Abstract: An I/O system includes a Digital Device selecting a digital output to be set and a Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism, electrically coupled to the Digital Device. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism includes an input bank, a FIFO, and an I/O line. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism clears a stored value in the first input bank, samples the first value of the first input bank, and detects a change in the input bank. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism also stores a state of a data bit of the input bank along with a bank identifier in the FIFO. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism still further samples the I/O line via a first READ cycle and drives the I/O line with a next data entry from the FIFO. Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism samples all digital inputs and stores any detected changes in the FIFO. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism transmits all values in the FIFO to the Digital Device during a subsequent READ cycle and transmits to the Digital Device a last value read.

Abstract: An air bag module for venting inflation gas if an out-of-position vehicle occupant is too close to the module for proper air bag deployment. The module has an air bag canister comprising a side wall having gas channel port to communicate with the ambient air, an inflator, an air bag cushion, a deployment door, a structural gas channel, and a venting system connecting the structural gas channel to the at least one gas channel port. The venting system permits venting of gas through the gas channel port when the out-of-position occupant applies sufficient force on the deployment door to prevent the air bag cushion from reaching a fully deployed condition.

Abstract: A system (10) and method is provided for calibrating a tire pressure monitoring system using an EM transmitter (14). The present invention includes a first pressure sensor coupled to a wheel of an automotive vehicle (12). The EM pressure transmitter (14) is coupled to the pressure sensor (32). The transmitter (14) has a serial number associated therewith. An EM calibration device has a transmitting range. The EM transmitter device has an actuator. When the actuator is activated, a calibration signal (34) is transmitted within the transmitting range. The calibration signal causes the EM pressure transmitter (32) to transmit a serial number. A controller (16) is EM coupled to the pressure transmitter. The controller (16) receives the serial number and associates the serial number with a tire location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating cylinder air charge in an internal combustion engine, such engine having a mass airflow (MAF) sensor and a manifold absolute pressure(MAP) sensor. The method provides such cylinder air charge estimation from signals produced primarily by the manifold absolute pressure sensor during engine transient conditions. During a transition period between the transient condition and a steady-state engine condition the method combines signals primarily from both the mass airflow sensor and the manifold absolute pressure sensor to provide such cylinder air charge estimation. During the steady-state condition, the method uses primarily only the mass airflow sensor to provide such cylinder air charge estimation. With such method, the cylinder air charge estimation method utilizes the advantages of both measurement sensors.

Abstract: A torque converter for a vehicle having a substantially reduced axial length relative to a conventional circular-shaped torus cross section. The torque converter includes a turbine and an impeller, with a stator mounted generally therebetween. The stator is one piece and formed with axial pull shaped blades that have a reactor blade base axial length that extends for the majority of the radial length, a reactor shroud axial length that is less than the reactor blade base axial length, and a taper in the blade between the two axial lengths.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine operable in a plurality of compression ratio operating states includes the steps of determining a change in idle air flow of the engine as the engine is operated in selected ones of the compression ratio operating states, and evaluating operation of the internal combustion engine based at least in part on the change in idle air flow.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: A theft resistant vehicle system (10) includes a security system (12) adapted to generate a first control signal as a function of the substantial meeting of a parameter for activating and a second control signal in response to a failure to meet the parameter. An inverter (22) is adapted to receive the control signals and is adapted to deactivate in response to the second control signal and is further adapted to generate an alternating current power signal in response to the first control signal. An electric machine (24) is adapted to receive the alternating current power signal.

Abstract: A hybrid power system (10) for supplying power to a load (12) such as an electric vehicle is provided. The power system (10) includes an energy storage device (14) and a fuel cell system (16). When the state of charge of the energy storage device (14) is greater than or equal to a predetermined state of charge, the energy storage device (14) supplies all of the power to the load (12). When the state of charge of the energy storage device (14) falls below the predetermined state of charge, the fuel cell system (16) supplies at least a portion of the power to the load (12). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the fuel cell system (16) then supplies all of the power to the load (12) as long as the power requirement of the load (12) does not exceed an optimal power output of the fuel cell system (16).

Abstract: A CAE waveform assessor 10 is provided, including a CAE resultant waveform 12 and a reference waveform 16. The CAE waveform assessor 10 utilizes a time domain assessor 18 to produce a time domain index 22 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16. A frequency domain assessor 20 produces a frequency domain index 24 by comparing the CAE resultant waveform 12 with the reference waveform 16.

Abstract: A diagnostic/prognostic system monitors performance of a vehicle or other apparatus wherein the vehicle has a plurality of operational components. Each operational component has a predetermined nominal operating state and generates respective electrical signals pursuant to its operation. A data collection memory in the vehicle stores samples of the electrical signals in a rolling buffer. An analyzer in the vehicle is responsive to the electrical signals for detecting a trigger event indicative of at least a potential variance of an operational component from its nominal operating state. A computation center located remotely from the vehicle has a database storing representations of electrical signals for classifying nominal and irregular operating states of the operational components. A transmitter is activated by the trigger event to transmit at least some of the stored samples in the rolling buffer at the time of the trigger event to the computation center.

Abstract: A vehicle bed assembly 10 has a floor pan 18, a front wall 20, and substantially identical side walls 14, 16. The front wall 20 and the side walls 14, 16 are coupled to the floor pan 18. The vehicle bed assembly 10 further includes a rear wall 22 which is deployed upon a tailgate 21 which is selectively coupled to the floor pan 18, and a pair of substantially identical top rail members 100 which overlay and receive a unique one of the side walls 14, 16 and a bracket 210 which overlays and receives the front wall 20 and which is coupled to the top rail member 100 by a pair of end cap members 122. Particularly, the end cap members 122 and the top rail members 100 cooperatively provide a direct load path from any location on each of the side walls 14, 16 to the bracket 210 which may be coupled to a portion of the vehicle 12, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the sidewalls 14, 16 and the front wall 20.

Abstract: A collision protection system for protecting a pedestrian that uses a sensor that provides a width output signal that varies in relation to the width of an object contacting the vehicle. The sensor includes a resistive conductor that is shorted out by a conductive conductor of a portion of the length of the resistive conductor. A second sensor may be provided that provides an output only upon exceeding an impact threshold. Several sensors may be used to provide an indication of the location and width of the object contacted.

Abstract: A system and method for providing operating conditions that provide higher efficiency NOx reduction in a lean NOx catalyst coupled to a lean-burning internal combustion engine. A catalyst containing reductant is caused to attain a temperature greater than 300° C. After a duration of about 10 seconds at the elevated temperature, the NOx conversion efficiency of the catalyst is increased in the 140-250° C. temperature range.

Abstract: A power steering system in which an electric motor (9) makes available a damping torque to a steering system via a mechanical transmission (4). The transmission (4) is arranged between the steering wheel (2) and a steering rack (5). The electric motor (9) is actuated by a control unit (1) in accordance with the steering torque sensed by a sensor (3) and the vehicle speed sensed by a sensor (10). In addition, a damping module (8) of the control unit (1) receives binary or continuous signals relating to the braking state, in particular relating to the brake activation (11) and to cornering (9). By means of these signals the damping torque which is generated by the electric motor (9) can be adapted in such a way that vibrations which are caused by unequal wear of the brakes in the steering system are reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, at least some of which may be selectively deactivated to provide variable displacement operation, include managing temperature of at least one engine/vehicle component by monitoring the temperature of the component and controlling activation of at least one cylinder to control the temperature of the component. In one embodiment, the engine/vehicle component is an emission control device, such as a catalytic converter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting degradation of a sensor in a vacuum brake booster coupled to a manifold of an internal combustion engine include measuring an engine or vehicle operating parameter to detect operating or control conditions and detecting degradation of the sensor based on the engine or vehicle operating parameter. In one embodiment the operating parameter is a measured or estimated manifold pressure. A pressure drop across a check valve disposed between the brake booster and the intake manifold may also be considered.

Abstract: A tow hitch rear bumper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a rear bumper for attachment to a frame of the motor vehicle and a tow hitch extending through and integral with the rear bumper.

Abstract: Apparatus and method useful in the process of making a forming tool, such as metal stamping tool. The apparatus (20, 22) performs a method of scanning a working surface (18) of a tool part (14) with an optical shape measurement camera (22) to obtain electronic images from different views of the working surface, and then processing the electronic images to develop a first set of data defining the three-dimensional shape of the working surface. The first set of data is then processed with a second set of data having a correlation with the shape of the working surface to develop a third set of data defining differences between the first and second sets of data. The second set of data may define the shape of a part formed by the tool or the master shape of the part.