Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine. The method includes disabling at least one piston cylinder of the engine. While said at least one piston cylinder is disabled, turbulence is selectively varied in an air intake pathway of an enabled piston cylinder, so as to vary charge motion within the enabled piston cylinder. The selective variation of turbulence is effected at a location in the air intake pathway between a throttle of the engine and an intake valve of the enabled cylinder.

Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve operation in an internal combustion engine. Valves are controlled to improve vehicle drivability and reduce vehicle noise.

Abstract: A crash assessment and safety device activation system includes a target object potentially colliding with a host object in motion, is disclosed. A remote sensor is coupled to the host object and adapted to detect a target object within a region sensed thereby and generate an object signal from the target object. A visual sensor is adapted to sense the region sensed by the remote sensor and therefrom generate a visual signal. A safety device actuator is coupled to the host object and adapted to activate a safety device. A controller is attached to the host object, the remote sensor, the visual sensor and the safety device actuator. The control is adapted to assess collision threat from the remote sensor signal and confirm the presence of the target object with the vision sensor. The controller is further adapted to control the safety device actuator in response said threat assessment.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine having at least a first and second cylinder [group], the first cylinder having a first electrically actuated valve and the second cylinder having a second electrically actuated valve, comprising of operating the first cylinder with a spark timing more retarded than a spark timing of a second cylinder, where during said operation, said first cylinder operates with a first operation of said first electrically actuated valve and said second cylinder operates with a second operation of said second electrically actuated valve, where said first operation is different from said second operation.

Abstract: A four wheel drive assembly 10 including a torque transfer assembly 60 which operates under the control of the controller 62 and which receives and selectively transfers a certain desired amount of torque to a front axles 14, 15 and to the rear axles 14 17. The amount of transferred torque varies depending upon the occurrence of a sensed slip condition the use of a pre-emptive slip control mode of operation in which the controller 62 determines that it is likely that a slip may occur. Particularly, controller 62 is allowed to enter the preemptive mode of operation only after an actual slip has occurred and the controller 62 exits this preemptive mode of operation upon the occurrence of a certain event or condition or upon the passage of a certain amount of time.

Abstract: An assembly includes a seat 60 having a seat base 64, an occupant sensor positioned in the seat base, said occupant sensor comprising a fluid filled bladder coupled to a pressure sensor, said pressure sensor generating a pressure signal, and an audio system having an electrical output coupled to a speaker, said speaker positioned near the seat, said speaker audibly coupled to the bladder. The assembly includes a compensation circuit (12) for a sensor (22) generating electrical sensor output near a speaker (18) of an audio system (16) that comprises an inverting circuit (26) coupled to the electrical output (16) of the audio system. The inverting circuit (26) generates an inverted electrical signal corresponding to a speaker audio output. A sensor controller (24) coupled to the inverting circuit (26) and the sensor (22) generates a compensated electrical output in response to the electrical sensor output and the inverted electrical signal.

Abstract: A valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is described having a core having a wound coil located therein, said core further having at least one permanent magnet located at least partially inside said coil and positioned at an angle relative to a direction of movement of an armature.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine during starting use position sensor information in addition to cylinder combustion information to transition from simultaneous fueling to sequential fueling by selecting a cylinder to receive a first sequential fuel injection. Embodiments include a system and method for controlling a sequentially fueled port injected internal combustion engine that contingently select a cylinder to receive a first sequential fuel injection based on position information indicating that the cylinder received a simultaneous fuel injection during its intake stroke. Engine rotational speed is monitored to detect combustion and determine which cylinder fired first. A first sequential fueling pulse is provided to the contingently selected cylinder unless a preceding cylinder in the firing order fires first.

Abstract: A tool for measuring force associated with engaging an anchorage of a child restraint anchorage system of a motor vehicle. The tool includes a force measuring device, an engagement arm having a slot, and a guide mechanism. The engagement arm transmits force to the measuring device when the anchorage is seated within the slot.

Abstract: A seat assembly is disclosed for a passenger vehicle which provides multiple positions by translating a seat back between a fore position and an aft position relative to the seat bottom. A carriage is disclosed mounted to a track within a seat bottom for translating the seat back to the fore and aft positions. A motor and transmission are disclosed for driving the carriage. Additionally, a mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the tilt angle of the seat back as it is translated. A method for adjusting a seat assembly is provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method of reducing hydrocarbon emissions of an internal combustion engine during cold start conditions in disclosed. The engine has at least one cylinder provided with a piston which reciprocates between a top dead-center and a bottom dead-center, at least one intake valve through which intake air is provided, a fuel injector assembly arranged to inject atomised fuel particles directly into the cylinder and means for controlling the opening and closing of the intake valve. According to the invention, intake valve opening is adjusted to occur after top dead center of the piston. When the intake valve opens, a pressure differential exists across the valve. Fuel is injected directly into the cylinder during the time of the pressure differential.

Abstract: An engine cooling system has a primary cooling circuit having with a coolant pump to pump coolant to the engine, an engine return line, a radiator and a bypass in parallel with the radiator. The primary circuit also has a flow control valve to control flow between the radiator and the bypass to allow fluid to flow from the radiator only when coolant temperature is above normal operating temperature. The system also has a secondary cooling circuit with a heat exchanger and a temperature responsive control valve and a heater circuit connected to a passenger compartment heater. The temperature responsive conrol valve shuts off flow through both or one of the inlets depending on coolant temperature.

Abstract: A system for measuring an automotive convertible top operating parameter, such as the amount of force required to operate the convertible top, includes a pulldown actuator for moving a convertible top from an open position into a closed position. The pulldown actuator is equipped with position and force transducers. A controller which operates the pulldown actuator records the operational position of the top, as well as the force required to close the top.

Abstract: A lightweight automotive vehicle door assembly incorporates a modular concept having an outer door panel, an inner door panel, a reinforcement beam, and a hardware mounting module. The outer panel is preferably formed from aluminum, polypropylene or steel, while the inner door panel is preferably cast from magnesium with the hardware mounting module formed of thermoplastic. The magnesium inner panel is mounted to the outer panel by a hemming process while hardware is mounted to the inner panel through the use of two-piece thermoplastic inserts creating a dielectric barrier between the fasteners and the magnesium inner panel. The reinforcement beam is formed of a composite material consisting of a glass and carbon fiber reinforced outer skin with an interior core of polyurethane.

Abstract: An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes a reservoir structured for mounting to a vehicle. A primary component of a binary fire suppression agent is contained within the reservoir. A secondary component of the binary fire suppression agent is contained within a secondary reservoir or component delivery system which is activated by a flow of the primary component such that the primary component and the secondary component will be combined before being discharged from a series of nozzles.

Abstract: A color-corrected lighting system for night vision applications includes a near infrared light source and a thin-sheet optical element disposed a distance from the near infrared source. The optical element includes an input surface for receiving light from the near infrared source and an output surface for emitting the received light in a desired emission pattern. The system also includes a visible, non-red light source in the form of a plate having a plurality of non-red LEDs arranged thereon. The plate is proximate a surface of the optical element such that the output surface of the optical element emits the visible light to mask the emitted near infrared light. A camera is adapted to receive the near infrared light from the near infrared light source reflected off an object within a camera field of view, and a display images objects detected within the camera field of view.

Abstract: A computer control system is described that monitors the functionality of an emission control device that is capable of storing NOx and oxygen during lean conditions, and releasing/reducing the stored oxygen and NOx during rich operating conditions. The computer uses a readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions utilize a ratio between a lean operating time and a rich operating time to determine whether the catalyst has degraded.

Abstract: A cigar lighter including a mounting ring, and a socket insertable into the mounting ring. The socket has at least one cantilevered lance extending in a longitudinal direction of the socket and directed radially inwardly. The mounting ring has a cylindrical body with an inner surface. A rib is provided on the inner surface of the housing so as to extend in a longitudinal direction. The rib is arranged in a vicinity of the lance of the socket so as to limit outward radial travel of the lance.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling hydrocarbon injection into engine exhaust to reduce NOx. The method and system inject the hydrocarbon into the engine exhaust in accordance with detection of a light-off event. The light-off event can be detected because when there is this hydrocarbon-O2 reaction, such reaction is an exothermic reaction and thus heat is generated and given off. The generation of such heat may be detected by measuring the difference in temperature across the catalyst. The peak in NOx conversion efficiency temperature changes with age. However, because the peak in NOx conversion efficiency temperature occurs at substantially the same light-off temperature, a determination of light-off by the system and method enables adjustment in the hydrocarbon injection level for maximum NOx reduction efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing ignition system performance of an internal combustion engine. The method operates an engine control unit to produce a sequence of spark ignition current pulses through primary windings of a plurality of ignition coils. The current pulses produce voltage pulses across electrodes of the spark plugs. The voltage pulses produce flyback voltages across the primary windings. Output pulses are produced in response to the flyback voltages having time durations related to the time durations of the sparks produced by the spark plugs. Digital signal are produced in response to each one of the output pulses representative of the spark time duration of a corresponding one of the sparks. A comparison of the digital signals determines whether the spark time duration of one of the spark plugs is substantially different from the spark time durations of the other ones of the plurality of spark plugs.