Abstract: A spark plug coil assembly has a primary core bearing primary windings and a secondary winding spool around which secondary windings are wound and in which the primary core is received. A case receives the spool with core. The entire case can be made of composite Iron to function as a magnetic return path for the core. Thick ends of the case support the ends of the core.

Abstract: A spark plug coil assembly has a primary core bearing primary windings and a secondary winding spool around which secondary windings are wound and in which the primary core is received. A case receives the spool with core. The entire case can be made of composite Iron to function as a magnetic return path for the core, or a composite Iron shield can be overmolded to an otherwise plastic case.

Abstract: A heated fuel injector includes a fuel inlet for receiving fuel, a fuel outlet for dispensing fuel from the heated fuel injector, and a heated body having an inside surface fore fluidly connecting the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The heated fuel injector also includes a hollow pintle shaft that is reciprocably movable within the heated body for selectively permitting and preventing the dispensing of fuel from the fuel outlet. A fuel passage is formed between the inside surface and the hollow pintle shaft such that fuel flows through the passage from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The hollow pintle shaft defines a sealed chamber within the hollow pintle shaft which thereby increases the efficiency by which the heated body can heat the fuel flowing through the fuel passage.

Abstract: A thermal conduction structure is integrated into a multi-layer circuit board to thermally couple a power electronic device to a heatsink while electrically isolating the power electronic device from the heatsink. The thermal conduction structure includes a stack of alternatingly insulative and conductive layers, a first set of vertical vias that thermally and electrically join the power electronic device to a first set of conductive layers, and a second set of vertical vias that thermally and electrically join the heatsink to a second set of conductive layers that are interleaved with the first set of conductive layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining seat belt tension in a seat belt system. The apparatus includes webbing and a motor coupled to the webbing for retracting the webbing and generating a seat belt tension. When the seat belt apparatus is deployed to restrain an occupant, the tension on the seatbelt is monitored by applying a voltage to the motor to retract the webbing, measuring an electrical current during the application of the voltage, determining a maximum value of the electrical current and determining the seat belt tension based upon the maximum value.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner system having, and method of operating, an externally controlled variable displacement compressor and a compressor clutch. If the system is operating during conditions when the operating displacement is low, the efficiency of the system is increased by duty cycling the clutch. Operating an externally controlled variable displacement compressor in this manner can also prevent overcooling by the air conditioner.

Abstract: The laser of a laser-generated windshield display is controlled to initially deflect the laser beam in the direction of a reflective target disposed outside a display region of the windshield, and a sensor disposed in a reflection path of the target is sampled to detect the presence of a feedback signal that occurs when the laser beam impinges on the sensor. If the feedback signal is detected, the laser beam is deflected onto the display region to generate a driver display; but if the feedback signal is not detected, the laser is automatically turned-off. Once the laser is turned off for lack of a feedback signal, the control is repeated following a specified delay interval so that the driver display will automatically resume the when the condition that prevented generation of the feedback signal is cured.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a lightweight electronic device for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a one-piece case formed of a layered composite structure including polymer based, electrically insulating sheet material and electrically conductive sheet material that is compression molded or hydroformed to provide three-dimensional case details to accept one or more electronic devices such as circuit boards required for electrical control and display of vehicle based systems. The conductive sheet material is preferably a wire mesh which provides shielding from electrical anomalies and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. Major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment.

Abstract: A system and a method for bypassing execution of an algorithm are provided. The method includes associating a first algorithm of a first computer with a second algorithm of a second computer, utilizing the first computer, wherein execution of the second algorithm by the second computer is to be bypassed. The method further includes determining when the second computer has a predetermined state. The method further includes stopping execution of the second algorithm on the second computer when the second computer has the predetermined state. The method further includes initiating execution of the first algorithm on the first computer when the second computer has the predetermined state.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating satellite digital radio program information for multiple satellite channels is provided. The method includes the steps of providing multiple satellite signals, and providing multiple data frames in each of the satellite signals. The method also includes the steps of providing frame synchronization symbols in each of the data frames, such that the frame synchronization symbols occurring in the satellite signals do not overlap in time with each other. The method also includes the steps of providing multiple data slots within each of the data frames, and providing satellite program information in at least one of the data slots in each data frame. The multiple data slots are positioned within each data frame relative to the frame synchronization symbol of that data frame, such that the data slots containing satellite program information in the multiple satellite signals do not overlap in time with each other.

Abstract: A noise blanker circuit and method of removing impulse noise from a signal and correcting the signal is provided. The circuit includes a detection stage, a pulse removal stage, and a pulse removal correction stage. The detection stage includes at least an input that emits an input signal along a first signal path and a second signal path. The first and second signal paths are in communication with a blank pulse generator. The pulse removal stage is in communication with the input and includes at least a sample and hold device that samples and holds the input signal based upon an output of the blank pulse generator. The pulse removal correction stage includes at least a pulse removal device in communication with the detection stage and the pulse removal stage and corrects the input received from the pulse removal stage based upon the output of the blank pulse generator.

Abstract: A vehicle crash sensing system and method are provided for sensing a vehicle crash event. The system includes a linear acceleration sensor located on a vehicle for sensing linear acceleration along a first sensing axis and generating a linear acceleration signal. The system has linear crash sensing logic for determining a crash event along the first sensing axis as a function of the sensed linear acceleration. The system also has signal processing circuitry for processing the linear acceleration signal and generating a processed linear acceleration signal. The system has an angular rate sensor located on the vehicle for sensing an angular roll rate of the vehicle about a second sensing axis and generating a roll rate signal. The system further includes rollover crash sensing logic for determining a rollover event of the vehicle about the second sensing axis as a function of the processed linear acceleration signal and the roll rate signal.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that includes a cellular phone communication device in communication with a cellular phone service provider having a remote server. The communication device includes a device for determining a current position and a transceiver for transmitting at least one of the determined current position and geographic identifier to the remote server. The communication device further receives at least one of a geographic identifier and alert information relevant to the determined position from the server and includes an output for outputting alert information relevant to the determined position.

Abstract: An HVAC module for controlling the temperature inside a vehicle and including a housing of a first material being pliable in response to a predetermined force. A blower assembly is disposed adjacent to the inlet of the housing for propelling a flow of air into the air channel. A frame defining a skeleton supports the housing and the blower assembly on the vehicle, and the frame is of a second material for maintaining structural integrity in response to a force greater than the predetermined force. The skeleton of the frame includes a plurality of hoops parallel to and spaced from each other and a plurality of stringers interconnecting the hoops. A plurality of beams and a metal spine extend outwardly from one of the hoops to engage the blower assembly.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator comprises a co-fired stack of piezoelectric elements formed from a piezoelectric material and a plurality of positive internal electrodes interdigitated with a plurality of negative internal electrodes throughout the stack to define active regions of the piezoelectric material which are responsive to a voltage applied across the internal electrodes, in use. An external positive electrode connects with the positive internal electrodes and an external negative electrode connects with the negative internal electrodes. The actuator is characterised in that the stack further comprises means for deliberately creating artificial cracks within the stack at a location at which the artificial cracks do not give rise to a short circuit between the internal electrodes but serve to relieve stresses within the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A coupling for suspending a fuel injector from a fuel rail assembly of an internal combustion engine includes a collar that mates with the fuel injector and a retainer clip that engages with the collar thereby mechanically connecting the fuel injector to the fuel rail assembly. The retainer clip includes windows to enable even load distribution upon the socket flange when assembled. Features are integrated in the collar to facilitate correct alignment of the injector relative to the fuel rail. Paired together, the retainer clip and the collar enable a secure, and a keyed fuel injector-to-fuel rail connection that is able to withstand high pressure separating loads.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower assembly for use in conjunction with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, wherein the camshaft has at least one first lobe and at least one second lobe. The roller finger follower assembly comprises a follower body for engaging the first cam lobe and having a central aperture, a follower pivotably disposed on the follower body in the central aperture for engaging the second cam lobe, and a limiting stop disposed on the follower body for engaging a feature on the follower to limit travel of the follower body with respect to the follower. The limiting stop prevents overtravel of the follower body during valve-deactivation mode of the assembly, thus preventing excessive leak down of an associated hydraulic lash adjuster.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining a change of temperature of a SBT pixel element are provided. The method includes determining a first value indicating an amount of surface charge of the SBT pixel element due to a spontaneous polarization of the SBT pixel element at a first time. The method further includes determining a second value indicating an amount of surface charge of the SBT pixel element due to a spontaneous polarization of the SBT pixel element at a second time. The method further includes determining a third value proportional to a difference between the first value and the second value. The method further includes determining a fourth value indicative of the change of temperature of the SBT pixel element based on the third value. The method further includes storing the fourth value indicative of the change of temperature of the SBT pixel element in a memory device.

Abstract: A pedestrian impact sensor system includes a first plate and a second plate both connected to an outer surface of a vehicle such that a capacitance between the first plate and the second plate is dependent upon whether a body proximate the vehicle is animate. A crush sensor senses a force exerted by the body on the vehicle. A monitoring circuit monitors the capacitance between the first plate and the second plate and an output signal of the crush sensor. The monitoring circuit issues a safety countermeasure signal dependent upon the capacitance between the first plate and the second plate and the output signal of the crush sensor.

Abstract: A method of determining the available energy of a battery provides for measuring first and second open circuit voltage of the battery with a change of energy level occurring therebetween. The two open circuit voltages are correlated to a state of charge level and the measured amount of change of energy is divided by the change of the state of charge.