Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lubrication system having a gasket with integrated lubrication channel for providing lubrication to the surface of an engine part. Preferably, the gasket is a multilayer metal gasket comprised of an upper layer, a bottom layer, and an inner layer disposed between the upper and bottom layers. The gasket further comprises a lubrication channel disposed through the gasket. Lubrication from an oil feed may then be directed through the lubrication channel and directed onto the surface of the engine part to be lubricated.

Abstract: An automotive overhead airbag assembly is provided including an airbag mounted on an inside surface of a vehicle roof at an airbag mount position. The airbag has an airbag stored condition and an airbag deployed position and expands downwards from said vehicle roof when in the airbag deployed position. The assembly includes at least one wing element having a first wing mounting edge mounted to the vehicle roof and a second wing mounting edge mounted to a lower deployed portion of said airbag. The first wing mounting edge extends in a transverse direction from the airbag mount position. The at least one wing element includes a wing stored condition and a wing deployed position. The at least one wing element restricts forward motion of the airbag when the airbag is in the deployed position. The assembly includes a trampoline surface formed by the at least one wing element when the at least one wing element is in said wing deployed position.

Abstract: A system for heating a vehicle battery and a method for using the same. The system and method enable energy flow from the battery to a heater to heat the battery after determining a shut-down condition.

Abstract: A system and method of interactive evaluation of a geometric model is provided. The method includes the steps of acquiring a haptic device position and orientation with respect to a surface of the geometric model and mapping the haptic device position and orientation into a geometric model coordinate reference system. The method also includes the steps of determining a closest point position and orientation on the surface of the geometric model to the haptic device position and extracting a surface property at the closest point position and orientation. The method further includes the steps of determining a stick-to-surface force and a property feedback force using the surface property at the closet point position and orientation and applying the stick-to-surface force and property feedback force to control a location and force output of the haptic device.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.

Abstract: An expandable tubular member.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the inertia of a vehicle's powertrain during sudden braking events. Torque generated by rapid deceleration of the vehicle's drive wheels during braking is prevented from being transmitted through the vehicle's driveline by a clutch which disengages the drive wheels from high effective inertia components in the driveline. The clutch is actuated by a signal produced by any of several sensors on the vehicle which sense a sudden braking event. Driveline speed is adjusted to match drive wheel speed before the clutch is deactivated to reengage driveline with the drive wheels.

Abstract: A system according to this invention opposes creep in a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle. An accumulator contains fluid at high pressure, and a reservoir contains fluid at lower pressure. An engine produces positive torque at the wheels during an engine idle condition, and a pump/motor, driveably connected to the wheels and the engine, has a variable volumetric displacement pumps fluid to the accumulator from the reservoir. A control system determines a magnitude of negative torque transmitted from the wheels to the pump/motor that would exceed the magnitude of positive torque, determines the volumetric displacement of the pump/motor corresponding to the magnitude of negative torque, changes the displacement of the pump/motor to the required displacement, and operates the pump/motor as a pump driven by negative torque from the wheels to pump fluid from the reservoir to the accumulator.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based controller is provided for generated heat in at various locations in an exhaust system of an engine by changing the heat generation technique utilized. In one case, some cylinder air-fuel ratios are modulated between stoichiometry and rich, while others are modulated between stoichiometry and lean. Another approach operates some cylinder lean, while others are modulated between a first rich, and a second, less rich, value. Further, compensation based on engine airflow is also provided. Finally, various methods are described for temperature control and for controlling modulation of air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A method of forming deep holes and a gundrill therefore is disclosed. The gundrill has an elongate tubular shank and a cutting tip, each provided with a tubular central region supplying pressurized drilling fluid and a non-circular fluid cross-section defining a drilling fluid return path in conjunction with the hole being formed. The cutting tip flute defines a primary rake surface terminating in an offset point, and a secondary flank surface for forming an outlet with the hole being drilled, sized to maintain fluid pressure in the bottom end space to cool the cutting surfaces and to effectively remove chips as they are formed. The drilling fluid exiting an orifice of the cutting tip, forms a maximum angle ? relative to the hole axis when viewed radially, which is greater than sixty-six degrees in order to minimize drilling fluid stagnation in an elongate fluid return path.

Abstract: A flexible cargo restraining straps mounted on the sidewalls of the rear cargo area of an automotive vehicle to receive and restrain small cargo items from moving about the rear cargo area of the vehicle. The divider members are positionable along the longitudinal length of the restraining straps to permit the creation of a cargo receptacle that conforms to the size of the small cargo item being placed therein. Preferably, the divider members are slidable along slots formed in the sidewall of the rear cargo area and can be selectively locked into the desired position. Additional divider members can be added to the restraining straps as desired for creating cargo receptacles therein as needed. Alternatively, the cargo restraining straps can be mounted on the roof or on the interior of the door for the rear cargo area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling stopping position of a crankshaft during shutdown of an internal combustion engine control a fluid pressure to control a corresponding drive torque of a fluid pump. Kinetic energy of the engine at shutdown may be used to control fluid pressure in a power steering system or fuel injection system to stop the crankshaft in a position favorable for restarting.

Abstract: A system for replenishing a source of pressurized fluid for use in driving the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure; a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure; an engine driveably connected to the wheels and having a variable torque output; a pump/motor driveably connected to the wheels, including an inlet and an outlet, and having a variable volumetric displacement for pumping fluid between the accumulator and the reservoir; and a controller for determining a current cruise charge pressure limit for the accumulator, determining a desired magnitude of pump/motor torque with which to pump fluid to the accumulator, determining a desired magnitude of engine torque with which to drive the pump/motor at the desired magnitude of pump/motor torque, and controlling the engine to produce the desired magnitude of engine torque, to drive the pump/motor in a pumping mode at the desired magnitude of pump/motor torque, and to pump fluid to the accumulator from

Abstract: A motor vehicle powertrain system according to this invention controls the magnitudes of torque produced by multiple power sources that drive the vehicle wheels. The system includes a source of pressurized fluid, and a pump/motor driveably connected to the wheels, which is driven in a motoring mode by fluid from the fluid source and has a variable volumetric displacement that changes in response to displacement of the accelerator pedal. An engine, driveably connected to the wheels, includes a throttle that opens and closes in response to displacement of the accelerator pedal. A controller controls operation of the engine and pump/motor such that they produce torque at various magnitudes.