control the operation of the fuel pump and the injector. The invention further relates to a fuel pump suitable for use in such a fuel system.

Abstract: A high-density stator core for use in electrodynamic devices is fabricated by the electromagnetic pressing of an iron-based powder coated with a dielectric material and methods for performing the electromagnetic pressing are disclosed. The stator core includes a yoke portion that may further include a plurality of integral poles extending either radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the yoke portion or radially inward from an interior circumferential surface of the yoke portion. The stator core is formed as a near-net-shape compact by an electromagnetic pressing process and has an as-formed density of at least about 98% of the theoretical density.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column has a plastically deformable strap extending along a track in a base. When the steering column collapses in a collision, the strap moves along the track and a portion of the strap is displaced by a ball in a pocket in the track, which resists strap movement in an amount related to the diameter of the ball. Different diameter balls are provided. One ball is selected depending on the amount of resistance desired. The ball is selected by an actuator operable by a signal generated by a controller in response to a vehicle collision. Alternatively, an anvil displaces a portion of the strap into a U-shape to resist linear movement of the strap. The position of the anvil is adjustable by a stepped adjuster bar to vary the displacement of the U-shaped portion.

Abstract: A vehicle rollover sensing apparatus and method are provided for detecting a rollover condition of the vehicle. The rollover sensing apparatus includes an angular rate sensor for sensing attitude rate of change of a vehicle and a lateral accelerometer for sensing lateral dynamics of the vehicle. The rollover sensing apparatus also has an integrator for integrating the sensed attitude rate of change signal over a variable time window and producing an attitude angle. The rollover sensing apparatus further includes deployment logic for comparing the attitude angle and attitude rate of change to a pair of variable threshold values with a gray-zone that varies based on time, and for deploying a vehicle overturn condition signal based on the comparison. Sensitivity of the deployment logic is adjusted as a function of the sensed lateral dynamics to enhance rollover deployment during certain driving events.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle automatic climate control methodology allows an occupant of the vehicle to select one of a number of automatic climate control settings that are calibrated to satisfy the comfort preferences of different types of occupants. In a first embodiment, the occupant selects one of a number of a pre-programmed control setting schedules that provide different HVAC power levels. In a second embodiment, the occupant first selects a desired HVAC power level, and then activates one of a number of control setting combinations that satisfy both the selected HVAC power level and his or her comfort preference.

Abstract: A method for measuring a rotary position of an electric machine includes read a pulse counter that counts a sequence of pulses. The sequence of pulses is related to the rotary position. A determination as to whether a new pulse has been detected is performed. And a computation of a new angle that is related to the rotary position. A speed measuring circuit that includes an input having a set of position signals and an output having a set of speed signals may include the method for measuring a rotary position of an electric machine.

Abstract: An intelligent input push rod assembly for applying an input force from a brake pedal to a power booster of a brake system. The input push rod assembly includes a sensor that is capable of generating an electrical output having a magnitude that varies with the amount of force applied to the input push rod by the brake pedal. Preferably, the sensor generates an output voltage signal that is generally proportional to the input force applied to the input push rod. A shunt is provided so that springs associated with the sensor operate in a generally linear force-deflection operating range of the springs. The output signal generated by the sensor is applied to a brake light control system that is supported by the input push rod assembly. The brake light control system uses the signal generated by the sensor to determine whether the vehicle brake lights should be illuminated and also to cause direct illumination of the brake lights during a braking operation.

Abstract: An air bag assembly having an inflatable cushion selectively deployable to a controlled geometry with a controlled venting character. The venting characteristics are adjusted by selective displacement of vent blocking elements based upon measured occupant and/or crash severity characteristics such that an air bag cushion of desired volume and venting capacity is available to protect a range of occupants under different conditions during impact events of various levels of severity.

Abstract: Dedicated memory locations for vehicle identification data and seat calibration data are provided in a first rewritable, non-volatile memory within an occupant detection system module and a second rewritable, non-volatile memory external to the occupant detection system. At least once each ignition cycle, preferably at power up, an algorithm responsive to vehicle identification data obtained from the vehicle, stored in the first rewritable, non-volatile memory and/or stored in the second rewritable, non-volatile memory, as well as the presence of seat calibration data in the first rewritable, non-volatile memory, controls the copying of seat calibration data and/or vehicle identification data between the first and second rewritable, non-volatile memories to preserve seat calibration data for a vehicle through replacement of the occupant detection system module or the entire occupant detection system.