Abstract: A lean burn engine having a lean NOx trap in the form of a matrix of narrow flow passages is described. The engine is provided with means for injecting reducing gases upstream of the NOx trap matrix (16) to purge the trap periodically. A flow straightening matrix (12) of narrow flow passages is arranged upstream of the NOx trap matrix (16) and is separated from the trap matrix (16) by a narrow chamber (14).

Abstract: A band brake drum assembly (50) is provided and includes a brake band member (52), a generally round and/or cylindrical and brake drum (54) which is disposed concentric to band (52), and an input or hub shaft (56 which is fixedly coupled to and rotatably drives drum (54). Drum includes an interior surface having a recessed portion (62) which is effective to retain a certain amount of lubricant or oil within the drum, and several relatively large drainage holes (70) which are effective to quickly drain excess lubricant from drum (54), thereby providing a consistent amount of lubricant wit in drum (54) and improving the overall performance of the brake band assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling partial air pressure in an intake manifold of an engine. The engine has an intake throttle device for controlling a flow of air to the intake manifold. An EGR valve is provided for controlling a flow of exhaust gas from the engine to the intake manifold downstream of the intake throttle. The engine has at least one cylinder fed a flow comprising air passing through the throttle to the intake manifold and exhaust products passing through the EGR valve to the intake manifold. Both the air through the throttle and the exhaust gas products in the intake manifold are passed as a combined flow to the intake manifold and then to the at least one cylinder. The method includes: specifying a dynamic reference model for the desired partial pressure of the air as a function of time; and controlling the flow through the intake throttle device in accordance with an estimated EGR flow obtained by a dynamic observer and an estimate of partial air fraction in the exhaust gas products.

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 &thgr;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: An inlet air compressor for an internal combustion engine is provided which has one inlet and a plurality of outlets. Within the compressor are disposed a plurality of diffusers coupled to the plurality of outlets. The flow is divided among the plurality of outlets so that at conditions of low overall flow rate through the engine, which would, in a compressor according to the prior art, ordinarily surge, allow the flow to be substantially discontinued through one or more diffusers and continue at through the remaining diffusers. In this way, the diffusers with flow operate within an acceptable operating range and avoid a surging condition. The present invention is directed to engines having a wide range of flow rates. A couple of examples are gasoline engines and variable displacement engines.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.

Abstract: A closed throttle position of a vehicle internal combustion engine is determined by storing a plurality of signal values representative of previous foot-off position values of an accelerator pedal (10) within a normal range of pedal positions, determining a current foot-off position value of the accelerator pedal, comparing the current foot-off position value to an average of the previous stored foot-off position values, and using the average as the closed pedal position to determine a closed throttle position when the comparison is indicative of an abnormal pedal position.

Abstract: A method and system for computing fuel-to-air ratio for a hydrogen-fueled engine is disclosed. The fuel-to-air ratio is determined based on a signal from an exhaust gas temperature sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting fuel vapor delivery from a fuel vapor recovery system in an internal combustion engine. An engine controller calculates a purge fuel fraction that is indicative of an amount of fuel vapor passing through the vapor recovery system relative to a total amount of purge flow, including air, passing through the vapor recovery system. A purge percent fuel parameter indicative of an amount of fuel vapor delivered to the engine from the fuel vapor recovery system relative to a total amount of fuel delivered to the engine is calculated based on the purge fuel fraction. Finally, the controller adjusts an amount of fuel vapor released from the vapor recovery system based on the purge percent fuel parameter.

Abstract: The present invention is a disassembly apparatus and method for disassembling a workpiece having at least two layers joined together by welding or other bonding processes at bonding points. The method includes the steps of securing the workpiece into a fixture to prevent movement of one of the layers. The apparatus includes a sonotrode and a holding device. The method further includes moving the sonotrode to contact the workpiece to apply a predetermined amount of contact pressure to the workpiece. The sonotrode in contact with the layer on a side opposite the anvil is then vibrated at a predetermined frequency until the layers become disassembled. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A yaw stability control system (18) is enhanced to include roll stability control function for an automotive vehicle and includes a plurality of sensors (28-39) sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The sensors may include a speed sensor (20), a lateral acceleration sensor (32), a yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) is coupled to the speed sensor (20), the lateral acceleration sensor (32), the yaw rate sensor (28) and a longitudinal acceleration sensor (36). The controller (26) generates both a yaw stability feedback control signal and a roll stability feedback control signal. The priority of achieving yaw stability control or roll stability control is determined through priority determination logic. If a potential rollover event is detected, the roll stability control will take the priority.

Abstract: A system and method to control the coolant temperature of two independent cooling loops of a fuel cell vehicle by adjusting system pump speed, fan speed and radiator bypass valve position. Multiple feedback controllers coordinated by robust flip-flop logic are used, to minimize energy consumption and provide optimal control system performance even in the case of substantially different plant responses with respect to fan speed and valve position plant inputs. The system also includes a feed forward disturbance compensator, which reacts immediately to change in net power and vehicle speed disturbance variables, thereby reducing the variance of the temperature control error. Additionally, a feedback controller preset strategy is used to compensate for distinctive plant nonlinear effects such as bypass valve dead-zone and air-conditioning system's request for abrupt change of fan speed.

Abstract: An aluminum pressure plate and flywheel, for a clutch in a vehicle drivetrain, have wear resistant surfaces applied at the clutch disc interface. The wear resistant surfaces are applied to the pressure plate and flywheel using a plasma transferred wire arc thermal spray process.

Abstract: A grab handle assembly for an interior of a motor vehicle includes a headliner disposed in the interior of the vehicle for mounting to a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. The headliner has a recess. The grab handle assembly also includes a grab handle disposed in the recess and spaced from the vehicle body to absorb energy when impacted.

Abstract: A pre-crash sensing system (10) for a source vehicle (50) having a source vehicle length and a source vehicle width that is coupled to a countermeasure system (30) is described. The system includes an object sensor (17) generating object distance signal, object relative velocity signal and an object classification signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the object sensor (17). The controller determines a danger zone (52) based on the source vehicle length, source vehicle width, object length and object width. The controller determines a source vehicle time interval corresponding to the time the source vehicle is within the danger zone. Controller (12) determines an object time interval corresponding to the time the object is within the danger zone and when the source vehicle time interval corresponds with the target vehicle time interval. The controller activates the countermeasure system (30) when the source vehicle time interval coincides with the target vehicle time interval.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting one of first and second camshafts in an engine is provided. The first and second camshafts control air flow communicating with the first and second cylinders, respectively, of the engine. The engine includes a crankshaft being driven by first and second pistons with the first and second cylinders. The method includes determining which of the first and second camshafts is moving at a faster rate of movement toward a first scheduled phase angle with respect to the crankshaft. Finally, the method includes selecting one of the first and second camshafts having the faster rate of movement for reducing engine torque fluctuations.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body has an underbody and a wheelhouse at an outboard edge of the underbody, and a longitudinal member beneath the underbody and adjacent to the wheelhouse, the wheelhouse having an inboard surface spaced outboard from the longitudinal member, and a reinforcement extending between and secured to the inboard surface and the longitudinal member. The reinforcement increases the torsional stiffness of the body in the vicinity of the wheelhouse without intruding into the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pre-crash sensing system (10) for a source vehicle (50) having a source vehicle length and a source vehicle width that is coupled to a countermeasure system (30) is described. The system includes an object sensor (17) generating an object distance signal, object relative velocity signal and an object classification signal. A controller (12) is coupled to the object sensor (17). The controller determines a danger zone based on the source vehicle length, source vehicle width and object length and object width. The source vehicle time interval is determined by the controller (12) corresponding to the time the source vehicle is within the danger zone. The controller (12) determines the object time interval corresponding to the time the object is within the danger zone. The controller (12) determines a point of impact in response to the object time interval and the source vehicle time interval. The controller (12) activates the countermeasure in response to the point of impact.

Abstract: A strategy and control system for a variable displacement engine in which cylinder deactivation is obtained by intake cam phasing and exhaust valve deactivation. Fuel control for the engine and spark deactivation are sequenced with valve deactivation to avoid transferring engine exhaust gases to the intake manifold of the engine during a transition between full cylinder operation and partial cylinder operation. Excess air flow through the exhaust system for the engine is avoided during a transition from partial cylinder operation to full cylinder operation. These features achieve stable engine performance during the transition.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for removing stubborn contaminants, aluminum fluoride and aluminum chloride in particular, from components of semiconductor-processing equipment. One embodiment forces steam through small holes in a gas distribution plate to remove build up on the interior walls of the holes. A cleaning fixture disposed between the steam source and the gas distribution plate delivers the steam at increased pressures. The gas distribution plate can be immersed in water during cleaning to capture the exiting steam.