Abstract: A fuel injector apparatus includes an electromagnetic fuel injector having a housing and a magnetic circuit in the housing. The magnetic circuit including an electromagnetic coil constructed and arranged to operate at a nominal voltage to open the fuel injector. The nominal voltage is substantially less that a supply voltage. Circuit structure is electrically coupled with the coil and is constructed and arranged to step-down the supply voltage to be substantially the nominal voltage at the coil.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator 10 includes first and second electromagnets 12 and 18, respectively. The second electromagnet 18 is in spaced relation with respect to the first electromagnet 12. An armature 24 is mounted for movement between the first and second electromagnets. An engaged position of the armature 24 is defined when the armature contacts one of the electromagnets 12 or 18 with an electrical signal to the contacted electromagnet being turned-off. Spring structure 30 is operatively associated with the armature 24 to bias the armature 24 away from the engaged position thereof. A piezoelectric device 34 is operatively associated with the armature 24 so that when the armature is in the engaged position and a force of the spring structure 30 is insufficient to move the armature from contact with the contacted electromagnet, the piezoelectric device 34 may be energized so as to move the armature 24 from contact with the contacted electromagnet.

Abstract: A bi-fuel injection system includes a source of first liquid fuel; a source of second liquid fuel; at least one variable vapor pressure fuel injector; a common fuel rail for supplying first or second fuels to the fuel injector; a first valve structure in selective communication with the source of first or second fuels and in communication with an inlet of the fuel rail to selectively control supply of one of the first and second fuels to the fuel rail; and a second valve structure in communication with an outlet of the fuel rail and in selective communication with the source of first or second fuels to return fuel exiting the fuel rail to the source of first or second fuels. The second valve structure may be in selective communication with a vapor purge system to receive fuel vapors exiting the fuel rail.

Abstract: A double resonant wideband patch antenna (100) includes a planar resonator (101) forms a substantially trapezoidal shape having a non-parallel edge (103) for providing a substantially wide bandwidth. A feed line (107) extends parallel to the non-parallel edge (103) for coupling while a ground plane (111) extends beneath the planar resonator for increasing radiation efficiency.

Abstract: There is shown an electric motor control of the engine valves of an internal combustion engine. A brushless torque actuator controls the rotation of a cam member which provides the appropriate lift to the engine valve to move the valve from the closed to the open position. The electronic control which is connected to the actuator includes a look-up table for controlling the timing of the engine in accordance with the operation of the internal combustion engine. The electronic control operates to return the cam member to its home position closing the engine valves.

Abstract: An energy diversity antenna (100) includes a first antenna (103) and second antenna (113) positioned on a substrate (101). The first antenna is preferably a loop used for receiving radio frequency signals with H-field energy while the second antenna is preferably a monopole used for receiving radio frequency signals with E-field energy. The energy diversity antenna (100) is applicable for use in portable communications devices capable of diversity reception. It is particularly useful in geographic locations where reflections and multipath interference is a problem.

Abstract: Opening and closing times of a fuel injector are accurately determined in accordance with the energy content of an accelerometer trace. The energy content of an accelerometer trace is determined in accordance with a predetermined relation. A line is defined between known points prior to and after the opening or closing time. The normal distance between the line connecting known points and the accelerometer trace energy content is maximum at the inflection point, which corresponds to the opening or closing time. With this data, an ECU can be properly programmed to more accurately control an injector stroke, thereby improving engine performance.

Abstract: A device and method of operating a diaphragm pump having at least three chambers is used in a vapor compression refrigeration system. Each chamber contains a fluid having a different set of pressure and temperature characteristics. Adjacent chambers are separated by movable barriers, such as flexible diaphragms or pistons, that are sequentially moved by pressure changes resulting from heating and cooling the fluids. The fluids are chosen so that driving fluids operate in a substantially narrower temperature range than a working fluid but have the same operating pressure range permitting use of a thermal energy source having a selected temperature to power the pump. Optimal selection of both driving fluids and the working fluid permits use of a low grade heat source for thermal energy.

Abstract: An antenna comprises a feed port, a 1/2 wavelength radiator (20), and a double resonant transformer (10). The feed, port, having a signal feed portion (34) and a ground portion (44), is at a low impedance while the 1/2 wavelength radiator (20) has opposed high impedance ends (21 and 22). For transforming low impedance to high impedance, at two resonant frequencies, the double resonant transformer is coupled between the feed port and the 1/2 wavelength radiator.

Abstract: A dual loop antenna (100) provides a dual frequency band response. The dual loop antenna (100) is configured on a substrate (102) which includes first and second radiator elements (106, 206) coupled through a common feed element (108).

Abstract: Fuel pressure in a deadheaded fuel rail is regulated by an eddy current clutch that forms part of the mechanism that mechanically couples the engine crankshaft with a fuel pump which delivers pressurized fuel to the rail. An electric control that receives several inputs, including engine speed and fuel rail pressure, controls the degree of coupling that is provided by the clutch so that the pressure is regulated even though the engine speed and fuel demand change during normal engine operation.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for automating the collection of information from a customer and providing a specification of a transaction system to fullfil the customer's needs and desires. An ordering step is used in order to obtain information via a convenient user interface to determine the customer's intended use of the machine and the performance desired. As a result of this ordering process, the system hardware configuration is determined automatically. During the implementation process, the system is used to assemble a package of software, to run the hardware thus configured and implement the chosen user functions. If desired, this information is stored for later use in the event the user wishes to modify the configuration of his system, or to order additional system configurations different than that of the initial system.

Abstract: A golf ball display rack (2) includes a generally vertically oriented body (4), a base (6) at the bottom (8) of the body and a plurality of vertical dividers (14) mounted to the body to define a plurality of vertical ball slots (16). Each of the ball slots is sized to support a number of golf balls (20) in a vertical column, one golf ball on top of the other. The outer sides (18) of the ball slots are open to permit the golf balls within the slots to be viewed. The ball slots are arranged in outwardly bowed configuration so as to provide enhanced viewing. Enhanced viewing is also aided by the use of transparent dividers. The display rack can be supported by a horizontal support surface or it can be hung on a wall.

Abstract: A cruise control sub-system is incorporated into an electronic throttle control system. The sub-system comprises a cruise control module that provides respective charge and discharge signals to a circuit for charging and discharging a capacitor. The voltage across the capacitor represents a cruise control signal and is supplied to a port of the electronic throttle control microprocessor. In the cruise control mode of operation, the microprocessor causes the throttle to be positioned by the cruise control signal. If the driver depresses the accelerator pedal to an extent that would command a throttle opening larger than that commanded by the cruise control signal, the microprocessor causes to throttle to be operated to the larger opening. When the cruise control mode of operation ceases, the throttle is controlled by the accelerator pedal alone. The microprocessor also performs testing of the cruise control sub-system and gives a fault indication if a fault is detected.

Abstract: Rather than having the two throttle position sensors connected directly to a common D.C. power supply, isoation circuits are connected between each sensor and the power supply so that a short in one sensor will be indicated to the ECU without adversely affecting the signal from the other sensor. The isolation circuits are simple RC circuits.

Abstract: The crystal-controlled oscillator circuit of the microprocessor comprises, for the starting resistance, a pair of discrete resistors connected in parallel. The two have respective resistance values which in their parallel circuit connection are effective to cause the initiation of electrical oscillation and which are also individually effective to cause the initiation of electrical oscillation so that in the event that one of the individual resistors experiences an open circuit fault, the oscillation can nonetheless be initiated by the other of the individual resistors. The invention provides improved reliability for automotive vehicle engine control systems.

Abstract: Hypotonic contact lens care compositions containing a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent (e.g. Polyquad.RTM.) and an anionic complexing agent (e.g. citrate) are disclosed. The compositions are useful in the disinfection of hydrophilic contact lenses, particularly Group IV lenses, and in the preservation of products for treating such lenses. Methods for use of the compositions for disinfecting and preserving are also disclosed.

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: 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: Redundancy is imparted to the reset signal from a voltage regulator integrated circuit by connecting an RC timing circuit with the regulated voltage output and with the reset pulse output such that a reset pulse derived from the regulated output voltage is given in the event that the reset output of the integrated circuit fails to give a reset pulse. An over-/under-voltage detector monitors the regulated voltage output for also giving a reset signal in the event that the regulated output strays beyond allowable limits. The occurrence of a reset causes interruption of electric power to the throttle motor and of fuel to the engine.