Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser for varying the timing of combustion valves in an internal combustion engine includes a seat formed in the sprocket at the appropriate position of intermediate rotation and a locking pin slidably disposed in a vane of the rotor for engaging the seat to lock the rotor at the intermediate position. A bias spring system disposed on a cover plate urges the rotor toward the locking position from any position retarded of the locking position. A first spring system embodiment comprises a pair of compression spring assemblies. A second spring system embodiment comprises an internal torsion spring. In each embodiment, the phaser may be assembled without having the spring system coupled to the rotor, thereby overcoming a rotor cocking problem inherent in prior art phasers, assuring reliable mounting of an assembled phaser onto an engine camshaft.

Abstract: An improved overmolded electronic assembly includes a backplate provided with a recessed edge, a circuit substrate on the backplate, at least one electronic component mounted on the circuit substrate, conductive traces on the circuit substrate which together with the electronic component(s) defines a circuit device, an electrical connector, and an overmold body that has peripheral edges that wrap around sides of the backplate and onto the edge recesses. The resulting over wrap feature eliminates delamination problems that would otherwise occur during thermal cycling of the electronic assembly, improves corrosion resistance at connector-to-backplate interfaces, and enhances securement of the printed circuit board assembly and electrical connector to the assembly.

Abstract: A wireless control apparatus includes a function control device adapted to control a function and a nomadic device. The nomadic device and the function control device communicate by a long-range communication network to control functions on the function control device in response to signals from the nomadic device. The nomadic device and the function control device can also communicate by a mid-range communication network. A portable fob transmits signals to the function control device and/or the nomadic device for controlling functions.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a rake adjustment mechanism, and is attached to a vehicle by a mounting bracket. A rake bracket is coupled to the mounting bracket. A column jacket is collapsible in response to an emergency event and is supported by the mounting bracket and the rake bracket, and is rotationally moveable with the rake bracket about a rake axis relative to the mounting bracket. An instrument cluster is coupled to the rake bracket for movement along with the rake bracket and the column jacket to prevent obstruction of the instrument cluster by a steering wheel upon re-positioning the steering wheel, while not restricting movement of the column jacket during collapse of the column jacket in response to the emergency event. A dynamic absorber interconnects the instrument cluster and the rake bracket to reduce vibration of the steering column assembly caused by additional weight of the instrument cluster.

Abstract: A thermo-electric device has a seat side and a cabin side for delivering heating and cooling air from a HVAC module to seat passages of a vehicle seat assembly. A selector is included for setting a desired or control temperature Tcontrol of the seat assembly. A comparator is included for determining the temperature difference ?T between the actual temperature of the seat assembly Tseat and the desired or selected temperature Tcontrol. A controller simultaneously adjusts a proportioning valve and adjusts the electrical current to the thermoelectric device in relationship to one another in response to the temperature difference ?T.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a rotary member to a stationary member. The mounting system includes a carrier adapted to engage the rotary member, wherein the carrier includes a mounting leg portion which terminates into a pair of resilient leg portions. The carrier may also further include a spring member adapted to engage a first surface of the stationary member. At least one of the legs in the pair of resilient leg portions includes a turned-out portion adapted to engage a second surface of said stationary member.

Abstract: A valve-deactivation hydraulic valve lifter including a recessed face on the pin housing for making contact with the a crowned surface region of a roller follower. The lifter includes a pin housing that is slidably disposed within an axial bore in a lifter body. Pins for variably locking the pin housing to the lifter body may be disengaged to place the lifter in lost-motion mode by application of engine oil to the outer ends of the pins. A surface of the pin housing, preferably configured as a dished surface, is formed on the bottom end face of the pin housing that approaches the cam-following lifter roller for making contact with the roller follower so as to avoid contacting the roller follower's crowned surface region.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a compressor assembly for an air conditioning system for a vehicle. The compressor assembly is of the variable displacement angle wobble plate type, and includes a housing that defines a suction cavity, a discharge cavity, and a crankcase. An electronic control valve controls the flow of a fluid between the discharge cavity and the crankcase for pressurizing the crankcase to de-stroke the compressor assembly. The control valve includes a pressure sensing member, which is responsive to a suction pressure to open fluid communication between the discharge cavity and the crankcase when the suction pressure is below a pre-determined set-point. The control valve also includes an actuator port in fluid communication with the discharge cavity for urging the member into the activated position to open fluid communication between the discharge cavity and the crankcase when the suction pressure is above the pre-determined set-point.

Abstract: Method for operating a delta wound three-phase permanent magnet brushless motor. A transition speed is determined in a quadrant of a speed versus torque curve above which speed continues to increase while current/torque decreases wherein actual phase current can be controlled in a current control modification manner which reduces requested phase current. The modification manner is determined for a quadrant, wherein a controller can use the modification manner to reduce the requested phase current to control the actual phase current when the speed is above the transition speed. The motor is controlled in a quadrant wherein, when the motor has a speed above the transition speed, the controller reduces the requested phase current in the modification manner and the controller supplies the actual phase current to the motor using the reduced requested phase current and using measured phase current of the motor derived from using a single current sense resistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an NH3 concentration in exhaust gases from an engine are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes generating a first signal from an NH3 sensor fluidly communicating with the exhaust gases. The method further includes generating a second signal from an air humidity sensor disposed proximate to an air intake manifold of the engine indicating a humidity level. The method further includes determining an air/fuel ratio associated with the engine. The method further includes determining an NH3 deviation value in a calibration table based on the second signal and the air/fuel ratio, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining an NH3 concentration value based on the first signal and the NH3 deviation value, utilizing the controller. The NH3 concentration value is indicative of the NH3 concentration in the exhaust gases. The method further includes storing the NH3 concentration value in a memory device, utilizing the controller.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket extending along a longitudinal axis. A mounting bracket is coupled to the column jacket and includes a first plate disposed adjacent the column jacket and a second plate disposed opposite the column jacket from the first plate. A first clamp shaft is coupled to and extends through the first plate along a first transverse axis. A second clamp shaft is coupled to and extends through the second plate along a second transverse axis. The first and second transverse axes intersect the column jacket. A cam mechanism is coupled to the first clamp shaft for moving the first clamp shaft axially along the first transverse axis. A bridge includes a generally U-shaped cross section partially encircling the column jacket to interconnect the first clamp shaft and the second clamp shaft for moving the second clamp shaft concurrently with the first clamp shaft.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes an electrode in communication with a detector circuit that detects the impedance of the electrode and compensates for environmental conditions, such as humidity or moisture, based on the impedance measurement. Such environmental conditions may interfere with the occupant detection system's ability to detect the presence and/or size of an occupant. Typically, environmental conditions change the impedance of the electrode. The impedance is determined by measuring a frequency response of the electrode. The measured frequency response is compared to predetermined frequency response values that correspond to known environmental conditions. The environmental condition may be detected by matching the peak frequency response or average frequency response to in a lookup table.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a column jacket adjustable in at least one of a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and a tilt direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. A locking mechanism is coupled to the column jacket and is moveable between a locking position and an adjustment position. A lever is pivotably mounted to the column jacket and pivotable between a neutral position and an actuated position. The lever engages a switch when in the actuated position. The switch engages an actuator to move the locking mechanism into the adjustment position when engaged by the lever in the actuated position, thereby permitting adjustment of the column jacket in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the tilt direction. When the lever is in the neutral position, the switch does not engage the actuator, and a spring urges the locking mechanism into the locking position, thereby preventing adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the transmission of GPS reference information, and more particularly, to transmission of GPS ephemeris information for mobile applications. A Telemetry word data is provided by and/or transmitted by a non-cellular, land based network and received by a receiver. A location signal is computed by a processor and transmitted to the GPS receiver. An accumulator accumulates that data and stores it in a data base. The unit may be connected to a Public Safety Answering Point. Also, the present invention provides a method to assist the GPS in mobile applications where the user does not necessarily have a cellular phone. The present invention discloses a method of transmitting ephemeris data to assist the GPS receiver without relying on the cellular telephone network.

Abstract: A housing for use in high-pressure fluid applications, comprising a first passage defining a first axis (P1) and a second passage defining a second axis (P2), wherein the first and second passages intersect at an opening defined by an intersection at one end of the second passage. When sectioned on a plane normal to the second axis (P2) and not intersecting the first passage, the intersection defines an ellipse (E) in the plane and centred on the second axis (P2), the ellipse having a major axis equal in length to the width (D2) of the intersection and a minor axis equal in length to the height (D1) of the intersection. A wall of the intersection describes a curve in the plane, the curve passing through the points where the major and minor axes of the ellipse (E) meet the perimeter of the ellipse (E), and through points which lie outside the ellipse (E) and which are offset from the ellipse (E) by an offset distance (K).

Abstract: A plurality of direct die cooled semiconductor power device packages are vertically stacked with both coolant and electrical interfacing to form a liquid cooled power electronic circuit. The packages are individually identical, and selectively oriented prior to stacking in order to form the desired circuit connections and laterally stagger the package leads.

Abstract: A vehicle stability monitoring system and a method and an article of manufacture for determining vehicle stability are provided. The vehicle stability monitoring system includes a plurality of vehicle sensors generating a plurality of signals. The vehicle stability monitoring system further includes a computer operably communicating with the plurality of vehicle sensors. The computer is configured to calculate a first value indicative of vehicle stability at a first predetermined time based on the plurality of signals.

Abstract: A conductive elastomeric shielding device (400) for use with an electronic device includes a raised surface (401) and a sidewall (405) formed with the raised surface (401). A turret section (406) is formed with the sidewall (405) where an engagement member (407) projects from the turret section (406) for frictional engagement with an aperture (408) in a printed circuit (PC) board (410). The raised surface and sidewall are manufactured of an elastomeric shielding material for shielding radio frequency (RF) radiation for electronic components used therewith.

Abstract: A test system and method of analyzing a pin to circuit connection on a substrate is provided. The method includes applying thermal energy to the pin or the substrate at a location outside of the pin to circuit interface, and measuring infrared radiation near the pin to circuit interface. The method also includes the step of analyzing the measured infrared radiation to determine thermal energy distribution near the pin to circuit interface resulting from thermal conductivity at the interface. The method further includes the step of determining sufficiency of the pin to circuit electrical and mechanical connection based on the determined thermal energy distribution.

Abstract: A particulate (soot) sensor system has a diagnostic feature for verifying the integrity of the wiring leads. The sensor system includes a sensor and processing circuitry. The sensor has a substrate, first and second sensing electrodes on the substrate and a heater electrode. The heater electrode is electrically isolated from the first and second sensing electrodes, although there is a parasitic capacitance between them. The processing circuitry includes a heater driver, a measurement circuit connected to the sensing electrodes by wire leads, and a detector. The heater driver, in addition to energizing the heater, produces a stimulus signal that is applied to the heating electrode, which is then coupled via the parasitic capacitance to the sensing electrodes. The detector is coupled to the wiring leads and is configured to detect the stimulus signal when there is electrical conductivity over the leads to the sensing electrodes.