Abstract: A very low power quadrature position sensing system that includes a first sensor, which defines a starting point of a first channel. First sensor is coupled to a first square wave generator. A second sensor, in quadrature with first sensor, defining a starting point of a second channel, with second sensor coupled to a second square wave generator. The system further includes a moving member having a magnetized surface with a magnetic distribution disposed on the magnetized surface.

Abstract: An electrical distribution center has a circuit board interposed between an upper housing and a lower housing. The upper housing has a panel provided with a universal cavity design by a multiplicity of terminal-receiving slots. The slots are arranged in laterally spaced parallel rows with the slots in each row in equally spaced apart relation to one another. Raised rails on the top side of the panel are parallel to the rows of slots and respectively occupy the spaces between the rows of slots. The circuit board has terminals extending into selected slots through the bottom side of the panel. The slots are adapted to receive the terminals of relays and fuses inserted through the top side of the panel for contact with the terminals of the circuit board. When the terminals of a relay are inserted in any of the slots, the relay body will be supported on rails on opposite sides of those slots.

Abstract: A vehicle heater of the type that uses diverted engine coolant is provided with an accelerated warm up process that takes the coolant to a temperature suitable for passenger space heating more quickly. The fan that normally pulls outside air through the front end grill is, after vehicle start up, run in reverse, so as to actually retard the flow of air through the grill. The net effect of a separate structure that physically blocks air flow is achieved merely by using existing components in a new way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high oxygen ion conducting/oxygen storage (OIC/OS) materials, a catalyst employing the OIC/OS materials, and a method for converting hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides using the catalyst. The OIC/OS materials have significantly higher oxygen storage capacity than that predicted based on Ce content due to the unexpected high and facile redox activity of the added niobium. These materials are further characterized by having a tetragonal crystalline structure under oxidizing conditions (in air) up to about 1,200° C. and a cubic crystalline structure in reducing conditions (5% hydrogen) up to about 1,000° C. for 24 hours. These materials comprise, based upon 100 mole % of the metal component in the material, up to about 95 mole % zirconium, up to about 50 mole % cerium, about 0.5 to about 15 mole % rare earth metal(s), alkaline earth metal(s) or a combination thereof, and about 0.5 to about 15 mole % niobium.

Abstract: An EGR valve having a self-compensating bearing assembly for use with a valve member having a shaft reciprocable within a valve body, includes a rigid bearing member for providing radial support and axial guidance to the valve shaft as the shaft reciprocates in the valve body; and a pliant annulus supporting the bearing member, where the pliant annulus has a density and thickness sufficient to accommodate distortion of the rigid bearing member in response to changes in temperature without interfering with shaft actuation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an easy-to-use radio that enables quick selection of radio station channels according to program type. The radio includes a receiver for receiving radio wave signals on radio station signal channels having radio data information, and has a tuner tuneable to one or more of the radio station signal channels. The radio has a processor for receiving and deciphering the radio data information and memory for storing a plurality of programmable preset channels according to a program type indicative of the type of the radio station broadcast. The radio further has a user input for selecting one of the programmable presets and for further selecting one of the preset radio station signal channels based on the selected preset.

Abstract: An evaporative control valve for a vehicle, the valve has a valve body for containing a solenoid that manipulates a plunger between an open position and a closed position, the plunger has a valve end and an adjustment end. The valve body also has a receiving area, a first port, as well as a conduit for connecting the first port to the receiving area. A port member is received and engaged within the receiving area and the port member provides a passageway from the receiving area to outside the valve body and the valve end seals the passageway when the plunger is in its closed position. The first port is aligned with and provides access to set the stroke of the solenoid.

Abstract: An air bag assembly including an inflator for discharging inflation gas and a gas receiving expansible air bag cushion of winged geometry disposed in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon release of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is deployed substantially over the windshield of an automobile as well as the pillars adjacent the windshield. View ports are present within the interior of the air bag cushion so as to maintain a degree of visibility for the vehicle operator after deployment has taken place. Mesh netting or a like material which does not unduly restrict visibility may extend across the internally formed view ports.

Abstract: This present invention provides a method for creating a gas restrictive interface between a battery case partition formed in a battery case and a battery plate strap, which extends through the partition in a series connection and is part of a battery cell block, which is received within the battery case. The battery case partition includes a notch having a sealing material disposed thereon so that when a heated battery plate strap is positioned within and across the notch, a first gas restrictive interface results between the battery plate strap and the case partition. A battery case lid having a partition tab extending therefrom forms a second gas restrictive interface with top surface if the battery plate strap by being received and secured within the notch of the battery case partition. The bottom edge of the partition tab includes the sealing material to complete the gas restrictive interface.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed that comprises an electrolyte disposed between and in intimate contact with a sensing electrode and a reference electrode. A protective coating is disposed on the protective layer adjacent to the sensing electrode. The protective coating comprises a mixture of a metal oxide, a zeolite, and an alumina. A method for making the sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a nozzle body provided with first and second outlet openings for fuel, a valve needle slidable within a valve needle bore defined in the nozzle body, the valve needle bore being shaped to define a seating with which the valve needle is engageable to control fuel flow to a chamber, the valve needle being provided with a flow passage communicating with the chamber, movement of the valve needle away from the seating into a first fuel injecting position permitting fuel delivery through the first outlet opening and whereby movement of the valve needle away from the seating into a second fuel injecting position causes fuel in the chamber to flow through the flow passage for delivery through the second outlet opening. The nozzle body may include an upper nozzle body part provided with a through bore and a lower nozzle body part provided with a blind bore, the lower nozzle body part being received in the through bore to close an open end thereof.

Abstract: A position sensor system capable of self compensation over wide temperature ranges, air gaps and tilts. Three matched MRs are aligned in the direction of movement of a magnetic target. The middle MR is the position sensor, and the two outer MRs serve as reference sensors which sense the magnetic field at the limits of the position sensing range. The cooperating magnetic target assures that one of the two outer MR elements is always exposed to some maximum magnetic field, BMAX, corresponding to a position XMAX, and the other MR element is always exposed to some minimum magnetic field, BMIN, corresponding to a position XMIN, such that BMIN≦BX≦BMAX, corresponding to XMIN≦X≦XMAX, where BX is the magnetic field measured by the middle MR and varies with the position, X, of the target. The actual position, X, is computed assuming a linear relation between MR resistance in the magnetic field range from BMIN to BMAX and the position, X, of the target.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting radar system blockage includes a radar system having an antenna unit configured to transmit radar signals and receive reflected radar signals. In one embodiment, fixed frequency continuous wave radar signals are transmitted, and corresponding reflected signals are sampled and processed to determine a mainbeam clutter signal peak in frequency bins near those corresponding to vehicle speed. If this peak is less than a power threshold, the antenna unit is at least partially blocked. In another embodiment, a number of most recent reflected tracking signal amplitudes are sampled, normalized to a predefined range value and filtered to produce a smoothed tracking amplitude. If the smoothed tracking amplitude drops below an amplitude threshold, the antenna unit is at least partially blocked. The two embodiments may be combined to determine a radar antenna blockage status as a function of both techniques.

Abstract: A NOx adsorber composition comprising a substrate; and a washcoat, wherein said washcoat comprises a catalytic metal component, a trapping material, and a porous support, wherein said porous support comprises cerium oxide and an oxygenated metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum oxide, yttrium oxide, neodymium oxide, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing oxygenated metals.

Abstract: A roller finger follower. includes an elongate body having first and second opposing sides each having respective inside surfaces. First and second grooves are defined by the respective inside surfaces. A slider bracket includes a top plate having a top surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides. First and second projections are affixed to or integral with the top plate, and protrude therefrom in a generally parallel manner relative to the top surface. The first projection is slidably disposed within the first groove and the second projection is slidably disposed within the second groove. A locking pin assembly is carried by the slider bracket, and selectively couples and decouples the slider bracket to and from the body.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a sensing circuit for use with a proximity sensor having a first electrode and a second electrode and a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensing circuit includes a signal generator for generating an alternating signal. The signal generator is for connection to the first electrode of the sensor. A synchronous detector has a first input for connection to the second electrode of the sensor. A phase shifter is coupled to the signal generator and generates a phase shifted signal in response to the alternating signal. The phase shifted signal is provided to a second input of the synchronous detector. The synchronous detector detects a change in the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode in response to a signal from the second electrode and the phase shifted signal.

Abstract: A zero emissions fuel system includes a fuel tank fluidly interconnected with a fuel vapor containment and absorption canister. The canister is further interconnected with an engine intake manifold via a purge solenoid valve that controls the extent to which a vacuum in the intake manifold affects the canister. The canister is also interconnected with the ambient environment via at least one selectively operable valve. During normal operation of the engine, the purge solenoid valve allows the intake manifold to draw fuel vapor from the canister for consumption by the engine. At a predetermined vacuum pressure, the at least one valve opens, thereby allowing outside air to flow into the system through the vacuum relief valve to facilitate purging of the canister.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle electrical system includes a flexible topology DC-to-DC converter for coupling an engine-driven alternator to vehicle electrical loads at a mode-dependent transfer ratio. The output voltage of the alternator is regulated based the load voltage, and the converter is operable in one of a number of different modes based on engine speed, including a forward boost mode, a forward unity mode, and a forward buck mode. In the forward boost mode, the converter output voltage is boosted above that of the alternator to enable battery charging at low engine speeds; in the forward unity mode, the alternator output voltage is transferred to the battery and electrical loads at a unity transfer ratio; and in the forward buck mode, the converter output voltage is reduced below that of the alternator to enhance the alternator power output at medium-to-high engine speeds.

Abstract: A thermistor assembly holding device includes a holder and locking mechanism. The holder is comprised of a first member and a second member. The first member includes a projection and the second member includes a receiving slot. When the projection is inserted into the receiving slot the first and second members are in a closed position and form a cavity. The thermistor assembly is received within the cavity. The holder is inserted into the locking mechanism that is coupled to an HVAC unit of an automobile. The locking mechanism includes a base and a locking plate with an aperture disposed throughout. A locking channel is disposed between the locking plate and the base. The locking channel receives a locking projection that is integrally formed with the first member. The locking projection in conjunction with a knob interacts with the locking mechanism to secure the holder to the HVAC unit.

Abstract: A method for producing thin film alloy by a sputtering deposition process comprising using a target having compartments of individual components arranged in concentric circles.