Abstract: An independent suspension for a powered rear road wheel of an automotive vehicle includes a subframe attached to a vehicle body with a hub carrier and wheel hub rotatably attached thereto. Laterally extending upper and lower control arms are attached to the subframe, and an internal support link extends between the lower control arm and a forward portion of the hub carrier. A laterally extending toe link is pivoted between the hub carrier and the subframe. The upper control arm is centrally mounted and accommodates a suspension spring extending between the vehicle's body and the upper arm. Central mounting of the upper control arm and spring helps to avoid caster change as the roadwheel moves in jounce and rebound.

Abstract: A method for determining cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas for an internal combustion engine system. The engine system includes cylinders, each one of such cylinders having at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve in communication with such cylinder. The method determines one of a plurality of different scenarios, each one of the scenarios representing a geometrical relationship between opening and closing of the intake valve relative to closing of the exhaust valve. The cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas is calculated in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of scenarios. In one embodiment, the engine system stores a plurality of different software modules. The method selects one of the plurality of software modules in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of scenarios. The cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas calculation comprises executing the selected one of the modules.

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. To do so, the invented system estimates an amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The amount of oxidants stored is estimated by determining an amount of oxidants that are available for storage by the catalyst or that are needed to oxidize hydrocarbons being produced by the engine. Based thereon, a change in oxidant storage in the catalyst is calculated. The estimate of the amount of oxidants that are available for storage by the catalyst or that are needed to oxidize hydrocarbons is adjusted based on a feedback parameter.

Abstract: An oil cooler for a vehicle with an automatic transmission that includes a core contained between two end pipes. A first one of the end pipes includes an oil inlet, for directing oil from the transmission, and an oil outlet, directing oil back to the transmission, and a dividing plate having a flow control orifice. An oil filter is positioned around the flow control orifice to filter the oil flowing through the orifice, thereby removing contaminants from the oil, while the oil flowing through the core is cooled.

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 magnetorheological (MR) vibration damper for damping axial and rotational vibrations of an automotive steering system may include a housing encasing MR fluid therein and a gear-like rotor and orifice plate disposed within the housing. The rotor and orifice plate, which may be affixed to the steering wheel shaft, includes a plurality of gear-like teeth on its surface and a plurality of holes for producing shear and normal forces, respectively, on the MR fluid. Electric coils may be disposed within the housing for generating an electric field for activating the MR fluid. The MR vibration damper may be activated or deactivated by a controller by comparing a signal value from a steering wheel vibration sensor to a predetermined threshold value. The controller may be programmable by a user to increase or decrease the predetermined threshold value, so as to enable customization of driving feel.

Abstract: An arrangement of a flex circuit (7) is provided which includes a first substrate (10) with a connected first conductive membrane (16) having a first gap (20). A second substrate (44) with a connected conductive membrane (50) is spaced away from the first substrate (10). At least one of the substrates (10), (44) is flexible. A first surface mounted device (24) with a first end cap termination (36), bridges over the first gap (20). The end cap termination (36) electrically connects with the second conductive membrane (50) to complete an electrical circuit between the first and second conductive membranes (16), (50) when the substrates (10), (44) are displaced toward one another.

Abstract: An electromechanical brake assembly 10 having a pair of selectively movable and dissimilar self energization wedge members 24, 26 which are respectively and independently controlled by motors 30, 34, and which have respectively dissimilar angles of inclination 60, 62, thereby providing a controllably varying amount of self energization.

Abstract: An engine control system controls engine torque to transition through the transmission lash zone. The transmission lash zone is determined using speed ratio across the torque converter. When near the transmission lash zone, engine torque is adjusted at a predetermined rate until the system passes through the transmission lash zone. By limiting the change of torque in this way, driveability is improved and it is possible to quickly and reliably provide negative engine torque for braking.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Abstract: A body panel assembly having an inner panel and an outer panel. The outer panel has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the inner panel. An adhesive is disposed between the inner panel and the outer panel. A portion of the outer panel is hemmed to the inner panel to join the inner and outer panels together. A scrim pad may be provided between inner and outer panels to inhibit galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a warning status memory (26) having warning statuses therein and a plurality of tires (14a, b, c and d) in respective rolling locations, each of said plurality of tires having a transmitter (90). When one of the tires has been filled with air, the controller (22) receives a pressure signal from one of the tire transmitters generated in response to a predetermined increase in pressure. The controller (22) clears the warning statuses from the warning status memory (26) when the pressure signal is in a normal range and, thereafter monitors the tires in the rolling locations and generates warning statuses therefor.

Abstract: A feedback system 10 for use with a hybrid electric vehicle 12 having a propulsion system 14 which includes a motor/generator 16 and an internal combustion engine 20. The system 10 provides a driver of vehicle 12 with tactile, audible, visual and/or other perceivable feedback, effective to notify the driver that the powertrain 14 of the vehicle is active when the internal combustion engine 20 is stopped.

Abstract: An automotive engine has a charge air conditioning system, including a charge booster, and a first intercooler for transferring heat from charge air flowing from the booster. The first intercooler transfers heat from the charge air to ambient air, and a second intercooler downstream from the first intercooler further reduces the heat content of the charge air by transferring heat from the charge air to a refrigerated fluid. An engine control module controls the engine's spark timing and fuel charge as a function of at least the amount of air charge cooling provided by the second intercooler. The present engine is particularly well adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel.

Abstract: A strategy to control and diagnose the operation of an electric motor using a sensorless control system augmented by feedback from a position and speed sensor is disclosed. The strategy can improve the robustness of operation and diagnose potential faults in electric motors. The present invention includes a method for diagnosing operation of an electric motor and a method and system for controlling an electric motor. In the diagnostic method, a sensorless system and a sensor based system are checked against each other to determine if either of the systems is faulted. In the control method, the sensor based control system is used when the motor speed is below a predetermined threshold and the sensorless system is used when the motor speed is above the predetermined threshold. The position sensor can be a low resolution position sensor, an engine crankshaft sensor, an engine camshaft sensor, or a transmission sensor.

Abstract: A system (12) and method for determining the closed position of a throttle plate 52 of an internal combustion engine (10) are provided. The system (12) includes a throttle sensor (56), a temperature sensor (70 or 86), and an electronic control unit (ECU) (72). The throttle sensor (56) generates a signal indicative of the position of the throttle plate (52). The temperature sensor (70 or 86) generates a signal indicative of the temperature of a throttle body (50) of the engine (10). The ECU (72) is configured to select one of a first closed position value indicated by throttle sensor (56) signal and a second closed position value retrieved from a memory (94) responsive to the measured temperature. The inventive system is able to minimize inaccuracies in throttle plate position detection by eliminating errors resulting from a change in geometry between the throttle plate (52) and the throttle body (50) of the engine during relatively high temperatures.