Abstract: A catalyst for treating an exhaust gas stream comprising an alkaline earth/transition metal oxide component in combination with an alkaline earth/support component.

Abstract: The gas sensor comprises a sensor element; a shell disposed around at least a portion of the sensor element, the shell having a projecting edge from a first end, wherein a portion of the projecting edge is bent toward the sensing element; an upper shield disposed around at least a portion of the sensor element, the upper shield having a terminal end; a gasket disposed between the projecting edge and the terminal end, wherein the gasket is a U-type gasket; and a lower shield affixed to a second end of the shell.

Abstract: A hydraulic engine mount includes an orifice track formed in a partition between an elastomer body and a base member of the mount, the partition being formed by two separable orifice plates. An annular fluid filled tuning chamber is disposed adjacent the orifice track and separated therefrom by a flexible membrane. An actuator is in communication with the tuning chamber for forcing pressure fluid into or out of the chamber to selectively deflect or distend the membrane to modify the cross sectional area of the orifice track and the vibration damping characteristics of the mount.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector comprises a body with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a base that comprises a valve seat connected to the body. A moveable valve assembly comprising an armature and a valve outlet member is disposed at the fuel outlet for controlling the flow of fuel from the outlet. Positioned between the armature and valve outlet member is a dampening device that acts on the moveable valve assembly to reduce bounce of the valve outlet member at the valve seat. An electromagnetic fuel injector comprises a body with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a base that comprises a valve seat connected to the body. A moveable valve assembly comprises an armature connected to a valve outlet member that includes a pintle and a ball element that is disposed at the fuel outlet to control the flow of fuel from the outlet. At least one spring, positioned between the armature and the valve outlet member, acts on the moveable valve assembly to reduce bounce of the valve outlet member at the valve seat.

Abstract: A steering gear system for an electric power steering system includes a motor, a gearing mechanism driven by the motor, a drive gear in mechanical communication with the gearing mechanism, a ball nut driven by the drive gear, and a rack laterally positioned through the ball nut and configured to translate the ball nut upon rotation thereof. The gearing mechanism includes a pinion and a sub-pinion in mechanical communication with each other held together but urged apart by a resilient member disposed therebetween. The pinion is urged away from a rotor shaft of the motor by at least one spring to compensate for angular motion of the pinion on the rotor shaft. Helical gear threads disposed on the pinion and sub-pinion are configured to engage corresponding threads on the drive gear. The resilient member forces the flanks of the threads on the pinion and the sub-pinion to remain in contact with corresponding threads on the drive gear regardless of the direction of rotation of the pinion/sub-pinion assembly.

Abstract: A release mechanism of efficient construction and operation is provided to hold profile restraining air bag tethers in a shortened operative condition under a first set of predetermined conditions and to extend such tethers under a second set of predetermined conditions. The extension of the restraining tethers may be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of an increased volume of inflating gas to the air bag cushion utilizing a gas emitting inflator in conjunction with a dynamic variable inflation device to effect delivery of a proper volume of inflation gas while releasing the tethers from a restrained length condition.

Abstract: Method and system for estimating rotor position of a switched reluctance machine is provided. The method allows for estimating flux linkage across a respective phase of the machine. The method allows for measuring of magnetization curves at aligned and unaligned positions of the machine. The method further allows for computing magnetization reference data between the aligned and unaligned positions. A storing step allows for storing rotor position data based on the magnetization reference data. The stored rotor position data is indicative of rotor position variation as a function of phase current. A relating step allows to relate the estimated flux linkage to the magnetization reference data to determine, for a respective phase current, correspondence of the estimated flux linkage relative to the magnetization reference data. A retrieving step allows for retrieving stored rotor position data when said correspondence is determined.

Abstract: A side-mount bracket system for locking the sensor position with respect to a side-mount bracket once the air gap is first established by the gauging layer method, wherein the sensor may be removed and then reinstalled without use of any position setting procedure, yet the air gap is automatically precisely reset to its original value. The side-mount bracket system according to the present invention includes a washer and a side-mount bracket having an elongated slot, wherein as the washer is brought into the slot, facial interaction therebetween, eg., teeth inscribing a smooth surface, causes the washer to be positionally fixed with respect to the bracket. Alternatively, the washer may be slidably trapped onto the bracket at the slot, and a tapered bolt having a varying cross-section which causes expansion of the washer as it is threaded home, thereby affixing the washer positionally with respect to the bracket.

Abstract: A continuous paste making process for lead acid batteries that includes the steps of mixing water with a lead oxide, reaction an acid with the lead oxide in a mixture to produce lead acid compounds, and forming a paste including interlocking lead acid crystals from the lead acid compounds, where the mixing, reacting, and crystal forming steps occur in an extrusion apparatus. The method also includes the step of extruding the paste from the extrusion apparatus into a grid where the paste is dried to form a battery plate of the lead-acid battery.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body. An elongated rack is mounted in a housing for longitudinal movement. A rotatable pinion meshes with the rack to move the rack longitudinally in one direction or the other depending on the direction of rotation of the pinion. A reversible motor rotates the pinion in opposite directions. The deck lid is attached to a pair of arms pivoted to the vehicle body. A link has one end pivoted to the rack and the opposite end pivoted to one of the arms. The deck lid is moved to open position in response to longitudinal movement of the rack in one direction or to closed position in response to longitudinal movement of the rack in the other direction.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain structure for deployment within the interior of a transportation vehicle so as to cover an area adjacent to an occupant within the vehicle during a collision event. The curtain structure includes an impact surface facing towards the occupant upon inflation of the curtain structure and a rear surface facing away from the occupant upon inflation of the curtain structure. The impact surface and the rear surface are secured relative to one another such that inflation gas entering the curtain structure is substantially confined in the space between the impact surface and the rear surface.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium storing a computer program is provided for independent control of a variable force damper system. The variable force damper system can be applied to control a vehicle suspension system. The system provides individual wheel control independent of vehicle body forces. In operation, at least one relative velocity signal and at least one body demand force is received. At least one body damper command is determined based on the body demand force. At least one wheel motion indicating parameter is determined based on the relative velocity signal. At least one wheel damper command is determined based on the wheel motion indicating parameter and a damper command is determined based on the larger of the body damper command and the wheel damper command.

Abstract: An anti-extrusion ring for use in conjunction with a vehicle solenoid valve has a plano-concave cross-section. The anti-extrusion ring is used to support a seal that seals the interface between a solenoid valve and a bore within a valve fitting. When the solenoid valve is installed in the valve fitting, a bore-to-ring interference area is formed between the bore and the anti-extrusion ring and a debris capture area is formed above the bore-to-ring interference area. Thus, when the anti-extrusion ring controllably fractures during installation of the solenoid valve with the bore or due to vibration, debris from the ring will be captured in the debris capture area and prevented from entering a fluid system in which the vehicle solenoid valve is used.

Abstract: A self-compensating control circuit for use with a magneto-resistive sensor. The control circuit includes a first stage amplification and offset function that removes a DC component from the input signal and maximizes an AC component of the input signal within the dynamic range of the control circuit. Subsequent stages remove the remaining DC component, if any, and provide suitable additional amplification. A comparator provides a digital output based on the processed input signal and a threshold signal.

Abstract: A vapor removal fuel containment fuel tank for a vehicle includes a tank shell having a wall formed from a primary fuel containment layer. The fuel tank also includes a secondary fuel containment layer disposed adjacent the primary fuel containment layer to contain fuel therein. The fuel tank further includes a vapor removal system extending through the primary fuel containment layer to allow fuel vapors that build up between the primary fuel containment layer and secondary fuel containment layer to be removed from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A master cylinder for vehicle braking systems includes a housing having a central cavity, at least one fluid supply inlet port, at least one pressure outlet port, and a flange at one end thereof. A piston actuation mechanism within the central cavity is moveable between a first position wherein the central cavity is in fluid communication with the fluid supply inlet and a second position where the central cavity is in fluid communication with the pressure outlet. A cup-shaped end cap is fastened to the housing flange in a fluid sealing relationship wherein the cup-shaped end cap receives at least a portion of the piston actuating mechanism therein and further retains the piston actuation mechanism in an operational configuration within the housing.

Abstract: Battery charging methods and associated chargers which are capable of rapidly charging a battery while subjecting it to reduced levels of overcharging. The methods described are capable of being utilized within numerous battery charging systems for batteries spanning a range of chemistries, such as lead-acid, nickel-based, and lithium-based batteries. Upon detection of the onset-of-overcharge during the charge process, a variable voltage lid is imposed (VLID=&ngr;(&phgr;)+&bgr;log&phgr;+&kgr;&phgr;) which reduces the maximum voltage that may be applied to the battery as a function of charge acceptance which is typically estimated by a calculation based on state-of-charge. Additionally, the voltage lid can be approximated with step-wise voltage lids which are responsive to the level of charge acceptance within the battery.

Abstract: A three-way gas control valve assembly for selectively controlling gas flow from one inlet port into two outlet ports or vice-versa, such as may be required for flow control of hydrogen-containing reformate in fuel cell applications. The valve assembly comprises three subassemblies: a metering subassembly disposable within the high-temperature environment in the fuel cell for mechanically regulating reformate flow; an actuating subassembly disposable outside the fuel cell and connected to the metering subassembly for actuating a pintle shaft and valve head in the metering subassembly; and a coupling tube subassembly extendable through an insulative shroud to mechanically couple and thermally isolate the metering and actuating subassemblies.

Abstract: A stop determination for a vehicle is provided by requiring simultaneous stop determinations by at least one wheel speed sensor providing output pulses at a rate inversely proportional to vehicle speed and a forward looking radar unit for sensing an object in the vehicle's path and providing a range rate signal with respect to that object. The determination is particularly useful when the time between consecutive pulses at a predetermined minimum speed indicative of an essentially stopped vehicle is greater than a predetermined maximum time period allowed for the determination. Each of the signals complements the other to provide a vehicle stopped determination that is more reliable than either can provide by itself and is workable for most purposes, including stop and go vehicle speed control.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint assembly including an inflatable curtain structure deployable from a storage position along the roof rail of the vehicle so as to extend downwardly over an area within the vehicle interior adjacent to an occupant to be protected. The inflatable curtain structure is deployed downwardly along a deployment path from its storage location along the roof rail of the vehicle in substantially nonobstructing relation to shoulder harness structures and is thereafter anchored over the covered area in a substantially tensioned configuration.