Abstract: A ratchet tensioner is disclosed for a chain enclosed within a casing that does not have a removable cover. The tensioner including a body for mounting on the exterior of the casing, a plunger slidably mounted in the body and urged in use into the interior of the casing to deflect a run of the chain laterally in order to increase tension in the chain. The plunger is formed with ratchet teeth which interact with a pawl that is pivotably mounted on the body to permit movement of the plunger only in the direction to increase chain tension. In the invention, a pin is provided for inhibiting pivoting movement of the pawl during installation of the tensioner, the pin being retractable from outside the casing in order to free the pawl after the tensioner has been mounted on the casing.

Abstract: An occupant safety restraint system (“OSR system”) (10) and method for fully deploying an airbag (20) before an occupant contacts the airbag (20). In one embodiment, the OSR system (10) includes a seatbelt restraint system (12), a variable-output airbag system (14), and a controller 18 coupled to the seatbelt restraint system (12) and the airbag system (14). The seatbelt restraint system (12) includes a seatbelt restraint (24) for restraining the occupant and a seatbelt-tension sensor (28) for detecting a load or tension in the seatbelt restraint (24). The controller 18 utilizes the seatbelt load for determining a current seatbelt-tension rate and actuating the airbag system (14) to deploy the airbag (20) at one or more output rates. In other words, the controller 18 can utilize the seatbelt restraint system (12) and the airbag system (14) in combination for regulating the output rate of the airbag system (14).

Abstract: A splice enclosure is provided for enclosing a splice of a plurality of wires. The splice enclosure comprises first and second shells, a first conductor arrangement and a second conductor arrangement. The first and second shells are adapted to mate with each other and each include an interior channel that extends between ends of the first and second shells. The interior channels are capable of allowing the plurality of wires to pass through the splice enclosure. The first conductor arrangement is disposed in the interior channel of the first shell and is capable of supporting the plurality of wires. The second conductor arrangement is disposed in the interior channel of the second shell and is capable of applying a force on the plurality of wires positioned within the first conductor arrangement of the first shell. The second conductor arrangement clamps the plurality of wires with the first conductor arrangement.

Abstract: A joint assembly for joining a tubular B-pillar to a tubular roof rail. The joint assembly includes an inner bracket plate and an outer bracket plate that are welded to each other around the roof rail and B-pillar. The outer bracket plate extends across the B-pillar, over the roof rail, and laterally inwardly from the roof rail to provide an attachment surface for a roof support bow.

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 discharge port controlled by a piloted spool valve actuated by pressure generated by a propellant device.

Abstract: A wheel support knuckle and trailing arm assembly that is attached to a toe link of a vehicle suspension system. The trailing arm assembly is formed by a blade member and a reinforcement member. The wheel support knuckle defines an axle bore and includes an integrally formed upper link receptacle and an integrally formed brake caliper track. The toe link is retained on the trailing arm assembly by a clevis formed by a transverse wall formed in the blade member and a parallel transverse wall formed in the reinforcement member. An alternative embodiment discloses a one-piece trailing arm that defines a clevis for connection to the toe link between a transverse wall and a tab that extends parallel to the transverse wall. A method of making cast wheel support knuckle and stamped trailing arm assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for actuating couplers to produce gear changes in a motor vehicle transmission includes first and second actuator drums supported for rotation, and first and second shift forks. Each first shift fork is driveably connected to a first actuator drum, secured to a first coupler, and displaced in response to rotation of a first actuator drum between a neutral state, wherein no gear is engaged, and at least one first drive state, wherein a gear of a first gear group is engaged. Each second shift fork is driveably connected to a second actuator drum, secured to a second coupler, and displaced in response to rotation of a second actuator drum between a neutral state, wherein no gear is engaged, and at least one second drive state, wherein a gear of the second gear group is engaged.

Abstract: A method for sensitizing the roll signal for a rollover control system (18) is provided. A sensitizing method for controlling a vehicle includes when the relative roll angle reaches a threshold, initiating a wheel departure angle determination, boosting control effort and controlling a safety system (38) in response to the computed roll angles.

Abstract: A method for managing vapors generated by a first and second reservoir onboard a vehicle traveling on the road, the method comprising of inducting vapors from the first and second reservoirs during engine operation and reducing flow of vapors from first the reservoir to second reservoir and from the second reservoir to the first reservoir, wherein said reducing includes restricting said flow of vapors from the first reservoir to the second reservoir and from the second reservoir to the first reservoir to prevent fuel vapors with different alcohol amounts from mixing.

Abstract: The invention provides a device, system, and method for wireless communication with a vehicle, comprising a receiver mounted in or on the vehicle for receiving data from a wireless transmitter, and a microprocessor in communication with the receiver for processing the data. The data has a format adapted to be processed by the microprocessor and is intended for receipt by all vehicles within a predetermined wireless range that have microprocessors capable of processing its standard format. The invention also provides a method for wireless communication with a vehicle, comprising transmitting data having a standard format, receiving the data having a standard format, and processing the data having a standard format. The data is intended for receipt by all vehicles within a predetermined range that have microprocessors capable of processing its standard format.

Abstract: Described are cleaning benches and methods for removing contaminant layers from semiconductor process components using small volumes of hazardous liquids and minimizing cross-contamination between components from different deposition chambers. Components to be cleaned are stored within or supported by a dedicated cassette before they are placed in a receptacle of cleaning liquid. The cassette displaces a significant percentage of the receptacle's volume; consequently, only a relatively small volume of cleaning liquid is needed to fully submerge the component. In typical embodiments, the combined cassette and component displace a volume of liquid that is greater than the volume of liquid used to clean the component. The cleaning bench can include different chemical baths for different components. Cassettes dedicated for use with particular components can be keyed to particular receptacles.

Abstract: A method for controlling a first and second injector of an engine, the first injector located in a first cylinder of the engine and the second injector located upstream of, and configured to inject fuel into, the first and a second cylinder of the engine, the method comprising of decreasing total injection from the first and second injectors when decreasing injection from the second injector, and increasing total injection from the first and second injectors when increasing injection of the second injector.

Abstract: A method to control injection timing for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of injectors in at least a cylinder, the method comprising of boosting intake air delivered to the engine, directly injecting a fuel to at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, adjusting each of a timing and number of direct injections for a cylinder cycle as an alcohol amount in the fuel varies, where said adjusting includes advancing direct injection timing relative to intake valve timing as said alcohol amount increases.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine having at least one cylinder including an intake valve and an exhaust valve, the method comprising of injecting a first amount of fuel into the cylinder; auto-igniting a first mixture of air and said first amount of fuel by compressing said first mixture; injecting a second amount of fuel into the cylinder after auto-igniting said first mixture; combusting a second mixture of said second amount of fuel and gasses from auto-ignition of said first mixture; holding an intake valve of the cylinder closed between auto-igniting the first mixture and combusting the second mixture; and exhausting said combusted second mixture.

Abstract: In one example, a supercharger and air inlet assembly for a V8 engine comprises a supercharger, a pair of air inlet casings, and a top cover, the air inlet casings having outlet ports which align with inlet ports in the cylinder heads. The supercharger has a rotor casing, the upper sides of which extend upwards to form a peripheral wall where each inlet casing is fastened to the rotor casing by setscrews. Each inlet casing is also secured to the rotor casing by another setscrew located between two casing outlet ports. The arrangement allows the use of a relatively simple casting which simplifies manufacture and minimizes thermal stresses.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine to reduce vehicle shuffle mode vibration during mode transition. The engine includes multiple cylinders, each with at least one electrically actuated valve, and the engine operates in a first mode having a first number of firing cylinders and a second mode having a second number of firing cylinders. The method comprises transitioning the engine from operating in the first mode to the second mode; adjusting at least a valve timing or lift of one of a last cylinder to be fired in said first mode and a first cylinder to be fired in said second mode to temporarily adjust a cylinder torque and thereby reduce vehicle shuffle mode vibration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a supercharged internal combustion engine having at least two cylinder groups of at least one cylinder each, both cylinder groups being equipped with an exhaust pipe, and the two exhaust pipes being in communication with one another, and having two exhaust gas turbochargers, the turbines of which are connected in parallel, with their compressors connected in series, and having an exhaust gas recirculation line which upstream of one of the two turbines branches off from the exhaust pipe assigned to this turbine and opens out into the common intake line. An advantage of this invention is that it provides a supercharged internal combustion engine which overcomes the drawbacks which are known from the prior art and can be used to realize high exhaust gas recirculation rates and high boost pressures, in particular simultaneously, in all the load ranges of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder of the engine, a first injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder, a second injector configured to inject a second substance to said cylinder; and a controller configured to commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder, where said fuel is injected by both said first and second injectors during said start.

Abstract: A valve actuator for actuating a valve in an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the valve actuator includes at least one electromagnet having a coil wound about a core, at least one permanent magnet disposed at least partially within the core, and an actuating member disposed adjacent to the electromagnet, wherein the actuating member is coupled to a pivot and is configured to be pivotally moved by activation of the electromagnet to effect at least one of an opening and a closing of the valve.