Abstract: A releasable brake pedal system 10 for a vehicle includes a pedal assembly 12 operatively engageable by the driver of the vehicle and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20 for generating pressurized hydraulic fluid for actuating one or more brakes 44A-44D. The pedal system 10 further includes a pressure release valve 30 or 30′ coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pressure release valve 30 or 30′ is operative to reduce the amount of pressure applied to the brakes 44A-44D during a detected vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision event. The pressure release valve 30 is responsive to a deceleration sensor 40 according to one embodiment, and valve 30′ employs a deceleration sensitive inertial mass 76 according to another embodiment. Accordingly, the pedal system 10 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the pedal assembly 12 during a collision.

Abstract: An electrical system (12) is provided for an automotive vehicle (10) having a first power source (14) with a first positive terminal (16) and first negative terminal (18). A second power source (20) having a second positive terminal (22) and a second negative terminal (24) is also provided. A common electrical node N2 is coupled to the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal. A first load (26) is coupled between the first positive terminal and the second node N2. A second load (28) is coupled between the common node N2 and the second negative terminal (24).

Abstract: A method for purging a catalyst containing oxidants operates the engine at different air-fuel ratios during different intervals. The intervals are adaptively adjusted based on a model that predicts an amount of fuel needed to perform the purging. The intervals are also responsive to an exhaust gas sensor located downstream of the catalyst.

Abstract: An engine control system and method wherein difference between an actual intake manifold pressure and a desired intake manifold pressure and a difference between an actual exhaust manifold pressure and a desired exhaust gas pressure are combined into a single feedback signal to control a variable geometry turbine. Simultaneously therewith, a difference between the actual intake manifold pressure and the desired intake manifold pressure is used to control throttle position.

Abstract: A stowable vehicle seat for a vehicle includes a seat base that is slideably connected to the vehicle. The seat is moveable between a first position and a second position adjacent a storage area. The seat base has a seat back rotatably connected thereto that allows the seat back to rotate between a normally up position and a folded down position. The seat base also has a pivot hinge located on an underside thereof that allows the seat base to pivot when the seat is located in the second position from a flat position to an upright position such that the seat is at least partially disposed in a rear quarter panel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system 14 for a bi-fuel engine 12 is provided. The control system 14 includes a powertrain controller 52 and a bi-fuel controller 54. The controller 52 has a set of fuel injector drivers 92. The controller 50 has a set of gasoline fuel injector drivers 104 and a set of alternate fuel (AF) fuel injector drivers 106. Each of drivers 92 in controller 52 is electrically connected to a driver 104 and a driver 106 in controller 50. Thus, a control signal generated by a single driver 92 can be utilized by either of drivers 104, 106 to generate a corresponding control signal for controlling a gasoline fuel injector 38 or a AF fuel injector 40, respectively.

Abstract: A resilient clip for retaining a fuel injector housing to a fuel rail cup. The clip includes a pair of opposing sidewalls. Each one of the pair of opposing sidewalls of the clip has a frontal portion and a rear portion. The frontal portion has a pair of inwardly extending shoulders for insertion into a pair of opposing slotted regions into the fuel injector housing. The frontal portion includes a pair of opposing slots formed in the frontal sidewall portions of the clip. The slots of the clip are elevated above the shoulders therein for receiving portions of the lip of the cup. The rear portion has a pair of opposing sidewalls and a backwall. The opposing sidewalls and the backwall of the rear portion of the rear portion form a slot for the clip. The slot is for receiving a tab of the fuel rail cup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heatable cup system, comprising a cup (1) and a cup holder (2), that is suitable, for example, for attachment to a console of a motor vehicle. The cup (1) and the cup holder (2) have corresponding, electric contacts (4, 5) for the supply of current to a heating element (3) in the base of the cup (1). The electric contacts of the cup holder (2) are mounted moveably and are designed as magnets (5), in order to produce a contact assisted by magnetic force.

Abstract: A driver's compartment for a vehicle includes an A-pillar structure (28) having an exterior surface (30) and an interior surface (32). The A-pillar (28) has a plurality of openings (34) formed in the A-pillar (28) that extend from the interior surface (32) to the exterior surface (30). Each of the plurality of openings (34) is oriented towards a driver's eyes, such that a driver can see through one or more of the plurality of openings (34) when positioned in a vehicle seat (14).

Abstract: A connecting rod assembly is provided for varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a piston. The assembly includes a first portion adapted to be connected to the crankshaft and having a cylindrical aperture. The assembly further includes a second portion adapted to be connected to the piston and movable with respect to the first portion. In addition, the assembly includes a locking element having a cylindrical portion that is disposed at least partially in the cylindrical aperture. The locking element is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position for locking the second portion at a first position relative to the first portion, wherein the first position corresponds to a first compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A method and system (18) for determining a side slip angle for an automotive vehicle (10) includes various sensors such as a yaw rate sensor (28), a speed sensor (20), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a roll rate sensor (34), a steering angle sensor (35), and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). Each of the sensors are coupled to a controller (26) that determines a side slip angle velocity in response to the sensor signals. The side slip angle velocity is compensated for due to gravity and vehicle attitude changes. Also, the side slip angle velocity is compensated for due to the non-linearity of the side slip angle. The side slip angle velocity is integrated, preferably with an anti-drift integration filter (to determine an integrated side slip angle). A steady state side slip angle is also determined based on the sensors such as the yaw rate sensor and the lateral acceleration sensor. The steady state side slip angle is filtered using a steady state recovery filter (74).

Abstract: An improved method for estimating cylinder flow in an internal combustion engine under all operating conditions is provided. If the MAF sensor is not operational, an estimation algorithm that is independent of a measured throttle flow is used. If the MAF sensor is operational, an estimation algorithm that incorporates a measured throttle flow is used. Further, in order to eliminate abrupt fluctuations that may occur due to switching between two different types of estimates, a “switchover coordinator” algorithm is used to smoothly transition from one type of estimate to another.

Abstract: A variable inertia flywheel and clutch assembly having a primary flywheel mass rotationally fixed to an engine crankshaft and a secondary flywheel mass selectively engageable with a clutch disc, which is rotationally fixed to a transmission input shaft. A radial spring assembly is coupled between the primary mass and the secondary mass, as well as a latching assembly that can latch to selectively prevent relative rotation between the primary mass and the secondary mass. Preferably, the latching assembly is also employed as a variable damper between the primary mass and the secondary mass when the latching assembly is not latched.

Abstract: A technique for calculating actual b-values in a diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging system and of adjusting the observed b-value until it is within a tolerance range of the prescribed b-value. A diffusion weighted image with the desired diffusion sensitivity may then be produced. Calculation of the actual b-value is accomplished by integrating the linear segments of the gradient waveform. Adjustment of observed b-value is accomplished by initially scaling the diffusion lobe amplitude and comparing a recalculated b-value to the prescribed b-value. Additional adjustment is provided by means of a numeric search iteratively performed until the recalculated b-value is within tolerance of the prescribed b-value.

Abstract: A method for air/fuel operation of an engine. The method includes providing a model of the engine. The model represents a relationship between: (1) a signal model LAMBSE, representative of estimated air/fuel ratio of the engine relative to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for the engine; and, (2) fuel injected into the cylinder of the engine. Exhaust gas oxygen emission from the engine is measured during operation of such engine. Actual LAMBSE produced by such engine during operation of such engine is produced as a function of such measured oxygen. The actual LAMBSE is compared with the model LAMBSE provided by the model in response to fuel injected into the engine to produce a model error signal. The fuel injected into the engine is adjusted in accordance with the error signal.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing a condition of an EGR valve used in an engine system. The EGR valve controls the portion exhaust gases produced by such engine system and fed back to an intake of such engine system. The engine system includes a NOx sensor for measuring NOx in such exhaust. The method includes: determining a time rate of change in NOx measured by the NOx sensor; comparing the determined time rate of change in the measured NOx with a predetermined expected time rate of change in measured NOx; and determining the condition of the EGR valve as a function of such comparison. The method also includes: determining from NOx measured by the NOx sensor and engine operating conditions indications of instances when samples of such measured NOx are greater than an expected maximum NOx level for such engine condition and less than an expected minimum NOx level for such engine condition; and determining the condition of the EGR valve as a function of a statistical analysis of such indications.

Abstract: An integrated fuel delivery and electrical connection system including an electrical bus, a fuel delivery tube and a plurality of fuel injectors is provided. The electrical bus may include openings for insertion and connection of fuel injectors, and positive and ground electrical contacts for electrical connection to respective fuel injector positive and ground contacts. The fuel delivery tube may include corresponding openings for insertion and connection of fuel injectors. A method of installing the above-identified system is also provided and includes the steps of inserting fuel injectors into openings in the electrical bus and fuel delivery tube, and thereafter connecting a single electrical harness to the electrical bus to provide electricity to the system. The electrical bus may be used in a standalone configuration, may be integrated with the fuel delivery tube, or may be packaged with fuel injectors to form an integrated package for assembly onto an automobile engine.

Abstract: A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry.

Abstract: A vehicle seat portion comprises a first and a second seat part a first device for accomplishing a first motion of said second seat part in relation to said first seat part, a second device for accomplishing a second motion of said second seat part in relation to said first seat part. At least one of said motions is a pivotal motion. Said first and second devices are arranged for activating said second motion upon actuation of said first motion, so as to fold said seat parts from a use-position to a stow-position.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system (10) is provided which compensates for brake pedal feel variation so as to provide for enhanced braking feel to the vehicle operator. The brake system (10) includes a brake command input (10), an accelerometer (22) for sensing longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, and friction brakes (26) and regenerative brakes (29) for generating braking force to be applied to brakes on the vehicle. The vehicle brake system (10) further includes a controller (12) for detecting a brake torque variation as a function of the sensed acceleration and the brake demand signal. The controllers (12) further adjusts a torque command signal to adjust the amount of braking torque generated by the brakes (26) so as to compensate for brake torque variation.