Abstract: A communication system and method to allow authorized access to a vehicle. The system communicates with an internet server and a mobile communication device such as a smart phone or RFID transponder to determine if a person attempting to access the vehicle is authorized. The system includes an in-vehicle security module configured to be installed on the vehicle and to receive an authorization signal from the internet server. The in-vehicle security module includes a keyless entry transmitter configured to communicate with a keyless entry system of the vehicle effective to allow access to the vehicle if the authorization signal is received. By using a keyless entry transmitter to operate the vehicle's security system, the communication system is easy to install as opposed to systems that require a wired interface with the vehicle. Such a system is useful for unattended operation of vehicle rental fleets or employee vehicle fleets.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly that includes an outlet header/manifold defining an outlet cavity, an outlet tube in fluidic communication with the outlet cavity, and a heat exchanger core. The outlet tube and the outlet cavity cooperate to reduce a temperature value range across the heat exchanger core by equalizing refrigerant distribution between the refrigerant tubes within the heat exchanger core. The length of the heat exchanger headers/manifolds may be increased for a predetermined packaging width because the outlet tube and inlet conduit may exit the headers/manifolds perpendicularly rather than axially, allowing the heat exchanger core width to be increased. The increased heat exchanger core width allows additional refrigerant tubes to be included in the heat exchanger core, providing decreased air pressure difference for air flowing through the heat exchanger assembly and increased heat capacity of the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle windshield display system for detecting obstruction of a vehicle operator's field of view by a windshield display. The system provides closed-loop feedback to perform a visual check of what is actually being displayed on a windshield display in order to avoid obstructing an operator's field of view. The system includes a windshield display configured to be installed into a vehicle and configured to display a graphic in a field of view of an operator of the vehicle, a camera configured to determine an image of the graphic displayed by the windshield display, and a controller configured to determine if the image indicates that field of view is obstructed. The camera is used to monitor the windshield display and provide feedback to the controller so that appropriate adjustments to the graphic being displayed can be made.

Abstract: A method that employs a novel combination of conventional fabrication techniques provides a ceramic short-resistant capacitor that is bendable and/or shapeable to provide a multiple layer capacitor that is extremely compact and amenable to desirable geometries. The method allows thinner and more flexible ceramic capacitors to be made. The method includes forming a first thin metal layer on a substrate; depositing a thin, ceramic dielectric layer over the metal layer; depositing a second thin metal layer over the dielectric layer to form a capacitor exhibiting a benign failure mode; and separating the capacitor from the substrate. The method may also include bending the resulting capacitor into a serpentine arrangement with gaps between the layers that allow venting of evaporated electrode material in the event of a benign failure.

Abstract: A system for varying actuation of a combustion valve in an internal combustion engine, including a control shaft pivot housing fixedly disposed on the engine, a control shaft pivotably disposed within the control shaft pivot housing and eccentrically fixed to a control shaft disc, an input rocker subassembly pivotably disposed on the control shaft disc and having a contact feature disposable as a follower against a camshaft lobe, an output cam subassembly pivotably disposed on the control shaft and engageable by the input rocker subassembly and including an output cam profile for engaging a finger follower of the engine, and a bias spring to urge the output cam subassembly toward the input rocker subassembly. In one aspect of the invention, high lift events with full duration are produced whenever the control shaft is aligned such that the input rocker pivot center and the output cam pivot center are coincidental.

Abstract: A system, controller, and method for controlling a light distribution pattern. A light source and an electrowetting lens cooperate to vary a light distribution pattern of light from the light source. An object detector is used by a controller determine the location of an object and operate the electrowetting lens in order to control the light distribution pattern based on the location of the object. The electrowetting lens provides for faster redirecting of light toward an object when compared to mechanical based system. The light source may be an array of light emitting diodes to provide a reliable, energy efficient source of light.

Abstract: An engine control system, a controller for the engine control system, and a method of controlling a combustion process in an internal combustion engine operating at an engine operating condition. The engine control is based on closed-loop control of ignition dwell. Ignition dwell is defined as time or crank angle difference between an end of fuel injection (EOI), or some other aspect of an injection control signal, and a start of combustion (SOC), or some other aspect of an internal combustion event. One or more engine control devices, such as a fuel injector or an exhaust gas recirculation valve may be varied to control ignition dwell. By providing such a closed-loop engine control based on ignition dwell, the air/fuel charge mixture, and/or stratification present in the combustion chamber at the moment combustion starts may be controlled.

Abstract: Independent optical unit for head-up display system for motor vehicle, intended for the display in the field of view of the driver of a virtual image obtained from an object image coming from a projector, including a first optical component reflecting the incident light rays emanating from the projector towards a second optical component placed in the field of view of the driver for the positioning of a final virtual image, means being provided for the adjustment of their relative position.

Abstract: A communication system, an in-vehicle communication module, and a method for operating a keyless entry receiver in a vehicle to recognize a keyless entry transmitter. An internet server is used to store programming data for operating the keyless entry receiver to recognize the keyless entry transmitter. An in-vehicle communication module is used to communicate with a diagnostic bus of the vehicle to determine a vehicle identity, communicate with the internet server to download programming data corresponding to the vehicle identity, operate the keyless entry receiver into a learn mode via the diagnostic bus and in accordance with the programming data, and operate a keyless entry transmitter to transmit a keyless entry signal effective for the keyless entry receiver to recognize the keyless entry transmitter.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes control apparatus for establishing an interactive human-machine interface (HMI) between a vehicle driver and an on-board communication system that is wirelessly coupled to a nomadic communication device carried by the driver. The on-board communication system has the ability to activate the nomadic communication device to check for messages, and the interactive HMI includes a configurable display through which check-message inquiries are selectively communicated to the driver, and an input device selectively manipulated by the driver to accept a check-message inquiry. An HMI controller responsive to sensed vehicle operating condition data and driver manipulation of the input device determines if and when a check-message inquiry should be communicated to the driver.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor is disposed within the stator and includes a plurality of vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A bushing adaptor of the camshaft phaser is disposable axially within a pocket of the camshaft and is disposed axially within the rotor. The bushing adaptor defines at least in part a supply passage for communicating pressurized oil from the internal combustion engine to a control valve, an advance passage for selectively communicating pressurized oil from the control valve to the advance chambers, and a retard passage for selectively communicating pressurized oil from the control valve to the retard chambers.

Abstract: An air conditioning system including an evaporator having a manifold and a plurality of tubes extending downward in a vertical direction from the manifold. The evaporator defines at least one PCM tank engaging the manifold for storing a phase change material. When operating in a first operating mode, heat is transferred from the phase change material to the refrigerant to freeze and cool the phase change material. When operating in a second operating mode, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the frozen phase change material to condense the refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant falls downwardly through the tubes and receives heat from a flow of air to cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant rises upwardly back to the low pressure of the cold manifold.

Abstract: An occupant detection system and method are provided for detecting an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. An electrode is arranged in a seat proximate to an expected location of an occupant for sensing an occupant proximate thereto. The electrode may be integrated with a seat heater. Control circuitry controls the seat heater. A signal generator is coupled to the electrode and configured output to the electrode a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies. Occupant detection circuitry detects voltages responsive to the plurality of signals at the plurality of frequencies and detects a state of occupancy based on the detected voltages. An LC circuit coupled to the electrode and the control circuitry suppresses capacitance generated by the control circuitry.

Abstract: A vehicle front lighting assembly, or headlight assembly, that includes one or more variable tint electrowetting elements overlying a portion of the assembly lens surface. The variable tint electrowetting element is configured to operate to a transparent state whereby the hue of light passing therethrough is not changed, and a tinted state where the hue of light passing therethrough is changed. Alternatively, the variable tint electrowetting element is configured to operate to the tinted state and an opaque state where light is blocked from passing through the electrowetting element. The assembly may use light emitting diodes (LED) as an alternative to more conventional light sources.

Abstract: Arrangement for mounting an electronic display (30) at the centre of a rotary switch (12), including: a support board (18), an electrical connection device (74) which is arranged on the board (18) in order to connect the display (30) to an electronic control circuit, a cylindrical box (32) which is mounted on the board and which forms the fixed central body of the rotary switch (12), an annular body (34) forming a rotor which is mounted in rotation on the cylindrical box about an axis so as to form a turning part of the rotary switch (12), characterised by the fact that the cylindrical box (32) includes a container designed to receive the display (30) by transversal insertion, relative to the axis of the rotary switch (12).

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing with a housing control bore, a supply port in selective fluid communication with the housing control bore for receiving working fluid from a working fluid source, a control port in fluid communication with the housing control bore for communicating the working fluid to and from a working device switchable from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation at a predetermined pressure, and a vent port in fluid communication with the housing control bore for selectively returning the working fluid to the working fluid source. A supply valve member is selectively seated and unseat with a supply valve seat. A bleed orifice is provided for communicating the working fluid from the supply port to the control port at a second pressure that is less than the predetermined pressure when the supply valve member is seated with the supply valve seat.

Abstract: A collision sensor module configured to be attached to a surface of a vehicle. The module includes a collision sensor circuit board configured to detect acceleration indicative of a vehicle collision event. The exterior of the module is defined by a housing that includes a rigid part and a flexible part. The rigid part is configured to define a wing portion for attaching the rigid part to the surface, provide an underside surface of the rigid part to couple the collision sensor circuit board to the surface in a manner effective for the circuit board to detect when the vehicle is involved in a collision event. The flexible part is configured to sealingly contact the rigid part and the collision sensor circuit board in a manner effective to seal the protective cavity when the rigid part is attached to the surface and thereby protect the collision sensor circuit board.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes. A rotor is disposed within the stator and includes vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A primary lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a primary lock pin seat for limiting rotation between the rotor and stator to a range between full advance and full retard. A secondary lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a secondary lock pin seat for preventing rotation between the rotor and the stator at a predetermined position within the range. A cap is disposed axially adjacent the rotor to define a bridging lock pin oil passage therebetween. The bridging lock pin oil passage provides fluid communication between the primary lock pin and the secondary lock pin.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating signals is provided. The system includes a plurality of satellites, at least one receiver, and at least one satellite uplink station. The plurality of satellites include at least one active satellite. The at least one receiver is in communication with the plurality of satellites, and receives a signal from the at least one active satellite. The at least one satellite uplink station is in communication with the plurality of satellites, and transmits the signal and alters a frequency of the signal based upon a location of the at least one active satellite to reduce a Doppler frequency shift when activating and deactivating the plurality of satellites.

Abstract: A battery monitor system for determining a cell voltage between a low side contact and a high side contact of a cell in situ as one of a plurality of cells connected in series to form a battery. The system uses an arrangement of switches and capacitors to shift relatively high absolute voltages of a battery stack to a relative low voltage level so lower voltage electronics can be used to monitor cell voltages. The system may be configured to provide a single ended measurement or a differential measurement indicative of a cell voltage. The differential measurement may be advantageous to correct or offset signal noise caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI).