Abstract: Electromagnetic shields, vehicles, wireless charging systems, and related methods are disclosed. An electromagnetic shield includes a shield member including a coil side to face one or more inductive coils. The electromagnetic shield also includes one or more perimeter shield members configured in a loop proximate to a perimeter of the coil side of the shield member. The shield member and the one or more perimeter shield members are configured to shield electromagnetic radiation emitted by the one or more inductive coils.

Abstract: Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a transmission having a transmission sump that contains transmission fluid, and a heat exchanger disposed within said sump and at least partially submerged in the transmission fluid. The apparatus also includes an engine having a plurality of engine coolant channels. An engine pump is operatively connected to the engine. The engine pump is configured to transfer engine coolant through the plurality of engine coolant channels and then through the heat exchanger. Heat from the engine coolant is transferred to the transmission fluid when the engine coolant passes through the heat exchanger. The heat transferred to the transmission fluid decreases transmission fluid viscosity such that transmission spin losses are reduced and fuel economy is improved. A corresponding method for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine.

Abstract: A hybrid clamping mechanism for a belt continuously variable transmission (CVT) is disclosed. A pulley having adjustable belt-engagement surfaces allow for a variable effective diameter of the belt when about the pulley. A clamping spring disposed to bias the belt-engagement surfaces closer together exert a clamping force on the belt. A first hydraulic drive is disposed to assist the clamping force of the clamping spring, and a second hydraulic drive is disposed to oppose the clamping force of the clamping spring. The total clamping force at the belt results from the clamping spring, the first hydraulic drive, the second hydraulic drive, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a torque converter for an automatic transmission. The torque converter includes an electronically controlled converter clutch disposed within a torque converter housing. A release passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch is defined between standard functional torque converter components. The release passage is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to release the electronically controlled converter clutch. An apply passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch is also defined between standard functional torque converter components. The apply passage is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to engage the electronically controlled converter clutch. The electronically controlled converter clutch is characterized by the absence of a dedicated hydraulic supply line.

Abstract: The dual-pump fluid distribution system of the present invention preferably includes a sump having hydraulic fluid disposed therein. A first pump driven by an electric motor and a second pump driven by an engine are disposed in fluid communication with the sump. A plurality of vehicle systems are disposed in fluid communication with the first and second pumps. The first pump is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to the vehicle systems when the engine is off. The first and second pumps are both configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to the vehicle systems when the engine speed is at or below a predetermined value. The second pump is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to the vehicle systems when the engine speed exceeds the predetermined value. Accordingly, the hydraulic pressure needs of the vehicle systems are met for any given engine speed. A corresponding method in accordance with the present invention is similarly provided.

Abstract: Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling engagement of a clutch which carries torque before, during and after a shifting event in a transmission which is connected to a throttle-controlled engine. The method includes providing a feed forward input command which increases as the engine torque increases and decreases as the engine torque decreases. A feed-back input command is provided as a function of the error between measured clutch slip and a reference slip profile. The feed-forward input command and feed-back input command are summed to provide a clutch control command for controlling engagement of the clutch before, during and after the shifting event to allow a desired amount of clutch slip to damp excitation of the transmission.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a torque converter for an automatic transmission. The torque converter includes an electronically controlled converter clutch disposed within a torque converter housing. A release passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch is defined between standard functional torque converter components. The release passage is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to release the electronically controlled converter clutch. An apply passage in fluid communication with the electronically controlled converter clutch is also defined between standard functional torque converter components. The apply passage is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to engage the electronically controlled converter clutch.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a transmission having a transmission sump that contains transmission fluid, and a heat exchanger disposed within said sump and at least partially submerged in the transmission fluid. The apparatus also includes an engine having a plurality of engine coolant channels. An engine pump is operatively connected to the engine. The engine pump is configured to transfer engine coolant through the plurality of engine coolant channels and then through the heat exchanger. Heat from the engine coolant is transferred to the transmission fluid when the engine coolant passes through the heat exchanger. The heat transferred to the transmission fluid decreases transmission fluid viscosity such that transmission spin losses are reduced and fuel economy is improved. A corresponding method for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle having an automatic transmission includes a roll-back detector that generates a roll-back signal indicating a vehicle roll-back event. A controller receives the roll-back signal and determines whether the automatic transmission is in a forward drive mode having first and second torque transfer elements engaged. The controller engages a third torque transfer element to prevent the vehicle roll-back event.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid application system for the printing, copying, imaging, converting, and related industries, and more particularly a liquid applicator means for applying moisture and coatings to cut sheets using a system of rolls and controlling surfaces, speeds, pressures, and directions of rotation of same relative to successive sheets passing through the system. In the use of the method and apparatus herein described, the liquid applied to the sheet is supplied from a reservoir or other liquid supply source to the nip between a smooth, resilient surfaced metering roll and a smoothly finished hydrophilic transfer roll. An abundant supply of liquid is supplied at the nip between the rolls which is metered by pressure contact between the resilient surfaced metering roll and the transfer roll to an exactly controlled film which adheres to the surface of the transfer roll, which rotates into contact with a cut sheet to apply the liquid thereto.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid application system for the printing, copying, imaging, converting, and related industries, and more particularly a liquid applicator means for applying moisture and coatings to cut sheets using a system of rolls and controlling surfaces, speeds, pressures, and directions of rotation of same relative to successive sheets passing through the system. In the use of the method and apparatus herein described, the liquid applied to the sheet is supplied from a reservoir or other liquid supply source to the nip between a smooth, resilient surfaced metering roll and a smoothly finished hydrophilic transfer roll. An abundant supply of liquid is supplied at the nip between the rolls which is metered by pressure contact between the resilient surfaced metering roll and the transfer roll to an exactly controlled film which adheres to the surface of the transfer roll, which rotates into contact with a cut sheet to apply the liquid thereto.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer for ion ratio detection. The ions are produced and initially focussed in the conventional way. After focusing, the ion beams are refocused by a magnifying focusing assembly which is located past the focal plane. The magnifying lens magnifies the beam spacing, and the focal plane. A series of staggered conversion dynode assemblies, each of which have a side entry that reflects the ions toward an electron multiplier, is located along the magnified focal plane. Each assembly receives one of the ion beams, and the others pass to the subsequent assemblies. The space between the bottom of each assembly and the slit into which the ion beam enters, must therefore be smaller than a spacing between beams.

Abstract: A lightweight phased array antenna systems that is conformable to an aircraft fuselage combines air-filled cavity-backed slots with printed circuit elements for operation in two or more frequency bands. The printed circuit elements are separated from a conductive ground plane in which the slots are cut by a dielectric honeycomb material. The slots and printed circuit elements are individually excitable by a multiband feed network and transmit/receive modules for operation in the UHF band and S band or L band, respectively.

Abstract: A compact portable pocket brush has retractable bristles arrayed in groups attached to a plurality of bristle group holders or supports mounted upon pivot pins in a brush case. The top wall of the case has a plurality of downwardly sloping apertures respectively located in alignment with each bristle group in the brush. The bristle group pivot pins are pivotably mounted upon a slide in the bottom of the case. When the slide is moved between two positions, each bristle group is pivoted between a retracted position in which it is enclosed within the case and an erect position wherein the bristles extend through the openings in the top wall of the case. When in the erect position all of the bristle groups are locked in a rigid vertical position by the engagement between the periphery of the holes and a portion of the bristle group holder so that the brushes can be used.

Abstract: A disposable tamperproof shipping valve for containers of fluids, especially those under pressure. The valve of unitary, one-piece construction incorporates a tamperproof, hermetic seal and includes a means for opening a check valve in an external dispenser for fluid flow control. It is amenable to ready insertion into the filling opening of a fluid shipping container. There, the valve remains sealed until the sealing ring is broken for fluid dispensing and consumption or use.