Abstract: A nozzle 10 for a fuel injector assembly 12. Nozzle 10 includes several integrally formed ports 36 and chambers 38. Chambers 38 receive fuel from ports 36 and are effective to cause the received fuel to swirl and/or spiral through discharge holes 44, thereby causing the fuel to be finely and quickly atomized.

Abstract: A system and method for the control and preparation of the combined fuel and air mixture in a camless internal combustion engine. The system and method provide increased engine operating efficiency and lower exhaust emissions during low speed and cold engine conditions.

Abstract: A lightweight towing cross member assembly 10 is disclosed. The cross member assembly 10 includes relatively lightweight front and rear cross members 12, 14, and reinforcement plates 16, 18 which offer added support to the assembly 10. The heavy-gauge, load-bearing plates 16, 18 are localized in the areas of high stress (i.e., the center of the assembly 10), and provide the assembly 10 with the load-bearing ability and towing performance of prior towing cross member assemblies, which are manufactured solely from heavy-gauge materials.

Abstract: A terminal member 10 having a body 12 and outwardly protruding blades 14. The body 12 and blades 14 include respective insulation displacement apertures 48, 20 which selectively allow high powered electrical signals to be received by the terminal member 10 and which further allow the selective creation of many diverse types of electrical circuits.

Abstract: A system 10 is provided for monitoring the loading of a diesel particulate filter 12. System 10 is adapted for use in combination with a vehicle including an internal combustion diesel engine 14 of the type having several substantially identical cylinders 16 which drivably rotate a crankshaft 17. Engine 14 includes an intake manifold 18 which selectively delivers air to cylinders 16, and an exhaust manifold 20 which selectively discharges exhaust gasses from cylinders 16. System 10 includes an engine control unit or controller 40 which is communicatively connected to a pressure sensor 42 that is operatively disposed in the intake manifold 18, and other vehicle operating conditions sensors 44. Controller 40 monitors the signals received from sensors 42 and 44, and based upon the received signals, estimates the loading of the DPF 12 and determines when the DPF 12 should be regenerated.

Abstract: A charge motion control valve 10 for use in combination with an internal combustion engine having “Siamese” type fuel intake ports 18, 20. Valve 10 has an asymmetrical shape which provides for improved engine stability during cold start operating conditions by causing condensed fuel to be removed from intake valves and properly mixed and combusted within a cylinder of the engine.

Abstract: A nozzle 10 having a material outlet aperture 24 which causes received material 28 to be emitted in the form of a streaming sheet 30.

Abstract: A transfer case control system or apparatus 10 is provided for use on a four-wheel drive vehicle of the type having a transfer case 32, a front driveshaft 22 and a rear driveshaft 26. Transfer case control system 10 includes a conventional microcontroller or controller 40 having a memory unit 42 and operating under stored program control. Controller 40 selectively generates a control signal which controls the amount of torque provided to driveshafts 22, 26. Controller 40 provides an improved torque adjustment “response” by automatically adjusting to the condition of the vehicle's tires.

Abstract: A tool 10 having a pair of movably connected handles 12,14, each of which respectively include a substantially identical and generally semi-cylindrical retention member 20,22, The tool 10 may be used to secure a connector 36 upon end 34 of hose 28 while protecting a user of the tool 10 from contact with the frayed sheathing portions 32 proximate to end 34. In operation, end 34 is secured between members 20 and 22 and the connector 36 is forced onto end 34, thereby attaching the connector 36 to the hose 28. In alternate embodiments, members 20,22 may be removably connected to handles 12,14 or may be integrally formed with a robotic arm 52.

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 biasing and transient protection circuit 10 which is used in combination with a field effect transistor 14 which selectively communicates a voltage signal which emanates from a battery 12 to a component or load 18. The circuit 10 selectively generates a substantially constant electrical voltage to bias the gate terminal 50 of the field effect transistor 14, effective to allow the field effect transistor 14 to allow the component or load 18 to operatively receive the battery voltage signal while concomitantly protecting the field effect transistor 14 from transient voltage damage.

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 manikin that may be used for accelerated seat durability is disclosed. The manikin provides forces that simulate both the weight of a person against the butt portion of a seat and forces produced against the back portion of a seat by human movement.

Abstract: An electrical charge assembly 10 for use within a vehicle 12 having a transmission 20, a starter assembly 16, and an engine 14. The assembly 10 includes a capacitor assembly 34 which selectively provides electrical charge to the starter assembly 16, effective to allow the engine 14 to be activated. The starter 16 may be selectively coupled to the transmission 20, effective to increase the torque produced by the transmission 20 and may selectively provide electrical charge to the capacitor assembly 34.

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 fuel pressure sensor 12 which receives air 62 from an intake manifold 58 and fuel 15 from a fuel rail 14 and which uses the received air 62 and fuel 15 to measure the fuel pressure within the fuel rail 14. The fuel pressure sensor 12 further including a semi-permeable membrane or member 60 which allows the air 62 to pass into the fuel pressure sensor 12 while concomitantly preventing the fuel 15 from passing into the intake manifold 58.

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 novel apparatus for compressing viscous material through openings in a stencil is disclosed. The novel apparatus has a compression head cap which provides a contained environment to direct and to aid the flow of pressurized viscous material through the openings in the stencil. In another embodiment of the invention, the compression head includes a selectively expandable diaphragm and viscous material reception and dispensation apertures. The viscous material reception aperture is formed in close proximity to the material dispensation aperture and this aperture placement to allow the viscous material to be selectively dispensed with a substantially uniform velocity and pressure profile. In another embodiment, the compression head includes a selectively expandable diaphragm which further increases the uniformity of the velocity and pressure profiles.

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.