Abstract: A method and system is described for removing contamination from a conductive particulate matter sensor. The sensor has a substrate with two electrodes on the substrate configured to collect particulate matter between the electrodes, thereby establishing an electrically conductive path through collected particulate matter between the electrodes that can be detected by measuring electrical resistance between the electrodes. The method includes heating the sensor to a first temperature for a first duration of time, wherein the first temperature and first time are sufficient to remove collected particulate matter from the sensor. The method further includes heating the sensor to a second temperature for a second duration of time, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, to remove contaminants that cannot be removed by heating to the first temperature for the first duration of time.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system is described for diagnosing an operating condition of a conductive particulate matter sensor. The sensor has a substrate with electrical resistance that varies with temperature and two electrodes on the substrate adapted to collect particulate matter between the electrodes, thereby establishing an electrically conductive path through collected particulate matter between the electrodes that can be detected by measuring electrical resistance between the electrodes, Relect. The diagnosis is performed by heating the substrate in the area between the electrodes and using the resistance between the electrodes to determine detecting whether contamination is present on the surface of the sensor. Heat may be maintained on the sensor to attempt to burn off a detected contaminant, and a subsequent resistance reading may be used to determine if the contaminant was successfully burned off.

Abstract: A control methodology for a two-stage PWM DC-DC conversion system, with transformer-isolation, in which the converter circuit input voltage is compared to a set voltage calibrated as a function of the desired output voltage and the maximum voltage conversion ratio provided by the second-stage converter. When the input voltage is above the set voltage, the second-stage converter is controlled to provide both output voltage regulation during normal operation and output current limiting during over-current conditions. However, when the input voltage is below the set voltage, the first-stage converter is controlled to provide output voltage regulation with minor output current limiting, and the second-stage converter is controlled to provide extended output current limiting independent of the input voltage.

Abstract: A self-circulating heat exchanger apparatus for dissipating heat from an electronic assembly. An enclosure defines a closed-loop circulation path for coolant. An electronic assembly capable of generating heat is installed into a vertical portion of the enclosure such that heat from the electronic assembly causes coolant in the vertical portion to rise, thereby inducing self-circulation of the coolant in the enclosure. The electronic assembly is coated with a combination of silicon nitride and PARYLENE® in order to protect electronic components from water based coolants such as a mixture of ethylene glycol and water.

Abstract: A method to electrically and mechanically connect at least one wire conductor to a terminal includes the steps of cutting and stripping a portion of an insulation outer layer along an end section of the at least one wire conductor to expose a lead of the at least one wire conductor. A further step includes applying a bonding process to the exposed lead to break down oxides disposed on the lead. A further step in the method is crimping the lead having the applied bonding process to the terminal to form a crimp connection connecting the at least one wire conductor to the terminal.

Abstract: A method of detecting particulate matter on a particulate matter sensor includes the steps of measuring an electrical characteristic associated with the sensor, determining a value corresponding to the impedance across the sensor, and compensating the impedance for the temperature at which it was determined. The method further includes determining an estimate of the total amount of particulate matter accumulated while limiting the effects of large particles captured on the sensor or blown off the sensor. The information produced by the method may be used to provide diagnostic information regarding a particulate control system.

Abstract: A crimping apparatus and methods are provided that apply a press force and a part of the press force is separately applied as a core crimp force for crimping a terminal to a wire conductor. A die assembly includes a die defining a cavity that includes an independently moveable core plate and a ram assembly includes a ram in force connection with a load pin and a core plate. When the ram applies the press force, the core crimp force will be separately applied from the ram through the load pin and core plate to produce a core crimp portion that connects the wire conductor to the terminal. The applied core crimp force is subsequently transferred from the core crimp portion to the core plate to the load pin and into the ram.

Abstract: A complex wave spring, or Beer Spring™, for electrically coupling opposed electrical contact surfaces or generating a relatively constant force. The spring includes a first wave portion shaped to define a first upward undulation and a first downward undulation, and a second wave portion fixedly arranged relative to the first wave portion. The second wave portion is shaped to define a second upward undulation proximate to the first downward undulation, and a second downward undulation proximate to the first upward undulation. The spring may be formed of electrically conductive material suitable for electrically coupling electrical contact surfaces when the spring is in contact between the surfaces. The complex spring provides unusually constant spring forces over a relatively wide range of compression distances.

Abstract: A system for controlling an infrared light distribution pattern that includes an electrowetting lens arranged proximate to an infrared light source, and operable to vary a distribution pattern of infrared light from the infrared light source into an area; an electrowetting shutter overlaying the electrowetting lens, and operable to an opaque state where infrared light from the infrared light source is blocked from projecting into at least a portion of the area, and operable to a transparent state where infrared light passes through the electrowetting shutter; an object detector configured to detect an object in the area; and a controller configured to receive a detection signal from the object detector, and operate the electrowetting lens and the electrowetting shutter in order to control the infrared light distribution pattern based on a location of the object. The pattern may be uniform or may be customized for the object being heated.

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: An occupant detection system that includes an electrode arranged proximate to an expected location of an occupant for generating an electric field between the electrode and the occupant proximate thereto. An electrical network coupled to the electrode forms a resonant circuit that includes the occupant as part of the resonant circuit. A controller coupled to the resonant circuit is configured to determine a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit indicative of an occupant presence, and a network signal magnitude at the resonant frequency indicative of a humidity value proximate to the electrode.

Abstract: The invention is a method for producing a heat exchanger assembly including the steps of extruding a plastic and an adhesive from a co-extrusion die into a plurality of tubes spaced from each other with each tube having an adhesive disposed on its exterior surface. A plurality of corrugated air fins are serially fed into the co-extrusion die and spaced from each other by a predetermined space and ejected between adjacent tubes with the corrugations extending transversely between the tubes. The adhesive is then cured to secure the tubes to the air fins. The method proceeds by cutting the tubes at each predetermined space with a guillotine shear to produce a plurality of unified heat exchanger cores. The ends of the tubes of each core are inserted into tube slots in manifolds, and the tubes and manifolds are adhesively secured together to define a heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: A terminal is used in an electrical connector and receives a matable contact member. The terminal has a receptacle contact section has a bottom wall, an upper wall, and a primary and a secondary spring beam, or member. The primary member extends from a bottom wall and is bent back into the receptacle contact section. The primary member has an upper surface facing the upper wall and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The primary member includes a free end that is spaced from the upper wall a distance less than a thickness of the matable contact member. The secondary member is formed from the bottom wall that extends into the contact section and includes a free end disposed beneath the lower surface of the primary member in an overlapping, spaced relationship thereto remote from the free end of the primary member.

Abstract: A ganged electrical connection system includes an arrangement having a spring including a plurality of engagement portions. A plurality of first connectors is receivably coupled in a plurality of receptacles in the arrangement and a plurality of second connectors is matable to the coupled first connectors along mating axes. The plurality of coupled first connectors have floatable movement in the plurality of receptacles. The floatable movement is in at least an axial direction in relation to the plurality of receptacles and the axial positional mating tolerance variation of each second connector in the plurality of second connectors in relation to each first connector in the plurality of coupled first connectors that manifests at each receptacle in the plurality of receptacles is assimilated by each respective spring engagement portion when the plurality of second connectors mate to the plurality of coupled first connectors.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a housing with an array of internal splines formed within a bore. A harmonic gear drive unit is disposed within the housing and includes a circular spline and a dynamic spline, a flexspline disposed within the circular spline and the dynamic spline, a wave generator disposed within the flexspline, and a rotational actuator connectable to the wave generator. One of the circular spline and the dynamic spline is fixed to the housing. A hub is rotatably disposed within the housing and attachable to the camshaft and fixed to the other of the circular spline and the dynamic spline. An oil passage is provided for receiving oil from an internal combustion engine for lubricating the harmonic gear drive unit.

Abstract: An optical sensor system adapted for use on a vehicle including a plurality of optoelectronic devices and a single high efficiency first lens. The optical sensor system is positioned on the vehicle to view a field of view about the vehicle. The optical sensor system may provide multiple independent video signals to multiple vehicle warning and control systems. Each video signal that is generated by each optoelectronic device may be optimized for a specific vehicle warning or control system by using additional second lenses to change the field of view, optical filters to change the spectral sensitivity, and/or independent exposure times to change the light sensitivity or dynamic range. The optoelectronic devices may be optoelectronic dies or cores, such as those used in wafer level cameras.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling personal communications. The system includes a transmitter configured to emit a transmitted signal suitable for intrabody transmission, and a receiver configured to determine if a received signal exhibits a characteristic that corresponds to a received signal that would arise from the transmitted signal being coupled to the receiver via intrabody transmission. The system also includes a controller configured to control personal communications such as text messaging based on the received signal characteristic. In one example, the system uses intrabody transmission or intrabody communication to determine if an operator of a vehicle is touching or trying to use a personal communication device while driving the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly for heating, ventilating and conditioning air in an automobile including an air inlet case chamber for receiving air. The air inlet case has a recirculation air inlet for receiving recirculation air from the passenger compartment of the automobile and an ambient air inlet for receiving ambient air from outside of the automobile. The air inlets are disposed adjacent to one another. An inlet valve plate is pivotally supported between the air inlets for rotation between a recirculation position, an ambient air position, and a partial recirculation position therebetween. The assembly further includes a check valve disposed in the recirculation air inlet adjacent the inlet valve plate. The check valve allows recirculation air to flow from the passenger compartment to the air inlet case chamber and prevents air from flowing from the air inlet case chamber to the passenger compartment when the valve plate is in the partial recirculation position.

Abstract: A vehicle security system for securing a vehicle equipped to determine that a valid radio frequency identification tag is proximate to the vehicle when there is an attempt to start the vehicle. The system includes an authorization device configured to determine that vehicle operation has been authorized, and an interference device configured to receive an authorization signal from the authorization device. The interference device is configured to interfere with the determination that a valid radio frequency identification tag is proximate to the vehicle when the authorization signal does not indicate that vehicle operation has been authorized. The system is readily installed in a vehicle as no electrical connections are required, except for an optional power connection.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling communication modes of a personal communication device traveling in a vehicle. The system includes a communication center configured to provide communication services, a personal communication device (PCD) configured to communicate with the communication center, and a controller installed in a vehicle. The communication center is configured to selectively disable any of the PCD communication modes when the PCD is residing or traveling in the vehicle. Which communication modes are disabled may be based on a customer profile. The system and method provide a way for a parent to limit the communication modes of PCD used by their child, especially when the child is traveling in and presumably operating a particular vehicle such as the family car. The system and method may also be used by employers to limit the PCD communication modes available to employees operating company vehicles.