Abstract: A free piston engine is configured with a pair of opposed engine cylinders located on opposite sides of a fluid pumping assembly. An inner piston assembly includes a pair of inner pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with a push rod connected between the inner pistons. The push rod extends through an inner pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. An outer piston assembly includes a pair of outer pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with at least one pull rod connected between the outer pistons. The pull rod extends through an outer pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. The movement of the inner and outer piston assemblies during engine operation will cause the fluid plungers to pump fluid from a low pressure container into a high pressure chamber as a means of storing the energy output from the engine.

Abstract: A controller and a method for use in a vehicle to limit noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) by controlling torque matching between a first power source and a second power source. A first and a second torque estimate are made for the first power source. The torque matching comprises calculating a correction factor based upon a comparison of the torque estimates made during steady-state operating conditions of the vehicle. The first torque estimate is based on operating parameters for the first power source and the second torque estimate is based on operating parameters for the second power source.

Abstract: An automotive closure panel which is rotatable about a pivot axis has an axial locator insert situated within a pivot bearing insert bore to set a margin extending between the closure panel and a vehicle body. This system is particularly useful for closure panels such as tailgates having torsion bar or motorized lift assist, because such systems are not easily disassembled for the purpose of setting the closure panel margins.

Abstract: A multiple-speed transmission for use in an automotive vehicle driveline includes a torque converter, three simple planetary gear units, or two simple planetary gear units and a compound planetary gear unit, friction clutches and brakes, and an optional one-way coupling. The engaged and disengaged states of the friction elements permit the transmission to produce several underdrive speed ratios, a direct drive ratio, and several overdrive speed ratios.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for determining the progress toward the achievement of best-in-class motor vehicles. The method may be comprised of several steps. First, internal organizational data is gathered. [The internal organizational data includes critical design characteristics, critical manufacturing characteristics, and critical performance characteristics. The critical design characteristics are those design features which are historically valued by customers. The critical manufacturing characteristics are those manufacturing features which are have also been valued by customers. The critical performance characteristics are those performance characteristics valued by customers.] Second, external organizational data is gathered. [The external organizational data includes a list of design characteristics and manufacturing characteristics that are deemed important by suppliers and competitors.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a finite element mesh for a threaded fastener and joining structure assembly includes a computer system for generating a mesh model of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly by creating nodes and elements for each non-threaded portion of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly using cylindrical coordinates and creating nodes and elements for each threaded portion of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly using helical coordinates. The system and method also includes a user evaluating the mesh model of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly using finite element analysis and evaluating a result of the finite element analysis using a visualization software program and a computer system. The system and method further includes a user predicting a stress of the threaded fastener and joining structure assembly from the evaluation of the result of the finite element analysis.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automotive vehicle (10) having a plurality of wheels (12a), (12b), (13a), (13b) includes determining a yaw rate, determining a lateral acceleration, determining a roll rate, determining longitudinal acceleration; and determining a calculated angle relative to the vehicle. The method further includes generating a wheel lift signal or a wheel grounded signal as a function of yaw rate, lateral acceleration, roll rate and longitudinal acceleration, adjusting the calculated angle in response to the wheel lift or wheel grounded signal, and controlling a safety system in response to the calculated vehicle angle.

Abstract: A computer controller is described for disabling fuel injection into cylinder groups of an engine. The system controls engine output a reduced engine torques without reducing engine air amounts below an engine misfire amount by reducing the number of cylinders carrying out combustion. Engine airflow is controlled to maintain accurate torque at requested levels throughout engine operating ranges.

Abstract: A lighting system for night vision applications including a near infrared light source, a visible light source, a beamsplitter and an optical element. The beamsplitter is arranged to reflect light emitting from either the near infrared light source or the visible light source and transmit light emitting from the other of the near infrared light source or visible light source so as to produce a color-corrected light source. The optical element is disposed a predetermined distance from the color-corrected light source. The optical element includes an input surface for receiving light from the color-corrected light source and an output surface for emitting the received light in a desired emission pattern. In one embodiment, each of the near infrared light source and visible light source is associated with respective first and second optical elements.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a speed sensor (38) generating a speed signal indicative of vehicle speed, a timer (44) generating a time signal, a warning status memory (26) having warning statuses therein. The system further includes a plurality of rolling tires in respective rolling location. The plurality of rolling tires (14a), (14b), (14c) and (14d) have respective rolling transmitters (16a), (16b), (16c) and (16d). An auxiliary tire (14f) in an auxiliary location has an auxiliary transmitter (16f) that generates an auxiliary sensor transmission signal. A controller (22) is coupled to the rolling transmitters, the spare tire transmitter and the warning status memory (26). The controller (22) receives the auxiliary sensor transmission signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for depositing a flowable medium, in particular lubricating oil, onto a workpiece (16). The device (10) has a base body (13) having a duct (14a) for supplying the lubricating oil, the duct (14a) ending in a cavity (14d). The cavity (14d) is covered by a mask (15) having an opening. The opening of the mask (15) is closed by a hard metal sphere (11) which is prestressed into this closure position by a spring (12). When contact is made with a workpiece the sphere is pressed into the cavity (14d) and thereby opens up the opening in the mask (15) for the discharge of lubricating oil.

Abstract: A method to deliver spark during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder spark angle control based on the number of cylinders after synchronization between engine timing and an engine controller are achieved. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine speed run-up performance.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper cylinder 270 is provided for an electromagnetic actuated internal combustion engine cylinder valve 20. The damper includes a piston 68 slidably mounted within the damper cylinder 270. The piston 68 bifurcates the cylinder 270 into a first control volume 74 and a second control volume 76. The first and second control volumes are fluidly connected by an inboard flow path 372. Along the extreme ends of travel, the flow path 372 is blocked by the piston 68 and damping occurs through fluid transfer through an outboard flow path 374.

Abstract: A steering system (10) and method (70) for controlling the steering of a vehicle having a steering assembly including a steering wheel (12), a steering column (14) connected to said steering wheel (12), and an electric motor (20) operatively engaged with the steering assembly for supplying torque assist. A steering angle sensor (32) is employed for sensing an angular position ?c of the steering column (14). The steering system has first and second H-infinity controllers (64A and 64B) coupled in a feedback path (44) for generating first and second feedback signals as a function of the driver torque and first and second characteristics (JC and KC) of the steering system. One of the first and second feedback signals is selected and the selected feedback signal is combined with a feedforward signal to generate a motor control signal (U) as a function of the estimated torque.

Abstract: A collision and injury mitigation system (10) for an automotive vehicle (12) is provided. The system (10) includes two or more object detection sensors (15) that detect an object and generate one or more object detection signals. A controller (16) is electrically coupled to the two or more object detection sensors and performs a fuzzy logic technique to classify the object as a real object or a false object in response to the one or more object detection signals. A method for performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system 10 for steering road wheels 40A and 40B on a vehicle. The steering system 10 includes a steering wheel 12 rotatable by an operator to command steering of the steered road wheels 40A and 40B, and a steering input shaft 16 mechanically linked to the steering wheel 12. A housing structure 14 is disposed proximate the steering input shaft 16. A male member 46 is provided on the housing structure, and a female receptacle 50 is formed in the steering input shaft 16 for matingly receiving the male member 46. The female receptacle 50 comprises a pair of end walls 52 and 54 for limiting rotational travel of the steering wheel 12. The steering system 10 further has an actuator 26 for rotating the wheels 40A and 40B on the vehicle in response to rotation of the steering wheel 12.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a distance of an object is provided. The method includes transmitting a light pulse to a polymeric light reflector at a first time. The method further includes reflecting the light pulse from the reflector. The method further includes receiving a portion of the light pulse reflected from an object at a second time. Finally, the method includes determining a distance of the object from the reflector based on a time difference between substantially the first and second times.

Abstract: A method and a system for improving conversion efficiency of a urea-based SCR catalyst coupled downstream of a diesel or other lean burn engine is presented. The system includes an electrically heated vaporizer unit into which a mixture of reductant and air in injected. The mixture is vaporized in the unit and introduced into the exhaust gas prior to its entering the SCR catalyst. Introducing the reductant mixed with air into the reductant delivery system prevents lacquering and soot deposits on the heated element housed inside the unit, and also speeds up the vaporization process thus reducing system response delays and improving the device conversion efficiency. The reductant delivery system is further improved by adding a hydrolyzing catalyst to it, and by isolating the reductant and air mixture from the heating element.

Abstract: An adaptive shift control method for a geared multiple ratio transmission having friction elements for clutches and brakes to establish and disestablish gear ratio changes wherein at least one ratio change involves engagement of one friction element in synchronism with disengagement of another friction element. Operating parameters are adapted throughout the life of the transmission to reduce synchronous errors by developing and learning pressure and time adjustments for the friction elements.

Abstract: An adaptive pressure control method for synchronous downshifts in an automatic transmission that uses pressure actuated friction elements. The method uses characteristic parameters that determine downshift quality for both power-on downshifts and power-off downshifts. Selected measured variables are monitored to detect changes in the parameters. Adjustments for the friction elements are made in response to changes in the measured variables.