Abstract: A device for use together with a seat belt (3) of a seat in a vehicle (6), comprising a sensor (2) for measuring tension in the seat belt and a member (4) for limiting the load transferable by the seat belt, the seat belt tension sensor being arranged to provide information based on which an airbag intended for said seat may be disconnected. One of either the seat belt tension sensor (2) or the load limiter member (4) is connectable to a first end of the seat belt (3) and the other of the seat belt tension sensor and the load limiter member is connectable to the vehicle (6), the seat belt tension sensor and the load limiter member being connected to each other so that at least a part of the seat belt tension sensor (2) and a part of the load limiter member (4) overlap with each other.

Abstract: A forward facing rear door assembly for a motor vehicle includes a forward facing rear door having a forward end and a rear end. The forward facing rear door assembly also includes a hinge connected to the rear end of the forward facing rear door and for connection to a “C” pillar of a vehicle body to allow a forward end of the rear door to open and close a door opening in the vehicle body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. An available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is determined by establishing an oxidant set point location, i.e., a location in the catalyst about which the system controls the oxidant storage. The oxidant set point is established based on the temperatures of the different potential set point locations and the levels of deterioration of the different potential set point locations, as well as the oxidant storage capacity of the emission control device system.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle when starting a power source. The method includes initiating a start sequence that includes driving the power source at a target speed, determining a speed adjustment value based on an amount of vehicle acceleration requested by the driver, adjusting the target speed, and modifying output of the electrical machine to maintain the target speed.

Abstract: A vehicle control system adapted to facilitate exiting of ruts includes an active steering system having a steerable wheel defining a steering angle. The active steering system also includes a steering wheel providing a driver input control angle, the active steering system further including a coupler component, an actuator component, a controller component, and a sensor component. The components of the active steering system are operably interconnected such that the controller component can selectively vary the steering angle relative to the driver input control angle. The steering angle defines an expected vehicle yaw when the steerable wheel is not slipping on a contact surface such as a road surface. The sensor component is configured to provide the controller with a signal corresponding to an actual yaw angle of a vehicle. The vehicle control system also includes a braking system adapted to brake selected wheels of a vehicle.

Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of sensors sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The sensors include a steering angle sensor (35) and a yaw rate sensor (28). The controller (26) is coupled to the steering angle sensor (35) and the yaw rate sensor (28). The controller (26) determines a desired yaw rate in response to the steering wheel angle input, determines a corrected steering wheel input as a function of the desired yaw rate of an ideal vehicle and the vehicle yaw rate, and controls the road wheel steer angle (front, rear, or both) steering actuator in response to the corrected steering wheel input, the yaw rate and the modified steering wheel input, vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, yaw rate, steering wheel angle, and road wheel angles.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least a first and second cylinder, comprising during at least one operating condition, operating the first cylinder to receive directly injected fuel, mix said fuel with fresh air inducted past an intake valve of the first cylinder, combust said mixture, and exhaust at least a portion of said mixture past an exhaust valve of the first cylinder, and concurrent with said operation of the first cylinder, operating the second cylinder to hold an intake valve of the second cylinder closed for at least a cycle of said second cylinder, receive directly injected fuel, and then exhaust at least a portion of said fuel past an exhaust valve of the second cylinder to generate unburned reductants in an exhaust of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic module assembly with reduced EMI noise emission. The electronic module assembly of the invention includes an electronic module component that emits EMI noise. The electronic module assembly has a first electric reference region and a second electric reference region that is in communication with electronic module component. An impedance component is positioned in series with the first reference region and the second reference region such that impedance component attenuates the first electromagnetic noise signal. The electronic module assembly further includes low pass filter component that is in electrical communication with electronic module component. The present invention also provides a method of reducing EMI noise emission.

Abstract: Decoupler deflector devices and systems for automobile steering systems are provided. A decoupler deflector device in an automobile steering system can be connected to an upper intermediate shaft (“I-shaft”) portion or an I-shaft joint. The decoupler device can be adapted to contact a lower I-shaft portion and rotate the upper I-shaft portion downwardly such that the upper I-shaft portion does not interfere with a collapsing steering column when subjected to loading from an automobile driver during a front-end collision impact event. The decoupler device can comprise a first end portion coupled to an upper I-shaft portion and an I-shaft joint; and a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion to contact a lower I-shaft portion and rotate the upper I-shaft portion. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A compressed gaseous fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes an electronic engine controller, a common fuel rail, fuel injectors operatively connected with the common-rail and with the engine controller, and a high pressure gaseous fuel source. A control regulator reduces gas system pressure to a final variable control pressure specified by the engine controller and furnishes the fuel at the control pressure to the common-rail. A fuel pump operatively connected with the control regulator and with the engine controller selectively transfers fuel from the fuel rail to a portion of the fuel system located upstream from the downstream pressure regulator in the event that the pressure within the common-rail exceeds a desired pressure.

Abstract: A wheel position indication system for a vehicle comprising a steerable wheel, a wheel position indicator and a controller. The wheel position indicator has an on state and an off state. The wheel position indicator provides a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the on state. The wheel position indicator does not provide a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the off state. The controller selectively alters the wheel position indicator between the on state and the off state. The controller places the wheel position indicator into the on state when the vehicle is in a predetermined driving condition and places the wheel position indicator into the off state when the vehicle is not in the predetermined driving condition.

Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle as includes a plurality of sensors (28–37) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle to determine imminent rollover. A controller (26) coupled to an active suspension (49) controls a restoring torque in response to the rollover signal by controlling the active suspension.

Abstract: A method to reduce chassis vibration in an engine with valves that may be deactivated. Valves are controlled to avoid exciting modal frequencies of mechanical components and systems.

Abstract: A direct pour metal casting process and casting mold having a direct pour passage. The casting mold is filled from a bottom pour ladle that dispenses molten metal into a riser core. The riser core defines an opening that progresses from a circular opening in the top to a slot opening in the bottom of the riser core that is generally shaped as an inverted funnel.