Abstract: A method and device for controlling an actuator in response to an input signal is provided. The device detects actuator position, calculates a force applied to the actuator as a function of the detected position using a predetermined formula, and responsively produces a force feedback signal. The device receives the input signal and the force feedback signal and responsively delivers to the actuator a control signal.

Abstract: Heat sinks are provided that achieve very high convective heat transfer surface per unit volume. These heat sinks comprise a spreader plate, at least three fins arranged radially around the spreader plate and an array of porous reticulated foam blocks that fills the space between adjacent fins.

Abstract: Heat sinks are provided that achieve very high convective heat transfer surface per unit volume. These heat sinks comprise a spreader plate, at least three fins and at least one porous reticulated foam block that fills the space between the fins.

Abstract: A air bag module comprises an inflator, a unitary polymeric housing, and an air bag retainer of the same or similar material. The housing has integral walls forming an inflator chamber which include an inflator mounting stud aperture, a plurality of integral supports for the inflator, an integral peripheral rim forming an airbag chamber, and an integral upper wall having inflator gas diffuser apertures. An inflator stud fastener secures the inflator to the housing. The retainer and housing have integral cooperating fasteners for securing the retainer to the housing. A polymeric cover closes the retainer and confines the attached air bag. The housing and retainer are formed of the same recyclable material such that the air bag assembly can be recycled by simply removing only the stud fastener and the inflator. Several embodiments of the housing, retainer and fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inflator gas diffuser that is integral with the housing.

Abstract: A side-impact air bag having an internal self-tensioning tether/lace interlaced within the side air bag. The side air bag is secured to the vehicle along the roof rail between the front and rear pillars. The tether or lace is secured to the air bag and traverses a plurality of predetermined guide points disposed within the air bag. When the side impact air bag is inflated the distance between the guide points increases and any slack in the tether/lace is taken up. Moreover, the air bag assembly is formed with a pair of legs that are either pulled into or clustered about the airbag during inflation to enhance curtain stability. Thus, the stability of the air bag is improved.

Abstract: The problem of reliably locking an electrically actuated park brake is resolved through the use of a jaw-tooth clutch operatively installed between the shaft and the housing of a drive motor, for engaging the brake. The brake may be locked and unlocked by selectively engaging the jaw-tooth clutch either electrically or manually.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological (MR) damper provides a higher than minimum level of damping when a power source to the MR damper is not supplying a control current. The present invention damper includes magnets positioned to direct a magnetic flux across a MR fluid path. The fluid path is created when a rod and piston assembly stroke the fluid though a control valve assembly attached to a damper chamber causing a resistance to MR fluid flow. An electric coil cancels an affect of the permanent magnets when the control current is available to allow a control circuit more operating range. The permanent magnets allow for damping when no control current is available.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological (MR) damper provides a higher than minimum level of damping when a power source to the MR damper is not supplying a control current. The present invention damper includes magnets positioned to direct a magnetic flux across a MR fluid path. The fluid path is created when a rod and piston assembly stroke the fluid though a control valve assembly attached to a damper chamber causing a resistance to MR fluid flow. An electric coil cancels an effect of the permanent magnets when the control current is available to allow a control circuit more operating range. The permanent magnets allow for damping when no control current is available.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper system is shown to include a vehicle bumper component, a main electrical connector integrated with the vehicle bumper component, a second electrical connector integrated with the vehicle bumper component, and an electrical communication path integrated with the vehicle bumper component. The electrical communication path extends between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. The vehicle bumper component is designed to permit mounting of an electrically controlled device at a mounting area. The second electrical connector is at or in close proximity to the mounting area to permit the electrically controlled device to electrically couple therewith when it is mounted at the mounting area of said vehicle bumper component. Another electrical communication path electrically couples the second electrical connector with bumper mounting holes used to permit mounting of the bumper component with a vehicle chassis/frame.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining the health of a microcontroller is a bus having a data line and instruction line. A first CPU is coupled to the bus. A reference memory stores a reference signature. A shift register is coupled to the bus and generates a second signature in response to the data line and instruction line. A controller is coupled to the register and the reference memory for controlling reading of the data line and instruction line. The controller compares the reference signature to the second signature. The controller generates a fault signal when the reference signature is unequal to the second signature.

Abstract: A distributed computer-implemented diagnostic system for determining a diagnostic state of a component. The component exhibits measurable characteristics. The system includes a database that stores reference component characteristic data. A computer server is connected to the database, and a computer client is connected to the computer server via a network. The client computer provides data requests to the server computer in order to retrieve the component characteristic data from the database. A portable computer is connected to the computer client in order to have data access to the retrieved component characteristic data and to provide the component characteristic data for performing diagnosis. The diagnostic state of the component is determined based upon the retrieved component characteristic data as provided by the portable computer and upon at least one of the measurable characteristics of the component.

Abstract: An accumulator-dehydrator for use in an air conditioning system having a delivery tube that has an unobstructed free end for drawing in vaporized refrigerant and an oil pickup tube for drawing in oil and liquid refrigerant into the hollow delivery tube. The hollow delivery tube includes a venturi portion, which creates the draw necessary to pull the oil and liquid refrigerant into the hollow delivery tube. An equalization hole is also provided to prevent a liquid slug from migrating to the compressor, thereby damaging the compressor.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting injection events in a piezoelectric actuated fuel injector. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a piezoelectric element for actuating the injector valve; (b) applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element, thereby actuating the injector valve; and (c) monitoring at least one of the voltage or current associated with the piezoelectric element, wherein changes in voltage or current are indicative of injection events in the fuel injector.

Abstract: A battery, more specifically a battery cell for a lithium polymer battery, is made using a method that includes the lamination step of applying isostatic pressure to battery cell components. The method further includes the step of heating the components of the battery cell at least prior to the step of applying isostatic pressure. The components of the battery cell should also include a binder material that includes a polymer that softens when heated, thus allowing the components named above to laminate.

Abstract: An electronic device having an enhanced attachment to a surface mount lamp (106) includes a circuit board (100), at least two conductive pads (102), at least two adhesive pads (104), and the surface mount lamp (106). The conductive pads (102) and the adhesive pads (104) are integrally formed within the circuit board (100). Preferably, each section of the circuit board (100) allotted for one surface mount lamp (106) has two conductive pads (102) and two adhesive pads arranged in a grid-like pattern such that similar pads are in opposing corners of the grid. The surface mount lamp (106) has two electrical leads (108), each protruding from opposing corners of a base (110) of the surface mount lamp (106). These electrical leads (108) are soldered to the conductive pads (102) in the circuit board (100). The unobscured opposing corners (112) of the plastic base (110) are partially melted and adhered to the adhesive pads (104) in the circuit board (100).

Abstract: A magnetorheological damper includes a cylinder and a magnetorheological piston. The magnetorheological piston is located within and slideably engages the cylinder. The magnetorheological piston includes a magnetically energizable passageway and a magnetically non-energizable passageway spaced apart from the magnetically energizable passageway. The magnetorheological piston also includes a pressure and flow control valve disposed to allow pressure-dependent fluid flow in the magnetically non-energizable passageway when the magnetorheological piston slides towards the first end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a core element capable of acting as a magnetic circuit which carries a magnetic flux, and a case element surrounding a portion of the core element. A passage exists between the case element and core element, and an amount of magneto-rheological fluid is positioned between the core element and case element to flow within the passage.

Abstract: A cam phaser wherein the stator is integral with either the back plate or the front cover plate. The integral stator may be formed by any desired forming technique, such as, for example, by machining, casting, welding, or injection molding. Preferably, however, the integral stator is formed in a single molding step by powdered metal forming using powdered aluminum. Cap seals are provided for sealing the hydraulic chambers of the cam phaser.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount assembly includes a body with a main chamber formed therein. A magnetorheological fluid retaining member is positioned in the main chamber forming a magnetorheological chamber adjacent the main chamber. An electrical coil is positioned adjacent the magnetorheological chamber and a plate member is operably connected to the magnetorheological fluid retaining member. Energization and de-energization of the coil controls the ability of the mount to resist movement by varying the apparent viscosity of the fluid within the magnetorheological chamber.

Abstract: A filtered electrical connector has a die cast aluminum housing that is mounted to a printed circuit board for attaching wiring harnesses to the printed circuit board for transmitting electrical signals to and from the circuitry of the printed circuit board. The die cast housing has six compartments that have a socket on the bottom of the housing for receiving the end connector of one of the wiring harnesses. A plastic retainer that holds several contact pins is secured in the lower portion of each compartment. A plated plastic filter insert having an anistropic substrate and surface mounted capacitors is encapsulated in an enlarged upper portion of each compartment. The contact pins extend through the filter insert and a ferrite block that is embedded above the filter insert. The ferrite block is covered by an insulation sheet to avoid short circuits in the printed circuit board and protect against bent pins.