Abstract: Method and control system for controlling an automotive HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system using fuzzy logic to prevent fogging. The control system responds to signals generated by various climate control sensors including a humidity sensor to produce a desired vehicle air temperature and air flow to detect and avoid incipient windshield/window fog conditions. Fuzzy logic calculations are performed based on fuzzy rules and membership functions to provide nonlinear compensation.

Abstract: An electronic engine controller (EEC) controls transient engine operation by generating a desired torque value which is indicative of an engine torque desired by a driver of the vehicle and by generating a desired air/fuel ratio value which is indicative of a desired air/fuel ratio to be combusted by the engine. The EEC also generates an actual torque value which is indicative of the actual engine torque and an actual air/fuel value which is indicative of the air/fuel ratio actually combusted by the engine. The actual A/F may be the output of a standard, switching type EGO sensor. An air/fuel difference value indicative of the difference between the actual air/fuel value and the desired air/fuel value is generated, and a torque difference value, indicative of the difference between the actual torque value and the desired torque value is generated.

Abstract: A brake shoe (14) for an internal drum brake assembly (10) having a mass damper (60) is disclosed for attenuating objectionable noise. The mass damper (60) is attached to an arcuate table (40) of a brake shoe (14) at a predetermined location adjacent to an anti-node corresponding to a flutter mode of vibration. The mass damper (60) is disposed adjacent to an arcuate edge 56 of the arcuate table (40).

Abstract: An improved glove box door assembly includes a resilient U-shaped clip member that operatively engages a piano hinge mounted on an instrument panel reinforcing member adjacent the lower edge of the door to damp movement of the door in the opening direction of the door with respect to the instrument panel.

Abstract: An active suspension system (12, 82a-d), coupled to each wheel of a motor vehicle is controlled to minimize or reduce wheel slippage. In response to detection of wheel slippage, the normal force applied to the slipping wheel is increased and the normal force applied to the wheel laterally opposite the slipping wheel is concurrently decreased (steps 240-384). The changes in normal force are limited to prevent inducing a wheel slip in the laterally opposite wheel (step 278-284). An engine controller (70) concurrently reduces engine torque to further reduce wheel slip.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) mechanism for transporting a controlled amount of exhaust gas generated by the engine from the exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of the engine. An electronic engine controller (EEC) controls the EGR rate by determining a base EGR rate as a function of a plurality of engine operating parameters and a blending value which increases the base EGR rate over a predetermined period of time. A maximum EGR rate value is then determined as a function of a value indicative of the ratio of current air charge drawn into an intake manifold of the engine to the peak aircharge available to the engine at wide-open throttle and at the current rotational speed of the engine and the ambient barometric. The base EGR rate is then compared against the maximum EGR rate value and the EGR rate is determined as a function of the lesser of the two values.

Abstract: The lamp assembly including a reflector having two or more reflective surfaces, a light source and an electrochromic means positioned between the light source and at least one reflective surface. Each reflective surface directs light in a different direction. The electrochromic means is capable of blocking light from exiting the lamp assembly from at least one direction.

Abstract: An engine air/fuel control system modulates the flow of fuel delivered to the engine with a modulation signal (100, 144) The feedback variable generated (210-228) from a two-state exhaust gas oxygen sensor (16) corrects the fuel flow (156). During each of a plurality of pre-determined intervals, the fuel flow is biased with a rich offset (342). Amplitude of the modulation signal is corrected by a difference between the feedback variable generated during two successive occurrences of the predetermined interval (346-378).

Abstract: A molded article is prepared by forming a glass core, treating the glass core to induce residual stresses therein, inserting the core into a mold, injecting resin into the mold, curing the resin, fracturing the core to produce glass particles, and removing the glass particles from the molded article.

Abstract: A plate-fin heat exchanger 10 is disclosed including a plurality of flat tubes 14 interleaved with a plurality of fin members 16. The flat tubes 14 are formed from a plurality of plate members 12. The heat exchanger 10 also includes a plurality of fin members 16 and a pair of fluid manifolds 22, 24. The manifolds 22, 24 are formed as one-piece members having a flange formed between the ends. The flange is brazed directly to the endsheet of the evaporator.

Abstract: A fuel supply manifold in a returnless fuel system for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine has a fuel rail with a first end having a first opening and a second end having a second opening. A one piece end plug, which fits into the first opening to provide closure thereof, has a fuel hose connector with a fuel inlet therethrough to pass fuel to the fuel rail and a fuel temperature sensor in close proximity to the fuel inlet. The one piece end plug also has an electrical connector casing for receiving an electrical connector to conduct the fuel temperature signal to a remote location for processing. A flange on the end plug attaches to the fuel rail with a pair of bolts, and a core with O-rings thereon extends from the flange for locating and sealing the end plug to the fuel rail. The second end is capped so that fuel may not flow therethrough.

Abstract: A light collector includes a light source and a first and a second primary elliptical reflector partially surrounding the light source. The first and second primary reflectors have a common focal point at the light source. The first and second primary elliptical mirrors each have an opening in which a first light pipe and a second light pipe are located. Each of the light pipes having a face with a known acceptance angle. Each face is located substantially at the focal point of one of the primary reflectors. The first and second reflectors have an eccentricity sufficient to reflect light from the first and second primary reflectors so that light incident on the face of the light pipes does not exceed the acceptance angle of the light pipe. The first and second secondary elliptical reflectors are located within the opening in the primary mirrors. The first and second reflectors have common focal points with said first and second primary mirrors, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrostatically coating a non-conductive article. The article is passed through multiple stations where electrostatically charged liquid coatings are applied to the article. Adjacent stations have opposite polarity and neutralize the residual electric charge buildup from the preceding station.

Abstract: An electronic traction controller for a vehicle reduces oscillations between a pair of driving wheels which may occur when the the traction controller attempts to control wheel spin of the driving wheels on surfaces which have differing frictional resistances, such as roads partially covered by snow and ice. The traction controller estimates the coefficient of friction beneath each of the driving wheels, and if the frictional resistance of the surfaces beneath each of the driving wheels varies by more than a predetermined amount, or if only one wheel is spinning, a value indicative of the inertia torque of the driving wheel and powertrain combination is determined, and compared against a predetermined value. A slip error value for each of the driving wheels is generated, which is indicative of the difference between the actual rotational speed of the driving wheel and the desired rotational speed of the driving wheel.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 nozzle expels liquid CO.sub.2 under pressure through an orifice therein for converting the liquid into CO.sub.2 snow. The CO.sub.2 nozzle is contained within an elongated mixing cavity within a body which is coupled to an exhaust nozzle for directing the CO.sub.2 snow toward the workpiece. The CO.sub.2 nozzle includes several wings for creating aerodynamic turbulence within the elongated mixing cavity for enhancing the coagulation of the CO.sub.2 snow into larger CO.sub.2 snow particles or CO.sub.2 snowflakes.

Abstract: The electrochemical method of this invention allows deposition of an electrically conductive trans-polyacetylene film on a substrate from a solution comprising substantially dehydrated ethyl alcohol.

Abstract: A composite metallizing wire useful in thermal flame spraying, having a conductive metallic solid core wire strand and a coating consisting of solid lubricant particles (i.e., graphite, BN, Teflon) and wear-resistant particles (i.e., SiC, TiC, Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2) homogeneously suspended in a conductive metal (i.e., Ni, Fe, Cr, Mo, Ti) complementary to said solid core wire strand. The wire is used to produce a metal matrix composite coating, comprising providing a thermalizing through-flow chamber with an exit nozzle, the chamber having a gas flow-through of at least 100 ms.sup.-1, establishing a flame in said chamber, and feeding a composite coated wire into said flame to be melted and projected by the gas flow to a target, the wire being constructed as above.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for condensing a solderless flux vapor onto a work surface to be soldered, such as an electronic circuit board. The flux vapor is created by heating flux in a liquid state to a temperature greater than the temperature of the work surface. Flux is applied to the work surface without the use of any volatile organic chemicals.

Abstract: A continuously variable belt and sheave drive mechanism for use with an internal combustion engine in an automotive vehicle driveline including a simplified valve system that responds to control commands from a microprocessor that receives input data from engine, turbine and output shaft speed sensors, an engine throttle position sensor and a sheave position sensor as well as other driveline variables so that the operating characteristics of the transmission are matched to the speed torque characteristics of the engine to produce improved driveline efficiency and performance while permitting the engine speed to be related functionally to the throttle position as well as vehicle speed and permitting engine speed to increase when rapid acceleration is desired while minimizing changes in engine speed for small throttle position variations.

Abstract: A bypass pressure regulator valve, having first and second regulator ports connected to a sump and each port supplied from the output side of a first and second pump, regulates the magnitude of line pressure in response to a control pressure produced by a variable force solenoid. A high pump feed select valve alternately connects the output of the first pump and the sump to the inlet of the second pump. Output from the first pump is directed through a torque converter clutch pressure regulator valve and a converter charge pressure regulator valve to a first inlet of the torque converter causing the torque converter to open and to a second inlet causing the torque converter to close. Hydraulic fluid is directed to lubrication circuits and through a transmission oil cooler.