Abstract: An ignition coil having ion sense capability with combustion and knock outputs features improved determination of when to open and close a combustion window during which a combustion signal indicative of the level of combustion is calculated. The system also includes a knock window during which a knock signal indicative of the level of knock is determined. A PWM combustion signal is multiplexed on the same physical line as a current flag signal, and, a PWM knock intensity signal is multiplexed on the same physical line as a knock window signal, which reduces system connections. Closed loop multicharge ignition is provided with combustion detection during multicharging to ensure the availability of knock detection, thereby providing a longer effective spark burn time while still allowing for knock detection.

Abstract: An assembly (10) of a component (12) of a vehicle air conditioning system to a support structure (14), wherein the component (12) has a first connection element (32) and the support structure (14) has a second connection element (28). According to an important aspect of the invention, either the first or the second connection element (28) comprises a recess (30) therein for receiving the other connection element (28, 32) and a lateral opening (34) for allowing lateral introduction of the other connection element (28, 32) into the recess (30).

Abstract: An integrated fuel reformer-engine system and method provides an on-board fuel reformer for preparing a hydrogen-rich reformate; an engine operating on one or a combination of reformate and liquid fuel, in combination with an exhaust catalyst for treating engine exhaust. The supply of air, reformate, and liquid fuel to the engine and exhaust catalyst is metered so as to provide low hydrocarbon and NOx emissions over a range of operating conditions from cold-start and idle through vehicle road-loads. In one embodiment, the system provides near-zero cold start hydrocarbon and NOx emissions with ultra-lean start using substantially 100% reformate fueling. In another embodiment, accelerated catalyst heating is provided by supplying reformate mixed with engine exhaust to the catalyst. Alternately, an ignition source is employed to ignite the engine exhaust or reformate-exhaust mixture.

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 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: A manifold assembly for pneumatically interconnecting a brake booster to an engine and to an electrically-driven vacuum pump. A manifold housing has an engine port pneumatically communicable with the engine, a separate booster port pneumatically communicable with the brake booster, and an orifice pneumatically communicable with the vacuum pump inlet. An engine check valve substantially blocks pneumatic flow from the engine port to the booster port. A vacuum-pump check valve substantially blocks pneumatic flow from the engine port to the vacuum pump outlet.

Abstract: A collision detection system and method of estimating a miss distance of an object are provided. The collision detection system includes a sensor for sensing an object within a field of view and measuring range and range rate of the sensed object. The collision detection system further includes a controller for computing a mathematical square of the range and computing a mathematical square of the product of range and range rate. The controller estimates a miss distance of the object as a function of the computed squared range and the squared product of range and range rate.

Abstract: A fuel injector for delivering fuel to a combustion space comprises a valve needle which is movable within a bore provided in a nozzle body and which is engageable with a seating to control the supply of fuel from the bore. The injector further comprises a return flow passage for permitting fuel to escape from the bore to a low pressure drain upon initial movement of the valve needle away from its seating. The injector may include a cover member which defines, together with the nozzle body, a part of the return passage for fuel through which fuel flows, in use, to reduce the temperature of the nozzle body.

Abstract: An electronic package and a method for packaging an electronic component, particularly a shock-sensitive component such as a yaw rate sensor or an accelerometer mounted to a circuit board. The package includes a case having an opening through which the circuit board is placed within the case, so that a peripheral edge of the circuit board is adjacent but spaced apart from a wall of the case. A thixotropic gel is present in the space between the peripheral edge of the circuit board and the wall of the case, so as to separate and control the mechanical decoupling of the circuit board and case. An optional spacer can be used to space the circuit board from the shelf. Alternatively, the gel may be filled with a polymer particulate material. A potting material preferably fills an upper cavity within the case to encapsulate and secure the circuit board within the case.

Abstract: A coil assembly includes a spool and a connector keyed thereto. To wind a coil on the spool, the spool is moved linearly with respect to the connector until the connector does not interfere with the winding bay on the spool. Thereafter, a wire is wound around the spool within the winding bay to form the coil. Once the coil is complete, the spool can be moved linearly with respect to the connector until a keying structure on the spool engages an opposing keying structure on the connector and a locking mechanism on the spool engages a corresponding locking mechanism on the connector. Thus, a complete coil assembly can be manufactured in one operation with minimal manufacturing steps.

Abstract: A mechanical press includes an easy load tilt out loading position that improves operator visibility when loading parts onto operation specific tooling, and which also increases the speed of which such parts can be loaded (and unloaded), and finally reduces the chance of operator error. The mechanical press includes a frame having a press head, a base pivotable between a load position and a working position, and a tie rod coupling the press head and the base. The press head is configured to reciprocate along a first longitudinal axis, responsive to an operator input such as pulling or rotating a handle. The press head and the base each include features configured to allow respective attachment of a first tool and a second tool, and whose specific configuration depends on the operation being performed by the press (i.e., shaping, assembly requiring pressure, etc.) The press head, when in the first position, is operative via the tie rod to place the base in the load position.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor is provided and formed by attaching the sensor's upper shield and shell. The attachment is attained by bending a protruding segment or lip over a terminal end portion of the lower shield. This produces a single sealing surface and eliminates the requirement of a conventional crimp which places high compressive forces on the sensing element.

Abstract: An engine control system for use with an internal combustion engine includes a two-step switching device associated with each intake valve. The two-step switching device is switchable between a high-lift position and a low-lift position. A cam phaser is associated with the cam shaft and is operable to change a phase of the cam shaft relative to a crankshaft of the engine. An engine control module is electrically interconnected with the two-step switching device and the cam phaser. The engine control module includes a memory. A computer program is stored in the memory of the engine control module, and is executable by the engine control module to conjunctively control the two-step switching device and the cam phaser dependent at least in part upon a desired engine load.

Abstract: An analog angle encoder having a simply constructed magnet assembly, wherein rotation of a magnetic field relative to a magnetosensitive device provides a varying output of the magnetosensitive device that varies sinusoidally with the angle of relative rotation. The simply constructed magnet assembly is of a closed-path geometry composed of a single piece of magnetic material wherein only a first portion thereof is magnetized for providing the aforesaid magnetic field for the sensor. The remaining portion of the magnet material (the second portion) remains unmagnetized and does not substantially influence the magnetic field produced by the first portion any more than, for example, air would cause.

Abstract: A power system including a cable drive for adjusting a steering column of an automotive vehicle in response to rotation of a jack screw. A cable transmits torque from a motor-driven output shaft to the jack screw. The cable has terminal portions received in sockets in the output shaft and in the jack screw. The terminal portions and the sockets are square in cross section. An end part of each terminal portion is twisted to cause comers of the terminal portion to interfere with corners of the socket into which it extends to provide substantially a lash-free connection between the terminal portions of the cable and the sockets.

Abstract: A magnetorheological piston includes a body having a substantially magnetically energizable passageway and a substantially magnetically non-energizable passageway. The substantially magnetically non-energizable passageway has a valveless passageway throat and has a flow cross-sectional area which has a minimum at the passageway throat and which is larger away from the passageway throat. A magnetorheological damper includes a cylinder and the above-described magnetorheological piston, wherein the piston is positioned in, and slideably engages, the cylinder.

Abstract: An electrode fluid distributor includes a fluid passageway having a plurality of segment pairs each including an inlet segment in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet segment in fluid communication with an outlet. A baffle is disposed between adjacent inlet and outlet segments. Each inlet segment is in fluid communication with adjacent inlet segments and adjacent outlet segments, and each outlet segment is in fluid communication with adjacent outlet segments.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell comprises an electrolyte disposed between and in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode to form an electrochemical cell. At least one spacer is disposed in contact with the electrochemical cell. A mat is disposed adjacent to the spacer. A method for making a solid oxide fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the phase angle of an internal combustion engine camshaft relative to a crankshaft of the engine, which significantly reduces the computational burden compared to conventional methods. The cam and crankshaft position pulses are identified by corresponding clock values, and the cam phase angle relative to the crankshaft is determined by computing a simple ratio of first and second time intervals based on the clock values, and multiplying the ratio by a known angle. One of the time intervals is defined by a time difference between successive crankshaft and camshaft pulses, while the other time interval is defined by a time difference between successive crankshaft pulses. The known angle is the angle of crankshaft rotation between the successive crankshaft pulses. The cam phase angle velocity is obtained by determining a change in cam phase angle, and dividing by the intervening time interval.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding and securing an electrical module, IC, or other electronic components to a PCB that is easy to use and manipulate. The apparatus utilizes a transitional element to hold the electrical module or IC and then secure itself to the PCB using fasteners or the like. Preferred methods for assembling and using the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel permeation barrier fuel tank for a vehicle includes a tank shell having a wall formed from a plurality of layers. The layers include at least an inner layer, an outer layer, a fuel permeation barrier layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, and a thermoformable layer disposed adjacent the outer layer to improve permeation resistance and protection against radiant environmental heating of the fuel tank.