Abstract: A method for determining oil viscosity includes measuring an oil viscosity parameter value while an oil pump pumps oil through an engine lubrication system. Thereafter, the oil viscosity parameter value is compared to a stored look-up table of oil viscosity parameter values versus oil viscosity values and the viscosity of the oil contained within the vehicle lubrication system is interpolated from the table. The look-up table is generated by installing the pump in a test system and then, measuring the oil viscosity parameter value as the pump pumps oils of known viscosities. For increased accuracy, the look-up table is generated for several temperatures within the range of normal engine operating temperatures and several pump speeds within the range of normal operating pump speeds.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a synchronous machine including a polyphase stator are provided. The machine may be used in a piece of equipment respectively as a generator and as a motor for starting an engine in the piece of equipment. The method allows to sense rotor position of the machine using a sensor assembly configured to supply a respective stream of pulses indicative of rotor position relative to each phase of the machine. The method further allows to process each stream of pulses from the sensor assembly to generate a first set of inverter control signals. The first set of inverter control signals is applied to an inverter circuit coupled to energize the phases of the stator to start the machine. The first set of control signals is configured to provide a first cycle-conduction angle relative to the zero-crossings of the respective phase EMF voltages of the machine to produce a sufficiently high level of torque during start of the machine.

Abstract: A fuel injector is provided which includes a director, such as a ball, mounted downstream of the fuel injection port. When the valve is actuated, fuel exits the injection port. Fuel adheres to the ball until it reaches the equator of the ball. At the equator, the fuel begins to separate from the ball and forms a sheeted, cone-shaped configuration. When used with poppet valve injectors, the present invention preferably includes a wall manifold above the ball. Air from an air source, such as from the engine vacuum is introduced through the wall. Air travels through an air distribution chamber at a ninety degree angle to the direction of fuel flow. The air stream is directed to the ball's equator. This blast of air causes the fuel to atomize to a droplet size in the range of 3 to 6 microns SMD. When the invention is used with solenoid actuated fuel injectors, a ball is mounted downstream of the director plate. In this case, an air housing carries air from an air source to an air blast chamber.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly for supporting a wheel is provided. The assembly includes a spindle defining a rotational axis and a support member for supporting the spindle. A wheel hub has a flange for securing the wheel thereto. The wheel hub is supported on the spindle and is rotatable about the rotational axis. A bearing assembly has first and second bearing members in spaced relationship from one another with a plurality of bearings interposed between the bearing members to permit relative rotation between the bearing members about the rotational axis. The first bearing member is arranged adjacent to the spindle and the second bearing member is arranged adjacent to either the wheel hub or the support member. An inner surface of the first bearing member has an annular counterbore. The spindle is deformed into the counterbore to axially secure the first bearing member to the spindle and prevent relative rotation between the spindle and the first bearing member about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A wheel spindle flange (and the like) has stud holes with soft surface hardness formed therein which permit non-rotational splines, studs and the like to be press-fitted therein with minimal press force at a centered press zone established between intentionally formed and dimensioned counterbores within the flange to minimize flange distortion and lateral run out of the spindle.

Abstract: A head assembly for use in a compressor having a first compression chamber for compressing a fluid includes a manifold housing defining an intake port, an exhaust port and a control valve port and having an outer wall, a first inner wall and a second inner wall. The outer wall and the first inner wall define a suction chamber and the first inner wall and the second inner wall define a discharge chamber. An aperture is formed in the first inner wall for guiding the fluid and oil from the discharge chamber to the control valve port. The second inner wall is internal to the outer wall and the first inner wall and defines an exit chamber. The exit chamber is in fluid communication with the exhaust port and the second inner wall defines a partition between the aperture and the exhaust port such that the oil pools in the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A catalyst for adsorbing oxides of nitrogen from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, comprising an alkaline earth active catalyst site, and a transition metal oxide having a surface area of at least about 75 m2 /g.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly and method for a semiconductor device, in which the interconnect assembly can be used in lieu of wirebond connections to form an electronic assembly. The interconnect assembly includes first and second interconnect members. The first interconnect member has a first surface with a first contact and a second surface with a second contact electrically connected to the first contact, while the second interconnect member has a flexible finger contacting the second contact of the first interconnect member. The first interconnect member is adapted to be aligned and registered with a semiconductor device having a contact on a first surface thereof, so that the first contact of the first interconnect member electrically contacts the contact of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A linear output and non-contacting angular position sensor has a rotatable arc segment magnet arranged to rotate about the stationary components of the sensor, which include a pair of stationary flux concentrators, separated by a Hall probe; or, the magnet may be arranged to rotate at the center of the sensor with the stationary components fixed outside the magnet. With either arrangement, the Hall probe produces a direct 0 to 5 V d.c. output which varies linearly with the rotational angle of the magnet as the magnet rotates through a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle of rotation is generally equal to the arc formed by the flux concentrators and the arc of the magnet is generally 20-40% greater than the arc of the flux concentrators.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for indirect and sequential measuring of the absolute position of an element (1) comprising a binary coding produced by means of coding units (7) of the same surface, relatively moving with respect to an element provided with a device for reading said coding (7), said coding (7) delimiting differentiated sectors each comprising an identical separating zone, called separator, and an zone identifying a single sector, called identifier, the list of the identifier codes being contained in a memory zone accessible via a device for processing binary data transmitted sequentially bit by bit by said reading device when the elements are relatively moving.

Abstract: A gear assembly comprising a linear differential disposed at the gear assembly wherein the linear differential has a predetermined ratio from an input shaft to an output shaft, the ratio being adjustable by axially rotating the linear differential. A method of adjusting steering output as compared to steering input, which comprises powering a motor in operable communication with a worm and worm gear mechanism and rotating the worm and the worm gear mechanism fixed to a differential carrier. The method also comprises rotating the differential carrier, which comprises an input sun gear meshed with input differential planet gear, an input differential planet gear meshed with an output differential planet gear, and an output sun gear meshed with the output differential planet gear. The method further comprises rotating the output sun gear fixed to a differential output shaft.

Abstract: A user controllable lighting system for a vehicle instrument cluster, including: selection apparatus to select a color scheme for individual gage area components of the vehicle instrument cluster; illumination apparatus to illuminate the individual gage area components in accordance with selections made by the selection apparatus; and control apparatus operatively connected to the selection apparatus and to the illumination apparatus to receive the selections made by the selection apparatus and to furnish instructions to the illumination apparatus.

Abstract: A mobile AC power system wherein the DC current of battery is converted by a power inverter electrically coupled to the battery terminals and the inverter is also mechanically coupled the battery. An AC outlet is positioned to provide a source of power and the unit has a power input being configured to receive a charging current for the battery. The AC outlet is disabled when the power input is receiving a charge.

Abstract: A master cylinder assembly including a boost assembly. The hydraulic master cylinder includes a cylinder defining an elongated bore, a piston slidably positioned in said bore, inlet means in the cylinder for admitting hydraulic fluid into the bore from a reservoir, and an outlet fitting in said cylinder communicating with said bore and operative to convey hydraulic fluid out of the bore for delivery to a brake device in response to linear movement of the piston in the bore. The boost assembly includes an electric motor. A hollow ball nut and screw assembly is operably connected to the motor. A screw of the ball nut and screw assembly is positioned to advance the piston in response to actuation of the motor. An input rod extending through the screw includes a first end positioned to receive a brake input force and a second end positioned to advance the piston independently from the screw.

Abstract: A vehicle having an electric hybrid power system is provided. A battery pack stores electricity to power the electric motor. The battery pack includes a first plurality of batteries connected in parallel with a second plurality of batteries. The first plurality of batteries are Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), and the second plurality of batteries provide high power output at lower temperatures. In addition, the second plurality of batteries may also have a low energy density.

Abstract: A circuit for disconnecting a neutral point of an electric machine includes an inductance connected to a lead of the electric machine; a three-terminal solid-state switch that has a first terminal connected to the inductance, a second terminal connected to the neutral point, and a third terminal for controlling a flow of current between the first and second terminals; a controlling circuit coupled to the three-terminal solid-state switch that includes a first loop that has a power source, a resistance, and a voltage regulator to maintain a first voltage upon the third terminal, and a second loop that has a power source, a resistance, and a trigger switch being controllably switched on to thereby close the first loop whereby a second voltage is applied to the three-terminal solid-state switch to thereby substantially electrically disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal.

Abstract: A joint assembly has outer and inner joint members supported for relative angular movement while preventing rotation between the joint members. The outer joint member is fitted with a lip seal device presenting at least one seal lip which dynamically engages and sealingly wipes at least one corresponding sealing surface of the inner joint member at all angles to seal a space for the retention of lubricant and exclusion of contaminants.

Abstract: An MR fluid formulation comprising water-atomized iron powder dispersed in a liquid vehicle, wherein the atomized iron powder contributes to a higher magnetic effect, a lower viscosity and suitability for high temperature applications. The magnetizable particles are prepared by controlled water atomization and comprise iron having a passivating oxide surface layer. The passivating oxide surface layer advantageously comprises iron oxide and at least one alloying metal oxide, such as manganese oxide. Advantageously, the particles have a grain size of at least 4 &mgr;m and a mean diameter in the range of about 8-25 &mgr;m. The liquid vehicle advantageously comprises a mixture of at least two liquid components of different surface functionality and an organoclay stabilization mixture in which at least one organoclay is selected for each liquid vehicle component.

Abstract: The method of making a wide range oxygen sensor of the present invention enables ease of handling and processing, particularly in a mass production environment. This process comprises forming planar composite elements of the sensor where the elements are individually laminated. These laminated composites are easily handled and readily stacked. Furthermore, electrodes and electrode leads can be readily deposited on the laminated composites, across the intersection of the various materials forming the composite. After deposition of the electrodes, leads, and a heater, the elements are stacked accordingly and laminated to produce the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly includes a support structure adapted to connect to a vehicle, with the support structure defining first and second slots arranged in a spaced-apart manner. A pedal assembly is disposed adjacent the support structure, where the pedal assembly includes a pedal. First and second pins extend from the pedal assembly through the first and second slots whereby the pedal assembly is supported for sliding movement on the support structure along the slots. A linear actuator is interconnected with the pedal assembly for sliding the pedal assembly to a desired position along the support structure. The invention may be adapted for use in connection with brake pedals, clutch pedals, and accelerator pedals. In the case of accelerator pedals, the invention can be adapted for use with conventional pedals as well as electronic throttle control pedals.