Abstract: A valve timing system 10 is provided for dynamically suppressing cylinder knock within an internal combustion engine. The engine is of the type including several cylinders 12, each having intake and exhaust valves 14, 16. Valve timing system 10 includes a controller 24, sensors 30, and actuators 26, 28 which selectively actuate valves 14, 16 in response to signals received from controller 24. Controller 24 identifies knocking within one or more of cylinder(s) 12, and provides a modified control signal to the valve actuators 26, 28 which are associated with the identified cylinder(s). The modified control signal alters the duration in which the valves 14, 16 remain open, thereby suppressing knocking within the cylinder(s) without adversely effecting the vehicle's fuel economy or emissions.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically controlling the torque output of the various cylinders of a camless internal combustion engine. The system and method selectively alter the timing profiles of the engine's valves, effective to balance the torque outputs of the engine's cylinders.

Abstract: A method for painting a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes applying a first base coat to a first portion of the body of the vehicle and applying a second base coat to a second portion of the vehicle while the first base coat remains unmasked, effective to cooperate with the first base coat to form a line of demarcation.

Abstract: A motor vehicle charging system comprises a first alternator including a first power output and a discrete alternator enabling input, a second alternator including a second power output and an electronic controller having a switchable output. The switchable output is coupled to the alternator enabling input. A method for controlling a motor vehicle charging system having a first alternator, a second alternator and a source of switched system voltage having an ON state and an OFF state comprises providing continual enabling power to the first alternator whenever the source of system voltage is in the ON state. The method also includes providing switchable enabling power to the second alternator whenever the source of system voltage is in the ON state.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for controllably moving a vehicle window, which is deployed upon a vehicle 12 of the type having a cab 14 including a rear or “backlight” window 16. Apparatus 10 includes a conventional controller 22 having a memory unit 24, a conventional window actuating motor 26, which is operatively coupled to window 16 and to controller 22, and a user operated switch 28, which is coupled to controller 22. Controller 22 receives signals from switch 28 and utilizes the received signals, in combination with data describing the current state/position of the ignition switch 36 and of motor 26, to selectively provide commands to motor 26, thereby selectively and controllably moving and/or positioning window 16.

Abstract: A system 10 for synchronizing the phase angle of an alternating current power source (“APS”) 12 with the phase angle of a power grid 14. The system 10 provides for reliable synchronization between the phase angle of the APS 12 and the phase angle of the power grid 14 during both normal and abnormal operating conditions.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle 10 including a power take off assembly 20 which is selectively operated by a source of energy which may comprise the cooperative combination of a battery 22 and a motor 16 while the internal combustion engine 12 is deactivated, thereby allowing for a quiet and efficient operation.

Abstract: A clutch divider plate 10 having a pair of outer plates 12, 14 and a pair of inner rings or members 16, 18. Rings or members 16, 18 include several notches 40, 38 which allow cooling fluid or oil to pass through the plate 10, thereby cooling plate 10.

Abstract: A vehicle image acquisition and display assembly 10 which is deployed within conventional vehicle rear-view mirror housing or shroud members 20, 22 and which selectively provides images of areas/regions and/or objects residing within the front and/or along the side of a vehicle 12

Abstract: A servo assembly 22 for selectively engaging a brake band 14 in an automotive vehicle is disclosed. Servo assembly 22 includes a piston 26 at least partially encased in a housing 24 and a first and second supply 111, 132 of hydraulic fluid which selectively actuate the piston to engage the brake band.

Abstract: A headrest storage structure 10 for securely and efficiently storing a headrest 16 of a vehicle seat 14 when the seat 14 is not in use. The structure includes a socket assembly 60 which is operatively disposed within a trim panel 18 of a vehicle 12 and which includes a pair of apertures 30, 32 which selectively receive headrest attachment members 34, 36, thereby securing the headrest to the vehicle trim 18.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal system 10 for an automotive vehicle. The system 10 substantially ensures that adjustable pedals 20 are not adjusted when any one or more of the pedals 20 are depressed and/or when the vehicle is being driven.

Abstract: An cylinder air charge estimation assembly 12 for use with an internal combustion engine 10 having at least one cylinder 14. Assembly 12 dynamically estimates the amount of air contained within the at least cylinder 14 of the engine 10 by the dynamic use of one of two unique air charge estimation techniques.

Abstract: A valve timing system and method 10 is provided which automatically compensates for variations in the compression ratios of cylinders 12 of an internal combustion engine 30. Valve timing system 10 includes a controller 24 and actuators 26, 28 which selectively actuate valves 14, 16 in response to signals received from controller 24. In one embodiment, controller 24 is effective to cause each of the cylinders 12 to have a substantially uniform susceptibility to knock.

Abstract: An mounting bracket 50 which attaches an alternator 18 to a vehicle engine 14 and which substantially reduces the amount of noise which is produced by the alternator 18 as the engine is idling.

Abstract: A water jacket 10 which includes an outer core 12 and a plurality of pre-formed bridge cores 14. The water jacket 10 allows for the selective creation of cylinder bores 16 which have a substantially uniform and circular cross sectional area.

Abstract: A parking pawl assembly 10 is provided for use in combination with a vehicle of the type including a transmission assembly 12 having an output shaft 14, a park gear 16, and a shifter or shifting assembly 18, which is operatively and selectively used to actuate a conventional park rod 20 in a known and conventional manner. The parking pawl assembly 10 includes a selectively and pivotally movable pawl member 22, a generally cylindrical hub member 24, which is fixedly coupled to park gear 16, a cam assembly 26, which is fixedly coupled to pawl member 22 and which abuttingly engages hub member 24, and a return spring 28 which is operatively coupled to cam assembly 26. Cam assembly 26 ensures that pawl member 22 consistently engages park gear 16 at a relatively constant speed, and further ensures that a spring 42 within park rod 20 is compressed each time the transmission 12 is shifted into “park”.

Abstract: An engine misfire detection system (10) for detecting engine misfire. System (10) includes a conventional controller (12) having a memory unit (14) and a plurality of sensors (16). Controller (12) includes a plurality of neural networks, which are trained by system (10), and which determine whether a firing event is a misfire based upon events occurring before the firing event and events occurring after the firing event. The neural networks are adaptively trained to compensate for the effects of engine variability and aging.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for ventilating hydrogen gas from a vehicle 12 which includes one or more fuel cells 14. System 10 includes a control module or controller 16, vehicle sensors 20, several fans 22, and several hydrogen gas sensors 18 which are operatively and communicatively coupled to a hydrogen gas detection module 26. Hydrogen gas detection module 26, sensors 20 and fans 22 are each communicatively connected to controller 16. Controller 16 is effective to selectively and periodically activate fans 22 in response to signals received from module 26 (e.g., sensors 18) and sensors 20, thereby substantially preventing hydrogen gas from pocketing or collecting in areas of vehicle 12.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling two selectively rotatable shafts is provided. The assembly includes a first cross-member which is fixedly coupled to the first rotating shaft, and a second cross-member which is fixedly coupled to the second shaft. A third member is pivotally coupled to the first and to the second cross-member and selectively pivots about a first axis. A fourth member is pivotally coupled to the first and to the second cross-member and pivots about a second axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The third member and the fourth member cooperate to transmit torque from the first rotating shaft to the second shaft and substantially aligns the first and second longitudinal axes of symmetry of the first and second shafts while maintaining the alignment as torque is transmitted from the first rotating shaft to the second shaft.