Abstract: A throttle having: a housing having an airflow passage therein; a throttle plate rotatably mounted to the housing and disposed within the passage; a motor disposed outside the passage for rotating the throttle plate within the passage between an open position and a closed position in accordance with demanded torque signals; a spring coupled to the throttle plate for urging the throttle plate to a closed position in the absence of a demanded torque signal; and, an actuator assembly operative to place a stop, disposed outside the passage, in a position to limit rotation of the throttle plate to a predetermined minimum closed position in the absence of a demanded torque signal and for removing the stop when the motor receives a demanded torque signal.

Abstract: A structural joint configuration is formed in an automotive frame in which the frame members are bent into an angular orientation and joined together to form a structural joint in the automotive frame in which loads imposed on any of the frame members forming the joint will be transferred to and shared with the other frame members in the joint. The structural joint can be configured with as many legs as needed to conform to the number of frame members entering the joint. The frame members can be formed with any cross-sectional shape and from any conventional material or combination of materials. Joining the frame members at the structural joint can be accomplished by welding or by applying adhesives. Load distribution through the frame members forming the structural joint enables the joint to withstand an application of high loads without major cracks or bending at the structural joint.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicular impact energy absorption block arrangement adapted to provide impact energy absorption at a region substantially between a first strengthening member and a second strengthening member of a road vehicle. The energy absorption block arrangement comprises one or more energy absorber blocks operable to suffer deformation, for example substantially non-elastic deformation, when subject to forces arising from an impact or crash of the vehicle, thereby at least partially absorbing the impact energy. The one or more energy absorber blocks are fabricated from expanded plastics material foam, for example expanded polypropylene plastics material foam including pores therein. The pores may be substantially opened or closed.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a target component mounted for rotation about an axis, a sensor mounted adjacent the inner member and directed toward the inner member to measure the rotational speed of the target component and an outer component interposed between the sensor and the target component. Low magnetic permeability of the outer component is assured by appropriate selection of the material, maintaining the concentration of martensite in the outer component below a reference concentration as indicated by certain reference indices such as the Instability Function, and/or by maintaining the temperature at which a stamping operation is performed on the inner member above a pre-determined temperature.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle is disclosed with a pillarless door opening for occupant ingress and egress. The first door is pivotally connected to the vehicle at a first end with a second end that extends to a central region of the door opening in the closed position. A second door has a first end translatably connected to the vehicle and a second end translatably connected to the vehicle adjacent to the central region of the opening at a closed position. The first door and the second door cooperate to close the opening. The second door can be translated relative to the vehicle to an intermediate position for providing clearance from the first door. One of the second door ends is detachable from the vehicle for pivoting the second door to an open position.

Abstract: A method for a hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine to reduce backfiring, pre-ignition, and/or backflash, the engine also including a combustion chamber, an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, a hydrogen injector, a compression device, and a variable valve timing system coupled to the intake valves. The method comprises compressing air using the compression device; injecting hydrogen and mixing at least said hydrogen with air discharged from the compression device; and opening the intake valve to induct at least air into the combustion chamber, wherein the intake valve opening time varies with an operating condition.

Abstract: A pivoting cage cargo is formed of opposing gate assemblies mounted on the rearwardmost D-pillar of a pick-up truck and movable from a folded, collapsed storage position against the respective side walls of the cargo box into multiple selectable operative configurations. The pivoting cage cargo retainer can be positioned in two different transversely extending positions that span the cargo bed when the gate assemblies are connected together. In one transverse position, the coupled gate assemblies cooperate with a lowered tailgate to provide a bed extension function. The other transverse position spans across the cargo bed to provide a divider function. Each gate assembly is also positionable into a storage container configuration that defines a small cargo retention area adjacent the side wall for the retention of small objects, such as grocery bags. A latching mechanism retains the gate assembly next to the side wall.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises first and second joint yokes having bearing bores at axially opposite yoke arms, and first and second pin bearers, respectively, being connected to the first and second joint yokes via pins inserted into the bearing bores of the first and second joint yokes. The first and second joint yokes are arranged radially at an angle of 90° in relation to each other to form an internal space. The first and second pin bearers are identical and are arranged radially at an angle of 90° in relation to each other, forming a cross member configured to fit within the internal space formed by the first and second joint yokes. An elastic coupling element connects the first and second pin bearers and is configured to fit within the internal space formed by the first and second joint yokes.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system is disclosed comprising an engine having at least one combustion cylinder configured to operate in a first and a second combustion mode, wherein the first combustion mode is a spark ignition mode and the second combustion mode is a compression ignition mode, wherein the engine is configured to supply an engine output; a motor configured to selectively supply or absorb a secondary output; an energy storage device configured to selectively store at least a portion of the engine output and selectively supply energy to the vehicle; a lean NOx trap configured to store NOx produced by the engine; and a controller configured to control at least the engine, the motor, and the energy storage device, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate said at least one combustion cylinder in one of the spark ignition mode and the compression ignition mode based on a condition of the lean NOx trap.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a preload in a differential mechanism includes a housing formed with a first screw thread, a component located in the housing and for supported in revolution about a first axis on the housing by a bearing. A nut includes a second screw thread engaged with the first screw thread, recesses distributed about the first axis, and a preloaded surface that contacts the bearing with a force produced by applying torque tending to engage the first and second screw threads. A lock tab, secured against rotation relative to the nut, includes a surface that overlaps at least one of the recesses and by which the lock tab is secured to the nut.

Abstract: A restraint control system (40) for an automotive vehicle (10) is illustrated with a first sensor such as a door cavity pressure sensor (28) and a second sensor such as an accelerometer (30). A restraint device (54) is coupled to a controller (52) that controls the operation of the restraint device in response to the first sensor (28) and the second sensor (30). When either the signal from the first sensor or the signal from the second sensor is above a first or second threshold, respectively, the two signals are compared. In response to the comparison, the restraint device (54) is deployed.

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap—enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: A method of performing object classification within a collision warning and countermeasure system (10) of a vehicle (12) includes the generation of an object detection signal in response to the detection of an object (52). An image detection signal is generated and includes an image representation of the object (52). The object detection signal is projected on an image plane (51) in response to the image detection signal to generate a fused image reference. A candidate template (55) is generated in response to the fused image reference. The candidate template (55) is validated. The object (52) is classified in response to the candidate template (55).

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel fascia, grille and the assembly of the fascia and grille. The grille is designed to overly the fascia and close both an upper and lower air intake opening. The fascia supports the grille and receives fasteners from the grille to form an assembly. The fascia includes a horizontal portion. The grille includes a horizontal portion sized to receive a bumper beam.

Abstract: A system for determining a temperature of exhaust gases from an engine is provided. The system includes an exhaust gas sensor having an electric heating coil. The sensor communicates with exhaust gases from the engine. The system further includes an electrical circuit for generating a signal indicative of the resistance of the heating coil when the coil is not energized. Finally, the system includes a controller receiving the signal and calculating the temperature of the exhaust gases based on the signal.

Abstract: A blocking apparatus is cooperable with the latch lever of a vehicle door latching mechanism to prevent the latch lever from moving during a crash event, which prevents the latching mechanism from allowing the vehicle door to open. The blocking apparatus includes a housing supporting a linearly movable plunger engagable with a cam surface on the latch lever and a blocking member pivotally mounted for movement between a normal position and a blocking position. The blocking member moves into the blocking position due to the imposition of crash forces on the blocking member during a crash event. A centering spring mechanism biases the blocking member into the normal position and can return the blocking member into the normal position to permit movement of the latch lever after the crash event has occurred. The plunger is biased into engagement with the latch lever so as to move with the cam surface.

Abstract: A method of desulfating a catalytic NOx storage and conversion device is disclosed, wherein the method includes determining an amount of sulfur stored in the catalytic NOx storage and conversion device; determining an interval for exposing the catalytic NOx storage and conversion device to a rich exhaust stream based upon the determined amount of sulfur stored, wherein the interval is longer for lower amounts of sulfur stored and shorter for higher amounts of sulfur stored; and exposing the catalytic NOx storage and conversion device to the rich exhaust stream for the determined interval.

Abstract: A trim cover (14) fabricated of synthetic material that has a temperature-sensitive fragmentation characteristic fractures as a passenger restraint is deployed through a wall of the trim cover. A laminated backing (16) disposed on a back face of the trim cover wall contains fragments of the wall resulting from its fracturing by the deploying restraint. The laminated backing has a stretchable foam layer (18) having a front face adhered to the back of the wall and a non-tearable layer (20) that has a front face adhered in covering relation to a back face of the stretchable foam layer and that does not tear as a result of the fracturing of the wall by the deploying restraint.