Abstract: A method of determining the category of action of an active device of a vehicle comprises repeatedly measuring a vehicle parameter indicative of a change of vehicle state, determining a rate of change of the vehicle parameter and determining a modified vehicle parameter by reference to said rate of change. A threshold is applied to said modified vehicle parameter and a trigger signal is generated for an active device of the vehicle in response to the threshold being reached and in accordance with a severity of said vehicle parameter, which may be vehicle speed related.

Abstract: An attenuator for the air inlet tract of an internal combustion engine comprises an unobstructed tube (4) having a surrounding enclosure (9) divided into a primary chamber (11) in fluid communication with the inlet tube, and a secondary chamber (12) in fluid communication with the primary chamber. Two secondary chambers (12, 13) may be provided. The arrangement can be tuned to attenuate a wide range of frequencies.

Abstract: Early actuation of an active device of a vehicle (e.g., a seat belt tensioner) is provided by applying rate of change of brake pressure to monitored brake pressure, so as to produce a modified brake pressure characteristic which is advanced in time. The active device is actuated at a brake pressure threshold.

Abstract: A method of triggering an active device of a vehicle at a pre-determined threshold comprises generating a steering wheel signal from steering angle rate of change of steering angle of the vehicle, the signal representing an advance in time in comparison to the steering wheel position and/or speed, and determining a conditioned vehicle lateral acceleration in dependence on the steering wheel signal and a measured vehicle lateral acceleration, the conditioned vehicle lateral acceleration being advanced in time in comparison with the measured vehicle lateral acceleration. An active device of the vehicle is triggered if the conditioned vehicle lateral acceleration exceeds a threshold lateral acceleration.

Abstract: An active device of a vehicle, for example a seat belt tensioner, is triggered by reference to an estimated vehicle roll rate exceeding a threshold roll rate. The estimated vehicle roll rate may be conditioned according to vehicle speed, and is determined from inputs of vehicle lateral acceleration, steering wheel angle, and steering wheel speed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fuel burning actuator operable to burn fuel to drive generator means to generate charge to recharge an energy storage means. The apparatus is operable to motor the fuel burning actuator by means of motoring means comprising an electric machine, the fuel burning actuator being operable to pump gas when motored. Brake means comprising a second electric machine is operable to generate charge in a regenerative braking operation in order to recharge the energy storage device. The apparatus is operable automatically to motor the fuel burning actuator by means of the motoring means when the fuel burning actuator is not burning fuel responsive to at least one operating parameter associated with the energy storage means, the apparatus being operable automatically to restrict by means of restrictor means an amount of gas pumped by the fuel burning actuator thereby to increase an amount of work done by the motoring means when the fuel burning actuator is motored.

Abstract: A touch screen control system comprising a touch screen having first and second conductive layers arranged to be brought together by touching of the screen. A detection system is arranged to detect a contact position at which the screen is touched by monitoring electrical signals from at least one of the layers. The system further comprises an antenna, and the detection system includes a proximity sensing signal generator arranged to generate a proximity sensing signal to be transmitted between the antenna and the first layer via a user of the system. The detection system is further arranged to receive the transmitted proximity sensing signal and determine therefrom the distance between a part of the user and the touch screen.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding apparatus and method for detaching or effecting release of an ultrasonic welding tool stuck or attached to a weldment. The method includes the step of utilizing a mechanism mounted adjacent to the ultrasonic welding tool to hold the weldment in position during welding and/or while the ultrasonic welding tool is withdrawn and, if necessary, using the mechanism to detach the weldment from the ultrasonic welding tool. The method contemplates providing a twist, rotary or axial motion to one of the ultrasonic welding tool or weldment to effect release of the ultrasonic welding tool. The apparatus may include a clamp member having a distinct clamping area or pad located adjacent to the sonotrode or anvil of the ultrasonic welding tool. The clamp mechanism provides vibration control, noise mitigation, and a more uniform boundary condition during welding and facilitates part release upon the completion of the welding process.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor, the apparatus being arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to the detection of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine whether the at least one sensor is correctly aligned with respect to the host vehicle whereby, when the apparatus commences monitoring of the environment, the apparatus is arranged not to trigger the at least one action until the apparatus has determined that the at least one sensor is correctly aligned.

Abstract: An expansion tank for an engine cooling system comprises a housing forming a main chamber and a swirl chamber, the swirl chamber being defined by a cylindrical wall. An inlet connection discharges through an inlet orifice towards a collector duct having an entrance. From the inlet orifice the coolant is directed as a stream or jet along the adjacent surface of the cylindrical wall towards the entrance of the collector duct, guided by circumferential ribs. The kinetic energy of the stream is converted into pressure energy so that the pressure delivered from the outlet connection is slightly above the pressure at the top of the swirl chamber, above the level of liquid. This swirl chamber pressure is set by the relief pressure allowed by a filler cap, the gain in pressure helping to avoid cavitation in a coolant circulation pump.

Abstract: A spool valve 10 for a variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser for an internal combustion engine comprises a spool 11 slidable in a bore 12 in a valve sleeve 13, the spool 11 having spaced apart lands 14-17 dividing the bore 12 into chambers 41, 42, 43 between adjacent lands. The valve sleeve 13 has fluid passages 22-27 including a lock passage 26 communicating with a lock pin 31, a vent passage 27 communicating with a fluid sump 35, and a lock pin oil feed passage 22, with the spool 11 being slidable in the bore 12 to interconnect select passages via particular chambers, wherein the vent passage 27 and the lock pin passage 26 are connectable with different chambers 43 and 42 respectively. The arrangement avoids unnecessary operation of the lock pin 31.

Abstract: An attenuator for the air inlet tract of an internal combustion engine comprises an unobstructed tube (4) having a surrounding enclosure (9) divided into a primary chamber (11) in fluid communication with the inlet tube, and a secondary chamber (12) in fluid communication with the primary chamber. Two secondary chambers (12, 13) may be provided. The arrangement can be tuned to attenuate a wide range of frequencies.

Abstract: A lamp assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing receiving at least one light source. The housing includes a covering pane and including first and second fixing arrangement for releasably securing the lamp to the vehicle.

Abstract: A touch screen control system comprising a touch screen having first and second conductive layers arranged to be brought together by touching of the screen. A detection system is arranged to detect a contact position at which the screen is touched by monitoring electrical signals from at least one of the layers. The system further comprises an antenna, and the detection system includes a proximity sensing signal generator arranged to generate a proximity sensing signal to be transmitted between the antenna and the first layer via a user of the system. The detection system is further arranged to receive the transmitted proximity sensing signal and determine therefrom the distance between a part of the user and the touch screen.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a load limiting device for and an anchorage position where the load limiting device may have a one-piece energy absorbing member configured for connecting the occupant restraint system and the vehicle anchorage position. The energy absorbing member may further include an integrally formed break-out region and force dissipation region. The force dissipation region may be adapted to inhibit translation of the energy absorbing member until a threshold force is applied to the occupant restraint system. When a threshold force is applied to the occupant restraint system, the anchorage position may become slidably engaged with at least a portion of a force dissipation region thereby displacing the energy observing member such that the occupant restraint system may be lengthened in order to reduce the load on the occupant.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism 10 to lift the rear edge of a bonnet 11 of a motor vehicle comprises an upper leaf 13 connected to the bonnet 11, a lower leaf 12 connected to the body structure of the vehicle and a middle leaf 14 connected to the upper leaf 13 and the lower leaf 12. The middle leaf 14 is connected to the upper leaf 13 by means of a stud 16 and a slot 17 connection so as to limit movement of the bonnet from a normal position to a deployed position under an upward force exerted by a lift actuator. The stud 16 and slot 17 connection is provided with a resiliently deformable element 30 arranged at the end of the slot for dissipating impact energy of the stud 16 against the slot 17 during the upward force.

Abstract: A vehicle brake system includes a brake unit, a brake line associated with the brake unit, and an activatable pyrotechnic device associated with the brake line. Upon activation, the pyrotechnic device is configured to supply gas directly into the brake line to increase pressure in the brake line, such that increased pressure is applied to the brake unit.

Abstract: A spool valve 10 for a variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser for an internal combustion engine comprises a spool 11 slidable in a bore 12 in a valve sleeve 13, the spool 11 having spaced apart lands 14-17 dividing the bore 12 into chambers 41, 42, 43 between adjacent lands. The valve sleeve 13 has fluid passages 22-27 including a lock passage 26 communicating with a lock pin 31, a vent passage 27 communicating with a fluid sump 35, and a lock pin oil feed passage 22, with the spool 11 being slidable in the bore 12 to interconnect select passages via particular chambers, wherein the vent passage 27 and the lock pin passage 26 are connectable with different chambers 43 and 42 respectively. The arrangement avoids unnecessary operation of the lock pin 31.

Abstract: A rotatable selector mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission has a selector knob rotatable in a housing to select an operating mode of the transmission among a number of selector positions indicated by a label (P, R, N, D, M). The selector mechanism further includes a detent plate which cooperates with a detent pin for maintaining the selector knob in each of positions. The detent plate is connected to position sensors for generating selector signals to a transmission control unit which supplies control signals to an actuator for operate the transmission according to the operating mode selected. The detent plate is also associated to the selector knob and to a drive correction means by means of clutch devices respectively to engage the detent plate to one of the selector knob and the drive correction means.

Abstract: A touch screen control system comprising a touch screen (14) having first (50) and second conductive layers (52) arranged to be brought together by touching of the screen (14). A detection system (20, 30) is arranged to detect a contact position at which the screen (14) is touched by monitoring electrical signals from at least one of the layers (50, 52). The system further comprises an antenna (26), and the detection system includes a proximity sensing signal generator arranged to generate a proximity sensing signal to be transmitted between the antenna (26) and the first layer (50) via a user (40) of the system. The detection system is further arranged to receive the transmitted proximity sensing signal and determine therefrom the distance between a part (46) of the user and the touch screen (14).