Abstract: An engine having a plurality of cylinder banks, each one of the banks having at least one cylinder. Each one of the banks is fed air through a corresponding one of a pair of manifold plenums. A main throttle body is provided having an outlet for feeding air to a pair of output ports, each one of such output ports being coupled to feed the air to a corresponding one of the pair of manifold plenums. The main throttle body has a main throttle plate disposed therein to control airflow passing to the outlet of the main throttle body. One of the pair of plenums has a plenum throttle plate for controlling air from the one of the pair of output ports of the main throttle body coupled thereto to cylinders in the bank of cylinders coupled thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle control system (10) including a vehicle motion control subsystem (12) that has an input receiving an intended driving demand (14) and a plurality of coordinator subsystems (16) for coordinating actuators of the vehicle. The vehicle motion control subsystem (12) communicates with the coordinator subsystems (16) to determine whether a single coordinator subsystem (16) can carry out the intended driving demand (14). The vehicle motion control subsystem (12) will distribute demand signals among one or more of the coordinator subsystems (16) to allow the vehicle to implement the intended driving demand (14).

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the regeneration cycle of an emission control device, such as a lean NOx trap, is disclosed wherein the device is filled to a predetermined fraction of its existing capacity and is then completely emptied during a device purge. As device capacity is substantially reduced, as indicated by the actual fill time becoming equal to or less than a predetermined minimum fill time, a device desulfation event is performed to attempt to restore device capacity. A programmed computer controls the fill and purge times based on the amplitude of the voltage of a switching-type oxygen sensor and the time response of the sensor. The frequency of the purge, which ideally is directly related to the device capacity depletion rate, is controlled so that the device is not filled beyond the storage capacity limit.

Abstract: A sensor mount assembly including a housing, fastener and a lever mechanism. The housing contains a sensor having two electrical leads and includes an integral flange adapted to receive a fastener. The fastener includes a body and a head. The body is received in the flange to secure the housing to a mount. The lever mechanism is proximate the flange and includes a contact block and a conductor. The contact block is acted upon by the fastener head to move the lever mechanism and, hence the conductor, between a first position and a second position. The first position corresponds to an unmounted sensor and creates a short circuit condition between the two electrical leads. The second position corresponds to a properly mounted sensor and creates an open circuit between the two electrical leads such that the electrical circuit path of the overall system includes the sensor within the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering control device for a vehicle, comprising a steering actuator, a pair of steerable wheels (1a, 1b) attached to the same wheel axle, a steering transmitting device connecting the steering actuator and the steerable wheels(1a, 1b), and a sensor (5) arranged to detect at least one parameter relating to a condition of the steering actuator and generate a signal indicative of said condition, which signal also categorizes each of the steerable wheels (1a, 1b) as an inside and an outside wheel respectively. The control device further comprises an electronic control unit (10) for a vehicle brake control system, which system is arranged to brake the inside wheel when a signal from the sensor (5) exceeds a predetermined value for a particular condition, in order to reduce the turning radius (R1, R2) of the vehicle. A method for operating the control system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining multiple layers of materials using an ultrasonic welding apparatus. The ultrasonic welding apparatus utilizes a sonotrode to perform a weld between at least the top and intermediate layer of the multi-layer member. Then, either the multi-layer member or the ultrasonic welding apparatus is rotated such that the bottom layer is positioned adjacent the sonotrode wherein the sonotrode forms a weld between at least the bottom layer and intermediate layer of the multi-layer member. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic welding gun having a C-shape frame including a base portion and a head portion. An ultrasonic welding device, including a sonotrode, is secured to the head portion and an anvil secured to the base portion. The ultrasonic welding gun is connected to a robot operative to position the ultrasonic welding gun to perform the welding operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an indicator system for fluid levels, including two or more optically and/or thermally conducting fibers, preferably suitable for indicating the fluid level of a lubricant in the case of piston internal combustion engines. In this case, the fibers are either provided at the end with a substance varying in optical properties under the action of heat, or contain chambers which are filled with an appropriate substance.

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 spark adjustment required to avoid knock 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 spark adjustment.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for a gaseous-fueled engine is provided. The fuel injection system comprises at least one gaseous fuel injector for each of the engine cylinders, wherein each fuel injector is located proximate the intake manifold. A guide tube connects each of the gaseous fuel injectors to at least one of the intake ports. The guide tube comprises a fluid passage arranged within the respective intake port substantially tangent and adjacent to an interior wall of the intake port and directed toward the respective intake valve. The guide tube is adapted to deliver high-pressure gaseous fuel from the injector to the respective combustion chamber along the interior wall of the intake port. In this way, the high velocity peripheral fuel charge creates a lower pressure central core within the intake part which, in turn, increases the overall intake charge flow and engine volumetric efficiency.

Abstract: A forward facing rear door assembly for a motor vehicle includes a forward facing rear door having a forward end and a rear end. The forward facing rear door assembly also includes a single hinge connected to the rear end of the forward facing rear door and for connection to a “C” pillar of a vehicle body to allow a forward end of the rear door to open and close a door opening in the vehicle body.

Abstract: A two speed supercharger system (20) for an internal combustion engine. The supercharger system includes a supercharger pump (40) that is driven by the engine via a gear box (34). The gear box includes two planetary gear sets (54, 70) and a controllable clutch (66). A controller (35) selectively activates the clutch to control the transition between the two speeds to assure a smooth transition without sudden changes in torque output.

Abstract: A method and system for sensing a potential collision of a first vehicle (11) with a second vehicle (72) is disclosed. The first vehicle generates a data signal in response to an urgent event, a transponder signal from a second vehicle (72) or from an adaptive cruise control signal from the first vehicle. The first vehicle data signal includes a first position signal corresponding to a position of the vehicle and sensor signals from the first vehicle. The second vehicle (72) receives the data signal and determines a distance and vehicle trajectory from the vehicle data, the sensor signals and the position signals. A countermeasure is activated in response to the trajectory and the distance.

Abstract: A system for sensing a potential collision of a first vehicle (11) with a second vehicle (72) that transmits a second position signal. The first vehicle has a pre-crash sensing system (10) includes a memory (14) that stores vehicle data and generates a vehicle data signal. A first global positioning system (18) generates a first position signal corresponding to a position of the first vehicle. A first sensor (20) generating sensor signals from the first vehicle. A receiver (22) receives a second position signal and a braking capability signal from the second vehicle. A countermeasure system (40) is also coupled within the first vehicle. A controller (12) is coupled to the memory (14), the global positioning receiver (18) the first sensor (20) and the counter measure system (40). The controller (12) determines a distance to the second vehicle in as a function of the second position signal, determines a first vehicle trajectory from the first sensor data signal and the position signal.

Abstract: A passive turbulent control assembly 10 having a generally flat plate member 30 which is movably disposed within an intake port member 12 by the use of a pin 36 and a pair of selectively compressible or tuning assemblies 48, 50. The member 30 always allows air 17 to flow through the member 12 and occupies a position, within the member 12, which is determined by the amount of air 17 entering the member 12, effective to increasingly constrict the interior cavity 52 as the amount of air 17 entering the member 12 decreases.

Abstract: A replacement battery formation method includes the steps of; providing a bank of batteries made up of a plurality of individual batteries having substantially the same state of formation; cycling a replacement battery by forcing repeated charging and discharging; monitoring a formation state of the replacement battery; ending the cycling when the replacement battery has approximately the same formation state as the plurality of individual batteries; and replacing one of the plurality of batteries with the replacement battery.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation systems directs exhaust gasses from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gasses travel from the exhaust manifold, first passing through a flow control valve and then through a measuring orifice before entering the intake manifold. Pressure upstream of the orifice is used, along with correction pressure downstream of the orifice, to measure and control exhaust gas flow. Further, manifold pressure is determined from downstream pressure and the used along with the measured exhaust gas flow to calculated a cylinder air charge amount.

Abstract: A pallet system 10 for use in a manufacturing process. The pallet system includes several pallets 14 which are adapted to receive and support a portion of a product, such as a vehicle underbody 12. The system 10 uses simplified pallets 14 having externally actuated clamping assemblies 62, 64, 66, and 68. A docking station 16 receives the pallets 14 and includes a pair of robots 24, 26 which detect the proper positioning of the underbody 12 upon the pallet 14 and externally activate the clamping assemblies 62, 64, 66, and 68 thereby securing the underbody 12 to the pallet 14. A controller 82 is communicatively connected to the robots 24, 26 and activates a conveyor assembly 20 which transports the pallet 14 to manufacturing stations 21 once the underbody 12 is properly secured to the pallet 14.

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having wheels. The brake system includes a brake housing and a flow chamber housing. The brake housing includes a friction element being adapted to move to engage a portion of the wheels for inhibiting rotation of the wheels. The flow chamber housing includes a substantially circular flow chamber and a brake fluid line. The substantially circular chamber housing includes an enlarged flow chamber has a circumferential wall and a peripheral wall and a pair of opposite walls. The enlarged flow chamber is fluidly interconnected to the brake housing for supplying fluid to the brake housing for moving the friction element. The brake fluid line is connected substantially tangentially to the circumferential wall of the flow chamber housing includes a first fluid line connected to the peripheral wall of the enlarged flow chamber and a master cylinder fluid line connected to one of the pair of substantially circular flow chamber whereby oppositely facing walls of the enlarged flow chamber.