Abstract: A method for reducing current and torque ripple in a brushed electric motor is disclosed. The motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a brush housing having a plurality of circumferentially spaced brushes disposed about a commutator, each brush having a contact face that is in electrical contact with the commutator, an opposed bias face and a peripheral wall, each brush disposed in a brush pocket having a pocket wall, a base and a bias spring that is configured to apply a contact force to the bias face, thereby urging the contact face into electrical contact with the commutator. The method includes inserting a damper between each pocket wall or respective base and the respective brush.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement and a method for its use for detecting the proximity of a ferrous target, the sensor arrangement comprising a sensor body including a magnetic field source and a Hall effect device, wherein the magnetic field source is an electromagnetic solenoid. The invention has particularly utility, but is not so limited, to the field of fuel injection pumps in which it is necessary to determine the volume of fuel that is delivered to the cylinders of the engine without affecting the operation of the engine.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided that can be sat upon by an occupant that detects the weight of the occupant. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion, a rotary sensor, and a linkage having a tip. The seat cushion deforms in response to the weight. The rotary sensor has a shaft that rotates about an axis and has an electrical output that is proportional to the angle of rotation of the shaft. The linkage underlies the seat surface and connects the seat surface to the shaft of the rotary sensor. As weight is placed on the seat the seat cushion deforms in response to the weight moving the tip and the linkage. The movement of the linkage rotates the shaft, which in turn, provides an electrical output that is proportional to the weight.

Abstract: A variable shim and valve seat assembly for applications in a solenoid actuated fuel injector includes a variable shim having a face, a valve seat having a top surface that interfaces with the face, and mating features integrated in the face of the variable shim and the top surface of the valve seat. The mating features provide axial displacement of the valve seat through rotation of the valve seat relative to the variable shim. The mating features may be ramped surfaces. The amount of seat displacement is dependent on the designed ramp angle, the number of ramps, and the degree of rotation. Once the desired valve stroke is set, the seat is welded to the injector body to achieve a leak free interface. Tight stroke setting tolerances can be achieved by applying an axial load to the seat during stroke setting and welding.

Abstract: A system for removal of H2S from sulfur-containing reformate comprising a permanent canister assembly having fittings for flow of reformate therethrough and a replaceable cartridge assembly containing an H2S adsorber element and fittings for convenient, simple, and reliable mating and sealing with the permanent canister assembly. The cartridge assembly comprises a housing that may be optionally a full cylinder or a semi-cylinder. The cartridge assembly may be easily reloaded off-line for re-use of the cartridge components with a fresh adsorber element. Preferably, the adsorber element is also renewable off-line for re-use.

Abstract: A fuel level sensor includes a wiper support with metal wiper contacts. A rotatable shaft holds the wiper support and a seal assembly is provided in which the wiper support is disposed. The seal assembly includes a frame and a cover that are sealed together along respective peripheries with the wiper support being sandwiched therebetween. The shaft extends into and through an opening formed in the cover and is rotatable therein with a holder covering an end of the shaft and sealing the opening in cooperation with the cover. The frame is formed with a diaphragm above the wiper shaft that is deflectable to facilitate assembly and allow the sensor to compensate for pressure changes in a fluid tank in which the sensor can be disposed.

Abstract: A method and a system on a vehicle for activating a pedestrian protection device that has one or more sensors coupled to a fascia of the vehicle and activates the pedestrian protection device if the signal from a sensor is greater than a minimum threshold and less than a maximum threshold. Coupling the one or more sensors to the fascia improves sensitivity for detecting a collision with a pedestrian when compared to systems that do not couple the sensors to the fascia. Comparing the sensor signal to a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold helps avoid inappropriate or ineffective deployment of the pedestrian protection device. When multiple sensors are used, the location of the pedestrian collision on the fascia may be determined.

Abstract: An occupant presence sensor apparatus disposed in a seat includes first and second substantially non-compliant force translation plates generally parallel to the seating surface of the seat, an elastomeric mat disposed between the first and second force translation plates, and a switch mechanism disposed between the first and second force translation plates within an opening formed in the elastomeric mat. The elastomeric mat includes a distributed array of hollow protuberances that extend toward and contact the force translation plates, and the mat has a stiffness that normally provides a clearance between the switch mechanism and one of the force translation plates. When an occupant of specified or higher weight sits on the seating surface, the protuberances collapse and the force translation plates activate the switch mechanism.

Abstract: An interlock plate slidably affixed to a multi-bay connector header ensures a preordained connection sequence of multiple plug-in connectors. The interlock plate covers portions of the connector header, and can move with respect to the connector header to prevent access to selected bays of the header. When in a base position, the interlock plate allows insertion of one or more make-first/break-last connector plugs, but blocks insertion of one or more make-last/break-first connector plugs. When in a shifted position, the interlock plate prevents removal of the inserted make-first/break-last connector plug(s), and allows insertion of the make-last/break-first connector plug(s). Insertion of the make-last/break-first connector plug(s) locks the interlock plate in the shifted position, so that the make-last/break-first connector plug(s) must be removed prior to the make-first/break-last connector plug(s).

Abstract: The invention provides for a motor attachment assembly that includes an electric motor having spring clips adapted to securely lock onto the isolation posts of a plastic post vibration isolation system. The motor includes an end cap that has notches which cooperate with locator tabs of the motor housing to lock the cap onto the housing with the spring clips therebetween. Each clip includes an axial slot that is expandable in an open direction to receive an isolation post and biased in the closed direction to retain the isolation post. Each clip also has an inner surface with barbs protruding into the channel to allow insertion of the isolation post into the channel in the direction of the output shaft and to resist movement of the isolation post in a direction opposite to the output shaft. The inner surface has a retention groove to receive plastically deformed portions of the isolation post.

Abstract: A stripline to waveguide transition is provided that includes a shielded stripline having a transmission line in a dielectric, between two ground planes. The transition includes a stripline patch electrically coupled to the transmission line within an opening of the first ground plane and a stripline impedance matching transformer. The transition further includes a waveguide comprising a waveguide wall defining a waveguide opening. The waveguide is arranged substantially perpendicular to the patch, and the waveguide opening is aligned with an opening in the first ground plane. The electric field of the stripline transitions to a transverse electric propagation in the waveguide. The transition may be integrated with a transceiver and antenna.

Abstract: A pump includes a piston block defining piston bores, and pistons disposed in the piston bores. A swash device defines a swash bore about a swash central axis (CSW) and a swash rotation axis (CR). A pivotal connection pivotally connects each of the pistons to the swash device for rotation about a connection pivot point during relative movement between the swash device and the piston. The connection pivot points are aligned in a plane (P). A shaft supported by the housing passes through the swash bore and defines a shaft central axis (CSH). A hinge assembly pivotally supports the swash device about a hinge axis (CHI) disposed on the opposite side of the plane (P) from the piston block. The swash rotation axis (CR) of the swash device is offset from the plane (P) away from the hinge axis (CHI) and is radially offset from the swash center axis in a direction toward the hinge axis (CHI).

Abstract: A control methodology for dynamically adjusting the switching limits of a cycled refrigerant compressor in an air conditioning system with the objective of achieving an optimal or specified tradeoff between compressor cycling frequency and discharge air temperature variation under all operating conditions. In a first embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled to maintain a virtually constant discharge air temperature variation for all operating conditions. In a second embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled so that the discharge air temperature variation changes in relation to the discharge air temperature to provide a virtually constant human comfort level for the occupants. And in a third embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled so that the discharge air temperature variation changes in relation to the ambient or outside air temperature to provide a virtually constant human comfort level for the occupants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a distortion corrected video signal. A camera is directed toward a test pattern for producing a raw video signal. An image processor is operatively connected to the camera for receiving the raw video signal. The image processor is operable to capture at least one calibration image of the test pattern using the raw video signal from the camera, analyze the at least one calibration image to provide a calibration data table, and store the calibration data table within the image processor.

Abstract: An oxygen generating system includes an oxygen generating unit including a housing having disposed therein i) at least two sieve beds, ii) a piston disposed between and operatively connected to the sieve beds, and iii) at least one magnet operatively disposed on the piston. A coil is wrapped around an exterior surface of the housing and is in operative communication with the magnet(s). The coil is configured to drive the piston along a length of the housing between the sieve beds during at least one stage of an oxygen generating cycle. The driving of the piston is accomplished via an electromagnetic field formed between the coil and the magnet(s). Also disclosed herein is a method for generating an oxygen-enriched gas using the oxygen generating system.

Abstract: A display device having integral photo-sensors for touch sensing is used to detect and mitigate the effects of veiling glare that obscures information being conveyed by the display device. The photo-sensors are periodically sampled to identify optically saturated regions of the display device. If the saturated regions of the display device are being used to convey relevant information, one or more counter-measures are initiated to mitigate the effects of the glare. The counter-measures may include: increasing the display brightness at least in the identified glare region, tilting the display or its cover lens away from estimated direction of the glare source, re-sizing or re-formatting the displayed information, using an alternate display device to convey the information, and presenting the information with a different layer of a multi-layer display.

Abstract: An image classification system configured to classify a target and method thereof is provided, wherein the system includes at least one light source configured to emit light with at least one line pattern towards the target, wherein at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern is reflected by the target. The system further includes an imager configured to receive at least a portion of the reflected light and line pattern, such that an obtained 2-D line pattern is produced that is representative of at least a portion of the emitted light and line pattern reflected by the target, and a controller configured to compare the 2-D line pattern to at least one previously obtained 2-D line pattern stored in a database, such that the controller classifies the 2-D line pattern as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: A closure assembly for an inflator comprises a housing and an outlet plate disposed within the housing. The outlet plate has an outlet opening configured to receive a burst disk. The outlet plate is joined to the housing by a deformation resistance weld. The deformation resistance weld is formed by contacting the outlet plate with a first electrode, contacting an exterior portion of the housing with a second electrode, and applying a voltage through the first and second electrodes to adhere a portion of the housing to a portion of the outlet plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator, in particular for airbag modules in motor vehicles, comprising two generator stages each of which includes in its pressure housing at least one igniter, at least one propellant charge and at least one combustion chamber. An inner generator stage is arranged at least substantially inside an outer generator stage and the two generator stages are arranged at least partly in a common filter housing together with a common filter unit arranged outside a pressure housing of the outer generator stage.

Abstract: A roller finger follower assembly for variably activating a valve in an internal combustion engine includes at least one vertical recessed channel formed inside an outer arm and a shaft. The channel includes a machined upper surface closing the channel. The shaft engages with the recessed channel, the shaft reciprocates within the recessed channel, and the upper surface stops an upward movement of the shaft.