Abstract: A leak detection system for a fuel system of an automotive vehicle has a diaphragm pump that is repeatedly stroked to pressurize vapor containment space of the fuel system during a leak detection test. A restriction is disposed between the pump and the space being pressurized to cause a real time pressure trace of pressure between the pump and the restriction to comprise a succession of pulses having peaks and valleys. Data from the first pump burst of the trace is used to adjust the number of times the pump is stroked during subsequent bursts to maintain substantially constant mass airflow into the space during each burst, thereby compensating for change in pump efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel rail is formed by a lost core process. The core is formed of metal, and then over-molded with plastic. The plastic over-molded metal core is immersed in a hot bath of glycolitin oil. The metal core melts, leaving the plastic overmold fuel rail. Attachment features can be formed in the fuel rail to attach fuel injectors by a snap fit connection, a threaded connection, or a twist and lock connection.

Abstract: An air filter assembly which filters and purifies air prior to entering an external combustion engine includes a conical radially pleated filter element disposed over a filter carrier. When assembled, the pleats of the filter element are trapped between a plurality of internal teeth on an internal comb section of the filter carrier and a plurality of external teeth on an external comb section of an opening of the air cleaner box. The filter carrier further includes a plurality of struts which further shapes the filter element. A locking mechanism secures the air filter assembly to the air cleaner box.

Abstract: A choke 10, for suppressing radio-frequency interference of a brush-type motor, includes a single wire having a portion 15 wound about a coil axis A to define a plurality of coils 14 including two outermost coils 16 and 18. An attaching structure 20 extends from each outermost coil and is disposed generally transverse with respect to the coil axis. Each attaching structure is constructed and arranged to be inserted through an associated opening in a supporting structure and to be bent so as secure the choke to the supporting structure. An elongated end portion 22 extends from each attaching structure so as to be spaced from and generally parallel to the coil axis. The elongated end portions extend in opposite directions. One of the elongated end portions is constructed and arranged to be directly electrically connected to an electrical connector of a motor and the other of the elongated end portions is constructed and arranged to be in electrical connection with a brush of the motor.

Abstract: A low cost combined air cleaner and resonator includes two housing members which snap together. An air filter is captured between the two members. A first of the members receives the air filter, and the second of the two members has an enlarged plenum to provide a resonator function. The combined air cleaner and resonator thus provides a low cost way of achieving both functions in a system for supplying clean air to a vehicle engine.

Abstract: A protection circuit for use in a power electronic circuit has a positive supply input, a negative supply input, and a snubber. The protection circuit includes a snubber bias lead, a positive voltage lead, a positive supply lead, a switch and a reverse polarity shut off circuit. The snubber bias lead is adapted to be coupled to obtain a bias voltage from the snubber of the power electronic circuit, the positive voltage lead is adapted to be coupled to a positive voltage lead of a power supply, and the positive supply lead is adapted to be coupled to the positive supply input of the power electronic circuit. The switch has a control input coupled to the snubber bias lead, a first terminal coupled to the positive voltage lead, and a second terminal coupled to the positive supply lead. The switch is operable to selectively allow current flow from the second terminal to the first terminal based at least in part on the bias voltage at said control input.

Abstract: Laser welding is used to attach an air induction component to a hose member. The air induction component includes a wall with an opening that cooperates with the hose member. The hose member includes a flange that directly engages the wall of the induction component on a surface surrounding the opening. One of the hose or induction component is made from a laser transparent material and the other of the hose or induction component is formed from a laser absorbing material. Contour through transmission welding is used to generate a laser beam that passes through the transparent material, heats the absorbing material, which in turn heats the transparent material and forms a laser weld.

Abstract: A canister purge valve, and an emission control system, for regulating a fuel vapor flow between a fuel vapor collection canister and an intake manifold of an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The canister purge valve includes a body having a passage extending between a first port and a second port, a seat defining a portion of the passage, a member movable with respect to the seat, and an actuator that moves the member. The first port of the body is adapted to be in fluid communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and the second port of the body is adapted to be in fluid communication with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. The member moves generally along an axis between a first configuration that prohibits fuel vapor flow through the seat and a second configuration that permits fuel vapor flow through the seat. And the actuator includes a piezo-electric element that moves the member from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: An air induction system with active noise control includes a self-cleaning air filter that is integrated within an air intake housing. The self-cleaning air filter filters out contaminants such as dust and dirt particulates from air flowing through the intake housing. The self-cleaning filter is powered and controlled by the same electronic unit that is used to power the active noise control system.

Abstract: A current regulator that controls a load current by selectively connecting the load to a high voltage source and a low voltage source. The switching is triggered by a command pulse. By switching between the high voltage source and the low voltage source, the regulator controls load current without generating emissions. The low voltage source also maintains the load current at a selected level without requiring switching.

Abstract: An electric actuated control valve, such as an EGR valve, has a solenoid that can deliver useful force over a longer stroke for operating a valve element.

Abstract: A valve that includes a wall, a closure member, a motive force device, a coupling member, and a spacer. The wall defines a flow passage that is disposed along a longitudinal axis. The closure member is disposed in the flow passage and includes a first shaft that extends along a first axis that is oblique to the longitudinal axis. The closure member is rotatable on the first axis between a first position that substantially prevents flow through the flow passage and a second position that generally permits flow through the flow passage. The motive force device rotates the closure member between the first position and the second position, and includes a second shaft that is rotatable on a second axis. The coupling member connects the first and second shafts to convey rotation from the device to the closure member. The coupling member is resilient with respect to the first and second shafts.

Abstract: A motor speed control system 10 includes a permanent magnet direct current electric motor 12. A first switch 14 is operatively associated with the motor. A resistive element 16 is provided in series with the motor and the first switch. A second, pulse width modulated controlled, switch 18 is operatively associated with the motor. A controller 20 is operatively associated with the first and second switches for controlling the first and second switches independently and in combination to control current to the motor to operate the motor at various speeds.

Abstract: A fluid communication conduit 18 for a vehicle induction system includes a vane 28 offset from a center axis to generally bifurcate the duct 20. The vane 28 assures generally equal airflow distribution to separate plenum portions to maintain engine performance. The vane 28 is separated into a plurality of interrupted vane portions 40, 42 each having aerodynamic end section profiles 40e, 42e to minimize turbulent airflow.

Abstract: An air cleaner assembly 10 includes a filter located within a housing 12 between an air inlet 20 and outlet 22 for filtering airflow therebetween. The air inlet 20 extends from the housing 12 to communicate with an air intake port located at a vehicle location where fresh air is available. A resonator device 28 is mounted within the housing 12. The resonator device 12 includes a resonator volume 30 and a tuning neck 32. The resonator volume 30 fits into the housing 12 to reduce bulk and readily lend itself to adaptation to space requirements. The tuning neck 32 is mounted within the outlet 22 such that noise and vibration are communicated directly to the resonator device 28.

Abstract: An electric motor structure includes an electric motor having a housing and an endcap coupled to an end of the housing. The endcap includes a bearing pocket constructed and arranged to cover a bearing structure. The motor structure also includes a heat shield coupled directly to the motor so as to surround and cover the bearing pocket, with a portion of the heat shield being spaced from the bearing pocket.

Abstract: A motor speed control system 10 includes a permanent magnet direct current electric motor 12. A first switch 14 is in series with the motor. A circuit 15 is in series with the first switch 14. The circuit 15 includes a resistor 16 and a second, pulse width modulated controlled, switch 18 in parallel with the resistor 16. An electronic controller 20 is operatively associated with the first and second switches for electronically controlling the first and second switches independently and in combination to control current to the motor to operate the motor at various speeds.

Abstract: An intake manifold is molded of two plastic parts. A first main manifold body provides the outer cover and an inner opening. A second runner provides a plurality of entry ports for communicating air to cylinders within the engine. In the past, it has been somewhat difficult to control the shape of the entry ports when the manifold was molded of a single part. The use of the separate runner allows the provision of a relatively thin and easily molded part such that the entry ports can be closely controlled and an idealized design can be achieved.

Abstract: An active noise cancellation system (20) includes digital modeling of the physical path that is compensated for using a digital filter (34). An initial estimate of the time domain response of the system (20) is achieved using inverse time domain convolution to determine the signal values of a speaker (24) and a microphone (26) in the system. The estimated time domain response of the system is used to determine the initial estimate of the modeled digital filter. In one example, the initial estimate is then used as part of a convergence technique, such as a least mean squares algorithm. In another example, a plurality of initial estimates are determined and then averaged to arrive at the filter value used during noise cancellation.

Abstract: A method of noise attenuation for a vehicle comprises generating a noise attenuating sound based on an assumption through speaker 18. (See FIG. 1). A test signal is generated comprising a frequency range of sounds desired to be attenuated for obtaining actual data. The test signal is received by microphone 26 and then filtered by filter 30. The assumption is then assessed based upon the filtered received test signal. The noise attenuating sound 32 is altered based on the assessment.