Abstract: A stator for an electric machine includes a generally cylindrically-shaped stator core having a plurality of circumferentially spaced core slots. A stator winding includes a plurality of phases, each including a plurality of filars, each filar extending circumferentially around the stator core to form a plurality of layers. Each of the filars is a conductor having a plurality of substantially straight segments disposed in the core slots. The straight segments are alternately connected at the first and second ends of the stator core by a plurality of end loop segments. The filars of a particular phase each have an average radial position within the stator core, and are staggered throughout the layers such that a distance between the average radial position of each filar and the average radial position of the other filars is minimized.

Abstract: A method of forming a stator for a brushless motor comprising providing a stator core having a generally rectangular body and having a plurality of teeth extending generally perpendicularly from a side of the body, and forming the stator core into a generally circular shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel bearing assembly for motor vehicles with a bearing provided with an inner ring and an outer ring, the bearing being fitted with its outer ring into a bearing casing and the outer ring being mechanically supported in axial direction on a first side by a supporting surface provided on the bearing casing. Discrete and preferably evenly arranged stop protrusions are formed on the inner circumference of the bearing casing, the outer ring abutting thereon in axial direction on its second side, and the stop protrusions being formed by locally plastic forming the bearing casing.

Abstract: A monopole low frequency test woofer (10) has a rigid mounting plate (12) with an acoustical opening (14), a monopole driver (16) with a high mass cone and low resonance mounted on the mounting plate with the basket (13) of the driver fitting about the opening, and a rear tub (20) attached to the mounting plate forming a sealed enclosure about the driver. An inductor (18) is also in connected in series with the monopole driver inside the enclosure. The sealed enclosure has an electrical connector (26) for making connection to an external circuit. The difference in outputs between the test woofer and standard optimized speaker represents the loss in baffling due to the vehicle environment being less than ideal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for estimating the mean pressure in a compressible fluid strut. A database is employed containing values for mean pressure variation corresponding to a specific combination of motor speed and flow demand, and may also account for strut temperature. The flow demand and the speed of the motor are determined, and the mean variation corresponding to the determined combination of motor speed and flow demand is selected. The estimation of strut mean pressure is updated with the selected mean pressure variation. In this way, costly pressure sensors are eliminated as well as the complicated control algorithms which are used therewith.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carrier for holding an electric component (4) having a one or more electrical connection pins (6), comprising a frame (2) for holding the component, a pin guide (8), and a flexible portion (10) connecting the pin guide to the frame. The pin guide having one or more channels through it for receiving the electrical connection pins (6). The frame having a base for mounting the carrier to a surface and the flexible portion being adapted to flex to allow the pin guide to move parallel to the connection axis (16) when the pin guide is pressed in a direction along the connection axis.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having non-white and white light emitting diodes and a liquid crystal display. A spectrum converting material is positioned between non-white LEDs and the LCD to convert the non-white light from the LEDs toward a white light spectrum. The liquid crystal display may include a plurality of light emitting diodes, a light pipe, and a spectrum converting material. The spectrum converting material may be a phosphorized material located between the plurality of non-white light emitting diodes and the light pipe. A light extracting surface may be located near a first surface of the light pipe, a diffuser located near a second side of the light pipe, where the first and second sides are opposite sides of the light pipe, a reflective polarizer, and an liquid crystal display. The light from the light pipe may passes through the diffuser, the reflective polarizer, before backlighting the liquid crystal display. The non-white LEDs may include blue LED, ultraviolet LEDs, and the like.

Abstract: A stator for a dynamoelectric machine improves the cooling of the stator winding without increasing the size of the stator winding or the entire stator. The stator is of a unique construction wherein the size, and more specifically the cross sectional area or volume of the individual conductors is greatly reduced, while the total number of conductors is increased. In addition, a multiple filar construction is employed to avoid the potential for high levels of inductance and resistance in the conductors and to minimize the interference between the cascaded stator end loops and the housing that surrounds the stator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined cooling plant/heat pump for use in motor vehicles for the cooling, heating and dehumidification of the vehicle interior. A refrigerant circuit is thermally coupled to the ventilation system over an internal heat exchanger having two functional units. The functional units are switchable as the condenser/gas cooler of the heat pump (in heating operation) and as the evaporator of the cooling plant (in cooling operation). In a combined dehumidification-reheating operation, one of these functional units is operable as an evaporator and the other as condenser/gas cooler.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing data between computer systems in a multiple vehicle system architecture ensures the correlation of data between the systems. The method utilizes nametag configuration indicators, which are a series of bit values that correspond to the presence or absence of a nametag or other data point or set in a series of internal memory locations. The method comprises the steps of monitoring for synchronization initiation events, transmitting nametag configuration indicators between vehicle systems, comparing nametag configuration indicators, and, if desired, initiating appropriate resultant actions. In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention is directed at synchronizing data between a voice control system and a navigation system. In this embodiment, the method according to the present invention ensures that the two systems have identical nametag configuration indicators.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor control circuit including a motor with a motor winding and a brush, a battery, a relay, and a ground return circuit. The battery is for energizing the motor. The relay selectively provides connection between the battery and the motor. A ground return circuit is in communication with the brush. The ground return circuit creates a path from the brush through the relay to an electrical ground.

Abstract: A steering system selectively operable in one of six modes: steer-by-wire with rear steering, steer-by-wire without rear steering, electronic power assist steering (EPAS) with rear steering, electronic power steering (EPAS) without rear steering, mechanical backup manual steering with rear steering, and mechanical backup manual steering without rear steering. The steer-by-wire system includes a driver interface system (DIS), a front road wheel actuator system (FRWAS), a rear road wheel actuator system (RRWAS), and a controller for monitoring and implementing the preferred control strategy. The steering system operates normally in a steer-by-wire mode. In each of the EPAS mode and manual mode, the controller causes a clutch mechanism to engage, thus creating a mechanical linkage between the steerable member and the rack and pinion system while maintaining rear wheel assisted steering.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle, including an input shaft connectable to a steering input system, an output shaft connectable to a steering output system, a torsion device connecting the input shaft and the output shaft and allowing relative rotation movement between the input shaft and the output shaft based upon a torque applied to the input shaft or the output shaft, a first sensor of sensing relative rotational movement of the input shaft and the vehicle, and a second sensor for sensing relative rotational movement of the output shaft and the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine and an automatic transmission of a vehicle to reduce noise, vibration and harshness issues during shutting off a vehicle engine to improve fuel economy. The method combines vehicle engine start/stop control with neutral idle control in the transmission.

Abstract: An integrated manifold assembly (500) for routing electrical signals in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The assembly includes an air-intake manifold (506) for drawing fresh air into the internal combustion engine, a main circuit portion (508) fixable to the air-intake manifold (506) of the internal combustion engine, a plurality of circuit runner portions (510) extending from the main circuit portion (508) for interconnecting the main circuit portion (508) with a plurality of engine components (512, 514), and a heat sink (517) affixed to the air-intake manifold (506) and in contact with at least one of the a main circuit portion (508) and the plurality of circuit runner portions (510) for dissipating heat generated in the circuit portions.

Abstract: An active antenna power interface circuit couples a supply voltage from a radio receiver to an antenna feed. The circuit comprises a DC power input and a power switching element connected in series between the DC power input and the antenna feed. The power switching element has a control input for selecting a conducting state or a nonconducting state of the power switching element. A high side voltage sensor senses a first voltage proportional to a voltage at the DC power input. A low side voltage sensor senses a second voltage proportional to a voltage at the antenna feed. A controller is coupled to the control input and to the voltage sensors. The controller places the power switching element into the conducting state, samples the first and second voltages, calculates a voltage difference in response to the first and second voltages, compares the voltage difference to an upper limit and a lower limit.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a plurality of user appliances is disclosed. The device is ergonomically designed to enforce hand placement and eliminate the problem of finding the correct switch to manipulate. Additionally, the controls on the device have software-defined functions, enabling the functions of a plurality of equipment to be managed from a single device. The device has a hand positioning portion having a first set of user actuatable switches for changing an operation of at least one of the plurality of user appliances. The hand positioning portion is configured to align a user's hand with the first set of user actuatable switches. Additionally, the device has a switch pad portion in juxtaposition with the hand positioning portion having a second set of user actuatable switches for changing an operation of at least one of another of the plurality of user appliances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for generating an end of travel feedback to the driver of a vehicle where the vehicle includes a steer by wire system. The system includes a steering wheel, a steering shaft, a motor, and a brake. The steering wheel is configured to control the steer by wire system. The steering shaft is coupled to the steering wheel and rotates in conjunction with the steering wheel. To provide road feel resistance to the driver, the motor is coupled to the steering shaft. Further, the brake is coupled to a shaft of the motor and is adapted to provide mechanical resistance when the road wheel is at an end of travel position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel system having pressure pulsation damping. The invention specifically locates restrictors in relation to identified critical elements of the system to control the maximum operating system pulse magnitude, as well as dampening the overall pulsations of the system.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and system of initial aligning wheels of vehicle steer-by-wire systems with two independent front road wheels in the real time. The method comprises providing a steering wheel control sub-system and a road wheel control sub-system, providing an initial alignment unit and procedure to align the road wheels and steering wheel, and receiving relative and absolute steering wheel angles and road wheel angles. The method further includes generating wheel aligning reference angles based on the relative and absolute wheel angle, generating the switch control signal based wheel aligning reference angles using the logic operation with the threshold, and determining the steer-by-wire systems in the control state or in the initial alignment state.