Abstract: A tab for joining together a plurality of adjacent, contiguous plate menders of a plate tube heat exchanger is disclosed. The tab comprises a generally planar web interconnecting adjacent plates. The web includes a first edge having a plurality of recesses disposed at predetermined locations therealong and a second edge having a plurality of recesses disposed opposite the plurality of recesses along the first edge. The plurality of recesses define first and second bend zones which provide proper plate-to-plate contact when forming the plate tubes as well as proper fin height spacing between adjacent pairs of plate tubes.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a pedal member pivotably attached to the floor area of the vehicle and a combination pedal travel limiter and position indicating unit mounted above the pedal member. The combination unit includes a rotary position indicator having a driveshaft extending therefrom to a roller follower, which is mounted upon the driveshaft and which tracks movement of the pedal member. The driveshaft and follower are mounted in a bracket which has integral idle and wide-open throttle stops incorporated therein, such that over-travel of the pedal member will not cause over-travel of the rotary position indicator.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing emissions from an engine during periods of partial or total heated exhaust gas oxygen (HEGO) sensor failure. A switch point is stored in an electronic engine control for use in controlling the fuel delivered to the engine based on the value of the signal generated by the oxygen sensor relative to the switch point. The method includes the step of sensing the current of the heater element of the HEGO sensor. The sensed current is compared to a first predetermined current threshold which indicates a degradation of the HEGO sensor. A degradation of the HEGO sensor introduces a bias signal to the electronic engine control. If the current of the heater element is below the first predetermined current threshold but not below a second predetermined current threshold, the switch point is changed so as to compensate for degradation of the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: An adapting mechanism for controlling the speed of a variable speed fuel pump in a returnless fuel delivery system includes a demand sensor, feedforward fuel pump values, adaptive adjustments corresponding to the feedforward values, a pump controller which controls the speed of the fuel pump, a timer, a steady demand indicator, a flow error accumulator, and an adjustor. The system chooses a feedforward value which corresponds to the engine's fuel demand and combines it with the corresponding adaptive adjustment to drive the fuel pump. The system monitors the average flow error over a time interval throughout which the fuel demand is substantially steady and modifies the adaptive adjustments to reduce any error offsets beyond a predetermined acceptable level.

Abstract: An electronic engine controller for a diesel engine controls the mass of fuel injected by fuel injectors within the engine by receiving a Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) signal, from a MAP sensor positioned in an intake manifold of the engine, and generating a value indicative of the mass of fuel to be injected by the fuel injectors as a function of the MAP signal. The engine controller also generates an estimate of the absolute air pressure existing in the intake manifold by retrieving a value from a table containing a plurality of values indicative of an absolute air pressure for a given engine speed and fuel injection quantity. If the MAP sensor fails then the engine controller utilizes the estimate to generate the value indicative of the mass of fuel to be injected by the fuel injectors.

Abstract: A passenger seat (10) having a seat base (12) and a seam back (14) including an adjustable lumbar support member (70) is disclosed for enhancing passenger comfort and reducing passenger fatigue during long trips. The seat back (14) includes a pelvic support member (60) and a thoracic support member (74) flexibly interconnected to the lumbar support member (70) such that when the lumbar support member is adjusted, the pelvic and thoracic support members adjust to provide improved support for the back of the passenger.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar attachment apparatus (15) is disclosed for use in a motor vehicle (10) for attaching a stabilizer bar (14) to the motor vehicle. The stabilizer bar attachment apparatus operatively provides for enhanced suspension articulation when a valve spool (84) is in a first position and a predetermined suspension roll stiffness when the valve spool (84) is in a second position.

Abstract: An electronic engine controller includes a central processing unit (CPU) which controls the operations of the controller and an analog-to-digital (A/D)converter chip which receives analog signals generated by sensors which transmit signals indicative of vehicle and engine operating parameters. The A/D converter chip automatically performs a conversion on certain signals indicative of critical engine operating parameters to generate corresponding digital values upon each engine revolution. These digital values are stored for retrieval by the CPU. Digital values corresponding to other signals are generated and transmitted upon request by the CPU. The A/D converter chip and the CPU are coupled by a serial link which operates under one of several protocols to transmit digital values from the A/D converter chip to the CPU.

Abstract: A multiple-speed automatic transmission for automotive vehicles able to produce three underdrive speed ratios, a near direct ratio, and two overdrive ratios. A kinematic arrangement includes three simple planetary gear units (48, 50, 52). One of these produces an underdrive output drivably connected to components of the other gear units, three friction clutches (118, 120, 122) to friction brakes (124, 126), an overrunning coupling (82), a final drive gearset (94), a differential mechanism (102), a chain drive mechanism (30) for transmitting power from the turbine (16) of a torque converter (10) to the input shaft, which drives elements of the planetary gear units.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for a motor vehicle includes first and second (36, 30) gearsets, two concentrically arranged planetary gear units (44, 54), certain elements of which are continually interconnected, friction clutches (76, 78, 90), brake band (88), friction brake (92), and overrunning coupling (80). The input shaft of the transmission is adapted to drive elements of the planetary gear units through an underdrive gear set and an over drive gear set. A single gear wheel (57) is formed with the ring gear (48) of the first gear unit and the sun gear (56) of the second gear unit. Carriers (50, 60) of the gear units are connected to an output shaft (64), which drives output gearing (66, 68) and a differential mechanism (70).

Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes self-aligning valve guides which are movable radially and coaxially to a variety of locations in which the axes of the valve guide and valve guide bore formed in the cylinder head are all parallel. The final location of the valve guide is determined by the contact relationship between the valve head and its mating valve seat.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a core formed by a plurality of elongated plates joined together in pairs to define a series of passageways and a single tank. The tank has at least three separate fluid flow tunnels in fluid communication with the passageways to move fluid through the core. Each of the fluid flow tunnels includes an aperture extending through at least a portion of each of he tunnels. At least one of the fluid flow tunnels is offset from the others such that the centerline of the aperture associated with the offset tunnel lies outside a plane containing the centerline of the apertures through the other tunnels.

Abstract: A fuel control system operates under closed-loop control to sense the oxygen content of the combustion products of an internal combustion engine along with the engine angular velocity and air flow through the intake manifold and to alter the composition of air and fuel combusted by the engine, such that under stable closed-loop control, the air/fuel composition generally oscillates about stoichiometry between a minimum and a maximum value. The rate of fluctuation of the oxygen content of the combustion products is monitored and if the oxygen content does not switch when expected, then a transient change in the exhaust content of the exhaust gas is assumed and a transient response is generated. The transient response comprises the generation of an air/fuel ratio substantially equal in magnitude and time but opposite in direction from the detected transient. After the transient response, periodic fluctuation of the air/fuel ratio between the minimum and maximum values is resumed.

Abstract: In a display apparatus using projected illumination for display elements, a translucent fluorescent filter is disposed between the light source and the display element. The filter modifies the visible spectrum of light illuminating the display element. A single light source can be used to achieve a color that is not present or is very low in the original source without added complexity in a control panel. Acceptable luminance levels are achieved in multi-colored control panels with a single light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a number of cylinders to operate in a variable displacement engine includes a signal representative of air charge temperature, a signal representative of barometric pressure, a desired mass air flow evaluator, a maximum mass air flow evaluator, a desired exhaust gas recirculation flow evaluator, a maximum exhaust gas recirculation flow evaluator, and a controller. The controller compares the desired mass air flow to the maximum mass air flow, generating a mass air flow error signal if desired mass air flow error exceeds maximum mass air flow error. The controller also compares the desired exhaust gas recirculation flow to the maximum exhaust gas recirculation flow, generating an exhaust gas recirculation flow error signal if desired exhaust gas recirculation flow exceeds maximum exhaust gas recirculation flow.

Abstract: A mass air flow sensor is calibrated by exposing it to known air flow and measuring the input and output voltage to a calibratable output stage. In the absence of air flow, the output stage is then calibrated to produce a desired output voltage in response to an application of the measured input voltage.

Abstract: A fin for use in a heat exchanger of the type comprising a plurality of fluid carrying tubes for transporting heat exchange fluid is disclosed. The fin includes a generally planar base 24 having a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the direction of air flowing entering the heat exchanger 10 and a transverse axis generally parallel to the direction of air flow. The axes define a main plane disposed at a predetermined angle (.theta.) relative to the direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger. The fin 22 further includes a plurality of apertures 30 for receiving tubes 20 therethrough and a plurality of louvres 32 disposed on the base 24 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The angle .theta. can be between 140 and 175 degrees to the direction of air flow entering the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an on-board diagnostic system for detecting a malfunctioning fuel pump in an internal combustion engine during engine operation. Pressure sensor means are provided for sensing fuel pressure in the fuel supply line and for generating corresponding pressure signals. Signal processing means receive and process the pressure signals from the pressure sensor means. An output signal is generated by the signal processing means if pressure signals are determined to correspond to a defective fuel pump Such output signal can be stored, used to alert an engine operator to an impaired fuel pump and/or provided to a fuel injector control means for adjusting fuel flow.

Abstract: An engine air/fuel control system is shown (300-428) responsive to a feedback variable derived (410-428) from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor (16) positioned upstream of a catalytic converter (20). A non-catalytic exhaust gas oxygen sensor (24) having a non-catalytic electrode (490) positioned in the engine exhaust downstream of the converter (20) is coupled to a current pumping circuit (28). Current is pumped into an electrode of the downstream sensor (24) shifting its output step change towards richer air/fuel ratios. Pumping current is gradually increased in amplitude until the downstream sensor (24) incurs a change in its output state (602-634). The pumping current occurring at the time of such change in output states provides a measurement of catalyst efficiency.

Abstract: In a field-oriented control method and apparatus for an induction motor, a desired quadrature-axis current i.sub.q * and a desired direct-axis current i.sub.d * are chosen. The desired quadrature-axis current i.sub.q * and desired direct-axis current i.sub.d * are related such that peak torque is produced by the motor per ampere of electric current flowing in the motor. The peak-torque-per-ampere condition implies that the motor is operating at high efficiency.Also, in a field oriented control method and apparatus for an induction motor, a desired quadrature-axis current i.sub.q * and a desired rotor flux .lambda..sub.r * are chosen. The desired quadrature-axis current i.sub.q * and desired rotor flux .lambda..sub.r * are related such that peak torque is produced by the motor per ampere of electric current flowing in the motor.