Abstract: A process for preventing the formation of a copper precipitate in a copper-containing metallization on a die, wherein the process includes the steps of: identifying each manufacturing step after metallization which exposes the die to a temperature of greater than 100° C.; and after performing such post-metallization step, cooling the die down to a temperature of at least 100° C. at a cooling rate in a range of 0.6° C. per second to 1.0° C. per second, and more specifically in a range of 0.59° C. per second to 1.00° C. per second. The step of cooling the die can be achieved by utilizing any of numerous means including an air conditioning system with a thermocouple for monitoring the cooling rate, a substantially closed manufacturing environment housing having a ventilation port with an electrically operable fan system mounted proximate the ventilation port, a cooling rack having artificial ventilation, and/or a chiller plate.

Abstract: A rotary position transducer and method of mounting the same. The transducer includes a housing having a disc-shaped end plate, a guide in a main aperture in the end plate, a plurality of frangible coupling elements rigidly supporting the guide on the end plate, a stator rigidly supported on the transducer housing behind the end plate, and a rotor rigidly attached to the guide and supported inside of the stator with an annular gap therebetween. The transducer is mounted on a structural member around a shaft rotatably supported on the structural member by first mounting the guide on the shaft, then rigidly clamping the transducer housing to the structural member, and then applying torque to the shaft to fracture the frangible coupling elements and release the rotor for rotation with the shaft relative to the transducer housing and the stator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection valve (10) for the fuel injection in a internal combustion engine, in particular in a diesel engine. The injection valve (10) has a holder body (20) in which a first passage (30) is formed. At the holder body (20) a nozzle body (40) of an injection nozzle (16) is secured in which a second passage (54) is formed which is connected to the first passage (30) and which together with the latter forms a fuel infeed line for the injection nozzle (16). Moreover, a closure mechanism (60) is provided for the closing off of the injection nozzle (16). A sleeve (74) serves for the sealing off of the connection point between the first and the second passage (30, 54).

Abstract: A solder bumping method and structure for fine solder bump pitches. The method makes use of a semiconductor device having an input/output pad whose surface is provided with a solderable metal layer that serves as the UBM of the solder bump. A sacrificial layer is formed on the surface of the device to surround the metal layer. A plating seed layer is then formed on the metal layer and the surrounding surface of the sacrificial layer, after which a mask is formed on the seed layer and a via is defined in the mask to expose portions of the seed layer overlying the metal layer and the sacrificial layer. A solder material is deposited on the seed layer exposed within the via. The mask is then removed, followed by removal of a portion of the seed layer that is not covered by the solder material, leaving intact that portion of the seed layer beneath the solder material.

Abstract: Described is a lithium ion battery 10 comprising:

Abstract: An electronic returnless fuel system for a vehicle includes a fuel pump to pump fuel from a fuel tank. The electronic returnless fuel system also includes a fuel rail fluidly connected to the fuel pump to distribute the fuel to an engine of the vehicle and a pressure transducer to sense pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail. The electronic returnless fuel system includes a controller electrically connected to the pressure transducer and the fuel pump to control the pressure of the fuel from the fuel pump to the fuel rail at a set operating pressure. The electronic returnless fuel system further includes a pressure relief valve interconnecting the fuel pump and the fuel rail set a predetermined amount above the set operating pressure and at least one jet pump disposed in the fuel tank and fluidly connected to the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A controller for controlling an actuator in response to an input signal. The controller includes a first control block and a second control block. The first control block receives the input signal, detects an operating condition of the input signal, and responsively produces an operating condition signal. The operating condition signal has a first value if the operating condition of the input signal is in a small signal mode and a second value if the operating condition of the input signal is in a saturated mode. The second control block has a small signal portion and a saturation portion. The second control block is adapted to receive the input signal and the operating condition signal and responsively deliver to the actuator a control signal.

Abstract: A voltage mode control method and apparatus for extending speed range operation from a sinusoidally excited permanent magnet motor is described. The method includes a determination of a maximum value from a first set of parameters with each parameter having a known maximum value as well as a reading of a second set of parameters. A computation of a first derived angle using the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters is then performed. A computation of amplitude of phase voltage and a second derived angle using the first derived angle follows. A resultant output comprising a set of derived command voltages for controlling a power circuit is created whereby the power circuit can achieve required torque levels with lower currents for power switches.

Abstract: An actuator (10) for a fuel injector having a dual coil solenoid. The solenoid coils (14, 16) are connected in parallel and have windings that are wound in opposite directions. The actuator (10) of the present invention defines three air gap surfaces (22, 24, 26), one of which (24) is located in the space shared between the two coils (14, 16). The shared air gap surface (24) has a high flux density due to the additive nature of the magnetic forces between the oppositely wound coils (4, 16). The dual-coil solenoid of the actuator (10) of the present invention creates a very high force and a low inductive load which results in fast injector response times.

Abstract: This present invention provides variable deployment performance by controlling the quantity and fluid flow path of the inflator gas into or out of an air bag module according to the present invention. The air bag module includes a slide ring mechanism disposed about an inflator and adjacent at least a portion of a cushion retainer. The slide ring mechanism comprises an annular ring having openings formed therein, wherein during rotation of the slide mechanism, the openings of the annular ring align with openings formed in the cushion retainer to define a fluid flow path away from an air bag cushion for venting some of the inflator gas. Preferably, the annular ring is rotated by attaching a pair of tethers to the annular ring and to a rear surface of the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A braking assembly for providing a braking force to a wheel brake of a vehicle based upon receipt of an electrical brake signal is provided. The brake assembly comprises an actuator including a motor that applies and releases a piston within an actuator body. The actuator is fluidly connected to a wheel brake whereby the wheel brake can be applied and released. A solenoid valve is interposed between the actuator and the wheel brake on a primary fluid path for opening and closing the fluid connection. A step piston is placed within a secondary fluid path between the actuator and the wheel brake and operates to momentarily increase fluid displacement applied to the wheel brake when the solenoid valve closed.

Abstract: An ABS brake system employs two axially slidable brake discs and four brake pads that are biased to have floating light random contact therebetween in the off brake position. The ABS controller operates the brake pads with about one half of the usual brake pressure and about double the number of the usual braking and release cycles. The floating axially slidable brake discs and four brake pads have reduced residual torque drag during the brake release cycle and have reduced hystersis. The result is operation at a higher frequency and with less amplitude, than the usual sliding caliper and fixed brake system, and a resolution of a modulating scale for cycling that is usually associated with a much lower coefficient of friction surface than is actually present.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for controlling application of return torque in a vehicle power steering system. The method includes detecting a current hand wheel center and comparing the current hand wheel center to a previous hand wheel center. A change in hand wheel center is detected in response to the comparison. Application of return torque is controlled in response to detecting a change in hand wheel center.

Abstract: A fuel tank cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein and an insert disposed within the cover and adapted to decouple inertia of the fuel reservoir from the cover under severe impact conditions.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for determining the state of battery life of a starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery comprising; 1) determining the number of starting engine cranks the battery has performed and comparing that number with a desired number for starting engine cranks to ascertain a state of health of the battery, calculated as a percentage of the desired number; 2) determining the percentage of battery life diminished due to battery exposure to a maximum temperature and the minimum state of charge the battery has been exposed to at that temperature, calculated as a decrease from 100 percent; and 3) calculating the lower of the values of step 1 or step 2 thereby determining the state of the battery life.

Abstract: A vehicle has a power operated liftgate and at least one power unit comprising a fixed linear guide channel and a follower that moves in the guide channel. The follower is universally connected to a rod having at one end and the opposite end of the rod is universally connected to the vehicle lift gate. A flexible drive loop which is attached to the follower wraps part way around two pulleys at opposite ends of the guide channel. The flexible drive loop is driven by a bi-directional drive unit that includes a reversible electric motor, an electromagnetic clutch and a drive wheel that engages the flexible drive loop. The flexible drive loop may be a drive cable, a drive tape, or a drive chain or a combination of cable, tape and/or chain.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil coupled to a spark plug in a combustion chamber of the engine, and a switch responsive to an ignition control signal for causing a primary current to flow through a primary winding of the ignition coil. A control circuit is configured to generate the ignition control signal so as to produce a plurality of sparks at the spark plug during a combustion event in the cylinder. A combustion detection circuit in sensing relation with the combustion cylinder is configured to generate a combustion detect signal when combustion occurs. The control circuit is further configured to terminate the generation of the ignition control signal during the combustion event in response to the combustion detect signal, thereby terminating multicharge operation when the need for further sparks is no longer present. Unnecessary spark plug wear is avoided.

Abstract: An HVAC housing includes a novel structure to aid the mixing of hot and cold air downstream of the evaporator and heater core. A series of space, parallel, C shaped channels running transverse to the cold air stream and generally in line with the hot air stream act to smoothly constrict the cold air stream in the gaps between the outer surfaces of the channels, while hot air concurrently runs through the inside of the channels. As the cold air passes over the edges of the channel walls, hot air is drawn out and thoroughly mixed.

Abstract: A bobbin has a simple and precise means for locating and securing terminals onto the bobbin for use in a fuel injector. The bobbin has open terminal posts and flange holding notches for locating the terminals on the bobbin, and a flange locking notch for securing the terminals within the framework of the bobbin after connecting a wire and rotating.

Abstract: A ball screw assembly for a motor vehicle electric caliper comprises a ball screw, a carrier, and a ball screw nut. The ball screw has at least one internal groove, and the carrier has at least one projection engaging the at least one groove. The ball screw nut operatively engages the ball screw.