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 and a controller (26) that controls a distributed brake pressure to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors include a speed sensor (30), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), and a yaw rate sensor (20). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (30), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), the yaw rate sensor (28). The controller (26) determines a roll angle estimate in response to lateral acceleration, roll rate, vehicle speed, and yaw rate. The controller (26) changes a tire force vector using brake pressure distribution in response to the relative roll angle estimate.

Abstract: A multi-pole rotor of an electric machine includes ferromagnetic pole sets each extending from an inner surface of the rotor to an outer surface of the rotor, slots separating each of said ferromagnetic pole segments, each of said slots extending from the inner surface of the rotor to the outer surface of the rotor, and each of said slots also having a width varying along a direction from the inner surface of the rotor to the outer surface of the rotor, and a magnet structure constructed and arranged within each of said slots such that said magnet structure also has a width varying along the direction from the inner surface of the rotor to the outer surface of the rotor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spark-ignition engine having direct fuel injection, the fuel injector (2) and the spark plug (3) being arranged centrally on the upper side of the combustion chamber (1). The fuel injector produces an asymmetrical injection volume, so that the electrodes of the spark plug (3) are not directly affected by liquid fuel. The electrodes are, however, situated in a region reached by evaporating fuel.

Abstract: A system and method of interactive evaluation and manipulation of a geometric model is provided. The system includes a computer system and a haptic interface operatively in communication with the computer system, whereby the haptic interface includes a haptic end effector device for transmitting information between a user and a geometric model as the user browses or edit the surface of the geometric model using the haptic end effector device.

Abstract: A pre-crash assessment system includes a host vehicle in motion. A remote sensor, status monitoring sensors, and safety device actuators are coupled to the host object. The remote sensor detects target object dynamics. The status monitoring sensors detect host object dynamics. The safety device actuators activate safety devices. A threshold for each safety device actuator is defined by a safety device activation specification. A safety device controller generates tracking signals based on host object and target object dynamics by generalized conic curve fitting techniques. The safety device controller also estimates future positions of the host and target objects, and estimates whether the potential for crash between the host and target objects is within the threshold criteria for specific safety device actuation.

Abstract: A system and method to predict engine air amount for an internal combustion engine is described. Included is a method to predict a change in engine air amount based on engine position. This method especially suited to engine starts, where engine air amount is difficult to predict due to low engine speed and limited sensor information. The system and method provides the prediction of engine air amount without extensive models or calibration. Fuel is supplied based on the predicted engine air amount.

Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle includes a rollover sensor that may include one or more sensor to a various dynamic conditions of the vehicle and a controller to control a steering force to reduce a tire moment so the net moment of the vehicle is counter to the roll direction. The sensors may include a speed sensor (30), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), a yaw rate sensor (20) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (30), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the roll rate sensor (34), front steering angle sensor (35), pitch rate (38), rear steering position sensor (40), and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) determines a roll angle estimate in response at least one or more of the signals. The controller (26) changes a tire force vector using by changing the direction and or force of the rear steering actuator and brakes in response to the likelihood of rollover.

Abstract: An oiling system for an internal combustion engine includes a cover for enclosing lower portion of a cylinder block. The cover has an oil reservoir and oil inlet and an integral transfer tube having an outlet which is coupled directly to the inlet of the engine's oil pump.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine includes a three-way catalyst and a NOx device located downstream of the three-way catalyst. The device is preconditioned for emissions reduction at engine operating conditions about stoichiometry by substantially filling the device with oxygen and NOx; and purging stored oxygen and stored NOx from only an upstream portion of the device, whereupon the upstream portion of the device operates to store oxygen and NOx during subsequent lean transients while the downstream portion of the device operates to reduce excess HC and CO during subsequent rich transients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying reference background and flow ultrasound images. The method comprises: transmitting at least first and second broadband pulses to a common transmit focal position; receiving at least first and second ultrasound reflections associated with the at least first and second broadband pulses; forming a flow/contrast agent signal component based on the at least first and second ultrasound reflections; forming a B-mode background signal component based on independent processing of at least one of the at least first and second ultrasound reflections; and displaying an ultrasound image including a flow image component in a first image portion of a display and a B-mode reference image component based on at least one of the at least first and second ultrasound reflections, said B-mode reference image component displayed in a second image portion of said display.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle, such as a pickup truck, has a tailgate including a door adapted to pivot about a generally horizontal pivot axis, with the door including a shell defining a space surrounded by the shell. The door is pivoted upon bearings mounted upon bearing retainers located at each end of the door. A full floating torsion bar is provided and includes a first end rotationally grounded within the interior space of the door shell and a second end engaged with and rotationally locked with one of the bearing inserts so that the torsion bar will be subjected to torsional loading as the door is pivoted. Because of the full floating feature, the hinge function of the tailgate will not be impaired in the event that the torsion bar becomes fractured.

Abstract: An electromechanical valve assembly (46) for an internal combustion engine (36) is provided. The valve assembly (46) includes a rotor (68) centered about a first axis (122) having a bore (114) extending generally axially therethrough. The valve assembly (46) further includes a stator (66) operatively disposed about the rotor (68) for producing a torque to cause rotation of the rotor (68) about the axis (122). Finally, the valve assembly (46) includes a valve (70) having a valve stem (126) and a valve head (84). The valve stem (126) extends generally axially through the bore (114) of the rotor (68). The valve stem (126) is also configured to move generally axially responsive to the rotation of the rotor (68) to selectively engage and disengage the valve head (84) with a valve seat (124) of the engine (36).

Abstract: This invention is a method and system to disconnect drive wheels from the powertrain of any electric powered vehicle. A vehicle controller monitors input from, for example, an inertia switch and electric motor generator conditions and can disconnect the output shaft from the drive wheels in predetermined vehicle conditions such as during a rear-end collision, or abnormal electric motor conditions such as over-torque, over-temperature, or over-current. The invention can be configured to monitor and respond to driver demand for four-wheel drive, two-wheel drive, and neutral tow. The disconnect device can comprise a disconnect actuator and joint attached to an axle disconnect. The axle disconnect can be electric or vacuum powered and positioned as a center disconnect or a wheel-end disconnect. The invention can be configured for conventional or limited slip axles.