Abstract: A system and process for determining fuel injection time scheduling in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method is presented for idle speed control of a lean burn spark ignition internal combustion engine using a fuel-based control strategy. In particular, the idle speed control strategy involves using a combination of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to achieve desired engine speed or torque while maintaining the air/fuel ratio more lean than prior art systems. Depending on engine operating conditions, the fuel quantity or timing is adjusted to give a more rich air/fuel ratio in order to respond to an engine speed or torque demand increase. Additionally, due to operation close to the lean misfire limit, the spark ignition timing is adjusted away from MBT in response to an engine speed or torque demand decrease. The advantages of this fuel based control system include better fuel economy as well as fast engine response time due to the use of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to control engine output.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided that includes a first conductor and a second conductor. A respective first portion of each conductor is disposed in a first material and a respective second portion of each conductor is disposed in a second material that is different from the first material. The respective first portions axe disposed a first distance apart and the respective second portions jog relative to each other such that an impedance between the first portions is substantially die same as an impedance between the second portions. For example, the conductor pairs may be at one spacing (d1) at portions in air (160) and at a second spacing (d2) at portions that pass through a different dielectric material, such as polymer (150).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of a engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air-fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e. without fuel injection.) In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: auto speed control, sensor diagnostics, air-fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, and default operation. In addition, the engine control method also disables the split air/lean operating mode under preselected operating conditions.

Abstract: A high speed electrical connector configured to reduce the incidence of cross-talk is disclosed. The connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of columns of differential contact pairs and ground contacts. Each column of differential contact pairs and ground contacts is offset from an adjacent column such that multi-active cross-talk is reduced with respect to each differential contact pair.

Abstract: A high speed electrical connector configured to reduce the incidence of cross-talk is disclosed. The connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of columns of differential contact pairs and ground contacts. Each column of differential contact pairs and ground contacts is offset from an adjacent column such that multi-active cross-talk is reduced with respect to each differential contact pair.

Abstract: Lightweight, low cost, high density electrical connectors are disclosed that provide impedance controlled, high-speed, low interference communications, even in the absence of shields between the contacts, and that provide for a variety of other benefits not found in prior art connectors, such as low insertion loss. Signal contacts and ground contacts within the connectors can be scaled and positioned relative to one another such that a differential signal in a first differential signal pair produces a high field in the gap between the contacts that form the signal pair and a low field near an adjacent signal pair. Consequently, cross talk between adjacent signal contacts can be limited to acceptable levels for the particular application. In such connectors, the level of cross talk between adjacent signal contacts can be limited to the point that the need for (and cost of) shields between adjacent contacts is unnecessary, even in high speed, high signal integrity applications.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided that includes a first conductor having a first length and a second conductor having a second length. The impedance between the first and second conductor is substantially constant along the first and second length to allow high speed communications. The impedance between the first and second conductors may be controlled by controlling the spacing between the first and second conductors.

Abstract: In order to provide for reduced internal combustion engine exhaust emissions when cold starting an internal combustion engine, there is provided two methods and systems for cold starting an internal combustion engine, and one method and system for shutting down an internal combustion engine. The methods and systems are directed towards: (1) a preheating of a minimum of one thermally activated sensor within an internal combustion engine prior to cold starting of the internal combustion engine; (2) an autocranking of an internal combustion engine while metering fuel into the internal combustion engine and timing ignition within the internal combustion engine such as to reduce internal combustion exhaust emissions when cold starting the internal combustion engine; and (3) a phased shut down of fuel supply control followed by ignition source control when shutting down an internal combustion engine after operating the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An air/fuel control method for an engine including a NOx sensor in operative relationship to a catalytic converter. The method comprises the steps of providing a base fuel signal related to a quantity of air inducted into the engine and generating a bias signal for biasing the base fuel signal towards a leaner air/fuel ratio. The output of the NOx sensor is monitored to detect a predetermined exhaust gas NOx value representing a predefined NOx conversion efficiency. The base fuel signal is then modified as a function of the bias signal corresponding to the predetermined exhaust gas NOx value to maintain the catalytic converter within a desired efficiency range. In one aspect of the invention, the process of detecting the edge of the NOx conversion efficiency window is executed at predetermined time periods measured by the distance the vehicle traveled, or the elapsed time since last base fuel value modification.

Abstract: A needle clamp is used to clamp and manipulate a suturing needle having a given radius of curvature. The clamp includes a pair of opposed arms that have an open position for insertion of the needle and a closed or clamping position. The arms are rotatable together about a rotational axis, and the needle is held in a curved convex groove positioned from the rotational axis at a distance approximately equal to the radius of curvature of the needle, so that the needle rotates about its curvature. The replaceable clamp is held along the rotational axis by an instrument handle that includes opposed clamp-engaging members, with the clamp and instrument handle having mating projections and recesses. The instrument also includes a manipulator to rotate the clamp about the rotational axis. The needle clamp may be permanently affixed on the clamp-engaging members or may be releasibly engaged such that various different needle clamps may be interchangeably affixed on the instrument handle engaging members.

Abstract: A network for providing sensing and control using cells having distributed intelligence. A link between a first cell and a second cell is established by assigning some cells as repeaters. A first packet is modified with the ID of the cells that rebroadcast the packet as it makes its way in the network from the first cell to the second cell. The second cell returns a packet causing cells in the link to be assigned as repeaters.

Abstract: A cell for use in a network which provides sensing, control and communications. Each cell, as part of its manufacturing process, includes a unique 48-bit identification number. A terminal on the cell enables the broadcast of this unique number onto the network during initialization of the network so that each cell can be identified. The input/output section of each cell communicates with the plurality of processors in the cell allowing one processor to interpret messages received from the network without interrupts of functions performed by other processors.

Abstract: A network for sensing, communicating and controlling employing a plurality of cells which communicate through packets. First cells are assigned an announcer function, others a listener function with at least one announcer or listener cell also performing the function of repeating at least some of the packets. The cells are organized into groups, each group being assigned a group function. Group identification numbers are included in the packets to allow the cells for a particular group to identify packets intended for it.

Abstract: A cell for a network which provides for sensing of conditions, communicating messages and controlling objects through messages encoded into segments of six bit codes each containing 3 binary ones and 3 binary zeros. The messages begin with one predetermined code which provides bit synchronization followed by a second predetermined code which provides byte synchronization.

Abstract: A network for sensing, communcating and controlling including a plurality of cells. Each cell is identified by a permanent, unique identification number. Groups of cells are programmed to perform group functions and are assigned group identification numbers. Communication is performed via a medium using the cell identification numbers and group identification numbers.