Abstract: In some examples, a controller may determine, from among a plurality of energy storage units, a first energy storage unit having a higher than median charge and a second energy storage unit having a lower than median charge. The controller may connect the first energy storage unit to a resonant circuit to transfer energy from the first energy storage unit to the resonant circuit. The controller may then disconnect the first energy storage unit from the resonant circuit, and connect the second energy storage unit to the resonant circuit to transfer energy from the resonant circuit to the second energy storage unit to at least partially balance a charge difference between the first energy storage unit and the second energy storage unit.

Abstract: In some examples, at least one connecting ring may connect a plurality of stator coils of the same phase. For instance, the at least one connecting ring may include at least one linear conductor formed in a ring-like shape. The linear conductor may include a plurality of terminal sections, each terminal section including an open groove extending perpendicular to a plane formed by the ring-like shape. The open grooves may be positioned around a circumference of the connecting ring for receiving respective wire ends of respective stator coils inserted into the open grooves for forming an electrical connection between the respective wire ends and the connecting ring at the respective terminal sections.

Abstract: In some examples, a ball nut includes a first end and an outer cylindrical surface having a first diameter. A pulley may be mounted on the first end of the ball nut. The pulley may include an inner cylindrical surface having a second diameter larger than the first diameter of the ball nut and sized to engage with the outer cylindrical surface in a press fit. Furthermore, a circumferential groove may be formed in a portion of the first end of the ball nut extending beyond the pulley when the pulley is mounted on the first end of the ball nut. A retaining ring is disposed in the circumferential groove to prevent removal of the pulley from the first end of the ball nut. Furthermore, a portion of the ball nut may engage with a portion the pulley to prevent relative rotation between the pulley and the ball nut.

Abstract: In some examples, a mass airflow sensor apparatus includes a housing having a tubular bore for passage of air, with an airflow sensor disposed at least partially within the tubular bore. The airflow sensor may be configured to measure a flow rate of air flowing past the airflow sensor. A focus component may be disposed upstream of the mass airflow sensor, the focus component including a cylindrical tubular focus member suspended within the bore. Further, a nozzle may be disposed upstream of the focus component. The nozzle may include a conical inner surface angled toward a center of the bore. In addition, a grid component may be disposed upstream of the focus component. The grid component may include a mesh grid including a plurality of openings for smoothing a flow of air flowing toward the airflow sensor.

Abstract: Some examples include welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece. For instance, the first workpiece may be secured adjacent to the second workpiece. At least one of the first workpiece or the second workpiece includes a channel or a portion of a channel in a respective surface such that a complete channel is presented when the first workpiece and the second workpiece are secured adjacent to each other. A rotating tip of a welding tool is inserted into the complete channel for welding the first workpiece to the second workpiece. A surface burr resulting from the welding is located within the complete channel.

Abstract: A shock absorber having an outer tube, an inner tube disposed coaxially in the outer tube and a piston reciprocally mounted in the inner tube. The interior of the inner tubes forms a working chamber for hydraulic oil while an annular replenishment chamber is formed between the inner and outer tubes. An improved base plate and base cage assembly facilitates fluid flow from the replenishment chamber to the working chamber during an extension cycle of the shock absorber.

Abstract: In some examples, a clip prevents relative rotation between a fuel injector and an injector cup of a fuel rail. For instance, the fuel injector may be rotated following insertion into the injector cup to prevent removal of the fuel injector. The clip includes a clip body having a pair of arms extending from the clip body with an opening between the arms for receiving the fuel injector. A tab extends from the clip body into the opening for engaging a first alignment slot in the injector cup and a second alignment slot in the fuel injector when the clip is installed on the fuel injector. Following installation of the clip on the fuel injector, the tab is disposed in the first and second alignment slots to prevent relative rotation between the fuel injector and the injector cup.

Abstract: An automotive fuel pump having a body with an inlet, an outlet, and an elongated chamber therebetween. A relief valve, relief valve housing, and check valve are respectively disposed in the chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The relief valve housing has a portion which extends across the chamber so that a first axial end of the relief valve housing forms a valve seat for the check valve while the other axial end forms a valve seat for the relief valve. The check valve permits fluid flow from the body chamber to the outlet while the relief valve exhausts excess fluid pressure at the outlet back into the body chamber.

Abstract: A fuel injector with an anti-rotation clip for use in conjunction with a twist lock fuel injector inserted into a receiving fuel cup. The clip includes at least one connector leg which extends at least partially over the electrical connector for the fuel injector and locks the clip against rotation relative to the fuel injector electrical connector. A protrusion on a fuel cup arm engages a notch formed in the fuel cup to lock the arm against rotation relative to the fuel cup.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine having an elongated body with a fuel inlet end and a fuel discharge end. The injector body includes an outwardly extending plate attached at a position between its ends and this plate includes at least one radially outwardly extending tab so that the cross-sectional shape of the plate is noncircular. A fuel cup receives the fuel inlet end of the fuel injector and includes a radially inwardly extending ledge at a mid position of the cavity. This ledge includes a through bore complementary in shape to the shape of the plate so that, with the fuel injector and plate aligned at a predetermined angular assembly position, the plate passes through the ledge upon insertion of the fuel injector into the cavity. Thereafter, rotation of the fuel injector and attached plate to a locking position positions the tabs above the ledge thus locking the fuel injector to the fuel cup.

Abstract: A valve timing control having a stator body constructed of a plastic material. The stator body has an annular side wall and a front plate which, together, define a plurality of annularly spaced internal cavities within the stator body. A rotor having a plurality of vanes is positioned within the stator body so that one vane is positioned within each cavity. The rotor is movable relative to the stator body between a first and second rotational position. A plurality of threaded metal inserts are embedded within the stator body and used to attach a metal sprocket to the stator body at a position opposed to the front plate. Two of these inserts also receive the impact load from the rotor.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine having a fuel pump with a high pressure outlet. A fuel rail defining an internal fuel chamber is fluidly connected to the fuel pump outlet. Additionally, at least two fuel injectors are fluidly connected to the fuel rail internal fuel chamber. At least one fluid check valve is fluidly positioned within the fuel rail in between two of the fuel injectors which reduces fuel pressure pulsations.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine having a fuel pump with a high pressure outlet. A fuel rail defining an internal fuel chamber is fluidly connected to the fuel pump outlet. Additionally, at least two fuel injectors are fluidly connected to the fuel rail internal fuel chamber. At least one fluid check valve is fluidly positioned within the fuel rail in between two of the fuel injectors which reduces fuel pressure pulsations.

Abstract: An inspection system which verifies the complete connection of two connectors at an inspection station. An indicator is placed on one of the first and second connectors which becomes hidden from view only when the first and second connectors are in a fully connected position. A camera is positioned at the inspection station which generates an output signal representative of the field of vision of the camera. That camera output signal is coupled to an optical recognition circuit which generates an alarm signal if the indicator is present in the camera image.

Abstract: A valve timing control having a stator body constructed of a plastic material. The stator body has an annular side wall and a front plate which, together, define a plurality of annularly spaced internal cavities within the stator body. A rotor having a plurality of vanes is positioned within the stator body so that one vane is positioned within each cavity. The rotor is movable relative to the stator body between a first and second rotational position. A plurality of threaded metal inserts are embedded within the stator body and used to attach a metal sprocket to the stator body at a position opposed to the front plate. Two of these inserts also receive the impact load from the rotor.

Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for use with an engine block of a direct injection engine. The fuel injector assembly includes an elongated tubular fuel rail which is fluidly connected to a high pressure fuel source. At least two fuel cups are attached to and extend downwardly from the fuel rail and each fuel cup is adapted to receive one fuel injector. First fasteners attach a bracket to the engine block while second fasteners attach the bracket to the fuel rail. These second fasteners, furthermore, are positioned so that the second fasteners are coplanar with a plane extending through a longitudinal axis of each fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector with an anti-rotation clip for use in conjunction with a twist lock fuel injector inserted into a receiving fuel cup. The clip includes at least one connector leg which extends at least partially over the electrical connector for the fuel injector and locks the clip against rotation relative to the fuel injector electrical connector. A protrusion on a fuel cup arm engages a notch formed in the fuel cup to lock the arm against rotation relative to the fuel cup.

Abstract: A shock absorber having an elongated pressure tube and a piston slidably mounted in the pressure tube which divides the pressure tube into a first and second working chamber. An elongated piston rod is attached to the piston and moves in unison with the piston in both an extended and a compression direction. Movement of the rod in a compression direction decreases the volume of the first working chamber and increases the volume of the second working chamber, and vice versa. A control orifice and adaptive valve are fluidly connected in series between the first working chamber and a reservoir. A check valve is fluidly connected between the control orifice and the adaptive valve which opens only upon movement of the rod in a compression direction.

Abstract: A fuel system for a direct injection engine having a fuel rail and a plurality of direct injection fuel injector assemblies mounted to the fuel rail. Each fuel injector assembly includes a mounting surface and a dampener made of a resilient material is disposed around this mounting surface. A bracket is secured to the engine and has a recess for each fuel injector assembly. Each fuel injector assembly is positioned in its associated recess so that at least a portion of the dampener is sandwiched between the fuel injector assembly mounting surface and a complementary mounting surface formed on the recess. A holder secures the injector assembly in its associated recess.