Abstract: A method for acquiring cardiac information from a patient having a pacer for pacing a heart rhythm, an abnormal EKG, or an abnormal heartbeat is disclosed. The method includes: placing a signal injection device proximate the pacer of the patient and injecting a signal across a skin barrier of the patient toward the pacer; in response to the signal received at the pacer, pacing the patient's heart in a fixed asynchronous pacing mode; and, acquiring cardiac information relating to the patient's fixed asynchronously paced heart.

Abstract: A flexibly-jointed, fluid-tight cover for enclosing a portion of an internal combustion engine includes generally rigid structural cover panels which are joined by fluid-tight flexible joints formed from elastomeric material which is either inserted into the rigid structural cover panels after the joint has been molded, or molded in place by inserting the cover parts within a mold and injecting material into the mold to form the flexible fluid-tight joints.

Abstract: An overrunning one-way clutch includes a cam plate formed with cam surfaces angularly spaced about a central axis, and a rocker plate including pockets angularly spaced about the axis, each pocket including a surface that closes the pocket at an axial end, an opening located at an axial end opposite the surface, and an aperture facing the cam surfaces. Each pocket contains a rocker supported for pivoting a portion of the rocker through the pocket aperture toward the cam surfaces. Springs supported on the rocker plate, urging each rocker toward an aperture and engagement with the cam surfaces.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir includes a structural foam core.

Abstract: A composite reservoir for an onboard fire suppression system includes an outer wall of composite material, with the outer wall having a generally cylindrical section. An inner reinforcement has a section inserted into the generally cylindrical section of the outer wall. A closure plug is inserted into the generally cylindrical section of the outer wall. The closure plug has an inner surface in contact with the inner reinforcement. A circumferential groove circumscribes the closure plug, and a tension member displaces the outer wall into contact with the circumferential groove, so as to maintain the closure plug in contact with the outer wall and the inner reinforcement.

Abstract: A ratcheting one-way clutch includes a cam plate formed with cam surfaces angularly spaced about a central axis, and a rocker plate having pockets angularly spaced about the central axis, each pocket including a surface having a pivot axis located within the pocket. A rocker, located in each pocket, pivots about the pivot axis toward and away from the cam surfaces. Each rocker has a center of mass, located relative to the pivot axis when the rocker is retracted into the pocket away from the cam surfaces, such that an acute angle formed between a first line that extends radially from the central axis through the pivot axis and a second line that passes through the center of mass and the pivot axis is equal to or less than twenty degrees.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle operated by a driver may comprise detecting actuation of a braking device of the vehicle by the driver; calculating a parameter indicative of an actual amount of braking effort by said driver based on vehicle conditions; and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on said parameter. The method can adjust a number of cylinders carrying out combustion, fuel cut operation, a level of powertrain output torque (positive, and/or negative), and/or other engine parameters.

Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system for a vehicle has at least one composite reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. The reservoir includes a pressure vessel formed from fiber-composite material and having at least one double concave section. At least one reinforcement is applied to the pressure vessel in the location of the double concave section. This construction permits the pressure vessel to have a shape conforming with the irregular spaces commonly found in the underbody areas of vehicles.

Abstract: A method for controlling slip of a driven wheel on low friction surfaces includes determining the current magnitude of static tire friction potential, current magnitude of maximum dynamic tire friction potential, and magnitude of tire torque demanded by an operator of the vehicle. A lower magnitude of commanded tire force is set less than the estimated current magnitude of static tire friction potential. The magnitude of demanded wheel torque and the estimated current magnitude of maximum dynamic tire friction potential are used to set an upper magnitude of commanded tire force. The magnitude of commanded tire force is changed in a sequence of saw-tooth pulses, each pulse including an increasing ramp of tire force from the lower commanded tire force to the upper commanded tire force, the ramp having a predetermined slope, and a step that reduces the magnitude of commanded tire force between each pulse to the lower commanded tire force.

Abstract: A side impact airbag and deployment system including an inflator is provided. The airbag has a generally B-shaped, or hour-glass, configuration and has a broad shoulder loading portion, a narrow central portion, and a broad pelvis loading portion.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a spot weld on a workpiece. The system may include an actuator, an inspection assembly coupled to the actuator, and a controller electronically coupled to the inspection assembly. The inspection assembly may include an ultrasound device and one or more adjustment motors coupled to the ultrasound device.

Abstract: A method is described for operating a fuel system during start up, the system utilizing gasoline direct injection for an internal combustion engine including a first pump and second pump, an electromechanical valve, and a check valve fluidly coupled downstream of the first pump. The fuel system further includes a fuel rail downstream of the check valve and direct fuel injectors coupled to the engine. The method includes generating a flow of fuel in the fuel system via the first pump during an engine start before ignition of the engine; actuating the valve during the fuel flow to generate a pressure wave that travels through the fuel system past the check valve; and injecting fuel via the direct fuel injectors at an increased pressure generated by the pressure wave and held in the fuel rail via the check valve.

Abstract: A two layer sound deadening material is formed from pumpable material applied through a pair of extrusion heads mounted on a single mount. A robot, used in high speed mass production automotive assembly lines, moves the door panel relative to the stationary extrusion heads to allow the simultaneous application of the two layers onto the interior side of the door. The first layer is formed of a thermosetting composition containing epoxy, rubber and a catalyst and adheres directly to the door panel. The second layer is formed of a thermosetting composition containing an epoxy resin, a thermo plastic copolymer and a curative which will adhere directly to the first layer due to similar chemical structures. The second layer is positioned such that the edges thereof are inside of the corresponding edges of the first layer to prevent read through transmission of noise from the body or door panel.

Abstract: A control system (18) and method for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a lateral acceleration sensor (32) for generating a lateral acceleration signal, a yaw rate sensor (28) for generating a yaw rate signal, and a safety system. The safety system (44) and the sensors are coupled to a controller (26). The controller (26) determines a front lateral tire force and a rear lateral tire force from the vehicle yaw rate signal and the vehicle lateral acceleration signal; determines a calculated lateral velocity from the front lateral tire force, the rear lateral tire force, and a bank angle; determines a calculated yaw rate from the front lateral tire force and the rear lateral tire force; and controls the safety system in response to the calculated lateral velocity and the calculated yaw rate.