Abstract: A battery charger electrically connected with a power distribution circuit may select a charge rate to charge a vehicle battery in response to whether a load other than the battery charger is electrically connected with the power distribution circuit, and charge the vehicle battery at the selected charge rate.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a power distribution circuit including a line, neutral and ground may include a switch configured to electrically connect the line and neutral, a first sensor configured to sense a line to neutral electrical parameter, and a second sensor configured to sense a neutral to ground electrical parameter. The system may also include a processor configured to close the switch, to observe at least some of the sensed electrical parameters before and after the switch is closed, and to identify a fault condition in the line or neutral based on the observed electrical parameters.

Abstract: An insulated assembly of insulated electric conductors includes a first plurality of insulated electric conductors. Each insulated electric conductor has a copper core, a uniform thickness thin sheet of aluminum that is mechanically formed to envelope the copper core and a single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide that is formed by anodizing an outer surface of the thin sheet of aluminum. A first aluminum layer is mechanically formed to envelope the first plurality of insulated electric conductors and a first single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide surrounds the first aluminum layer.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle capable of receiving power from a power distribution circuit including a power line and return line includes a controller disposed within the vehicle. The controller is configured to be electrically connected with the power distribution circuit, determine a difference between a resistance of the power line and a resistance of the return line, and control a current flow through the distribution circuit based on the determined difference.

Abstract: A power system may include at least one controller configured to determine a net reactive power on at least one power distribution circuit and to issue at least one request for offsetting reactive power based on the determination to reduce the net reactive power on the at least one power distribution circuit.

Abstract: A method of operating a battery charger electrically connected with a power distribution circuit having a power line and return line includes determining at least one of a temperature and a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line, and controlling a current through the power line based on the at least one of temperature and change in temperature.

Abstract: A battery charger may be capable of receiving power from a power distribution circuit including a fuse and may be configured to reduce reactive power through the fuse caused by at least one load, other than the charger, electrically connected with the power distribution circuit.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit having a power line and return line includes measuring an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit, and determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.

Abstract: A method for controlling a current flow through a power distribution circuit includes determining a current flow through a load electrically connected with the power distribution circuit, and a wire gauge of the power distribution circuit based on a measured output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit. The method also includes controlling the output current based on the current flow through the load and the wire gauge.

Abstract: A method for improving fuel heating is presented. The method can reduce system complexity and cost when fuel is heated within a fuel injector. In one embodiment, the method independently heats and injects fuel by changing the direction of current flow through a fuel circuit.

Abstract: An insulated assembly of insulated electric conductors includes a first plurality of insulated electric conductors. Each insulated electric conductor has a copper core, a uniform thickness thin sheet of aluminum that is mechanically formed to envelope the copper core and a single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide that is formed by anodizing an outer surface of the thin sheet of aluminum. A first aluminum layer is mechanically formed to envelope the first plurality of insulated electric conductors and a first single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide surrounds the first aluminum layer.

Abstract: A method for improving fuel heating is presented. The method can reduce system complexity and cost when fuel is heated within a fuel injector. In one embodiment, the method independently heats and injects fuel by changing the direction of current flow through a fuel circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for stereo photography is provided. The system comprises a first light source, a second light source and a photodetector. The first light source is configured to illuminate one or more first non-white colors on an object. The second light source is configured to illuminate one or more second non-white colors that are different from the first non-white colors on the object. The photodetector is configured to detect a three dimensional representation of the object at a single moment in time in response to the first light source illuminating the first non-white colors and the second light source illuminating the second non-white colors on the object.

Abstract: A variable inertia flywheel and clutch assembly having a primary flywheel mass rotationally fixed to an engine crankshaft and a secondary flywheel mass selectively engageable with a clutch disc, which is rotationally fixed to a transmission input shaft. A radial spring assembly is coupled between the primary mass and the secondary mass, as well as a latching assembly that can latch to selectively prevent relative rotation between the primary mass and the secondary mass. Preferably, the latching assembly is also employed as a variable damper between the primary mass and the secondary mass when the latching assembly is not latched.

Abstract: A variable inertia flywheel and clutch assembly having a primary flywheel mass rotationally fixed to an engine crankshaft and a secondary flywheel mass selectively engageable with a clutch disc, which is rotationally fixed to a transmission input shaft. A radial spring assembly is coupled between the primary mass and the secondary mass, as well as a latching assembly that can latch to selectively prevent relative rotation between the primary mass and the secondary mass. Preferably, the latching assembly is also employed as a variable damper between the primary mass and the secondary mass when the latching assembly is not latched.

Abstract: A vehicle door sealing system includes a flexible weatherstrip containing magnetizable particulate material. Selected areas of the weatherstrip are magnetized to enhance the sealing action at hard-to-seal zones, such as curved corner areas along the door perimeter. The magnetic action is confined to the hard-to-seal areas so that the magnetic action will not make it excessively difficult for a person to open the vehicle door.

Abstract: A method allows the rapid evaluation of physical properties of chassis elastomeric devices in a motor vehicle. A parametric controller (26) provides a parametric state signal to a elastomer control module (24), which in turn generates an appropriate electrical current signal which is communicated to a variable elastomeric device (22) which includes a magnetorheological elastomer having iron particles embedded therein and a coil operatively associated therewith. When the coil is energized by electrical current signal provided from the elastomer control module (24), a magnetic field is generated which provides predetermined variability in the physical properties of the elastomeric device (22), allowing the rapid evaluation of vehicle performance for given physical properties of the elastomeric device (22).

Abstract: A variable stiffness suspension bushing (18) that is useful in a suspension of a motor vehicle to reduce brake shudder includes a shaft or rod (40) connected to a suspension member (12), an inner cylinder (42) fixedly connected to the shaft or rod (40), and an outer cylinder (44) fixedly connected to a chassis member (16). A magnetorheological (MR) elastomer (48), having iron particles embedded therein, is interposed between the inner (42) and outer (44) cylinders, and a coil (54) is disposed about the inner cylinder (42). When the coil (54) is energized by electrical current provided from a suspension control module (20), a variable magnetic field is generated so as to influence the magnetorheological (MR) elastomer (48) whereby variable stiffness values of the elastomer (48) are obtained to provide the bushing (18) with variable stiffness characteristics in order to eliminate compromises heretofore necessary when using single, fixed rate bushings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring displacement and force transferred through an elastomeric member, such as a suspension bushing (17) as used in a suspension of a motor vehicle, comprises an inner cylinder (26) fixedly connected to a suspension member (23), and an outer cylinder (28) fixedly connected to a chassis member (29). A magnetorheological elastomer (32), having particles embedded therein, is interposed between the inner (26) and outer (28) cylinders, and an electrode (44) is disposed about the inner cylinder (26). When the electrode (44) is energized by electrical current provided from module (18), a preselected electrical state resulting from the dielectric properties of the magnetorheological elastomer (32) varies in a predetermined manner in response to changes in displacement of the elastomeric material (32).