Abstract: A head-up display (HUD) uses reduced reflectivity projection optics to reduce the harmful effects of intense solar radiation on HUD components. In a HUD generally having a display, a mirror, and a combiner, an image is projected from the display to the combiner via the mirror. The reflectance of the mirror is reduced to prevent high thermal stress on HUD components. The light source is brighter than a conventional backlight, and thus compensates for the reduction in the reflectance of the mirror. Reduced mirror reflectance translates into a reduced thermal load on the display, lens, case, electronics, or wherever the solar radiation is directed.

Abstract: A seat restraint tensioner for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing for operative connection to vehicle structure and a movable piston disposed in the housing. The seat restraint tensioner also includes a gas generator operatively connected to the housing for expelling a gas to move the piston. The piston includes a passageway extending therethrough to control a rate of stroke of the piston when the gas is generated to apply a force for pulling-down belt webbing of the seat restraint system.

Abstract: An integrated intake manifold assembly including a first poppet valve assembly disposed at the air inlet to the manifold to regulate air flow into the manifold; a second poppet valve assembly disposed on the manifold to regulate exhaust gas flow into the air intake system; and a bi-directional camshaft with cams for operating simultaneously the manifold vacuum regulating (MVR) valve and the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. The valve bodies are integrally formed in the wall of the intake manifold. The camshaft is driven by a DC motor and gear train. The cams are arranged on the shaft to provide optimum synchronized opening and closing of the related valves. When used on a diesel engine, the manifold assembly may further include a swirl valve plate disposed between the manifold and the engine head and having a plurality of ganged swirl valves actuated by levers connected to the camshaft for coordinated motion with the MVR and EGR valves.

Abstract: The invention provides a drilling apparatus and method for drilling a hole in a workpiece. The drilling apparatus includes means for rotating a drill bit and means for advancing the rotating drill bit into a workpiece to a first depth. The drilling apparatus further includes means for dwelling the drill bit within the workpiece at the first depth for a dwell time and means for further advancing the rotating bit to a second depth after the dwell time has expired. The drilling method includes rotating a drill bit and advancing the rotating drill bit into the workpiece to a first depth. The method farther includes dwelling the drill bit within the workpiece at the first depth for a dwell time and further advancing the rotating bit to a second depth after the dwell time has expired.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate and a track member. The orifice plate has an exit, a first surface sloping toward the exit, and an inner surface. The track member has an outer surface proximate the first surface of the orifice plate, and the outer surface of the track member has an entrance. A containment plate forms an orifice track with the first and inner surfaces of the orifice plate and with the outer surface of the track member.

Abstract: A valve spool for a suspension damper comprises a body portion and a bridge connected to the body portion. The body portion has an upper edge, and the bridge extends at least partially beyond the upper edge of the body portion.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate and a slug. The orifice plate defines an orifice track having a first cross-sectional area. The slug is disposed in the orifice track, and has a bore with a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method for engaging a plurality of control systems in a vehicle, enabling a main menu of a main control program; providing a means for scrolling through a plurality of selections of the main menu; providing an audible text messages for each of the plurality of selections, the audible text messages are activated as an individual scrolls through the plurality of selections; and providing a selector switch for selecting one of the plurality of selections. The means for scrolling through the plurality of selections is located on an upper surface of a spoke of a steering wheel and the selector switch is located on a lower surface of the spoke. The method also includes providing a visual representation of the main menu.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for use in a compressor having a compression chamber for compressing a refrigerant is disclosed. The manifold assembly includes a housing coupled to an intake port and an exhaust port. The housing includes an outer wall and at least one inner wall to define a suction chamber for guiding the refrigerant from the intake port to the compression chamber and to define a discharge chamber for guiding the refrigerant from the compression chamber to the exhaust port. A baffle is connected to the housing. The baffle defines a first fluid cavity and an exit cavity that are in operative communication with each other and the compression chamber. The baffle eliminates acoustic resonance of the refrigerant in the discharge chamber. Other embodiments of the subject invention are disclosed that include a first and second piston for compressing the refrigerant and an air-conditioning system for circulating the refrigerant to remove heat from an interior of a vehicle.

Abstract: An engine control module 10 is provided, including a die-cast base portion 12 having a plurality of die cast post elements 24. A cover element 14 is positioned such that each of the plurality of die-cast post elements 24 project through a plurality of cover holes 34 formed in the cover element 14. The plurality of die-cast post elements 24 are staked such that the cover element 14 is secured to the base portion. 12.

Abstract: A solder alloy containing indium, lead, silver and copper as its alloying constituents, and a soldering process employing the solder alloy. The solder alloy consists essentially of, by weight, about 50% to about 65% indium, about 0.5% to about 3.0% silver, up to about 3.0% copper, the balance lead and incidental impurities. The alloy preferably has a solidus temperature in a range of about 173° C. to about 178° C., and a liquidus temperature in a range of about 187° C. to about 196° C. As such, the alloy can be used in a reflow process with a peak reflow temperature of about 220° C. to about 240° C., and is therefore compatible with most circuit components and can be simultaneously reflowed with 63Sn-37Pb solder.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for torque control of a PM synchronous machine. The method includes obtaining a torque command signal and a machine speed and determining an operating mode in response to the torque command signal and the machine speed. The operating mode includes a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, a stator phase voltage magnitude is computed and an angle between the stator phase voltage and a stator phase back emf is determined in response to the stator phase voltage magnitude. In the second operating mode, the stator phase voltage is set to a predetermined magnitude and the angle between the stator phase voltage and the stator phase back emf is determined in response to the predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A vehicle closure has a power operated vehicle compartment latch that includes a fork bolt, a detent lever having a release tab and a stop tab, and an eccentric post on an electric motor driven wheel. The detent lever is driven to a release position by the motor via the post and the release tab to unlatch the vehicle closure. The post engages the stop tab to stall the electric motor after the detent is driven to the release position which allows the fork bolt to move to an open or unlatch position. The stop tab is disabled when the fork bolt is moved to the latch position.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of motor vehicle chassis subsystems comprises a reference model, a state estimator, a feedforward controller, and a feedback controller. The reference model computes desired states of the chassis subsystems. The state estimator estimates actual states of the vehicle. The feedforward controller computes a control value based on input from the reference model, and the feedback controller computes a control value by comparing the estimates of actual states with the desired states.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a first connector with preferably two oppositely protruding cam followers and a second connector having a pivoting cam lever having preferably two lever arms. The two lever arms respectively engage the earn followers when the first connector is initially staged and locked partially into a cavity defined by the second connector, and as the cam lever pivots from an open position and towards a mated position. The first connector, once locked in the staged position within the forward cavity of the second connector, can not be easily or inadvertently withdrawn, thus, proper orientation of the cam followers to the cam lever is assured for initial cam engagement. The assembly is locked in the staged position by the snap fitting of a tab, which projects laterally from the first connector, into a close ended groove carried by a flex wall which is cantilevered from the second connector.

Abstract: A vehicle door panel and method for roll forming the vehicle door panel are provided. The vehicle door panel has an exterior side and an interior side including a number of longitudinal protrusions formed during the roll forming process. The predetermined number of longitudinal protrusions extends inward from the interior side and receives door hardware components. The door hardware components are installed onto the vehicle door panel forming a vehicle door module. The vehicle door module is then attached to the vehicle door.

Abstract: An improved method of determining and preserving soak-related time intervals of an internal combustion engine resets a continuous timer at the end of each engine run period, and reads the value of the continuous timer at specified events during an ignition key cycle. The method measures and preserves the engine soak time preceding the current and previous ignition key cycle, and determines an extended soak time that includes intervals of engine operation that are too short to significantly affect the engine thermal and fuel vapor purge conditions. The determined soak-related times are then utilized by various engine control and/or diagnostic algorithms, such as a hot re-start fuel control algorithm.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling the start of a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method allows to assign a parameter value indicative of an estimated initial rotor position of the machine. The method further allows to energize the machine with a level of current being sufficiently high to start rotor motion in a desired direction in the event the initial rotor position estimate is sufficiently close to the actual rotor position of the machine. A sensing action allows to sense whether any incremental changes in rotor position occur in response to the energizing action. In the event no changes in rotor position are sensed, the method allows to incrementally adjust the estimated rotor position by a first set of angular values until changes in rotor position are sensed. In the event changes in rotor position are sensed, the method allows to provide a rotor alignment signal as rotor motion continues. The alignment signal allows to align the estimated rotor position relative to the actual rotor position.

Abstract: A high density wirebond connector assembly (10), is provided including an enclosure (12), a circuit board (14), a high density connector (16), a connector housing (18), and a plurality of pin contacts (20). Every two rows of pin contacts (20) merge onto a single shelf (22) to provide a high density contact surface (31). The circuit board (14) is comprised of a plurality of laminate layers (32) and rows of wirebond pads (34) positioned on the laminate layers (32). A plurality of wirebonds (36) run between individual pin contacts (20) and individual wirebond pads (34). By creating a high density contact surface (31) in combination with decreasing the distance between the wirebond pads (34) and the pin contacts (20), a smaller, lighter, cheaper, and vibrationally resistant high density connector assembly (10) is provided.

Abstract: A method for compensating the output of an angular position sensor assembly includes placing a first magnetic field sensor such that it is oriented ninety degrees from a second magnetic field sensor. A magnet is placed so that it is equidistant from the sensors. The magnet is rotated, and as it rotates, the signals output by the sensors are sinusoidal waves that are out of phase with each other by ninety degrees (90°). Accordingly, the signals can be squared and summed to determined a temperature compensation signal.