Abstract: An improved modular igniter package designed for bus communication with a central control module has an internal bridge element that is electrically accessible for factory testing of the bridge element. Temporary electrical interconnects internal to the igniter package electrically couple the bridge element to a pair of external bus communication terminals, enabling direct access to the bridge element by factory test equipment for accurate measurement of electrical parameters such as electrical resistance and thermal capacitance. Following measurement of the electrical parameters, the temporary interconnects are electrically destroyed, isolating the bus communication terminals from the bridge element. The temporary interconnects are preferably in the form of a pair of metal fuse elements, which are electrically destroyed by electrical currents passing through the fuse elements and respective diodes coupling the bridge element to a ground terminal of the igniter package.

Abstract: A steering column switch for motor vehicles comprises at least one wiper/washer switch (6 and 31), which is an integral part of a switch lever (1), whereby the contact bridge (16 and 37) of the wiper/washer switch is held in position on a rotary switch member (11 and 32) and acts with several contact arms (18) on switch contact paths (21 and 43) with associate connection contacts (23 and 41). The contact bridge (16 and 37) and the switch contact paths (21 and 41) interact to transfer switch function data in Gray code. This type of coding permits a reduced number of connection lines (25) and connection contacts (23 and 41), compared with the number of switch positions and, at the same time, permits relatively high switching reliability.

Abstract: An advance arrangement for a fuel injection pump, comprising a housing slidably receiving an advance piston which, in use, cooperates with the fuel injection pump to adjust the timing of fuel delivery by the pump, and, a light load piston associated with the advance piston, the housing supporting an externally accessible, adjustable abutment which cooperates with the light load piston to permit setting of a rest position of the light load piston relative to said housing and thereby to permit adjustment, from the exterior of said housing, of the datum setting from which the advance arrangement adjusts fuel injection timing.

Abstract: The sensor of the present invention comprises a solid electolyte with an electrode disposed on both sides thereof and an electrical lead connected to each electrode. The solid electrolyte is yttria doped zirconia. The first electrode, the sensing electrode, is exposed to the sensing gas such as an exhaust gas. The second electrode, the reference electrode, is exposed to a reference gas, wherein at least one of the sensing electrode and the reference electrode comprises a noble metal, platinum, metal oxide and alumina or in mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided having at least first and second battery modules, and which in one embodiment has ten modules. Each battery module includes a respective first terminal extending from one end of the module and a respective second terminal extending from the other end of the module. The battery pack further includes a conductive interface having a first opening configured to receive the first terminal of the first battery module and a second opening configured to receive the second terminal of the second battery module to thereby provide an electrical series connection. The interface electrically couples the terminals of the two battery modules. The battery pack may further include an electrically non-conductive buss terminal holder configured to receive and position the first and second battery modules and the conductive interface.

Abstract: An accumulator (24) for an air conditioning system (10) comprising a housing (26) having a first end wall (28), a second end wall (30), and a side wall (32) joining the end walls; a fluid outlet pipe (36) mounted in, and passing through, the first end wall; and a fluid inlet pipe (34) mounted in, and passing through, the first end wall; wherein the outlet pipe has an open end (38) inside the housing positioned adjacent the first end wall; and wherein the inlet pipe comprises a first section (40) and a second section (42) inside the housing, the first section being attached at one end (44) to the first end wall and being attached at the other end (46) to the second section, the second section being open at at least one end (48) with the or each open end facing a portion (50) of the side wall. Reduces the risk of liquid refrigerant fluid passing into the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A heater for a gas sensor has a first thermistor element and a second thermistor element arranged in an electrically parallel configuration. Each thermistor element may be deposited onto a substrate such that the first thermistor element extends about a perimeter of the substrate and the second thermistor element extends across a portion of the substrate intermediate the perimeter of the substrate. The thermistor elements are preferably fabricated of materials having differing thermal coefficients of resistivity. A method of heating the gas sensor includes disposing the two thermistor elements in an electrically parallel configuration over a surface of the substrate and passing an electric current through the elements.

Abstract: A MOSFET control circuit for use in generators with dual windings. The MOSFET switch consists of two or more MOSFETs connected between the upper and lower windings of a three-phase generator to permit the windings to operate in series or in parallel. The gate of one of the MOSFETs is controlled by a gate drive circuit that turns the MOSFET ON when the windings are to operate in series. The MOSFET is OFF when the windings are to operate in parallel.

Abstract: A process for removal of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas from lean-burn, diesel and other engines which produce exhaust gases containing excess oxygen is disclosed. An exhaust gas from an engine operating at an air-fuel ratio above about 18 is contacted with a multi-component catalyst having at least two catalytic components, each capable of reducing nitrogen oxides within a range of exhaust gas temperatures that is different from the range of exhaust gas temperatures within which each other component is capable of reducing nitrogen oxides. Oxidation of the remaining reducing gases is also accomplished. One example of a two catalytic component catalyst of this invention has a first component of Au supported on alumina, which reduces nitrogen oxides at exhaust gas temperatures between about 600° C. and 900° C., and a second component of Pt supported on Y-zeolite, which reduces nitrogen oxides at exhaust gas temperatures below 600° C.

Abstract: An electrical connection position assurance system that includes a pair of electrically connected contacts (46) affixed on a pivotably mounted arm (16). When the arm (16) is moved to its engage position, the contacts protrude through respective openings (52) in a harness wire dress cover (12) to close a pilot circuit (56) that has terminals (54) mounted below openings (52). The pilot circuit (56) is operably connected to a computer circuit (66) which controls illumination of an indicator light (68) depending upon whether pilot circuit (56) is closed by contacts (46).

Abstract: A radio having a detachable pod assembly and a pair of silicone keypads. The first silicone keypad is located within the detachable pod assembly, while the second silicone keypad is closely coupled with a printed circuit board that is electrically coupled with a microprocessor based controller. When the pod assembly is snapped into the radio faceplate, there is preferably a 0.2 mm interference fit between the two silicone keypads. When the user depresses the first silicone keypad, the actuation forces depress the second silicone keypad in series. As the second silicone keypad is depressed, a carbon contact “pill” on the second silicone keypad contacts the printed circuit board and signals the circuit board's microprocessor that a button has been depressed. The microprocessor then directs the radio to respond accordingly.

Abstract: A method for locating an injector ball valve guide in alignment with a valve seat mounted in a common recess of an injector valve body. The valve guide is a disk that has a central opening which guides a valve ball of an associated valve member. During assembly, the guide disk is aligned with the valve seat by a locating tool having an oversized ball on a load rod. The oversized ball is fitted closely within the central opening of the guide and is seated on the ball seat to align the seat and opening. The valve seat and guide disk are then locked in the recess by crimping edges of the recess against the valve seat. The locating tool is removed and assembly of the remaining injector components is completed. The method simplifies alignment of the seat and guide components. In a variation of the method, the guide is aligned with and fixed to the valve seat with the oversized ball in place to form an aligned subassembly for subsequent installation into a fuel injector.

Abstract: A closed loop steer by wire control system has three main components, a steering wheel unit, a roadwheel unit, and a master control unit. Signals generated by sensors in the steering wheel unit and roadwheel unit are passed back to the master control unit for processing. These signals include tie-rod force signals, and a steering wheel position signal. The master control unit uses these signals to calculate a steering wheel reaction torque signal which is sent back to the steering wheel unit to provide the operator with tactile feedback, while roadwheel command signals are sent to roadwheel units to provide steering direction. An Ackerman correction unit is also used to correct the left and right roadwheel positions to track about a common center.

Abstract: This present invention provides a device for retaining an inflator within an air bag module housing in a sealing manner. In a first embodiment, the device comprises an inflator seal member and an inflator seal retainer. The inflator seal member is disposed about an outer surface of the inflator by disposing the inflator through a central opening formed in the inflator seal member. The inflator seal member further has a flange which is received within a retaining groove formed in the module housing for partially locating the inflator within an internal cavity formed in the module housing. The inflator seal retainer is designed to provide high quality seal retention between the inflator and the module housing. In a broad sense, the inflator seal retainer comprises a symmetric star shaped member having spring-like properties. The inflator seal retainer is formed so that it includes a plurality of peaks radially disposed about an opening defined by the inflator seal retainer.

Abstract: A floated fuel strainer assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a strainer adapted to be connected to an inlet of either one of a fuel pump and fuel reservoir disposed in the fuel tank. The floated fuel strainer assembly also includes a float connected to the strainer to elevate the strainer off a bottom of the fuel tank as a fuel level rises in the fuel tank.

Abstract: An electrical control popout actuator mechanism preferably integrated with a trimmer potentiometer is vertically mounted directly to a printed circuit board. The electrical control popout actuator mechanism has a cam cylinder member, a spring biasing member, a shaft member, and a follower member which allow it to extend during use and retract when not in use. Flanges on said follower member follow cooperating cam paths to allow activation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A roll control actuator (34) for installation between first and second axially aligned parts (14,16) of a torsion bar (12) has a cylindrical housing (36) connectable by an end wall (38) to the second part of the torsion bar. A rod (40) is positioned inside the housing, extends out of the other end (42) of the housing, and is connectable to the second part of the torsion bar. A cylindrical inner sleeve (46) is positioned inside the housing between the housing and the rod; and the housing, the rod, and the inner sleeve are coaxial on an axis (A), with the rod being rotatable about the axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: A reduced noise automotive ventilation system uses two blowers, a front mounted blower that pulls outside air in, and a rear mounted fan that exhausts interior air from the cabin space. By pulling and pushing in series, the speed of each blower is reduced, and the attendant blower noise is considerably reduced. In addition, a closed floor duct routes recirculated air from the rear to the front blower, eliminating the conventional open blower noise path to the vehicle interior in recirculation mode.

Abstract: Apparatus for the connection of an optical fibre via its end, which is provided with a connection piece (1), to an electro-optical or opto-electrical converter (2) having a housing (3), an optical lens (16) which is inserted in the housing and is accessible with one side from the outside, an apparatus for the conversion of light into electrical signals or vice versa which is arranged in the housing (3) and an electrical signal output (5), with, for the improvement of the performance of the system, in particular for the reduction of the damping at the connection point, mechanical connection means (8, 12) being moulded at the converter housing (3) through which an optical fibre can be secured at the converter housing (3) with its end surface lying opposite to the optical lens (16).

Abstract: An interface device for interfacing a pencil coil to a spark plug is provided. The interface device comprises a substantially C-shaped spring adapted to mechanically and electrically engage a pencil coil shield and also adapted to make electrical contact with a spark plug ground while the spring remains mechanically and electrically engaged to the pencil coil shield. Also provided is a pencil coil shield assembly for interfacing a pencil coil to a spark plug. The pencil coil shield assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical pencil coil and a spring. The substantially cylindrical pencil coil shield is adapted to surround the pencil coil. The spring is mechanically and electrically engaged with the pencil coil shield and is adapted to make electrical contact with a spark plug ground while the spring remains mechanically and electrically engaged to the pencil coil shield.