Abstract: Method for producing a low stress silicon oxynitride microstructure on a semiconductor substrate at temperatures not higher than 500.degree. C. The method is particularly adapted for forming integrated silicon sensors where the oxynitride microstructure is fabricated on a substrate under conditions which do not harm the integrated circuit electronics.

Abstract: Method for relieving stress in silicon microstructures by forming a silicide on the microstructures. Sensors comprising a stress-relieved silicon microstructure are also described.

Abstract: A fuel rail for an engine fuel injection system comprises a pair of main tubes on opposite sides of the engine. A baffle is disposed within each main tube, dividing the tube into first and second flow channels. Injectors are fed from the first flow channels. A pair of closely adjacent transverse tubes intercept the main tubes at one end of the main tubes. One transverse tube introduces fuel into the first flow channel of each main tube. The fuel flows through these channels and returns via the second flow channels. The other transverse tube carries return fuel from one main tube to the other main tube where it joins the return flow from the other main tube and the flows enter a pressure regulator. The one main tube contains a twist in its baffle so that its injectors are properly communicated to the inlet fuel entering via the one transverse tube.

Abstract: A molded fuel rail block for a multiple cylinder engine having a plurality of air conduits connecting the engine's air intake manifold to the individual air intake passageways provided in the cylinder head of the engine. The fuel rail block further has an injector well associated with each air conduit in which the fuel injector valves of the engine are mounted and a pressure regulator well in which a pressure regulator is mounted. A fuel delivery rail is provided in the fuel rail block which is connected to each of the injector wells and to an input of the fuel regulator well. A fuel return rail is provided in the fuel rail block generally parallel to the fuel delivery rail. The fuel return rail is connected to an exit port of the pressure regulator well. In the preferred embodiment, the air conduits, injector wells, pressure regulator well, fuel delivery rail and fuel return rail are molded from a high temperature plastic material having relatively good thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprises a tip end containing a flat planar orifice member that is sandwiched between a seat member and a flow director member. The thin disc orifice member contains a pair of metering orifices that receive fuel that has been allowed to pass through the seat member by virtue of the unseating of the injector needle. The fuel is emitted from the metering orifices as two parallel streams that are parallel to the injector centerline. The flow director member contains a pair of holes having wall portions arranged to cause the flow streams to be emitted from the injector tip as two streams that diverge from the injector centerline without any additional influence on the metering.

Abstract: A unipolar motor control system includes motor current regulation derived from monitoring battery voltage and motor temperature. The monitored battery voltage and motor temperature are inputs to a microprocessor control which has one or more look-up tables for developing an appropriate scaling factor that adjusts the voltage across the motor coils so that proper current magnitude is delivered to the motor.

Abstract: Device comprising a substrate and a metallized sensor/heater element having a temperature coefficient of resistance of at least 2000 parts per million. Methods of fabricating the devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fuel rail assemblies include a tubular fuel rail for supplying fuel to a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. Rigid conduits are coupled to the fuel rail so as to allow relative rotational movements therebetween and thus permit, during production, the correction of any angular mismatch between the injectors and the engine with which the injectors are to be associated. A longitudinally extending, lateral ledge may be provided so as to support a clip which retains the injectors in the fuel rail assembly during production. Countercurrent flow within some embodiments of the fuel rail assemblies is provided by positioning an inner conduit within an outer conduit so as to establish therebetween a fuel flow passageway. Thus, the supply and discharge nipples for the fuel rail may be provided in close physical relationship with one another and thereby more easily facilitate their interconnection to a vehicle's fuel system during production.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for integrating mass air flow for a specified cylinder event in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The respective outputs of a mass air flow sensor and a directional air flow sensor are used to determine an accurate net integrated value of mass air flow. The magnitude of mass air flow is sampled and electronically integrated several times during each specified engine event in either a positive or negative sense (depending upon air flow direction) to obtain a net mass air flow value, which is then input to a A/D converter and then a microprocessor in an engine electronic control unit for use in engine management control.

Abstract: Fuel rail assemblies for supplying fuel to injectors of internal combustion engines include mounting structure to integrally mount a fuel pressure regulator. An annular chamber, in fluid communication with the fuel passageway of the fuel rail, is defined between a mounting section of the fuel rail and a lower housing portion of the regulator. Apertures in the lower fuel rail housing portion thus allow fuel to flow into the regulating chamber of the fuel regulator from the defined annular chamber. In some preferred embodiments, the integral mounting structure includes a mounting cup having an upper cup section and a lower tail section for receiving a fuel pressure regulator and thus regulating upstream fuel pressure within the fuel rails. Fluid communication is established between the fuel rail and the cup section of the mounting cup while fluid isolation between the cup and tail sections of the mounting cup is established by suitable seal structures.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector has an attaching clip that is integrally formed with the non-metallic electrical insulating material that is molded to surround the electrical terminals of the injector solenoid. The clip is resiliently pivotable on the injector body for releasable engagement with a fuel rail cup when the injector is inserted into the cup. Several versions of clips are illustrated. The invention eliminates the need for a separate metal attaching clip.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston disposed in the cylinder and a cylinder head disposed at one end of the cylinder. The cylinder head has a combustion chamber and a piston chamber contiguous with the top of the cylinder. A movable piston disposed in the piston chamber to change the effective volume of the combustion chamber. A closed end of the piston chamber is connected to one of the engine's source of pressurized fluid. A solenoid valve is disposed between the source of pressurized fluid and the piston chamber. Energization of the solenoid valve is controlled by a controller to open the solenoid valve when the combustion chamber has a low pressure to displace the movable piston to increase the compression ratio of the engine and to open the solenoid valve when the combustion chamber has a high or peak pressure to displace the movable piston to decrease the compression ratio.

Abstract: The dynamic range of an electromagnetic fuel injector is extended by means of a second solenoid coil that controls the position of a stop for the reciprocating armature that is operated by the usual solenoid coil.

Abstract: The nozzle of a fuel injector is constructed to have a seat member and a single thin disc orifice member. A guide member affixed to the seat member guides the injector needle toward the seat in the seat member as the needle is reciprocated within the injector by pulsing the injector solenoid. Fuel is conveyed past the guide member by holes that are spaced radially outwardly from the central hole which guides the needle and that are skewed to the injector axis. As fuel passes through these skewed holes, it acquires angular momentum. The effect of this angular momentum is to increase the divergence of the column of fuel that is emitted by the single thin disc orifice member.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector has a raised seat with which the needle tip coacts to open and close the injector as the injector is operated. The raised seat has an annular transverse seating surface surrounding a hole through the seat member. The hole through the seat member has a frusto-conically shaped surface immediately contiguous the annular seating surface, and the tip of the injector needle is conically shaped. The cone angle of the needle tip is greater than the cone angle of the frusto-conically shaped hole in the seat member, and the needle tip and the annular transverse surface of the seat are almost parallel so that the needle tip seats on the annular transverse surface of the seat at the rim of the frusto-conically shaped hole when the injector closes. The seat is softer than the needle so that the seal is initially good and becomes better as the injector is operated.

Abstract: A wheel speed sensor comprises a Hall device disposed in a pocket in a cavity of a plastic housing. The cavity is filled with potting compound to capture and enclose the Hall device. Flux issued from a magnet that rotates with the wheel acts upon the Hall device and is concentrated on the Hall device by ferromagnetic fragments interspersed throughout the potting compound.

Abstract: A thin edge orifice disk is defined as a disk having a thickness to main dimension or diameter ratio of at least 1:80. The manufacturing of an accurately sized orifice in the disk is accomplished by means of a progressive die. One of the stations of the die provides a coining operation on the orifice. Such coining operation is adjustable by means of a micrometer adjustment.

Abstract: The sensor comprises a silicon sensing element on a ceramic substrate. A slot is provided in the substrate just ahead of the leading edge of the silicon so that some of the airflow that is flowing toward the leading edge surface of the silicon passes through the slot. This promotes a less turbulent flow over the sensing face of the silicon.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injector is calibrated for dynamic flow by creating a blind hole in a stationary pole piece passing through the solenoid coil. The blind hole can be created by drilling, or by partially filling a pre-existing hole.

Abstract: In the event of coolant loss leading to engine overheating, the operating range of an automobile engine can be extended by limiting the engine load signal that is supplied to the engine E.C.U. A circuit for implementing this feature is disclosed.