Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner includes a piston that is pivotally mounted to a tensioner arm. The piston is slidably received within a hollow body that is pivotally mounted to a mounting block or engine. In different embodiments, the body is mounted to the tensioner arm while the piston is biased against the mounting block or pivotally connected to the mounting block or engine.

Abstract: A chain tensioner (10) is disclosed which includes a tensioner arm (18), a face (30) and a blade spring (36). The face and blade spring each have portions which extend beyond a distal end (22) of the tensioner arm. The blade spring maintains contact between the face and a chain (16) as the chain wears.

Abstract: A reflective coherent spatial light modulator (RCSLM) includes a subwavelength resonant grating structure (SWS), the SWS including at least one subwavelength resonant grating layer (SWL) have a plurality of areas defining a plurality of pixels. Each pixel represents an area capable of individual control of its reflective response. A structure for modulating the resonant reflective response of at least one pixel is provided. The structure for modulating can include at least one electro-optic layer in optical contact with the SWS. The RCSLM is scalable in both pixel size and wavelength. A method for forming a RCSLM includes the steps of selecting a waveguide material and forming a SWS in the waveguide material, the SWS formed from at least one SWL, the SWL having a plurality of areas defining a plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A novel cytosine-5 DNA methyltransferase, isolated from Chlorella virus NYs-1, and its encoded enzyme are disclosed. The methyltransferase recognizes a GpC dinucleotide in DNA. Methods of using the novel methyltransferase in high resolution chromatin mapping and related techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transverse-longitudinal integrated optical resonator (TLIR) is disclosed which includes a waveguide, a first and a second subwavelength resonant grating in the waveguide, and at least one photonic band gap resonant structure (PBG) in the waveguide. The PBG is positioned between the first and second subwavelength resonant gratings. An electro-optic waveguide material may be used to permit tuning the TLIR and to permit the TLIR to perform signal modulation and switching. The TLIR may be positioned on a bulk substrate die with one or more electronic and optical devices and may be communicably connected to the same. A method for fabricating a TLIR including fabricating a broadband reflective grating is disclosed. A method for tuning the TLIR's transmission resonance wavelength is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transverse-longitudinal integrated optical resonator (TLIR) is disclosed which includes a waveguide, a first and a second subwavelength resonant grating in the waveguide, and at least one photonic band gap resonant structure (PBG) in the waveguide. The PBG is positioned between the first and second subwavelength resonant gratings. An electro-optic waveguide material may be used to permit tuning the TLIR and to permit the TLIR to perform signal modulation and switching. The TLIR may be positioned on a bulk substrate die with one or more electronic and optical devices and may be communicably connected to the same. A method for fabricating a TLIR including fabricating a broadband reflective grating is disclosed. A method for tuning the TLIR's transmission resonance wavelength is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel cytosine-5 DNA methyltransferase, isolated from Chlorella virus NYs-1, and its encoded enzyme are disclosed. The methyltransferase recognizes a GpC dinucleotide in DNA. Methods of using the novel methyltransferase in high resolution chromatin mapping and related techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser (10; 110; 210) in which a rotor (12; 112;212) that is secured to a rotatable camshaft is selectively advanced or retarded in position relative to a surrounding rotatable housing (14; 114, 214), the rotor having at least one outwardly extending vane (20; 120; 220) that is received in an inwardly facing recess (18; 118; 218). Pressurized oil is selectively delivered to one of an advance portion or a retard portion of the recess, and simultaneously withdrawn from the other of the advance portion and the retard portion, by adjusting the axial position of an axially shiftable spool valve (22; 122; 222). The spool valve has a null position, and the relative positions of the rotor and the housing are positively locked in position when the spool valve is in its null position by a locking pin (48; 148; 248). The locking pin is resiliently biased towards a locking position by a spring (52; 152; 252), and is urged away from its locking position by pressurized oil from a source.

Abstract: A polarization sensitive filter includes a first sub-wavelength resonant grating structure (SWS) for receiving incident light, and a second SWS. The SWS are disposed relative to one another such that incident light which is transmitted by the first SWS passes through the second SWS. The filter has a polarization sensitive resonance, the polarization sensitive resonance substantially reflecting a first polarization component of incident light while substantially transmitting a second polarization component of the incident light, the polarization components being orthogonal to one another. A method for forming polarization filters includes the steps of forming first and second SWS, the first and second SWS disposed relative to one another such that a portion of incident light applied to the first SWS passes through the second SWS.

Abstract: A reflective coherent spatial light modulator (RCSLM) includes a subwavelength resonant grating structure (SWS), the SWS including at least one subwavelength resonant grating layer (SWL) have a plurality of areas defining a plurality of pixels. Each pixel represents an area capable of individual control of its reflective response. A structure for modulating the resonant reflective response of at least one pixel is provided. The structure for modulating can include at least one electro-optic layer in optical contact with the SWS. The RCSLM is scalable in both pixel size and wavelength. A method for forming a RCSLM includes the steps of selecting a waveguide material and forming a SWS in the waveguide material, the SWS formed from at least one SWL, the SWL having a plurality of areas defining a plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A front cover for an internal combustion engine comprises variable cam timing (VCT) controls integrated into the cover, including a variable force solenoid (VFS) and a cam position sensor located in front of and operably connected to a cam phaser. In an embodiment of the invention, the engine cover, once assembled, comprises a single unit having an electronic interface module (EIM), VFS and position sensor integrated within said cover.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system comprising a camshaft (36) with a vane (2) secured to the camshaft for rotation with the camshaft but not for oscillation with respect to the camshaft. The vane has a circumferentially extending plurality of lobes (20, 22, 24) projecting radially outwardly therefrom and is surrounded by an annular housing (28) that has a corresponding plurality of recesses (30, 32, 34) each of which receives one of the lobes and has a circumferential extent greater than the circumferential extent of the lobe received therein to permit oscillation of the housing relative to the camshaft. Oscillation of the housing relative to the camshaft is actuated by pressurized engine oil in each of the recesses on opposed sides of the lobe therein, the oil pressure in such recess being preferably derived in part from a torque pulse in the camshaft as it rotates during its operation.

Abstract: A hub is secured to a camshaft for rotation synchronous with the camshaft, and a housing circumscribes the hub and is rotatable with the hub and the camshaft and is further oscillatable with respect to the hub and the camshaft within a predetermined angle of rotation. Driving vanes are radially disposed within the housing and cooperate with an external surface on the hub, while driven vanes are radially disposed in the hub and cooperate with an internal surface of the housing. A locking device, reactive to oil pressure, prevents relative motion between the housing and the hub. A controlling device controls the oscillation of the housing relative to the hub.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) system (10/210) includes a camshaft (20), having a lobe (22) thereon. A valve (30/230) terminates in a stem end (34/234), and is moveable between open and closed positions along its own longitudinal axis, where the valve is biased toward the closed position. A bucket tappet (40/240) includes a lifter plate (41/241) having a middle portion (44/244) for engaging the lobe of the camshaft on a camshaft side (46/246) of the lifter plate, and for engaging the stem end of the valve on a valve side (48/248) of the lifter plate. The lifter plate includes end portions (50/250/252) on either side of the middle portion, and is translatable by rotation of the lobe of the camshaft to cause movement of the valve along its longitudinal axis toward the open position.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner includes a piston that is pivotally mounted to a tensioner arm. The piston is slidably received within a hollow body that is pivotally mounted to a mounting block or engine. In different embodiments, the body is mounted to the tensioner arm while the piston is biased against the mounting block or pivotally connected to the mounting block or engine.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system comprising a camshaft (36) with a vane (20) secured to the camshaft for rotation with the camshaft but not for oscillation with respect to the camshaft. The vane has a circumferentially extending plurality of lobes (20, 22, 24) projecting radially outwardly therefrom and is surrounded by an annular housing (28) that has a corresponding plurality of recesses (30, 32, 34) each of which receives one of the lobes and has a circumferential extent greater than the circumferential extent of the lobe received therein to permit oscillation of the housing relative to the vane and the camshaft while the housing rotates with the camshaft and the vane. Oscillation of the housing relative to the vane and the camshaft is actuated by pressurized engine oil in each of the recesses on opposed sides of the lobe therein, the oil pressure in such recess being preferably derived in part from a torque pulse in the camshaft as it rotates during its operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioner having a piston slidably fitted in a bore in a housing forming a fluid chamber. The piston is biased in a protruding direction by a spring and fluid. A check valve permits flow of fluid into the fluid chamber and prevents flow of fluid in the reverse direction. A pressure relief valve is provided in the fluid chamber. The pressure relief valve works with a vent disc having two separate vent paths. The pressure relief valve and vent disc provide controlled venting of fluid from the fluid chamber during both conventional operation and during periods of excessive pressure and thus, prevent collapse of the tensioner.

Abstract: An on demand vehicle drive system monitors vehicle performance and operating conditions and controls torque delivery to the vehicle wheels. The system includes a plurality of speed and position sensors, a transfer case having primary and secondary output shafts driving primary and secondary axles and a microcontroller. The sensors include a vehicle speed sensor, a pair of primary and secondary drive shaft speed sensors, and brake and driveline status sensors. The transfer case includes a modulating electromagnetic clutch controlled by the microcontroller which is incrementally engaged to transfer torque from the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft. When the speed of either the front or the rear drive shafts overruns, i.e., exceeds, the speed of the other drive shaft by a predetermined value related to the vehicle speed, indicating that wheel slip is present, clutch current is incrementally increased to increase clutch engagement and torque transfer to the secondary axle.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a camshaft (14) and variable camshaft timing system, where a rotor (22) is secured to the camshaft (14) and is rotatable but non-oscillatable with respect to the camshaft (14). A housing (68) circumscribes the rotor (22), is rotatable with both the rotor (22) and the camshaft (14), and is further oscillatable with respect to both the rotor (22) and the camshaft (14) between a fully retarded position and a fully advanced position. A locking configuration prevents relative motion between the rotor and the housing (68), and is mounted within either the rotor (22) or the housing (68), and is respectively and releasably engageable with the other of either the rotor (22) and the housing (68) in the fully retarded position, the fully advanced position, and in positions therebetween.